This was the final release before the major "Handle Graphics 2" (HG2) transition. If you have very old code that relies on specific graphical behaviors or undocumented "low-level" graphics hacks, R2014a is often the most stable choice to ensure your plots look and behave exactly as they did in the early 2000s.

The 2014 releases (R2014a and R2014b) are often sought after for their stability on older hardware and the introduction of modern graphics handling. R2014b, in particular, is considered a "landmark" version as it debuted the new default colors, fonts, and anti-aliased graphics that defined the look of MATLAB for the following decade. Key Features and Improvements New Graphics System (R2014b):

Direct source control integration was added to the Current Folder browser.

Download MATLAB R2014b with Update 3 . You get the modern interface, the ability to read newer .mat files (v7.3), and the graphics are "good enough."

To ensure a smooth download experience:

In the world of high-level programming and numerical computing, newer isn’t always synonymous with "better." While MathWorks releases two major updates every year, a dedicated segment of engineers, researchers, and students continues to search for ways to versions of MATLAB (specifically R2014a and R2014b).