Why you should or shouldn’t upgrade your MacOS

Should You Upgrade to the latest MacOS?

You have a Mac computer. Maybe it’s a Macbook, an iMac, or even a Mac Pro. It’s been a reliable computer and has lasted you a long time.

Now you keep getting notifications that a new software update is available for you. Do you stay on the current version, or do you make the jump to the newest MacOS update?

Today, I’ll be presenting 6 questions to help you decide if it’s the best decision for you. The first 3 will be in favor of upgrading your computer, explaining the benefits and some new features that have been introduced in MacOS.

The last 3 questions will be in favor of staying on the version installed on your computer, talking about feature compatibility, hardware aging, and the potential downsides of newer software on older hardware.

So, why should you upgrade to the latest available version? Why should you upend your comfy MacOS bed and rearrange everything? You have all your files exactly where you want them to be, you know what your app icons look like, and how all of your applications work.

macOS Software Update or Upgrade Process

Before you decide to update or upgrade your MacOS, it’s important to understand the difference between updates and upgrades, and how the process works.

Distinguishing Software Updates from Upgrades

Apple operating systems use a version numbering scheme to distinguish minor updates from major upgrades.

Updates are more frequently released software patches that help secure or enhance the current operating system. They are designed to protect your device against security or privacy vulnerabilities. For example, iOS 15.1 is an update to iOS 15.

Upgrades, on the other hand, typically make important changes to your system in functionality, user interface, and general appearance over the previous version. For example, iOS 15 and tvOS 16 are upgrades. Upgrades are released much less frequently than updates, and can take a while to install because of their large size. Also, older devices may not be eligible for upgrades because they don’t have the space or power to support the new software.

macOS Software Update or Upgrade Process

The OTA update method is now the preferred method for updates to macOS. Upgrades are now incremental patches that result in smaller downloads and faster installation. Only the components required to complete an update are downloaded, improving network efficiency by not downloading the entire operating system.

Mac computers receive update and upgrade notifications in the following ways:

1. A notification in Notification Center
2. In System Settings (macOS 13 or later)
3. In System Preferences (macOS 12.0.1 or earlier)

On a Mac, any user can perform software updates. Prior to macOS 12.3, local administrators are required to perform software upgrades. Using macOS 12.3 or later, any user can perform a software upgrade. On Apple silicon, users must be a volume owner to perform software updates and upgrades.

Biggest benefits to updating MacOS

Security

You get the latest security updates, and overall improvements against viruses and malware. With every new system update come new patches, lists and fixes for MacOS’ anti-virus software, called Gatekeeper. Every year new viruses, exploits and vulnerabilities are discovered in MacOS, with the newest versions of MacOS, this ensures you have the latest security fixes for as long as possible.

Exclusive New Features

The latest features can be really great (if you have a computer that can take advantage). In the latest version of MacOS, there is a new feature called Universal Control, which allows you to literally share files from your iPad to your Mac, by simply dragging a file across the screen and dropping it on your other device. So for example, if you have a document you want to save to your iPad from your Mac computer, simply click the document file, and drag it over to your iPad’s screen, and it will be saved! No cables, no special apps needed! Every so often a cool new feature like this is introduced, and can be a major reason for many to upgrade their software.

iOS App Store Compatibility

Starting in MacOS Catalina (2019), Apple added the ability for Mac computers to start running iOS apps, meaning the amounts of programs that you could download on your computer was drastically higher than before. In Catalina, the apps for Reminders, Voice Memos, and other core iOS features were integrated into MacOS, offering better interoperability between your Mac and your iPhone or iPad.

Potential downsides when upgrading MacOS

We’ve talked about 3 biggest reasons you would want to upgrade your Mac to the latest version for it. But what should we be aware of?

App compatibility

While new versions mean new apps, and new possibilities, sometimes you have the singular application you’ve really gotten used to that is no longer supported. For example, my photo editing app of choice, Apple Aperture, has not been updated in nearly 4 years, and has since been discontinued. Updating my Macbook to a newer version of MacOS will make my computer incompatible with this photo editing app. Sometimes you just have software that works for you and what you do with it. The hidden cost of free software updates is in the new software you have to purchase. Sometimes, the old version is good enough.

Features

If you have an older Mac computer like me (Mid 2014 Retina Macbook Pro), then a lot of the newer flashier features in MacOS are just not available for your computer. For example, the Universal Control feature that I mentioned, not available for my Macbook. So before you click upgrade, make sure you are aware of what features your computer supports, because it drastically varies between different generations of computers. In fact, my Macbook Pro is no longer even supported officially on MacOS Monterey.

Stability, and speed

After a few years, your Mac starts to get full of photos, documents, videos and apps. Each one of these pieces of data can slow down your computer. The same thing can happen with new versions of MacOS. These new features, systems, processes, applications and software are all operating on hardware that is not updated. To do every day things, the processor needs to work even harder. The processor I have in my 2014 model Macbook isn’t getting any faster, but the software for a 2020 version of MacOS is often introducing drastic changes. As more and more of the software is optimized for newer processors, and different Mac system architectures, there are more and more incompatibilities with older versions. These differences might result in noticeable system slowdowns, poor battery life, and increased heat output by your computer.

macOS Sonoma Compatibility

Before you decide to upgrade to macOS Sonoma (Available Fall 2023), it’s important to check if your device is compatible with this new version. Here are the oldest models of MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini that support macOS Sonoma:

• MacBook Air: The oldest MacBook Air model that supports macOS Sonoma is the MacBook Air (2018 and later).
• MacBook Pro: The oldest MacBook Pro model that supports macOS Sonoma is the MacBook Pro (2018 and later).
• iMac: The oldest iMac model that supports macOS Sonoma is the iMac (2019 and later).
• Mac mini: The oldest Mac mini model that supports macOS Sonoma is the Mac mini (2018 and later).

Please note that these are the oldest models that support macOS Sonoma. Newer models of these devices are also compatible with this version. For a complete list of compatible devices, please refer to the official compatibility list.

macOS Ventura Compatibility

Before you decide to upgrade to macOS Ventura (Available 2022), it’s important to check if your device is compatible with this new version. Here are the oldest models of MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini that support macOS Ventura:

• MacBook Air: The oldest MacBook Air model that supports macOS Ventura is the MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018).
• MacBook Pro: The oldest MacBook Pro model that supports macOS Ventura is the MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports).
• iMac: The oldest iMac model that supports macOS Ventura is the iMac (21.5-inch, 2017).
• Mac mini: The oldest Mac mini model that supports macOS Ventura is the Mac mini (2018).

Please note that these are the oldest models that support macOS Ventura. Newer models of these devices are also compatible with this version. For a complete list of compatible devices, please refer to the official Apple support page.

Summary

Software updates are constantly being developed, and our computers are always asking for those updates. Being constantly bombarded, being told to update and that it’ll make our lives so much better is just part of living in a tech centric world.

But knowing what to look for, and how to weigh the pros and cons of updating is just as important as knowing what features the new software has. This can equally apply not just to your Mac, but also to your iPhone, iPad or Android device.

The easiest way I can decide to update, is to look at a compatibility list, and see how many generations separate my device from the lowest compatible option. If my computer falls within 1 or 2 spots from the bottom, I would recommend staying put.

But if you are unsure, feel free to stop over at Gophermods, where our experts can help you make an informed decision on your software needs or any MacBook repair.