Is there a reason not to install MacOS 11?

[dizmonk]

Okay I took the plunge and upgraded. It's a little better on an Imac than an MBP but there are still problems. As others have discussed in the Big Sur forum Apple needs to make the text bigger or give the user an option to. I also don't like that all the icons are the same shape. Makes it harder to find what you're looking for (just like iOS.)

 

[pshufd]

Okay I took the plunge and upgraded. It's a little better on an Imac than an MBP but there are still problems. As others have discussed in the Big Sur forum Apple needs to make the text bigger or give the user an option to. I also don't like that all the icons are the same shape. Makes it harder to find what you're looking for (just like iOS.)

I'm not sure what is meant by smaller text. Things seem fine to me.

On icons, I usually use relative location and color and shape to find what I need.

 

[Huntn]

You might want to read this article over at 9to5mac about things learned during yesterday's Apple server outages:

Potential Mac privacy concerns surface after server outages - 9to5Mac

Apple's servers had issues on macOS Big Sur launch day that impacted a variety of services revealing potential Mac privacy and security concerns.

9to5mac.com

If this is all true, I am not upgrading to Big Sur, nor am I buying any Mx-based Mac, until this kind of phoning-home is stopped.

This was an eye opener for me. Btw, there is a new version of Little Snitch for Big Sur.

Little Snitch

Protects your privacy and prevents your private data from being sent out to the Internet without your knowledge.

www.obdev.at

 

[Populus]

This was an eye opener for me. Btw, there is a new version of Little Snitch for Big Sur.

Little Snitch

Protects your privacy and prevents your private data from being sent out to the Internet without your knowledge.

www.obdev.at

Hopefully more apps, like Little Snitch, will soon release a M1 native app. Also, a simpler and less intrusive version would be welcome. I’ve been pretty annoyed by all the alerts I get each time I’ve installed the free version

 

[63W]

Is that not adjustable?

Nope, the option is no longer in the Display properties. At least not for 2014 MBA.

 

[63W]

More!!!!??? Are you kidding?

Not kidding and there is no setting anymore to make it bigger. Only font size I was able to change, is for files and folder on the desktop.

 

[Mr. Heckles]

Big Sur is working just fine here. The UI is definitely a big change, but I like it.

The "future versions of macOS" bit would've been referring to the fact you cannot run 32-bit apps, but you couldn't run them in Catalina either.

I like too, and my Macbook Pro doesn't feel as warm also now.

 

[Huntn]

Not kidding and there is no setting anymore to make it bigger. Only font size I was able to change, is for files and folder on the desktop.

Hmm, does not sound like a good choice if the desktop items are too hard to read.

 

[halofan56]

There seems to be a few issues according to this link

macOS Big Sur Known Issues | Bombich Software

bombich.com

I just emailed CCC today, the beta is working smoothly, and expect the new version to fix the SSV issue.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

I have a 2016 MacBook Pro, with CateLina I’ve noticed messages regarding certain apps that they won’t be compatible with a future version of the MacOS. One is my Scansnap document scanner. Would that be this version? Yes, I will check the manufacturer (Fujitsu) web site to look for compatibility info, but though I’d ask here too.
Thanks.

There are plenty of reasons not to install the most recently released major version of an operating system.

Device driver compatibility is one clear issue.

However, there are basic issues. Like any operating system, major updates of macOS typically have lots of bugs. Over time, many of these bugs are addressed in minor updates.

Thus if you want a smoother update experience, one highly effective method is simply to wait several months before making the jump.

I held off upgrading a couple of iDevices from iOS 12 to iOS 13 for ten months. More notably, I am still running Mojave on my Mac mini 2018. I will upgrade to Big Sur but most likely I will wait until Q2 2021.

Based on Apple's software QA track record over the past few years, I have zero interest in upgrading to Big Sur today. As with Crapalina, I will likely do a test Big Sur install on a "disposable" external SSD. However in my mind, Big Sur is still beta quality at best. All of Apple's x.0.0 macOS releases since Sierra have been resolutely beta quality upon release.

For Crapalina, I'd say that 10.15.0 was late alpha quality, closer to Beta 1 than Beta 6.

This isn't really Apple specific. I waited four months to install Windows 10 May 2020 on a couple of Wintel boxes. I held my main PC held back another month.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I did the upgrade from Catalina the day Big Sur was available. I did a clean install of Big Sur from internet recovery with no problems.

 

[SmOgER]

Okay I took the plunge and upgraded. It's a little better on an Imac than an MBP but there are still problems. As others have discussed in the Big Sur forum Apple needs to make the text bigger or give the user an option to. I also don't like that all the icons are the same shape. Makes it harder to find what you're looking for (just like iOS.)

Which fonts are you talking about specifically? I did not notice them to be smaller at all in comparison to Catalina.

 

[SmOgER]

<...> I just think the colors used combined with the fonts are extremely hard to read, especially in light mode which I prefer.
<...>

Not the case for me. At least not with reduced transparency setting which I prefer.

 

[dizmonk]

They need to make the fonts larger

 

[SmOgER]

They need to make the fonts larger

I've had this issue with Yosemite (certain places like look-up dictionary), but again imho they are completely fine on macOS 11.

 

[Huntn]

There are plenty of reasons not to install the most recently released major version of an operating system.

Device driver compatibility is one clear issue.

However, there are basic issues. Like any operating system, major updates of macOS typically have lots of bugs. Over time, many of these bugs are addressed in minor updates.

Thus if you want a smoother update experience, one highly effective method is simply to wait several months before making the jump.

I held off upgrading a couple of iDevices from iOS 12 to iOS 13 for ten months. More notably, I am still running Mojave on my Mac mini 2018. I will upgrade to Big Sur but most likely I will wait until Q2 2021.

Based on Apple's software QA track record over the past few years, I have zero interest in upgrading to Big Sur today. As with Crapalina, I will likely do a test Big Sur install on a "disposable" external SSD. However in my mind, Big Sur is still beta quality at best. All of Apple's x.0.0 macOS releases since Sierra have been resolutely beta quality upon release.

For Crapalina, I'd say that 10.15.0 was late alpha quality, closer to Beta 1 than Beta 6.

This isn't really Apple specific. I waited four months to install Windows 10 May 2020 on a couple of Wintel boxes. I held my main PC held back another month.

In the past I upgraded to the next MacOS without much thought. Of note I am not a power user, ie using my MBP for not much more than file management and storage. I did run into issues involving calls to Apple about upgrading to Catalina. see this thread:

11Oct 2019 Think Twice about Catalina Install

13Oct19 Update: My issue has been resolved, see this post for a summary: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/11oct-2019-think-twice-about-catalina-install.2205246/post-27871119 ------------------------- First Clue I had a problem today was when Time Machine stopped backing Up with this...

forums.macrumors.com

Of note after Catalina was successfully installed, I have not run into any issues With it. Based on advice in this thread, I will hold off on Big Sur until at least .2.

 

[lpuerto]

Not kidding and there is no setting anymore to make it bigger. Only font size I was able to change, is for files and folder on the desktop.

I don't know… but I installed it the last weekend and for some reason I feel that the readability of the system is better. It's just an impression.

 

[pshufd]

I don't know… but I installed it the last weekend and for some reason I feel that the readability of the system is better. It's just an impression.

I'm not sure why but Big Sur just feels better. I went back to Mojave for a while and didn't like it as much and went back to Big Sur.

 

[xtempo]

I've been avoiding Big Sur as I rather stick with Catalina though I probably should have stayed with El Captian. It just seems new problems develop when I upgrade like I still don't have the use of my Apple BT mouse but my keyboard works perfectly. Also have gotten use to Catalina.

 

[Huntn]

How about now, is Big Sur good to go?

 

[flowrider]

^^^^As best as I can remember - YES! I'm now on Monterey, but still have a boot disc with Big Sur and still working fine!

Lou

 

[Populus]

How about now, is Big Sur good to go?

Definitely. Waited on macOS 11.4 until 11.6.1 was released, and did a clean install. I’ll be there until 12.2 or so.

It’s super snappy, and I’m sure it’s super secure with all the patches needed. Go ahead!

 

[jdoyle]

I have a 2016 MacBook Pro, with CateLina I’ve noticed messages regarding certain apps that they won’t be compatible with a future version of the MacOS. One is my Scansnap document scanner. Would that be this version? Yes, I will check the manufacturer (Fujitsu) web site to look for compatibility info, but though I’d ask here too.
Thanks.

Catalina dropped support for 32bit apps. Most of these older apps will never be updated. So if you have some you still need then stick with Mojave. its the last OS X to support 32bit apps.

 

[TheGeneralist]

How about now, is Big Sur good to go?

Well, honestly 11.6.1 still contains a lot of bugs you'll encounter regularly if you use it for more than e.g. just some websurfing and messaging.
But they're now more on the minor side of things and don't really tend to mess up your daily digital life anymore.

From my experience, 11.6.1 is surely a lot more stable than the latest Catalina built (which is now the oldest macOS version still supported with security fixes).
And although not directly tested on my machines, I'm very confident it is a lot more stable than the early Monterey releases which still suffer from a huge amount of various bugs - and will doubtlessly stay in such condition for at least some major dot revisions, as can be told from experience with the last three releases.

So - yes, in terms of stability and maturity, Big Sur seems to be the best macOS version currently out there.

 

[Huntn]

I have Catalina (10), my intent was to install Big Sur (11), but the only upgrade path that Apple seems to be offering is to Monterey (12).

• Is there a way to easily upgrade to MacOS11?
• Would it be foolish to bite the bullet and upgrade to MacOS12?
• Whatever I upgrade to, if I do a clean install, can I use my Catalina Time Machine backup to restore my desktop to something recognizable?
• I've read that via Time Machine, I could revert back top Catelina. Can anyone explain or have a link on how to do this?

Thanks!