Should I update my MacBook Air (early 2014) from OS X Yosemite

[NowhereManNumber9]

Actually my Mac is running Yosemite

MacBook Air (13 inches, early 2014)
Intel Core i5 1.4 GHz
4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Intel HD Graphics 5000 1536 MB

I don't know if I should update any of these, I did not try any operating system.


Version 10.11: El Captain
Version 10.12: Sierra
Version 10.13: High Sierra


I have the iPhone in iOS 11 and it is giving problems with synchronization, Safari doesn't synchronize tabs with iCloud, which I used a lot before. Anyone who has recommended something to me?

 

[ncrypt]

Update to Sierra, High Sierra is a little buggy right now, but Sierra is solid and plays nice with iOS 11

 

[Fishrrman]

I agree with ncrypt -- you might try Low Sierra instead of High Sierra. HS seems to be running into problem after problem. I also prefer the HFS+ file system over the new APFS.

Having said that, I'm going to give you some advice re upgrading to ANY new version of the Mac OS.

It's in two parts.

FIRST PART:
BEFORE you upgrade, do this:
- get an external drive
- download either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper (both are FREE to download and use for 30 days)
- Use either CCC or SD to create a bootable cloned backup of your internal drive AS IT IS NOW (with Yosemite)
- Set the backup aside for safekeeping.

WHY you're doing this:
If something goes wrong, a bootable cloned backup makes it trivially easy to get your Mac "back to where it once belonged".
If you DON'T take the time to create a cloned backup, you might be able to get back, but it's NOT going to be "easy".

SECOND PART:
Things may go much easier IF you create a bootable USB installer and boot and install the new OS that way.
What you'll need:
- a USB flashdrive 16gb (8gb may work, but 16gb is better)
- the free app "Boot Buddy"
- a copy of the OS installer of your choice
Then use Boot Buddy to create the flash drive installer.
It would probably help to save the installer app somewhere safe, as well.
NOW -- boot and install from the flash drive.

 

[eximious]

Sierra (10.12.6) is buggy for me (MBP 2010). I can't work with Preview.app anymore (it has problems with pdf, exporting to gif, png, printing etc). My MacBook is so slow, it takes almost 3-6 sec while applications launching (I have HDD).

But Apple implemented improvements to Safari - now it's faster then Chrome for me, synchronization works like a charm. That is one huge plus. I recommend update to El Capitan at first.

 

[chscag]

High Sierra has just been updated to 10.13.2 and runs real well. Whatever you choose, I would not recommend anything lower than Sierra. I second the advice about using CCC or SD to make a cloned backup before you start.

 

[Fishrrman]

For a MacBook Pro with a platter-based drive, trying to run any version of the OS after Mountain Lion may end up being slow as molasses.

And SSD will improve things greatly...

 

[NowhereManNumber9]

Thanks everyone for your help!

I think I'll try with Sierra apparently High Sierra is full of bugs yet

 

[JOSmith99]

Thanks everyone for your help!

I think I'll try with Sierra apparently High Sierra is full of bugs yet

I have High Sierra on the base model 2012 MacBook Air and it has been great for me. Of course as suggested you should always make a backup before major software updates, but once you do so I would suggest that you try high Sierra. It has been great for me so far, and I have not run into any bugs (other than that tiny, little, barely worth mentioning root account exploit XD).