To update or not to

[TrboMac]

I'm always unsure if it's a good idea to do a major update, and now w/ ML 10.8.3 I'm not sure if I"ll update just yet. I've read countless horror stories in the past when upgrading to a new OS version. I wonder how far past one's original OS is a good idea? I guess there's no definite answer, just thinking out loud.

It's probably best to keep reading the threads for beta testers, but I'm curious how others handle their decision to update the OS or not to. Thoughts?

 

[benwiggy]

It's probably best to keep reading the threads for beta testers, but I'm curious how others handle their decision to update the OS or not to. Thoughts?

Beta testers are testing pre-release builds of the software, in order to find problems.
Once software is released, then (most of) the problems found will have been fixed.

You should not be afraid of updating -- in fact, you should update soon after release. Updates contain bug fixes, improvements, security fixes, and much else. If you are in doubt: upgrade.

I've been updating versions of OS X for ten years, and I think only a few times has there been any problems with the updates. In that event, a revision or fix has been very quickly forthcoming. Perhaps leave it a couple of days for the early adopters to catch any trouble, but after that, you should upgrade.

You will ALWAYS find posts saying "OMG I installed the update and now my computer doesn't work." There's usually some other cause than the update itself. Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

I wonder how far past one's original OS is a good idea?

You should always take the UPDATES. If you have Snow Leopard, you should be running 10.6.8, not 10.6.2. If you have Tiger, 10.4.11, not 10.4.7.

If you're talking about major OS versions, then that's different. Ageing hardware may not cope well with newer OSes, even if they meet the requirements.

 

[TrboMac]

Beta testers are testing pre-release builds of the software, in order to find problems.
Once software is released, then (most of) the problems found will have been fixed.

You should not be afraid of updating -- in fact, you should update soon after release. Updates contain bug fixes, improvements, security fixes, and much else. If you are in doubt: upgrade.

I've been updating versions of OS X for ten years, and I think only a few times has there been any problems with the updates. In that event, a revision or fix has been very quickly forthcoming. Perhaps leave it a couple of days for the early adopters to catch any trouble, but after that, you should upgrade.

You will ALWAYS find posts saying "OMG I installed the update and now my computer doesn't work." There's usually some other cause than the update itself. Post hoc ergo propter hoc.


You should always take the UPDATES. If you have Snow Leopard, you should be running 10.6.8, not 10.6.2. If you have Tiger, 10.4.11, not 10.4.7.

If you're talking about major OS versions, then that's different. Ageing hardware may not cope well with newer OSes, even if they meet the requirements.

Thanks, that was just the insight I was looking for when making this post.