I built a Monterey virtual machine in Parallels to play around with.
Random thoughts: I figure eventually Apple will release the final macOS that supports Intel and then we’ll have three years of software support from that date from folks like Microsoft and Intuit as they appear to now be following Apple’s standard macOS support window (and probably hundreds of other vendors), so let’s say this year’s macOS is the last Intel compatible, October-ish 2025 all Intel macs finally out in the cold. Maybe we get one more in 2023, so October-ish 2026. That puts my fully loaded 2019 MBP at 7 years old when all Intel support stops (for me). All in all not the worst, wouldn’t mind having longer support. I usually replace machines every 5 years or so, but with no more Intel MBPs, I’ll have to decide if I move to an AS MBP or keep what I have and run windows in bootcamp or possibly Linux (if drivers for touchbar and T2 ever get made). Or just get a Windows machine which at this point is the least desirable option for me.
So what was my point? Uh… lol… oh, so to continue using Mojave as the main OS on my MBP and use Parallels to run whatever is the last macOS supporting Intel for purposes of extending life of laptop without upgrading Mojave. Or could bite the bullet now and jump to Big Sur (Monterey still looking like a work in progress, what with memory leaks and other issues). But what does that buy me besides some extra OS updates and maybe the occasional app requiring a newer OS (looking at you Microsoft 365 and TurboTax)? As I’ve played around with BS and Monterey, there aren’t really any features since Catalina that I would use. So BS and Monterey for me would just be a new UI and intro of some AS-only features that Intel won’t get. And this and next year’s OS probably won’t be different in that every OS from Monterey onward really will be tuned/crafted for AS as it should be (not really complaining about that).
So if I leave Mojave behind, here are the advantages in my use case (in addition to extended support and app compatibility):
Catalina: In addition to saying goodbye to my handful of 32-bit games and one or two apps, I do appreciated the separate write-only system partition and Activation lock as additional security features starting in Catalina. I also like better iCloud integration/feature layout in Preferences, a dedicated Find My app to track family members (put the booze away before wife gets home, etc), and I like that Reminders works/syncs with iCloud/iPhone which doesn’t work on Mojave depending on whether or not you upgraded your Notes back when iOS 13 came out. And it’s the same UI I’ve become used to the past 12+ years. That’s really it for Catalina advantages for me.
Big Sur: Same benefits as Catalina but with an extra year of support and new UI. The new UI could be seen as a disadvantage depending on your preference (I still prefer Mojave/Catalina UI). As I’ve played around with Big Sur I also realize the widgets are a lot less useful than the Catalina widgets. For instance, I follow about 25 stocks on iPhone stock app. I can see the first 12 (that’s how I’ve set it) in the macOS widget and can scroll inside the widget. Same with weather, I can click on the widget and get 7-day and hourly forecasts. In Big Sur/Monterey, I can only see a max of six stocks and if I click the widget anywhere it goes to the Stocks app. Same with weather. Not sure why the widgets aren’t interactive in the Notification Center anymore but this seems like going backward in terms of functionality. I actually do like the top right menu bar with time/date right justified, I can hide spotlight icon, and in general I like the more iOS like functionality with drop down menu for audio, connections, etc. So based on these items, it seems like Big Sur is a step backward from Catalina. UI some hits mostly misses. So not sure Big Sur is the answer other than knowing it’s the last macOS that has feature parity between AS and Intel models.
Monterey: Same benefits as Catalina, same drawbacks as Big Sur, but longer support window given it’s the current macOS. The only thing I’ve come across that I like so far is the ability to finally export Keychain/Safari logins/passwords. The password management is a definite advantage over Catalina/Big Sur. And as we all know some features were introduced that don’t work on our Intel MBPs. So other than password mgmt, nothing enticing me to install Monterey. And I know everyone had their preference, but the startup background is horrible. Much prefer Big Sur background or a landscape or how about an option to just select a solid color or gradient? Seeing the pinkishpurpleishewhite background just starts things off on a bad footing… ;-)
Ok so that’s my Mojave stream-of-consciousness. Ha! Anyone else grappling with the decision to hold on to Mojave at all costs, or just throw in the towel and embrace Apple’s vision of the future with Big Sur/Monterey?
Stay strong, fellow Mojavians!
