Is it a good idea to always update OS? (2024)

stedman1

256,013 points

BobHarris

52,825 points

Apple managed iPhone battery life, by reducing power consumption. Slower CPU speed, or keeping some of the CPU Cores idle, uses less power and is one way to extend battery life. iPhones running out of battery when you really need it, is also something users do not want, especially if you need to make an emergency phone call.

Do not let people that refuse to understand the limitations of battery technology make your decisions for you.

As for always upgrading, it depends.

If the Mac is your everyday driver, then keeping within the last 3 operating system releases is going to keep you up-to-date with security releases (today that would be El Capitan 10.11.*, Sierra 10.12.*, or High Sierra 10.13.*)

If this is a system that does not surf the internet, such as an older Mac being used as a home server (I do this with an older Mac), or a Mac you use for things that do not involve lots of random internet access (also called surf'in the web), then an even older macOS release can be acceptable.

If you are willing to use an alternate web browser, where that web browser is still being updated with all the most recent security fixes, AND it runs on an older macOS release, then you could also continue using an older macOS release AND surf the web.

HOWEVER, you should ALWAYS download a copy of each major macOS release, so that you will have that release in your Applications -> App Store -> Purchases list. You can "Quit" the download when it begins the install and starts asking you questions.

If you DO NOT download a copy of each major release so it is in your Purchases tab, then when Apple releases a new major macOS version, you will no longer be able to get an older version. If you have downloaded a copy, you can either use your saved copy, or you can download a new copy from your App Store -> Purchases tab.

This gives you much more flexibility in the future if you prefer using older macOS releases.

Finally, you should be budgeting for a new Mac, as eventually your older hardware is not going to run any up-to-date web browser, and your hardware will be too old to run a current macOS release that has security fixes and runs web browsers that include security fixes.

VikingOSX

110,788 points

There is no confirmation from Apple or third-party testing that Apple is deliberately slowing down desktop, or laptop hardware. It may feel like it when you install into a minimal configured machine though, as the operating system continues to demand more resources going forward.

Apple has for the last several years, provided a three-year sliding window of operating system security updates, and on occasion, browser updates among those. If your installation of the operating system is currently older than El Capitan, then you are outside of the above mentioned security update window.

Otherwise, you should always ensure that you have the last released version of the previous (or current) operating system so that you qualify for these Security updates. By example, there are nine Security updates available if you have El Capitan 10.11.6 installed. If you stopped upgrading at 10.11.5, then none of these nine Security updates will be available to you — including Safari 11.0.2.

as_909

225 points

To directly answer your question, here are some things to consider:

1. The older the OS, the more vunerable it is from a security standpoint. Thus, if you reguarly use the internet (mail, web surfing, purchases online, etc.), it's best to stay up-to-date.

2. If you use your computer to run a business, you'll want to do some research a bit before your update. Namely, will all the software you rely on still work? You don't want to end up in a jam and losing business in case things fail. Eventually though, you should still be able to update.

3. Kinda like #2, but more generalistic. Sometimes updates come with major changes. For example, the next major OS after 10.13 will no longer run 32-bit software. So even if you don't use your Mac for business, there may be quite a bit of software that will no longer run. Games are notorious for never being updated, so expect that many may no longer function. Some people keep older Macs around just to run older software.

4. Software development (what I do)... in this case, you almost always need an up-to-date OS which is critical for writing macOS software (you need to test on what your customers will actually have).

Other notes... there will be a point in time when your hardware will be too old to update. So if you see a particular OS will no longer support your computer, time to put some money aside for a new computer.

It's possible to have multiple-boot systems. Here, you can keep older operating systems around (e.g. to run older software) and have the newest one also installed.

stedman1

256,013 points

rccharles

12,941 points

It's a tough market out there. It's expensive to feed dinosaurs. The allure of new technology is strong.

I ran Linux for awhile. It was amazing what you got for free, but every release had little compatibility issues that would take a month to sort out. It got old after awhile. Basic desktop wasn't as good as apple's macOS.

It's a tough market out there. Apple could do more to support older systems, but it's expensive. Apple would have to charge to support older systems. I guess even the minimal charges Apple used to charge for new versions of macOS wasn't enough. Look at how Microsoft got to be so large. They did it on the back of hardware manufactures that have gone out of business. HP said in court that they would never go with Microsoft software if they had a choice with the OS. This is what Apple has to deal with. Microsoft forbid the hardware manufactures from modifying Windows. All hardware manufactures had to compete against each other with the same product. Low cost manufacturer won. Microsoft didn't have to compete.

When you got large there is a tendency to do what you have done before. It would be nice if they listened more to basic customer complaints.

I decided to stay with Yosemite, 10.10.5. Some of my software didn't work in El Capitan and I never got around to figuring out why.

So, I do good backups. I have a backup sitting of line in a file cabinet.

R

BobHarris

52,825 points

I don't think the battery was the reason for slowing it down, although they like to state that of course. My old I Phone 4 battery still drastically outperformes any new I Phone. It can still be used as an mp3 player but it went so slow that even a skype talk was a burden. I can use it easily several days without recharging.

Different CPU, different graphic processor, different cellular radios, different WiFi radios, different Bluetooth radios, different screen technology and pixel density, smaller screen, thicker iPhone body, apps that used less RAM and did not try to do as much with the graphics, but besides that, they are obviously identical and will obviously have identical battery life characteristics.

You cannot compare 7 year oe ld technology against today's tech. It just does not work. There are so many variables it is impossible to draw a valid conclusion.

Also if Apple stopped managing battery life, and just range the CPU and Graphics chips at full speed all the time, everyone's iPhone battery would be toast in far less time, then it is today, and they would be buying new iPhones faster.

As it is, most iPhones live longer and users can wait an extra year or 2 before they need to get a new iPhone. If Apple wanted to maximize its profits, it seems to me extending the life of the battery is the wrong way to do that.

Personally thing an iPhone dying in the middle of a call is going to be more noticeable than the iPhone going a little slower.

stedman1

256,013 points

LuxMaryn wrote:

but I was comparing I Phone 4 with I Phone 4. Which btw apple didn't admit that it was slowed down as well. But it was, it went from working well to working horribly slow from one iOS version to the subsequent.

No, it was not slowed down. My iPhone 4 works as well, or maybe even better than it did when it was first released. If your iPhone is not working as you feel it should, diagnose the issue rather than pull your tin foil hat down over your eyes and shut out reality.

Also note, my MacBook Pro from 2006 is working as well today as it was when I purchased it as an Apple refurb 11 years ago. So, after 11 years and several OS upgrades, still going strong.

rccharles

12,941 points

I have an iPhone 4 as my sole phone. Works the same as when I bought it off ebay.

The other three cheapo no-name phones I had died in six months of light use. The iPhone worked well in the three years I've owned it. I'd say it's a little slow too, but this is because my expectations have changed.

R