system software update

Before upgrading your operating system to a newer OS it is important to consider whether your third party apps you have now

will continue to operate in the new OS.

Use this webpage to give you an idea if your versions of software will continue to work in the new OS,

https://roaringapps.com/apps

Use the Search field to enter the name and version of the app and click on Options to select the OS's you want to see results for.

It is more than likely that the older apps you use on your mac will not be compatible with a newer OS and you will have to download newer versions of those apps that will work in the newer OS. more than likely you will have to pay for any newer versions of third party apps.

It is also necessary to check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.

Many people have been caught out by not realising that manufacturers of products do not continue to support their devices

in newer OS's.

If you are considering upgrading to Catalina 10.15 or Big Sur 11.0 be warned they do not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/ then contact the developers of the software to see

if they are offering 64bit updates.

Good for you. You are thinking about an important issue. There is no one right answer. Here are my own thoughts on the matter. I believe in keeping everything as up to date as I can. That includes apps and the operating system. Second, and most important. I am very careful not to install junk apps or do any downloads from unknown web sites. I keep my computer as free as possible from all those apps out there which claim to save the world. Everything that is installed has the potential of causing a conflict. Normally, installing an OS update or upgrade will cause NO problems. The problems we see are usually caused by some conflict or a junk app which should not have been installed in the first place, such as antivirus apps. When a problem occurs, it can then be addressed and resolved. There are various processes to do so. Here is just one example So, so many people now complain that their printer's don't work after upgrading their OS. They bitch and complain how Apple ruined their computer. Normally, all that is needed is an updated printer driver. Providing one is the responsibility of the printer manufacturer, not Apple. Some do, some do not. Yet, few people will take the time to do any research about this issue which has been addressed literally many hundreds of times on this forum. The answers are already out there. If one doesn't work another one usually will work. So, in summary, I keep my computers clean and up to date and I've virtually never had any issues that weren't easily resolved. When a problem does come up, there are usually some experts here that are happy to help you. Thanks for asking.