Hi there, I'm on a 2018 MacBook Pro and I'm wondering if I should upgrade from Catalina to Big Sur. I would install Monterey but it's not compatible with a lot of my pro music software.
Two questions-
1) is it beneficial to upgrade to Big Sur at this point?
2) How would I do it?
I think I found the OS in the App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?mt=12
Thanks for your help!
MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
Does the >> Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade Answer is Yes.
The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.
With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install. For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.
Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.
If no ” Get Button “ Replace the https in the page's address to macappstore. Credit to Contributor @Niel
Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade
Empty Space Requirements >> If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 26GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44GB of available storage.
macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements
Empty Space Requirements specific to the Big Sur. Apple states 35.6 GB Empty Space but suggest 50 GB
Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to Big Sur / Monterey on Qualifying computers is Technically possible - there are those who have attempted and were successful. Then there are those who attempted and had less than good results.
If this is a Production or Mission Critical Set-up - a more prudent and measure approach is suggested.
The above is from observations on the Apple Support Community Forums and IMHO
Tips Big Sir Upgrade Released Nov 2020
Tips Monterey Upgrade Released Oct 25, 2021
Make Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS
Monterey is likely compatible with your pro music software. You just have to make the financial decision to upgrade your music software. If you aren’t willing or able to do that then stay where you are on Catalina. Catalina is still receiving security updates for the time being. There is no guarantee that your software will be fully compatible with Big Sur either.
Apple is under no obligation to keep macOS compatible with older third party software. Software developers are responsible for keeping their products up to date with the latest version of macOS. Those who don’t are not worthy of their customer’s loyalty, in my opinion.
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately some of the software companies which make the finest products, like UAD and iZotope, are still not compatible with Monterey but are with Big Sur.
Upgrade from Catalina to Big Sur?
