Is Monterey stable enough now to upgrade? My key working apps are FCPX, Compressor, Logic Audio, Pages, Numbers. Photos, Affinity Series: Photo, Publisher, Designer; MSOffice.
I'm in the middle of productions and don't want to suddenly have to spend days fixing issues in Monterey that are not issues in Big Sur (which I'm currently using).
Any suggestions?
Ben
MacBook Pro
The below points should be consider before attempting the upgrade.
Point # 1 - Does the >> Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade
Point # 1A - There are reports appearing on the ASC Forums regarding failed installation of Monterey on older Qualifying Apple Computers. In most cases this is related to having a NON Apple Original internal drive ?
The EFI Boot ROM included in Monterey is verifying for Original Apple Drive and if not found , may Balk or fail to upgrade to Monterey.
Reports indicate the EFI BOOT ROM is Required to Flash the Computer and is a requirement for a Successful Monterey Installation.
Point # 1B - Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to 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
Point # 2 - >> How to upgrade to macOS Monterey
Point # 3 - 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.
Point # 4 - Empty Space afterwards - it is suggested to keep at least 15% to 20% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer and for additional updates to Monterey to download, expand and install.
Point # 5 - The upgrade will require a quick, stable and reliable Internet Connection - preferred method is via Ethernet Connection.
Point # 6 - If using Wifi - move computer as close to the Access Point / Router and disconnect all other devices connected to Wifi. Want the maximum bandwidth for the computer being upgraded to Monterey
Point # 7 - Commercial VPNs should only be used if Mandated by Corporate Head Office for working remotely. Otherwise - ones Privacy and Security touted by the VPN is suspect.
Point # 8 - If downloading Monterey from behind a VPN it may increase Packet Looses and an incomplete or corrupted Installer.
Point # 9 - AntiVirus Software should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS including the download and installation of Monterey.
The Built in Security is all that is required.
There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS because of the underling UNIX Foundation and Permission Limitation.
Point # 10 - Disk Cleaners, Optimizers and UnInstaller are not needed. They will often times attempt to Modify, Alter, Remove or Delete elements of the Operating System requiring a Re-Installation.
Point # 11 - Do you have a Rescue Plan In-Place. This comprises having 3 Backups using 2 methods and 1 Off Site incase of Theft, Loss or Natural Disasters. A Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS.
Point # 12 - For addition purposes - two Tested Clones each to separate external drives. This is insurance incase the upgrades goes sideways. At least one Tested Clone and / or Time Machine Backup should be Off - Site
Does my CCC backup have to be bootable for me to restore data from it?
Point # 13 - Are the installed Applications / Extensions compatible with Monterey. Check with the Developer for compatible Apps / extensions. Do they offer updates or upgrades. Same goes for Third Party Drivers for Printer, Scanners etc.
The below points should be consider before attempting the upgrade.
Point # 1 - Does the >> Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade
Point # 1A - There are reports appearing on the ASC Forums regarding failed installation of Monterey on older Qualifying Apple Computers. In most cases this is related to having a NON Apple Original internal drive ?
The EFI Boot ROM included in Monterey is verifying for Original Apple Drive and if not found , may Balk or fail to upgrade to Monterey.
Reports indicate the EFI BOOT ROM is Required to Flash the Computer and is a requirement for a Successful Monterey Installation.
Point # 1B - Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to 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
Point # 2 - >> How to upgrade to macOS Monterey
Point # 3 - 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.
Point # 4 - Empty Space afterwards - it is suggested to keep at least 15% to 20% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer and for additional updates to Monterey to download, expand and install.
Point # 5 - The upgrade will require a quick, stable and reliable Internet Connection - preferred method is via Ethernet Connection.
Point # 6 - If using Wifi - move computer as close to the Access Point / Router and disconnect all other devices connected to Wifi. Want the maximum bandwidth for the computer being upgraded to Monterey
Point # 7 - Commercial VPNs should only be used if Mandated by Corporate Head Office for working remotely. Otherwise - ones Privacy and Security touted by the VPN is suspect.
Point # 8 - If downloading Monterey from behind a VPN it may increase Packet Looses and an incomplete or corrupted Installer.
Point # 9 - AntiVirus Software should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS including the download and installation of Monterey.
The Built in Security is all that is required.
There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS because of the underling UNIX Foundation and Permission Limitation.
Point # 10 - Disk Cleaners, Optimizers and UnInstaller are not needed. They will often times attempt to Modify, Alter, Remove or Delete elements of the Operating System requiring a Re-Installation.
Point # 11 - Do you have a Rescue Plan In-Place. This comprises having 3 Backups using 2 methods and 1 Off Site incase of Theft, Loss or Natural Disasters. A Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS.
Point # 12 - For addition purposes - two Tested Clones each to separate external drives. This is insurance incase the upgrades goes sideways. At least one Tested Clone and / or Time Machine Backup should be Off - Site
Does my CCC backup have to be bootable for me to restore data from it?
Point # 13 - Are the installed Applications / Extensions compatible with Monterey. Check with the Developer for compatible Apps / extensions. Do they offer updates or upgrades. Same goes for Third Party Drivers for Printer, Scanners etc.
Ben Low wrote:
Is Monterey stable enough now to upgrade? My key working apps are FCPX, Compressor, Logic Audio, Pages, Numbers. Photos, Affinity Series: Photo, Publisher, Designer; MSOffice.
I'm in the middle of productions and don't want to suddenly have to spend days fixing issues in Monterey that are not issues in Big Sur (which I'm currently using).
Any suggestions?
Ben
If you are in the middle of productions then the answer is definitely NO, do not upgrade at this time. In addition if you are thinking about upgrading your production machine you should think about having a test machine to install Monterey on and test your entire setup and software, especially if this is how you make your living. Have an external drive you can clone your current system to and boot from. Install Monterey on that drive, then test every thing to make sure it all works. This is not to say there is a problem with Monterey, there isn’t, but we’ve seen countless users who use their Macs to make their living upgrade without backing up and testing beforehand only have something go wrong, winding up the creek without a paddle. Don’t be that user. Make sure all of your production software is fully compatible with Monterey ahead of time.
Never be tempted to install beta software on your production machine. Don’t do it! Be careful, be deliberate, and don't get in a hurry, your business may depend on it.
For me, personally, I have one of the oldest MacBook air types supported by Monterey (early 2015 MacBook Air) and it runs quite Okay. Install went good with no problems (but I have a original Apple SSD inside of my MacBook)
My software is working fine but if you are in the middle of prodcutions I reccommend to postpone the update till you have time to do it.
Ben Low wrote:
Is Monterey stable enough now to upgrade? My key working apps are FCPX, Compressor, Logic Audio, Pages, Numbers. Photos, Affinity Series: Photo, Publisher, Designer; MSOffice.
I'm in the middle of productions and don't want to suddenly have to spend days fixing issues in Monterey that are not issues in Big Sur (which I'm currently using).
Any suggestions?
Ben
There will always be issue in upgrading to a new macOS, it is naive to think otherwise. You are much better off staying current, not only for the new features but contemporary security updates.
Upgrading macOS without fear - Apple Support Communities
If you value your user data—
3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.
More than one device, more than one backup methodology.
Sure. Monterey isn't a huge change over Big Sur and was quite stable from the get go. We're far enough into the life cycle that there really aren't a bunch of showstopping bugs around.
Thank you P. Phillips,
Terrific. Very much appreciated. And much to contemplate. And given that all I want to do is deliver a particular film going out on the festival circuit and then hit-the-road ... I'm printing out your instructions, and will keep them with me as I drive across the continent. When I'm installed on the shore of the blue Pacific and soaking my brain every day in the blue briny, I will do all you suggest and upgrade my System. Carefully.
Thank you kindly again .. Ben
And thank you too melvinbyers and leroydouglas, very helpful suggestions, both encouraging, and good suggestions. I try to triple back up everything. Different ways. And at least one off site.
Good to hear WheelieNick. I will eventually do the shift over. But I've decided to do a modest hunt and clean on this setup, to get rid of what Tom calls 'chaff'. And instead of spending two weeks bumping over to Monterey and re-installing a thousand apps ... I'm going to hit the highway in the sun and do 'wheelies' all the way to BC (from Montreal).
ikrupp
Ha! Exactly what I’ve been thinking. Perfect advice. Thank you ikrupp!
You are welcome and thank you too 🇨🇦
Do come back to the Apple Support Communities ( ASC ) in the future, if / or when additional questions may arise
Good Travels too
Ben Low wrote:
ikrupp
Ha! Exactly what I’ve been thinking. Perfect advice. Thank you ikrupp!
Smart man!
Thank you.
416 / 905 here and good motoring, gas prices and all
🇨🇦
Big Sur to Monterey -- is it time to upgrade??
