Concerns about updating from macOS Big Sur

For what its worth, we have the same iMac version here and it has been flawless with both Monterey and Ventura. No crashes, solid as a rock.

You can "hear" just about anything on the Internet. Comments ranging from any recent operating system being one of the "best" to one of the "worst". Take your pick.

There's no rush to update, unless one of the newer operating systems offers a feature or function that you are missing now. But, I would not hesitate to update when support for Big Sur begins to wane. By then, there will be newer operating systems above Ventura that users either seem to love or hate, so you will likely face the same type of decisions at that time that you are considering now.

I also have an intel iMac. 2019 but slightly different specs. it runs like a dream on Ventura. and I always recommend running the most recent version of macOS that a Mac can run. it ensures that you have the most up to date security that apple can provide.

if you want to upgrade, I would first make sure Big Sur is fully updated. then I would upgrade to Monterey. then make sure it too is fully up to date before moving on to Ventura. while it is possible to skip over a macOS, some users have run into issues after doing so.

I don't know. I have never used Safe Mode during a Mac update

I've not needed to either. I think I would only use safe mode to upgrade if everything else failed.

you're welcome. :)