I'm in a dilemma whether to upgrade from Ventura 13.6.1 to Sonoma 14.2.1. Is it always best to keep up to date with upgrades? I don't need all the fancy stuff they are offering with this new upgrade and is it worth it if it takes up much more space on the computer?
Thank you, Big Toad. My model is iMac Retina 4K 21.5 inch 2019.
What type of drive is in that iMac? If it is a mechanical HDD and Ventura works fine, I would not upgrade to Sonoma (or anything beyond). Sonoma is not appreciably bigger than Ventura. Ventura will continue getting security updates for another two years (1 ½-ish). I'm not sure how important that really is, though. It's too easy to hack the human to bother trying to hack the computer.
You could upgrade to the next major macOS from Ventura, if your Mac is supported. Five years seems to be the cutoff, lately, but that may just be coincidental to the rapid pace of hardware modernization.
Thank you, Big Toad. My model is iMac Retina 4K 21.5 inch 2019.
What type of drive is in that iMac? If it is a mechanical HDD and Ventura works fine, I would not upgrade to Sonoma (or anything beyond). Sonoma is not appreciably bigger than Ventura. Ventura will continue getting security updates for another two years (1 ½-ish). I'm not sure how important that really is, though. It's too easy to hack the human to bother trying to hack the computer.
You could upgrade to the next major macOS from Ventura, if your Mac is supported. Five years seems to be the cutoff, lately, but that may just be coincidental to the rapid pace of hardware modernization.
My 2p: if the hardware will support it then do it. I many OS's ago I didn't update cos I didn't like the changes to iTunes. I put it off for so long that when I finally decided to upgrade (due to security updates no longer being provided for the OS I stuck with) I couldn't because my hardware didn't support the latest OS and I couldn't download signed versions of earlier OS's for some reason.
Just my opinion - do your research.
What model and year is your Mac?
Can it run Ventura or Sonoma?
What system are you currently running?
If you're currently running Big Sur or Monterey you'll still be getting security updates. Big Sur will probably be dropped from the updates when the next system after Sonoma is released.
If you'r running either Big Sur or Monterey and are perfectly happy with it stick with it until it no longer gets security updates. Then consider Ventura or Sonoma if your Mac is compatible.
macOS Ventura is compatible with these computers - Apple Support
macOS Sonoma is compatible with these computers - Apple Support
By then more information will be available on application compatibility with the systems on RoaringApps.com.
Thank you, Big Toad. My model is iMac Retina 4K 21.5 inch 2019. I'm currently running OS Ventura 13.6.2.
I checked and it is compatible with Sonoma but I don't want to download it unless you and others recommend it. I'm not very computer savvy but my concern is will upgrading to the new OS take a lot of space on the computer and do you have to upgrade sequentially? If I don't upgrade now will I be able to download future upgrades?
As my model is bottom of the list of compatible iMacs, maybe it won't be compatible with the next upgrade anyway? (I only purchased it 18 months ago!)
I don't have a Mac that is compatible with Sonoma so am unable to recommend it based on actual experience with it.
I'm perfectly happy with Ventura and not sure I'll ever get a Mac that is compatible with it.
Thank you, Barney-15E. I'll stay with Ventura. I'm used to that now and don't want to have to get used to a another new OS. Ventura 13.6.3 is the latest. Hopefully there will be another one while this Mac is still supported.
Thank you, Old Toad. That's reassuring. I don't want to be the only one left behind!
Upgrade OS to Sonoma 14.2.1?
