Q: Is this update an actual update or merely an update?

What does your question mean? An update is an update is an update....it's an update to 10.11.5....

GB

It's an actual update as opposed to an upgrade. If you are updating from the previous version, then App Store will download the standard updater. If you have an earlier version of El Capitan, then it will download a Combo Updater. If you are using an prior version of OS X such as Yosemite or Mavericks or earlier, then it will download the full installer (about 6.22 GBs.)

In the dialect of computers an upgrade generally refers to a major version change such as 10.1, 10.2, 10.10, etc. An update is a change in the sub-version number such as 10.11.1, 10.11.2, 10.11.4, etc.

This October we will likely see an upgrade to OS X from 10.11.x to 10.12, if Apple continues in the series.

NN4P wrote:

 

Is this update an actual update or merely an update?  Thanks

 

Law of gravity creates universe.

When is something an actual something rather than merely a something? Do I actually exist or am I merely existing?

Please rethink what you want to ask and try again.

NN4P wrote:

 

don't understand what you mean by asking what I mean?  I got an update that I thought was a complete makeover

There's a difference between an update and an upgrade.  An update does not change your operating system name.  An upgrade does.  For example, last year, I upgraded from Yosemite to El Capitan.  This morning, I updated El Capitan 10.11.4 to 10.11.5.  Gail asked you what you meant because there is no such thing as an "actual update."  There are updates and there are upgrades.  That's it.

I counted 75 security patches, so I would say its a "mandatory" update...

I got an update that I thought was a complete makeover

That version of the question is easier to understand. The original question asked if the update was an update or an update, and unfortunately the adjectives "actually" and "merely" did not clarify the inquiry....with the same word being used for both the "either" and the "or," it was pretty much impossible to discern what it was you were wanting to know.

Best of luck,

GB

Historically I think it's around 18 months for Apple to complete an OS lifecycle, but if intel changes their strategy with the next line of chips which they apparently are looking into it may be a much longer time frame between actual updates unless Apple goes to another platform. Anything is possible.

But, I have to ask; what is a mere update?

We kinda'-sorta' fixed an exploit that would allow someone with an bluetooth enabled abacus to get hold of ALL your user names and passwords to ALL your online banking, stocks, hospital records and merely defraud you out of your life savings and identity and all adorable cat photos.

I don't know what you've been smoking, but you should really share...

NN4P wrote:

 

Well, I've always been under the impression that a true update fixes specific software related issues while a mere update is less than true in basically being a sort of pseud-semantical slapdash fix that corrupts the floppy disk drive.  I could be wrong but then again it might be that I am merely incorrect about the advancements relative to flash memory chips.  Hope this helps clarify my utter confusion and, too, addresses the problem you are experiencing with cat photography.  I don't have a blue tooth device, but I do have an iPhone 6 plus which according to the rumour mill will soon be compatible with bluish types of technology.  If you aren't clear about that, check your bank routing number.  Pardon?

This made absolutely no sense whatsoever.  As I explained, there are updates, and there are upgrades.  That's it.  There is no "true," "actual," "mere," or any other kind of qualifier that goes before either word.

well if Eddie Izzard taught me anything thats the proper use of the word slapdash, but as Shakespeare said "an update is an update is an update", by Shakespeare I mean Ole Dirty Shakespeare, not the other one.

I said it first

GB