Although Apple makes new software updates available to as many older devices as possible, there are always some reasons why it may not be in your best interest to install the latest and greatest right on day-one, even if your Mac is compatible. With macOS Catalina just around the corner, take a moment to consider whether you should make the leap right away or wait a few days (or even weeks) to update your Mac.

How Do I Upgrade Mac Software
Best Mac Software
Free Mac Software
How To Update Mac Software
2010 Mac Software Upgrade
Should I Upgrade Mac Software 2017

Sep 05, 2019 On a Mac, residue from an old installation can cause problems. Did you completely uninstall the prior ScanSnap-SW using something like AppCleaner to catch all parts of the old software? If not, get the app, make a complete uninstall of both the old scanner sw AND the new one. Then restart your Mac and try again to download from Fujitsu. May 13, 2017 It should be able to run current software for years to come. At the price I paid on the eBay auction I can easily upgrade memory and hard drive and still have a great bargain. Many used Macs are fully capable of doing everything most people will ever need. This article, explores the reasons why you should consider upgrading your Legal Accounts Software now. If you are asking yourself this question, then the answer is highly likely to be “yes”! In this article, I explore the reasons why it is beneficial and often essential to upgrade Legal Accounts Software now. Feb 02, 2020 Apple has released the third major Catalina update to the sixteenth version of MacOS. Released earlier this week. Should you be updating your Mac, iMac, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro?

Is my Mac compatible?

If you have the following model of Mac, you can download and install macOS Catalina:

MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
iMac Pro (2017)
Mac Pro (Late 2013, plus mid-2010 and mid-2012 models with recommended Metal-capable GPU)

If your Mac is older than any of the models listed above, it isn't compatible with macOS Catalina.

What about other minimum requirements?

Are you postponing updating your iPad to iPadOS 13, or are using an iPad that isn't compatible with iPadOS 13? You won't be able to use Sidecar. It requires both macOS Catalina and iPadOS 13. iPadOS 13 is supported on the following devices:

12.9-inch iPad Pro
11-inch iPad Pro
10.5-inch iPad Pro
9.7-inch iPad Pro
iPad (7th generation), iPad (6th generation), and iPad (5th generation)
iPad mini (5th generation)
iPad mini 4
iPad Air (3rd generation)
iPad Air 2

To take advantage of 4K streaming movies and TV shows in the TV app you'll need a Mac laptop or desktop that supports 4K resolution. According to Apple's Catalina features page:

4K, 4K HDR, 4K Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and HDR10 content is available on all Mac models introduced in 2018 or later with 4K-resolution screens.

To hear Dolby Atmos audio in the TV app, you'll need a Mac notebook from 2018 or later

Do you meet the requirements to use all of macOS Catalina's new features? Are the featrues your Mac doesn't support deal breakers for you? You may want to think about postponing updating a little longer or upgrading your Mac.

What about my iTunes Library?

In macOS Catalina, Apple has redesigned the way we listen to music and podcasts, watch movies, and read books. Similar to how the iPhone works, these features are broken out into individual apps instead of a singular iTunes app.

What does this mean for your well-currated iTunes Library of songs you've burned from CD and meticulously tagged and added customized metadata? It should mean absolutely nothing. iTunes isn't being deleted. It's simply being broken out into separate apps. Your iTunes Library will stay intact. You'll just find it in the new Music app.

If, however, you are concerned with potentially losing all that data you've added manually, I highly recommend postponing updating until the coast is clear. I didn't have any issues getting my entire iTunes Library in the beta of macOS Catalina, but I don't input my own tags and other information, so I don't have first-hand experience with it's migration. Once Catalina is available publicly and more people have installed it, we'll have a bigger audience to know for sure how well metadata syncs.

If you want to take the risk and update on launch day, just be sure to back up your iTunes Library so if something happens, you can get it all back.

What about unsigned third-party apps?

Security gets a little more secure in macOS Catalina. You'll get more notifications about apps accessing data and permission requests to use them. Activation Lock makes it harder for someone else to wipe your data. It also adds some stricter security measures that may make Gatekeeper think apps you've previously given permission to are not secure enough for your Mac. From Apple's Catalina features page:

macOS Catalina runs in its own read-only volume, so it's separate from all other data on your Mac, and nothing can accidentally overwrite your system files. And Gatekeeper ensures that new apps you install have been checked for known security issues before you run them, so you're always using good software.

If you are using apps that, in a former OS (High Sierra or older), you were able to download 'from anywhere,' you should find out from the developer whether their apps are compatible with macOS Catalina before you decide to update.

I'm ready to try it out, but what if I don't like it?

Upgrading to a new software system, especially on a computer, can be a big upheaval that causes stress and confusion. You might be excited about macOS Catalina after reading about everything it can do, but quickly decide that it's not right for you.

The first, and most important thing you should do before upgrading to macOS Catalina (or updating any software, no matter how small), is to back up your Mac.

Next, it is not a bad idea to think about partitioning your Mac so you can install macOS Catalina in tandem with your current Mac operating system. That way, you can get used to the changes while still having access to what you are familiar with. It will also make it easier to simply delete the software if you know you don't want to use Catalina at all.

If you've downloaded macOS Catalina on your main hard drive, you're not out of luck. You can always downgrade back to your previous operating system.

OK. I'm just going to go for it!

Wait!

It's not always such a good idea to download a huge update on Day One. There are a number of factors that can give you a negative experience right out of the gate, which might leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Hundreds (or even thousands) of people will hit the download button the exact moment they hear that macOS Catalina is available to the public, which could put a strain on the servers and make it take a really long time for you to complete the process.

With changes in macOS Catalina, it also means that some third-party apps will need to be updated for compatibility. Not all developers will have their updates ready right away. If there are any apps that you just can't live without, you might be forced to ... well ... live without until they are updated. The best way to see if your must-have apps are going to be ready for macOS Catalina is to visit the companies' websites or check their social media feeds.

Proceed with caution

If, after reading everything I suggested, you still think you are ready to upgrade to macOS Catalina, then, by all means, go for it! I've been using it for a couple of months now, and frankly, I love it. Just make sure you've got a current backup of your Mac, just in case something goes wrong.

Updated October 2019: Updated for macOS Catalina.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Downcord

Discord and others are down worldwide due to issues with Cloudfare

Discord appears to be down worldwide due to some kind of outage

Should I Upgrade Mac Software