To Upgrade, or Not to Upgrade?![]() That is the question. That is always the question when it comes to software. Some people can’t wait to get the latest upgrade, going so far as to download the beta (development) version—bugs and all. Some, don’t really know how to get the new versions, so they hardly ever upgrade. Others, don’t really trust any new versions, so they never upgrade. In general, I always say to keep your devices as updated as possible. Updates to apps and system software are important for security patches and overall performance improvements. There are exceptions to this, however. Here’s what you need to know At the end of October, both Microsoft and Apple released new operating systems. For Microsoft it's the first major upgrade to Windows in six years: Windows 11. This new software contains updated features and a more streamlined look and feel. Some say it has a more “Mac-like” design. To see if your PC is compatible with Windows 11, type “check for updates” in the Windows search box. Your PC will then let you know if it has the capability to run Windows 11. Note: even if you can download the update, Microsoft may not let you at first. The company is rolling out the availability over time, letting a fixed amount of users download each month, with plans to finish by mid-2022. Around the same time as Microsoft released Windows 11, Apple also launched its new operating system, OS 12 Monterey. This update contains new features, for both productivity and security. Check for updates under System Preferences to see if your Mac is suitable for Monterey. Unlike Microsoft’s new operating system, all compatible Macs can download the software immediately. How Update Versions Work So, should you download these new operating systems? When it comes to the major upgrades, I prefer to wait for at least one to two subsequent bug fixes to come out. For instance, Monterey is called OS 12 or 12.0. The number shows the version. As with any new release, users and developers discover bugs, or problems, with the system. Software engineers for the company then quickly fix the bugs with a minor update and name it 12.0.1. The next one will be 12.0.2, and so on. Waiting patiently for a couple of these fixes to be implemented can save you potential headaches. For example, Business Insider reported that some users couldn’t get their computers to start up again after installing Monterey. Note: the first general release of Monterey to the public was version 12.0.1, so even the first bug update didn’t include a fix for these users yet. Bottom Line My advice with both the new Windows and Mac operating systems is to wait a good couple of months. Then take advantage of the great features these two platforms have to offer. In the meantime, though, let other people be the Guinnea pigs!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |