[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Would you recommend an upgrade to MacOS Tahoe?

Mon Jan 19 07:30:03 PST 2026

Hi, all!

I worked for Apple for more than ten years up to about eight years ago and have never personally owned a Windows computer.   I’ll try to add my best knowledge and advice —

1) Apple works with most software developers to ensure that their software will run smoothly on a Mac.  But, that doesn’t ensure that if you upgrade your Mac OS that the version you have will continue working on a later version of the OS.  I usually wait a few months after a major operating system is released, Google some questions about compatibility of the software that’s most important to me and whether it is compatible with the newer OS.  You can then decide if upgrading the operating system and buying new versions of those programs (presumably compatible with the new OS) is worth it.

2) Same thing goes with updating the OS because it’s available.  Check out the new features and make sure you’ll avail yourself of them.  And certainly, don’t consider upgrading until the new version has gotten to the .1 or .2 release.  They can “beta” test as much as they want, but the real problems usually show up once a broader user base begins to exercise the software.

3) It’s very, very difficult to restore an older operating system once you’ve made the move.  I’ve tried one or two times and decided it would be less of a burden to make the new OS or computer work.  And, understand that every new computer that Apple sells will contain the latest version of the OS.  Unless you know how to create a “disk image” and restore from it, you’re probably going to be unable to move backwards.  So, a step forward has got to be something you’re pretty sure is going to work for you.  I made an upgrade (granted many years ago) to an OS that was very unstable.  I had an excruciating 3 month period awaiting the next release, where it seemed that if I looked at my computer wrong, it would crash!!

4) After a few months, I usually upgrade my computers.  I have a laptop that’s not “Mission Critical” to my life and generally will update its’ OS first.  After a few weeks or a month of using the new OS on the laptop, if all is well, I take the plunge on my desktop.  I’ve also found that using the new OS on just one computer allows me time to play with the new features, and disable those that don’t appear useful with the objective of making the new system look and work like the old one.  There are numerous features of the new OS systems that I probably don’t take advantage of.   But I do believe in the axiom, “If it works, don’t fix it!”.

5) Lastly, I did the final conversion to Tahoe (Mac OS 26) and have been running version 26.2 on my four-year old laptop and one-year old desktop without problems for several months.  The current version is 26.2.  The most important operating systems to test drive and let others be the final “beta testers” after the release are the full number releases (e.g., when OS 27 (whatever name they give it) comes out, I will employ the methods mentioned above).  I’ve found the “dot” releases to be helpful bug fixes without much feature or operational change.

Hope this helps you make your decisions.

Scott Mermel
--
Scott Mermel
mermel at alum.mit.edu
C: 847-508-9945

On Jan 18, 2026, at 10:58 PM, galaitsis--- via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:

I have the same questions that Olga articulated, especially about using purchased 3rd party Apps, such as MS Office, photoshop, MATALAB and some others.

I have one more question. Suppose that I upgrade my iMac desktop  and then change my mind because I dislike the so called "improvements" or "enhancements" of the new MacOS. Will I be able to restore my iMac to its "current" (pre-upgrade) state from a the backup disk generated with Time Machine?

I am sure that Apple will give me some kind of an answer to the latter but I would be interested in the actual experience of someone who has gone through such a restoration process.

Tony Galaitsis

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On Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 11:36:14 PM EST, OLGA P GUTTAG via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:

I’m currently running MacOS Sequoia 15.7.3. My system settings is telling me to update to Tahoe.

My current system supports a lot of older apps which I don’t want to upgrade (costs to much). I also like how my desktop and dock are organized ad displayed.

Has anyone upgraded to the Tahoe OS that is currently being offered by Apple?  How stable is it? I presume it has a lot of AI features. How easy are these to disable?

Would you recommend that I upgrade now, or wait a while?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and recommendations,
Olga

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