Are there any downsides for MacOS's Annual update?

[brdeveloper]

In summary, there is nothing wrong with running a macOS that is running 1-2 years behind the current version, but you want to keep up with updates on a secondary boot drive simply because if you are running a 4-year-old OS and want to upgrade to something that is 2-years-old, you probably won't find the matching applications based on the way that Apple and third-party developers sunset discontinued versions of their apps.

Good luck.

Nice workflow. I have three Macs (plus my wife's Mac which is mantained by me). I usually upgrade my old white macbook to the latest OSX, so I have all OSX versions on my AppStore's "Purchases" tab available for downloading. However, your workflow is better because you test your apps before the effective upgrade. I usually have to research on the web, like "does my film scanner work?" or "does my audio interface work?" or "can my development environment be moved to the new OS without hassles?". I always have to make these questions to Google, and the answer is usually "no". But in your approach you can feel by yourself how the new OS behaves according to your needs.

My work Mac is on Yosemite, just because of incompatibility issues with Pages, Numbers, GarageBand, etc. The interesting thing: I use these apps very seldom, so I upgraded OSX for the wrong reason, perhaps for just aesthetics. I have a Reaper license for audio stuff and a MS-Office 365 subscription, so Mavericks or even Mountain Lion could fit perfectly my needs, despite of some incompatibility with bundled Apple apps.
[doublepost=1485012390][/doublepost]

One of the big issues for me is that we run bespoke business software and a few other specialist applications. If we buy a new computer – replacement or new user, they will always have the latest OS. Downgrading may not be possible and is definitely not supported (based on the response from Apple Support). This means that we end up having to change business software to support one user or buy older computers. And who wants to have a non-computer savvy staff member on the road with a buggy X.0.0 software release!

Perhaps you should move to Windows. Your method adds unnecessary IT costs, in my opinion. That is, your company doesn't necessarily need changing its software, but it has to do just because of Apple...

 

[ssmed]

Perhaps you should move to Windows. Your method adds unnecessary IT costs, in my opinion. That is, your company doesn't necessarily need changing its software, but it has to do just because of Apple...

In truth we often buy the generation before or strategically get machines at times of most change. We are very much a Mac organisation, but I can see Windows 10 creeping in before too long.