How long should a software update take?

[AceC]

My MPB is running 10.6.8, and has not been updated in a while.

I was just curious as to how long the process takes. I googled this and found that sometimes Macs will freeze and have issues during an update. Since my software hasn't been updated in so long, should I even try to update the software, or perhaps do one item update at a time?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

It depends on your internet connection speed and the number of updates Software Update shows you and you selected to install. It should not take more than an hour with a good internet connection (1 or 3 MB/s download speeds) and a good computer.

Unless you meant "upgrading to OS X 10.9 Mavericks" though. That takes longer.

Software update, upgrade--what's the difference?

Key differences

• A software update is usually downloadable free of charge; a software upgrade usually is not.
• A software upgrade usually increments the first "dot" number of a product (for example OS X Lion v10.7, Mac OS X Snow Leopard v10.6); a downloadable software update usually increments second "dot" number (for example, Mac OS X v10.7.4).

 

[AceC]

It depends on your internet connection speed and the number of updates Software Update shows you and you selected to install. It should not take more than an hour with a good internet connection (1 or 3 MB/s download speeds) and a good computer.

Unless you meant "upgrading to OS X 10.9 Mavericks" though. That takes longer.

Software update, upgrade--what's the difference?

Alright; what should I do if there are any issues updating, and it freezes, takes forever, etc?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Alright; what should I do if there are any issues updating, and it freezes, takes forever, etc?

Rely on a backup, preferably a bootable one, on an external backup HH you made before running Software Update and installing the updates.