Is High Sierra ready to be installed?

[h9826790]

I've been quite cautious this time round with the macOS install, and I'm pleased I've missed the problems that several people seem to have had.

Is High Sierra stable and ready for business users who can't afford to have their laptop with bugs to install, or should we wait longer?

IMO, NO.

It's definitely working, but if you have zero tolerance on stability issue, you better avoid it at this moment.

I use HS since it's officially launch. And this is the bug list that I reported to Apple so far.

On this list. As you can see, Finder hang, Slow boot, HDD missing after restart are marked as DUPE, that means also reported by others.

iSight freeze never fixed, but because I upgraded my monitor, didn't use the 27" ACD anymore, so I closed it because I can't do any test for them anymore.

Handoff bug (not working when multiple users logged in) seems fixed in the latest version, but still not stable.

Emoji issue clear by an OS re-installation (just cover on top, not clean install)

KP happened 4 times in 10.13.0, but never happen again on 10.13.1 onward. So, I considered that's fixed in my case.

Screen flickering is always there since Mavericks, never fixed by Apple, but that's a very specific issue with the Sapphire HD7950 Mac Editing card. I am now running a 1080Ti, so, bug report also closed since I won't swap in my old card to do the test for them.

In the above list, all DUPE issues are TRIM related on my Mac, once I turn off TRIM, issues gone. Of course I reported that to Apple already.

KP is the most critical one, but they fixed it.

All the other bugs have virtually no progress. Even they are all closed now, but either because my associated hardware upgrade, or found a work around. Not really fixed by Apple.

If you care any of these potential issue. You better wait. Except KP, all these bugs are still there in the latest official 10.13.2

 

[MrAverigeUser]

Since Operation systems are getting more and more complex, it is nothing but logic for me that the chance of bugs/interference is getting more and more important:
Mathematically speaking, I think this is a exponential function of possibilities of malfunction.

Sounds like an excuse for apple, but is not:

Only GOD knows why they release every year a "new" OS (be it OSX or IOS) with ridiculous "features" (like even more of the useless emoticons, more of Jonathan Ive´s erroneous and ridiculous stylistic fashion-shows which have become now just the opposite of the good practical ergonomics it once was) - instead of just concentrating their developers resources on implementation of nothing but useful and timesaving perfection in a serious way.

If you want to elaborate something as near to perfection as possible, you NEVER EVER change things that run smooth and flawlessly. You just concentrate on important features, not useless gimmicks and fashion-like s***.

As for me, I´d prefer to use a stable a OSX or IOS which is already some years old, with nothing but modifications/versions that "just work" instead of the fashion-like changing of UI, implementation of useless "features" and search for new names and pictures of not-so-well-developed "new" OS....

 

[J.Gallardo]

Since Operation systems are getting more and more complex, it is nothing but logic for me that the chance of bugs/interference is getting more and more important:
Mathematically speaking, I think this is a exponential function of possibilities of malfunction.

Sounds like an excuse for apple, but is not:

Only GOD knows why they release every year a "new" OS (be it OSX or IOS) with ridiculous "features" (like even more of the useless emoticons, more of Jonathan Ive´s erroneous and ridiculous stylistic fashion-shows which have become now just the opposite of the good practical ergonomics it once was) - instead of just concentrating their developers resources on implementation of nothing but useful and timesaving perfection in a serious way.

If you want to elaborate something as near to perfection as possible, you NEVER EVER change things that run smooth and flawlessly. You just concentrate on important features, not useless gimmicks and fashion-like s***.

As for me, I´d prefer to use a stable a OSX or IOS which is already some years old, with nothing but modifications/versions that "just work" instead of the fashion-like changing of UI, implementation of useless "features" and search for new names and pictures of not-so-well-developed "new" OS....

Agree!!
But... if you buy a new mac (as I’ve just done) you get a machine with last o.s. (and downgrading is a hassle).
And Apple pushes you to upgrade if you want to interact flawlessly with your other Apple gadgets.
For example, working with new image/video codecs is only possible in High Sierra (AFIK).
Working with a rock solid o.s. is nice; keeping a robust simpler machine is a smart election... BUT the maker’s brand will stop supplying “repo pieces”, forcing content producers to do the same...
And some Apple decisions seem wicked: no sound input in new systems, no IR reception to keep using the fantastic white old Apple remote... no more optical sound out... etc.

 

[MrAverigeUser]

Agree!!
But... if you buy a new mac (as I’ve just done) you get a machine with last o.s. (and downgrading is a hassle).
And Apple pushes you to upgrade if you want to interact flawlessly with your other Apple gadgets.
For example, working with new image/video codecs is only possible in High Sierra (AFIK).
Working with a rock solid o.s. is nice; keeping a robust simpler machine is a smart election... BUT the maker’s brand will stop supplying “repo pieces”, forcing content producers to do the same...
And some Apple decisions seem wicked: no sound input in new systems, no IR reception to keep using the fantastic white old Apple remote... no more optical sound out... etc.

Well - I am never working with my easily upgradable cMacPro (2008) or one of my easily upgradable cMBPs (2011 and 2012) at top-speed - BUT:

There are lots of Threads how to upgrade "old" MacPros to extremely fast machines (upgrading CPUs, implementing modern GPUs, making even highest-level data exchange using special PCI-Cards for SSDs, including backups or raids in the same body - for nearly nothing.
Upgraded "old" MacPros (you can also upgrade a 4.1 machine to 5.1 (the last version of the good old MP) ran some years even faster than the "fastest" trash-can Macs - but without the dying GPUs and cooling problems of the trash-cans.

As for battery, SSDs etc. the last versions of the MBPs (before the retinas) are also still completely upgradable and time- and moneysaving. If you remove the CD-drive, you can now even install up to 2x4 TB SSDs!
You have a TB-port and USB3 in the 2012 models s well. nice and perfect to work in combination with a OWC TB2 dock station with 12 different connections, including 5 USB3 slots, 2 of them with 3.1 standards, that means rapid charge of your iPad or iPhone !
As for the 2011 MBPs: they had also TB-Slot, FW800, but only USB2 (so much for "apple is always running in front technically") - but using the TB-slot, you can either use the Kanex USB3<---> TB-Connector (even with either additional e-SATA or Ethernet-slot as part of the Kanex adaptor if out of house/office) or the (easily portable) OWC TB2-dock when at home/office.

Later retinas never were much faster at all - but they did cost a lot.

here are some very interesting Threads:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-cpu-compatibility-list.1954766/page-17#post-25578511


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/4-1-processor-upgrade-install-help.1701420/


https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...out-nvidia-pc-non-efi-graphics-cards.1440150/


https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-ssds-5900-mb-s.1936311/page-10#post-25557163


https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...orking-on-mac-pro-2010-keep-updating.1748061/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/firmware-tool-for-4-1-to-5-1-upgrade.1752143/


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/usb-3-x-pcie-cards-for-classic-mac-pro.1501482/

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...he-09-mac-pro-bootable-ngff-pcie-ssd.1685821/

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-5-0gt-s-on-ati-card-and-nvidia-card.1547340/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/windows-10-experiences-on-cmp.1901628/


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how-is-macos-sierra-running-on-older-macs.2000968/

 

[flowrider]

If you want to elaborate something as near to perfection as possible, you NEVER EVER change things that run smooth and flawlessly. You just concentrate on important features, not useless gimmicks and fashion-like s***.

And I'm still driving around in my 1934 DeSoto Airflow. Still works No Reason to UpGrade Also still running my MacPlus. Both are kinda slow, but hey

Lou

 

[haralds]

I just went back to Sierra on my main SSD on my cMP 5,1. Sierra is MUCH smoother than High Sierra. Glad I wiped the High Sierra fiasco.
- Fast booting
- Sleep works
- Continuity works
I also have a small install of Sierra on a smaller SSD (512GB) that is currently running Sierra linked to a large disk installation. I might upgrade that to High Sierra retaining HFS Plus and monitor its bug progress.

Xcode 9.2 is currently still supported on Sierra.

Sad. It used to be that at this date in the lifecycle, Sierra and previous OS versions were stable.

High Sierra seems to run ok on my MacBook Pro and Air.

 

[potassium404]

Tried High Sierra twice. Once on release and .1 and both times I ended up using Time Machine backups to go back to Sierra. Sierra is just more stable for me at this point.

 

[Fernand]

It took me some years to learn to not cut vegetables with the knife blade facing my fingers, and not to leap at beta-bait made in Redmond or Cupertino. Fixing a weak file system like HFS was long overdue, but it has enormous ramifications. I'm not sticking my fingers in there for a long time.

 

[brt356]

I've been quite cautious this time round with the macOS install, and I'm pleased I've missed the problems that several people seem to have had.

Is High Sierra stable and ready for business users who can't afford to have their laptop with bugs to install, or should we wait longer?

Like old-school, I am a little hesitant upgrading to High Sierra. I swapped out the HD with a 100% 1TB SSD drive about a year ago. That along with a memory upgrade in my late 2011 MBP, running 10.12.6, my MBP runs better than when it was new.

Very concerned that the new file system will reek havoc with my SSD. I know, if it ain't broke...but I was wondering if anyone else upgraded their older MBP with a 100% SSD and upgraded to High Sierra.

 

[J.Gallardo]

Well... Almost a month here with High Sierra in my 2017 iMac (its internal SSD never knew HFS+, it came with 10.13.1.).
No problem so far. Not a single one. Runs smooth, fast & perfect. Used external disks (HFS+), external DAC, run intensive tasks at same time... & tried on purpose to crash or freeze system. No luck! Unbreakable by now.
I think, reading MacRumors forum, that Sierra is more stable for users with older macs (doesn’t matter how good & upgraded they are).
It makes me think High Sierra is completely ready for last gen machines... but perhaps Apple engineers can’t still figure how to implement such low level changes in old systems. Fusion disk & APFS is a good example...
I suppose it’s a logical situation, anyway; buying a new Mac with its High Sierra and finding trouble could be worse for Apple (and users).

 

[tfd1833]

I wouldn't recommend it. I've been running it for the past couple of months. It feels less stable. Filesystem can be a little laggy, I get odd rendering glitches that never happened in Sierra, and it adds nothing of use that I've noticed. My experiences with 10.13.x mean that I'll be really eager to escape it to the next version (may it be much more stable!), but less trusting of apple's major releases down the road.

 

[Tubamajuba]

High Sierra runs perfectly on both my 2012 non-retina 13" MBP and my 2016 13" MBP.

 

[friednoodles]

It makes me think High Sierra is completely ready for last gen machines... but perhaps Apple engineers can’t still figure how to implement such low level changes in old systems.

I present to you, 2017/2016 MacBook Pros: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ot-work-after-resume-from-long-sleep.2076334/

It's a sad joke at this point that those of us who bought the highest performing MacBook Pros in the past year are suffering with graphics driver bugs and performance problems in High Sierra.

 

[J.Gallardo]

I present to you, 2017/2016 MacBook Pros: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ot-work-after-resume-from-long-sleep.2076334/

It's a sad joke at this point that those of us who bought the highest performing MacBook Pros in the past year are suffering with graphics driver bugs and performance problems in High Sierra.

As you all know, Apple doesn’t sell operating systems. They sell computer kits with some software parts.
Last-year MacBook pros are old for High Sierra. You bought it with another o.s. It’s a pity, it’s not fair... but every Apple machine comes with its totally functional software part.
Problem here is adapting last software to old hardware that already has its functional o.s. and upgrades.
I’m trying to answer OP question: yes, High Sierra works nicely if it came with your computer; not sure in any other situation.

 

[friednoodles]

Last-year MacBook pros are old for High Sierra. You bought it with another o.s.

Uh... it affects 2017 MacBook Pros, too - i.e. the current models, being sold with High Sierra.

Anyone who has to work professionally on High Sierra knows it’s incredibly buggy right now.

 

[h9826790]

As you all know, Apple doesn’t sell operating systems. They sell computer kits with some software parts.
Last-year MacBook pros are old for High Sierra. You bought it with another o.s. It’s a pity, it’s not fair... but every Apple machine comes with its totally functional software part.
Problem here is adapting last software to old hardware that already has its functional o.s. and upgrades.
I’m trying to answer OP question: yes, High Sierra works nicely if it came with your computer; not sure in any other situation.

OP asked about an OS "upgrade", according to your theory, the only answer is NO, because OS upgrade is only possible on "old" hardware. And according to your theory, this won't be a smooth experience because the hardware is old, and not made for this new OS.

If your answer is "the OS is perfect if that's come from factory", you didn't answer his question at all, he asked about "OS upgrade", but not "Is HS smooth if coming from factory".

Also, it's hard to tell if your smooth experience is because of the new hardware, or a relatively clean OS. A true clean OS installation indeed can clear most of the issues usually.

I won't doubt you have good experience on HS. That's good to know. However, from observation, HS clearly has more issues than Sierra. If nothing require OP to upgrade, obviously better stay at the older (stabler) OS.

 

[J.Gallardo]

As I said in my 2nd post in this thread:
“I think, reading MacRumors forum, that Sierra is more stable for users with older macs (doesn’t matter how good & upgraded they are).“
OP asks about upgrading: I answer with my experience (seems to be wrong) telling him about not upgraded macs like mine, and telling him other HS installs work so so... I thought revealing that problem comes from upgrading was adding info. But also MacBooks with its HS from factory go bonkers!‽? (OMG)
Basically, I think like you... and I’m using “low level” irony to cry for what Apple has become into. System 7 (first I used) worked beautifully, G processors machines were incredibly trustworthy.
... Then... I find astonishing spending money for an iMac Pro to work and produce! Even a MacbookPro turns into a very expensive gadget with an apple logo, but it “simply doesn’t work”!
Long term use of Sierra turns it not ready to upgrade? Maybe.
Has Cupertino gone the Windows way? Maybe.
Should we go Linux? Maybe.
Anyone knows number of systems in High Sierra against number of people with problems with it?
Do iMacPro run smoothly to work and produce? (Reading the forum I find users worried about games in Bootcamp...! But no complaints about High Sierra).
Well, I mean these forums are just orientative... If I would have to make a report based on these entries, I would deduce Apple is making things quite badly but survives thanks to wealthy WoW gamers!!
Anybody out there to say: “I upgraded, everything ok”?
If no one can say that, this is a BIG issue!

 

[saudor]

I recently upgraded to regular sierra. it's rock stable so im staying put. Only reason to go high would be the HEVC stuff (for me) so that's not worth the extra headache yet.