Mac OS Monterey (12) no longer supported after the 12.7.6 update?

[SalisburySam]

I'm on a 2015 macbook pro and have been using Monterey for a couple of years. Have considered moving to Sonoma via OCLP but am worried I will have issues. I need a stable OS as I run my business from my mac and need it to be up 24/7. Have you had any problems using Sonoma?

I’m wondering if the bigger issue is running your business on a decade old piece of unsupported (out of warranty or Apple Care) equipment. The unsupported software is another layer of concern.

 

[rovostrov]

The only real issues on a 2015 Mac would be DRM related with Safari, and native apps such as Prime Video, but using FireFox, or Chrome eliminate those. If you're not doing anything with DRM content, I don't see you having an issue at this time. DRM is an issue with the Apple native stuff because the older graphics drivers are no longer natively bundled with the newer versions of mcOS. You should be able to watch iTunes Apple TV content without issues, as long as you stream it, and don't try to download it. If you do download it, download SD instead of HD, and you shouldn't have DRM related issues there. Everything else just works for me, and the DRM issues for me personally are more of a frustration, of not being able to fix the issue rather than needing it. I use dedicated streamers / TV, or iPhone for content because. they support HDR / multi channel audio while the Mac doesn't.

Edit: Since you probably have a SkyLake CPU in a 2015 model, you have access to AVX2, which will eliminate a lot of issues re3lated to that on older macs that use OCLP that don't have AVX2, and having a metal supported card will also eliminate most issues as well, except the DRM related issues mentioned above.

Thanks so much! I don't think the DRM will be an issue for me. I recently moved over to firefox since Safari hasn't had any recent updates. I think I'll give it a go and hopefully get a little more time with my 2015 instead of buying a new one right now.

 

[rovostrov]

I’m wondering if the bigger issue is running your business on a decade old piece of unsupported (out of warranty or Apple Care) equipment. The unsupported software is another layer of concern.

I have small computing needs for my business mainly online databases and document creation with pages. I do need to run one program that is only available on windows which vmware takes care of nicely. Also, my desktop version of quickbooks loses support after Monterey but word is, it works just fine on Sonoma but wont open on anything after. Not at all worried about apple warranty, I passed that years ago! lol! If the 2015 crashes & burns, I can have another one in a few days for a couple hundred bucks. I switched to firefox for my online banking needs so I am still getting updates for that. I know the new macs and great and will blow the intels out of the water but for my needs, its simply overkill.

 

[MacinMan]

I have small computing needs for my business mainly online databases and document creation with pages. I do need to run one program that is only available on windows which vmware takes care of nicely. Also, my desktop version of quickbooks loses support after Monterey but word is, it works just fine on Sonoma but wont open on anything after. Not at all worried about apple warranty, I passed that years ago! lol! If the 2015 crases & burns, I can have another one in a few days for a couple hundred bucks. I switched to firefox for my online banking needs so I am still getting updates for that. I know the new macs and great and will blow the intels out of the water but for my needs, its simply overkill.

That's another thing that won't work correctly under an OCLPP install 3D acceleration in a Windows VM. So, you can run windows, but you wont be able to enable 3D acceleration in VMWare Fusion. However, VirtualBox is said to work. It's an issue with the graphics drivers again, and VMs that use Apple's built in virtualization frameworks. So, the only way around it, is to either boot camp windows, or do virtualbox. You could do boot camp and not worry about a VM.

 

[rovostrov]

That's another thing that won't work correctly under an OCLPP install 3D acceleration in a Windows VM. So, you can run windows, but you wont be able to enable 3D acceleration in VMWare Fusion. However, VirtualBox is said to work. It's an issue with the graphics drivers again, and VMs that use Apple's built in virtualization frameworks. So, the only way around it, is to either boot camp windows, or do virtualbox. You could do boot camp and not worry about a VM.

That is great to know! Thanks for the info!!

 

[SalisburySam]

I have small computing needs for my business mainly online databases and document creation with pages. I do need to run one program that is only available on windows which vmware takes care of nicely. Also, my desktop version of quickbooks loses support after Monterey but word is, it works just fine on Sonoma but wont open on anything after. Not at all worried about apple warranty, I passed that years ago! lol! If the 2015 crashes & burns, I can have another one in a few days for a couple hundred bucks. I switched to firefox for my online banking needs so I am still getting updates for that. I know the new macs and great and will blow the intels out of the water but for my needs, its simply overkill.

Got it. Doesn’t QuickBooks also have an online version negating the need for desktop software completely? That may help with the Monterey compatibility issue.

And what do you do between possible 2015 failure and the few days to get another one, set it all up, transfer apps, etc., etc., etc.? Might be better to have one all ready to go for fast switchover.