MacBook Pro 2016

[Graham_Higgins]

Hi - I just want to ask should I update to newest operating system.

Ive kept Catalina as it was stable, but newer software is now asking to be on the latest OS.

Thanks

 

[DarkPremiumCho]

Without more information, it's difficult to provide specific suggestions. However, you could try upgrading after performing a full backup. If you're not satisfied with the newer operating system, you could always roll back using Time Machine.

 

[Graham_Higgins]

its the MacBook Pro 15"
2,9 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Radeon Pro 460 4 GB

 

[dmr727]

I upgraded my 2015 13" MBP from Catalina to Big Sur and found that there was a substantial performance decrease, to the point where I rolled it back and stuck with Catalina. Eventually I replaced the machine with an M1 MBA.

Your computer is a bit newer and has two additional cores so perhaps you won't see as much difference, but I think @DarkPremiumCho 's advice is good - do a full backup so you can easily roll it back with Time Machine if you're not happy with the results.

 

[Graham_Higgins]

I upgraded my 2015 13" MBP from Catalina to Big Sur and found that there was a substantial performance decrease, to the point where I rolled it back and stuck with Catalina. Eventually I replaced the machine with an M1 MBA.

Your computer is a bit newer and has two additional cores so perhaps you won't see as much difference, but I think @DarkPremiumCho 's advice is good - do a full backup so you can easily roll it back with Time Machine if you're not happy with the results.

cheers, but I was looking at going to Monterey, as Ventura is not available to this machine.

Also with each version aren't there updates along the way to improve performance issues, just wondering if Monterey is now stable and viable?

Or does each Os upgrade require more processing each time, therefore best to always stick with the Os of the time of release?

 

[dmr727]

Also with each version aren't there updates along the way to improve performance issues, just wondering if Monterey is now stable and viable?

I bet Monterey will be stable, but I doubt it'll be any faster than Big Sur, which is why I mentioned my experience. I was not at all happy with the responsiveness compared to Catalina.

That said, everyone has different opinions about what they consider responsive, so I'd at least give it a try. For me personally, I don't upgrade my OS unless there are new features that I really want to use, or I'm no longer receiving security updates. No sense in dealing with slower software unless there's some benefit.

 

[Fishrrman]

Monterey is a good OS (I use it on the 2021 MBP 14").

If you want to upgrade, consider this:
I don't know what kind of backup you use, but you could download SuperDuper and create a BOOTABLE cloned backup of your current Catalina install on an external USB3 drive.

WHY you would do this:
If you try Monterey and find you don't like it, having a cloned backup makes it easy to "get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged" by just booting from the backup, erasing the internal drive, and re-cloning from the backup back to the internal.

If you DON'T have a bootable backup, you can still "get back"... but it's NOT going to be easy.

 

[Graham_Higgins]

Well I updated anyway - all programs seem to be running fine, and the OS is responsive.

Only thing is fans are on a bit more, and Activity monitor is showing Finder at 92% CPU

Is that the amount of load on CPU or is tithe percentage of the CPU processes?

 

[okkibs]

Finder showing 92% means it is using 92% of a single core. If it takes up all 4 cores it will show as using 400%. In idle Finder should not be using that much regardless.