Update Mac OS or not?; USB-C port service life?

[AMSOS]

1) I’ve noticed Mac OS is now as heavily updated as iOS. Not only is one expected to get the major OS update every year, but smaller updates are also now being regularly sent out. I’ve generally stuck to the OS version I got with my Mac laptop and just gone for the smaller updates, and that too intermittently.

Is there a problem if I ignore the yearly updates? The laptop is stable and there are no irritating phone apps that “require” constant updating. Also, is it okay if I go for the smaller updates once every few months, instead of as soon as they are issued?

2) I hook up my laptop to an old external monitor and need a USB hub to connect the two. I plug in about 4 times a day. Is there a chance that this might wear out the USB-C ports on the laptop? If yes, how much service life should I expect from either port?

Thanks!

 

[casperes1996]

1)
Every update patches security vulnerabilities. It’s your prerogative to decide how comfortable you are delaying those. The biggest security patches get back ported two major versions back. Some huge patches get ported further back but that’s quite rare. There are security updates that are only on the very latest major release though.

2)
I don’t have exact numbers but ports are worn down over time. But they are typically rated for many daily plugs and unplugs for the expected lifetime of the product as a minimum.

 

[benwiggy]

1) I’ve noticed Mac OS is now as heavily updated as iOS. Not only is one expected to get the major OS update every year, but smaller updates are also now being regularly sent out.

The update cycle hasn't really changed since OS X Lion in 2010. It's an annual 'major' release, with 6 or so minor updates. (So roughly every two months.)

Computing is like maintaining a garden: there's always things that need doing to keep it in good order. You could 'freeze' your computer's state, but you would gradually find that it became incompatible with new software (or new versions), internet technologies (e.g. your old computer won't work with some web pages); and other aspect of communication and progress.

It's generally easier to keep everything up to date, rather than leave it for years, and then discover that everything needs updating and nothing works until it's all done.

According to the internet, a standard USB-C port is rated for 10,000 insertion and removal cycles. At 4 cycles per day, you can expect it to wear out in 6.8 years.