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macairnyc

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 13, 2018
18
3
I'm looking for opinions about whether or not to upgrade my OS, and if so, to what? I have a 13" 2014 1466 with 8GB ram / 256 SSD / 200 GB micro SSD in slot. Macmail is behaving strangely now - some sent mail doesn't appear; mail takes forever to load and send, and I suspect that this is due to running old OSX. Another concern is having to upgrade other applications - MSword. Also, currently I am not able to install later version of Google Sketchup (requires OSX 10.10) and so am not able to access model warehouse.
What would be the next newer OSX after Mavericks that would minimize the need to upgrade other applications and is that the best choice. I am very happy with how this macbook air has performed, and I don't want the OS to get so far out in front of the machine that it's age prevents it from keeping up with the software.
thanks
 
A friend has the same model as you and runs Mojave. Runs great.
I'm running Mojave on my MBPro 2015 13" 8GB and also very happy with it.

Which specific applications are you concerned about?
 
I'm running Mojave on an early 2015 and 3017 13" air with no issues. My friend runs Mojave on his mid-2013 4 GB 13" air with no issues too.
 
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A friend has the same model as you and runs Mojave. Runs great.
I'm running Mojave on my MBPro 2015 13" 8GB and also very happy with it.

Which specific applications are you concerned about?


Not that many really. MSWord/Excel; Quickbooks; Google Sketchup Make.

I am still running iphoto 8.1.2 (I think from an earlier OS) and am used to navigating it, and wasn't impressed with the changes in "Photos" that I saw on others' macs. I also haven't upgraded iTunes - still using 12.5.5.

I guess I'm upgrade averse due to the learning curve and loss of (as in not being able to locate) files once I upgrade.
I recently spent a lot of time deleting and renaming duplicate Voice memo files prior to moving them to the micro SSD I bought (I have yet to do this and am aware that I must before upgrading OS) once my 256 internal SSD filled up and slowed many things to a crawl. I'm back down to 3GB available on my SSD and I just read that Mojave requires 14+GB for installation.

Would just moving up to Yosemite (this would allow me to use current Sketchup) be a fools errand, as undoubtedly I'll have to upgrade again (sooner) than if I moved up to Mojave now?
 
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I would make a backup and go to Mojave. If that doesn't work to your satisfaction you can always roll back and try another OS.
 
What would be the next newer OSX after Mavericks that would minimize the need to upgrade other applications and is that the best choice?

I would recommend you upgrade to High Sierra Mac OS 10.13. You should be able to run your 32-bit software without issue in High Sierra but if you upgrade to Mojave you will eventually be forced to get 64-bit software. I think with the current Mac OS 10.14 updates you can't run 32-bit software as I have lost some functionality of older 32-bit software after having all the required updates in Mojave.
 
I would recommend you upgrade to High Sierra Mac OS 10.13. You should be able to run your 32-bit software without issue in High Sierra but if you upgrade to Mojave you will eventually be forced to get 64-bit software. I think with the current Mac OS 10.14 updates you can't run 32-bit software as I have lost some functionality of older 32-bit software after having all the required updates in Mojave.

You know, I gotta say, as a frequent lurker, and having followed your & Audit13's dedicated responses, followups and problem solving re: upgrading SSD drives for the Air, I REALLY appreciate your (and others above who've responded) experience and your desire and ability to help others less experienced to solve problems. thanks
 
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You know, I gotta say, as a frequent lurker, and having followed your & Audit13's dedicated responses, followups and problem solving re: upgrading SSD drives for the Air, I REALLY appreciate your (and others above who've responded) experience and your desire and ability to help others less experienced to solve problems. thanks

Glad to help!
 
I would recommend you upgrade to High Sierra Mac OS 10.13. You should be able to run your 32-bit software without issue in High Sierra but if you upgrade to Mojave you will eventually be forced to get 64-bit software. I think with the current Mac OS 10.14 updates you can't run 32-bit software as I have lost some functionality of older 32-bit software after having all the required updates in Mojave.


Mojave supports 32 bit apps.
 
Mojave supports 32 bit apps.

I have Mac OS 10.14.4 and some of my 32-bit apps won't run anymore on my MBA after the update. With earlier versions of Mojave I could run those 32-bit apps.

I know with High Sierra (OS 10.13) you won't have any issues running any 32-bit apps.
 
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That's scary. Is that after going to 10.14? Or 10.14.4? I'm still on 10.14.2.

10.14.4. Apple is going away from 32-bit software support. Looks like Mojave will be the last OS that you can run 32-bit software but after 10.14.4 I know some 32-bit software won't run as I have lost functionality of a few 32-bit software.

I'm running Developer software on my MBA so that I can "preview" what can and can not run on it. If you have only one Mac then I suggest looking thru this thread before making the leap to Mojave:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-mojave-app-compatibility.2121547/

There are 24 pages in this thread but worth the read if you have software you're not sure will run under Mojave...
 
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10.14.4. Apple is going away from 32-bit software support. Looks like Mojave will be the last OS that you can run 32-bit software but after 10.14.4 I know some 32-bit software won't run as I have lost functionality of a few 32-bit software.

I'm running Developer software on my MBA so that I can "preview" what can and can not run on it. If you have only one Mac then I suggest looking thru this thread before making the leap to Mojave:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-mojave-app-compatibility.2121547/


Thanks. Which specific apps are not working? Does it give you a 32-bit specific error message?

(Please don't say Lightroom)

(sorry @macairnyc)
 
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Thanks. Which specific apps are not working? Does it give you a 32-bit specific error message?

(Please don't say Lightroom)

(sorry @macairnyc)

Lightroom(*) works fine... I'm using this app on all my Macs as well.

I have had issues with Malwarebytes, MacTracker 7.7.4 and Little Snitch.

* There have been reports of Lightroom Classic crashing when trying to import from an SD card - other functions seems to work. I myself have not seen this issue on my Macs.

46890450212_f7db8677dc_o.jpg


This is the MBA I am testing Mojave on. Even with 4GB RAM this little thing runs Mojave and a few apps fairly well. You can see in my sig below the other computers I have at my disposal for use ;)
 
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