When to say when with OSX updates

[iTurbo]

I have a 2013 maxed out iMac and also a 2013 MBA that was a BTO model with 8GB ram.

I'm wondering when should I stop updating the OS to preserve speed? So far I have both machines updated with High Sierra 10.13.2 and all is OK.

I ask because my Mom has a 2010 iMac i3 with 16GB RAM and it's kinda slow with 10.13.2 High Sierra and reading about it I should have stopped at Mavericks with that Mac.

 

[mikzn]

she probably has an HDD and not a SDD - that would make a huge difference

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

The best thing to do for Mom would be to pop an SSD into the iMac and give it a whole new lease of life. Platter drives are now like molasses on a winter's morn!

 

[jzuena]

I had a 2009 Mac mini that took every upgrade fine until it was finally dropped from the support list when Sierra came out. It's still running El Capitan fine for my mom. As the others mentioned above, I did add an internal SSD to it. Best upgrade you can make on an older machine, with maxing out the memory a close second.

 

[Fishrrman]

For 2013-2014, I'd say Low Sierra (or El Cap) is "the best place to be" right now.

For a 2010? Probably El Cap...