Software Update on my Apple Computers
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I own two Apple computers: (1) a 12" PowerBook G4 with a PowerPC 1.33GHz processor and 1.25GB of RAM and (2) a 15" MacBook Pro with an Intel Core2Duo 2.4GHz processor (Penryn) and 2.0GB of RAM. I have had the 12" PowerBook since September 2006 (I got it as a hand-down) and it is running Mac OS X 10.4.11. I have had the 15" MacBook Pro since February 27, 2008 (the day that they were updated) and it is running Mac OS X 10.5.2.
The reason I mention all of this information is because I wanted to make a comparison as to the amount of updates that Apple has been releasing lately. I like it when software and hardware companies update their products. It shows that they care about their customers and that they want everything to work well, in a secure and stable environment.
Since I have had my 12" PowerBook, I have installed over 20 updates (the Software Update log doesn’t go past September 2007, it is definitely more). Since I have had my 15" MacBook Pro, I have already installed 9 updates.
- iLife Support
- iTunes
- QuickTime Broadcaster
- GarageBand Update
- AirPort Utility
- Safari
- Security Update 2008-002
- Time Machine and AirPort Updates
- Digital Camera RAQ Compatibility Update
My specific complaint is that Apple doesn’t have a specific day of the week or day of the month that they should expect their users to run Software Update. I know, I know, Software Update has a three automatic settings: (1) Daily, (2) Weekly, (3) Monthly. Apple just seems to update their programs whenever they want. Since March 18, my computer installed four different updates (6-9 on the list above). Why couldn’t they all be available to download and install on the same day, at the same time? Microsoft may be scrutinized for how insecure and how unstable their programs are, but I know that the second Tuesday of the month, that I should expect to download and install their latest batch of updates for Windows and Office. There are times when Microsoft doesn’t follow this "rule" (e.g. making Windows Vista Service Pack 1 available on March 18) but it is an exception.
I just want consistency with how often my programs are updated so I know what to except.
2 Comments
venzket
March 22nd, 2008
at 8:05pm
I think the reason they do this is because they feel the updates are urgent, and without them our mac could be vulnerable. I’m happy with my mac, it updates when it needs to :)
-venzket
www.lockergnome.com/venzket
dabrace1984
March 23rd, 2008
at 12:29pm
venzket, I would agree IF, they were all security updates. The “Digital Camera RAW Compatability Update,” “Safari,” and the “Time Machine and Airport Updates” weren’t critical. And even if they were critical, why not release them all the same day.
Thanks for reading!