January 31st, 2007
My MacBook Pro Experience - Day 21 - Applying Mac updates: Is it easier than Windows?
The other day Apple released some patches for the Mac OS - a good time to answer a question that I've been asked on numerous occasions since embarking on the MacBook Pro experience:
Is it easier to apply patches and updates to the Mac OS than it is in Windows?
Well, the process isn't difficult. I'd had my MacBook connected to the net for several days before I manually applied the patches. Mac OS X shows no signs of doing an automatic update so I thought that a manual one was in order. I believe that the Mac OS checks weekly for updates but I didn't want to wait that long.
Here's how you manually update the Mac OS:
- Click on the Apple icon followed by Software Update …
- This now initiates the process that looks for new updates.
- A list of new updates will be displayed. The Software Update windows also shows you which updates require a reboot.
- You need to enter your password for the updates to be installed.
- The updates will now be bought in and installed automatically.
- The Software Update windows keeps you updated as to where you are in the update process.
- Time to restart.
Job's done.
Is this any easier or harder than updating a Windows machine? Not really. The “Software Update …” item on the main Apple menu is pretty obvious so I don't think users are going to miss it (I didn't at any rate). The system only checks for updates once a week, which I guess is fine considering that Apple don't have a fixed release schedule for patches. You might have to wait a few days for a patch, but since Mac vulnerabilities aren't exploited at anywhere near the same speed as Windows patches, there's no real urgency to get the patches.
Overall, a painless process.
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Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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