We don’t always welcome change with open arms, but sometimes it does become necessary. It’s especially tough when it’s something we’ve grown so accustomed to, like our tech. We bet you can’t even count how many times you’ve hit the ‘remind me later’ button on your computer or phone – don’t worry, we can’t either!
We’ll admit that this is a tough subject. Sometimes we just don’t have time to sit there and wait for updates to carry out, or back up our data for the next big OS upgrade. Even if you’re not ready to do it right away, try not to put it off completely.
The three main reasons you should always update your tech are: security, compatibility, and performance. These are the most important factors to consider when you keep putting off that update!
Security
The first and possibly most important reason to upgrade or update your tech is security. There are flaws in any software or operating system and there are people out there who are constantly searching for these flaws so they can find their way in. Many companies even have employees whose duties are to constantly search for these flaws and find ways to hack into their own systems.
This means that any update to our software, apps or OS could be extremely important. Even if the update details only say “bug fixes and improvements” or “minor updates and optimizations”, they are just as important (if not more) as new features or interface updates. Without the latest updates for your browsers, apps, software or operating system – your tech will be increasingly vulnerable to malicious software. So keep your data safe and secure by assuring you’re always running the latest versions!
Compatibility
If you’ve been running an old software version or OS for a while, you’ll know that not everything functions all too well. Browsers, apps and software are constantly being updating in order to remain well optimized for the newest tech and systems, not the older ones. So if you’re holding off on updating, chances are support for the version you’re currently using is about to be or has already been eliminated.
New software is developed everyday and if you’re still running an old OS, there are not many new things that’ll be compatible with your current system. You don’t want to miss out on the latest gadgets or apps by not having the system requirements needed to use them!
Performance
New updates usually mean better performance too. Optimization updates are constantly increasing the speed and functionality of our apps and systems. If you’re running an old OS that hasn’t been updated in forever, chances are it’s pretty slow and you’re very limited as to what you could actually do on it.
The main reasons we even use our devices are to stay connected and get things done quicker. These are two things you can’t necessarily do well on an underperforming system compared to a newly updated one.
We’re not saying older tech or systems are useless – there’s a reason why many of us still love them! However, it’s best to take advantage of upgrades soon after they become available so we don’t become attached to using something that’s no longer supported or virtually obsolete.
Considerations
So we know it might sound like we’re just preaching to you about how great and how necessary updates are (which they are) but we’d be wrong not to acknowledge the issues that can come along with them.
Major updates to your software or OS, like huge interface changes or lots of new features, almost always come with some bugs or issues to work through. So while we do recommend updating, we also suggest waiting anywhere from a few days to a week from when an update is released before actually starting the update. By then, the major bugs or issues that were reported are likely to be corrected, thereby lessening any possible inconvenience to your daily usage.
These days we’re living in a fast-paced tech world and it can sometimes be hard to keep up. The tech we’re already accustomed to might be satisfactory, but there is better. Software gets better, Apps get better and Operating Systems get exponentially better.
Although we may not want to let go of certain things we’re already used to (like user interface), we should always try something new – especially if it’s more beneficial. So next time you hit ‘remind me later’, consider actually scheduling that suggested update!
Have you ever been attached to an OS you just couldn’t let go of? Do you typically update your tech quickly or wait a while first? Let us know in the comments, we’re curious!