Updates Should Make Sense
I take system updates seriously. As someone who maintains an ASUS Zephyrus laptop, a Dell Precision workstation, and a Mac Studio, I know how updates should feel: clear, predictable, and respectful of the user’s control. Windows and GhostBSD handle upgrades logically. macOS… not so much.
Tacoma: The Update I Didn’t Ask For
Managing updates on Sequoia has felt unnecessarily tricky. It seems like Apple is intentionally making the process confusing. One minute, I see a choice; the next, it feels like I’m being nudged toward Tacoma, whether I want it or not. Windows and GhostBSD don’t do this. macOS is trying to pressure me into an upgrade I do not want.
WARNING! NEVER press the “Update Now” button unless you are absolutely willing to upgrade to Tacoma.
Click Carefully, or Apple Wins
Here’s what I’ve learned so far: pressing the Sequoia “Update Now” button defaults to installing Tacoma, just like the “Upgrade Now” button (see image below).
Instead, I have to click the i (info) icon and carefully manage the checkmarks. Only after verifying each option can I safely update Sequoia without accidentally triggering a full system upgrade. It feels like Apple is counting on users not paying attention.
Feature Gaps That Stand Out
Beyond the upgrade tricks, Sequoia is still missing features that other systems offer. Native SFTP support? Not included. A decent image preview app like GNOME? Nonexistent. Compared to Windows or GhostBSD, macOS feels constrained for someone who relies on advanced workflows in Blender, web design, and app development.
A Word of Caution
I’ve learned not to rush updates. Each one deserves careful review, double-checking that only what I actually want to install is selected. Apple’s push toward Tacoma feels aggressive, and it looks like the system is trying to constantly trick us, the users.
A Note to Apple (From Me, the User)
Here’s a hint: if the updates were genuinely useful, improvements that power users actually want, I’d upgrade immediately. Instead, updates often feel like smoke and mirrors. Stuff your next versions with real value, and I’ll gladly click “Install.” Otherwise, Sequoia stays, Tacoma waits, and I stay in control of my own system.