The macOS Mojave to Big Sur upgrade has caused problems for some users especially when they try to skip upgrading to Catalina before Big Sur. Your system might get stuck in an unbootable state, getting you are locked out.
Do you want to upgrade your Mojave to Big Sur but are not sure if your device can handle it? Or are you just looking for information on a Mojave vs Big Sur comparison in case you ever need to upgrade your Mac from Mojave to Big Sur?
Regardless of what your reason might be, this article will be focusing on the functionality of the Mojave and Big Sur updates and we’d discuss which update is better for the Mac. We will also be looking at the pros and cons of each version.
Comparing Mojave vs Big Sur, the Big Sur is better because it is obviously more secure. It also has a pretty nice interface. For most MacBooks, it is faster than the Mojave, enjoys better eGPU support, and allows you to easily connect your iPhone to your MacBook.
Mojave Vs Big Sur – Which Is Better?
Mojave vs Big Sur, which is better? Let’s find out.
While OS updates can be great, these annual updates from Apple have been more problematic than beneficial for some. Some have described Big Sur as “a bug-ridden nightmare” with “no significant benefit whatsoever.”
There are also complaints about beachballs and overall slow performance, Bluetooth weirdness, system slow to recognize input, and even graphic issues like screen jitters. These issues were experienced by a few users with the 2017 iMac and 2016 MacBook Pro
That sentiment is not all-encompassing. Some other people easily make these updates with no issues at all. They have found it almost faster than Mojave and with much better eGPU support. It just might be about your machine itself.
While the biggest and most noticeable difference between Mojave and Big Sur is the absence of iTunes, it’s the least issue for some users. On Big Sur, iTunes was replaced and split into three different apps, Music, Apple TV, and Podcast.
This has been a problem recently because people who were already used to having their iTunes sync their media files now have to navigate through three different apps. Also, when upgrading to Big Sur, the Music and TV apps do not recognize your old files from your iTunes. You will have to manually import your media files using the three apps individually. For some devices, you can use Finder to manage and organize your media files.
Also, because of new updates, compared to Mojave, apps on Big Sur have to seek permission to have access to your document files and folders. Comparing Mojave vs Big Sur in this context, the Big Sur is better because it is obviously more secure. It also has a pretty nice interface.
Mojave Pros
- It is more reliable.
- It allows you to use iTunes to sync, backup, and manage your files
- It does not overly rely on web services
- It can run 64 and 32-bit apps
- For most MacBooks, it is quicker and more stable
- It only suffers minimal crashes compared to Big Sur
Mojave Cons
- With every new security update, the functionality of Mojave declines
- Upgrade reminders do not work with Mojave
- It does not support connecting your iPhone to your MacBook
- Some apps, like the Apple store, will eventually stop working until you upgrade to Big Sur
Big Sur Pros
- Has more security than Mojave
- Has a better eGPU support
- For most MacBooks, it is faster than the Mojave
- It lets you easily connect your iPhone to your MacBook
- It has a better and more reliable interface
Big Sur Cons
- It is quite laggy on animations, control center, and Safari for some MacBooks
- It has some occasional glitches
- Slow overall performance for some MacBooks
- System extension handling is harder
- Some programs may abruptly stop working
- Texts can sometimes be blurry and can cause you to strain your eyes while looking at your MacBook screen
- Booting in safe mode and creating a new user for Big Sur can be extremely sluggish at first
- The system may become slow to recognize input/ repeated key input
- The music and TV app does not recognize your files on your iTunes app
- May cause some graphic problems for some MacBooks
- You may need to buy some apps again as older versions are not compatible with Big Sur
Is It Ok to Upgrade from Mojave to Big Sur?
No, it is not ok to upgrade from Mojave to Big Sur if you are upgrading to version 1.0. You might find a bug that prevents an upgrade from Mojave directly to Big Sur. This makes the progress bar get stuck and leaves the system in an unbootable state which locks the user out. You will need to go from Mojave to Catalina to Big Sur. Although for some Mac versions, users did not experience this problem.
Will Big Sur Slow Down My MacBook?
No. If you are upgrading your MacBook from a lower macOS version, Big Sur will not slow down your Mac as it is designed to be faster and more reliable than older versions. The only instances where it may make your Mac slow is when you upgrade your MacBook from Mojave directly to Big Sur and if your device is running low on storage.
Big Sur needs a lot of space to run smoothly. So, if your MacBook slows down after an upgrade to Big Sur, it is probably because of this.
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Should I Upgrade My MacBook to Big Sur?
It is advisable to upgrade your MacBook not just to Big Sur, but whenever upgrades are available. Upgrades are designed to be much faster, more reliable, and secure than older versions. If your Mojave still works perfectly on your MacBook, you don’t have to upgrade your Mac. But with time, the functionality of Mojave begins to decline so it is advisable to upgrade your MacBook to Big Sur.
Can My Mac Handle Big Sur? Here’s How to Check
If your Mac is a late 2013 model or a newer one, it can handle a Big Sur update. If you are not sure what model your Mac is, you can find out by;
- Clicking the Apple menu
- Clicking “About this Mac’ in the menu that pops up. This will show you the version of the Mac you have.
Click here to Check which MacBooks are compatible with Big Sur.
Using the above-mentioned points as a reference, what is the result of our Mojave vs Big Sur comparison, Mojave is better because it has been perfected in a sense. But because it will eventually stop running following the development of new upgrades, you will have to upgrade your MacBook to Big Sur, and it can only get better.
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John follows everything happening in the tech industry, from the latest gadget launches to some of the big-name moves in the industry. He covers opinionated pieces and writes on some of the biggest names in the industry. John is also a freelance writer, so he shares articles on freelancing every now and then. email: john@tekpip.com Learn more about tekpip and the team here on our about us page.