[kup0]

If I want to run Big Sur, it's my only legitimate option.

So yes, if I want to continue to use macOS and want to stay on the latest release, then "having to upgrade hardware" is the only route. If you take issue with me calling that "forcing" then fine, but it's obvious how I'm using that term.

Plenty of hardware from 2013 runs current operating systems- basically only in the Apple ecosystem is this a problem. I doubt there's any _technical_ reason older hardware cannot run newer versions of macOS. Apple just draws a line whereever they want.

I understand this is a "known concern" of being a part of the Apple ecosystem- but it's one of the first times I've encountered it personally, so yes, it's frustrating.

[mirthflat83]

A known “concern”? It’s a known benefit of owning Apple hardware. 7 years of support. You’re asking too much. Hope you enjoy forced reboots and telemetry on Windows

[jefft255]

That's a legit argument against Android, but the exact opposite holds for Windows. You can run Windows 10 on 10 years old hardware, 15 if you push it and I'm not exaggerating. I'm typing this on my 10 years old desktop PC running Windows 10 as we speak, and it's very smooth. I'd have been very pissed off if three years ago Microsoft decided to not support my PC because "7 years is long enough". Yes I hate forced reboots, but that's beside the point here.

[kup0]

I already use Windows on another PC, and while I don't love telemetry, the only reboots I get are during my scheduled "okay to install updates" hours which is at like 5am when I don't notice it.

I'm not MS's biggest fan, and I have my own peeves with Windows, but the way you worded this seems unnecessarily hostile.

I use Windows, Linux, and macOS for various purposes and I understand the benefits and drawbacks of using them. You don't need to talk down to me about telemetry and updates.

Spinning having to buy unnecessary new hardware to continue running an up-to-date OS as a benefit seems ridiculous to me.

[damnyou]

This is remarkable spin on what is objectively a bad thing.

[jychang]

Strictly speaking, "company drops support for software X" isn't always a bad thing, when it forces people to move on. For example, Windows XP dragged on for far too long, and there's a good argument that it should have been discontinued earlier.

[damnyou]

Sure, but here it's support for hardware costing 4-5 figures being dropped after a paltry 7 years.

The latest version of Windows 10 runs great on 10 year old desktops, and will probably be supported for many more years to come.