Optimal operating system for iMac

johnshep1949 wrote:

Most stable os for imac M1

The latest macOS version that you have successfully tested with your particular and unique mix of apps and services, and preferably the configuration with the most recent updates and fixes from Apple and from third-party app vendors.

I’ve been on Sequoia 15 since late last year, and all incremental updates on my work 14” Macbook Pro with M1 Pro CPU. Also my personal 16” Macbook Pro with M1 Max CPU. If anything, the more recent incremental updates fixed window position memory after removing any reattaching external monitors.

I'm running Sequoia on a M1 Max Mac Studio that has a single monitor.

No issues once I made the following changes:

• Went into System Settings > Desktop & Dock. Turned OFF "Drag windows to menu bar to fill screen" – which was destroying my window arrangement whenever I was moving/resizing a near-full-screen window. Changed "Click wallpaper to reveal desktop" to "Only in Stage Manager" to keep Desktop icons from hiding themselves.
• Ran Music and TV and gave them permission to access Removable Volumes (CDs and DVDs). They put up the permission question automatically the first time that I ran them after upgrading from Ventura.

With Tahoe coming out in just a few days, if you want to stop at Sequoia for now, you may need to use the direct App Store link in the second Support article below. Once Tahoe is out, the App Store will probably hide Sequoia, the same way that it currently hides other older OSes.

Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

FoxFifth wrote:

I've had no issues with the latest version of Sequoia (macOS 15.6.1) (or any previous macOS versions) on my M1 iMac (and I plan to upgrade to Tahoe which is expected to be released Monday).

But why?

The most optimal version of Mac OS for ANY Mac is the latest version that will run on the model year iMac you own. In your case, Mac OS 26 is the most up-to-date version and will run great on your M1 Mac.

Why, because the latest versions are well tested, stable and offer the most current feature set Apple has. To keep your Mac running well, simple keep it up-to-date, restart about 1x per week and never ever install any of the following types of third party apps:

• Antivirus
• Cleaning
• Security
• VPN
• Maintenance

The reason why is they do NOTHING that Mac OS does not already do and they often make Mac OS unstable, appear buggy and create unwanted behaviors.

I've had no issues with the latest version of Sequoia (macOS 15.6.1) (or any previous macOS versions) on my M1 iMac (and I plan to upgrade to Tahoe which is expected to be released Monday).