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From: Jolly Roger <jollyroger@pobox.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Re: Why doesn't Apple update the kernel instead of outdating hardware/software?
Date: 16 Mar 2015 15:39:02 GMT
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On 2015-03-16, sctvguy1 <sctvguy1@invalid.net> wrote:
>
> Since OSX is Unix based, why doesn't Apple continually update the
> kernel 

Apple *does* continually update the kernel.

> instead of outdating hardware and software?

Please provide some specific examples of this that concern you.

> Linux continues to update the kernel to keep hardware/software
> current.

So does Apple, and just about every other mainstream operating system
vendor on the planet.

> I am going to buy an iMac, but the variety of dates, mid-2010, late
> 2009, early 2011, is very confusing.  The hardware specs are very
> good, but it seems like features are being outdated with constant
> updates to OSX.

You can't realistically expect older hardware to be able to do
everything newer hardware can do. For instance, if an older machine does
not have the Bluetooth hardware capable of Bluetooth LE, any
functionality that relies on Bluetooth LE to function will not work.
Updating the operating system (kernel included) cannot force it to work
since the older hardware itself is deficient.

> Wouldn't kernel updates keep more hardware current with the latest
> OSX?

Only hardware updates will keep hardware current.

> People who are in the "walled in garden of Apple" would still buy the
> latest stuff, but for people who want a good used iMac, could be more
> assured that buying an iMac would last longer and be more useful.

You haven't done much research into this. Otherwise you'd know that Macs
tend to keep their usefulness and run more current operating systems
with more functionality enabled for far longer than their typical
Windows- or Linux-based counterparts. 

-- 
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JR