The new Mac OS X 10.5.7 update could fry your machine…literally. If you haven’t upgraded yet, you might want to read on.

I normally try to wait several weeks or months before upgrading to new software. Since switching from Windows to Mac, I assumed (incorrectly) that Mac software was immune to the problems that sometimes plague Windows.

So, when the OS X 10.5.7 update came out, I downloaded and installed it immediately to my MacBook. I was lucky. I have had NO problems with the update. But others have not been so lucky. Apparently it is causing overheating in iMacs and MacBooks to the point that they freeze up or crash.

Bottom Line: Unless you like unnecessary stress in your life, let the guinea pigs test Apple’s software. Once the dust settles and Apple, or Windows, or <name-your-sotware> comes out with an emergency patch, then you can…wait a few more weeks to see if that fixes the problems and then install it. See the following URLs for more info:

• http://www.zeldman.com/2009/06/06/apple-os-x-1057-overheats-some-macs/
• http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2007499&tstart=0