Should I update to 20H2 or wait for 21H1?

Brian2063 said:

I just bought a Fujitsu Q704 convertible and it is running windows 10 pro 1909. It has the 20H2 version listed in available updates, and I am wondering if I should allow it to do so, or wait for the 21H1 version?

Welcome to Ten Forums.

To go from 1909 to the next version, whether that's 20H2 or 21H1, is a major feature update that will install new system files and save your old system to a Windows.old folder. This can take up to an hour to install, whether you go for 20H1 or wait for 21H2.

The update from 20H1 to 21H2 however will then be a minor feature update, a small enablement package that turns on dormant features and installs in a few minutes, just like a cumulative update. I'd go for 20H2 now, the update to 21H1 will then be quick when it's released - plus it will be optional so you can wait to see if others report problems before deciding to update.

With any major upgrade, it is a wise precaution to make a system image of your current system before you start. Many here use Macrium Reflect Free for that purpose.

Brian2063 said:

I am primarily a Mac user, ever since the disaster Windows Vista was, so kinda concerned about Microsoft and their frequent major updates. Mac gets them too but typically only 1 major one a year.

Vista was a good OS - let down by a severe lack of driver support

MS have moved to 1 major and 1 minor update per year. 1903 was a major update, 1909 was a minor update by a small enablement package. 2004 was the last major update. Once updated to 2004, both 20H2 and the forthcoming 21H1 are minor updates by enablement packages. The next major update is expected to be be 21H2, due around about October.

Brian2063 said:

thank you for that information. The reason I say Vista was a disaster is I bought a new laptop and from the first day with it, it had problems running anything, without crashing. it was a budget laptop and only had 2gb of ram, but the salesperson said it would do what i needed it to, and it never did.

Vista WAS a disaster.
In fact every other Windows OS is a disaster.

Win 95 = disaster
Win 95 OSR2 = good
Win 98 = disaster
Win 98SE = good
Win ME = unmitigated disaster
Win XP = great
Win Vista = disaster
Win 7 = great
Win 8/8.1 = disaster
Win 10 = good

Vista was fine on the HP laptop it came with...

Rumour has it that MS might switch to annual upgrades, alternating with Windows 10X releases:
Windows 10 is braced for a major upgrade shift next year

Businesses would be relieved - if they are trying to keep up with these, that is - verifying and deploying and resolving issues costs money. Great for the IT staff- keeps them busy!
What it costs to keep up with Windows 10's upgrade tempo - Software Contract Solutions