what's the difference between updating OS X from software update and updating using apple's site? on apple's site i see 'combo' updates which are much larger than the OS X updates in software update. help is greatly appreciated.

-Indo

Software updates performs what is known as the Delta installation. This is where only the changed files get downloaded and installed. The Combo update contains all the OS and Security Update files since the beginning of 10.3. Some people swear the combo update will fix problems the delta update caused, but I have never had a problem in that area.

It beats me why the two forms of installation could ever be different from one another, considering it's the same data.

I've never had a problem using either.