Yes - under XP - one could allow the update to download. but ONLY install when I allowed it.
That went away in W7 - if, *and only if* you manage to catch site of the 10 minute warning about update, you can delay it for ONLY FOUR HOURS. A lot of times not at pooter when that window pops-up, or it doesn't pop up at all.
Lots of reasons for going the auto-route - if you always have sufficient bandwidth to download updates on command - your way works ok - IF one is very strict about applying all the critical updates, and security updates in a timely manner.
Have NEVER liked apple much less iphone. Apple was a very very closed system from square one- and way overpriced. Still the same today - with both.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good ...