I question the wisdom of updating cycles, but I do it. I am using a new service, the "A" one, not the "N" one. It is interesting to see a favorite old route throw a curve at you. (That's a baseball expression for a ball that is unexpectedly difficult to hit  ;) ). At least with that, I notice various airplanes seem to handle them differently (which shouldn't be).

Sometimes, I can't get an arrival and approach to even show up -- tonight SLVR VOR Z RWY 16 is a good example. I selected everything, but then it would not show up in LEGS. Only by selecting the vanilla RWY 16 approach could I get a runway showing, and I had to build everything around it with fixes and holds. Not a big deal, but obviously the product is not working as advertised. (The no TD trick worked for me, though, for the first time!)

If you're just flying around by yourself, there's really no reason to have them, like Mark said, unless you just want to see that current date in your FMC and see changes. Those aren't bad things -- I do it -- just not necessary things. And don't be afraid to modify the approach end of your route so it makes sense if you need to.

Also, I'm a firm believer that a computer is not much good without charts to look at and understand. You can find a lot free online, or get a year's subscription for about the price of a decent add-on airplane.