2009 core duo 2.4gz

[Donfor39]

Is there any reason to avoid purchasing an old school iMac to look nice in living room.

This item APPLE IMAC A1224 inCORE 2 DUOin 2.0 -2.4GHZ, 4GB RAM, 160GB HDD, 20in SCREEN, OS X EL CAPITAN (Renewed

This goes against my recent years to achieve tech portability though from 199 Uk pounds, IMac would look Amazing in my flat.
I noticed one comment that a Nano chip ssd could be installed -is that a usb ssd or internal that replace 160gb hdd -how simple could that be or is it physically difficult.

I intended to use for lots of reading and possibly setup some simple course work -if possible.

Thanks in advance

 

[CanadaRAM]

The A1224 number isn't definitive, could be 2007 - 2010 - the 2.4 GHz 20 inch could be a 2007 iMac7,1 or 2008 iMac8,1 https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...20-inch-aluminum-early-2008-penryn-specs.html
Your biggest problem will be that the machine has a maximum OSX of 10.11.x , which means that you will not be able to use some modern software (such as the version of iTunes that is compatible with your next phone & iPad IOS upgrade).
Maximum memory is 6 GB but the 4 GB chip needed is excessively expensive.
Not sure, but I think Nano Chip is the name of a retailer, not a type of SSD.
You can use a standard 2.5 inch SATA SSD in this machine to replace the hard drive, you need a bracket like an IcyDock EZconvert or and OWC AdaptaDrive to fit it in the 3.5 inch drive bay. The installation is finicky, carefully follow the directions on iFixit https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+20-Inch+EMC+2133+and+2210+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1008 or OWC website for your specific model iMac. It helps to have someone else there to help hold the screen Suitability for coursework depends on whether you need to use programs that require a higher OSX or hardware performance than the machine is capable of. This unit has passed the 'getting older but still usable' stage and is teetering on the very edge of obsolescence

 

[Donfor39]

The A1224 number isn't definitive, could be 2007 - 2010 - the 2.4 GHz 20 inch could be a 2007 iMac7,1 or 2008 iMac8,1 https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...20-inch-aluminum-early-2008-penryn-specs.html
Your biggest problem will be that the machine has a maximum OSX of 10.11.x , which means that you will not be able to use some modern software (such as the version of iTunes that is compatible with your next phone & iPad IOS upgrade).
Maximum memory is 6 GB but the 4 GB chip needed is excessively expensive.
Not sure, but I think Nano Chip is the name of a retailer, not a type of SSD.
You can use a standard 2.5 inch SATA SSD in this machine to replace the hard drive, you need a bracket like an IcyDock EZconvert or and OWC AdaptaDrive to fit it in the 3.5 inch drive bay. The installation is finicky, carefully follow the directions on iFixit https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+20-Inch+EMC+2133+and+2210+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1008 or OWC website for your specific model iMac. It helps to have someone else there to help hold the screen Suitability for coursework depends on whether you need to use programs that require a higher OSX or hardware performance than the machine is capable of. This unit has passed the 'getting older but still usable' stage and is teetering on the very edge of obsolescence

Thank you for your kind reply
Maybe a URL could help though limited specs year of manufacturing possibly 2008 I guess could have been sold as early 2009.
2.4ghz core duo- the single cpu one i.e. not dual core.
160gb hdd
El Capitan pre installed

https://www.wowcher.co.uk/deal/shop/11537964/20-inch-apple-imac

https://www.amazon.co.uk/APPLE-2-4GHZ-SCREEN-CAPITAN-Refurbished/dp/B076VKGNYD

Corse work I don't see any reason why I. Cannot continue with e learning it'll foundation -the actual exam I'll check nearer the time.
I had used a bracket a few years earlier to swap hdd with ssd late2011b mcbpro though I failed to get dvd drive working again.

Thanks for the bracket advice!

 

[Donfor39]

Thanks @CanadaRAM

Since viewed some you tube SSD upgrades
Think I"ll settle for external storage.
Not taking responsibility of removing screen.
I shall consider if the earliest mentioned model is going to be useful.
Did run EL Capitan previously not my favourite Mac OS though not a great concern for my needs.

 

[EugW]

It is not Core Duo. It is Core 2 Duo. Big difference, as Core Duo models are basically unusable now.

I would not necessarily recommend Core 2 Duo either though, since none of the iMacs of that era support USB 3. The only way an SSD boot drive would make sense is to install it internally, or to use FireWire 800. However, such FireWire enclosures are very rare now (and expensive).

If this your only Mac, I'd recommend at least a 2012 model iMac, because that supports both USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2. These iMacs also officially support 10.14 Mojave and 10.15 Catalina.

 

[Donfor39]

It is not Core Duo. It is Core 2 Duo. Big difference, as Core Duo models are basically unusable now.

I would not necessarily recommend Core 2 Duo either though, since none of the iMacs of that era support USB 3. The only way an SSD boot drive would make sense is to install it internally, or to use FireWire 800. However, such FireWire enclosures are very rare now (and expensive).

If this your only Mac, I'd recommend at least a 2012 model iMac, because that supports both USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2. These iMacs also officially support 10.14 Mojave and 10.15 Catalina.

Maybe I'll achieve low cost 2012 iMac which could become my sole mac as 2011/2012 13" MacBooks are since gone.
Enjoying 11" iPad
Excited at iMac in living room.
Any OS X above El Capitan would be ideal-I last ran early Sierra beta's (non high)

 

[EugW]

FWIW, you can actually run High Sierra on those old Core 2 Duo iMacs, with dosdude1's High Sierra patcher:

http://dosdude1.com/software.html

You can even run later versions of macOS, but there are more issues.

 

[Donfor39]

Any advice if attempting to run office 365 or could I attempt running an older version.
Probably type via a Mac word processor if required, lots of those could run I think.

 

[TheIntruder]

I wouldn't pay money to acquire one of the original Aluminium C2D iMacs.

If you already had one, they're fine for a general purpose web surfing/email machine running 10.11 off an internal SSD. But remember to turn off the fancy GUI effects like transparency in OS X so the GPU won't have to do as much work.

Running 10.7 (which started the ramp up in OS I/O activity) or later off of a spinning drive, especially via USB 2, will not be a good experience.

 

[TwoH]

That is indeed a 2009 machine, however I'd honestly be against using a 20"/24" iMac in 2019.

 

[rafark]

If it's for Internet or some other light use it does a great job, just make sure it has at least 4gb of ram. And even though it's old, it still looks beautiful, barely takes any considerable space (it's literally a plug-and-play machine) and it's relatively silent. I'd say go for it, you get a lot of value for the price (around 150 bucks).

I'd also recommend using it with a magic keyboard (you can get these for cheap as well, if it's not included)

 

[flexinoodle]

There is some nonsense posted here hahahaha, 2008/9 iMac is a powerhouse still, we have one here that surfs every page asked of it, does Wordpress design, runs Affinity Photo/Designer for said Wordpress designs, works with YouTube fine, Boot camps in to Win 7 no problem, and has a primary task of being centerpiece in our second recording studio, a task it handles with no issues at all.
2008 21.5/4GB/240GB SSD Internal/El Capitan.
(Will probably upgrade to 6GB for the hell of it)

Ignore anybody who says these machines are unusable or a waste of money, either they have some agenda or just simply no idea what they are talking about.