Advice Wanted: What to do with late 2009 iMac

[codehead]

I've got the above referenced iMac. Works well, no issues, but you can't upgrade the OS any more. I've never had a Mac that wasn't upgradable and wondering if there are any drawbacks to keeping this computer or if it's time to buy a new one.

Thank you.

 

[servenvolley]

I am in the same boat with a 2009 27" iMac as well. I had the hard drive replaced a few years back and I upgraded the ram to 8gb and it still works fine. I only use it to spread out docs when I am editing a book so I can see them all at once (which I can't do on a MacBook). Not sure if I should sell it for a few bucks on eBay while I can and then get a monitor or just keep it.

 

[Fishrrman]

After 10 years, it's time for a new one.
You will LIKE the changes and improvements.

My "take this advice and you will be very happy" tips:
- Get the 27" -- you will NEVER regret paying more for the larger display
- Get an SSD inside. You have to order these through Apple's online store (or buy an Apple refurb that has one). It will run much faster and better for longer. (but you already know about "longevity" !!)
- Get 8gb of RAM. You can add more yourself (on the 27") later if you need to. But try 8gb first.

 

[hobowankenobi]

The biggest single limiting factor for most folks is the ability to run a modern browser, and to access all web sites as needed.

Once you can no longer upgrade your browsers....because they require a newer OS (which you cannot run), the machine's days are numbered, unless you have a dedicated use that does not require full web access.

A photo editing machine would be a good example of something you do indefinitely, no updates needed. Any other dedicated software will continue to chug away.

Just don't expect to use a secure connection (like online banking) on an old browser on an old OS. Even if you can, it would be unwise because of security concerns.

 

[codehead]

The biggest single limiting factor for most folks is the ability to run a modern browser, and to access all web sites as needed.

Once you can no longer upgrade your browsers....because they require a newer OS (which you cannot run), the machine's days are numbered, unless you have a dedicated use that does not require full web access.

A photo editing machine would be a good example of something you do indefinitely, no updates needed. Any other dedicated software will continue to chug away.

Just don't expect to use a secure connection (like online banking) on an old browser on an old OS. Even if you can, it would be unwise because of security concerns.

Excellent points. Hadn't even considered the security issues you pointed out. Thank you.
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After 10 years, it's time for a new one.
You will LIKE the changes and improvements.

My "take this advice and you will be very happy" tips:
- Get the 27" -- you will NEVER regret paying more for the larger display
- Get an SSD inside. You have to order these through Apple's online store (or buy an Apple refurb that has one). It will run much faster and better for longer. (but you already know about "longevity" !!)
- Get 8gb of RAM. You can add more yourself (on the 27") later if you need to. But try 8gb first.

Thanks! Love any advice that guarantees happiness. ;-)
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I am in the same boat with a 2009 27" iMac as well. I had the hard drive replaced a few years back and I upgraded the ram to 8gb and it still works fine. I only use it to spread out docs when I am editing a book so I can see them all at once (which I can't do on a MacBook). Not sure if I should sell it for a few bucks on eBay while I can and then get a monitor or just keep it.

I'm an author and editing is the one reason I even have a desktop. Laptop for actual writing. Best wishes.

 

[4sallypat]

I for one love how well built the older iMacs were compared to the newer ones that you can't fix anything.

I recently fixed for a friend, a 2009 27" iMac because the hard drive died.
Easy to replace the hard drive with easy magnetic glass screen.
She loved to keep hers because all she uses it for music and some basic web games.

I have a newer 2013 thin chassis - without optical iMac 21" and hate it that it takes a lot to fix it should it ever come time...

 

[Erehy Dobon]

.

 

[roccobladr]

I am a strong proponent of ditching old hardware when I find myself no longer regularly benefiting from their availability.

Also, I am a strong adherent to minimizing system administration load.

Today, I have one desktop computer (Mac mini 2018) and one notebook (MacBook Air 2019). There are no other Macs in the house. There is one cheapo Wintel PC in the house.

That's enough for me.

If you want to keep your old gear around, that's entirely your prerogative but I have better things to do with my time.

In the past twelve months I have ditched: Mac mini 2010, MacBook Air 2013, MacBook 2017. I am glad they are all out of my life. I don't go looking around for a reason to keep old computers. If the usage case isn't obvious (home theater PC for the Mac mini 2010), then it goes bye-bye.

Curious as to what you did with your old devices. I have a 2011 MacBook Air that I keep on hand, but rarely use. My 10.5” IPad Pro is my workhorse now, so it’s nice having that “real computer” as a safety net, but considering a new one at some point. Did you trade in or sell on your own or donate?

 

[KALLT]

If you want to stay with macOS, you will likely have no other option than to buy a new Mac. hobowankenobi stated the reasons why keeping an older version of macOS is not a good option for long. Moreover, you will not get any security updates, which is especially precarious if you are using a discontinued browser version.

If you want to keep the iMac, you might want to consider switching to a different operating system. A 2009 iMac is likely not going to run Windows 10 without problems, as Apple doesn’t supply relevant drivers for those. Linux may be an option though.

 

[weckart]

A 2009 iMac will run Catalina with a bit of coaxing albeit not as speedily as more current hardware. Whether it is fast enough is up to you. As others have said, replacing the HDD with an SSD will give it the biggest speed boost for very little outlay.

Given that the newest hardware only runs Catalina onwards, it may be worth keeping on Mojave or earlier for those 32 bit applications, games or peripherals that you cannot do without and for which 10.15 has tolled the death bell.

 

[WhiskeySour]

I have the late 2009 iMac 27 inch and have always enjoyed it. No major troubles until lately when the video card packed it in. Fortunately the repair shop I took it to, by a stroke of luck, had a spare one sitting there that a customer had purchased a new iMac and left that one to be recycled! The tech put my HD into the one awaiting recycling and that's what I'm using now. But of course if something else goes on it, parts are likely very hard to get-apparently there wasn't any video cards available anywhere. I've upgraded to High Sierra from Sierra. Have had to move my iPhoto to the Mac Photo program-apparently if you upgrade much more iPhoto won't be accepted by the newer OS. So I have to agree with those that say it's time!

 

[BeatCrazy]

I’m coming from the opposite side of this story.

A friend recently gave me a Late 2009 27” iMac for free. It was non-functional, so I took it on myself to repair. It needed a new logic board and some internal cables replaced. I decided to upgrade the RAM, GPU and Bluetooth module to one that support BT 4.2.

With a fair amount of tinkering, I have it up and working, and updated it to Big Sur. With SSD, 20GB of RAM and Metal-based GPU (Nvidia K2100M), it performs like a fairly modern machine.

I let me son fool around with it, for now. I think I invested about $250 in hardware to get it to this point. And a few too many weekends messing around. But I learned a lot, and get some satisfaction from rescuing it from a landfill.

 

[James_C]

I've got the above referenced iMac. Works well, no issues, but you can't upgrade the OS any more. I've never had a Mac that wasn't upgradable and wondering if there are any drawbacks to keeping this computer or if it's time to buy a new one.

Thank you.

For a machine that is 11 years old, I would think about replacing it. I presume that this iMac has a conventional HDD, rather than SSD, That is going to make a huge difference to performance, also the 27" 5k Retina iMacs are a joy to look at.

My only hesitation is just around the corner are the  Silicon iMacs, no one knows when they will be released but hopefully before the summer next year. Buying now means that you will likely be buying the last of the Intel iMacs, while Apple has said it will support Intel for a while it has not said for how long. During the last processor transition Apple only issued one new version of MacOS that supported both PowerPC and Intel after the initial universal binary release. However Apple used to update the OS every two years or so then. So I think we are likely to see 2 to 4 versions of MacOS that will support both after Big Sur.

In addition the expectation is the 2021 iMac is likely to get a modern makeover with a smaller chin and reduced bezels.

If you need to run Windows then get one of 2020 iMacs as they are very good, however if you have waited this long and your iMac is still doing everything you need and you don't need to run Windows, I would be tempted to wait until the  Silicon iMacs are released.

 

[gecko579]

Upgrade for sure, then donate the old one to your local Mac user group who will wipe it and usually have local organizations with whom they partner:

User Groups - Apple

 

[OasisNYK]

Same here. Still running late 27 inch 2009 iMac. I only use it for music and web browsing and it still runs great. The security issues pointed out are a concern but I also don’t want to replace a machine that still works really well.

Also not sure I would go iMac again - I think I would buy a really good monitor and a MacBook Pro to have the added portability when I need it.
Will wait to see what next years Mac silicon looks like before making any decisions.

 

[ght56]

I'd update it, but I would wait a few more months until an Apple Silicon iMac is released. At that point you can make the call if you want Intel or ASi iMacs, as both will likely be sold concurrently. It's possible ASi iMacs could usher in new sizes than we are used to, like 24 inch and 30 inch.