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Do I need a new iMac
- Thread starter dougvmi
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Does it still work? Does it do what you need it to do?
The computer has issues with the printer every time I update THE OS but other than that it works great.
eyoungren
macrumors Nehalem
Yes, really.
I fully converted to Intel Mac in 2020 when I got this MP from eBay for around $200. Was running Mojave up until 2024.
OCLP (OpenCore Legacy Patcher) is what allowed me to install Sonoma. I could upgrade to Sequoia, but I see no advantage to that at the moment. Tahoe is out though as the devs haven't cracked compatibility with older hardware yet.
It is my primary desktop Mac. Graphic design, word processing, internet browsing (I use Vivaldi mainly, latest version), and anything else I need it for. Email I generally handle with my iPhone.
Click the link in my signature that says '10 displays' if you want to see my MP (under the desk).
Don't ask that question here. The forum is filled with Apple fans who simply like to have the best stuff that they can get, even if they don't need it.
If your 2021 iMac is based on the Apple M1 chip, you will be fine for a long time. But if this is an Intel-based computer, you might start thinking about looking around for a replacement.
The need to do something with the printer is likely a fault of the driver software for your printer and might happen even on a newer Mac.
It is not uncommon for some printer brands/models to abandon users by not releasing new drivers with OS updates. If this is the case, you would want to look at the printer first. A new Mac could actually make it worse. They benefit...by users buying new printers more often.
What printer model? What is the problem you see with OS updates?
What printer model? What is the problem you see with OS updates?
Anonymous Freak
macrumors 603
My primary "serious work" laptop is a 2019 8-core Intel Core i9 16" MacBook Pro with Radeon Pro 5500M graphics. Currently on Tahoe, where it will remain.
For "light use", I use either a 2015 12" Retina MacBook with dual core 1.1 GHz Intel Core M with Intel HD Graphics running Big Sur; or a 2008 Aluminum MacBook 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo with Nvidia 9400GT graphics running Ventura thanks to OpenCore Legacy Patcher. (That one is also set to dual boot Kali Linux.)
For "light use", I use either a 2015 12" Retina MacBook with dual core 1.1 GHz Intel Core M with Intel HD Graphics running Big Sur; or a 2008 Aluminum MacBook 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo with Nvidia 9400GT graphics running Ventura thanks to OpenCore Legacy Patcher. (That one is also set to dual boot Kali Linux.)
TSE
macrumors 601
Adding to what hobowankenobi said about the printer — when an OS update seems to kill a printer, most of the time it's a CUPS driver that got wiped, not anything wrong with the Mac itself. Two things worth trying before spending money: check whether your printer supports AirPrint (System Settings → Printers → Add, and see if it shows up as AirPrint rather than needing a vendor driver) — if yes, you're set for the life of the printer. If not, gutenprint installed via Homebrew covers a huge range of older printers HP/Canon/Epson quietly stopped supporting years back. Got a 2015-era Canon at my parents' place still running fine on Tahoe that way.
Fishrrman
macrumors Nehalem
It's not that great of a problem if you have to remove/reinstall the printer (and software) after an OS update -- and the reinstall goes through without trouble.
It IS a problem when you get to the point that the printer can't be "re-installed" any longer. But... "the problem" in that case may be localized to the printer (i.e., too old and no longer supported), and NOT the Mac.
Chances are, if the problem IS an out-of-date printer, getting a newer Mac isn't going to fix that.
MacRumors predicts there will be an m6 version of the iMac coming down the road before too much longer, and perhaps an OLED iMac, as well. My advice would be to keep using what you have for now (m1 is not really that old, I still use a 2021 m1pro MacBook Pro), and keep a close eye on the bits of info that trickle down on upcoming Macs...
It IS a problem when you get to the point that the printer can't be "re-installed" any longer. But... "the problem" in that case may be localized to the printer (i.e., too old and no longer supported), and NOT the Mac.
Chances are, if the problem IS an out-of-date printer, getting a newer Mac isn't going to fix that.
MacRumors predicts there will be an m6 version of the iMac coming down the road before too much longer, and perhaps an OLED iMac, as well. My advice would be to keep using what you have for now (m1 is not really that old, I still use a 2021 m1pro MacBook Pro), and keep a close eye on the bits of info that trickle down on upcoming Macs...
thebellnd
macrumors member
Old printers don't always play nice with new versions of macOS because drivers don't get updated. This problem is only going to be exacerbated in the next year as Apple drops support for the legacy Intel compatibility layer that a lot of printer drivers use. So in short, your best hope is probably buying a new printer with native Apple Silicon driver support (if you can find one) over buying a new iMac.
Good points above about Airprint. My previous comment was based on decades of habits with Mac printing. Moving forward, Apple is actively working on killing the need for any drivers at all, and using the driverless Airprint protocol.
So, anybody shopping for a new printer they want to use for years into the future should be looking for Airprint compatible models, to avoid driver issues in the next few OS updates when printer vendors realize they can cut costs by dropping driver development and support.
So, anybody shopping for a new printer they want to use for years into the future should be looking for Airprint compatible models, to avoid driver issues in the next few OS updates when printer vendors realize they can cut costs by dropping driver development and support.
ProTruckDriver
macrumors 6502
I’m in the same boat. I was about to sell my iMac M1 (16 Go Ram) and realized that it’s still awesome and fast, superb display and design. So might keep it for a few years till Apple bring back the Target display mode or whatever makes the iMac work as a monitor
"Computer years" isn't a really objective thing.
In "computer years," a 5-year-old computer in 2008 would be "very old." There were a lot of substantial improvements between 2008 and 2013. In the 2010s, less so. And now? In the age of Apple Silicon? Not really. You only should upgrade from a 2021 M1 iMac if your current iMac is not working for your business needs or if certain apps are no longer compatible with your computer (which is not the case for any M1 machine right now—those still get all updates). Your Mac MIGHT not support the latest Siri AI features, but unless you're pining for those, you're fine.
I have a 2021 M1 Pro Mac and I will probably keep it for another 5 years at least.
On the printer thing…what brand do you have? the ONLY brand worth getting is a Brother printer (specifically a laser printer). Best printers ever—probably closest thing to an Apple-quality printer in terms of it "just working." I am using a 2011 printer (yes, a printer that is 15 years old) and it works SO well. Zero issues. With my 2021 Mac.
And best part is I got it for probably like $60.
kagharaht
macrumors 68020
Yes. Open your wallet and tell Apple to take your money. Thats the only answer. 😀
You can use screen sharing high quality mode. It feels pretty smooth.
Abydos
macrumors 6502a
I've got an 2019 iMac using a xp850 printer (there is the ever-present problem that ink levels are reported wrong or not all - I blame it on epson) but it works. I'll take this system off line when security updates end, and use it off line until it fails completely, as for the printer I've had a love/hate relationship with them since my apple laser writer died a couple of decades ago.
I mean, not quite. You could also open your wallet and tell a vetted seller of a used but newer Mac take a substantially smaller amount of your money.
