Help me choose my new iMac 27"

[Squeaky]

my mid-2011 iMac works great. I have the 3.4 GHz intel core i7, 16GB configuration with 256 SSD and 1TB HD.

I have zero complaints. It handles my basic needs beautifully: web searching, word processing, minor photo and video touchups, quicken, turbotax.

But I need to upgrade because Turbotax for 2021 won't run on High Sierra, and I can't further upgrade my OS.

So....time to buy a new machine. I'm torn between the 3.1 and 3.3GHz models. I'm hedged towards 3.3 because I can upgrade the SSD to 1TB.

Would I be ok with the stock 8GB of RAM? My 2011 has 16GB of RAM - but that was chosen by a friend who is a power user, and I don't think I really need that much.I usually have open simultaneously low usage programs, like Safari, quicken, mail, sonos, itunes, etc.

I'd appreciate opinions. Despite my current machine being 3.5 GHz, I'd think the new models would be "faster" but I don't know how to really compare the models.
Thanks!

 

[0128672]

It sounds like based on your usage 8GB RAM would be fine. I’m assuming you meant a 1TB (not GB) SSD. Do you really need one that big? How much of your current storage are you using?

 

[Squeaky]

It sounds like based on your usage 8GB RAM would be fine. I’m assuming you meant a 1TB (not GB) SSD. Do you really need one that big? How much of your current storage are you using? If 512 would work as well, you could save a little on the 3.3.

Oops. you're right 1 TB external. I currently use 500 GB of the 1 TB - almost all old video files. But my suspicion is that they now backup to iCloud, which I didn't have before.

I should note, I don't want to waste money, but spending a little extra in order to have another machine that will get me 8-10 years, is OK. The 2011 iMac has been great. It's a shame I can't upgrade the OS further and it's worth nearly nothing on apple trade program. I'll likely gift it to my 10 & 12 year olds....

Under what circumstances would 16 GB of RAM be superior to 8 GB? I'm assuming multitasking with hi-use programs?

Correcting above typo....

 

[0128672]

Well, the $200 difference to upgrade to 1TB is pretty reasonable and it sounds like you would enjoy the peace of mind of having enough elbow room. I totally get that; I feel the same way.

It’s too bad that one program is forcing an upgrade though. Coming from a 2011 you will notice some nice performance differences. Hopefully we’ll see some Geekbench scores to compare soon.

Just a side note, if those old videos are important, adding other backup options is important too. You’re already using an external drive, which is great. Do you have another option such as another external drive or burning to DVDs? You can confirm they were uploaded to iCloud by viewing them in Photos on another device or at iCloud.com.

 

[Squeaky]

Well, the $200 difference to upgrade to 1TB is pretty reasonable and it sounds like you would enjoy the peace of mind of having enough elbow room. I totally get that; I feel the same way.

It’s too bad that one program is forcing an upgrade though. Coming from a 2011 you will notice some nice performance differences. Hopefully we’ll see some Geekbench scores to compare soon.

Just a side note, if those old videos are important, adding other backup options is important too. You’re already using an external drive, which is great. Do you have another option such as another external drive or burning to DVDs? You can confirm they were uploaded to iCloud by viewing them in Photos on another device or at iCloud.com.

Thanks for the info. Looks like they are not on iCloud. I web searched instructions to upload iMovie, but the process is different on my machine and doesn't work. I'm guessing a reflection of an old OS. I have them backed up to an external 500gb drive though.

I'm hoping others chime in. Once i get some consensus, I'll order the new machine. I'm guessing it will be the 3.3 with a 1 TB SSD.

 

[MacPoulet]

Since you can upgrade the ram after the fact but likely not the SSD, maybe go with a 1tb SSD and an external backup drive? You can add the ram at a later time and it’ll be cheaper from a third party.

 

[r6mile]

Have you thought about using the dosdude patcher to install Mojave or Catalina? Or, if you are concerned about using an unsupported OS for work, running them on a Virtual Machine (from High Sierra) to use this software?

Ifyour machine is otherwise fine for your needs, it might be worth exploring.

 

[spiderpumpkin]

Have you thought about using the dosdude patcher to install Mojave or Catalina? Or, if you are concerned about using an unsupported OS for work, running them on a Virtual Machine (from High Sierra) to use this software?

Ifyour machine is otherwise fine for your needs, it might be worth exploring.

I'm sure it would work for him. I have Mojave installed on an early 2009 MacMini using MacOS Mojave Patcher.

macOS Mojave Patcher - DosDude1dosdude1.com › mojave

 

[Squeaky]

Have you thought about using the dosdude patcher to install Mojave or Catalina? Or, if you are concerned about using an unsupported OS for work, running them on a Virtual Machine (from High Sierra) to use this software?

Ifyour machine is otherwise fine for your needs, it might be worth exploring.

I don't know anything about dosdude patcher. Is this just a program which "forces" the newer OS onto an older machine?

Downsides??????

 

[CheesePuff]

BTW if you did want to match your 16 GB on your current machine, its $30 on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/PNY-DDR4-266...rds=4gb+2666mhz+so-dimm&qid=1596629498&sr=8-7) for 2x 4 GB chips to match the existing 2x 4 GB chips included.

 

[r6mile]

Yes, the Dosdude patcher does exactly that. It's very easy to use but it can be tricky with updates etc sometimes. If you literally just need Catalina etc to run some particular software, a Virtual Machine is probably the way to go. It will allow you to run Catalina (or whatever) as a separate window within your existing OS.

You can use VMWare Fusion, Parallels (both are paid but easy to set up) or Virtual Box (free but trickier to set up).

I don't know anything about this software you gave and if it uses a lot of RAM, but if it does you can always go up to 24gb or 32gb on your iMac.

All of this will be a hell of a lot cheaper than a new machine, especially if you are otherwise happy with your current one!

 

[Squeaky]

Yes, the Dosdude patcher does exactly that. It's very easy to use but it can be tricky with updates etc sometimes. If you literally just need Catalina etc to run some particular software, a Virtual Machine is probably the way to go. It will allow you to run Catalina (or whatever) as a separate window within your existing OS.

You can use VMWare Fusion, Parallels (both are paid but easy to set up) or Virtual Box (free but trickier to set up).

I don't know anything about this software you gave and if it uses a lot of RAM, but if it does you can always go up to 24gb or 32gb on your iMac.

All of this will be a hell of a lot cheaper than a new machine, especially if you are otherwise happy with your current one!

Thanks for the info.
I may just go the new Mac route, as I feel like I got great use out of my current iMac and replacing one every 9-10 years is reasonable.
But, having said that, I will consider these options. Years ago I used Parallels to use windows on a Mac. How does one install a MacOS onto Parallels or VMWare? This may be more hassle than it's worth to me - simplicity and ease of use are highly valued in my world !

 

[0128672]

Thanks for the info.
I may just go the new Mac route, as I feel like I got great use out of my current iMac and replacing one every 9-10 years is reasonable.
But, having said that, I will consider these options. Years ago I used Parallels to use windows on a Mac. How does one install a MacOS onto Parallels or VMWare? This may be more hassle than it's worth to me - simplicity and ease of use are highly valued in my world !

Parallels has macOS install info in its knowledge base. Here’s an example for installing Mojave:

KB Parallels: Install macOS Mojave virtual machine with Parallels Desktop

kb.parallels.com

 

[r6mile]

Thanks for the info.
I may just go the new Mac route, as I feel like I got great use out of my current iMac and replacing one every 9-10 years is reasonable.
But, having said that, I will consider these options. Years ago I used Parallels to use windows on a Mac. How does one install a MacOS onto Parallels or VMWare? This may be more hassle than it's worth to me - simplicity and ease of use are highly valued in my world !

It is very easy - you install it the same way as you would Windows or any other OS, just drag the image file. I would say give it a go as it's free - you can do a free Parallels 14-day trial - and might do what you want it to do.

But fair enough if you prefer a new machine - as you say 9-10 is a reasonable timeframe for a computer.