Is it time to upgrade the IMAC 2016?

[Berries-A-Million]

My brother with autism has an old IMAC I bought him back in late 2016. It is now at the point I think it needs to be upgraded. Still runs well however. Has a 1TB SSD, 5k 22" screen. (correct me if I am wrong on any of the specs, its been a while). Has standard ram 8gb.

Should I get him the new one? No trade in value at all left. Is it worth the upgrade? When and where is the best time to get one?

He plays some games online, browsing the web mostly.

 

[chrfr]

My brother with autism has an old IMAC I bought him back in late 2016. It is now at the point I think it needs to be upgraded. Still runs well however. Has a 1TB SSD, 5k 22" screen. (correct me if I am wrong on any of the specs, its been a while). Has standard ram 8gb.

Should I get him the new one? No trade in value at all left. Is it worth the upgrade? When and where is the best time to get one?

He plays some games online, browsing the web mostly.

There‘s no 22” 5k iMac and there’s no 2016 iMac, but if the computer has an SSD and it’s doing what your brother needs, there’s no reason to replace it.

 

[Fishrrman]

I don't think there was a "2016" iMac. Rather, it would be a "2015"?

And... if it has an SSD... it's probably still running fairly well.

Having said that...

If you're in the USA, amazon is having a sale on the 2020 release 27" iMac:

Apple 2020 iMac with Retina 5K Display (27-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage)

iMac performance is at an all-time high with tenth-generation Intel Core processors, powerful AMD Radeon Pro 5000 series graphics, ultrafast SSD storage, Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) connectivity. And it all comes to life on a stunning 27-inch Retina 5K display with one billion colors and 500 nits of br...

www.amazon.com

(saw this on the MacRumors front page).
Looks like $600 off on the base 8gb/256gb SSD.
He'd like that.

Or, there might be Black Friday sales on the m1 24" iMac. Don't know yet.

 

[Gudi]

Most likely it has a 1TB hard drive or 1TB fusion drive. In the former case you should upgrade him urgently to a second-hand 24" M1 iMac from 2021. The difference will be earth shattering.

PS: There was no iMac in 2016, only 15 or 17. But it makes no difference.

PPS: If indeed it has 1 TB flash storage, then it is from 2017 and still supports macOS Ventura. No reason to upgrade.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

There‘s no 22” 5k iMac and there’s no 2016 iMac, but if the computer has an SSD and it’s doing what your brother needs, there’s no reason to replace it.

Your post wasn't very helpful. I said I didn't recall the specs very well. It was purchased in Nov. 2016. 21.5" is close enough to a 22" for you to get the idea.

As I mentioned, no more security/OS updates after this year I believe is a concern I have.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

I don't think there was a "2016" iMac. Rather, it would be a "2015"?

And... if it has an SSD... it's probably still running fairly well.

Having said that...

If you're in the USA, amazon is having a sale on the 2020 release 27" iMac:

Apple 2020 iMac with Retina 5K Display (27-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage)

iMac performance is at an all-time high with tenth-generation Intel Core processors, powerful AMD Radeon Pro 5000 series graphics, ultrafast SSD storage, Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) connectivity. And it all comes to life on a stunning 27-inch Retina 5K display with one billion colors and 500 nits of br...

www.amazon.com

(saw this on the MacRumors front page).
Looks like $600 off on the base 8gb/256gb SSD.
He'd like that.

Or, there might be Black Friday sales on the m1 24" iMac. Don't know yet.

Thinking 24" is all he needs. He doesn't have a very large desk area. The m1 24", with USB-A ports (2nd level up) is the one i am considering.

 

[chrfr]

21.5" is close enough to a 22" for you to get the idea.

Yes, but you mentioned 5k, which is what the 27" iMac has.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

View attachment 2115699

Most likely it has a 1TB hard drive or 1TB fusion drive. In the former case you should upgrade him urgently to a second-hand 24" M1 iMac from 2021. The difference will be earth shattering.

PS: There was no iMac in 2016, only 15 or 17. But it makes no difference.

PPS: If indeed it has 1 TB flash storage, then it is from 2017 and still supports macOS Ventura. No reason to upgrade.

I recall ordering it and never wanted the spinning disk at that time, and made sure I paid the extra for a 1tb ssd. It definitely has a full ssd in it. Says iMac Retina 4k, 21.5" late 2015.

3.1 ghz quad core i5, 8gb, intel iris 6200 1526mb, and Monterey on it currently. Was way off on the size. 250gb SSD

 

[Berries-A-Million]

 

[Gudi]

It's got a nice Retina display and the SSD is not even filled. It certainly doesn't need to be upgraded urgently. If you buy a new one, the standard configuration is still 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, albeit much faster versions. But your brother doesn't need anything more. Screen brightness and resolution are still the same. Two more inches (21.5 to 23.5) don't make a big difference. The new one has a display with much more colors, which you only see when you watch special HDR videos on Youtube. The old one will get no more macOS upgrades from now on, but will receive security updates for at least three more years.

Should I get him the new one? Is it worth the upgrade? When and where is the best time to get one?

For all I know about autism, your brother might be happiest, when everything stays the same. I'd suggest you wait one or two more years. When next time you two are close to an Apple Store, you drag him in and find out, if he spontaneously falls in love with any of the seven new colors, when he sees them in person. Then you go hunting for a used 2021 model of that specific color. As desktops they don't get much wear and tear and will look and feel as if they are brand-new for half the price.

It all depends on what makes your brother happy. Only he can tell.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

It's got a nice Retina display and the SSD is not even filled. It certainly doesn't need to be upgraded urgently. If you buy a new one, the standard configuration is still 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, albeit much faster versions. But your brother doesn't need anything more. Screen brightness and resolution are still the same. Two more inches (21.5 to 23.5) don't make a big difference. The new one has a display with much more colors, which you only see when you watch special HDR videos on Youtube. The old one will get no more macOS upgrades from now on, but will receive security updates for at least three more years.



For all I know about autism, your brother might be happiest, when everything stays the same. I'd suggest you wait one or two more years. When next time you two are close to an Apple Store, you drag him in and find out, if he spontaneously falls in love with any of the seven new colors, when he sees them in person. Then you go hunting for a used 2021 model of that specific color. As desktops they don't get much wear and tear and will look and feel as if they are brand-new for half the price.

It all depends on what makes your brother happy. Only he can tell.

Great post. He’s pretty content with the one he has. Figured I’d upgrade him since technically it’s a 7 yr old computer now. From past history he always enjoys getting a newer one. Usually isn’t attached to things like that. He’s a classic full autistic. “Rainman movie, but way more controlled and not as noticeable”. He is 52 years old now. He doesn’t get much like we do in life because of his disability but I try to help him get the better things in life for him to enjoy. Last year he got a 55” TV. Year before iPhone 12.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

I've decided to hold off till next year. Around BF time. His current computer is fine. Apple will release new imacs and hopefully m2 or m3 for the 24" as well. So to me it's better to wait a little bit longer.