Late 2015 iMac Retina 4K--recommended to upgrade to Catalina?

[Archemistx]

with only 8GM 1867 MHz DDR3 (can't add more memorey), 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, should I upgrade to Catalina? Currently I'm running on Mojave. For most of the time, it runs okay, although taking a while to start or load an app. If running on Catalina is more or less the same as on Majave in terms of the performance, I may give it a try.

 

[January_King]

I have the same machine and spec - no problems provided you watch out for any 32-bit apps that won't run after the upgrade. In fact it forced me to have a helpful reappraisal of quite lot of un / underused software.
re the slow start I had already moved my boot disk to an external SSD that fixed this and I think will extend my iMac's useful life without huge cost
JK

 

[Archemistx]

I have the same machine and spec - no problems provided you watch out for any 32-bit apps that won't run after the upgrade. In fact it forced me to have a helpful reappraisal of quite lot of un / underused software.
re the slow start I had already moved my boot disk to an external SSD that fixed this and I think will extend my iMac's useful life without huge cost
JK

very helpful information. Woundering how it can be done with moving the boot disk to an external SSD?

 

[January_King]

I used a free trial of Carbon Copy Cloner to copy the internal HDD to the external SSD. This guide may help (para 4a in particular) https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Cloning-Your-Data-to-a-New-Hard-Drive and provides alternative routes. It wasn't too scary

 

[Moonjumper]

The other option is to do a clean install on an external SSD. There are plenty of guides found through Google. Choose the one you find easiest to follow.

I have a 2015 iMac 5K that is still on Mojave as I use a number of 32-bit apps. I also have Mojave installed on an external SSD for when I need to update to Catalina or beyond (as a mobile game developer, I will have to at some point for Xcode compatibility with App Store Connect). That way I will still be able to use my 32-bit apps when needed.

Having it installed on an external SSD it a good way to test an update you are not sure about. If it works out, then do it on your internal drive.

 

[26139]

very helpful information. Woundering how it can be done with moving the boot disk to an external SSD?

Unlikely. The speed issue you're seeing is likely the HDD.

 

[Archemistx]

Unlikely. The speed issue you're seeing is likely the HDD.

thanks. I may consider purchasing a SDD and install OS on it. Could this be a stable/long term solution without replacing the internal HDD?
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I used a free trial of Carbon Copy Cloner to copy the internal HDD to the external SSD. This guide may help (para 4a in particular) https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Cloning-Your-Data-to-a-New-Hard-Drive and provides alternative routes. It wasn't too scary

so I can always rely on an external SDD to run the OS? USB 3.0 port is effective enough? Thanks,

 

[gilby101]

thanks. I may consider purchasing a SDD and install OS on it. Could this be a stable/long term solution without replacing the internal HDD?

so I can always rely on an external SDD to run the OS? USB 3.0 port is effective enough? Thanks,

Yes and yes. Attach it to the back of the base (somewhere the fan is not directly blowing) and you will forget about it being external. USB3 is not as fast as internal SSD, but much, much better than the internal HDD.

 

[Archemistx]

Yes and yes. Attach it to the back of the base (somewhere the fan is not directly blowing) and you will forget about it being external. USB3 is not as fast as internal SSD, but much, much better than the internal HDD.

successfully use the external SSD thru USB3 port to run the OS--and it's performing well and quite smooth comparing to the internal HDD! It gets me to consider replacing the internal HDD with SSD once for all--worthy? significantly improving even more?

 

[gilby101]

successfully use the external SSD thru USB3 port to run the OS--and it's performing well and quite smooth comparing to the internal HDD! It gets me to consider replacing the internal HDD with SSD once for all--worthy? significantly improving even more?

Glad it is working for you. And, yes, an internal SSD would be faster, but I am not sure that the effort (and risk) of opening up is worth it. Others may have a clearer view on that.

 

[Archemistx]

Glad it is working for you. And, yes, an internal SSD would be faster, but I am not sure that the effort (and risk) of opening up is worth it. Others may have a clearer view on that.

that's my view as well. may not risk it for slightly faster write/read speed.