My mac is growing old....

[g0odfr1end102]

Hello everyone,
I have my iMac since 2008 and recently started to observe it very quickly overheats... Certain applications crash without warning, like Safari which can become EXTREMELY annoying... I don't know if this can be the issue but I'm still running on Leopard which could maybe be the issue allthough I doubt it...
So here is my question, should I purchase a new Mac (probably this christmas, running Lion) or should I bring my current mac to the Apple Store?
Any advise would be very helpful, thank you!

 

[Spike88]

This late Dec (early Jan), it will be 2012. Since you have a 2008 iMac machine, that would make it 4 years old (or close to this time length). What would it cost to upgrade your existing 2008 iMac to today's minimum iMac? For example, buy / install some RAM, OS upgrade, larger HDD. Flip of the coin.

For me, I would run the existing 2008 iMac a little longer and get a nice iMac (probably early 2011 refurb) as a nice "self" Chrismas present. Like many, I've been seeing lots of recent "heat" and "freezes with Flash" posts with new Lion OS. Hopefully, Apple resolves these issue soon. If you order the early 2011 refurb iMac, it might be installed with SL (not Lion). Might be worth investigating as well....

If you have kids, I would install "low cost" SL (or future LION - when it becomes solid) on the older iMac and it give to the kids. The better SL or lion could eliminate some of its freezing problems. And, you get the new technology iMac this Chrismas. Could be win/win situation for all...

.

 

[wordoflife]

I would personally keep your current iMac.
Take it to the Apple Store, tell them that it over heats and perhaps it is the fan.

(You do have warranty though, right?)

Normally, I'd think that a 4 year old computer is old, but it feels like those iMacs came out yesterday. I'd keep it.

 

[g0odfr1end102]

Yes I luckily still have the warranty for it, and I share your feeling concerning their modernity! This is the first Imac I have ever owned, so I do have some kind of spiritual affection towards it, allthough I would be ready to get it replaced. I skipped across the Apple Store today and looked carefully at their newest models, and I must admitt they left me impressed... The plans are also really interesting if you ask me, I don't know, I guess I'm going to have the time to think about it before finding the money but hey! I'm not losing hope!

Anyways thanks for the fast responses, it's really appreciated!

 

[wordoflife]

They sure are tempting, but your current iMac has a lot of life in it.
Take it to Apple! She'll be like new in no time

In fact, I'd recommend getting of Leopard immediately. Upgrade to Lion! There are incredible performance differences that will make your iMac faster.

 

[Kasalic]

Bah - it's a spring chicken. I'm still running a Late 2006 white 20" iMac. In fact we recently started a new IT support business specialising in Mac/Windows integration, and whilst the other two staff got new 27" iMac's, we decided my old workhorse had enough life left to use it for 6 months or so before I can justify a replacement.

Hopefully yours will last you and whoever you pass it down to for many years yet, but if you do treat yourself I'm sure you'll enjoy it just as much.

 

[mac-ho]

Your Mac is only 1 year older than the Nov. 2009 New! iMacs. Me senses a case of wananewitus!!

 

[product26]

the cooling system is probably a bit clogged up with dust. take it in and all will be well.