Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Need advice - Late 2013 v custom 2017 v refurb 2019 v 2020

D

dizmonk

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 26, 2010
1,087
685
Hi. So I've got a Late 2013 27" 3TB Fusion drive which I think is on the verge of crapping out. All kinds of weirdness with the Wifi despite changing channels on the router. I'm considering trading in/selling my 2013. I need a big hard drive and want to go to SSD. I ordered a 2019 refurbed model to test drive but I'm thinking of returning it.

Here are my options and I'd love some advice.
1. Keep the 2013 until it dies.
2. Get a custom 2017 from OWC with SSD.
3. Keep the 2019.
4. Cough up more $ and get a 2020 (with the edu discount it's only $150 more than the 2019).
5. Wait until 2021 when Apple releases the 24" Silicon Macs.

I'm mainly just doing Word, browsing, light video editing. Thanks.
 
I'm also getting crapped out webpages sometimes such as these.
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2020-10-25 at 10.07.44 AM.png
    Screen Shot 2020-10-25 at 10.07.44 AM.png
    142.1 KB · Views: 229
  • Screen Shot 2020-10-25 at 10.07.41 AM.png
    Screen Shot 2020-10-25 at 10.07.41 AM.png
    124.2 KB · Views: 225
  • Screen Shot 2020-10-25 at 10.11.02 AM.png
    Screen Shot 2020-10-25 at 10.11.02 AM.png
    142.3 KB · Views: 237
"I'm mainly just doing Word, browsing, light video editing."

I'd keep the 2019.
It's the last iMac WITHOUT a t2 chip.

Other than that, get a 2020.
But for your use case, the 2019 should last at least 5-6 years, perhaps longer. If it has an SSD inside, it should keep running well a long time.

You could try selling the 2013, but don't expect too much for it.
BTW, the 2013 3tb iMacs were problematic for the Seagate HDD inside, which was prone to failure. Apple had a free replacement program on them for a while, but certainly over now.

Re the network connection... if the router is in the same room, run an ethernet cable and be done with it.
 
Why is not having the t2 chip a good thing?
Yea router is upstairs - have to rely on WiFi....

Any ideas what's causing the webpage distortions?
 
dizmonk said:
Why is not having the t2 chip a good thing?
Click to expand...
Some folks were having issues with machines running the T2 chip, e.g. https://wccftech.com/apple-t2-audio-problems-mac/.

Also, there is an unfixable bug at the minute: https://www.macrumors.com/2020/10/06/apples-t2-chip-unpatchable-security-flaw/.

dizmonk said:
Any ideas what's causing the webpage distortions?
Click to expand...
Perhaps the GPU is failing? Does the problem still persist when browsing with Chrome / Firefox?
 
Keep the 2019. I have a 2019 and a 2020; the differences for your use case will be minimal. I wouldn't bother with a 2017.

Re webpages - if it doesn't happen in other apps it's probably not the GPU. Try moving it so you can try an ethernet cable to the router to test; if ethernet fixes it then you know you have a wifi issue, whether with the iMac or your wifi network. Also, run diagnostics on the iMac (Restart, hold down the "D" key) to see if that shows any issue. It probably won't, but it's easy, quick, and free.
 
  • Like
Reactions: decypher44
Zen_Arcade said:
Keep the 2019. I have a 2019 and a 2020; the differences for your use case will be minimal. I wouldn't bother with a 2017.

Re webpages - if it doesn't happen in other apps it's probably not the GPU. Try moving it so you can try an ethernet cable to the router to test; if ethernet fixes it then you know you have a wifi issue, whether with the iMac or your wifi network. Also, run diagnostics on the iMac (Restart, hold down the "D" key) to see if that shows any issue. It probably won't, but it's easy, quick, and free.
Click to expand...
thanks. I did the diagnostics and nothing came up. It does also happen in different browsers. Thanks anyway.
 
Nguyen Duc Hieu said:
For an extra $150 in your case, I'll definitely go for 2020 model,
even if it is overkill for light jobs.
It's a big jump from 2019 model, specs-wise.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate about the spec bump??? Most of what I read is focused on the new web camera (don't care), and the nano screen option (which I'm not buying). Thanks.
 
OP:

Re the webpage problems...
I again suggest you try a direct ethernet connection to the router.
This takes "wifi" out of the picture.
Do you still get the webpage distorts when connected "by wire"?
 
dizmonk said:
Can you elaborate about the spec bump??? Most of what I read is focused on the new web camera (don't care), and the nano screen option (which I'm not buying). Thanks.
Click to expand...
You also get better speakers, microphones, along with the (infamous) T2 chip. Also, the 2020 iMac lets you see HDR content: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210980, something which older iMacs (with the exception of iMac Pro) don’t support.
 
  • Like
Reactions: decypher44
Advice in this instance would sincerely be to flip a coin. Heads 2020, Tails 2019.

For myself the decision would initially be, which do I need?
Then if they both fulfill the need, which one do I want?

Then weigh out the cost. To me $150 is still many hours of work to cover, so I would have to factor in how many hours do I need in order to upgrade something. Just take your hourly rate after taxes divided by the extra cost. Or not.
It is just what I do if I ever have to ask the question of ... this or that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nguyen Duc Hieu
mmomega said:
Advice in this instance would sincerely be to flip a coin. Heads 2020, Tails 2019.

For myself the decision would initially be, which do I need?
Then if they both fulfill the need, which one do I want?

Then weigh out the cost. To me $150 is still many hours of work to cover, so I would have to factor in how many hours do I need in order to upgrade something. Just take your hourly rate after taxes divided by the extra cost. Or not.
It is just what I do if I ever have to ask the question of ... this or that.
Click to expand...

If $150 concerns OP that much over a $3000 iMac, then he should keep the iMac 2013.
It's enough to serve his current needs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back