Old 27" stock 2009-2011 iMacs still in use?

[HoreaG]

Funny story how I first noticed the existence of these iMacs:
One day I see 3 guys walking out of a pawn shop with a big box with an iMac printed on it. What is very intriguing for me, the box is not square, but wedge shaped. I had some of the plastic G5 iMacs at that time so I knew the boxes of those. I wanted to ask the guys what kind of iMac that could be, but was reluctant approaching them. Instead I got home and researched on the net. Finally found out it had to be a 27" model 2013 or newer.
Couple of hours later I had the idea to go to the pawnshop and look if they have more of those.
Told the seller there I saw those guys with the iMac and if they perhaps have more of them. He told me the guys did not buy the iMac but wanted to sell it but he refused them. The moment of busting myself in the balls came when he told me how much the 3 guys wanted for it. It was pocket money.
At that price I could not find a 2013 model in the open market, I missed the opportunity. But I ended up buying what I could afford, a 2009 model. Once I got it, I was hooked. It is possible better monitors exist, but for me it was the most magnificient display I ever saw.

Shortly after I also bought a 2011 model.
After I got the not so lucky idea of getting into (day)trading. So I begun buying more and more 27" iMacs to have more space for following charts.
So yes, I still use 2009, 2010 and 2011 iMacs. Somehow I also got a 2011 12,5" but once you know the 27" ones it is not impressive.
I prefer the thin iMacs (2013 and beyond) for running cooler and being more capable, except for the audio capabilities. I think the thick iMacs have a better sound. I attribute this tho the more volume of their housing.
I run them stock, except for upgraded memory to 32 GB. They get hot, but none of them failed until now, even that most of them are i7.

 

[Terraaustralis]

Good story.
Tell me, Have you had problems with graphics cards in the 2011 iMac; the AMD Radeon HD 6970M or the HD 6770M?
My 6970 died. I revived it by heating it but it died again after six weeks. As it is reputedly a faulty series finding a replacement is not easy.

 

[Terraaustralis]

Funny story how I first noticed the existence of these iMacs:
One day I see 3 guys walking out of a pawn shop with a big box with an iMac printed on it. What is very intriguing for me, the box is not square, but wedge shaped. I had some of the plastic G5 iMacs at that time so I knew the boxes of those. I wanted to ask the guys what kind of iMac that could be, but was reluctant approaching them. Instead I got home and researched on the net. Finally found out it had to be a 27" model 2013 or newer.
Couple of hours later I had the idea to go to the pawnshop and look if they have more of those.
Told the seller there I saw those guys with the iMac and if they perhaps have more of them. He told me the guys did not buy the iMac but wanted to sell it but he refused them. The moment of busting myself in the balls came when he told me how much the 3 guys wanted for it. It was pocket money.
At that price I could not find a 2013 model in the open market, I missed the opportunity. But I ended up buying what I could afford, a 2009 model. Once I got it, I was hooked. It is possible better monitors exist, but for me it was the most magnificient display I ever saw.

Shortly after I also bought a 2011 model.
After I got the not so lucky idea of getting into (day)trading. So I begun buying more and more 27" iMacs to have more space for following charts.
So yes, I still use 2009, 2010 and 2011 iMacs. Somehow I also got a 2011 12,5" but once you know the 27" ones it is not impressive.
I prefer the thin iMacs (2013 and beyond) for running cooler and being more capable, except for the audio capabilities. I think the thick iMacs have a better sound. I attribute this tho the more volume of their housing.
I run them stock, except for upgraded memory to 32 GB. They get hot, but none of them failed until now, even that most of them are i7.

Good story.
Tell me, Have you had problems with graphics cards in the 2011 iMacs; the AMD Radeon HD 6970M or the HD 6770M?

My 6970 died. I revived it by heating it but it died again after six weeks. As it is reputedly a faulty series finding a replacement is not easy.

 

[Slix]

Is there anyone still operating a stock 2009-2011 27" iMac? Those iconic iMacs are still very powerfull macs but are you still using them?

I'm still using an Early 2008 iMac 24" to watch YouTube while I exercise. I guess technically it's not stock anymore, since I put 4GB of RAM in it last year. It has the original hard drive and all other parts though.

 

[Terraaustralis]

I'm still using an Early 2008 iMac 24" to watch YouTube while I exercise. I guess technically it's not stock anymore, since I put 4GB of RAM in it last year. It has the original hard drive and all other parts though.

Yes, occasionally.
I have a 2007 24" Intel iMac 2.7Ghz core duo running Lion OSX 10.7.5 with reserve systems Snow Leopard or Yosamite. All with original HDD. I can boil the kettle and make a cup of tea while the computer boots.
I also use a 2011 27" Core i7 3.4GHz also running Lion. The Graphics card has died in the 2011 computer as have replacements I obtained. A friend is giving me a working 2011 so I can combine the best of both into a more reliable working model running legacy software on a SATA SSD .

I only use them to run Adobe Creative suite 5.0. I work as a graphic designer and University lecture. My old files include many years of graphic work and earlier design teaching programs which I upgrade into Affinity suite on my current 2019 iMac which is in turn is also upgraded. Sometimes it is easier to modify artwork in the original InDesign, Photoshop or Illustrator file. The 2019 is a 6 core i5 with 32GB Ram now with has WD Black SN770 NVME SSD and a Samsung SATA SSD. No time to make tea!

 

[GalacticStag]

Yes, occasionally.
I have a 2007 24" Intel iMac 2.7Ghz core duo running Lion OSX 10.7.5 with reserve systems Snow Leopard or Yosamite. All with original HDD. I can boil the kettle and make a cup of tea while the computer boots.
I also use a 2011 27" Core i7 3.4GHz also running Lion. The Graphics card has died in the 2011 computer as have replacements I obtained. A friend is giving me a working 2011 so I can combine the best of both into a more reliable working model running legacy software on a SATA SSD .

I only use them to run Adobe Creative suite 5.0. I work as a graphic designer and University lecture. My old files include many years of graphic work and earlier design teaching programs which I upgrade into Affinity suite on my current 2019 iMac which is in turn is also upgraded. Sometimes it is easier to modify artwork in the original InDesign, Photoshop or Illustrator file. The 2019 is a 6 core i5 with 32GB Ram now with has WD Black SN770 NVME SSD and a Samsung SATA SSD. No time to make tea!

gasp!! do you know any good drawing tablets that support old os x? Snow Leopard, specifically? I have Adobe CS4 on my 21.5 C2D, and i want to do some drawing without torturing my poor 2016 ipad pro.

 

[ToniCH]

I used to run 2009 27" C2D and i5 iMacs as my main machines at office and home since 2009. Then few years ago I bought 2pcs of 2011 27" iMacs to replace them (150€ for both + RAM and SSD -upgrades). My main machine since then has been a 2011 27" i7 3.4GHz, 32GB RAM, HD 6970M 2GB GPU and a 2TB SSD. It does perfectly all I need from a computer for my daily work and hobbies.

The second 2011 iMac is a 27" with i5, it's my backup but very rarely needed. I have also upgraded it to max RAM and SSD and I even have a i7 CPU upgrade which I have not yet installed.

I do use a Thunderbolt-dock to speed up the USB transfers as the 2011 iMac only has an USB 2.0 bus.

I have plenty of other machines too but this machine is the one I use 95+% of my time when I am at homeoffice.

 

[Terraaustralis]

gasp!! do you know any good drawing tablets that support old os x? Snow Leopard, specifically? I have Adobe CS4 on my 21.5 C2D, and i want to do some drawing without torturing my poor 2016 ipad pro.

Hi Galactic Stag,
Cannot help you with tablets, but I feel certain there are old Wacom tablets around if you do your research.

I assume you also have a more recent Mac as you cannot use the internet effectively with obsolete equipment.

Good Luck in your search.

 

[Terraaustralis]

I used to run 2009 27" C2D and i5 iMacs as my main machines at office and home since 2009. Then few years ago I bought 2pcs of 2011 27" iMacs to replace them (150€ for both + RAM and SSD -upgrades). My main machine since then has been a 2011 27" i7 3.4GHz, 32GB RAM, HD 6970M 2GB GPU and a 2TB SSD. It does perfectly all I need from a computer for my daily work and hobbies.

The second 2011 iMac is a 27" with i5, it's my backup but very rarely needed. I have also upgraded it to max RAM and SSD and I even have a i7 CPU upgrade which I have not yet installed.

I do use a Thunderbolt-dock to speed up the USB transfers as the 2011 iMac only has an USB 2.0 bus.

I have plenty of other machines too but this machine is the one I use 95+% of my time when I am at homeoffice.

Yes, put a SATA SSD into the 2011/3.4Ghz/ i7 and it is a very good machine. Problem is the GPU cards as the AMD6970, AMD6770. According to Power and Tech a new lead free solder was used and the later batch of GPU issued in 2011 had very high failure rate. Apple provided free replacement for 4 years after purchase. That your GPU survives suggests you are very fortunate.

 

[ToniCH]

That your GPU survives suggests you are very fortunate.

I am aware of the GPU problems but, knock on wood, have never encountered them with my 4 27" iMacs. However, I do have a 4GB Nvidia card waiting for inspiration to install it. So, I am prepared.

 

[Terraaustralis]

I am aware of the GPU problems but, knock on wood, have never encountered them with my 4 27" iMacs. However, I do have a 4GB Nvidia card waiting for inspiration to install it. So, I am prepared.

That interests me.
Which model Nvidia? Is it compatible? Have you tested it? I would be delighted if it proved successful as I need something more reliable than AMD. 2GB will be sufficient for my purposes.

 

[ToniCH]

That interests me.
Which model Nvidia? Is it compatible? Have you tested it? I would be delighted if it proved successful as I need something more reliable than AMD. 2GB will be sufficient for my purposes.

Well, reliability is not an issue before the old one breaks, if it breaks within lifetime of the machine. But, when it does it is obviously an annoyance if there is no replacement available. I currently have 3 replacement cards (2 whole machines) so I haven't worried yet.

It is GTX 675MX 4GB. I bought it pre flashed from reputable seller already few years ago for my 2009 iMac but never installed it. It also fits the 2011 where I will install at some stage. Not a very fast card but it is Metal supported.

I am running Monterey with OCLP and the stock HD 6970M is not accelerated in photo editing sw like Gimp. Result is slow and jerky cursor and tool movement. I assume the Nvidia would be accelerated, if it works properly with the OCLP. I haven't investigated that matter yet.

 

[Terraaustralis]

Thank you for the specs. I do not believe that card will run OSX 10.7.5.
I am locked into the older AMD GPU’s. Seems I must accept very slow GPU performance or risk faulty 6970 or 6770 cards. This puts me between a rock and a hard place. I am currently looking for an SPI EEPROM upgraded HP MXM3. However this is also costly (AUD $100 approx.).
Seems easier to buy another 2011 27" i7 3.4Ghz iMac where components are working thus providing opportunities to cannibalise parts.

 

[ToniCH]

Yes, buy a working spare iMac when you find one cheap. I believe having a backup machine is the best strategy if your income depends on it. Clone your drive daily to external USB drive which you can then plug into the other iMac for immediate swap if the original iMac fails.

Then sell the failed one for spares and you will make back the money you invested to the spare iMac. At that stage save the critical parts you might need in the future for yourself. And also get another backup machine again.

 

[exploradorgt]

2009 - 27" iMac here

Removed the mechanical hard drive and the optical drive, now I have a laptop HDD (7,200 rpm, fast and lower energy consumption), along a nice SSD, quite fast. Got the RAM up to 10G, quite modest. The graphic card died, so I got a compatible laptop GPU with more video ram.

And, I'm running Windows 10

The computer is still quite fast (i5 first gen, yes, that one) and works really well for my needs, I do a lot of editorial work there and the large screen is a blessing. Windows allows me way more apps for many more years, and I also debloated it, making it even faster.

Yes, I have faster computers, but this machine still rocks, and the heat dissipation works better than smaller computers or 2-1 Windows tablets. Temperatures? mine stays around 53C most of time, climbing to 70C during intensive tasks, then I run Macs fan control to cool it using my specs. During my mods I took the time to replace the thermal past on the GPU and the CPU.

Computers are not just as fast as the processor speed goes, the heat dissipation is quite important to keep them running at max speeds. My other "more powerful" computers can often beat this iMac, but not always, and not for long due to heat dissipation limitations.

Honestly, I don't see myself changing this computer any time soon.

 

[sdfox7]

My desktop computer is 2011 21.5" with 2.7GHz i5, 32GB RAM. Replaced the HDD spinning rust with 500GB SSD and Mac Fan Control since the SSD doesn't have the thermal sensor like the stock drive.

 

[WebHead]

I am aware of the GPU problems but, knock on wood, have never encountered them with my 4 27" iMacs. However, I do have a 4GB Nvidia card waiting for inspiration to install it. So, I am prepared.

I had hoped to get 10+ years out of my 2011 i9 27" but the card kept failing. Was replaced twice under a recall (with the same defective model, of course). By the third fail the recall had expired. And baking it only worked for a little while.

Was a major bummer cos I'd hoped to hold out for the M-series Macs but was forced to get one of the last Intel generations (which of course is now not supported by Tahoe).

 

[mslilyelise]

We only just retired our Late 2009 27" iMac from media server and DVD archiving duty in late 2024. Fifteen years is a hell of a run especially when it was pretty well in constant use, no sleep, always on, always transcoding something. It had the first gen Core i5 750 chip in it so it really did hang in there well. It was bone stock except for the RAM, which I bumped to 8GB about ten years ago.