What to do with an old iMac?

[richard13]

I recently acquired an M3 iMac and wondering what to do with my Late 2013 iMac. In the past I have sold my old iMacs but this one is about 10 years old so I don't want to bother. Apple didn't offer any trade in value (not surprising) so I was set to recycle it.

But then I thought maybe I could do something with it. Like maybe I can put it in my guest room and rig it up to be a streaming device. But it's not a TV and has no HDMI input so if it's just going to be a computer and people have to log into web sites to stream I'd imagine my guests would rather just use their own laptops.

What are you guys doing with your old iMacs?

 

[ps866mker]

Craigslist, Nextdoor or Salvation Army.

 

[nathan_reilly]

yeah the problem with the iMac (or any large computer) is the value of it vs the shipping cost. With those old iMacs (and I have several) it is often too expensive to ship it to make it worth a sale. So your only option is local if you are counting your pennies and trying to squeeze all the value you can from the old machine.

 

[SteveOm]

My musician friend uses a 2013 27” iMac to display sheet music while playing piano.

 

[oasantos1]

Put it up on Offerup, Craiglist. You can get $100 all day long.
Someone will have some use for it. I paid $50 for a 2012 27" that had been updated with an SSD and 32Gb of ram.
Installed Ventura with OpenCore and my dad has been enjoying it for a few weeks.

 

[redheeler]

Mine's a kitchen computer, don't use it super often but it's convenient to stream while cooking something. 2013s are fine for a guest computer and streaming services.

21.5" upgraded with an SSD years ago, Monterey via OCLP. Not issue-free but works well enough.

 

[Sciuriware]

I recently acquired an M3 iMac and wondering what to do with my Late 2013 iMac. In the past I have sold my old iMacs but this one is about 10 years old so I don't want to bother. Apple didn't offer any trade in value (not surprising) so I was set to recycle it.

But then I thought maybe I could do something with it. Like maybe I can put it in my guest room and rig it up to be a streaming device. But it's not a TV and has no HDMI input so if it's just going to be a computer and people have to log into web sites to stream I'd imagine my guests would rather just use their own laptops.

What are you guys doing with your old iMacs?

My wife uses it as second TV for internet broadcast stations.
;JOOP!

 

[Chuckeee]

I pieced out my failed 27” late 2012 iMac. A 27” non-5K screen in good condition can get you $150 on eBay real quick, ram is easy to sell and mail, the fan and power board seem to sell quickly (mine had failed but I received inquiries about them), you can reuse SSD (if you had updated to one)

 

[kagharaht]

Use it for Home Sharing Services in the house.

 

[richard13]

Mine's a kitchen computer, don't use it super often but it's convenient to stream while cooking something. 2013s are fine for a guest computer and streaming services.

21.5" upgraded with an SSD years ago, Monterey via OCLP. Not issue-free but works well enough.

This is currently my top option. I don't have a computer downstairs so it would be a good idea. I'd need to find a place to put it though. Thanks!

 

[sshambles]

Just keep in mind that the 2013 models can be used for Target Display Mode. Won't work with the M-series... but perhaps another legacy setup that just houses music or something with an older Mac? Mac Pro 6,1 (2013) look great and are a lot cheaper these days https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592

 

[hpucker99]

In 2018, I gave my unused 2009 iMac for my grandkids for streaming YouTube for Kids and other sites. In 2021, it started to have problems so I took it to a local Apple reseller for recycling. Still have my 2013 iMac that I play older Windows/Mac games on.