iMac replacement advice

Velskoen

Velskoen

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I'm slowly but surely getting peed off with the poor performance of my late 2015 iMac running Big Sur. Click, wait, click, wait.

Looking around on the net, I see the 21 inch iMacs have been discontinued although Macshack has some available. If I decide to upgrade, I want to get as new as possible while staying within my budget which is around R20k-ish. I'm not a pro-user although I use Pixelmator Pro lightly, have around 12k pix which I access on my iCloud 200Gb account fairly regularly, and then the Pages/Numbers/Keynote combo.

I am pretty much invested in the Apple ecosphere so wouldn't want to replace all the devices. iPhone 13 on iOS 16.6.1, iPad Air on iPadOS 16.6.1.

I'm looking at some advice from the fundis here please.
  1. Are there any cost-effective upgrade paths ito drive, RAM for my current iMac?

  2. Should I bite the bullet and just get a newer Mac? MacShack has some pre-owned deals (2019 Apple iMac 21-inch 3.0GHz 6-Core i5 (4K Retina, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion, Silver) - Pre Owned / 3 Month Warranty for R17900) plus will trade both my older iMacs. I've had good service from them in the past.

  3. Is the MacMini with good monitor an option? Apple Mac mini with M2 chip 8 core CPU and 10 core GPU, 256GB for R13599 plus a good monitor for around R4000-ish on Takealot?
I am way out in the sticks so logistics is a consideration. Easiest for me is click, pay, gets delivered to the co-op in town for me.

My current set-up below:

Screenshot 2024-01-16 at 10.17.05.png
 
bwana said:
Apple silicone Mac Mini all the way. If I was desk-bound that's what I'd be looking at.
Click to expand...
And a monitor recommendation?

Would that MM be compatible with my iPhone and iPad without too many issues?
 
Velskoen said:
And a monitor recommendation?

Would that MM be compatible with my iPhone and iPad without too many issues?
Click to expand...
I don't have any recommendation re monitors - I'm 100% laptop. Dell seems popular?

As for compatibility nothing would change in that regard except the ability to run many iOS apps on your computer should you wish.
 
bwana said:
I don't have any recommendation re monitors - I'm 100% laptop. Dell seems popular?

As for compatibility nothing would change in that regard except the ability to run many iOS apps on your computer should you wish.
Click to expand...
Just looking at the Dell monitors now. Thanks.
 
All the Mx generation chips are far better options.

The only caveat would be if you're running, or are very dependent on Virtualization of x86/x64 machines. But usually if its Linux the ARM version of the OS works very well anyway. Windows on ARM is ok just find it a bit buggy. If virtualization of intel-based OSs is not on your agenda the M chips will feel light years faster.
 
neoprema said:
All the Mx generation chips are far better options.

The only caveat would be if you're running, or are very dependent on Virtualization of x86/x64 machines. But usually if its Linux the ARM version of the OS works very well anyway. Windows on ARM is ok just find it a bit buggy. If virtualization of intel-based OSs is not on your agenda the M chips will feel light years faster.
Click to expand...
I ran Windows on my older iMac (2009) through Bootcamp for livestock management software that only ran on Windows. Suffice to say I was buying blood pressure medication in bulk. Never ever again.

Ja, looking around and doing a few calculations, my feeling is the MM is going to be the better option, from a future proof viewpoint too. I tend to keep my machines for quite long.
 
StrongestAvenger said:
Option 3. You should know that running any brand of monitor other than Apple takes a lot of tweaking and adjusting to get acceptable display conditions. Text is fuzzy, lines are blurry. You'll get used to it eventually...
Click to expand...
I'd love to keep it all Apple but Apple's monitor prices for what I need are just crazy. I hear what you say and hoping @backstreetboy solution will sort out the kinks.
 
Does the current iMac have an SSD?
If not get one if it's possible to upgrade.
Other than that any Mac Mini with an M chip is a winner, I've seen second hand ones for well under R10k.
I've used my 27" 4k Dell monitor on a mac mini and it worked great, I’m not sure what other people are referring to, everything looked as expected.
 
Velskoen said:
I ran Windows on my older iMac (2009) through Bootcamp for livestock management software that only ran on Windows. Suffice to say I was buying blood pressure medication in bulk. Never ever again.

Ja, looking around and doing a few calculations, my feeling is the MM is going to be the better option, from a future proof viewpoint too. I tend to keep my machines for quite long.
Click to expand...
Cool.

PS - I don't know if you saw but i PM'd you @Velskoen
 
Buying an Intel now would be the silliest thing you could possibly do and leave you largely with the same experience.

Buy an M1 at least or don’t bother upgrading.

If you can’t afford an M1 change the hard drive to an SSD.
 
So after much back and forth and deliberation and window shopping on the 'net, I decided to go with a M3 iMac with 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD and 4 ports rather than 2. Not being near a large city where I could go and view acceptable monitors, and the number of conflicting opinions regarding monitors, made the Mac Mini less of an option for me. The 24" monitor on the iMac is more than adequate for my application. I like the neatness of an all in one machine too.

Prices on used Intel Macs have dropped through the floor. In August last year I got an offer of R11000 for my late 2015 iMac. Same company now offered me R5000 for the same machine. Won't look at an offer for my 2009 iMac.

I cannot believe how Apple shafts users though. Spec upgrade prices are just crazy. And this on top of already expensive machines.
 
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