Effjayess wrote:
I have a late 2012 IMac that works just fine. Large drive and all stuffed up with ram when they were in store upgrade able.It runs Mojave and is at the point where it is not able to take any further iOS updates. I use it for archiving my photos and paying my bills. Other that that I am not doing anything fancy or complicated with it. Once in a while it comes out of sleep mode with the message that it “ re started due to a malfunction, report or ignore” Otherwise it works just fine. I am 66 years old and am planning on retiring in 7 months. My question is: while I’m still working, Should I buy a new machine now to hopefully be my last machine and at least be upgradable for years to come? Or: Keep what I have being that I have no problems with it. My fear is it will just quit someday. I have an external terabyte drive and would hope to just clone it to a new machine. What is the opinion of you Mac users out there who have experience with long life machines. I thank you all in advance for time you take to respond.
I have a late 2012 IMac that works just fine. Larg... (
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New iMacs are not upgradeable. The technology is too highly integrated and optimized. Buy with a 5 to 7 year life span in mind.
The main issue with your 2012 iMac is waning support for operating and software system updates, especially SECURITY updates.
Apple has switched to their own “systems on chips” and has dumped Intel. This has many benefits! But support for Intel hardware will go away at some point.
First, find out:
Does your current *software* run natively on the M1 and M2 family of Macs, using the most current MacOS? If not, is there an upgrade path you can afford? Are there substitutes for any applications that are obsolete?
Are your scanners, printers, and other peripherals supported on the current operating system and M1/M2 hardware? If not, are there third party software drivers for them?
MOST 64-bit Intel software for Macs will run in Rosetta 2, the excellent and FAST Intel software emulator Apple includes with the new Macs. MOST mainstream software has been recompiled for M1/M2 Apple Silicon series Macs. Nearly all new software is M1/M2 only.
https://isapplesiliconready.com/Personally, I’d wait to hear what Apple releases through the end of this year. Supposedly, a new 27” iMac is on the way, plus a new Mac Mini and a new Mac Pro, and possibly other updates/refreshes.
Do not buy the base configuration of the iMac 24” or the M2 MacBook Air or 13” M2 MacBook Pro.
Get at least 512GB of storage and 16GB memory in whatever Mac you intend to keep five years or more.
If you have older peripherals, you’ll need either a hub or Dock or various adapter dongles.
For great insights into the new Macs, follow MaxTech on YouTube. Luke Miani, iJustine, 9-to5 Mac, iCaveDave, and Everyday Dad are other good reviewers. Actually, there are 15-20 other good ones…