TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

As mentioned, it’s a hybrid and not in the league with a modern SSD. As suggested, check OWC for an SSD upgrade. You have a decent processor, enough DRAM, a decent video card, so other than cleaning up the machine as Bill suggested, an SSD upgrade is the obvious investment to keep this machine alive for sometime longer and should substantially speed up many operations.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The "Fusion Drive" is Apple's term for their use of a small SSD for the OS and applications, and a larger conventional drive (usually 5400 RPM) for data storage.

The SSD is many, many times faster than the conventional drive.

I have a 2013 21.5" 4-core i5 iMac with stock Intel graphics. It came with 8GB RAM. It slowed down like yours did, as the 1TB 5400 RPM internal hard drive filled up, and as software evolved. (It came with MacOS 10.6.8, and now runs 10.15.7, I think.)

In 2019, in a leap of faith, I ordered an upgrade to 16GB RAM and a 2TB SSD with installation kit, from Other World Computing. (I've dealt with them since 1988.) Using OWC's video, and a Dozuki Guide on iFixIt.com, I disassembled the iMac and performed major surgery on it.

THAT was a bit nerve-wracking. Disassembly involves cutting the foam tape that attaches the monitor to the case, using a "pizza wheel" plastic cutting tool and a precise touch. Then it involves unplugging a lot of tiny little connectors, and removing a bunch of little screws, a power supply, the motherboard... But four hours later, after swapping the drive for the SSD and the two 4GB RAM DIMMS for two 8GB sticks, it all worked.

Instead of a three minute boot time, I could sign in and reach the Desktop within 35 seconds. A video that took seven minutes to render from Final Cut Pro on the stock system took 56 seconds to render after the upgrade. Lightroom had been crawling. Now it is snappy enough to be tolerable. EVERYTHING got sped up. The computer is still usable, although after this Fall, it will no longer be supported with security updates and we will abandon it. But getting three additional years' life out of it for under $375 was worth it.

I now have a Late 2020 M1 MacBook Air with 8 core CPU, 8 core GPU, 16 core Neural Engine, 16 GB Unified Memory, and 1TB SSD. It is a phenomenal little machine, many times faster than the iMac. The exact same processor, memory, and storage options can be found in a 13" MacBook Pro, a Mac Mini, and a 24" iMac, right now. The 13" MacBook PRO is the worst value among them, but the Air, the Mini, and the 24" iMac are great machines.

A LOT more information on all of Apple's latest can be had from many YouTube reviewers. I subscribe to and occasionally watch content from:

MaxTech
Everyday Dad
iJustine
Rene Ritchie
Luke Miani
iCaveDave
Greg's Gadgets
Sara Dietschy
Tyler Stalman
Alex Ziskind
Zone of Tech
Linus Tech Tips
Mark Ellis Reviews
MobileTechReview

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

The upgrade was done by the previous owner, so I'm not sure how it was done, but I'll see if I can get more information. Thanks.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Several Mac upgrade vendors will take older RAM sticks back as a discount on newer, larger ones, provided the old ones work when they test them. I've usually netted $20 to $50 in discounts by returning my old RAM after replacing it with larger modules.

The 27" iMacs have had four user-accessible slots for a while, now. So depending upon which model it is, you can stuff more into them than the original spec sheet says you can. (Larger modules of the same type memory became available after the release of the computer.)

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Thanks Bill, again, this is extremely helpful. I'm cleaning up my drive now, and I'll look into my upgrade options. I give you a lot of credit for installing the upgrade yourself, I'm not so sure I have the confidence to be so bold since I don't want to make things even worse if I make a mistake. I wonder what my options are for having the work done by someone more qualified.

You also have me thinking that when it is time to upgrade, maybe he right move would be to go with a MacBook which I can just dock, and will be more portable. I guess then the question is which monitor would be best for photography. I really only edit photos in my home office, so I don't know how much of an advantage portability would be, since I also have a MacBook Pro, which I use for my business, that can be used for editing in an emergency.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

OWC can perform the upgrade for you, for a reasonable fee. (I say it's reasonable, only because I've done it!)

I bought the MacBook Air so I can work anywhere. It is fast enough to be my only computer, even for 4K video editing. I use it with external SSD drives. Here's what I did:

M1 MacBook Air: 8/8/16 cores, with 1TB storage, 16GB memory, Apple Refurbished

Cheap Backpack:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Backpack-Density-Water-resistance-Polyester/dp/B07WDL1114/ref=psdc_3345931_t1_B07JZ6SPH6

Portable dock:

https://www.charjenpro.com/products/ultimatedock It features:

HDMI 4K/60fps
Gigabit EtherNet
Two USB 3.2 ports 10Gbps
Headphone jack (24-bit, 96 KHz D/A decoder)
Power delivery port can deliver up to 100W to the MacBook Air from a separate power adapter
FAST SD/Micro SD 4.0 UHS I/II readers


LG 27UP850-W 27” UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Monitor https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LG+27UP850-W+27”+UHD+%283840+x+2160%29+IPS+Monitor

Portable 2TB SSD:

https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-Portable-SSD-1TB-MU-PC1T0R/dp/B0874XWW23?

It all came to about $2500 with tax, total. (Yes, PC guys, I know you can buy something cheaper. Not gonna do it. Go watch any of the reviews of these items and you will understand.)

I'll also mention that the two new MacBook Pros, 14" and 16" that came out in October, 2021, are amazing. They come in a wide range of choices for core counts, processor types (M1 Pro, M1 Max), memory, and storage configurations. Prices start at $2000 and can exceed $6000. But they are, according to the reviews I've read, worth it if you produce extended high bit rate 4K videos, multi-track audio productions with over a hundred separate tracks and lots of audio processor emulation plug-ins, or if you do high end mathematical modeling or regression analysis, or coding, AND you need to do it both on the road or in your office or studio.

Just for fun, here's one creative's review. Be sure to watch to the end, to watch the music video she did entirely with the MacBook Pro. To be fair, she's a professional with over a decade of studio and performance experience... and just released a double album on her own.

https://youtu.be/H3BGFWoqA9E

GreenReaper

Iplan on buying a Mini Mac in the fall. You can have it configured with 16gb of unified memory and a 1tb of storage. I've already got a great monitor, wireless keyboard and mouse, both bluetooth. So for an expenditure of $1300 I'm all set. I know there are those out there that will say, not enough memory, etc. Right now I'm running a MacBook Air with 6 gb of RAM and a 526gb of SSD storage. Runs like a champ.

margaretnewell

I had exactly the same problem. I had someone install an ssd drive and the problem went away instantly. I also now store all my photos on external hard drives.

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Thanks, I think that's what I'm going to do. I'm making the arrangements now. Thanks.

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

OK, I spoke to OWC, and they were extremely helpful. I'm about to order a new 2 TB drive, once I find someone to install it. There are apparently two style options, and I'm opting for the faster version which attaches directly to the motherboard. The agent said this was more challenging to install, so I'm in search for someone to install it. I didn't think they said they would do it there, but that would mean shipping so, so hopefully I can find someone local.

Thank you so much for your help, this has been extremely helpful. I'll continue with updates.

ZtaKED Loc: Lakes Region, New Hampshire & NE Florida

Agree. You are doing a fine job of riding a crippled horse to the finish line. The time (and money) spent trying to get a last breath of life from this old workhorse is time not spent on your photographic skills. Decide if you want to become a better hardware mechanic or photographer. Just say’n.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

You have the same problem I encountered last fall. Your processor is 32-bytes and software today is written requiring 64-bytes machines. RAM will not bail you out, your computer crawls along. How long does it take to shut down LightRoom? Chances are you are looking at the beach ball for a while. You are already aware of your situation, your old iMac is a boat anchor! BITE the proverbial bullet and replace it, for the children's sake. You will be a better man for doing it. So much for the "commercial" B/S, now you know with what you are faced. Replace it, Baby! Save yourself some $$$ and step down to the 24" version. How badly do you want to continue watching BeachBall? It's time to fly!

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

I had the same problem and wasted lots of time and money on upgrades to no avail. The spinning beach ball continued. I finally bit the bullet and got an M1 MacBook Pro and it's super. The new 27" iMac is scheduled to be out this year. You might want to wait for that or the 24" M iMac got great reviews. Time to upgrade.

Wakko12 Loc: New Hampshire

I have a 2012 Mac that was revived with an ssd. It is now my daughter’s computer and still going strong. The big questions are: can you install it yourself (it’s not that tough)? Do you need all that space?
Paying someone to install a 1+ TB ssd drive will be expensive and it may be worth just buying a new computer. If you can do it yourself and you can (with archiving a few thousand pictures) do with a smaller drive, you could revive this for a couple hundred.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I had a mid 2015 5K iMac with 32 gigs of ram that I had upgraded with an installed 1T ssd. I still found that it was slow when processing images using Capture One. My current camera is a Fuji GFX 100S with 100 MP files. So I figured every 7 years I should bite the bullet and upgrade. I traded the iMac for a new MacBook Pro 14" M1 with 32 Gigs. I also went all the way and purchased an LG 27" 5K monitor that connects directly into the lap top. The difference in processing photos is amazing. The M1 mac is fantastic. Go for it!