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how long has your iMac lasted you?
- Thread starter Jong875
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well, I'm strongly disagreement with you, I've been windows and macOS user at once since 20 years ago, I always have a windows machine for different purposes, though my mani computer is a Mac, and the problems PCs have are 1000% windows related over just a few with macOS, and in the hardware side, if you think a PC/Mac is just 4 components, you couldn't be more wrong, as every single little piece of plastic, connector or component counts and adds. from screens, keyboard, fan, wires, ressistences, enclosures (cheap plastic or high quality heatsink aluminium). Mac aren't builded by ultra advanced aliens and aren't fail proof, but are far far more reliable than most of PCs, I can even say that more reliable than ANY PC, as I had a top Sony VAIO which demonstrated that high price doesn't make a manufacturer knows how to buid a computer and I have a Surface Pro 2 which is a shame, as hardware and windows problems are like mold, they appear randomly every month.
Well technically my G4 iMac is still up and running...but I don’t use it very much.
My 2006 iMac (first Intel based) is still used for admin and file sharing.
Over the years, I’ve been tempted to get a new iMac, but went the portable MBP route.
Given how long in the tooth the current iMac design is, I’m holding off until it gets a makeover. Hopefully sooner than later.
My 2006 iMac (first Intel based) is still used for admin and file sharing.
Over the years, I’ve been tempted to get a new iMac, but went the portable MBP route.
Given how long in the tooth the current iMac design is, I’m holding off until it gets a makeover. Hopefully sooner than later.
This may sound silly, but will the screen last 5 years? I know it’s a high performance, bright, high resolution monitor and just wondering what the risks are of the monitor dying. Maybe it’s remote...
4 years, so far. Got almost a decade out of the last one and I still have an original grape iMac that's running OS9 and is fully functional, so it's got over 20 years on it.
My 2013 has lasted four (purchased in 2015), it’s still running -albeit quite slow- and two ports died recently. I think something is up with the drive, but not sure. After I make a Sierra installer and copy the disc image, I’ll completely retire it.
It was just replaced with a stock model top tier 2017 27” iMac with extra RAM. I expect this will last several years too. Two quibbles: wish Apple would put SSDs in stock model iMacs already, and the speakers are a step down from older models. Otherwise, quite happy with this 2017.
It was just replaced with a stock model top tier 2017 27” iMac with extra RAM. I expect this will last several years too. Two quibbles: wish Apple would put SSDs in stock model iMacs already, and the speakers are a step down from older models. Otherwise, quite happy with this 2017.
2011 iMac just died a couple of weeks ago. Spent a fruitless weekend opening it up trying to bring it back to life, but it just wasn't happening. At 8 years old I can't complain at all, its lasted way longer than any Windows PC I had before that. Money well spent.
Sim. to Marty above as I had 6GB added to my 24" 2007 iMac that also boots up fast & running El Capt. as well.
We are a MAC enthusiasts and have had more iMacs, MBPros, iPads, and iPhones than I can count. I would say the MBP's last around 7-8 years fully functional without repairs. Our daughter inherited my 17", one of the last ones they made, fully loaded, and it is still running, although she says she thinks it is getting slower. While I have read that PC's will last that long, our kids had to use them in college and found that they were not reliable. PC's are cheaper, but the repairs along the way, along with the significant inconvenience of being without your laptop, makes the initial cost of a MBP seem much more reasonable.
I have a Late 2012 27” iMac that I bought when it came out. I maxed out the CPU and GPU options available at the time from Apple. I then upgraded the RAM to 32GB of RAM. Later I changed the internal storage configuration twice.
The first time from it’s original 1TB Fusion Drive configuration to a 1TB Crucial SSD. I also left in place the 128GB blade SSD. The second time was recently, where I change the storage configuration to a 1TB OWC blade SSD, that took the place of the 128GB factory SSD, and an 8TB WD Red Drive, for a total of 9TB of storage. At the same time I also replaced the existing internal AirPort (WiFi)/Bluetooth card to one from a newer iMac to get ac wireless.
My iMac has never been faster, to include Lightroom and Photoshop, also my two main apps. It's by far the best and most reliable computer I have ever owned.
What is your evidence that newer iMacs are "crap designed to fail"?
Did you do all this work yourself? If so, very impressive! I have a late 2013 maxed out to 3TB when I purchased it and never imagined it could be configured for 9TB.
2010 iMac that primarily serves as a just in case backup. Everything still works perfectly including the internal optical drive. Originally shipped with separate internal ssd and hdd which was subsequently converted to a fusion drive.
Currently running a late 2015 iMac with maxed cpu and gpu. This machine refuses to age. It’s as fast today as the when I first got it.
Currently running a late 2015 iMac with maxed cpu and gpu. This machine refuses to age. It’s as fast today as the when I first got it.
Yes I did it myself. I've been inside the current design iMac numerous times. I also have experience working with small things, mechanical and electronic, so I’m not going to say it is a job I would recommend to most people. That said, it can be accomplished *properly* by someone that has great attention to detail, steady hands, basic mechanical and electronic skills, the proper instructions, and most of all patience.
Yes, your iMac can also support such storage configurations. One thing I did do was compare the power consumption specs of the new drive to the old to try and keep it around the same. The difference was around 2 watts.
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My Mid-2011 iMac lasted 3 years until it had the infamous graphics card issue. Apple did repair the issue, but now, 4 years after the repair, the same issue is back and Apple refuses to repair it because the machine is "vintage". So it is now a giant paperweight on my desk. Otherwise I've had no noticeable performance degradation and I'd still be happily using it if it worked.
You’ve read this thread, right? - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/
[doublepost=1560273940][/doublepost]Mine is a late 2009 and still running great, it slowed down a few years ago but I put another 4 gig of ram in and it was just as good as new. If I upgraded to a ssd it would be better yet but I haven't seen a need. I run Excel;Word,mail,Safari, and Parallels w/win 10 and no problems.
Just replace the logic board. It's not hard to do. You'll need some thermal paste. The board can be bought for around $60 on eBay.
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Safari? No up to date security on such a machine.
After seeing/reading about all the machines with added Ram and upgraded hard drives to SSD's etc. Leads the question...How long should one expect the useable life of an "off the shelf" 21.5 iMac be? Without doing any upgrades? using the stock 8g ram and 1TB fusion drive. What performance over time is effected?
OK, first off I would not buy a new iMac with the 1TB Fusion Drive option because it is a poor value. The current 1TB Fusion Drive only has a 32GB SSD, where as the original one had a 128GB SSD. I recommend springing for at least the 512GB SSD instead and simply using a 3.5” external drive for much greater storage. As for RAM, I recommend the minimum being 16GB.
Such a configuration should give you many years of fast and reliable service. Apple is supporting most Macs for 7 years on the software side. I see no reason why it wouldn’t serve you well for that long.
All that said, you sure want the little iMac over the big one?