Old iMac, but can’t afford a new one

[StrollerEd]

Thanks to everyone for your helpful input. You are all so nice to take the time. I think I’ll just pay my bills with my phone and forget being so anal about keeping emails and receipts in my iMac’s brain. Then, I’ll get a cheap PC or laptop when I can afford it. Thanks again folks.

My tuppence, since you have identified that you can pay your bills by phone, is to suggest that you keep records by taking screen shots of those transactions on your iPhone - unless you actually mean paying bills by speaking to someone on something other than a smart phone

As general comment, it is good of you to be so generous in your gratitude - some of the responses have been so very left-field But there are good suggestions for the time when you have available spending money, especially those bargain basement older Macs.

Good luck!

 

[h.gilbert]

Thanks to everyone for your helpful input. You are all so nice to take the time. I think I’ll just pay my bills with my phone and forget being so anal about keeping emails and receipts in my iMac’s brain. Then, I’ll get a cheap PC or laptop when I can afford it. Thanks again folks.

Well done OP for managing to bring out the best of macrumors. This place is usually a dumpster fire where everyone likes to argue with each other whenever they've had a bad day.

 

[brofkand]

For doing online banking a $150 Chromebook is fine. Don't make things more complicated than they need to be.

 

[MarkNewton2023]

I have an early 2009 iMac (24-inch). I pay all my bills online, but lately some of the companies I pay tell me they no longer support old versions of Firefox, Chrome, etc. I can’t update these because my computer is too old. I’m not crazy about Safari and using my phone or iPad isn‘t a great option either. but I may not have a choice. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I can’t afford a new computer yet.

iMac is not the only device for getting the job done. A lot of alternatives are available. iMac is nice to have but not a requirement to get a job done. Get an alternative device fits with the budget. The main focus should be to get tasks done with any device type not limited to ones Keep calm and be happy 😊

 

[ignatius345]

i imagine doing anything on your phone or iPad would be radically better than working on such an old Mac.

Depends on the user's abilities and what they're familiar with. I have an older relative with motor issues and a touch interface (especially on a small device like a smartphone) is a total non-starter. Even a crusty, slow old computer is better for her because she can make the interface work reliably and see the UI more clearly.

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

I have an early 2009 iMac (24-inch). I pay all my bills online, but lately some of the companies I pay tell me they no longer support old versions of Firefox, Chrome, etc. I can’t update these because my computer is too old. I’m not crazy about Safari and using my phone or iPad isn‘t a great option either. but I may not have a choice. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I can’t afford a new computer yet.

Run Ventura with OCLP.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-13-ventura-on-unsupported-macs-thread.2346881/

 

[Shirasaki]

If you can swing it, get a 2014 MacBook Air. That can run Big Sur.

It can run, yes, but very slow IMO, even in clean macOS. That MacBook Air is best served for High Sierra.
(I have one and the speed is unbearable when running Big Sur)

 

[Terraaustralis]

I have an early 2009 iMac (24-inch). I pay all my bills online, but lately some of the companies I pay tell me they no longer support old versions of Firefox, Chrome, etc. I can’t update these because my computer is too old. I’m not crazy about Safari and using my phone or iPad isn‘t a great option either. but I may not have a choice. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I can’t afford a new computer yet.

Another option: Firefox have a legacy Firefox browser called Firefox ESR version 45.9.0

I am running this on a 2007 iMac and it works fine.

Fact is you will continue to face problems with online banking and internet accounts as Web designers discount the needs of old browsers.

You need a newer machine. I updated to a 2019 iMac simply because I was getting too many browser incompatibility problems.

Good Luck

 

[Andrey84]

I'm coming into this late and I'm sure it's been suggested. You should just install Mac OS Ventura or Monterey (not Sonoma, it's really demanding) using OpenCore Legacy Patcher. If you're not technical and are worried about this, please contact me and I'll gladly run you through the process. I've done it on two MacBooks during the last month.