Second hand: late 2013 or mid 2014?

[Fermar]

Dear team,

I have a simple question. I am willing to buy an IMac for my kitchen/dinner area. Basically for watching series and Netflix while eating. I can buy for the same price (180-200 eur) the following;

Apple iMac Mid 2014 - 21.5 inch - Intel Core i5-4260U - 8GB - 240GB SSD -

Intel HD Graphics 5000

Or

Apple iMac Late 2013 - 21.5 inch - Intel Core i5-4570R - 8GB - 480GB SSD , intel iris pro​

I have read about both sides. 2014 more updates, but worst performing than 2013 models. I am not going to use it for work but mainly watching videos. By the way, I just bought an iPhone 13 Pro Max, but I guess I can’t do anything with it and the IMac as they are too old.

Which one would you recommend me to buy? Any advice?

Thanks a lot in advance

 

[arw]

2014 more updates, but worst performing than 2013 models.

Just some values; you are right, the i5-4570R (2013) is quite faster than the i5-4260U (2014):
Geekbench 5, 64bit, Single Core: + 32%
Geekbench 5, 64bit, Multi Core: + 111%
iGPU - FP32 Performance: + 25 %
Also it has the larger SSD.
The 2014 one on the other hand will still receive official (security) updates with Big Sur for one more year in contrast to the 2013 one with Catalina.
Are you only streaming via internet or do you have local video content in demanding codecs (4K, HEVC) where you'd benefit of the stronger CPU?
As both models have the same case and display and support OpenCore Legacy Patcher the same way (to install Monterey), I would pick the more powerful 2013 one.

I just bought an iPhone 13 Pro Max, but I guess I can’t do anything with it and the IMac as they are too old

It completely depends what you have in mind but there are tons of things that you can still do.

 

[Fermar]

Just some values; you are right, the i5-4570R (2013) is quite faster than the i5-4260U (2014):
Geekbench 5, 64bit, Single Core: + 32%
Geekbench 5, 64bit, Multi Core: + 111%
iGPU - FP32 Performance: + 25 %
Also it has the larger SSD.
The 2014 one on the other hand will still receive official (security) updates with Big Sur for one more year in contrast to the 2013 one with Catalina.
Are you only streaming via internet or do you have local video content in demanding codecs (4K, HEVC) where you'd benefit of the stronger CPU?
As both models have the same case and display and support OpenCore Legacy Patcher the same way (to install Monterey), I would pick the more powerful 2013 one.

It completely depends what you have in mind but there are tons of things that you can still do.

Thanks for your answer. I use an external HD to watch videos, but also online streaming (for example Netflix). That is my point. I don’t know if 1 more year of updates on th3 mid 2014 is worthier than having the late 2013 which has better performance… I just want to be sure if the late 2013 is able to play videos without issues (too slow, frozen screens,etc…) I am kind of new with imacs

 

[hobowankenobi]

You mentioned updates, so I will add those details:

Generally speaking, each year newer will be supported, so the '14 will have OS support a year longer than the '13.

2013 will only run up to OS 10.
2014 will run up to OS 11.

Neither will run OS 12, and OS 13 is right around the corner. Not that one has to run the latest OS....but once you cannot update the OS, the clock is ticking on some software that requires a recent OS...like most browsers for example. Something to keep in mind when trying to determine a practical usable life.

 

[Fermar]

Thanks for you reply. I did not know I should be worry about the updates for running browsers on a 2013 imac… So that is a very important thing about taking a decision. My current PC ( HP all-in-built from 2009) uses windows 10 and I dont expect will stop in the following 4 or 5 years for browsing or basic software. Even if it would had windows 7. Unfortunately it makes a lot of noise and some hardware started to fail 😅

 

[avz]

Thanks for you reply. I did not know I should be worry about the updates for running browsers on a 2013 imac… So that is a very important thing about taking a decision. My current PC ( HP all-in-built from 2009) uses windows 10 and I dont expect will stop in the following 4 or 5 years for browsing or basic software. Even if it would had windows 7. Unfortunately it makes a lot of noise and some hardware started to fail 😅

"If you worry, you don't have to worry."

 

[MultiFinder17]

FWIW, both of those iMacs will run Monterey beautifully using OpenCore Legacy Patcher. I have a late 2013 and mid 2014 both running OCLP Monterey, and it's a beautiful thing

That said, the 2013 will be significantly more powerful. I have that same 2014 iMac myself, and it's certainly no powerhouse in any way, shape, or form.

 

[arw]

As in a year the 2014 iMac also won't receive official updates anymore, its only advantage is then gone.
With @MultiFinder17 also confirming running Monterey with the mentioned OCLP, take the clearly more powerful 2013 iMac while still receiving 2 years of updates from now on.
After that you can still use a.e. Firefox instead of Safari to surf the web with a regularly updated browser.
As Apples newly introduced XProtect Remediator malware detection tool receives updates independent of the main macOS, I suspect it will still receive definition updates after official Monterey support has ended in 2024.

 

[Fermar]

FWIW, both of those iMacs will run Monterey beautifully using OpenCore Legacy Patcher. I have a late 2013 and mid 2014 both running OCLP Monterey, and it's a beautiful thing

That said, the 2013 will be significantly more powerful. I have that same 2014 iMac myself, and it's certainly no powerhouse in any way, shape, or form.

Then I will go for the late 2013!

 

[Fermar]

As in a year the 2014 iMac also won't receive official updates anymore, its only advantage is then gone.
With @MultiFinder17 also confirming running Monterey with the mentioned OCLP, take the clearly more powerful 2013 iMac while still receiving 2 years of updates from now on.
After that you can still use a.e. Firefox instead of Safari to surf the web with a regularly updated browser.
As Apples newly introduced XProtect Remediator malware detection tool receives updates independent of the main macOS, I suspect it will still receive definition updates after official Monterey support has ended in 2024.

I have heard that it can be updated to Monterey, I guess in a tricky way as this IMac officially only goes till Catalina. That is something new for me, as it will be my first imac so I am not used to this SO. 🙈

 

[MultiFinder17]

I have heard that it can be updated to Monterey, I guess in a tricky way as this IMac officially only goes till Catalina. That is something new for me, as it will be my first imac so I am not used to this SO. 🙈

It's certainly not as simple as a native machine, but OCLP has made the process remarkably painless. If you need/want any help while you're setting it up, let me know - I'd be happy to help!

 

[Fermar]

It's certainly not as simple as a native machine, but OCLP has made the process remarkably painless. If you need/want any help while you're setting it up, let me know - I'd be happy to help!

Thanks. I think I am going for the late 2013. I hope do not regret as I am going to do basic things like video streaming. I will try the Monterey just for fun after a while for sure. With my iPhone I just hope to be able to sync fotos and info. It is no my first purpose but I will test that. If I like it in the future I can upgrade to a newer iMac. First I have to like it 😅

 

[Fermar]

I did not ask something important… makes this iMac (late 2013) a lot of noise? Any experience? My hp from 2009 looks like is going to take off as soon as it starts a video

 

[MultiFinder17]

I did not ask something important… makes this iMac (late 2013) a lot of noise? Any experience? My hp from 2009 looks like is going to take off as soon as it starts a video

I've found the slim iMacs to be surprisingly quiet for the most part. I've never gotten my 2013 27" to ramp up.

Thanks. I think I am going for the late 2013. I hope do not regret as I am going to do basic things like video streaming. I will try the Monterey just for fun after a while for sure. With my iPhone I just hope to be able to sync fotos and info. It is no my first purpose but I will test that. If I like it in the future I can upgrade to a newer iMac. First I have to like it 😅

Nah, it should be more than fine for things like that. Honestly I'd just go Monterey off the bat, as it'll run smooth as silk on there. Anything with the Intel iGPU runs quite well. Enjoy your new iMac

 

[Fermar]

Hi all, just got my Mac late 2013. Very happy with it. Very smooth, fast and silent. Did not expected working so fine 😀. It is so updated as possible. I am going to wait a bit for installing Monterey, as I want to test it for a while in case something is not working properly and I have to send it back to the store where I bought, but all looks all right.

 

[MultiFinder17]

Hi all, just got my Mac late 2013. Very happy with it. Very smooth, fast and silent. Did not expected working so fine 😀. It is so updated as possible. I am going to wait a bit for installing Monterey, as I want to test it for a while in case something is not working properly and I have to send it back to the store where I bought, but all looks all right.

Congratulations mate, that’s a solid computer! May it serve you well for years to come.