Good afternoon. I am not good with computers. Is it an option to revive my late 2013 Mac 27 inch screen? It's the one with 3.4 GHZ quad intel core processor, 8 gig ram. I contacted a computer shop and they said Apple no longer supports such an old Mac. This is our back up computer just used for printing documents and going online. Would it work to add a newer processor, add more RAM, and maybe update the video card so it no longer runs at a snail pace? Or, is it over and we should just get a new one?
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Try to upgrade late 2013 imac or box it up?
- Thread starter jhamneggs21
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Since you say you're not good with computers, honestly it's probably best to get a newer one. You can get more life out of your existing machine by installing an SSD, adding more RAM, and using OCLP to upgrade the software, but it's not for the faint of heart (especially the SSD).
If you can justify the cost then get a new one. It might be best to wait until September/October, when new machines will likely ship with MacOS 27, which is supposed to be a considerable improvement over 26.
If you can justify the cost then get a new one. It might be best to wait until September/October, when new machines will likely ship with MacOS 27, which is supposed to be a considerable improvement over 26.
marius_3d
macrumors member
you can upgrade the RAM using the back door behind the foot. if you have an internal HDD you can use a USB3.0 SSD and install there the macOS. these two upgrades will make an huge impact without opening the iMac or paying someone to do it.
you can even use OCLP and install Sequoia.
you can even use OCLP and install Sequoia.
Fishrrman
macrumors Nehalem
My suggestion is that -- at 13 years old -- it's time to "get out the box".
And then start the quest for a replacement.
I would NOT suggest another iMac.
Instead, I'd take a good look at either the m4 Mini, or wait for the new, upcoming Minis that will be available either at the end of this year or probably early into next year.
You can save $$$ by buying from the Apple refurbished store.
BE AWARE that Minis (at least right now) are in short supply.
And then start the quest for a replacement.
I would NOT suggest another iMac.
Instead, I'd take a good look at either the m4 Mini, or wait for the new, upcoming Minis that will be available either at the end of this year or probably early into next year.
You can save $$$ by buying from the Apple refurbished store.
BE AWARE that Minis (at least right now) are in short supply.
capamac
macrumors 6502a
That Mac supports up to 32 GB RAM according to https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i5-3.2-27-inch-aluminum-late-2013-specs.html assuming that is your model of iMac. I second the SSD suggestion. I also second the "just get a new one" suggestion. However a new Mac isn't really gonna print any faster than what you have now. It'll browse the web faster though.
capamac
macrumors 6502a
New iMacs with M4 CPU start at $1,499 https://www.apple.com/imac/
I briefly looked at eBay ... used M1 iMacs there in the $500-ish range.
Might check your local Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for used M1 iMacs as well.
I briefly looked at eBay ... used M1 iMacs there in the $500-ish range.
Might check your local Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for used M1 iMacs as well.
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capamac
macrumors 6502a
This might be the correct ifixit page for your Mac: https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_Intel_27"_EMC_2639
If you do go the upgrade route, be sure you're referencing the exact model number (e.g. "Model A1419" or whatever your Mac model happens to be.)
At a glance on ifixit's page, looks like upgrading the HDD requires you to remove the entire display from the case. You have to deal with adhesives ... this looks quite irritating.
Upgrading RAM, however, looks to be quite simple --- just pop open a hatch on the rear of the Mac.
If you do go the upgrade route, be sure you're referencing the exact model number (e.g. "Model A1419" or whatever your Mac model happens to be.)
At a glance on ifixit's page, looks like upgrading the HDD requires you to remove the entire display from the case. You have to deal with adhesives ... this looks quite irritating.
Upgrading RAM, however, looks to be quite simple --- just pop open a hatch on the rear of the Mac.
It may be controversial but install Linux. It would work superbly on that hardware. Upgrade the memory for even better experience. Both very easily done. Zorin Linux would install very easily with almost no knowledge or intervention and deliver a clean desktop that will be familiar. Many apps preinstalled, good support for packages and a well presented App Store will leave you something as usable as mac on older hardware. Much easier than fiddling around with OCLP which is more a tool for tinkering and does need a bit of expertise. Definitely don’t box up the hardware. It will be a very usable device with Linux.
capamac
macrumors 6502a
The Clark
macrumors 65816
You say you're not good with computers and people come here and recommend that you install Linux.. unreal.
Do not try to install Linux, it will be a headache for you if you're good with computers and it will serve no practical purpose. Upgrade your mac, 2013 was long time ago.
Do not try to install Linux, it will be a headache for you if you're good with computers and it will serve no practical purpose. Upgrade your mac, 2013 was long time ago.
The replies are all similar in that they have good intentions, trying to help you out. But even adding RAM in that machine is beyound simple. The RAM chips have to be thesame type as the ones already installed and the installation order is important. I did that on a similar 27" iMac and it wasn't exactly easy, and I have a lot of experience with computers.
I suggest selling that machine, as it is popular with a cetain type of user who likes to tinker with the RAM and SSD, etc.
Then use the funds for buying a new computer. The 14" iMacs are relatively cheap and will require no difficult setup.
Easy as it gets!🙂😎🙂
Op: i’m not good with computers.
MR posters: crack open the thing, upgrade all the specifications by hand, then put it back together, unofficially install a version of macOS that the thing does not support, also dual boot Linux just for fun, and hope and pray after all of this modification that the thing can even get on the Internet and that your printer drivers will still work properly.
Seriously, it’s like some people don’t realize what not good with computers actually means.
MR posters: crack open the thing, upgrade all the specifications by hand, then put it back together, unofficially install a version of macOS that the thing does not support, also dual boot Linux just for fun, and hope and pray after all of this modification that the thing can even get on the Internet and that your printer drivers will still work properly.
Seriously, it’s like some people don’t realize what not good with computers actually means.
capamac
macrumors 6502a
Spend $1,500 on a new iMac, then. 🙂
Installing Linux is barely more difficult than installing macOS these days.
Installing Linux is barely more difficult than installing macOS these days.
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inventor7777
macrumors member
Yes, but it really depend's on OP's definition of "good with computers". And even installing macOS itself still requires some technical knowledge. (Source: I installed Sequoia on a MacBook Air two weeks ago)
If they don't often deal with things that are simple to tech savvy people, such as basic terminal commands, technical abbreviations and terms, disk formatting, and possible small wrinkles during hardware setup, it will be very hard to do alone.
Terraaustralis
macrumors 6502
To answer permanoob's question — no, unfortunately that 27" panel can't be reused as an external display for a new Mac. The Late 2013 iMac 27" supported Target Display Mode only over Thunderbolt 1/2, and Apple killed TDM in software after High Sierra. No Apple Silicon Mac has the right Thunderbolt handshake to drive into it, even if you kept the iMac on an old macOS. It's the sad fact people keep hoping isn't true.
For the OP: if it's honestly just a printing/browsing backup and it does the job, the cheapest good move is 16GB of RAM (~$25, and the RAM is the one thing you actually can do yourself — little hatch on the back of the stand, no display adhesive, no drama). Skip the OCLP/SSD adventure. If it stops doing the job, a refurb M1 or M2 Mac mini from Apple's refurb store is a fraction of a new iMac's price and will feel five times faster than any late-2013 upgrade path.
For the OP: if it's honestly just a printing/browsing backup and it does the job, the cheapest good move is 16GB of RAM (~$25, and the RAM is the one thing you actually can do yourself — little hatch on the back of the stand, no display adhesive, no drama). Skip the OCLP/SSD adventure. If it stops doing the job, a refurb M1 or M2 Mac mini from Apple's refurb store is a fraction of a new iMac's price and will feel five times faster than any late-2013 upgrade path.
RUGERMAN
macrumors 6502
Don't forget you have to get a new monitor to go with that Mac mini and that will cost a few $$.