Upgrade iMac 2010

[Tinoreca]

Hi All,

I have an iMac 27"from 2010 (2,8Ghz intel Core i5, 8GB 1333Mhz DDR3, ATI Radeon 5750 1TB) running High Sierra 10.13.6 which I need to upgrade, as it's running really slow, new OS not supported and difficult to get apps to be updated.
I am struggling with the options so far and what would be the best way forward. I see the following alternatives for which I ask your opinion:

1. Do some patches for quick and dirty improvement (eg replace my HD for a SSD), increase memory and eventually upgrade processor (if possible).
2. Get a new mac Mini 2024 with base configuration (M4, 8-core CPU/GPU, 16GB Mem, SSD 256GB) and use my old iMac as a display only via a USB-C to miniDisplay/thunderbolt cable.
3. Get a new iMac 2024 with standard 2 ports - M4, 10-core CPU/GPU, 16GB Mem, SSD 256 GB) and embrace the whole new package.
4. Get a Macbook Air M3 16GB Mem with the flexibility to work mobile plus the benefit to keep my old iMac as a display also.

Adding to that, my old iMac keyboard and mouse are draining the batteries quickly and they do no last longer than 1 week, so for option 1 and 2, I would need to consider a new keyboard and mouse too.

Option 1 sounds a bit risky and I am not sure if it would make my iMac sustainable to accommodate the latest mac OS. Not sure about the costs and the feasibility of this upgrade anyway.
Option 2 is interesting as my 27"display is better than the new iMac but I am afraid I would create a Frankenstein, since I can only connect the new mac Mini and the old iMac via ethernet or the USB-C to MiniDisplay cable. Not sure if the camera/sound of my iMac display would work.
Option 3 seems to be feasible but expensive, so I would have to try to sell my old iMac to try to get some compensation during this trade off.
Option 4 is also interesting as it would create little dependency with my old iMac in case I want the "all-in-one-place" notebook solution.

I am running in circles with these options and would like to make a conscious, educated decision so I would appreciate your advice in this case.

Thank you.

 

[wyrdness]

I'd got with either option 2 or 4, depending on whether you want to take a computer somewhere with you. I've owned a couple of iMacs in the past, but wouldn't again as having a separate screen means that you can replace the computer and keep the screen. My personal choice would be the Air, as it's light and portable. I'm typing this in bed on mine But the M4 Mini is a huge amount of computer in a small space, and with a small price (if you stick to the base model).

 

[Lioness~]

It all depends on your budget for the path ahead.

But first I must say I’m impressed that you’ve been able to manage whatever you do on that old iMac this far - just wow.

I traded in my old 2013 iMac when I bought my Studio 2022 together with an Apple Studio Display.
I am really glad Apple have given the opportunity to have separate Mac’s and Displays again.
I liked my earlier iMac’s, but it’s just so sad to let go of Displays when the Mac’s grow old.

If I were in your clothes with what you have, I would buy a Mini or an MBA with specs that suits you -
and a monitor that your wallet can live with too. Maybe not only thinking about now, but also what you can use as long as the Mini lasts and even with next Mac.

Studio Displays are not cheap, but a really great monitor. But there’s plenty of cheaper alternative displays that will be great choices too for a lot less.
Sure if you want to mess with connecting the old iMac Display with a new Mac, go ahead, but I recommend a cheaper new display before that.

Good luck and you will be so happy with a new fast Mac.

 

[Tinoreca]

Thank you guys, I share the same feeling when it's about to let go a display which is 5K Retina with resolution better than the new 24" iMac. I found the price of the new Mac mini appealing and the config should be good enough for the basics (remote work, MS Office, Internet browsing, and some music/videos). I am also impressed with the Macbook Air as my kids have a macbook Air M1 with 8GB and it runs smooth and responsive even with multitasking several apps.

I guess a SSD would do great in my current iMac as I can hear a lot the disk working for the memory-to-disk caching but at the end everything gets old (memory cards are also DDR3 while the new ones are DDR6) so at the end a revamp would be necessary eventually.

I am also prone to option 2 or 4 pending the mobility aspect. As this one is more a home PC, while I carry my work laptop along I think option 2 could be a good alternative for a fixed desk based option. I just need to research more to see pros and cons; eg there is no way I can turn only the display on the old iMac, there will be always a computer running on the background which is not effective and maybe a bit noise too. Besides, if my old iMac dies I am not sure if the display will work and then what would be the consequences.

If anyone has ever connected a new Mac mini to an old iMac used as a display I'd appreciate to share your thoughts.

Thank you

 

[zevrix]

Adding to that, my old iMac keyboard and mouse are draining the batteries quickly and they do no last longer than 1 week, so for option 1 and 2, I would need to consider a new keyboard and mouse too.

I'd recommend just getting any 3rd-party mice and keyboard that suit your liking and the budget. If you ask me, any of them will be better than what Apple offers.

 

[gilby101]

Option 2 is interesting as my 27"display is better than the new iMac but I am afraid I would create a Frankenstein, since I can only connect the new mac Mini and the old iMac via ethernet or the USB-C to MiniDisplay cable. Not sure if the camera/sound of my iMac display would work.

Your display is only 110 PPI (1040 pixels vertically). Apart from physical size the 24" iMac display is way better. It has twice the resolution 220 PPI.

You can't just use a Mini Display Port cable to use it as a display with a Mac Mini. If possible (and it is a big IF), you will need to gut the iMac and put a special (to your iMac model) display driver card inside. Via Ethernet would be slow but possible - and you would need a real monitor to configure the Mac mini.

Much easier to buy a cheap 27" 1040p monitor. Much better to get a better screen. 5K 27" would be nice (the ASUS Pro Art is the cheapest), but a 4K 27" would look much better than your present monitor. With a 4K 27" you could chose various "looks like" resolutions - "looks like" 2560x1440 would make text the same size as on your iMac with some blurriness compared with than a 5K 27" screen - but still better than your iMac and much lower cost.

Do some patches for quick and dirty improvement (eg replace my HD for a SSD), increase memory and eventually upgrade processor (if possible).

A) HDD > SSD Only if you are comfortable opening up the iMac and putting in a suitable SATA SSD. B) Increase memory if you think you will use it for some time. C) CPU - only if your skill set is up to it and you can find a suitable CPU.
Start with https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_Intel_27"_EMC_2390 (if I have got your model right).

Your option 3 and 4 are much better in the long run (if you have the budget). Desktop or laptop - only you know. Do get 512 GB SSD as well as at least 16GB RAM. Yes, the cost rapidly escalates as you add option!

 

[zevrix]

1. Do some patches for quick and dirty improvement (eg replace my HD for a SSD), increase memory and eventually upgrade processor (if possible).

If you ask me, rule this option out. You'll only waste time and money trying to squeeze something out of a beyond obsolete 2010 machine.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

If you currently have a 1tb drive in the old iMac, I predict that you ARE NOT going to be happy with only a 256gb drive in ANY new Mac.

Get 1tb in the new Mac. Yes, you'll pay more.
But if you ignore this advice, you will regret it, and I predict it won't be long before those regrets set in.

Having said that, an m4 Mini (with upgraded storage) would do.
You might even consider upgrading the RAM from 16 to 32 (or is 24 "the next jump up"?)...

I don't think you'll be happy with a MacBook Air -- particularly if you intend to keep it as long as the old iMac! It won't have "long enough legs" for you.

Actually, could say the same for the m4 Mini.
For the "longevity" you seem to demand, m4pro would be a better long-term buy.

 

[zevrix]

If you currently have a 1tb drive in the old iMac, I predict that you ARE NOT going to be happy with only a 256gb drive in ANY new Mac.

Get 1tb in the new Mac. Yes, you'll pay more.

I agree that he needs more storage, but I also think that 1 TB of Apple's SSD will be enormously expensive.

I'd suggest to get a Mac with 512 GB, and then buy an external HDD of 1-5 TB, whatever storage he needs. They don't cost much these days. SSD isn't essential for storing files (only for running apps and system stuff), so he will get sufficient storage at a much better price.

 

[Mr.Fox]

Hi All,

I have an iMac 27"from 2010 (2,8Ghz intel Core i5, 8GB 1333Mhz DDR3, ATI Radeon 5750 1TB) running High Sierra 10.13.6 which I need to upgrade, as it's running really slow, new OS not supported and difficult to get apps to be updated.
I am struggling with the options so far and what would be the best way forward. I see the following alternatives for which I ask your opinion:

1. Do some patches for quick and dirty improvement (eg replace my HD for a SSD), increase memory and eventually upgrade processor (if possible).
2. Get a new mac Mini 2024 with base configuration (M4, 8-core CPU/GPU, 16GB Mem, SSD 256GB) and use my old iMac as a display only via a USB-C to miniDisplay/thunderbolt cable.
3. Get a new iMac 2024 with standard 2 ports - M4, 10-core CPU/GPU, 16GB Mem, SSD 256 GB) and embrace the whole new package.
4. Get a Macbook Air M3 16GB Mem with the flexibility to work mobile plus the benefit to keep my old iMac as a display also.

Adding to that, my old iMac keyboard and mouse are draining the batteries quickly and they do no last longer than 1 week, so for option 1 and 2, I would need to consider a new keyboard and mouse too.

Option 1 sounds a bit risky and I am not sure if it would make my iMac sustainable to accommodate the latest mac OS. Not sure about the costs and the feasibility of this upgrade anyway.
Option 2 is interesting as my 27"display is better than the new iMac but I am afraid I would create a Frankenstein, since I can only connect the new mac Mini and the old iMac via ethernet or the USB-C to MiniDisplay cable. Not sure if the camera/sound of my iMac display would work.
Option 3 seems to be feasible but expensive, so I would have to try to sell my old iMac to try to get some compensation during this trade off.
Option 4 is also interesting as it would create little dependency with my old iMac in case I want the "all-in-one-place" notebook solution.

I am running in circles with these options and would like to make a conscious, educated decision so I would appreciate your advice in this case.

Thank you.

The answer is obvious-- buy a new mac mini.

 

[Tinoreca]

If you ask me, rule this option out. You'll only waste time and money trying to squeeze something out of a beyond obsolete 2010 machine.

Agree, though it's tempting to let such a nice equipment go, I am thinking were I can reuse it in case I decide to go for a new iMac or mini.I probably can sell it for a few bucks in the internet but much less that it really worths...

 

[Tinoreca]

OP:

If you currently have a 1tb drive in the old iMac, I predict that you ARE NOT going to be happy with only a 256gb drive in ANY new Mac.

Get 1tb in the new Mac. Yes, you'll pay more.
But if you ignore this advice, you will regret it, and I predict it won't be long before those regrets set in.

Having said that, an m4 Mini (with upgraded storage) would do.
You might even consider upgrading the RAM from 16 to 32 (or is 24 "the next jump up"?)...

I don't think you'll be happy with a MacBook Air -- particularly if you intend to keep it as long as the old iMac! It won't have "long enough legs" for you.

Actually, could say the same for the m4 Mini.
For the "longevity" you seem to demand, m4pro would be a better long-term buy.

I understand a 256 GB drive would suffice for the OS, key apps and basic stuff. I have also a 4TB pen drive on the side which I can use to store pictures, movies and other heavy content so I do not see this as a problem. Thoughts ?

 

[Tinoreca]

I agree that he needs more storage, but I also think that 1 TB of Apple's SSD will be enormously expensive.

I'd suggest to get a Mac with 512 GB, and then buy an external HDD of 1-5 TB, whatever storage he needs. They don't cost much these days. SSD isn't essential for storing files (only for running apps and system stuff), so he will get sufficient storage at a much better price.

Yes and I think the same way, would keep SSD for the OS, key apps and operational stuff. All the rest (static content) I plan to store on a 4TB pen drive.

 

[Fishrrman]

" All the rest (static content) I plan to store on a 4TB pen drive."

This is not advisable.
Too easily lost, and USB flash drives are notorious for just "failing" now and then...

Tell us HOW MUCH "static content" you actually have to maintain.