upgrading my Late 2014 to something newer

[martinchivers]

I'm thinking of finding a (second-hand) newer 27 inch iMac. I have a late 2014, but my version of office no longer works as its running BigSur and not able to update that any further. Incidentally, I'm now using Softmaker free office, which works but seems to have a few bugs. I have various external SSD's and also 32 gig of ram. I have been looking on marketplaces and eBay. Ideally would love a 2020 but they are just too expensive, still. I'd swap out my wired keyboard, nice mouse, ram and SSD's so don't need to buy a computer with lots of ram (assuming the fitting is the same). Are there any known issues with the later one and is there any particular processors thats worth looking out for or avoiding?

Various options are 2017 at around £200-£300. 2019 jumps up to £900 which is too much.

Any input would be welcomed.

 

[Bigwaff]

The RAM in your 2014 will most likely be incompatible with 2017 or newer 27-inch iMacs. Budget for RAM upgrade unless you can find one w/ the specs you want.

 

[zgagato]

I'm thinking of finding a (second-hand) newer 27 inch iMac. I have a late 2014, but my version of office no longer works as its running BigSur and not able to update that any further. Incidentally, I'm now using Softmaker free office, which works but seems to have a few bugs. I have various external SSD's and also 32 gig of ram. I have been looking on marketplaces and eBay. Ideally would love a 2020 but they are just too expensive, still. I'd swap out my wired keyboard, nice mouse, ram and SSD's so don't need to buy a computer with lots of ram (assuming the fitting is the same). Are there any known issues with the later one and is there any particular processors thats worth looking out for or avoiding?

Various options are 2017 at around £200-£300. 2019 jumps up to £900 which is too much.

Any input would be welcomed.

Imacs from 2017-2020 use ddr 4. You cannot use it in newer. I would just install an sata ssd internally and put open core legacy patcher with seqoia on it. Then get newer office on it.I dont see a point in getting newer intel mac. if you want to change the machine go to Apple silicon. i would use the one you have

 

[Adora]

Maybe try some other free Office alternatives:

https://www.libreoffice.org/ (latest version supports 11.0 or higher)

https://www.onlyoffice.com/ (latest version supports 10.12 or higher)

https://www.wps.com/ (latest version supports 10.12 or higher)

 

[martinchivers]

OPEN CORE LEGACY PATCHER. I've not come across this. I'm most definatly no computer wiz, so a bit apprehensive about trying this. I also don't really know what apple silicon is, but assume thats on the late version iMacs.

 

[martinchivers]

When Microsoft screwed me over on office, a few months ago, I did look at other alternatives. I definatly didn't like Libre office. I'll look now at the other two, thanks

I've downloaded ONLYOFFICE, first impressions are very good. So will try that for a few days. thanks

 

[AppleForeverandEver]

Time to let go and move to a new iMac. Long ago, I was in the same position as you. Loved the Microsoft package as I had used it for so many years. Finally made the move and found that Apple’s solutions were as good and in many ways superior.

 

[Hajj.david]

OPEN CORE LEGACY PATCHER. I've not come across this. I'm most definatly no computer wiz, so a bit apprehensive about trying this. I also don't really know what apple silicon is, but assume thats on the late version iMacs.

Apple Silicon is Apple's latest chips, IE NOT intel chips so 2021+. Open Core Legacy patcher is definitely the cheapest way to update the OS (free) and worth a try. There is a million guides and videos out there and the instructions are simple GUI based step by step. There is a risk of reduced reliability when using it (as you are forcing an OS it wasnt made for on it) but you should be good

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"OPEN CORE LEGACY PATCHER. I've not come across this. I'm most definatly no computer wiz, so a bit apprehensive about trying this."

Sumthin' tells me that you don't want to start fooling with that OCLP thing, Martin. FAR too many things that can go wrong on you.

Give up on the iMac format.
Get a 2018 Mini, 16gb of RAM, 1tb SSD, if you can find one.

Then get either a 4k or 5k 27" display.

If you want to go further "forward" than that, try to find an m2 or m2pro Mini...

 

[JamesMay82]

OPEN CORE LEGACY PATCHER. I've not come across this. I'm most definatly no computer wiz, so a bit apprehensive about trying this. I also don't really know what apple silicon is, but assume thats on the late version iMacs.

I've also got a 2014 iMac and that same issue with Microsoft office not working.

I've just used Open Core Legacy Patcher and it works a treat for me and I went up to Ventura.

its been working smoothly for 2 just over a month now..

it was quite easy to do, I also used Ai to give me all the steps for doing it.