what to do with a 2020 iMac with i9, 64GB RAM and 4TB SSD?

[doc4x5]

I have the computer in the title; it's been replaced with an M4 Studio which is a terrific machine. I'm not sure what to do with the iMac. Obvious choices are to try to sell it but it's a relatively high end (for an Intel machine) which in the reasonable future will not be supported, or to give it away. Given that it cost in the $4K range it's painful to consider donating it and I can't see anyone paying what it's really worth.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

 

[russell_314]

Hand it down to a deserving relative. Other than that I don’t see it selling for much. Keep it as a second computer

 

[User #07242024]

Install Windows and sell?

 

[Bigwaff]

and I can't see anyone paying what it's really worth.

What it’s really worth is what someone is willing to pay. You don’t specify GPU but 2020 iMacs are still popular on used market. Do some eBay research.

 

[bradman83]

I agree with others to try and sell it. While macOS support is ending you or a future buyer can install Windows or Linux via Bootcamp and have a great workstation machine (assuming they don't need bleeding edge CPU or GPU). And there are plenty of power users who don't upgrade to the latest macOS releases or latest versions of their software because their workflows demand as stable an environment as possible.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Given that it cost in the $4K range it's painful to consider donating it and I can't see anyone paying what it's really worth."

This is why "maxed out" Macs don't make sense to me -- 5 years later, and you can't get much of anything for it.

For a business, in which hardware can be depreciated... "buying large" makes sense. Because you can "write it off" against income.

For personal use, not so much...

 

[ADGrant]

"Given that it cost in the $4K range it's painful to consider donating it and I can't see anyone paying what it's really worth."

This is why "maxed out" Macs don't make sense to me -- 5 years later, and you can't get much of anything for it.

For a business, in which hardware can be depreciated... "buying large" makes sense. Because you can "write it off" against income.

For personal use, not so much...

I don't agree, I have a similar 2020 iMac with the i9 & 64GB of RAM but with a 2TB SSD and I have the 16GB 5700XT which was the most powerful GPU you could order with that machine. I know exactly what I am doing with my iMac, I am going to keep using it for at least another two years, possibly three. It still does everything I need it to do so I am in no hurry to replace it, particularly given the cost of the Apple Studio Display.

 

[Nermal]

Yeah, I have the same machine and I also paid for the 5700 XT. It still does everything I need it to. Most of the software I use is open source, so even if the official maintainers drop Intel support I can still compile it myself... if I even need any of the new features in the first place.

I suspect I'll be moving to Linux in a few years, but the iMac should tide me over until then.

 

[M4th]

I wouldn't give it away but I guess Apple won't give you much for it, maybe trade it in for a new iPhone or iPad (only if you were already thinking of getting either of those)... otherwise go the barter route and see if there's anything else you might could get for it (bike, wheelbarrow, coffee table, etc)?

(btw... this is my 100th post... woot)

 

[AL2TEACH]

I'm not sure what to do with the iMac.

Put it in another room/area and still use it. Use it as a Plex server if you have Plex.
Best to send to me still going strong with my 2015

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

I have the computer in the title; it's been replaced with an M4 Studio which is a terrific machine. I'm not sure what to do with the iMac. Obvious choices are to try to sell it but it's a relatively high end (for an Intel machine) which in the reasonable future will not be supported, or to give it away. Given that it cost in the $4K range it's painful to consider donating it and I can't see anyone paying what it's really worth.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Nobody will pay $4K for that machine now.
$1k4~1k5 seems a fair price.