akaytie

Q: To Buy or To Upgrade?  This is my question!

I have an iMac 21.5"  mid 2010.  I am running Lion along with the standard apps that come with the computer, Adobe Creative Suite 5 Web Premium, Microsoft Office for mac, Parallels (version unknown), Windows 7, Microsoft professional suite, and Quickbook 2011.   All the software on my mac obviously needs updating especially with the new OS X coming out in a few more weeks.  So I will be spending several hours one day here soon to do all that updating.  As I ponder this weekend project, I began to wonder if I should get a new iMac especially since I was just recently hired on at a University which allows financing (regardless of one's credit) of computers through a payroll deduction.  I can sell the current iMac I have with all its software, use the proceeds to pay for most of the new computer, and pay the rest off with financing.

 

Or I can invest in upgrading the iMac I have.  I know I can buy more RAM and replace the 500GB hard drive.  By the way, if I do replace the hard drive I am taking it to a repair man.  I am the type of gal who barely knows how to change a light bulb. LOL  I watch a DIY youtube video and replacing the hard drive on these machines is just way to involved for me as it requires the use of a screw driver.  This is what happens with you grow up with a very pliable and chivalrous father and all sisters (no brothers).

 

I also have some fleeting thoughts of buying a mac mini server and hooking it up to my Samsung TV as I know I could do some cool things with this set up between my T.V., iMac, Macbook Air, and iPhone (yes... I will be buying a new iPhone 6 as I have an iPhone 4 LOL).  I am not too clear on what those cool things I can do but I am sure I can figure it out!

 

Aside from my lack of all things mechanical... I would like some opinions of what I should do here.  I invested in Adobe Creative Suite as I eventually want to moonlight as a website developer / administrator / graphics design / video editor.  I also invested in Quickbooks as I was running my ex-husband's business (hence why we are divorced).  I know I can eventually make additional income moonlighting as a bookkeeper.

 

So what should I do?  Upgrade my current iMac or buy a new iMac?  Should I just get a mac mini server and update all my software on my current macs?  Or should I get a mac mini server and upgrade the hardware on my iMac?  Can a few of you help me decide?

 

Cheers,

Kate

Posted on Aug 27, 2014 11:04 AM

Close

Q: To Buy or To Upgrade?  This is my question!

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Aug 27, 2014 11:28 AM in response to akaytie
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 27, 2014 11:28 AM in response to akaytie

    Unless you are having problems with your current iMac I don't seen any motivation to buying a new machine. You can use your current machine to connect to your TV and share files between the other Apple devices in your home.

     

    In short, if you want or need a new computer then just get one. However, from my point of view I don't see any reason to buy if your current machine is fulfilling your needs.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 27, 2014 11:51 AM in response to akaytie
    Level 6 (14,567 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 27, 2014 11:51 AM in response to akaytie

    Perhaps if not done so already, you may need to consider an adequate backup

    strategy with what is known as redundancy (more than one, not all the same) so

    as to be able to have not just TimeMachine backup, but copies and maybe whole

    libraries in duplicate on externally enclosed self-powered (not by computer bus)

    hard disk drives; and extra backup drives of significant capacity for your work files.

     

    There are some fair units with various capacities, and several kinds of data ports,

    among  some that look adequate at OWC. Also, that's where RAM memory chip

    upgrades can be found that are guaranteed to work with the Mac. {And note the

    new model iMac does not allow the user to upgrade the RAM. You can get a

    custom or BTO version, there.} An Apple tech may be able to add more, in those.

     

    If you do not already have a backup computer, so you can continue working if or when

    the other one fails unexpectedly, then there may be a need for redundancy there.

     

    By upgrading the older computer (it can use up to 16GB RAM, and a few other items)

    usually, by replacement of all four RAM memory chips; the total capacity is upgraded.

     

    Maximum Memory:    16 GB

    Memory Slots:    4 - 204-pin PC3-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

     

    •iMac: How to remove or install memory

     

    If your iMac 21.5" is a Mid-2010, the model identifier is iMac 11.2, if that is correct,

    the RAM upgrade would be found among those said to work with it, on this page:

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/2010/DDR3_21.5_27

     

    However details are everything, so you'd have to be sure the correct parts were bought

    from whatever source you use, and just because they may seem like the old ones, that

    is no indication of their being correct upgrade parts for your iMac model build year.

     

    There are options to upgrading the hard drive. You could put some extra money into the

    computer, but, without a backup of its expected function going ahead, you may still need

    to get what could be a replacement computer. Without adequate backups and ability to

    continue using whatever software you end up buying, that could be a problem.

     

    The newest expected OS X upgrade will be different, so you may choose to not upgrade

    the older computer that far and instead do the hardware upgrades, backup everything in

    more than one way, (not just timemachine) and be able to Revert to an older system IF

    or when you find issue with using a later OS X on your computer, or find the software is

    different than you expect. Some kinds of reversion may not be possible once you run the

    computer in the latest OS X, unless you have an offline clone (bootable copy) of your

    computer and running copies on external drives that can be used in several ways as a

    working backup. Of course you appear to be in need of some basic technical skills to

    be sure you aren't looking at the endless possibilities of restoring your own work environs

    from backups, bootable clones, and duplicates. And knowing the rules of using them.

     

    The OWC site has examples of fair options for upgrading the hardware in a computer.

    Some models can be fitted with dual hard drives, or one SSD and one HDD...

     

    Without seeing (or knowing) what the next generation of iMac or Mini specs may be,

    their compatibility would be going forward; whereas the one you have now is still

    capable of looking back, if you have suitable backups of system & software before

    you go into Mavericks or Yosemite. At some point, retail stocks will not have Mav 10.9.

    And so you will have to say goodbye to the older stuff if you have nothing to run it on.

     

    I'd upgrade the one you own, and consider carefully the purchase of a new computer

    that has a future in front of it. However, the hardware in a Mini is more like that of a

    MacBook Pro (not higher end one, though) and may be OK where it works best. It

    could be fine as a work station, but have limits in graphics capabilities. The good

    thing is, if  you already had suitable and compatible displays, and the like, it'd do.

     

    You can compare specs at Apple store, everymac.com and mactracker.ca databases.

    Newer or unknown possible upgrades will not be there to compare, of course.

     

    Well, I'm on the fence to some degree, but you have some backup considerations and

    also some hardware to consider. I'd not bank on an iMac having a long run duration...

    Yet some rely on luck and have gotten some runtime out of them. Get AppleCare for

    any new purchase and look for homeowner policy that covers damages including any

    water leaks or other things known to be bad for computers and not covered by Apple.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by baltwo,

    baltwo baltwo Aug 27, 2014 12:43 PM in response to akaytie
    Level 9 (62,256 points)
    Aug 27, 2014 12:43 PM in response to akaytie

    Concur with rkaufmann87's comments. I'd go one better and suggest that you upgrade to Maveericks. Lion is the worst of those non-PPC OSs.


    27" i7 iMac (Mid 2011) refurb, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), ML & SL, G4 450 MP w/Leopard, 9.2.2