HT202696: About your support coverage and service options

Learn about About your support coverage and service options
walk44alone-

Q: At what age should I replace my IMac?

when should I get rid of my IMac, it is almost 7 years old and starting to time out and slow down when changing programs,files ect. Thanks

iMac (20-inch Early 2009), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Dec 28, 2015 9:24 AM

Close

Q: At what age should I replace my IMac?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Dec 28, 2015 10:17 AM in response to walk44alone-
    Level 10 (123,623 points)
    Dec 28, 2015 10:17 AM in response to walk44alone-

    My mid 2007 iMac still serves me great, perhaps we can find out what is slowing it down?

     

    So we know more about it...

     

    At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac, then click on More Info, then click on Hardware> and report this upto but not including the Serial#...

     

    Hardware Overview:

     

    Model Name: iMac

    Model Identifier: iMac7,1

    Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

    Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz

    Number Of Processors: 1

    Total Number Of Cores: 2

    L2 Cache: 4 MB

    Memory: 6 GB

    Bus Speed: 800 MHz

    Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03

    SMC Version (system): 1.21f4

     

    EtreCheck is a simple little app to display the important details of your system configuration and allow you to copy that information to the Clipboard. It is meant to be used with Apple Support Communities to help people help you with your Mac.

     

    http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

     

    How much RAM & Free Disk space do you have?

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Dec 28, 2015 10:23 AM in response to walk44alone-
    Level 6 (14,340 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 28, 2015 10:23 AM in response to walk44alone-

    Could be the original hard disk drive is tired, near full capacity, or both.

    And some older models were slower to run more recent OS X versions.

     

    The 2009 computer probably would run like new with Snow Leopard 10.6.8
    and a new replacement 7200-RPM internal hard disk drive; one with specs

    correct for the iMac version you have, in case there is a sensor port or wire

    for the temperature and fan controls.

     

    You could see what kinds of update or upgrade hardware is available for your

    older iMac 2009 (late, early, mid?) by looking online to macsales.com or use

    everymac.com database to compare your model to their information. I have

    and use the mactracker.ca download database for all mac specification.

     

    If you like the older applications and the way they work, then consider what

    you'll get with a new or newer computer hardware and resulting OS upgrade.

    Look at new models and check them out where they're sold; if you have no

    experience with any iOS iDevices, then the new OS X versions will startle

    you. If you like the feel of the older vintage OS X, as some do, they stick to

    older models and check into the availability of restored ones from those few

    companies whose business it is to repair and guarantee various mac models.

     

    Early iMac (intel) and late iMac G5 (PPC) had some similar issues, in that the

    capacitors may fail and there are some of these in the power supply and also

    on the logic board; as they age they may bulge, leak, and fail. A later model

    computer is advised, but that does not mean yours is bad; it may do OK with

    a new replacement hard drive, and if the RAM memory has upgrade capacity,

    that too may help it work better. An older OS X would zip along in there.

    Once restored, it may be a good one to give away, running 10.6.8 & with its

    original install restore DVD software kit included.

     

    Newer model computers generally have a fixed soldered-in amount of RAM,

    and limited upgrade potential after you buy one. The upgrade is usually a

    case of you buy the higher specification model before you think you need it.

    That is the extent of most newer Mac upgrades.

     

    So hopefully you can get a feel for the newer OS X and what it brings to the

    experience of computing, to use the App Store and the internet capacity of

    your location to see if the huge files and the cloud are worth paying for. At

    least the newest models are supported, directly online via App Store.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Dec 28, 2015 12:54 PM in response to walk44alone-
    Level 8 (49,090 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 28, 2015 12:54 PM in response to walk44alone-

    walk44alone- wrote:

     

    when should I get rid of my IMac,

     

    When it no longer is capable of doing what you require it to do. Age itself does not cause a Mac to become slow. It is the software that you choose to install that generally becomes more resource-intensive, and a Mac's hardware resources are finite.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Dec 28, 2015 3:26 PM in response to walk44alone-
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 28, 2015 3:26 PM in response to walk44alone-

    slow down when changing programs,files ect.

    This is one sign of not enough ram.  I'll guess you need to max out the memory on this machine.

     

    Yosemite has an official requirement for 2gig of ram.  My guess is that you have 8gig of ram.

     

    Screen Shot 2015-12-28 at 6.22.43 PM.png

     

    people on these forums recommend crucial or owc memory.

     

    http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/apple-memory/?gclid=CLCy5u7Z_8kCFckWHwodZmsJCg&cm_ mmc=google-_-us-_-dram-_-null&ef_id=ViHQ…

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/

  • by K Shaffer,Solvedanswer

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Dec 29, 2015 11:51 AM in response to walk44alone-
    Level 6 (14,340 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 29, 2015 11:51 AM in response to walk44alone-

    In former builds of Apple computer, several users kept their old models around

    quite some time even though the newer MacOS had passed the ability of the

    hardware to run them. Standalone usefulness hasn't been a problem in cases

    where you have older software that may not have a modern quality replacement.

     

    If the device can be maintained to fulfill a mission, and you have a need to keep it,

    (or like the design, have old games that runs OK in there, etc) that's reason enough.

     

    My oldest Mac (still in possession) is a PowerMac 7600 that runs MacOS 8.6.

    While my oldest presently-owned iMac G4 (3) are in various states of dis-repair

    but I'm unwilling to set them on the curb even though they're senile & forgetful.

     

    A first-edition MacBook1.1 coreduo whose latest supported OS X 10.6.8, hasn't

    been reached yet, is running 10.5.8 with upgraded RAM and better HDD. My

    iBook G4 (2005) last model still works great, needs new battery & larger HDD.

     

    And my old last model G4 Mini could run faster -- only with an SSD installed...

    The last item is used daily, with only 1024MB RAM and 100GB HDD, in 10.5.8.

     

    Some research into whatever upgrade direction you may find suitable has a lot

    to do with the expectation of the usefulness of owning a computer. But to set

    the older ones out to the curb may be a bit soon. An iFixit repair guide and other

    free information can be used to help the old Mac function better.

     

    In whatever you choose...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by kseniafromnull,

    kseniafromnull kseniafromnull Dec 29, 2015 1:33 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 1:33 PM in response to K Shaffer

    I love your attitude. Thanks for the info.

  • by walk44alone-,

    walk44alone- walk44alone- Dec 29, 2015 1:36 PM in response to walk44alone-
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2015 1:36 PM in response to walk44alone-

    I took the IMac to the Apple Store and  the technician checked it out, appears harddrive ok, processor ok, apple mail needed adjusting but overall I'll keep it through the 7 years of age.  After 7 years Apple will not be able to work on it. Thanks for everyones excellent input and advice.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Dec 29, 2015 2:32 PM in response to walk44alone-
    Level 6 (14,340 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 29, 2015 2:32 PM in response to walk44alone-

    You can still take an older Apple computer (if not too ancient) to an Authorized Apple

    Service Provider or AASP; as they can often provide service and access to original

    replacement quality parts, on older Macs.  The Intel-based Macs aren't all that old.

     

    Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider

     

    If you happen to have older powerPC based hardware, then you may need to look

    a bit further for qualified service, repair, and harder to find replacements parts.

     

    There likely are a few qualified trained authorized Apple and Mac service providers

    who could provide upgrade or replacement repairs to the computer at seven years.

    Ask them, too, if you have upgrade interests that may require items not in stock.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!