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What can the 2019 iMac do that the 2011 iMac can't

I've got a 2011 27-inch iMac and still love the **** out of it. It runs like greased lightening because two or three years ago I replaced the regular hard drive (NOT a fusion drive) with an SSD. The fan ran continuously and loudly afterward, but I found software to control that (thank you, smcFanControl).


I've read that Apple will be replacing its Intel chip in the future. I'm not sure whether that will render the Mac incapable of running Windows through a software like Parallels. If that will be the consequence of it, I definitely will want to get a new iMac before Apple boots Intel. Until then, however, I'm pretty happy with what I've got--except that I keep thinking my 2011 iMac is getting old and is probably due to die from the complications of old age any day now. It's so old I couldn't update to Apple's most recent OS.


Are there compelling reasons to buy a new iMac, maybe features the new models have the older iMacs don't have? I know you can't update the newer iMacs like I did with my 2011 model, and that's one of the reasons I've hesitated to buy a new one.



iMac 27", macOS 10.12

Posted on May 18, 2019 6:27 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 19, 2019 8:22 AM

FYI, your fan is running at full speed by default because you need to add a heat sensor to your 3rd-party SSD. If you do high-intensity tasks you may want to consider doing that versus using software to always slow down your fan:

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD11/


Newer iMacs are glued/sealed and very difficult to upgrade the hard drive. The RAM can still be upgraded though.


Being able to run the current/supported version of macOS though is a pretty compelling reason to upgrade. That's the only way to get the latest security and Safari browser updates. Once your macOS is more than one whole version behind it's no longer officially supported, so when the new version of macOS comes out this fall that would definitely be an issue to consider.


Ultimately though, if it's still running great for you that's the most important thing.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 19, 2019 8:22 AM in response to Fred-Norfolk, VA

FYI, your fan is running at full speed by default because you need to add a heat sensor to your 3rd-party SSD. If you do high-intensity tasks you may want to consider doing that versus using software to always slow down your fan:

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD11/


Newer iMacs are glued/sealed and very difficult to upgrade the hard drive. The RAM can still be upgraded though.


Being able to run the current/supported version of macOS though is a pretty compelling reason to upgrade. That's the only way to get the latest security and Safari browser updates. Once your macOS is more than one whole version behind it's no longer officially supported, so when the new version of macOS comes out this fall that would definitely be an issue to consider.


Ultimately though, if it's still running great for you that's the most important thing.

May 18, 2019 8:12 PM in response to Fred-Norfolk, VA

A 2011 cannot upgrade the OS beyond High Sierra 10.13.6 which means Apple will likely discontinue security updates sooner than later. By the way, I also have a 2011 iMac, however I realize that I will likely need to replace it in the next year or so. When it comes to technology, you cannot stick your head in a hole forever, it eventually catches up to you and you must upgrade. Sometimes the longer you wait the more painful upgrading can be.

May 19, 2019 3:37 AM in response to Fred-Norfolk, VA

FWIW, if you actually sit down and work with a 27", 2019 iMac with an

SSD (no Fusion or HDD), your 2011 will seem like a slug.

Just some basic Geekbench numbers comparing a maxed out 2011

with a base 2019:

single core score. multicore score

Maxed out 2011. 3514 11203

Base 2019. 5247 21712


If you don't have the highest performance 2011 that was offered,

the difference will be even greater.


Add to that, the much higher speed USB3 that is available vs. the USB2

or even Firewire800. Then there is also Thunderbolt 3.....

May 19, 2019 5:16 AM in response to Fred-Norfolk, VA

A 2019 iMac will have at least a 1 year warranty, and up to 4 years if you spring for AppleCare coverage. Your 2011 iMac is rapidly approaching Apple's worldwide obsolete list which means no service or parts from Apple or Apple Authorized Service Centers. At eight years old, and without warning, something other than your SSD may fail, and you will be up that famous creek without oars.

May 19, 2019 2:26 PM in response to rcosta887

My 2011 is still running great. But it's old and I'm concerned about its age, so I'll probably spring for a new iMac in the near future. The one I want will cost about $3k because I definitely want a 27-inch screen with an SSD. I don't want to have to buy all new software for it, though. Can the Time Machine backup of my current iMac be used to replicate its hard drive on the new iMac? Windows, for example, and Parallels?


Oh, and thanks for the info on the heat sensor. I had no idea such a thing existed and wouldn't begin to know how to install it, so I've been using the software to control fan speed. The most processor-intensive thing I do is occasional short video editing, but I never do that for very long.


May 19, 2019 9:08 PM in response to Fred-Norfolk, VA

Yes, you can use the old computer's Time Machine backup to setup your new computer. The most simple method is to connect the Time Machine drive to the new computer prior to turning it on for the first time using a USB cable. Why USB, easy it is the most fastest, most reliable method. Try other methods (Wi-Fi, ethernet, etc..) it likely won't work.


When you turn on the new computer it will launch Setup Assistant, SA will get to a point where it asks if your migrating from another Mac, select yes and then follow the on-screen menus and you're done. It really is that easy.


You may have apps that may be either too old to migrate or some developers (Microsoft and Adobe almost always) don't allow their software to be migrated, this means you will have to re-install or upgrade.


Good luck with the new Mac.

What can the 2019 iMac do that the 2011 iMac can't

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