Imac 2009-is it worth a SSD upgrade

Question

Imac 2009-is it worth a SSD upgrade

Hi there all,

I know I'm a bit late to the game with this question since other posts are all from 2017, but I have been given a big beautiful shiny late 2009 27inch Imac- specs in image below and was wanting to future proof it by installing a SSD for the next couple of years for some hardcore video editing with Premier Pro, but am finding some conflicting info- from the local Apple tech guy and the Apple website which states that the .....Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, but many other posts state only 10.9 is reachable with this age system and Premier Pro requires macOS v10.12 or later (v10.13 or later required for hardware-acceleration) and then the Apple tech guy said that if it is still supported by apple, it may not be for much longer, so all help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Image Edited for Personal Information]

Posted on Sep 14, 2019 5:49 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Sep 14, 2019 5:59 AM in response to ChocScorpi001

You can upgrade to HighSierra 10.13.6.

Get macOS High Sierra.

As far as supported, High Sierra should be supported for about another year. But that only means that there will not be any more security updates, but you can still run it. At that point you may want to look for a browser that is still supported.

You can also install an SSD. Check out OWC for SSD, install kit and instructions:

https://www.macsales.com

Reply

Answer 2

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Sep 14, 2019 6:50 AM in response to ChocScorpi001

No one can know how long a 2009 Mac will last before some hardware breaks. If that happens the SSD is still salvageable and can be used with another Mac, either internally or externally. I'm working on a mid-2010 iMac 27" myself. I still have the original 7200 rpm spinner, If that breaks I'll probably get an SSD and use it as an external drive, but it will be slower then if installed internally.

I'd suggest upgrading to High Sierra and testing the software with the drive you have first. You can also try using the SSD an external drive and see how effective it is for your needs. For my needs it would be fine.

Reply

Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

136,361 points

Sep 14, 2019 5:55 AM in response to ChocScorpi001

You should be able to install High Sierra.

How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 4

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Sep 14, 2019 7:28 AM in response to ChocScorpi001

Note that the Mac mini came with a very slow 5400 rpm rotational drive while the 27" iMac has a 7200 rpm drive. That's why I suggest you test the software with the drive that's in it first.

Reply

Answer 5

Sep 14, 2019 6:36 AM in response to ChocScorpi001

Thank you dialabrain and Macjack, I guess now the question to Adobe is how often that they would update Premier Pro so it doesn't overtake High Sierra too soon...........

I am happy to spend the $350 for SSD and installation from the mac techs (with the 12mnth warranty) IF I can get atleast 12 months out of it, but if not then.......but even a new second hand is out of my budget at the moment and if I'm going to buy a new/second hand one then its going to be a much newer model such as 2017/2018 which again, even at used prices, still pretty pricey..............Still weighing up all options before I go ahead with the upgrade, such as another macbook pro OR another macmini (as I just realised that my current mid 2010 macbook pro that I'm on right now is obsolete (according to the law of mac...) as well as my mid 2010 mac mini and this 2009 Imac (as you can see from the specs above)- in terms of power- craps all over my 2010's..........

Reply

Answer 6

Sep 14, 2019 7:16 AM in response to ChocScorpi001

So my 2 mid 2010's- the Macmini and the Mac book pro, I can tell there difference there as the macmini only has the spinner and has had issues since I upgraded it to High Sierra from Sierra, whereas the Macbook pro had a SSD already in it and is still going strong, but for how much longer and I don't want to be puttting so much pressure on one comuter to play with and work with which is why I want to upgrade the imac to use as the editing workhorse (bigger better specs) and leave the macbook pro for funner things like surfing the net, streaming, etc

Reply

Imac 2009-is it worth a SSD upgrade

Similar questions