Apple says Big Sur is compatible down to IMAC mid 2014. My IMAC is late 2013. Can I try to load it? What will happen? Any idea why my model is not compatible? Its an Intel Mac and has added RAM and a fast processor.
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15
wego4 wrote:
Apple says Big Sur is compatible down to IMAC mid 2014. My IMAC is late 2013. Can I try to load it?
No because none of the macOS versions will install on an incompatible Mac System.
What will happen?
Nothing. You will just get a message and not be able to install the macOS.
Any idea why my model is not compatible? Its an Intel Mac and has added RAM and a fast processor.
Because the older Mac’s Hardware does not support the newer macOS.
Stop wasting your time, it won't work. A 2013 is too old for Big Sure, if you want or need to run Big Sur you need a new Mac.
I have a mid-2014 21.5" iMac...yes the really slow one (Dual Core 1.4GHz) and Big Sur installed with no problems. I like the Control Center, Notifications and Bluetooth integrations with my iPhone. Big Sur is also using less resources (CPU & Memory) than Catalina did according to Activity Monitor.
Things are working well, but I never doubted it wouldn't. I've never had a Mac fail an upgrade, and even this slowest of iMacs isn't disappointing.
Okay....got it. Do you have any info on when the updated IMac will be released? I am seeing rumors it could be before Christmas. I don't want to trade in my Current 2013 IMac and buy whats available now if a major updating is coming soon. I will just stay with my current IMAC and Catalina until then. A second question is when Apple determines a computer is "legacy" and no longer provides support? Thanks Rkaufman87!
Many thanks Dialabrain! I now understand Vintage vs Obsolete and what it means. My IMac is Late 2013 so its just a few months away from being declared vintage. One more question for you our the community. Will the trade-in value to zero when its declared vintage? Anyone have any experience with that?
M1? Is that the new Apple processor? I have read that Apple might put out the new IMAC version before Christmas....but you are reading 2021 sometime or 2022. My current IMac is working fine but I would like to trade it in and still get some value out of it as well as be able to upgrade to the latest hardware....and software. I do like to keep a machine for many years as long as I can get the latest OS updates. I will probably wait until my IMac dies or the updated future version is released. I do have full sync between my IMac and my 2019 MacBook Air so my data and settings are covered.....as well as having a Time Machine backup on my IMac. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!
You're welcome. You can get an idea of the current trade-in value here: Apple Trade In - Apple
As far as M1 iMacs, Apple just had a hardware event yesterday, announcing three new M1 Macs with no mention of new iMacs. It seems unlikely there would be one released before Christmas.
No, Apple has not released any dates on iMacs. They just refreshed them in August so it will likely be quite awhile if history is any gauge. They released the new MBP, MBA and MM's yesterday but because the new iMacs were just released no one knows when the next generation will come out but for sure it will be well after Christmas 2020, perhaps Chrismas 2021.
Legacy is usually 5-6 years after it has been released. While they are still functional, legacy means the parts will be difficult to find and depending on the computer may not be able to update versions of Mac OS.
If it is an older machine - vintage or not - you will not be offered much for it. You'd be better off selling it yourself - either locally or via an online buyer (reseller). I've sold several machines here - price offered and paid was more than fair:
Here is the information from Apple:
FWIW, it's likely an M1 powered iMac will be released in 2021 or 2022. So it depends on what you consider "soon".
Many thanks. I will probably hold out for a few months but then go with the most recent refresh.
John
Yikes! Will probably get the current updated model.....! Thanks !
If you are at all interested the specs I got were:
27" with
This thing is quick too!
My IMac is Late 2013. What happens if I try to load Big Sur? It is an intel IMac.
