Imac 10.15.7 too slow and beachballing

Hi rhona129,

This iMac contains a really slow 5400rpm hard drive. This is the cause for all your issues. Please return it if you are still within the window and get an iMac with an SSD. If not, to get better speeds you will need to run macOS through an external USB SSD to the iMac.

Let me know your situation.

Cheers,

Jack

Well, that iMac model is just slow, due only to the slow hard drive. You are also out of the return policy, so the best way to speed up the Mac is get the USB SSD.

I recommend the: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLRB2VC/A/g-technology-1tb-g-drive-mobile-ssd-r-series-storage?fnode=c706a96b9e64d4d3b9921fa44124ef6f1db714399c3da30f86e1c6d292225518213aa60a903f56c8c355e7e5b138f6fb9d43b5749c1f85c98071834affbf5293b5e594ac646861eca3ab5984392cb1c1c3d291e08d6f9326423b79627c5846c0. It comes in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB sizes.

You will also need this cable if you choose that drive: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/belkin-3-3-usb-type-c-to-usb-type-c-cable-works-with-chromebook-black/6288069.p?skuId=6288069.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers,

Jack

ONLY take it to an Apple Store or AASP for service. - Mac Repair - Official Apple Support

Do not take it there!!!

Also, of course you can do whatever you want, but as me, Old Toad, and Allan Jones have said, you need the external SSD for improved speeds. Nothing else will do it. The drives are just slower.

Cheers,

Jack

Is the machine running slower than when you first got it or is it just not meeting your expectations?

Unfortunately you've ordered the slowest Mac offered at the time of purchase, 8 GB RAM and a 5400 rpm hard drive.

Jack-19's suggestion of an external SSD to boot and from from is you best alternative.

iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)

iMac Model: iMac18,1

2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 (i5-7360U) CPU: 2-core

You also ended up with the education model with only a dual-core processor which has much lower performance scores compared to the slowest version of the next model up.

Benchmarks from the MacTracker database (free in the Mac App Store):

For 18% more money up front you would have seen a 46 percent increase in benchmark performance.

It is a common issue.

I do not know if you are within the return window. Where did you buy it? When did you buy it?

Cheers,

Jack