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Hi all,
I have a iMac retina 4k, 21.5 inch 2019 running macOS Big Sur. I have had this device for less than a year and I am so disappointed with it. its slow start up - talking 3 -4 minutes at least, apps take longer than a minute to open, running more than 2 causes freezing etc...
EtreCheck report below, Hoping someone can give me an idea on how to fix this :)
You are correct, I totally missed the hard drive failing message and for that I apologize. If that is correct (it may be a false positive) the very first thing to do is backup the whole computer using Time Machine. I also noticed the report shows:
No Time Machine backup - Time Machine backup not found.
Professional apps are considered apps such as the Adobe suite, Microsoft Office etc..
If you do not know how to do this you will need an external HD to backup to. I'd recommend one of these:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-mercury-elite-pro . There are Australian resellers & distributors, to find one please click https://www.owcdigital.com/reseller/resellers. After that you can learn how to backup using Time Machine by clicking https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250.
After you have the computer backed up, please contact your local Apple Authorized Service Provider to have the computer professionally diagnosed. If the computer is covered by AppleCare or possibly the original warranty and the HD is failing there should not be any charge to you. I would replace it with an internal SSD at that point. If you take it to an Apple Store they will not upgrade to an SSD, they will only replace with original parts. However if you take it a third party AASP they will upgrade for you. If you don't know how to locate an AASP please click AASP Locator to get started.
Good luck.
You are correct, I totally missed the hard drive failing message and for that I apologize. If that is correct (it may be a false positive) the very first thing to do is backup the whole computer using Time Machine. I also noticed the report shows:
No Time Machine backup - Time Machine backup not found.
Professional apps are considered apps such as the Adobe suite, Microsoft Office etc..
If you do not know how to do this you will need an external HD to backup to. I'd recommend one of these:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-mercury-elite-pro . There are Australian resellers & distributors, to find one please click https://www.owcdigital.com/reseller/resellers. After that you can learn how to backup using Time Machine by clicking https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250.
After you have the computer backed up, please contact your local Apple Authorized Service Provider to have the computer professionally diagnosed. If the computer is covered by AppleCare or possibly the original warranty and the HD is failing there should not be any charge to you. I would replace it with an internal SSD at that point. If you take it to an Apple Store they will not upgrade to an SSD, they will only replace with original parts. However if you take it a third party AASP they will upgrade for you. If you don't know how to locate an AASP please click AASP Locator to get started.
Good luck.
It appears as if you bough the computer based on it's low price and not based on what your needs are. The entry level 21.5" iMacs (2012-2019) were designed to be used for surfing the net and e-mail and that was about it. They are limited by only having 8GB of RAM and a glacially slow 5400 RPM HD. However you are using professional grade applications on it.
In short there is nothing wrong with your machine, you simply have the wrong Mac. The ONLY thing that can be done to improve it's performance is to buy a USB 3 or even better a Thunderbolt 3 external SSD and then install Mac OS on it. Then use the internal HD for additional storage. The drive that I recommend is a https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-envoy-pro-ex-thunderbolt-3
Thanks for the judgement. It was in fact purchased based on what I could afford as a single mother, and the difference in price between models was a lot more here in Australia. I had read reviews, was looking at fusion drives, spoke with the inshore sales man and this was what I walked away with. I ONLY upgraded from my old Mac because I could not longer upgrade the OS - 8 years I had that and it never missed a beat.
Questions:
If there is nothing wrong with the machine what does it mean by 'hard drive failed' if there is nothing wrong with my machine? what causes that? professional apps?
What are the 'professional' apps that you can see I am using (Microsoft? Abode? Webex? Cricut design space)? ie what would you recommend I removed?
I am aware that this needs to be done at an Apple dealer, but would upgrading the memory help at all?
Thanks in advance for your help
amazing thank you so much!! I noted the time machine back up missing, I do have an external hard drive, it is a seagate 1tb so hopefully that will do the trick - for now.
I do have apple care, and I purchased this in August last year so ill contact apple as you suggested.
Thank you again.
Good to hear and good luck!
iMac running slow, apps crashing and freezing
