iMac (24-inch, Early 2009) running el capitan 10.11.6.... is there anyway to upgrade or must i buy a new imac?

I hate to be so blunt but as mentioned Technology moves very fast The alternatives are to accept that fact or to go back to pen and paper. This is not an Apple issue as all computer companies and software companies do the same thing. Considering you paid $2000 12 years ago that comes out to only $13.88 per month which is an excellent value. I know that probably make you feel any better however I hope it might reset your expectations.

Hawkspeed6 wrote:

Not sure that is true...I have an iMac from 2009 and it runs 10.13.1 High Sierra.

My issue is I cannot upgrade beyond that (to 10.14) which I need to be able to upgrade my MS Office suite which is stuck at version 16.43 and needs MacOS 10.14 to move to MS Office 16.44 and above.

There is more than one iMac model in 2009. My post above was in response to and also stated in the reply that it was about an early 2009 model: "An early 2009 iMac cannot be upgraded beyond 10.11.6."

A late 2009 model can be upgraded to 10.13.6 but not beyond that. See the following from Identify your iMac model - Apple Support

iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)

Model Identifier: iMac10,1

Part Number: MB952xx/A, MB953xx/A

Latest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

Tech Specs: iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)

User Guide: iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)

Model Identifier: iMac10,1

Part Number: MB950xx/A, MC413xx/A

Latest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6

Tech Specs: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)

User Guide: iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)

It's a matter of hardware compatibility. The hardware, specifically the GPU, on the 2009 iMac is not capable of running Metal which is standard in all systems now.

The 2009 iMac is considered by Apple to be obsolete. It no longer stocks parts or will work on them.

That sucks. I paid well over $2,000 for this iMac 27. It works fine. Does anyone know what specifically prevents the 2009 from getting the latest upgrades and why Apple would do such a thing. Makes me not want to go with Apple again.

I know. It's a matter of expectations. 8 years seems a bit short to me. My real question is, what is it technically that makes the 2009 obsolete of necessity? Or, is it a marketing ploy by Apple. In the meantime my 2009 suits all of my needs and if nothing else I'll use it in years to come as a quite good DVD player when I'm not listening to my 78's on the record player. Thanks

Not sure that is true...I have an iMac from 2009 and it runs 10.13.1 High Sierra.

My issue is I cannot upgrade beyond that (to 10.14) which I need to be able to upgrade my MS Office suite which is stuck at version 16.43 and needs MacOS 10.14 to move to MS Office 16.44 and above.

An early 2009 iMac cannot be upgraded beyond 10.11.6.

You have to remember that you paid $2,000 12 years ago. Technology moves fast, and that is now obsolete. A 2009 iMac hasn't received a macOS update in 4 years now.

-Jack

Thanks

Thank-you.

For the MS Office part I need to get to 10.14.x at the very least so it looks like a new iMac.

Cheers