Why does my iMac not work as well as my MacBook?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Why does my iMac not work as well as my MacBook?

I have 2 MAC computers from 2015, one is a 13in MacBook Air (1.6 GHz intel i5) 8GB memory 121GB storage running high sierra, and the other is a 21.5in iMac retina 4k (3.1 GHz intel i5) 8GB memory 1TB storage running Monterey. Ok so the MacBook runs like a dream despite having hundreds of useless files and programs/applications as well as the older OS and 1.6GHz processor. The iMac is pretty rigid and slow (regularly features the circle of death, something I’ve literally never seen on the MacBook) and again this is with the better processor and newer OS. So what am I missing here? I want to start using the iMac more as my main computer for the improved graphics and better processor but comparing the actual speeds next to each other is giving me second thoughts! I’ve seen that replacing the iMac HDD with an SSD can significantly improve speed and I’m totally interested. But is that really the only reason the MacBook works so well? Literally just the storage type? If I replace the iMac storage will it perform as well as or better than its counterpart?

Earlier Mac models

Posted on May 6, 2023 10:06 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

May 6, 2023 11:26 PM in response to 1717James

We need to see what all is running, a report from this will not display any personal info...

EtreCheck is a FREE simple little diagnostic tool to display the important details of your system configuration and allow you to copy that information to the Clipboard. It is meant to be used with Apple Support Communities to help people help you with your Mac. It will not display any personal info.

https://www.etrecheck.com/

Pastebin is a good place to paste the whole report if you capture the URL while there…

Workable but harder for me to work with...the Note tool on the bottom of this editor's toolbar, as shown in the image, to copy and paste the output from EtreCheck. In a Reply before you click post, look for this to add longer texts...

Reply

Answer 2

Jack-19

Level 8

46,266 points

May 6, 2023 10:35 PM in response to 1717James

Hi there!

Yes, your USB 3-equipped Mac with a hard disk can have improved system performance by connecting to an external solid-state drive (also known as an SSD).

An external SSD as your startup disk can give your Mac additional performance for system responsiveness, apps, startup, and more. An SSD will make your Mac 10 to 40 times faster for storage, and in turn, make your entire Mac faster and more capable.

To learn more, see Use an external SSD as your startup disk with your iMac or Mac mini - Apple Community.

Jack

Reply

Answer 3

Ronasara

Level 6

15,531 points

May 7, 2023 9:34 AM in response to 1717James

One additional comment. Bothe computers have only 8GB of RAM , which is minimal. The iMac is running the Monterey OS which is use more RAM intensive than High Sierra is. Other differences may also contribute to the difference. You might add RAM to the iMac, but you should know that it isn't user doable and having it done can be expensive.

Reply

Why does my iMac not work as well as my MacBook?

Similar questions