Best way to access 32-bit supporting Hardware/Software after iMac Upgrade

Question

Level 1

47 points

Best way to access 32-bit supporting Hardware/Software after iMac Upgrade

If I do not want to use Parallels, VMware Fusion or similar virtualization software, what are my best options for accessing 32-bit apps in 2023? Ideas include booting on an as-needed basis into a clone of my older iMac/macOS on an external drive connected to my 2020 27" Intel iMac (already turned off the T2 security chip) OR some form of "lossless" screen sharing/network access between the older iMac (10,1) and the newer iMac.

I managed to get screen sharing up and running and it's about 70% there — but for the fact that photos edited in Photoshop look softer than I would like even at the best resolution offered under the screen sharing menu. (Additionally, I can't figure out how to share the audio from my older iMac — where my iTunes libraries still live! — to the newer one.)

For those who are asking why I'm asking: Prior to purchasing the 2020 iMac, I ran a partitioned drive with 10.6.8, primarily for use with Adobe CS6. For years, I also used a second partition (10.11.6) for web access and similar. However, there are no browsers supported under El Capitan anymore, thus when I purchased the 2020 iMac (new) my plan was to create a similar setup where I would run the older software in High Sierra or Mojave and then update a second partition to the most current version of macOS.

I take it that under no circumstances can the 2020 iMac be downgraded to Mojave (shipped with Catalina). Upon this realization I very nearly returned the 2020 iMac back to the vendor, thinking that I would be better off buying an old MacMini and a new MacMini and just switching between the two when connected to an Apple Studio Display (or similar). However, then I got hung up on the idea that any Mac mini old enough to run the likes of CS6 won't have a graphics card capable of properly driving a Retina/5K display. (Perhaps a third-party display would be backwards compatible and also suitable for use with photo editing and the like — but I wouldn't know where to start as I haven't bought a stand-alone display in over 20 years.)

Out of all the options — and ones that I may have missed* — what is the best solution?

Excluding any suggestions that require a subscription/Cloud storage.

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Aug 7, 2023 12:47 AM

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Answer 1

padams35

Level 4

3,639 points

Aug 7, 2023 6:31 AM in response to NewsView

Only option you haven't considered is to keep running your old iMac side by side with your new. Maybe get yourself a mouse/keyboard USB switcher to help keep the desk decluttered. That solves resolution issues with remote login.

The external drive idea only works if your new computer is old enough to run Mojave. Ie: early 2019 and older. A 2020 5K iMac is too new.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

137,899 points

Aug 7, 2023 4:59 AM in response to NewsView

As Yer_Man already noted, if you want to use Photoshop your only option is to purchase the new version. Alternatively, you can use alternative apps such as Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023, Affinity Photo 2, Pixelmator Pro, Acorn…, etc.

GIMP or Krita are the closest to Photoshop freeware apps you'll find.

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Answer 3

Yer_Man

Level 10

166,586 points

Aug 7, 2023 2:24 AM in response to NewsView

Lots of software out there, all sorts of licences from Open Source to paid and subscription. But up-to-date software is the best solution. apart from the latest features you get the latest security and it's a whole lot less complex than the game of trying to run virtual machines with out of date OSes and so on.

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Answer 4

Yer_Man

Level 10

166,586 points

Aug 7, 2023 5:47 AM in response to dialabrain

Affinity is imho the best alternative to Photoshop. That said, I don't know that subscription are that scary really. For what you paid for Photoshop 6 you'd have an always up-to-date Photoshop, and always up-to-date Lightroom as well as various extras like facilities for making websites and so on, for something in excess of 4 years... and none of the contortions you have had to use to maintain a 10 year old version. At least that's how I see the value proposition.

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Answer 5

NewsView Author

Level 1

47 points

Aug 7, 2023 1:28 PM in response to dialabrain

Using existing software is easy because there is no learning curve and because it fits my use, primarily for personal/nonprofit use. (Not to get off topic but the subscribe-only/rent-only business model may be the future of everything else too — clothing, appliances, you name it… Supposedly this will be better for climate change, although not sure how.) In any case, thanks for naming the alternatives that still offer a perpetual license option. (Never heard of Krita or GIMP.) I'll check into those. :-)

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Answer 6

NewsView Author

Level 1

47 points

Aug 7, 2023 1:51 PM in response to padams35

Appreciate the clarification on booting from an external disk when connected to a 2019 and earlier vs. the 2020 iMac. Initially I thought it was just a matter of disabling the T2 chip but when I put High Sierra on an external drive I didn't have any success booting and now I know why.

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