new desktop

To help us help you, I'd offer the following questions:

• Do you want another desktop Mac or a laptop?
• How much internal storage do you need?
• What apps will you be running? (Asking because some apps, like video editors, require more "horsepower" than others)
• What devices do you have cable connections to your present iMac?
• Might be helpful to post a screenshot of the About This Mac window on your current Mac (but please black out the serial number, as that should remain private)
• Rkaufmann87's suggestion to go to the Apple Store is a good one, if a store is within a reasonable distance from you.

I would also add...please do the new owner a big favor and prepare your old Mac properly once you get your new one: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

Based on your stated needs, I would buy a base model Mac mini with a 512-1TB SSD and 16GB of RAM. This will require that you also buy an external display, there are hundreds available in many sizes and resolutions. I would take a look at the 27" Odyssey G51C QHD 165Hz 1ms HDR10 Gaming Monitor which Samsung currently has on sale for $249.

For about $1250-1500 you have a complete solution (you can use the keyboard and mouse from your current machine) that far out-performs your current computer.

To migrate from the current machine simply follow the instructions below:

When you buy a new Mac the easiest, quickest and most reliable method to migrate from the old Mac to the new Mac is to simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. You will likely need a USB A to USB C adapter, you can find them on Amazon for $10 or less. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes  and follow the on-screen prompts and it's done! It is THAT simple.

If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts. 

The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into.

Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps), data files & settings. They do not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated. As long as you kept the security keys for installing their apps, it is not an issue. 

Finally, never EVER use Wi-Fi when doing Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant. Why, it simply fails in most cases. Please read and follow the directions in Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant. If you do not have a Time Machine backup of the older Mac then create one! If you are not aware of Time Machine, please read Back up your Mac with Time Machine and finally if you need an External Hard Disk to use as a Time Machine External Hard Disk then many experience users on these forums prefer the OWC Mercury Elite Pro due to it's reasonable price, high level of quality and ease of use. 

With no idea of what your needs are making any recommendation would be irresponsible. The only thing I can recommend at this point is to go to an Apple Store if one is in your general area and they can help make a recommendation after talking to you.

oh my, thank you! i am not much of a computer user beyond using it as my tv, email and storing art images. i just know i need to replace what i currently have and ideally with something (upgraded) but similar. and i think it was you who posted what to make sure to do before making the switch. very helpful. thank you!

I would also suggest looking at the 15" MacBook Air M3, which will be shipping starting this Friday. I went from a 27" iMac to the MacBook form factor back in 2016, and wish I'd done it sooner. I'd suggest the 16GB RAM model with at least 512GB internal storage...more internal storage if you want to store all your photos on it rather than an external drive. The list price on this would be $1699, less whatever the trade in value of your current iMac would be. (There are also veterans and education discounts available as well in the event you're eligible for either).

Just my $0.02 worth if you're considering moving to a laptop.

You're welcome! Enjoy your new Mac once you get it set up.