You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

User profile for user: peakachu
peakachu Author
User level: Level 1
18 points

Upgrade from 2013 iMac

I am looking to buy a new iMac, as my 27” 2013 is being left behind, so I’m looking for recommendations. This is the absolute best place I know of for expert advice, so here goes.


I don’t do anything fancy or use my computer for work so I don’t think I need the biggest and most expensive, but I don’t want the most basic, lowest end, either. This is likely the last computer I will ever buy, and I want to be able to stay current. I realize there are upgrades in the latest models. Are the upgrades and year difference worth the price of a 2024 over 2023?


Another concern is the ports are different so apparently I would need a hub for my peripherals on the 2024’s. Most likely on the 2023’s, too, I haven’t looked much at those yet. Any suggestions?


Is it possible to back up a few operating systems on my old Mac so my old apps would run again? It has an almost new solid state drive so should keep going for quite a while. I also have an external backup hard drive.


I think that’s it for now. Thank you for your input and your patience if I don’t see your replies right away.




iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 8, 2024 7:55 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
82,366 points

Posted on Nov 8, 2024 8:02 AM

Go to > Mac - Which Mac is best for me? - Apple and enter your basic usage and requirement info.

It's not perfect, but it should help narrow down which Mac model is best for you.

View in context
10 replies
User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
210,527 points

Nov 8, 2024 1:49 PM in response to peakachu

Since Apple doesn't offer a 27" iMac any more your best bet would be a middle Mac Mini M4 with a 27" monitor w/speakers.


I've been looking at the midline Mini with 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB storage ($999) and a 32" LG monitor (~$349 @ Amazon). That's over $500 less than a comparably configured 24" iMac. A 27" 4k monitor w/speakers would be even less - up to an additional $250 less depending on the brand you get.


You can use the keyboard and mouse from your current image and it will run rings around your the 2013 iMac.


Reply
User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
152,163 points

Nov 8, 2024 4:44 PM in response to peakachu

FWIW, I have been an Apple customer for quite some time ... actually since the Apple IIc. Yikes, carbon dating myself now. ;)


When it comes to desktop models, I have gone with the Mac minis since the 2006 models, and have paired them with 3rd-party displays ... those ranging from Dell to LG. I like having the option of choosing my own displays, and have yet to regret going with the minis. My current one is a 2013 M2 Pro and it is amazing. They pretty much handle anything I can throw at them ... from simple web browsing to audio/video editing.


The latest M4 minis are even smaller. They look like a smaller version of the Mac Studio models and remind me of those early minis I had.

Reply
User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
210,527 points

Nov 8, 2024 4:43 PM in response to peakachu

peakachu wrote:

Is a mini the way to go? At this point I really appreciate simple and have iMac'd since 1999 or thereabouts.

I think it is as I need a larger screen so I can reduce the resolution and get the text larger. I'm losing my sight and need larger text. And you can get it with monitor for much less than a 24" iMac.

Reply
User profile for user: peakachu
peakachu Author
User level: Level 1
18 points

Nov 8, 2024 4:26 PM in response to Old Toad

I really don’t need 27”, and in fact was not expecting to buy one until I saw it next to the 24” in the store, and fell in love. It was overkill, to be honest, but I do love it, but 24” would be fine.

Is a mini the way to go? At this point I really appreciate simple and have iMac'd since 1999 or thereabouts.

Reply

Upgrade from 2013 iMac

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up