Need recommendations for a new iMac for basic use

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

Hi... as many of you may know, I'm pretty much technologically inept. My current desktop is old and very slow these days especially when comes to certain things like email. Software updates are no longer available... for about the past two years now. Anyway, I would like to purchase a new computer...and haven't a clue as to what model Apple/iMac computer to purchase that will serve my needs. What are my needs? Email, on line shopping, research, typing letters, visiting different websites....basic stuff. AND...it needs to be EASY to operate... no Ph.d in Computer Science required...

You said you want an iMac for basic use. All the new iMacs that Apple offers are the same size and work the same nowadays from the user point of view. The only real decision is what color you want.

Take the standard configuration that Apple offers but change these items:

• Look at the colors in the Apple Store and pick one.
• Change M4 iMac with two Thunderbolt ports to M4 iMac with four Thunderbolt ports
• Change "storage" from 256 Gb to 512 GB, which is ten times more space than you say you are using today.

That's it. Choose your color and make those two minor upgrades over the standard minimum configuration.

I looked at this setup and it says I can pick it up TODAY in the Apple Store, 3 miles from me, in my city of residence. Or they will deliver it to my home by Friday.

By the way, my wife is like you, no tech talk, she just wants to push a button or click on something and have it do what she wants. Her iMac is a 2022 model, it's what she mostly uses, but she sometimes uses a newer Mac (2025) as well as an iMac from 2015 and even a MacBook Air from 2013. She finds they all basically work the same, as long as she has a display to view things, and a keyboard and mouse. She doesn't need or want to know about anything else, although she does complain if the printer ink gets low or the internet goes out. Despite covering more than 13 years in model years. To her they all work the same.

Hello again! "Tech-challenged" sounds better than "inept." 😉

Current iMacs come in two basic models. The lower-cost model has two USB ports for expansion; the other model has four ports Even for simple things like connecting a printer or backup drive, two ports can be limiting. Two ports could end up with your having to manage hubs for expansion, and that adds complexity I doubt you seek.

Is your current iMac's network connection wired or wireless?

RAM v. Storage:

We bought Mrs AJ a new 4-port M4 iMac last year to replace her geriatric 2011 21.5-inch iMac. Wife's uses of her shiny new iMac are similar to yours — on-line banking; email; some MS Word and less Excel. She checks product reviews using Safari. As you say, basic.

My opinions on storage v. RAM are based on our family's experiences plus posts from these forums:

— We see few users complaining here about "running out of RAM."

— We see hundreds or more complaints about "running out of storage."

Many of those people reporting are "basic users". As neither RAM or storage can by upgraded after the computer starts down the assembly line, it behooves us to buy today what we may need in 2-3 years.

Do not get any Mac with a 256GB drive. Those are the ones most commonly running out of storage space. Nothing less than 500/512GB storage seems appropriate for today's OS versions. If costs forces an "either/or" showdown between more RAM or more storage, the many sad "filled my storage" stories here have me voting to up-order storage.

For Mrs AJ's new iMac we upped the size of the storage but left the RAM at its current base amount of 16GB. Runs great for her needs and never shows as starved for RAM.

iMac v. Mini? Tough call. The Mini was touted in 2005 as the Mac for Switchers who already had a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I read the Mini forums here and see quite a few questions about buying and setting up the required external monitor. The iMac does not require that added scoop of set-up complexity. Ours was up and running in no time.

We'll help any way we can, except for making your decision. Cheers! 🍺

Allan

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

"Ease is in the eye of the beholder." You're right. That ain't me. That's why I'm here, asking questions...

You haven’t particularly mastered Mac in twenty-plus years, per your comments in this thread.

Ask yourself if that’s going to change, too.

Want simple, from Apple? That’s iPad.

Maybe with (free) Pages. Maybe with a keyboard, if you’re doing lots of input.

Absent as-yet unstated requirements, an iPad not with Microsoft 365 Office. Though that’s available. That app suite won’t clear underneath the eponymous two-year-old requirements. Pages can read and write most Office documents too, if accessing Office files does become necessary.

Visit an Apple Store. Chat with the Apple store staff. Try an iPad.

iMac 24" is the closest analog to an iMac 21.5" model.

Info: iMac - Apple

Apple can have refurbished models available for sale as well. These Apple refurbs come with a full Apple warranty.

As compared with the existing iMac 21.5" model, any current or recent iMac will be substantially more capable.

The usual hardware configuration to pick would be equal or more memory than current iM 21.5" and with 16 GB minimally, and equal or more storage than the iMac 21.5"

iMac 21.5" hardware configuration details are available in the  > About This Mac information.

Simpler than a Mac will be an iPad, though how well that might work here depends on your required apps and the app availability. Mail and web browsing and other tasks will all work fine on an iPad.

If there's a local Apple Store, asking for their assistance is probably the best approach, and you can see before you buy.

I wouldn't suggest buying a refurb from anywhere other than Apple, and would only buy a new Mac from Apple or an authorized reseller.

There's currently only one model of iMac, the 24" iMac.

If you want an all in one device with a screen built in like the 21.5" iMac in your device line, then that is the only option.

You can of course add ram and hard drive space to it to fit your needs and future proof it.

I would say add at least 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

click here ➜ Buy iMac, 24-inch, M4 Chip, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, Blue, Stand, 24GB memory, 512GB storage - Apple

You can always keep an external drive to move files off of the iMac when they are no longer needed daily or for archival purposes.

Alternatively you can get an inexpensive Mac mini and add an external display, keyboard and mouse if you want. They could even be the ones you use with your current computer.

click here ➜ Buy Mac mini, M4 Chip, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24GB memory, 512GB storage - Apple

Either of those models can and will serve you well for your specified needs for many years to come.

What are my needs? Email, on line shopping, research, typing letters, visiting different websites....basic stuff. AND...it needs to be EASY to operate... no Ph.d in Computer Science required...

There is only one answer to that question and MrHoffman nailed it: iPad.

I see two year olds using iPads all the time. Perhaps younger than that.

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

Thank you Mr. Hoffman for your reply. Seems you forgot the most important part of my question. What model specifically is the EASIEST to use and understand? Do you have any idea if the newer models of computers are any easier to use/navigate?

The whole answer was that.

Among the Apple products, that would be the iMac as was stated, or the iPad as was stated.

Two options: one the sole modern analog of the iMac 21.5", the other a different, simpler, and touch-based computer.

Visit an Apple Store if that's feasible, and review the options currently available from Apple.

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

Thank you for your helpful reply. What is "future proof" a model of computer that you suggested?

"Future Proof". Just means having a computer that will continue to work in the future and not require a replacement too soon which is why I suggested 24GB of RAM and 512 of Storage since neither of those can be upgraded after purchase.

AND... I do really, really basic stuff on a computer... mostly because I don't really know how to do much else. I'm often finding stuff hidden in the bowels of my current computer by accident...and I don't know what it means or how to utilize any of it, or how it got there. Do, or why would I need "extra" storage capacity? Besides, if I stored/saved anything...(a) It was more likely done by accident then on purpose, and (b) Nine times out of ten, I probably wouldn't know how to retrieve it. I don't "back up" anything because I don't know how to. I feel so incredibly technologically inept...all the time. Want to know why? Because I always feel like I need a Ph.D in Computer Science to operate this thing. I'm still waiting for the simplicity...that seems unlikely to ever come along in my lifetime.

You must store something. Like any documents you compose, letters you write, any research you make and you save notes on. or other info, or photos to save. These all take up space on your computer. If you have too little, it can run out. Better to have more and not needed it than have less and fill it up. Also, the operating system updates any apps you may install will also take up space.

Since your usage is so basic, 512GB is more than enough.

So your telling me the newer computers aren't any easier to use than the old ones...correct? By no means do I think computers are easy to use/navigate. They have their own protocol... which is NOT a system based in a "common sense" logic. I'm a common sense kind of guy. What do you think...is that because common sense isn't all that common?

Ease is in the eye of the beholder. Macs have historically been the easiest to use and this remains true today. What I'm saying is, if you already know how to navigate your current iMac, you should have no issues navigating a new one. While some things may have changed, most have remained the same, and in most cases any changes have usually made it easier to do things, not made it harder.

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

Thank you for your helpful reply. What is "future proof" a model of computer that you suggested?

iMac with memory and storage sufficient for current use and a reasonable increase to account for increased macOS and app and personal storage usage over the life of the Mac.

AND... I do really, really basic stuff on a computer... mostly because I don't really know how to do much else. I'm often finding stuff hidden in the bowels of my current computer by accident...and I don't know what it means or how to utilize any of it, or how it got there. Do, or why would I need "extra" storage capacity?

The path of configuring less memory or less storage than your current iMac 21.5" hardware provides will diverge toward added complexity and added difficulties.

Besides, if I stored/saved anything...(a) It was more likely done by accident then on purpose, and (b) Nine times out of ten, I probably wouldn't know how to retrieve it. I don't "back up" anything because I don't know how to.

Backups are the only way to mark data as being valuable.

Mac can back up to local storage, while an iPad can back up to iCloud, assuming sufficient iCloud storage is rented from Apple.

I feel so incredibly technologically inept...all the time. Want to know why? Because I always feel like I need a Ph.D in Computer Science to operate this thing. I'm still waiting for the simplicity...that seems unlikely to ever come along in my lifetime.

Without intending offense, deciding to feel "technologically inept" is just as much your decision as was picking "ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold" as your nick.

Approximately nobody understands all of the parts and the operation of a modern computer, either. Not at an arbitrary level of detail. I sure don't. That totality of understanding was last mostly-feasible probably forty years back.

Nowadays, computers are themselves akin to networks of gear all operating within the box, and that's all before we get to networks outside the box.

Put differently, everybody is differently adept and inept in different areas, depending on their needs and interests.

As for your original question, an iMac 24" with equal or more memory and 16 GB minimally, and with equal or more storage, or maybe an iPad if your usage fits that and your particular needed apps are available.

Again, visit the local Apple Store and ask them for assistance.

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

"But as functionality has increased- " This makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. I have no problem in making computers able to do more stuff, but how's about including some simplicity while they're at it. "More complicated" is really the wrong the approach. Simplicity should be paramount.

iPad.

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

Thank you steve626 for that important information. And thank you for making it straight forward...in language I can understand! There were some other folks that chimed in on this subject, but in some cases, I needed a Ph.D. in Computer Science to understand what they were trying to explain to me.

Some people here do have PhDs (I even have one, but in physics, not computer science) and they are more used to speaking with their peers. My wife and my daughter have "trained" me over the years to make things easier for them.

So does the M4 come with a new Monitor and a new Mouse? If not, can I use the ones I have now? Will I have to purchase a new Monitor and new Mouse?

The M4 iMac (you indicated you wanted "a new iMac for basic use") comes with the screen built in to the computer (all in one design) in one piece, and it comes with a new mouse and a new keyboard. Once, we got a new iMac for my wife but she liked her old keyboard better so she kept using it for a while, the new and old mouse and keyboard are basically interchangeable. So when you buy the new iMac you get everything you will need to operate the computer.

How difficult is to get all the stuff from my old computer to a new one? I think I've heard or read that that task is simple...no Ph.D. in Computer Science required. What if anything, do you know, or can share about making that transition?

I have done transfers from the old to the new Mac maybe two dozen times over the years. For me it is very easy. I know my wife would not undertake it herself. But most people do it themselves.

Apple will help you with the transfer. Most Apple Stores even have free classes for basic things like that. But an Apple employee (or an employee at an Apple Authorized Service Provider) can even do it for you, there would likely be a small fee for that service. It might make your life easier if you are anxious about it.

The best way to do the transfer, in my view, is to first make a Time Machine backup of the old Mac. For that you need an external drive, which Apple or any number of other sellers can sell you. You connect the external drive and tell your Mac to use it for a Time Machine backup:

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

After the Time Machine backup of the old Mac is done, then power on the new Mac for the first time (don't power it up before this). And follow these instructions:

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

You would pick the option for transferring via a Time Machine backup drive.

When done this way, the new Mac will have your accounts, files, and will be set up much like your old one was.

Since your old Mac is more than 10 years old, I would select the option to transfer over only accounts and files and settings, but not applications. I would install fresh all applications.

All the above is easy for me, but my wife would never be able to do those steps, simple as they are. She is a lawyer and is used to the "IT guy" at work doing all such tasks for her. At home I am the "IT guy."

As I said, people at the store can do all the above for you (you will likely pay a small fee for their time, which is fair enough, I think). When they are done you can get on the new Mac and mention anything that seems not like it was on the old Mac and they will address that for you right there.

Tell your wife she's my hero...good to know great minds think alike...

I was trained in this regard by my wife and by my daughter. My wife is not shy about being demanding or ordering me around. The daughter runs a successful photography business now, and I just set up her new MacBook Pro (including transfer of files and installations) for her to use with that (her old one was 7 years old). She does very complex things and is a wizard with cameras, lenses, aperture and light calculations, drones, videos, etc. but she prefers that I (or her husband who has a cybersecurity Masters degree) set up her computer stuff for her.

Both of them insist that the new Mac look and work just like the old one. Which I have found not hard to do following the links above.

Here's my recommendation: a 10 Core Mac Mini M4 with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD ($1299 US) with a 32" LG 4k monitor with speakers (~$318 US) from Amazon.com)  is $1617 US which is $582 less than a similarly configured new 24" iMac ($2199 US).  Keep your keyboard and mouse from your current Mac for use with the Mini. 

I got the above Mini with a 32" LG 4K monitor w/speakers for the same price as a 27" monitor (didn't know the Mini had a speaker).  There are many monitors available in 27" size for about $100 US to $500 US depending on what features you want.  I love the extra monitor real estate.

I had an 2017 i7 iMac with an SSD boot drive and the new Mini runs circles around it.  So much faster.  

You can use the keyboard and mouse from your current iMac. Don't recycle them with the iMac if you recycle.

Just some food for thought.

If you want a desktop Mac for those purposes, I would suggest either

• A 24" M4 iMac, or
• A system based on a Mac mini with a plain M4 chip. You would get the Mac mini, and add a monitor, keyboard, and mouse of your choice. (Depending on your needs and what features the monitor has, you might also add a separate Webcam, a separate microphone, and/or powered stereo computer speakers.)

The advantage of the iMac is that it has a very nice 24" 4.5K Retina screen. The quality of that screen is difficult to match if you go the "separates" route, unless you want to spend a lot of money.

The advantage of the Mac mini is that you can pick a large monitor for your main monitor, and when it comes time to replace the computer, you will probably be able to take that monitor with you to your next computer. The nice built-in screen on the iMac is dedicated to that computer, and can't be used as a hardware monitor for another computer.

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

So your telling me the newer computers aren't any easier to use than the old ones...correct? By no means do I think computers are easy to use/navigate. They have their own protocol... which is NOT a system based in a "common sense" logic. I'm a common sense kind of guy. What do you think...is that because common sense isn't all that common?

A Mac is a Mac. They all operate essentially the same.

We have no idea what your current computer is. Windows PC, Mac, Linux...

Macs have evolved over the years. New features have been added. The UI has been tweaked, but when it gets right down to it, if you have a10 year old Mac, running a 10 year old version of macOS, you will instantly recognize the key UI elements of the current version of macOS and should be up and running in no time.

We do NOT know you. We do not know how "technologically inept" you are.

You managed to find this forum and post a question here, so you shouldn't have too much problem figuring out a Mac.

Anything in the current lineup should suit your needs just fine. It's just a matter of picking the price point and form factor that works best for you. The only real consideration is how much local storage it has. We have no idea how much data you have that you'll have to carry over and how much you'll generate in the future.

One thing to keep in mind with any new Mac... Depending on what kind of machine you have now and how old it is, you will probably have to replace any 3rd party software you might have that you need.

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

So does the M4 come with a new Monitor and a new Mouse?

The 24" M4 iMac has a built-in monitor, and comes with a keyboard and a mouse. The monitor is very nice for its size, but you cannot use it as a monitor for another computer.

When you order an iMac on Apple's site, you'll see that there are two versions of the keyboard – one without a numeric keypad, and one that has one. There's also an option to get the iMac with a trackpad instead of a mouse. (I'd take the mouse – easier to use and cheaper.)

iMac - Apple

The Mac mini – which now comes with M6 and M5 Pro processors – does not include a monitor, a keyboard, or a mouse. You must add your own. (If you have an old iMac, you can probably reuse the keyboard and the mouse – but not the old iMac's screen.). Mac minis will work with most third-party monitors - and so you are not limited to the nice (but very expensive) Apple ones.

Mac mini - Apple