Need recommendations for a new iMac for basic use

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.

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:

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?

Any current Mac will work pretty similarly and be as easy to navigate as your current iMac.

Base function and navigation has not really changed.