Need recommendations for a new iMac for basic use

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...

iMac 21.5″

Posted on Aug 17, 2026 12:49 PM

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Allan Jones

Level 10

83,472 points

Posted on Aug 20, 2026 10:34 AM

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

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24 replies

Aug 17, 2026 2:19 PM in response to Phil0124

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?

Aug 17, 2026 2:36 PM in response to ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold

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?

When the very first Macs came out, there was a strong emphasis on making them easy to use, even for people who were not familiar with computers.

The original Mac came with a program where you used a computer mouse, to guide an onscreen drawing of a mouse through a maze to get some "cheese". This was to teach people how to use a mouse. Apple's Human Interface Guidelines were very focused on how the exact presentation of choices in a program might make it easier or harder to operate the controls correctly.

These days, the focus is on features, and "ease of use" is often interpreted as "having a way to link everything under the Sun to everything else". The Mac I have on my desk can trivially handle tasks that would absolutely choke (and be impossible to carry out on) the original 128K Mac. But as functionality has increased - and as features and their interactions have multiplied - things have become more complicated. Even on Macs.

Aug 17, 2026 2:45 PM in response to OldToad

Sounds good...Thank you for the specifics regarding certain models of computers. Most of what you talked about though... I have no clue as to what you're trying to tell me about the special features you mentioned. For me, it was like reading a foreign language. It's all lost on me. My apologies...

Aug 17, 2026 2:56 PM in response to Servant of Cats

"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.

Aug 17, 2026 3:32 PM in response to KiltedTim

How's about an example (or two) of "third party" software I might have that I need. What is "UI?" My current Mac is a 21.5" desktop, ten-plus years old. Updates are no longer available. Want to know how "inept" I am technologically? A two-year old knows more about this stuff then I do. And if Macs have evolved over the years as you say, that doesn't help me. I still do not know how to use the operating system(s). What I figured out here, how to use this site, was probably more by accident than on purpose. I've owned (2)Mac computers for about twenty plus years now..I still have many, many problems using a Mac that I do not understand. You're giving me way too much credit that I know anything about Macs because I can use this site. Nothing could be further from the truth. Remember, I don't know much about computer stuff. Almost everyone here talks about "storage."What is it I should know about storage? What is it that I'm supposed to know about storage? What is it I'm supposed to "store?"I store some stuff in "bookmarks," I have saved emails, and some photos. Is that "storage" stuff? I don't "back up" stuff because I don't know how to.

Aug 17, 2026 4:50 PM in response to ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

Almost everyone here talks about "storage."What is it I should know about storage? What is it that I'm supposed to know about storage? What is it I'm supposed to "store?"

Anything that you do not want to disappear permanently when you turn power off. That includes:

The operating system,
Applications,
Email,
Photos and videos,
Word processing documents, spreadsheet documents, and presentation documents,
Music, movies, and TV shows imported from CDs, downloaded from the iTunes Store, etc.,
Temporary files the computer needs to function correctly, and yes, even
Bookmarks

RAM is faster than storage, and the computer has to bring stuff into RAM to work with it. But when power goes off, everything in RAM gets trashed, like the Wicked Witch melting into a puddle after water is thrown on her.

I store some stuff in "bookmarks," I have saved emails, and some photos. Is that "storage" stuff? I don't "back up" stuff because I don't know how to.

Learn.

There is a saying that goes "All storage devices fail. it is not a matter of if, but of when." Another saying is that "Backups must be made before catastrophe happens. Afterwards is too late."

Aug 20, 2026 1:26 PM in response to ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold

ExplainitomelikeIm2yrsold wrote:

How's about an example (or two) of "third party" software I might have that I need.

Microsoft Word /. Microsoft Office would be a third party software most people have and need. If you are writing letters or other documents it's likely that is what you are using. Unless of course you use Apple's Pages, or just write directly into an E-mail.

What is "UI?"

UI stands for User Interface. Basically what you interact with when you use the computer. The windows,. the menus, the buttons, the icons. It is all the User Interface or UI.

My current Mac is a 21.5" desktop, ten-plus years old. Updates are no longer available. Want to know how "inept" I am technologically? A two-year old knows more about this stuff than I do. And if Macs have evolved over the years as you say, that doesn't help me. I still do not know how to use the operating system(s).

Clearly you know something, as you use your current iMac, to do the things you do normally with it. You must know at least something.

Almost everyone here talks about "storage."What is it I should know about storage? What is it that I'm supposed to know about storage?

Storage is as it name implies the place where you store things. What you store can vary. But if you write documents or letters, then you store those. If you do research as you mentioned then if you take any notes in an app then you store those notes. Anything you write or create on the Mac you store and requires storage.

What is it I'm supposed to "store?"I store some stuff in "bookmarks," I have saved emails, and some photos. Is that "storage" stuff?

Yes, that is storage. All those things take up room, that room you need to save those things is referred to as storage. Or the hard drive space your computer has.