New System: slow... need advice

Question

Jldejong Author

Level 1

21 points

New System: slow... need advice

I just bought this:

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: iMac

Model Identifier: iMac13,2

Processor Name: Intel Core i5

Processor Speed: 2.9 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 4

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 6 MB

Memory: 8 GB

Boot ROM Version: IM131.010A.B05

SMC Version (system): 2.11f14

Serial Number (system): C02******NCV

Hardware UUID: B9A3880E-5BAE-5336-9773-860BBE26C2AE

Plus, it says my system is OS X Version 10.8.2. Oddly enought, I cannot find that in any of the support .... What kind of system is it? Mountain Lion and the other OS systems do not have this version, but neither do the iMacs!!

It seems very slow. I think maybe I should return it to the apple store, and get one that's customized with a faster Processor, because it is very slow with iphoto. Any advice?

thanks,

Judy

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), Not sure if this is mountain lion

Posted on Feb 24, 2013 12:35 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 24, 2013 12:37 PM in response to Jldejong

How much free space do you have on your system disk?

Allan

Reply

Answer 2

Jldejong Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 24, 2013 12:38 PM in response to Allan Eckert

How do I tell? I've always had PC's...

Reply

Answer 3

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Feb 24, 2013 1:00 PM in response to Jldejong

If you JUST Bought it the drive could not be full. So don't bother checking that. But if you want to open Finder and highlight Macintosh HD and Right Click and select Get Info. A window will pop up and have the Total (Capacity), Available and Used numbers.

I would take it back and get another. If new one you get is as slow as the one you now have take that one back and get a refund. Then buy something else.

Reply

Answer 4

MichelPM

Level 10

80,968 points

Feb 24, 2013 1:18 PM in response to Jldejong

It shouldn't be slow by no means.

It's an i5 CPU, you have 8 GBs of RAM. Should be enough to run OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion well.

Do as Shootist suggests.

Bring it back to Apple ASAP. Show them what it's doing and then ask for another of the same model.

If you still experience issue with the replacement, return it for a full refund and decide if you want to order or purchase a new iMac with faster specs.

Good Luck!

Reply

Answer 5

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Feb 24, 2013 1:24 PM in response to MichelPM

No need to show anybody at any Apple store anything.

Apple has a 14 day No Questions Asked Return Policy for Full Refund.

Take it back and return it then buy another.

Reply

Answer 6

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Feb 24, 2013 1:43 PM in response to Jldejong

Once you sort out your hardware issue, see these:

Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Mac Basics—Tutorials on using a Mac,
Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts,
Anatomy of a Mac,
MacTips,
Switching to Mac Superguide, and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Mountain Lion Edition.

Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:

Quick Assist,
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

Reply

Answer 7

Jldejong Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 24, 2013 3:51 PM in response to MichelPM

Thanks!! I have ordered a custom one online. I think I'm going to really like the Mac; but do need to have a faster system for photo editing. I am going to return this one this week, as soon as I can figure out how to get all the stuff I have on here erased!!!

Reply

Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Feb 24, 2013 4:06 PM in response to Jldejong

Jldejong wrote:

I am going to return this one this week, as soon as I can figure out how to get all the stuff I have on here erased!!!

Boot into recovery mode (restart, holding down the CMD+R keys), launch Disk Utility, wipe the HD, selecting erase and zero out data from the security options, quit DU, and restore the OS. That'll put it into its original state. Then, turn if off. The next time it starts up, it should run the Setup Assistant.

Reply

Answer 9

Jldejong Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 26, 2013 9:40 AM in response to baltwo

O.K. got that done, but.. now, I have restarted and it was showing a "file' with a "?" mark, and nothing else! So! I restarted again, using command R, and now it's going to the internet and it looks like it is doing some sort of restore, but I hope it's not putting all my old stuff back on my system!! What do you think, is it reloading the original OS without any personal data?

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 10

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Feb 26, 2013 12:43 PM in response to Jldejong

Apparently, the first recovery install failed. Let this one complete, then start it up. When you get the startup manager, just quit and shutdown. No, none of your stuff's on the Internet, just the full OS installation.

Reply