I have an iMac with only 1Gb of memory and am running OS X 10.5.8; do I need to upgrade it and if so, to what?

Recognize if you choose to upgrade past Mac OS X 10.6.8, you won't have access to PowerPC applications (pre-2006 applications). So before you do that, be sure to read the tips on upgrading to 10.6 and 10.7 first:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2455

and

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2465

If I may ask, why you do think you might need to upgrade? Is there software or a peripheral you wish to run that requires a newer version of Mac OS X? Or are you experiencing some sort of problem, and if so what?

Regards.

With your IMac using Virtual Memory, I would have to say Yes.. RAM is relatively a cheap upgrade to greatly improve performance. I would recommend you add at lease another GB. Be sure to purchase the same type as is currently installed to again enhance performance.

Open up your Activity Monitor within your Utilities. That should give you an indication on how much you're currently using.

Hope this helps.

Without knowing more info about your iMac like year, CPU speed, it's hard to determine?

Why do you need to upgrade?

Ard you having issues with something? Trying to run new Apple mobile devices on your iMac?

You must have or need a reason that you feel the need to upgrade?

Your iMac only has 1.0 GB of RAM!?

OS X, now needs at least a working 2-4 GBs of RAM.

RAM for your iMac is cheap, now.

Your model iMac is 24 inch 3.06 Ghz CPU.

You can install a total of 6 GBs of RAM. I advise installing all of the RAM.

You can purchase the correct and reliable Mac RAM from online source OWC ( macsales.com).

They have a complete 6 GB RAM kit you can purchase.

Good Luck.

WMUGAL, then I would recommend adding more RAM.