My mom has my old iMac G7 running Snow Leopard. She uses Mail and Safari, basically nothing else. I figure it's time for an upgrade, buy my mom is 79 and I don't want her to deal with significant system changes.
Are there reasons I shouldn't update her to Yosemite? Are there quirks or complex changes that would throw someone who can't troubleshoot on her own?
Thank you in advance!
Aluminum iMac 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo 2, Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Yosemite would be a significant change for a 79 y/o person.
The application upgrade may change how one uses them to
perform similar tasks, in new OS X compared to older OS X.
The Snow Leopard 10.6.8 is a great system, unless the senior
citizen has some great need to procure the latest iPad, iPod, or
iPhone, and get all those Apps, and some other stuff.
The older computer likely is not up to the upgrade. At least 4GB RAM
for the operating system, a Core2Duo processor, & build year series
of fairly recent manufacture, are required. The ability to upgrade the
hardware (more RAM, larger/faster HDD, etc) is an important factor.
If the person is happy with Snow Leopard and has no need to get
into a later OS X, what is the rush? The older computer could be
upgraded to run Snow Leopard better, without loss of the users
original files, by adding an SSD and more RAM. And backup of all
the user files to an externally enclosed hard disk drive that has it's
own power supply. Learning how to backup & restore is more of an
issue with any Mac. And the process has changed in later Macs
that use the internet for most software update & restore efforts.
So it would be up to the vintage user, not the sales person, to choose.
If the old configuration were left intact, for that person's use, and they
also got a newer computer with later OS X, that would be different.
Then they'd not be forced into some unworkable new situation with
no way back to what they had. I'd not want someone to upgrade me.
In any event...
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
Yosemite would be a significant change for a 79 y/o person.
The application upgrade may change how one uses them to
perform similar tasks, in new OS X compared to older OS X.
The Snow Leopard 10.6.8 is a great system, unless the senior
citizen has some great need to procure the latest iPad, iPod, or
iPhone, and get all those Apps, and some other stuff.
The older computer likely is not up to the upgrade. At least 4GB RAM
for the operating system, a Core2Duo processor, & build year series
of fairly recent manufacture, are required. The ability to upgrade the
hardware (more RAM, larger/faster HDD, etc) is an important factor.
If the person is happy with Snow Leopard and has no need to get
into a later OS X, what is the rush? The older computer could be
upgraded to run Snow Leopard better, without loss of the users
original files, by adding an SSD and more RAM. And backup of all
the user files to an externally enclosed hard disk drive that has it's
own power supply. Learning how to backup & restore is more of an
issue with any Mac. And the process has changed in later Macs
that use the internet for most software update & restore efforts.
So it would be up to the vintage user, not the sales person, to choose.
If the old configuration were left intact, for that person's use, and they
also got a newer computer with later OS X, that would be different.
Then they'd not be forced into some unworkable new situation with
no way back to what they had. I'd not want someone to upgrade me.
In any event...
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
Start by confirming what model you have. An iMac 'G7' doesn't make much sense. Apple Menu > About this Mac > click More info & look for the 'model identifier' in the system report.
An aluminium iMac can probably run 10.10, but you appear to be talking about an older system? Earlier Macs can't run the latest OS.
I would not change anything if she is OK with 10.6 & doesn't need to run the latest iTunes (for iOS syncing with the latest devices etc) or other newer apps.
One option is to create a new partition (~30- 50 GB), install the new OS, and ‘test drive’ it. If you like/don’t like it it, you can then remove the partition. Do a backup before you do anything. By doing this, if you don’t like it you won’t have to go though the revert process.
Check to make sure your applications are compatible.
Applications Compatibility (2)
Check that your computer is compatible with Mountain Lion/Mavericks/Yosemite.
To check the model number hold down the option/alt key, go to the Apple menu and select System Information.
iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) model number 7,1 or higher
Your Mac needs:
I would suggest getting your mom to use Firefox rather than Safari, and stick with Snow Leopard. Firefox works with Snow Leopard and gets regular security updates. It should be safer and work with more sites than her very old version of Safari.
Thank you for the detailed answer. It's very helpful! I appreciate the time you took to assist me.
Thanks, Drew. I'll double check the model when I visit her tomorrow. I'm inclined to not change anything as you (and others) have said. An issue I remembered after I wrote this is I'd like to sync my iPad and iPhone to it one last time (I didn't replace the iMac I gave her), but not if it means having to update the OS. I'll see what it lets me do. I appreciate the time you took to get back to me.
Eric, I didn't realize the was an option. I'll check out the system compatibilities you noted and do a tad more research to see if I'm brave enough to try this. It would be the ideal way to go. Thanks for your time.
Thanks for that suggestion. It seems like a smart move and easy enough for her to transition too. I appreciate your time.
You are welcome.
Any cons to installing Yosemite?
