New machine..?

The Black Oil

I've an early 2008 iMac running 10.11.3. It's been sluggish for a while, or rather browsing has, for relatively simple tasks. It's been a great machine, but I'm starting to find it frustrating.

I've been thinking of getting another iMac, 21.5 would be fine. Maybe a refurb. Or else a new Macbook. It would leave a smaller footprint on my desk, but would be a smaller screen for Netflix. I replaced the HD in my current iMac with an SSD in 2014(?). If I went for a Macbook, could the SSD from the current iMac be attached occasionally for backups, or something? I guess I could give my current one to my family, but they're not Mac people...oh and the GPU went in this one a few years back too.

I also have a 2007 Macbook sitting largely untouched because I don't have much need for portability at the moment and it can't go higher than 10.6 anyway. I dunno if I wiped it if there's anywhere that might take it as a donation or if I'm better off just recycling it.

I take it everything now is without an optical/DVD drive?

Creamy Goodness

sounds like you'd be better off with an iMac 21.5". if your budget allows i'd strongly suggest the 4k iMac and get the 1TB Fusion drive (best of both SSD and spinning disks).

http://www.apple.com/ie/imac/specs/

there's only one mac that comes with an optical drive and it's the base level 13" macbook pro without retina display.

The Black Oil

Thanks. It's a fair lump of cash alright. I'm not sure I'm ready to make that leap or if I've the interest with the 4K, though I'm sure it'd be beautiful. The Fusion Drive is an unknown quantity to me, I’ve no experience with them. Even the least cost Macbook is ~ 1,500, which isn't too far off the 4K iMac...still a bit of gulp. The Air's a little lighter on the wallet.

Creamy Goodness

I have an air, beautiful machine, but I thought portability wasn't a huge factor.

there's a problem I have with airs (my work place have them for demoing apps, showing videos etc.) and running any sort of video player in them the fan's start to sound like jet engines. it's fine for the occasional video, but if you're watching netflix it can kinda ruin the mood.

fusion drives are a drive that has a small ssd on them usually 32gb where the OS and what the OS deems as essential or frequently accessed files, the rest of the space is a traditional hard drive. in theory you get the best of both having a lot of storage (spinning disk) with the speed of ssd.

Mac's aren't cheap unfortunately but I guess you don't really need me to tell you that, the reason for suggesting the 4k iMac was because these machines aren't very user upgradable (especially the laptops) without voiding the warranty.

The Black Oil

Thanks for the note about the Air. I remember when they first came out and it seemed like they were limited, even for that time. Perhaps it's unfair to criticise their limitations since they're built that way. I wouldn't have much interest in owning one over a traditional Macbook.

I use Netflix mostly on the Xbox, don't have a HD TV. I'm not all that invested in everything being 1080p all of the time. Not too pushed on the retina on gut feeling, but I understand the appear. Perhaps the model that's one down from it would do. I don't know. Going with a Macbook gives portability. I won't be studying again (that I know of!), so I won't need it in that context. iPad is usually fine for the odd day at a work conference, if needed. Not much use for documents. A new iMac would be nice, but I dunno what I'd do with the old one. I could put it into an attic, but it can be mighty cold there, which mightn't be good for it. Or, I just want until this one gives up the ghost. I've gotten over 7 years out of it. There's always a refurb option, I guess. Tempted to order something this weekend. Decisions...

A Mac mini would hardly attach onto an old iMac, would it? As in, just the screen for the visuals an use the mini as the workhorse now my current iMac likely wouldn't pass the NCT? :cool:

PaddyFagan

The Black Oil wrote: »

A Mac mini would hardly attach onto an old iMac, would it? As in, just the screen for the visuals an use the mini as the workhorse now my current iMac likely wouldn't pass the NCT? :cool:

Looks like it might - https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204592

Paddy

PS This thread from last week threw up a good price on a Mac mini from amazon.co.uk - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057565157

The Black Oil

Mine's too old, I think. Rumours suggest there's some sort of Apple event later this month, though more so on the phone/wearable side of things.

niallb

The Black Oil wrote: »

Mine's too old, I think. ...

It is too old for target display - but just by a few months.
I have the same one, and even with 6GB of RAM, it shows its age occasionally.

The Black Oil

Don't we all?

The Black Oil

If I'm understanding correctly, the non-Retina 21.5 inch iMacs were introduced in 2013, yeah? And the standard HD is only 5,400 rpm?

What's a Magic Mouse like, btw?

PaddyFagan

The Black Oil wrote: »

If I'm understanding correctly, the non-Retina 21.5 inch iMacs were introduced in 2013, yeah? And the standard HD is only 5,400 rpm?

What's a Magic Mouse like, btw?

2013, seems right - https://support.apple.com/en-ie/HT201088
As far as I know all Mac HDs are 5,400 - all the better to make those fusion drives and ssds seem worthwhile

I've heard mixed views on the magic mice - some people love them, some hate them. Negatives include iffy battery covers and poor performance on some surfaces - that said, I know people who'd have to have them prised for their cold dead hands....

Paddy

Creamy Goodness

New Magic Mouse charges via lightning now. I like them but they are a bit form over function.

The Black Oil

Well, in the next year I'll probably need to replace the iMac, it might run 10.12, barely. My Android phone might survive another 18 months thanks to a new battery and I'm thinking of buying a car. Damn shiny things, tempting. Can't make up my mind on the form factor - desktop or Macbook and when to buy!

The Black Oil

HD in my current iMac is a Crucial M500 480GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD for a Apple iMac 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (24-inch - 800MHz) MB325LL/A System. Obviously, I can transfer data to a new machine via Time Machine, it'd be a shame to lose the SSD as I only have it about 2 years. Could it fit into a 21.5k Retina as well as a Fusion Drive?

Doesn't look like there's much in the way of newer spec iMacs coming for a while anyway.

whiterebel

Or you could put it into an enclosure. I got a nice one with Transcend when I upgraded my SSD. Very handy, very fast USB 3 128GB external.

PaddyFagan

As Whiterebel said you could put the drive in an enclosure - the current generation of iMacs make it hard to replace the drive - but doing so in a Mac mini is a little easier.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2805+Hard+Drive+Replacement/27886

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2014+Hard+Drive+Replacement/32815

Paddy

The Black Oil

Thanks both. A 21.5 with Retina and 1TB Fusion Drive is €1,869.

This 27 inch refurb model isn't a whole lot more at €1,999...

The Black Oil

Ordered the 27 inch refurb. :eek:

PaddyFagan

The Black Oil wrote: »

Ordered the 27 inch refurb. :eek:

Enjoy

drunkmonkey

I was thinking of putting an ssd in one of mine, would you bother as it sounds like it's not doing much for the browsing, has age caught up with it?

Type 17

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I was thinking of putting an ssd in one of mine, would you bother as it sounds like it's not doing much for the browsing, has age caught up with it?

If you're only using it for browsing and other light-duty stuff, it'll make a big difference - I added an SSD to a 2006 MacBook (2.0 GHz core2 duo) and it boots in less than 30 seconds and compares favourably to my daily-use iMac (3.5GHz i7, 24GB RAM, 3TB fusion drive) - obviously they don't actually compare in statistical reality, but the SSD means that using the MacBook isn't a chore in terms of speed - you only notice its age in terms of compatibility (can't run later than 10.7, older version of Safari can't run some sites like YouTube, can't run a new enough version of 1Password to sync my passwords with my iMac etc).

Definitely a great way of extending the life of an older Mac.

beauf

Most modern browsers do a lot of caching to the hard drive. So a SSD effects that a lot IMO

The Black Oil

Not sure what to do with my old machine when I get the new one. Don't really have anywhere to put it in the long term. Would be a shame to throw it for recycling when there's basically nothing wrong with it apart from age. Family aren't into Macs. Any suggestions? I was half tempted to cancel the order too and go for the 21.5 inch instead.

Zcott

The Black Oil wrote: »

Not sure what to do with my old machine when I get the new one. Don't really have anywhere to put it in the long term. Would be a shame to throw it for recycling when there's basically nothing wrong with it apart from age. Family aren't into Macs. Any suggestions? I was half tempted to cancel the order too and go for the 21.5 inch instead.

How about Apple recycling? They give you a gift card for it. Or use it as a print or media server.

The Black Oil

I was reading about that last night, initially thought it was US only, but it's on the Irish site too. Results below.

*Unfortunately, based on your assessment we cannot offer any monetary value for your device. However, we do offer free and responsible recycling.

:P

The Black Oil

Got it today, it's shiny!

Might give the old one to my sister. Is it worth wiping and reinstalling OSX on it anyway? It could probably do with a fresh install given how it's a bit slow.

Type 17

The Black Oil wrote: »

...Is it worth wiping and reinstalling OSX on it anyway? It could probably do with a fresh install given how it's a bit slow.

Yes, definitely - have a look on Mactracker or similar to see which version would suit your particular machine best - older versions such as 10.7 run really fast, but aren't compatible with some software, and the Safari version for 10.7 doesn't work with YouTube, for example, however, the very latest compatible version may slow the machine down, so choose carefully.

The Black Oil

The display is pretty incredible, very sharp. I'm not used to it yet. There's a slight sound, which I presume is the HD. Not a negative noise or sign that something's wrong, just the natural, I think. Overall speed is certainly leaps and bounds ahead of my old one. I see the old remote for my old machine doesn't work, lack of IR sensor, or something. No big deal.

Took about 90 minutes to transfer everything over from Time Machine, grand. What's Remote Disc, btw?

Type 17 wrote: »

Yes, definitely - have a look on [URL="http://mactracker.ca]Mactracker[/URL] or similar to see which version would suit your particular machine best - older versions such as 10.7 run really fast, but aren't compatible with some software, and the Safari version for 10.7 doesn't work with YouTube, for example, however, the very latest compatible version may slow the machine down, so choose carefully.

The old one was kinda spluttering a long for browsing alright. Delay in Youtube going to full screen, sometimes stuttery with audio and video, too much open in Firefox and Safari at the same time, it struggled there. Open a Twitter feed there, didn't like that too much. 10.11.5 on older hardware was OK. I think I still have 10.6 on disk somewhere, software update would probably bring it to 10.6.8 (iirc), can I go to 10.7 from that, or will it automatically look for a later version?

Type 17

The Black Oil wrote: »

The old one was kinda spluttering a long for browsing alright. Delay in Youtube going to full screen, sometimes stuttery with audio and video, too much open in Firefox and Safari at the same time, it struggled there. Open a Twitter feed there, didn't like that too much. 10.11.5 on older hardware was OK. I think I still have 10.6 on disk somewhere, software update would probably bring it to 10.6.8 (iirc), can I go to 10.7 from that, or will it automatically look for a later version?

You'll get to 10.6.8 from discs and online updates, but the app store didn't exist in 10.6.8, so you won't be offered anything newer - you'll need to generate a 10.7 / 10.8 / 10.9 / 10.10 (you choose which one) USB recovery/install drive and install from that.
I'm not sure where you'll get a copy of your chosen version - I've got a few USB drives with different ones, but I generated them at the time the OS versions were current (Google it?).

PS: The stuttering and delays might not be helped by a lack of RAM - ensure that the RAM is max'ed out - www.crucial.com/eu/ is great for this (although their site is down right now).

The Black Oil

Yeah, it was a 2GB machine at the time, upgraded it 4GB. Have used Crucial a few times. It seems I have the Yosemite installer file sitting on the HD, so that might do, will do more research first re suitability given the age of the machine. Perhaps I could do a clean install of it first without needing to jump back to 10.6 first. A project for after the bank holiday. Still might look into it as a media server, have Plex on the Xbox, if I can get them to talk to each other.

Thanks for your guidance.

Type 17

Seeing as you have Yosemite installed, you should have a recovery partition on the HD, which means you could do a (relatively) clean install. However, it would be even "cleaner" to make a USB memory stick-based recovery drive (details) and completely wipe the HD.

If a clean install of Yosemite is too much for the hardware, you could obtain a 10.8 installer file and try that.

In the meantime, enjoy the new machine!

The Black Oil

Type 17 wrote: »

Seeing as you have Yosemite installed, you should have a recovery partition on the HD, which means you could do a (relatively) clean install. However, it would be even "cleaner" to make a USB memory stick-based recovery drive (details) and completely wipe the HD.

I don't. It's just the 5GB installer file is still there because I never deleted it. The 2008 machine is maxed out to 4GB RAM, running 10.11.5, albeit stuttering a little re browsing, etc. So going to 10.10 as a clean install and whatever updates it'll take might be a way of freshening it up, so to speak. That, or reinstall El Capitan, I guess.