Advice on a used iMac

I have wanted a new iMac for a long time but one thing or another has hindered me from getting it. I have come across a used machine that looks really good to me and I am going to see it on Monday.

My question is, should I worry that it's a 2011 model? The specs are below:

iMac 27 Inch 2011 Intel i7 3.4 Ram 16 GB 250 GB SSD Hard Drive AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2GB – OS X High Sierra

I know it will run Logos better than my present machine (MacBook Air- 2011), but will it last? The price is about half + saving the tax.

Any thoughts/advice?

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

PetahChristian

macOS Mojave supports late 2012 or newer iMacs. I wouldn't recommend a machine from 2011, since you won't be able to upgrade the operating system.

Not being able to upgrade from macOS High Sierra might seem fine for now, but at some point down the road, Logos (or other apps you might want to run) may require a newer version of macOS.

Have you looked into refurbished iMac products? They may not be discounted 50% off, but you'll find a much newer iMac for around 15%-20% off.

Mike Binks

Mike

If you were just doing a bit of word processing and web browsing I would say that this would have been a reasonable buy.

But...

Logos is a developing, processor hungry animal that really needs a machine capable of moving with the times and anything that isn't upgradable will give you grief in the future.

But there are many newer secondhand machines out there to be investigated and the suggestion of a refurbished model is a good one.

Here in the UK apple have a 0% interest scheme which lasts for a year which might help ease the pain.

JT (alabama24)

The price is about half + saving the tax.

The savings is not good enough, in my opinion. You also need to think beyond just Logos. If you purchase a 2011 Mac (in "new" condition or not), how long do you think it will continue to be supported by Apple?

John Goodman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/992023#Comment_992023

Apple will do security updates for ages so you’ll be fine and that machine has plenty of power for Logos. I use a 2011 mac as well as a 2017 one and the difference is minimal with Logos. I have about 7000 resources.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/992042#Comment_992042

Apple will do security updates for ages

Yes, but "ages" might be 10 years. If that is the case, he would have about three years left!

PetahChristian

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/992023#Comment_992023

If you purchase a 2011 Mac (in "new" condition or not), how long do you think it will continue to be supported by Apple?

Good question!

That answer happens to be 11 more days (unless you live in California or the country of Turkey).

Apple no longer supports/repairs a computer five years after the product is no longer manufactured. The 2011 iMac was discontinued in March 2013. Its repair window did get extended another six months (which ends at the end of this month).

Mike Tourangeau

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/992061#Comment_992061

Thank you for all your replies. I think the wise thing to do would be hold off and keep an eye on the refurbs. It seems that I could snag a deal (with a SSD) but they generally have 8gb of RAM. Not sure this is enough.......

Mike Tourangeau

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/992074#Comment_992074

Here is one that is within the same price range as the used one.....I am just not sure about 8gb of RAM. Any thoughts????

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/992077#Comment_992077

I am just not sure about 8gb of RAM

Whether 8 GB is adequate depends on how many applications want to be open & usable (that includes browser tabs).

Appears RAM can be upgraded later => https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+3068+RAM+Replacement/103417

Personally use a 2013 MacBook Air (MBA) with 8 GB Ram and 256 GB SSD. Also use a 27" iMac with 16 GB Ram and 512 GB SSD. Tend to have more open on iMac than MBA (so Memory use shows 4 GB swap used on iMac while MBA swap is 24 MB).

Keep Smiling [:)]

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/992077#Comment_992077

If you can find a 27in that you can afford then you upgrade the memory quite easily through a flap in the back of the machine.

You might find it cheaper to go that route than find a 21.5 in with 16GB in.