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Has anyone ever upgraded an older iMac?

Discussion in 'Technology' started by Mr. Francesco, Sep 2, 2012.

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  1. Mr. Francesco

    Mr. Francesco F1 Rookie

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    #1 Mr. Francesco, Sep 2, 2012
    I currently have a 20'' late 2006 model iMac, which I've recently upgraded from Leopard (10.5.8) to Lion (10.7.4). Unfortunately I'm unable to upgrade to Mountain Lion (10.8) since my computer is not compatible with 10.8.

    Regardless of my OS X issues, I'm trying to decide whether or not it makes sense to spend some money on my iMac and use it comfortably for another 6 months - 1 year until, hopefully, new iMacs are released.

    Right now I have:

    2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
    2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
    ATI Radeon X1600 256 MB
    250 GB SATA Disk

    Obviously I want to upgrade the RAM first. The maximum my iMac can handle is 4GB, even though it will only use 3GB at the most. Does it make sense to upgrade the RAM based upon these facts?

    Other than that, I may consider a new HD, probably 1TB, and I would like to upgrade my graphics card, but I'm not sure if that's possible on my machine. Ultimately I want to enhance the life and security of my iMac without spending new computer money on it.

    Any suggestions?
     
  2. SPEEDCORE

    SPEEDCORE Four Time F1 World Champ

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    #2 SPEEDCORE, Sep 3, 2012
    Are you sure it supports 4gb? because the apple site says it only supports 3gb :eek:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/SP28

    If you had 1GB of RAM you would definitely notice a difference to 3GB. 2 to 3 you might noticed a difference.

    HDD's you can always move them from one system to another so no issues installing those if you need the space but again you wont really notice a speed advantage because it will still be running the same RPM. The only way you can get a speed increase is installing a SSD.

    I wouldn't bother upgrading the graphics cards.


    Looking at your specs I wouldn't bother upgrading at all (except a HDD for more space) and just wait for the next model to come out which should be very soon.
     
  3. ChipG

    ChipG Formula 3

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    #3 ChipG, Sep 3, 2012
    you can buy the 4g memory kit from owc: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac/Intel_Core_2_Duo_2006 but I would just buy a new computer, right now most stores are out of stock on new iMacs and Apple is holding a couple big press events in the next 2-3 weeks so they will prob also announce an new iMac or upgraded iMac along with the iPhone 5 and mini iPads, this will drop the prices on a referb model even more if your trying to save money.

    I'd just buy a new one and be done with it for another 5 years if it were me.
     
  4. Mr. Francesco

    Mr. Francesco F1 Rookie

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    #4 Mr. Francesco, Sep 4, 2012
    Thanks for your replies.

    I'm going to hold out another week or two and see what is announced. Personally I don't think upgrading is worth it, but I was more curious than anything about my options and other's opinions on them.
     
  5. HH11

    HH11 F1 Rookie
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    #5 HH11, Sep 4, 2012
    I've upgraded many of them. Personal ones and some for businesses. Very easy to work on. HDD swaps take 10 min and RAM takes about 30 seconds. Pricing is cheap for both upgrades. If you plan on using it for another 6-12 months, upgrade. If not, buy a new one. Depending on what your doing with it, the RAM differential may not even be noticeable.
     
  6. Zack

    Zack Formula 3

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    #6 Zack, Sep 4, 2012
    Is anything running too slowly for you? Why do you want to upgrade the RAM?
     
  7. dsd

    dsd F1 Rookie
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    #7 dsd, Sep 4, 2012
    I would not upgrade.

    IMO they are nearly impossible to work on (sans ram upgrade). I did not think a HDD swap was 10 minutes.
     
  8. SPEEDCORE

    SPEEDCORE Four Time F1 World Champ

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    #8 SPEEDCORE, Sep 4, 2012
    Give it till October. Make sure you get a 24" at least I dunno how you survive on 20 :eek:

    :D
     
  9. Mr. Francesco

    Mr. Francesco F1 Rookie

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    #9 Mr. Francesco, Sep 13, 2012
    It's a little glitchy here and there. It almost seems delayed at times, but it's not consistent :(
     
  10. Mr. Francesco

    Mr. Francesco F1 Rookie

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    #10 Mr. Francesco, Sep 13, 2012
    After yesterday's press conference, I'm going to wait it out. It's inevitable that new/upgraded iMacs are in the works, it's just a waiting game at this point. A 24'' iMac would be nice. IMO, the 27'' is overkill.
     
  11. ChipG

    ChipG Formula 3

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    #11 ChipG, Sep 20, 2012
    +1 hang in there! they 'should' (key word) be announced soon with the mini iPad release... I THINK :) :)
     
  12. Mr. Francesco

    Mr. Francesco F1 Rookie

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    #12 Mr. Francesco, Sep 20, 2012
    I was actually ready to pull the plug and purchase a new iPad last week, and then I started thinking about waiting. At this point, I'm never going to purchase anything since something new will always be around the corner :D
     
  13. ChipG

    ChipG Formula 3

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    #13 ChipG, Oct 4, 2012
    Right on! If you HAVE to have it today buy it, but if you can wait it will be out real quick. Go to macrumors.com, most reliable sources are saying there will be a new iMac right around the corner and Apple has a scheduled press conference coming up in a week or two.

    If they were not going to upgrade the iMac most places would have it in stock, it's hard to find, everyone os out of stock right now...
     
  14. Zack

    Zack Formula 3

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    #14 Zack, Oct 4, 2012
    Sorry, didn't get back to this thread till just now...have you tried re=installing the operating system? Should clear up the glitches. And on a mac, it's a straightforward thing to do.

    iMacs are due for a refresh, and rumour has it that they will be announced along with the new mini iPad, but do you really need a new one? Try to reinstall first.
     
  15. ChipG

    ChipG Formula 3

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    #15 ChipG, Oct 16, 2012
  16. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

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    #16 wingfeather, Oct 16, 2012
    I'm surprised Apple allows you to keep your "old" hardware. I thought you have to line up every year to have the "old" stuff repossessed & new stuff charged to your account.
     
  17. Mr. Francesco

    Mr. Francesco F1 Rookie

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    #17 Mr. Francesco, Oct 23, 2012

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