topic Re: Replacing my iMac in Electronics

Replacing my iMac

gidgetgh — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:14:57 GMT

I love my iMac. All 27 inches of it. But it is now over 11 years old (best computer ever) and no longer gets the new operating system updates so I think it's time to update. I also bought a new, smaller desk earlier this year and the Mac is taking up a lot of space.

My next computer will still be an Apple product. No wavering on that.

But I can't decide what I want. I love the idea of a desktop, but don't want to spend the $$ for the 27 inch. I could go to the 24 inch, but don't know that I "need" it either.

I am toying with the idea of a MacBook Air. But I have some reservations. One of the things I love about the iMac is that you plug it in and don't have to recharge it every day. I already have to charge my phone, Apple watch and iPad every night. Do I really want yet another item where charging it is a must.

Also, on my desktop, I love using a wireless mouse. I am extremely slow, painfully slow, on computers where you have to use the trackpad. So I need to see if you can use a mouse with a MacBook Air.

If I go with the MacBook Air, it would stay on my desk all the time. For use in the living room and stuff, I use my iPad.

For those who have a MacBook Air, how do you like it?

Re: Replacing my iMac

Sooner — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:26:11 GMT

I am on my third Mac Air. I have had one since they came out. I trade the old ones in for new ones and never think about anything else.

I have had an IPad and IPad Pro too, but rarely ever use them. RARELY! My husband has a MacBook Pro and it is heavy and doesn't do anything we need done that my Air doesn't.

If you get one I think you will love it! I'll bet it won't stay on the desk! Don't know if you can use a mouse but I feel sure you could. Call Apple and ask!

Re: Replacing my iMac

Toot1920 — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:26:13 GMT

@gidgetgh, I just purchased a MacBook Air. I like it but I really use my iPad so much more. Since I don't use it everyday, the charge seems to last awhile. My understanding is that you can use a mouse Instead of the trackpad. I do like that both my husband can use it under his Apple ID and so can I. Of course, he really just uses his iPad Pro.

Re: Replacing my iMac

Bhvbum — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:31:20 GMT

I have a MacBook Air 13" and never use my desktop anymore.

I keep my Mac plugged in all the time, but the battery seems to last a long time even when I do unplug it.

I have a iPad 12.9" that I never use anymore either, even when I travel; I prefer the Mac keyboard. The Mac has a different operating system than the iPad and a lot of the Apple apps are simply not available. I've just set up bookmarks for those websites instead.

If I had just one thing though, it would be the Mac Air 13"

Re: Replacing my iMac

judy0330 — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:40:27 GMT

We are a total Apple household as well. I have a 13" Macbook Air now (replaced my MacBook Pro last year) and I love it. When it comes time to replace it -- I will get another one. My husband has always had iMacs. He got a new 27" iMac last year and LOVES it. Much better than the one he replaced. (I don't remember how old that one was -- but a lot less than the one you are replacing. I think you will find a HUGE difference!) Like you -- he likes to use his computer at his desk. I like something portable. Given that you are used to a desktop -- I think you would be happier with an iMac. I have to say that as much as I love my MacBook Air and it is perfect for my needs -- I am often blown away when I see graphics on my husband's iMac. No comparison.

Re: Replacing my iMac

mspatmac — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:56:59 GMT

I have had Macbook pro's for years and love it. I can't even explain why I didn't go to the air but I guess I chose to stay with what has works for me and is familiar. That said, you will love the air I'm sure. Mine stays plugged in so recharging daily is not an issue. However I have an iPad i use but when I unplug, depending on usage it lasts a long time. Good luck

Re: Replacing my iMac

gidgetgh — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 16:49:42 GMT

Thanks everyone. I plan to go and "visit" them at the Apple store some time this week. My nephew works for Apple and I always talk to him when I'm near decision time but I like to do my own advance scouting and stuff. So that I somewhat know what I'm talking about once I talk to him.

The MacBook Air would definitely stay on the desk. To be honest I've never been a huge fan of laptops. I had a Toshiba years and years ago, in addition to our desktop, and never used it.

I would go with another iMac, but I'm trying to hold the cost down some.

For using something in the living room and bedroom I love my Ipad pro, 12.9".

Re: Replacing my iMac

Sweetbay magnolia — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 16:34:03 GMT

I have an Air (13"). It's an older one - 2015. Though I bought it in 2017, that was the period in which Apple was on the verge of deciding whether or not to continue the line, so it was as new as you could get.

I like it. I keep it plugged in on my desk most of the time, but that has caused my battery to have a short charge life. If I had it to do again I would drain it and re-charge it more frequently. I guess I could just have the battery replaced.

I don't see why you couldn't use a wireless mouse - If I'm not mistaken, that's a bluetooth device and I have to believe the newer Airs have bluetooth.

We have an early 2011 iMac (DH's desk). Yeah, the updates are no longer there. Some of the compatibilities have changed between that and the newer phones, and the Air, but it still works (a little slow). When it fails, I don't know what DH will want to do. He uses a PC for work and he may just decide to go that route (cheaper!).

Anyway, I wouldn't hesitate to get another MacBook Air. The display has been improved (thought what I have is fine). I'd have to get used to the new "dongle" thingie. My machine has different ports (and a headphone jack) than the new ones but I'm sure there are many adaptations.

Have fun choosing. Anything you get will be great, IMO. I've never had a PC that was as reliable or user friendly as a Mac! @gidgetgh

Re: Replacing my iMac

SunnysMom — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 17:41:40 GMT

I had the same age MAC as you and purchased the newest 27" two months ago. Don't want the Laptop. I have the IPad and Iphone. . .so Love this newest member. However, if I did get a MACbook. .would have to have a Mouse. . .hate the track pad. Good Luck

Re: Replacing my iMac

jackthebear — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 17:58:03 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
I love my iMac. All 27 inches of it. But it is now over 11 years old (best computer ever) and no longer gets the new operating system updates so I think it's time to update. I also bought a new, smaller desk earlier this year and the Mac is taking up a lot of space.

My next computer will still be an Apple product. No wavering on that.

But I can't decide what I want. I love the idea of a desktop, but don't want to spend the $$ for the 27 inch. I could go to the 24 inch, but don't know that I "need" it either.

I am toying with the idea of a MacBook Air. But I have some reservations. One of the things I love about the iMac is that you plug it in and don't have to recharge it every day. I already have to charge my phone, Apple watch and iPad every night. Do I really want yet another item where charging it is a must.

Also, on my desktop, I love using a wireless mouse. I am extremely slow, painfully slow, on computers where you have to use the trackpad. So I need to see if you can use a mouse with a MacBook Air.

If I go with the MacBook Air, it would stay on my desk all the time. For use in the living room and stuff, I use my iPad.

For those who have a MacBook Air, how do you like it?

love it

and I use a dollar store wireless mouse with it, it

is just fine

Re: Replacing my iMac

gadgetgal613 — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 10:52:07 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
I love my iMac. All 27 inches of it. But it is now over 11 years old (best computer ever) and no longer gets the new operating system updates so I think it's time to update. I also bought a new, smaller desk earlier this year and the Mac is taking up a lot of space.

My next computer will still be an Apple product. No wavering on that.

But I can't decide what I want. I love the idea of a desktop, but don't want to spend the $$ for the 27 inch. I could go to the 24 inch, but don't know that I "need" it either.

I am toying with the idea of a MacBook Air. But I have some reservations. One of the things I love about the iMac is that you plug it in and don't have to recharge it every day. I already have to charge my phone, Apple watch and iPad every night. Do I really want yet another item where charging it is a must.

Also, on my desktop, I love using a wireless mouse. I am extremely slow, painfully slow, on computers where you have to use the trackpad. So I need to see if you can use a mouse with a MacBook Air.

If I go with the MacBook Air, it would stay on my desk all the time. For use in the living room and stuff, I use my iPad.

For those who have a MacBook Air, how do you like it?

I have both a 27" iMac and a 13" Macbook Pro. I use the iMac 80% of the time. Why? I like the large screen. I use a mouse with my Macbook because I find the touchpad a pain in the rear. There really isnt a right or wrong type of computer. What you want to use is all that matter. One thing I did this year, I bought Word for Mac. I finally got tired of trying to make Pages work with Word.

Re: Replacing my iMac

haddon9 — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:12:16 GMT

@gidgetgh I love my MacBook Air! I have one from 2012 and though it is still working, it was time to replace. I just got a new one a few weeks ago and it's such a pleasure compared to the older one!...For one thing I don't have to charge it every couple of hours. This newer one lasts much longer (according to Apple 18 hours). The keyboard is new & clear (on my old one the keys were getting blurry), the touch pad is starting to go, etc.

That said, I use it all over the house. I don't really care for a tablet and I also have a desk top (a Dell) that is also large (I don't remember the size right now) which is in the basement at my work desk. I like my desk top too.

If I thought that my replacement computer was going to stay on my desk and I already had a tablet that I also use a lot then I would probably just get another desk top but the smaller size.....it's still has a much larger screen thant the portable MacBook Air.

Re: Replacing my iMac

violann — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:25:04 GMT

My husband, definitely a BIGGEST is BESTEST type of GUY, was talked into a tiny little Apple desktop computer by our son, and HE LOVES IT. I THINK it's the AIR.

I use my iPads almost exclusively, so we maintain separate

happy camps, cyber wise.

I do a good bit of charging but it doesn't bother me, but he leaves his tethered all the time. HTH!

Re: Replacing my iMac

AngelPuppy1 — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 13:09:00 GMT

I can't help with the MacBook Air, but a couple months ago I just got another Imac desktop and I really love it. As you stated, our other one was so old it was just not supported, so we had to get a new one. If I were you, I'd stick with the Imac. You seemed to be happy with it and you were comfortable with it.

Re: Replacing my iMac

Cats3000 — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 20:38:55 GMT

@gidgetghWe have a new MacBook Air with the M1 chip. Never leaves our house. Great piece of equipment.

We also have a 6 year old 27" iMac. Probably time to start thinking about a replacement. The new 24" iMac doesn't bowl me over. It has much less storage as standard and much less RAM as standard. For me, not an impressive offering. I love the 27" screen because it offers the flexibility to do side-by-side work when I need to.

Go to the Apple website and check out the Air. It should tell you if you can use a wireless mouse.

Re: Replacing my iMac

wagirl — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 21:53:40 GMT

Hi all--- very interesting thread here--- have been thinking about a new computer from Apple--- have iPads and iPhone and HATE windows. I have a Lenovo laptop now, which I love, but the dang thing is 5 years old and is acting stupid. Microsoft Edge is horrible and the reason for my issues . It lives on my desk which is fine as I use my iPads a lot too.

You have given me a lot of things to think about--- I read every post here.

thanks!!!

Re: Replacing my iMac

gadgetgal613 — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 10:46:34 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
Hi all--- very interesting thread here--- have been thinking about a new computer from Apple--- have iPads and iPhone and HATE windows. I have a Lenovo laptop now, which I love, but the dang thing is 5 years old and is acting stupid. Microsoft Edge is horrible and the reason for my issues . It lives on my desk which is fine as I use my iPads a lot too.
You have given me a lot of things to think about--- I read every post here.

thanks!!!
,

Why not back up your computer and do a factory restore? It will take it back to its out of the box condition. You can then either restore from your backup or manually reinstall what you want. You'd be surprised how much "junk" gets on the machine and causes problems.

Re: Replacing my iMac

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 11:36:28 GMT

@gidgetgh I have always used Apple products, at work and at home.

I have a MacBook Air as well as a desktop for at home use, I only use the desk top when I work from home. I love the Air, yes you do have to charge it but that is not an issue for me.

The track pad went bad on my older MacBook Air so I did use a mouse with it until I was able to get to the city to replace it.

I was concerned about having just a track pad when I originally purchased a laptop, but it was pretty simple. I bet you'd get the hang of it pretty quickly.

Once we close our business, I will decide if I want an Ipad or continue to use a MacBook Air but that is a few years down the road.

Re: Replacing my iMac

wagirl — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 14:54:06 GMT

@gadgetgal613 --- very good idea. My son has it right now . Said it is much better but still slow. Will ask him about that. I do have external hard drive that I can use to back it up too.

I just talked to him and he thinks what you suggested can't hurt.

thanks---appreciate it

Re: Replacing my iMac

gadgetgal613 — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 11:01:20 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
@gadgetgal613 --- very good idea. My son has it right now . Said it is much better but still slow. Will ask him about that. I do have external hard drive that I can use to back it up too.

I just talked to him and he thinks what you suggested can't hurt.

thanks---appreciate it

Yes, you can use a portable hard drive. If you use the back up feature which comes with the computer, it will create a file which will restore your computer. You can also drag and drop or copy and paste only the files you want to save to an external drive. You'll be pleasantly surprised how much better your computer runs once it's be stored.