My MAC 21.5 in desktop is a 2006 model. About time to replace. I‘m looking for recommendations for a new unit.

The unit is used for home. Some documents, some net surf, photos, standard stuff. Maybe some games. No work stuff, I’m retired.

Should I get another MAC? I‘ve had good use from this one. I have Sophos, although I haven’t updated in years. Unit is old enough there’s not much I can update. No virus problems.

I see there’s a 27 in and a 21.5. 27 sounds great. Biggest drawback is cost, although mine sure has lasted a long time.


I used PCs at work exclusively. I retired 6 yrs ago. I can use windows but have no programming exper and little knowledge of computer technical issues. Guess I’m semi computer literate.I can navigate, do Word, spreadsheets etc. Standard work stuff.

PCs are more subject to virus and hacking attacks so that is an issue.

Sure would appreciate your opinions and recommendations as to which MAC would be a good fit spec wise.

Any comments about PC advantages over MAC are welcome too.

I forgot to add that I am interested in a voice dictation feature that's easy to use. Does the Mac have a good program or app for long dictation?

quote:

Originally posted by maxdog:
I forgot to add that I am interested in a voice dictation feature that's easy to use. Does the Mac have a good program or app for long dictation?

For many (most?) programs that involve typing text, Mac's OS has a built-in speech-to-text capability.

On the menu bar that runs along the top of the app window, click on "Edit" for a drop-down menu. Toward the bottom of the Edit menu, you'll see the "Speech" feature.

My wife uses this to dictate notes in her mental health practice.

Your current iMac has lasted you 12 years. I say get another one!

My 27” 2011 iMac turns 7 next month and it’s just as good as the day I brought it home. Gets used daily.

They. Just. Work.

I'm a PC user (laptop and desktop) and am very happy with that choice. That being said, you've been an Apple ecosystem subscriber for a long time, so you'll likely be better served with another MAC. As to which one to buy, I'll let those here far more knowledgeable of Apple products handle that recommendation. Good luck.

If you get a pc you will be using Windows 10 which is nothing but spyware - the End User Licencing Agreement tells you that you are only leasing the operating system and gives Microsoft the right to access all information on your pc and to use it as Microsoft sees fit . Apple is not perfect but it definitely is a step up from that . PS . I have used both .
best .

Another thing to look into is buying refurbished from Apple.

I haven’t don’t that personally but I’ve heard good things about it.

Comes with a 1 year warranty and you can still purchase Apple Care for it. Not to mention saving a couple hundred bucks.

You can get last years (2017) 21.5 iMac for about $900 on Apples refurb site. It'll last you another 10 years!

Refresh is my friend

quote:

Originally posted by Copefree:
Another thing to look into is buying refurbished from Apple.

I haven’t don’t that personally but I’ve heard good things about it.

Comes with a 1 year warranty and you can still purchase Apple Care for it. Not to mention saving a couple hundred bucks.

I would go the refurbished route as well. My second Mac was a refurb and has been issue free. I sold the older online as well even though it was 7 years old and got $250 for it. I sold it to https://www.macofalltrades.com/

Consider the Mac Mini. Small footprint, probably as capable for most things and often much cheaper. If a component does happen to go on you, like the display, it’s much easier to replace.

Mine is a 2014 that I increased the memory on and had SSD drive installed in it. Now faster. It does not have a built in dvd/cd drive so I have portable one that I can use on it and my 13" Macbook Air.
Back in 2009 I switched over from PC's to all Apple and am very happy.

I have a 27" Imac at work with the retina display that's very nice. If I were to replace now, I'd go with a Macbook pro and a docking station. Right now, I'm just waiting for Apple to replace a Macbook pro with > 16GB RAM since I run a metric shit-ton of VMs on my mac.

Mac at home and PC at work. I despise the PC for a myriad of reasons.

It's your choice, but, while I've typically not be a big fan of Apple stuff, I dislike anything Microsoft with a deep and abiding passion--born of years of having to support it in a business environment. I might have been able to tolerate MS-Win7 if push came to shove, but MS-Win10 is out of the question. So for me the choice would be a no-brainer: Mac. Hands down.

My wife and I are now on iPhones and iPads, so, when MS-Win7 EOLs (she needs it for keeping her TomTom GPS up-to-date) my current thinking is Mac Minis for our desktops.

I’m mainly a pc user. Had to use a Mac for work for about 3 years. But for you, why fix something that ain’t broke; get another Mac.

quote:

Originally posted by jbcummings:
Consider the Mac Mini. Small footprint, probably as capable for most things and often much cheaper. If a component does happen to go on you, like the display, it’s much easier to replace.

Ditto!

I have a 2008 Mac Pro that still works great.

FYI OS X, iOS, & MacOS have dictation built it.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208343
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202584

Hope this helps.

Mac has lasted you this long. You have no problems with it or Apple products. You are familiar with operating system. Seems like a no brainer to me.

iMac if you want a desktop or MacBook Air if you want more mobility.

If you go to Windows 10 now after using a Mac for 12 years, you will be hating life.