Is It Time To Update Your MacBook Pro Or iMac?

With brand new MacBook Pros and iMacs ready to order, is it time to upgrade your old Mac? Is it worth it to upgrade an M1 MacBook Pro or iMac? How about an older Intel model?

Comments: 20 Responses to “Is It Time To Update Your MacBook Pro Or iMac?”

    Sheldon
    11 months ago

    I have a 2017 and a 2019 iMac. I want to upgrade the 2017. I think you have a video on changing computers. Or does it need to be upgraded. I am not actually sure how to make the swap. I only have Apple apps except FTM and everything is in iCloud. Thank you

    11 months ago

    Sheldon: If you have everything in iCloud, you can just "add" the new Mac to the two you have now, then retire the old one. Just sign into iCloud and everything is there. Not sure what "FTM" means, but if those are files, just move them over to the new Mac too. If you had more complex needs, you could do Migration Assistant.

    Ken
    11 months ago

    I have a 2020 MacBook Pro with intel chip. Since my MBP has been discontinued, should I upgrade? I'm comparing the MacBook Air 15" versus MacBook 14" with M3 chip. Thoughts?

    11 months ago

    Ken: Depends on your personal needs and budget. Does the 2020 not meet your needs anymore? Do you have the money for it? If so, then sure. You'll see a big difference. But I wouldn't get a MacBook Pro 14 with just the M3. There's very little difference between that and the MacBook Air. Either stick with the MacBook Air, or at least go to the M3 Pro chip in the MacBook Pro.

    Ellen Lerner
    11 months ago

    My 2017 MacBook pro I bought new in 2018. I want new computer and 6+ iPhone which is still working but obsolescence is make it difficult & can't back it up. My phone stores 125 and I'd like more. Not sure I understood about the chips.What I would like is computer:with more storage than 500 gigs I have now; larger screen; Faster is always better. I don't use the cloud except for apple mail. I keep pix in desktop ƒ or ext. drive. older computer died and was also storage. Advise?

    11 months ago

    Ellen: The current MacBook Pros uses significantly better processors than your 2017 model. Any one you get today will be much faster, Sounds like you want a 1 TB drive and a 16-inch MacBook Pro (larger screen). This will be expensive though.

    Chris Bamber
    11 months ago

    I have iMac 21.5” late 2013 with 3.1 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 and 16 GB Ram. The hard drive is 1.12TB Fusion with 150 GB of free space. 302GB used for Photos.OS Catalina 10.15.7. I use Apple One Premier, 470 GB of 2TB on iCloud.Now retired primarily use computer for photos, email and Safari. I use an iPhone 14 Pro and a 6th gen iPad. No real computer issues. I want new iMac M3 for security and OS etc. Can you recommend new iMac M3 with Ram and storage options. Purchased 2015. Thanks

    11 months ago

    Chris: There's only the M3 iMac. So it is just a matter of storage and memory. You are using 1 TB of space now, so look to get 2 TB for your next Mac (1 TB will be too small for you, and 2 TB will last the next X years). You have 16 GB now, so you can stick with that. But for "photos, email and Safari" probably 8 GB is fine. Still, if you can afford 16 then get 16.

    Paul Guenther
    11 months ago

    Hi Gary, I thought I would add my 2 cents worth on new iMacs. I bought one a year ago with 500GB of RAM. Even though I have instructed all photos and other space hogging files to be redirected to the iCloud, I found myself short of RAM on the latest update. iMac seemed to have a hard time recognizing that the files had been moved. I would recommend the 1TB option as a result despite the expense. Love the M1 chip. It is blazing fast.
    Take care
    Paul

    11 months ago

    Paul: Thanks Paul. (By RAM I'm sure you mean storage space, not memory). Add yours as yet another time I hear someone regret buying too little storage. Over and over again. Yet people still chime in on YouTube all the time to tell me I'm wrong about that.

    Rich Brenner
    11 months ago

    You sound like a Best Buy sales person. A few years ago, I looking for a TV and the sales person said no one ever complained to him that their TV screen was too large. I need to update a 2018 Mac Air with 128 GB storage. Last night, I decided on the upgraded Mac pro chip with 512 GB of storage. Gary, you just convinced me to upgrade to 1 TB of storage and cost me $200. After I bought the 2018 Mac Air, I have been accumulating points on my credit cards for a replacement and have $2171 in points.

    11 months ago

    Rich: Yikes! I hope I don't sound like a salesperson. My intention is to take everything I know from helping people over the last 17 years and provide some useful advice.

    Rich Brenner
    11 months ago

    No No...I was just using your comment on too little memory "Add yours as yet another time I hear someone regret buying too little storage. Over and over again. " and equating it to a comment from a guy at Best Buy about which size TV to buy. No one ever complained about too much memory or too big a tv. I am taking your advice and going from 512 to1 TB of memory. Actually, you would make a great sales person selling Apples Computers.....

    Robert Normandia
    11 months ago

    I'm a victim of planned obsolescence w my Mac paired with a 2TB time capsule (old!). Best Buy suggested a Mac Mini paired with a nice monitor that could split into as much 6 screens which would be nice for work (I am a research physician) toggling back & forth when creating slide decks from articles. I want the compactness of the Mac (1 complete unit) - can it perform the function that I mentioned or should I pursue the Mac mini w aforementioned monitor? I don't game. Thx

    11 months ago

    Robert: Not sure what you mean by: "a nice monitor that could split into as much 6 screens." Do you want one screen or six?

    Robert Normandia
    11 months ago

    Apologies, not very fluent in your world. I meant a larger screen where you could pull up from 4-8 windows side by side at once to draw upon as references while making slide decks or leading a Teams/Zoom calls. Best Buy consultant said an independent monitor paired with Mac Mini was far more versatile, economical w better resolution than the single unit Mac. I'm all about quality & convenience and not concerned w $. Please share thoughts on Single Mac unit vs a Non Mac Monitor+ Mac Mini? Thx

    11 months ago

    Robert: Ah, so a single large screen. Yes, there are plenty out there and that is a good way to go. Also if you have to have 6 windows open at once then why not consider getting 2 screens instead of just one?

    Robert Normandia
    11 months ago

    As I've "matured" (gotten older) I try to maintain a minimalist approach regarding space and go the simple route. I won't bug you after this. Can a Mac pull up multiple, readable windows or should I opt for a larger non Mac screen. The downsizing of 27 inch to a 24 inch screen gives me trepidation. Thanks - no more bugging you on my end.

    11 months ago

    Robert: It really depends on you. Go to a store and spend some time with the iMac and the screen. See if that would work for you.

    paul miller
    11 months ago

    Greetings. I have 2008 and 2017 iMacs. The standard models. No extras. The 2017 is the latest model to fall from support. I have looked into the M3 iMacs. I'm not actually sure why I would upgrade, other than support? I can still do just about everything I use the iMac for on the 2017. Heck, I can still do those things on the 2008. I guess that I don't put any great demands on either machine... email, text, search, photos, banking, bills, weather info, reading, and listening to music.

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