Old Intel iMac: still repair it or replace it?

You have an old iMac with an Intel processor, for example a 21.5 or 27 inch from 2012 to 2020, and something is wrong: it is slow, no longer starts, the screen has lines or the fan is noisy. Is an old iMac still worth repairing, or are you better off buying a new one? This article explains what to look at in that choice, which repairs are often worth it on an old iMac and what you can do with your old iMac if you replace it.

Blue Apple repairs iMacs and MacBooks in Amsterdam. We tell you honestly when a repair is no longer sensible.

Which macOS can your iMac still run?

That is an important question, because without updates a Mac becomes less secure over time. Roughly:

• iMac 2020 (27 inch): up to macOS 26 Tahoe, the last macOS for Intel.
• iMac 2019: up to macOS 15 Sequoia.
• iMac 2017: up to macOS 13 Ventura.
• iMac late 2015: up to macOS 12 Monterey.
• iMac 2014 and older: macOS 11 Big Sur or older.

See macOS versions at a glance and updating an old Mac.

Repairs that are often worth it on an old iMac

• An SSD instead of a hard drive: the biggest improvement. See slow iMac: SSD or new.
• More memory, especially on the 27 inch with a door at the back.
• Cleaning the cooling: dust in the fan makes the iMac hot and loud.
• Power supply: on Intel iMacs the power supply is inside and can fail after years.

Repairs that are less often worth it

• A new screen on a very old iMac: the screen is the most expensive part.
• The graphics chip or logic board on an iMac that no longer gets updates.

Here it depends on what you use the iMac for and what a comparable Mac costs.

How do you choose?

1. What is broken, and what does the repair cost?
2. Does the iMac still get security updates?
3. What do you use it for? For mail, internet and writing an old iMac with an SSD is often enough. For video or heavy apps it is not.
4. What does a replacement cost, for example a Mac mini with a separate display or a refurbished iMac? See buying refurbished.

Replacing your old iMac

If you move to a new Mac, transfer your data with Migration Assistant. See moving with Migration Assistant. Then you can sell, give away or recycle the old iMac. Erase it properly first: see erasing before selling. If it is broken, read selling or handing in a broken Mac.

An old iMac as a second screen?

Some older 27 inch iMacs (up to 2014) can serve as a monitor for another Mac. Newer models cannot, or only via AirPlay. A separate article on that is coming.

Moving an iMac

An iMac is big and the glass is fragile. Carry it in its original box or lying on a blanket with the screen facing up. If you cannot bring it yourself, see pickup and delivery.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

We test your iMac and tell you what is wrong, what the repair costs and whether it is worth it for your model. More in iMac repair in Amsterdam and on our page about Mac and MacBook repair.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an iMac last?

Often eight to ten years or longer, especially with an SSD. The end usually comes from updates stopping, not from wear.

Can I still use an old iMac without updates?

Yes, for simple work. Use a browser that still gets updates and be careful with downloads.

Does a broken old iMac still have value?

Sometimes, for parts such as the screen. That depends on the model.