What are my hardware upgrade optoins for a late 2009 iMac?Add more RAM to my MacBook Pro 5,3What's the noticeable speed difference between these two Mac computers?What kind of RAM should I use for my iMac?Is there any way to use fullHD monitor with macbook (NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256 MB)What is fastest operating system for my Macbook Pro 13" mid 2010?What kind of SSD is compatible for MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)?What is Yosemite doing when it has a seizure?How do you remedy iMac (2009) slow start-up, and sluggish performance?How much ram is on my computer?Can i swap memory modules between mac
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What are my hardware upgrade optoins for a late 2009 iMac?
Add more RAM to my MacBook Pro 5,3What's the noticeable speed difference between these two Mac computers?What kind of RAM should I use for my iMac?Is there any way to use fullHD monitor with macbook (NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256 MB)What is fastest operating system for my Macbook Pro 13" mid 2010?What kind of SSD is compatible for MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)?What is Yosemite doing when it has a seizure?How do you remedy iMac (2009) slow start-up, and sluggish performance?How much ram is on my computer?Can i swap memory modules between mac
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It is now July 2019 and I have this Late-2009 iMac.
macOS High Sierra Version 10.13.6 iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) Processor: 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4670 256
I can't use it anymore because it is super-super-slow. But I am considering upgrading it.
Will adding memory and replacing the HDD with an SSD turn this into an acceptably running machine? Or is the processor simply not up to it? 'It' being mostly email and browsing (and, eg, YouTube).
So what exactly are my upgrading option on this iMac?
imac ssd upgrade memory performance
edited 4 hours ago
nohillside♦
55.2k14 gold badges116 silver badges165 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
Keep these mindKeep these mind
4856 gold badges13 silver badges27 bronze badges
add a comment |
It is now July 2019 and I have this Late-2009 iMac.
macOS High Sierra Version 10.13.6 iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) Processor: 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4670 256
I can't use it anymore because it is super-super-slow. But I am considering upgrading it.
Will adding memory and replacing the HDD with an SSD turn this into an acceptably running machine? Or is the processor simply not up to it? 'It' being mostly email and browsing (and, eg, YouTube).
So what exactly are my upgrading option on this iMac?
imac ssd upgrade memory performance
edited 4 hours ago
nohillside♦
55.2k14 gold badges116 silver badges165 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
Keep these mindKeep these mind
4856 gold badges13 silver badges27 bronze badges
add a comment |
It is now July 2019 and I have this Late-2009 iMac.
macOS High Sierra Version 10.13.6 iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) Processor: 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4670 256
I can't use it anymore because it is super-super-slow. But I am considering upgrading it.
Will adding memory and replacing the HDD with an SSD turn this into an acceptably running machine? Or is the processor simply not up to it? 'It' being mostly email and browsing (and, eg, YouTube).
So what exactly are my upgrading option on this iMac?
imac ssd upgrade memory performance
edited 4 hours ago
nohillside♦
55.2k14 gold badges116 silver badges165 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
Keep these mindKeep these mind
4856 gold badges13 silver badges27 bronze badges
It is now July 2019 and I have this Late-2009 iMac.
macOS High Sierra Version 10.13.6 iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) Processor: 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4670 256
I can't use it anymore because it is super-super-slow. But I am considering upgrading it.
Will adding memory and replacing the HDD with an SSD turn this into an acceptably running machine? Or is the processor simply not up to it? 'It' being mostly email and browsing (and, eg, YouTube).
So what exactly are my upgrading option on this iMac?
imac ssd upgrade memory performance
imac ssd upgrade memory performance
edited 4 hours ago
nohillside♦
55.2k14 gold badges116 silver badges165 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
Keep these mindKeep these mind
4856 gold badges13 silver badges27 bronze badges
edited 4 hours ago
nohillside♦
55.2k14 gold badges116 silver badges165 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
Keep these mindKeep these mind
4856 gold badges13 silver badges27 bronze badges
edited 4 hours ago
nohillside♦
55.2k14 gold badges116 silver badges165 bronze badges
edited 4 hours ago
nohillside♦
55.2k14 gold badges116 silver badges165 bronze badges
edited 4 hours ago
nohillside♦
55.2k14 gold badges116 silver badges165 bronze badges
55.2k14 gold badges116 silver badges165 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
Keep these mindKeep these mind
4856 gold badges13 silver badges27 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
Keep these mindKeep these mind
4856 gold badges13 silver badges27 bronze badges
asked 9 hours ago
Keep these mindKeep these mind
4856 gold badges13 silver badges27 bronze badges
4856 gold badges13 silver badges27 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
Whether it's 'worth it' will be up to you.
You can get 16GB RAM in there & you can swap the HD to an SSD.
The SSD will feel like day after night compared to an HD - especially as you're on an OS that is designed for SSD & almost forgets spinning rust ever played a part.
You will be bound to 10.13 so you might not need more RAM unless you’re sure you will run apps where the current amount is not enough.
Since SSD is a big soeeduo, more RAM will let it 'breathe' a lot better doing multiple tasks... like having more browser windows open. And you’ll likely want to use it more once it’s speedy.
It won't turn it into any kind of powerhouse compared to a 2015 MacBook even or any new portables, but inexpensive upgrades will make it all feel more relaxed.
Expect 4 to 8x speedup in system start time with an SSD that’s moderately priced.
edited just now
bmike♦
166k46 gold badges301 silver badges646 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
TetsujinTetsujin
64.1k15 gold badges109 silver badges207 bronze badges
Also, it is worth mentioning that you can't upgrade to the latest macOS version. The iMac, Late 2009 does not run Mojave. Maximum OS: macOS 10.13.6
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Yup, it's definitely EOL, but it will get security updates for a couple of years yet.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Thought Apple only do security updates for this and the previous version.
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Maxing out the RAM and replacing the HDD with an SSD will certainly bring improvements. According to EveryMac, it can run High Sierra 10.13.6. This may well be sufficient for web browsing and email.
However, once the OS becomes a few years old, you will start to run into compatibility problems. Also, the Core 2 Duo is a very old CPU technology, and it may struggle on complex webpages like Facebook.
You need to balance whether the cost of upgrading this is worth it for the couple? of years you'll get out of it before needing to invest in a new machine. Or you might still get something for it now on eBay, which you could put towards a newer Mac.
answered 9 hours ago
benwiggybenwiggy
3,0764 silver badges20 bronze badges
Your definition of "very old CPU technology" definitively is different than mine :-) Wanna chat about 6502 or 6800?
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
@nohillside I used to write 6502 Assembler. I've done my time!
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
LOL. Wonder how well 70ies technology would handle modern web pages. Probably even just getting a TCP/IP stack going would prove quite a challenge.
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
1
@nohillside have a look at retrocomputing.stackexchange.com
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
You’re more likely to benefit from extra RAM, and that model of iMac can take up to 16GB — 4GB is very low for modern MacOS versions. I am running a late 2009 i7 27” iMac, but I have 20GB of RAM and a hybrid drive in it.
answered 9 hours ago
Mike ScottMike Scott
9,0262 gold badges26 silver badges30 bronze badges
16GB according to Everymac - everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/… - are you sure we're talking the same machine?
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
According to Mactracker 32 GB Maximum Memory should be supported for the (27-inch, Late 2009 model.
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Mactracker also thinks it's a core i5 or i7... I think I'll continue to believe Everymac.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
Is it possible that the base model had Core 2 Duo with 16Gb limit, and the faster CPUs were i5 with a 32Gb limit?
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Macs often support more than Apple's stated upper limits for RAM. This is one of those instances, where Apple claim a maximum of 16GB but it actually takes 32GB. As I said, mine has 20GB in it, so the actual limit is clearly more than 16GB.
– Mike Scott
9 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Whether it's 'worth it' will be up to you.
You can get 16GB RAM in there & you can swap the HD to an SSD.
The SSD will feel like day after night compared to an HD - especially as you're on an OS that is designed for SSD & almost forgets spinning rust ever played a part.
You will be bound to 10.13 so you might not need more RAM unless you’re sure you will run apps where the current amount is not enough.
Since SSD is a big soeeduo, more RAM will let it 'breathe' a lot better doing multiple tasks... like having more browser windows open. And you’ll likely want to use it more once it’s speedy.
It won't turn it into any kind of powerhouse compared to a 2015 MacBook even or any new portables, but inexpensive upgrades will make it all feel more relaxed.
Expect 4 to 8x speedup in system start time with an SSD that’s moderately priced.
edited just now
bmike♦
166k46 gold badges301 silver badges646 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
TetsujinTetsujin
64.1k15 gold badges109 silver badges207 bronze badges
Also, it is worth mentioning that you can't upgrade to the latest macOS version. The iMac, Late 2009 does not run Mojave. Maximum OS: macOS 10.13.6
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Yup, it's definitely EOL, but it will get security updates for a couple of years yet.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Thought Apple only do security updates for this and the previous version.
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Whether it's 'worth it' will be up to you.
You can get 16GB RAM in there & you can swap the HD to an SSD.
The SSD will feel like day after night compared to an HD - especially as you're on an OS that is designed for SSD & almost forgets spinning rust ever played a part.
You will be bound to 10.13 so you might not need more RAM unless you’re sure you will run apps where the current amount is not enough.
Since SSD is a big soeeduo, more RAM will let it 'breathe' a lot better doing multiple tasks... like having more browser windows open. And you’ll likely want to use it more once it’s speedy.
It won't turn it into any kind of powerhouse compared to a 2015 MacBook even or any new portables, but inexpensive upgrades will make it all feel more relaxed.
Expect 4 to 8x speedup in system start time with an SSD that’s moderately priced.
edited just now
bmike♦
166k46 gold badges301 silver badges646 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
TetsujinTetsujin
64.1k15 gold badges109 silver badges207 bronze badges
Also, it is worth mentioning that you can't upgrade to the latest macOS version. The iMac, Late 2009 does not run Mojave. Maximum OS: macOS 10.13.6
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Yup, it's definitely EOL, but it will get security updates for a couple of years yet.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Thought Apple only do security updates for this and the previous version.
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Whether it's 'worth it' will be up to you.
You can get 16GB RAM in there & you can swap the HD to an SSD.
The SSD will feel like day after night compared to an HD - especially as you're on an OS that is designed for SSD & almost forgets spinning rust ever played a part.
You will be bound to 10.13 so you might not need more RAM unless you’re sure you will run apps where the current amount is not enough.
Since SSD is a big soeeduo, more RAM will let it 'breathe' a lot better doing multiple tasks... like having more browser windows open. And you’ll likely want to use it more once it’s speedy.
It won't turn it into any kind of powerhouse compared to a 2015 MacBook even or any new portables, but inexpensive upgrades will make it all feel more relaxed.
Expect 4 to 8x speedup in system start time with an SSD that’s moderately priced.
edited just now
bmike♦
166k46 gold badges301 silver badges646 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
TetsujinTetsujin
64.1k15 gold badges109 silver badges207 bronze badges
Whether it's 'worth it' will be up to you.
You can get 16GB RAM in there & you can swap the HD to an SSD.
The SSD will feel like day after night compared to an HD - especially as you're on an OS that is designed for SSD & almost forgets spinning rust ever played a part.
You will be bound to 10.13 so you might not need more RAM unless you’re sure you will run apps where the current amount is not enough.
Since SSD is a big soeeduo, more RAM will let it 'breathe' a lot better doing multiple tasks... like having more browser windows open. And you’ll likely want to use it more once it’s speedy.
It won't turn it into any kind of powerhouse compared to a 2015 MacBook even or any new portables, but inexpensive upgrades will make it all feel more relaxed.
Expect 4 to 8x speedup in system start time with an SSD that’s moderately priced.
edited just now
bmike♦
166k46 gold badges301 silver badges646 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
TetsujinTetsujin
64.1k15 gold badges109 silver badges207 bronze badges
edited just now
bmike♦
166k46 gold badges301 silver badges646 bronze badges
edited just now
bmike♦
166k46 gold badges301 silver badges646 bronze badges
edited just now
bmike♦
166k46 gold badges301 silver badges646 bronze badges
166k46 gold badges301 silver badges646 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
TetsujinTetsujin
64.1k15 gold badges109 silver badges207 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
TetsujinTetsujin
64.1k15 gold badges109 silver badges207 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
TetsujinTetsujin
64.1k15 gold badges109 silver badges207 bronze badges
64.1k15 gold badges109 silver badges207 bronze badges
Also, it is worth mentioning that you can't upgrade to the latest macOS version. The iMac, Late 2009 does not run Mojave. Maximum OS: macOS 10.13.6
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Yup, it's definitely EOL, but it will get security updates for a couple of years yet.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Thought Apple only do security updates for this and the previous version.
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Also, it is worth mentioning that you can't upgrade to the latest macOS version. The iMac, Late 2009 does not run Mojave. Maximum OS: macOS 10.13.6
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Yup, it's definitely EOL, but it will get security updates for a couple of years yet.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Thought Apple only do security updates for this and the previous version.
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
Also, it is worth mentioning that you can't upgrade to the latest macOS version. The iMac, Late 2009 does not run Mojave. Maximum OS: macOS 10.13.6
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Also, it is worth mentioning that you can't upgrade to the latest macOS version. The iMac, Late 2009 does not run Mojave. Maximum OS: macOS 10.13.6
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Yup, it's definitely EOL, but it will get security updates for a couple of years yet.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
Yup, it's definitely EOL, but it will get security updates for a couple of years yet.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Thought Apple only do security updates for this and the previous version.
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
@Tetsujin Thought Apple only do security updates for this and the previous version.
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Maxing out the RAM and replacing the HDD with an SSD will certainly bring improvements. According to EveryMac, it can run High Sierra 10.13.6. This may well be sufficient for web browsing and email.
However, once the OS becomes a few years old, you will start to run into compatibility problems. Also, the Core 2 Duo is a very old CPU technology, and it may struggle on complex webpages like Facebook.
You need to balance whether the cost of upgrading this is worth it for the couple? of years you'll get out of it before needing to invest in a new machine. Or you might still get something for it now on eBay, which you could put towards a newer Mac.
answered 9 hours ago
benwiggybenwiggy
3,0764 silver badges20 bronze badges
Your definition of "very old CPU technology" definitively is different than mine :-) Wanna chat about 6502 or 6800?
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
@nohillside I used to write 6502 Assembler. I've done my time!
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
LOL. Wonder how well 70ies technology would handle modern web pages. Probably even just getting a TCP/IP stack going would prove quite a challenge.
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
1
@nohillside have a look at retrocomputing.stackexchange.com
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Maxing out the RAM and replacing the HDD with an SSD will certainly bring improvements. According to EveryMac, it can run High Sierra 10.13.6. This may well be sufficient for web browsing and email.
However, once the OS becomes a few years old, you will start to run into compatibility problems. Also, the Core 2 Duo is a very old CPU technology, and it may struggle on complex webpages like Facebook.
You need to balance whether the cost of upgrading this is worth it for the couple? of years you'll get out of it before needing to invest in a new machine. Or you might still get something for it now on eBay, which you could put towards a newer Mac.
answered 9 hours ago
benwiggybenwiggy
3,0764 silver badges20 bronze badges
Your definition of "very old CPU technology" definitively is different than mine :-) Wanna chat about 6502 or 6800?
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
@nohillside I used to write 6502 Assembler. I've done my time!
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
LOL. Wonder how well 70ies technology would handle modern web pages. Probably even just getting a TCP/IP stack going would prove quite a challenge.
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
1
@nohillside have a look at retrocomputing.stackexchange.com
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Maxing out the RAM and replacing the HDD with an SSD will certainly bring improvements. According to EveryMac, it can run High Sierra 10.13.6. This may well be sufficient for web browsing and email.
However, once the OS becomes a few years old, you will start to run into compatibility problems. Also, the Core 2 Duo is a very old CPU technology, and it may struggle on complex webpages like Facebook.
You need to balance whether the cost of upgrading this is worth it for the couple? of years you'll get out of it before needing to invest in a new machine. Or you might still get something for it now on eBay, which you could put towards a newer Mac.
answered 9 hours ago
benwiggybenwiggy
3,0764 silver badges20 bronze badges
Maxing out the RAM and replacing the HDD with an SSD will certainly bring improvements. According to EveryMac, it can run High Sierra 10.13.6. This may well be sufficient for web browsing and email.
However, once the OS becomes a few years old, you will start to run into compatibility problems. Also, the Core 2 Duo is a very old CPU technology, and it may struggle on complex webpages like Facebook.
You need to balance whether the cost of upgrading this is worth it for the couple? of years you'll get out of it before needing to invest in a new machine. Or you might still get something for it now on eBay, which you could put towards a newer Mac.
answered 9 hours ago
benwiggybenwiggy
3,0764 silver badges20 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
benwiggybenwiggy
3,0764 silver badges20 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
benwiggybenwiggy
3,0764 silver badges20 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
benwiggybenwiggy
3,0764 silver badges20 bronze badges
3,0764 silver badges20 bronze badges
Your definition of "very old CPU technology" definitively is different than mine :-) Wanna chat about 6502 or 6800?
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
@nohillside I used to write 6502 Assembler. I've done my time!
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
LOL. Wonder how well 70ies technology would handle modern web pages. Probably even just getting a TCP/IP stack going would prove quite a challenge.
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
1
@nohillside have a look at retrocomputing.stackexchange.com
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Your definition of "very old CPU technology" definitively is different than mine :-) Wanna chat about 6502 or 6800?
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
@nohillside I used to write 6502 Assembler. I've done my time!
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
LOL. Wonder how well 70ies technology would handle modern web pages. Probably even just getting a TCP/IP stack going would prove quite a challenge.
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
1
@nohillside have a look at retrocomputing.stackexchange.com
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
Your definition of "very old CPU technology" definitively is different than mine :-) Wanna chat about 6502 or 6800?
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
Your definition of "very old CPU technology" definitively is different than mine :-) Wanna chat about 6502 or 6800?
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
@nohillside I used to write 6502 Assembler. I've done my time!
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
@nohillside I used to write 6502 Assembler. I've done my time!
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
LOL. Wonder how well 70ies technology would handle modern web pages. Probably even just getting a TCP/IP stack going would prove quite a challenge.
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
LOL. Wonder how well 70ies technology would handle modern web pages. Probably even just getting a TCP/IP stack going would prove quite a challenge.
– nohillside♦
9 hours ago
1
1
@nohillside have a look at retrocomputing.stackexchange.com
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
@nohillside have a look at retrocomputing.stackexchange.com
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
3 hours ago
add a comment |
You’re more likely to benefit from extra RAM, and that model of iMac can take up to 16GB — 4GB is very low for modern MacOS versions. I am running a late 2009 i7 27” iMac, but I have 20GB of RAM and a hybrid drive in it.
answered 9 hours ago
Mike ScottMike Scott
9,0262 gold badges26 silver badges30 bronze badges
16GB according to Everymac - everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/… - are you sure we're talking the same machine?
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
According to Mactracker 32 GB Maximum Memory should be supported for the (27-inch, Late 2009 model.
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Mactracker also thinks it's a core i5 or i7... I think I'll continue to believe Everymac.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
Is it possible that the base model had Core 2 Duo with 16Gb limit, and the faster CPUs were i5 with a 32Gb limit?
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Macs often support more than Apple's stated upper limits for RAM. This is one of those instances, where Apple claim a maximum of 16GB but it actually takes 32GB. As I said, mine has 20GB in it, so the actual limit is clearly more than 16GB.
– Mike Scott
9 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
You’re more likely to benefit from extra RAM, and that model of iMac can take up to 16GB — 4GB is very low for modern MacOS versions. I am running a late 2009 i7 27” iMac, but I have 20GB of RAM and a hybrid drive in it.
answered 9 hours ago
Mike ScottMike Scott
9,0262 gold badges26 silver badges30 bronze badges
16GB according to Everymac - everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/… - are you sure we're talking the same machine?
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
According to Mactracker 32 GB Maximum Memory should be supported for the (27-inch, Late 2009 model.
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Mactracker also thinks it's a core i5 or i7... I think I'll continue to believe Everymac.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
Is it possible that the base model had Core 2 Duo with 16Gb limit, and the faster CPUs were i5 with a 32Gb limit?
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Macs often support more than Apple's stated upper limits for RAM. This is one of those instances, where Apple claim a maximum of 16GB but it actually takes 32GB. As I said, mine has 20GB in it, so the actual limit is clearly more than 16GB.
– Mike Scott
9 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
You’re more likely to benefit from extra RAM, and that model of iMac can take up to 16GB — 4GB is very low for modern MacOS versions. I am running a late 2009 i7 27” iMac, but I have 20GB of RAM and a hybrid drive in it.
answered 9 hours ago
Mike ScottMike Scott
9,0262 gold badges26 silver badges30 bronze badges
You’re more likely to benefit from extra RAM, and that model of iMac can take up to 16GB — 4GB is very low for modern MacOS versions. I am running a late 2009 i7 27” iMac, but I have 20GB of RAM and a hybrid drive in it.
answered 9 hours ago
Mike ScottMike Scott
9,0262 gold badges26 silver badges30 bronze badges
edited 8 hours ago
answered 9 hours ago
Mike ScottMike Scott
9,0262 gold badges26 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
Mike ScottMike Scott
9,0262 gold badges26 silver badges30 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
Mike ScottMike Scott
9,0262 gold badges26 silver badges30 bronze badges
9,0262 gold badges26 silver badges30 bronze badges
16GB according to Everymac - everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/… - are you sure we're talking the same machine?
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
According to Mactracker 32 GB Maximum Memory should be supported for the (27-inch, Late 2009 model.
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Mactracker also thinks it's a core i5 or i7... I think I'll continue to believe Everymac.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
Is it possible that the base model had Core 2 Duo with 16Gb limit, and the faster CPUs were i5 with a 32Gb limit?
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Macs often support more than Apple's stated upper limits for RAM. This is one of those instances, where Apple claim a maximum of 16GB but it actually takes 32GB. As I said, mine has 20GB in it, so the actual limit is clearly more than 16GB.
– Mike Scott
9 hours ago
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show 2 more comments
16GB according to Everymac - everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/… - are you sure we're talking the same machine?
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
According to Mactracker 32 GB Maximum Memory should be supported for the (27-inch, Late 2009 model.
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Mactracker also thinks it's a core i5 or i7... I think I'll continue to believe Everymac.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
Is it possible that the base model had Core 2 Duo with 16Gb limit, and the faster CPUs were i5 with a 32Gb limit?
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Macs often support more than Apple's stated upper limits for RAM. This is one of those instances, where Apple claim a maximum of 16GB but it actually takes 32GB. As I said, mine has 20GB in it, so the actual limit is clearly more than 16GB.
– Mike Scott
9 hours ago
16GB according to Everymac - everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/… - are you sure we're talking the same machine?
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
16GB according to Everymac - everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/… - are you sure we're talking the same machine?
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
According to Mactracker 32 GB Maximum Memory should be supported for the (27-inch, Late 2009 model.
– howdytom
9 hours ago
According to Mactracker 32 GB Maximum Memory should be supported for the (27-inch, Late 2009 model.
– howdytom
9 hours ago
Mactracker also thinks it's a core i5 or i7... I think I'll continue to believe Everymac.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
Mactracker also thinks it's a core i5 or i7... I think I'll continue to believe Everymac.
– Tetsujin
9 hours ago
Is it possible that the base model had Core 2 Duo with 16Gb limit, and the faster CPUs were i5 with a 32Gb limit?
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
Is it possible that the base model had Core 2 Duo with 16Gb limit, and the faster CPUs were i5 with a 32Gb limit?
– benwiggy
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Macs often support more than Apple's stated upper limits for RAM. This is one of those instances, where Apple claim a maximum of 16GB but it actually takes 32GB. As I said, mine has 20GB in it, so the actual limit is clearly more than 16GB.
– Mike Scott
9 hours ago
@Tetsujin Macs often support more than Apple's stated upper limits for RAM. This is one of those instances, where Apple claim a maximum of 16GB but it actually takes 32GB. As I said, mine has 20GB in it, so the actual limit is clearly more than 16GB.
– Mike Scott
9 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
