Getting my 90yr old parents back online!

[Adam Pymble]

Lovely Smuggers

My elderly father (he'd hate that description) has done brilliantly online, but his aging iMac is now routinely unable to connect to various sites etc (regardless of which browser I steer him to etc). I would guess from memory the iMac must be at least 12 years old. He's had his money's worth!

He really resents the idea of spending current prices as he's not a tech fan and only wants to email, online bank, browse Brighton HA FC website and browse iPhone photos he's taken that sync etc. That said, he doesn't want to do that on an iPad as prefers the familiar, and my mother too.

I realise there's been big underlying OS architecture changes recently, but guess that so long as he's on a version within the last 2-3 versions, he'd be ok?

I was wondering...

1. Maybe a question for Sam specifically, if we (you?!) simply put an SSD in his machine, could he upgrade OS to something at least usable? 

If not..

2. Before I buy perhaps a refurb from somewhere like MacFinders, just wanted to check nobody within driving distance of them in Eastbourne isn't about to sell something that will do them just fine!? At least I can save you any eBay fees!

Anyway, thought I'd ask and mention. You're always all so darn kind and helpful. Thanks for reading this far!

Ciao

Adam

[Jason Davies]

It's really going to depend on what the iMac is more specifically. If you go to the Apple icon, select About This Mac, it should say what model, year and how much RAM it has (and which OS it's on). That would be useful information.

What you're describing is 'old OS and software updates' as a problem. The solution is to upgrade the OS as far as it can. The machine might be perfectly capable of that, in which case an SSD is a red herring. But if it's running slowly, an SSD will probably help with that a lot. I think also that installing SSDs on iMacs of that generation is a lot of bother and it won't help if Apple say 'no, the processor can't have a more recent OS'.

It sounds as if a second-hand similar-but-more-recent iMac would be a good middle ground.

Cheers,
J

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Cheers,

Jason

[Sam - MacAmbulance]

An SSD would speed up the Mac but not enable it to run a version of macOS greater than its maximum.

If the Mac’s 12 years old, have a look at HoxtonMacs.co.uk or eBay for a 2019+ iMac, just make sure it has flash storage already installed as a spinning disk drive will be unusably slow

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Regards Sam Mullen +44 (0)7747778022 in...@macambulance.com www.macambulance.com MacAmbulance Ltd. Providing Affordable Mac/PC Support and Web Development

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[Adam Pymble]

Thank you Sam and Jason - both replies tremendously helpful. 

I'll steer him towards a used 2019+ iMac with flash storage.

As for getting his files across - will his TimeMachine play nicely with new macOS? I'm wondering if I just stick all his iPhotos and Documents on to iCloud+ and sync from there? He's little else he needs to transfer to a new unit, and sounds a lot easier than a dongle for his external drive etc?  But any advice on getting up and running from one much older to much newer iMac, always appreciated!

Thanks again

Adam

[Sam - MacAmbulance]

Either plug in the Time Machine backup or just migrate directly over wifi from the old Mac. The former will be faster but only useful if the backup’s up to date

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Regards Sam Mullen +44 (0)7747778022 in...@macambulance.com www.macambulance.com MacAmbulance Ltd. Providing Affordable Mac/PC Support and Web Development

MacAmbulance Ltd. is a registered company in England & Wales, registration number 8466597 This email is intended solely for the addressed recipients and may contain privileged or confidential information. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/smug/1907f4d6-fcb5-49f3-8aef-a4cac4d50ae0n%40googlegroups.com.