iMac 21 inch

[FreeBear]

I've mostly been a Mac guy since 1996. I did build a Windows PC for gaming in February, but I much prefer to use the Mac. A few months ago I added an external SSD to my nearly five-year-old Mac Mini and it really flies again. I also added an external GPU (new feature with High Sierra even though this model doesn't officially support it) and this old Mac is actually a decent gaming machine again since it doesn't use the crappy old integrated GPU any more.

Nice! Would you mind sharing some details on your setup, esp. enclosure and GPU?

Thanks,
FB

 

[photoguy]

I'm actually using an internal Samsung EVO 850 SSD, 500 GB. I was originally going to install it in my Mini, but I got cold feet about doing it as it's a rather complex thing in this model (and I've done a lot of HDD to SSD swaps).

The hard drive in my wife's 2012 iMac is dying so I just ordered an 500gb 850 evo. Boy have SSDs come down in price -- it was only $150. I could buy 4 of them and make a blazing fast raid working disk.

The iMac is the one with the thin bezel so for now, I'm not going to take it apart and just install it externally in a transcend 25s3 case.

I looked at the ifixit teardown and it actually doesn't look too bad, so I might do that in a future date when I have more time.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2546+Hard+Drive+Replacement/15796

 

[braumeister]

I looked at the ifixit teardown and it actually doesn't look too bad

Talk about your famous last words!

 

[cbo111]

Don't mean to hijack the last few posts (is it possible for OP to hijack his own post??), but I have a question. I am really enjoying my iMac, and find it good for the brain to unlearn Microsoft and learn Apple. Little things like discovering that the right mouse button doesn't do much on an iMac. Or trying to determine where my documents are being saved to. Somewhere on my hard drive or in the iCloud, who knows!
Anyway, I was thinking about what kind of antivirus protection to get, if any, for this machine. I'm reading that iMacs are less vulnerable to malicious code, but not impervious. Any thoughts from you Mac converts?

 

[explanade]

Right button can be programmed in the Mouse panel in Settings.

You can make it bring up contextual menus in a lot of applications.

 

[CountryGal]

After a career in IT and using PC since it was a thing, I bought a MacBook Pro Retina about 5 years ago as my personal machine and to get experience with the MAC. I have not looked back. The PC requires constant attention to fix or tweak this or that, that seems to go wrong.

I would highly recommend getting a laptop MAC. While I do have a tablet too, I love the versatility of the laptop format. I can use it on the sofa, dining room table, treadmill, bed and kitchen table. It rarely leaves my side. I would not like being tied to the computer desk. That said, I got my husband a PC Laptop about 6 years ago and it never leaves the desk...

 

[target2019]

Anyway, I was thinking about what kind of antivirus protection to get, if any, for this machine. I'm reading that iMacs are less vulnerable to malicious code, but not impervious. Any thoughts from you Mac converts?

Gosh, I remember Mac virus on a floppy disk. Ancient history.
The only problem my F-I-L has run into is browser hijacks. He had two or three go-arounds with popups that had him convinced he needed to download something to protect himself. I am not sure if there is protection against this, other than, "don't agree to that."

 

[mpeirce]

Don't mean to hijack the last few posts (is it possible for OP to hijack his own post??), but I have a question. I am really enjoying my iMac, and find it good for the brain to unlearn Microsoft and learn Apple. Little things like discovering that the right mouse button doesn't do much on an iMac. Or trying to determine where my documents are being saved to. Somewhere on my hard drive or in the iCloud, who knows!
Anyway, I was thinking about what kind of antivirus protection to get, if any, for this machine. I'm reading that iMacs are less vulnerable to malicious code, but not impervious. Any thoughts from you Mac converts?

The "Save Dialog" has a minimized default mode which just shows you the file name, tags, and where it's being saved. The Where will be a name like Documents or iCloud Drive. This is a popup which will show you a list of common places to store files and some of the recent places you have saved a file.

There is also a little button with a V symbol in it. This lets you toggle to a larger save dialog with a more extensive file browser.

As to Anti-Virus software, most people don't run third party software. MacOS has a lot of malware protection built into it. I'd recommend you only run apps downloaded from the Mac App Store. There is a setting in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Allow apps downloaded from: App Store. Make sure that's on. This prevents apps (accidentally) download via a browser from accessing your Mac.

Also, make sure you keep MacOS updated. I know Windows users that never or rarely update. There's almost no reason to not update a Mac. Make sure System Preferences > App Store > Automatically Check For Updates is enabled.

Someone else mentioned enabled the "Right Click" button on the mouse. It's never "required" but often gives you nice shortcuts - it's equivalent to clicking with the Control key down. You turn that on in System Preferences >Mouse > Secondary click

Have fun.

 

[explanade]

I would look at ClamAV for Mac OS X. It used to be free but it may require a donation.

It's open source, so no malicious ads installed with it.

You have to run it manually, which I do periodically in my Downloads folder.

 

[FreeBear]

Keep in mind that iyour internet provider may offer a free firewall and antivirus, but you have to seek it out and install it yourself. It's not automatic.

I have Comcast and they cover Norton's firewall and antivirus, either Windows or Mac. It took a little digging around to find the installer, I think on the Xfinity website. When installed the software, I had to manually key in my Xfinity account number just the very first time. AT&T also offers something similar, with another well known antivirus/firewall.

As for mice, I use a generic corded PC mouse from Amazon Basics. It's dirt cheap and very good. I like the separate right click button and center scroll. Not batteries to replace.

Actually, I didn't care for the Apple mice, at least the ones from several years ago. Seemed to eat batteries and I felt it was hard to control.

 

[FreeBear]

Depending on your budget, I'd go to an Apple Store and look at the 27-inch model with the 5K screen.

I think a good quality display of that size might be around $1000 by itself.

Don't forget to check out the refurbished store, way at the bottom of the Apple website, in the fine print. You can get a current or near current model while savings hundreds of dollars. I bought a refurb from Apple and it was identical to new, except the outer cardboard box was plain, no fancy graphics.

For photo editing, I agree that you'll love the 27" display. Also lots of good discussion regarding the advantages of SSD internal drives (or at least Fusion) and backing up w/ Time Machine. Both life savers for photogs.

 

[WestUniversity]

I'm not an Apple fan but if you like your other Apple devices then, you'll probably like the iMac.

Never was an Apple fan either, only PCs. But then one day I received an iPod as a gift (wow is this cool). Then I got an iPhone (best cell phone I've ever owned). Then DW gave me an iPad which I thought was a cute toy but would never really use.

Then the last PC I had was less than stellar, not to mention the awful version of Windows at the time. So I bought a MacBook. I am now totally in the Apple ecosphere and everything simply works.

I have looked at the iMacs and are they ever sweet, but I have yet to pull the trigger...

 

[davebarnes]

No need, in my opinion

was thinking about what kind of antivirus protection to get

Mac user since 2005.
Do dangerous things.
Have never owned anti-virus on Mac.

I do use Little Snitch which I (as a nerd) find useful. But, it is complicated and annoying.

 

[jim584672]

Build your own machine with better parts for 1/3 to 1/2 the price. Don't know why so many fall for the Apple scam.

 

[mpeirce]

the Apple scam.

Right...