IMac: upgrade or buy new?

I have a 2.66 GHz late 2009 iMac with hard drive issues. I would like to have the drive replaced with new larger drive (3Tb?). I'm not a techie and would hire this done. I hear terms like fashion drive, solid state drive, etc. but do notundrerstand what these options are or which might be best for me. I am an artist and work with lots of photos. What additional info would you need to help me determine what I would need?

A solid state drive (SSD) of a size greater than around 500 GB is going to be expensive. I'm not even sure if anyone makes a solid state drive of 3 TB in size. Your best purchase would be to buy a 2 or 3 TB hard drive and have someone install it for you. Installing a hard drive in an iMac is a difficult procedure for a do it yourself project. You can have Apple do it for you or any authorized Apple repair service. Make sure you get an estimate of cost first.

Thanks for the prompt response. I just returned to NY from a month visit in Dallas and enjoyed my time there. There is an Apple auth shop near me where I can have the replacement done and memory added. My only concern is with the age of the computer, is replacing the drive a good idea? I hate to sink the money into a new iMac, but I also don't want to be left behind in a year or two unable to run new OS & software.

Well, that's a decision you need to make. A 2009 iMac is getting a bit dated but still a useful machine. A new iMac especially if you go top of the line, is going to cost around $2000 or more depending on how loaded it is. Adding a large hard drive and memory to your iMac plus the cost of labor is probably going to set you back close to $500. You may be able to get the work done for less. You can always save by installing the memory yourself since that's an easy do it yourself task.

Again thanks. I guess $500 or so isn't a bad investment for a couple more years out if the machine.

Consider installing a hybrid drive instead of a full SSD. You get 90+ percent of the speed, plus massive storage amounts, for way cheaper.

PS. If you're doing anything that is (or will be) graphically intense (example: watch an HD movie), I'd suggest moving on rather than upgrading. 2009 was not a great year for video cards, and that's not upgradable in your machine.

Cheap Mac Air

You should buy a new one as now adays upgrading will cost you much more than buying a new one. I can suggest to a site from where you can get a mac air just at $249.

jonnynash said:

You should buy a new one as now adays upgrading will cost you much more than buying a new one. I can suggest to a site from where you can get a mac air just at $249.

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I'm going to suggest that the link you referenced is not legitimate (link removed). Post it again...and you'll be banned!

- Nick

Nick: he's a spammer. That's what they do.

Thanks, chas_m for your thoughts. I will look into that option. This is my workhorse machine. I typically watch movies on my iPad Air, so that's not an issue.
Cheyanna

chas_m said:

Nick: he's a spammer. That's what they do.

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Well aware of that. 99% of spam on Mac-Forums is never seen by the membership due to automatic controls, fast action by the staff, and reports by members.

This member is/was a bit more subtle with the link...and didn't want to ban them in case it was an innocent mistake (benefit of the doubt).

- Nick

Ahh you are a soft hearted oldie Nick. First post spam and out the door lol!

Normally when I report spam posts, the spam post is then removed. This spam post is still here with the link removed. Change of policy?

chas_m said:

Normally when I report spam posts, the spam post is then removed. This spam post is still here with the link removed. Change of policy?

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The post above was never reported by anyone. It was spotted by the Mac-Forums staff...and dealt with. Judgement calls are made as to how to handle these sort of situations. It's not always a one-size-fits-all process.

Let please focus on the thread topic.

Thanks,

- Nick