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The iMac is Apple's line of all-in-one desktop computers.

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Can you do DIY upgrades & repairs for 2012 and later iMacs?

I am upgrading my desktop after about 20 years and now need a computer that can last a long time b/c they are big purchases.

I like the newer models, but I am not techy YET, so the superdriver of mid 2011 & older models is convenient.

If I am need this computer for a particular program, ArcGIS, that I believe in the long run as I use it more & more professionally will absorb a lot of memory, should I stick with the Mid 2011 iMac (that I just got b/c I thought it would more than suit my needs) and do upgrades to SSD through your kits once the warranty is over? Or should I go with the newer and actually less expensive faster technology that is around now and increasing as we speak. I don't want my capacity to make maps to become obsolete.

In fact, I just purchased a Mid 2011 iMac 27" i7 with 16GB Memory & 1TB HDD. However, it is slow as a snail with a mere 5 tabs open, and only the OS7 operating system. Way slower than my older macbook pro. Should I ditch it?

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Yes - If you want to upgrade your machine you should be looking at MacPro's not iMacs. iMac's are basically PHD (Press here dummy) all in a box machines, for general purpose users, not graphic artists and programers -they are not designed for customization or upgrading... MacPro's are.

If you're keeping the machine for 20yrs then spend some cash and buy the right machine, not a cheap machine or less than what you need. When computer shopping due to the rapid change in technology buying more is advised as the rule of thumb, not buying less.

So if you want speed get a MacPro (RAM =Speed) something like this:

Refurbished Mac Pro 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon

From the Apple Store (Qualifies for Warranty) Originally released June 2012

One 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor

6GB (3 x 2GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 ECC memory You can upgrade the RAM on this box - Apple officially supports 32 GB of RAM. However, as first noted by site sponsor Other World Computing, this model actually can support 48 GB of RAM.

1TB Serial ATA 7200 rpm (By default, this system shipped with a single 1 TB (7200 RPM, 32 MB cache) Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive. Apple formally supports up to 8 TB of storage with four 2 TB hard drives (one in each internal bay). Via custom configuration, Apple also offered to swap the 1 TB drive with a 2 TB drive for an extra US$150 or with a 512 GB SSD for an extra US$1250.)

18x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)


 ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB GDDR5 memory (Display Support: Up to 6 Displays* Resolution Support: 2560x1600*)

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I agree with MacHead about getting a MacPro.

To review the speed go here and look at the 64-bit Multi-Core machines:

http://browser.primatelabs.com/mac-bench...

I'm running a 5 year old machine but it's still the #8 fastest Mac ever made.

I can drop in 36 GIGS of RAM and 4 hard drives.

The only thing I don't have that the new machines have is a ThunderPort.

This machine will continue to last me a long time.

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