Purchasing a 2011 refurb iMac vs new 2012

I am in the market for a desktop and could use some assistance. I have been researching refurbished iMac for the past 4 months and watching the inventory on the store. I have been mainly targeting the 21" iMac 1TB at the $1,189 price point. After a very "green" Christmas I am now thinking that going new might be a better option. I know they don't currenty have the refurb in stock but would love to get a couple opinions on refurb vs. new from the forum to help my decision making process. As for what I will be using it for...my wife does some light Adobe CS work but mostly home photo and video editing. The 17" Macbook Pro 250GB we have now does a nice job but hard drive is nearly full and is getting a bit slow in its old age (2007). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
2011 Refurb $1,358 with AppleCare
2012 New $1,547 with AppleCare and Superdrive

slvrch8017 wrote:
Thanks Mende1! I appreciate your input. I am definitely leaning towards the new. Do you believe the improvement in hardware of the mid 2011 vs late 2012 to be higher than the $200 price difference? The only thing really holding me back from the new is that if I can save some cash and get a comparable product I could put the extra $ towards software. We have Office, Adobe, Final Cut, etc on our old Macbook that I would like to put on the new desktop but I don't believe that I have additional licenses on any of them so I would have to buy new.
I'm pretty sure that the difference in hardware between them is higher than the difference in price.
You have to contact with Adobe and Microsoft about the licenses. With Final Cut, you shouldn't have any problem

Similar Messages

Purchasing a 2011 new or refurb iMac vs new 2012?

Hi All,
It is time to finally upgrade my old iMac. I waited for the new 2012 model to come out. Now that I have read up on it and see there is no cd/dvd optical drive(which I use quite a bit) I wonder if I am better off trying to find a mid 2011 iMac as they still have it built in?
Would the Apple stores still have the 2011 model? I know I can by a stand alone optical drive but questioning which way would be the better option.
Thanks in Advance.

Another reason I would go for a refurb is if the glass on the new machine gets damaged its a whole new screen, and that is glued to the body as mentioned. The previous model has a seperate glass (I think its glass) screen over the LCD display panel, and that can be removed with a suction cups, its only held on by magnets and thats going to be far quicker and easier than replacing a new 2012 models one. Also the fact that if you plug a USB 2 device into a USB 3 port first on the new 2012 iMacs they then become limited to USB 2 speeds is a bit odd and current iPads and iPhones are USB 2. Also the SD card slot is on the side under the optical drive, not on the back. I would personally go for a refurb mid 2011. If you find a i7 model the performnce difference would not be really that noticable in day to day use, dont let bragging rights or Geek Bench scores fool you, Ivy Bridge is more of an incremental update. Intels tick where as Sandy bridge was the Tock. The next worthwhile CPU upgrade will be Haswell.

IMac 27" (Late 2012) Freezing and Crashing

I purchased an ex-demo iMac 27" (Late 2012 - 3.4Ghz, 3TB Fusion Drive, Nvidia 680MX 2GB) that was upgraded to 32GB Ram last July.
Since I've recieved it it has intemittantly locked up, occasionally you get the your computers been restarted screen but mostly it just freezes completely. There's no pattern it can be at the login screen, on the desktop with no software running or when any software I use. There's no particular thing that seems to cause it.
I have run the Apple Hardware Test in Extended Mode Multiple Times and it reports no issues. I've run MemTest Continuosly for 24 hours and it reports no issue.
I've done clean installs of OSX multiple times (both Mavericks and Mountain Lion) and its had no effect. Even with a barebones OSX install it still freezes so I've ruled out software.
I've switched the RAM to rule out memory - still freezes.
I've used both WiFi and and Ethernet to rule out network - still freezes.
I've removed the Fusion Drive Logical Volume and installed OSX to the SSD and then to the HDD to rule out hard disks. This included zeroing the hard drive to ensure there was no bad sectors etc. This didn't make any difference.
I contacted Apple who told me to take it to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. I took it in to my local AASP they've told me they can't find anything wrong - everything works fine for them.
I'm wondering whether the issues are environmental. I've seen a few reports that "Dirty Power" can cause issues, has anyone had any similar experiences that have been solved by a UPS?
Failing that I'm at a loss at what to do. The iMac is unusable as it freezes every few hours.
Anyone have any ideas of what else I could try?
Thanks,
James

1. This procedure is a diagnostic test. It changes nothing, for better or worse, and therefore will not, in itself, solve your problem.
2. If you don't already have a current backup, back up all data before doing anything else. The backup is necessary on general principle, not because of anything in the test procedure. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.
3. Below are instructions to run a UNIX shell script, a type of program. All it does is to gather information about the state of your computer. That information goes nowhere unless you choose to share it on this page. However, you should be cautious about running any kind of program (not just a shell script) at the request of a stranger on a public message board. If you have doubts, search this site for other discussions in which this procedure has been followed without any report of ill effects. If you can't satisfy yourself that the instructions are safe, don't follow them.
Here's a summary of what you need to do: Copy a line of text from this web page into the window of another application. Wait for the script to run. It usually takes a couple of minutes. Then paste the results, which will have been copied automatically, back into a reply on this page. The sequence is: copy, paste, wait, paste again. Details follow.
4. You may have started the computer in "safe" mode. Preferably, these steps should be taken in “normal” mode. If the system is now in safe mode and works well enough in normal mode to run the test, restart as usual. If you can only test in safe mode, do that.
5. If you have more than one user, and the one affected by the problem is not an administrator, then please run the test twice: once while logged in as the affected user, and once as an administrator. The results may be different. The user that is created automatically on a new computer when you start it for the first time is an administrator. If you can't log in as an administrator, test as the affected user. Most personal Macs have only one user, and in that case this section doesn’t apply.
6. The script is a single long line, all of which must be selected. You can accomplish this easily by triple-clicking anywhere in the line. The whole line will highlight, though you may not see all of it in your browser, and you can then copy it. If you try to select the line by dragging across the part you can see, you won't get all of it.
Triple-click anywhere in the line of text below on this page to select it:
PATH=/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin; clear; Fb='%s\n\t(%s)\n'; Fm='\n%s:\n\n%s\n'; Fs='\n%s: %s\n'; Fu='user %s%%, system %s%%'; PB="/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c Print"; A () { [[ a -eq 0 ]]; }; M () { find -L "$d" -type f | while read f; do file -b "$f" | egrep -q XML\|exec && echo $f; done; }; Pc () { o=`egrep -v '^[[:blank:]]*($|#)' "$2"`; Pm "$1"; }; Pm () { [[ "$o" ]] && o=`sed 's/^ */ /' <<< "$o"` && printf "$Fm" "$1" "$o"; }; Pp () { o=`$PB "$2" | awk -F'= ' \/$3'/{print $2}'`; Pm "$1"; }; Ps () { o=`echo $o`; [[ ! "$o" =~ ^0?$ ]] && printf "$Fs" "$1" "$o"; }; R () { o=; [[ r -eq 0 ]]; }; SP () { system_profiler SP${1}DataType; }; id | grep -qw '80(admin)'; a=$?; A && sudo true; r=$?; t=`date +%s`; clear; { A || echo $'No admin access\n'; A && ! R && echo $'No root access\n'; SP Software | sed '8!d;s/^ *//'; o=`SP Hardware | awk '/Mem/{print $2}'`; o=$((o<4?o:0)); Ps "Memory (GB)"; o=`SP Diagnostics | sed '5,6!d'`; [[ "$o" =~ Pass ]] || Pm "POST"; o=`SP USB | awk '/:$/{d[++n]=$0}; /M.*: /{split($0,a,":"); m[n]=a[2]} END {for (i in m) {if (m[i] !~ /^ Apple/) print d[i] m[i]}}'`; Pm "USB"; o=`pmset -g therm | sed 's/^.*CP/CP/'`; egrep -q 'No th|pms' <<< "$o" && o=; Pm "Thermal conditions"; o=`pmset -g sysload | grep -v :`; grep -q '= [^GO]' <<< "$o" || o=; Pm "System load advisory"; o=`nvram boot-args | awk '{$1=""; print}'`; Ps "boot-args"; d=(/ ""); D=(System User); for i in 0 1; do o=`cd ${d[$i]}L*/L*/Dia* && ls | awk -F_ '!/ag$/{$NF=a[split($NF,a,".")]; print}' | tail`; Pm "${D[$i]} diagnostics"; done; o=`syslog -F bsd -k Sender kernel -k Message CReq 'GPU |hfs: Ru|I/O e|n Cause: -|NVDA\(|pagin|SATA W|ssert|timed? ?o' | tail -n25 | awk '/:/{$4=""; $5=""; print}'`; Pm "Kernel messages"; o=`df -m / | awk 'NR==2 {print $4}'`; o=$((o<5120?o:0)); Ps "Free space (MiB)"; o=$(($(vm_stat | awk '/eo/{sub("\\.",""); print $2}')/256)); o=$((o>=1024?o:0)); Ps "Pageouts (MiB)"; s=( `sar -u 1 10 | sed '$!d'` ); [[ s[4] -lt 85 ]] && o=`printf "$Fu" ${s[1]} ${s[3]}` || o=; Ps "Total CPU usage" && { s=(`ps acrx -o comm,ruid,%cpu | sed '2!d'`); o=${s[2]}%; Ps "CPU usage by process \"$s\" with UID ${s[1]}"; }; s=(`top -R -l1 -n1 -o prt -stats command,uid,prt | sed '$!d'`); s[2]=${s[2]%[+-]}; o=$((s[2]>=25000?s[2]:0)); Ps "Mach ports used by process \"$s\" with UID ${s[1]}"; o=`kextstat -kl | grep -v com\\.apple | cut -c53- | cut -d\< -f1`; Pm "Loaded extrinsic kernel extensions"; R && o=`sudo launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.(apple|openssh|vix\.cron)|org\.(amav|apac|calendarse|cups|dove|isc|ntp|post[fg]|x)/{print $3}'`; Pm "Extrinsic system jobs"; o=`launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.apple|org\.(x|openbsd)|\.[0-9]+$/{print $3}'`; Pm "Extrinsic agents"; o=`for d in {/,}L*/Lau*; do M; done | grep -v com\.apple\.CSConfig | while read f; do ID=$($PB\ :Label "$f") || ID="No job label"; printf "$Fb" "$f" "$ID"; done`; Pm "launchd items"; o=`for d in /{S*/,}L*/Star*; do M; done`; Pm "Startup items"; o=`find -L /S*/L*/E* {/,}L*/{A*d,Compon,Ex,In,Keyb,Mail,P*P,Qu,Scripti,Servi,Spo}* -type d -name Contents -prune | while read d; do ID=$($PB\ :CFBundleIdentifier "$d/Info.plist") || ID="No bundle ID"; egrep -qv "^com\.apple\.[^x]|Accusys|ArcMSR|ATTO|HDPro|HighPoint|driver\.stex|hp-fax|\.hpio|JMicron|microsoft\.MDI|print|SoftRAID" <<< $ID && printf "$Fb" "${d%/Contents}" "$ID"; done`; Pm "Extrinsic loadable bundles"; o=`find -L /u*/{,*/}lib -type f | while read f; do file -b "$f" | grep -qw shared && ! codesign -v "$f" && echo $f; done`; Pm "Unsigned shared libraries"; o=`launchctl getenv DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES`; Pm "Inserted libraries"; o=`find -L {,/u*/lo*}/e*/periodic -type f -mtime -10d`; Pm "Modified periodic scripts"; o=`scutil --proxy | grep Prox`; Pm "Proxies"; o=`scutil --dns | awk '/r\[0\] /{if ($NF !~ /^1(0|72\.(1[6-9]|2[0-9]|3[0-1])|92\.168)\./) print $NF; exit}'`; Ps "DNS"; R && o=`sudo profiles -P | grep : | wc -l`; Ps "Profiles"; for f in fstab sysctl.conf crontab launchd.conf; do Pc $f /etc/$f; done; Pc "hosts" <(grep -v 'host *$' /etc/hosts); Pc "User launchd" ~/.launchd*; R && Pc "Root crontab" <(sudo crontab -l); Pc "User crontab" <(crontab -l); R && o=`sudo defaults read com.apple.loginwindow LoginHook`; Pm "Login hook"; Pp "Global login items" /L*/P*/loginw* Path; Pp "User login items" L*/P*/*loginit* Name; Pp "Safari extensions" L*/Saf*/*/E*.plist Bundle | sed 's/\..*$//;s/-[1-9]$//'; o=`find ~ $TMPDIR.. $ -flags +sappnd,schg,uappnd,uchg -o ! -user $UID -o ! -perm -600 $ | wc -l`; Ps "Restricted user files"; cd; o=`SP Fonts | egrep "Valid: N|Duplicate: Y" | wc -l`; Ps "Font problems"; o=`find L*/{Con,Pref}* -type f ! -size 0 -name *.plist | while read f; do plutil -s "$f" >&- || echo $f; done`; Pm "Bad plists"; d=(Desktop L*/Keyc*); n=(20 7); for i in 0 1; do o=`find "${d[$i]}" -type f -maxdepth 1 | wc -l`; o=$((o<=n[$i]?0:o)); Ps "${d[$i]##*/} file count"; done; o=$((`date +%s`-t)); Ps "Elapsed time (s)"; } 2>/dev/null | pbcopy; exit 2>&-
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.
7. Launch the built-in Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
When you launch Terminal, a text window will open with a line already in it, ending either in a dollar sign ($) or a percent sign (%). If you get the percent sign, enter
exec sh
in the window and press return. You should then get a new line ending in a dollar sign.
Click anywhere in the Terminal window and paste (command-V). The text you pasted should vanish immediately. If it doesn't, press the return key.
If you're logged in as an administrator, you'll be prompted for your login password. Nothing will be displayed when you type it. You will not see the usual dots in place of typed characters. Make sure caps lock is off. Type carefully and then press return. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. If you make three failed attempts to enter the password, the test will run anyway, but it will produce less information. In most cases, the difference is not important. If you don't know your password, or if you prefer not to enter it, just press return three times at the password prompt.
If you're not logged in as an administrator, you won't be prompted for your password. The test will still run. It just won't do anything that takes administrator privileges.
The test may take up to a few minutes to run, depending on how many files you have and the speed of the computer. A computer that's abnormally slow may take longer to run the test. While it's running, there will be nothing in the Terminal window and no indication of progress. Wait for the line "[Process completed]" to appear. If you don't see it within half an hour or so, the test probably won't complete in a reasonable time. In that case, close the Terminal window and report your results. No harm will be done.
8. When the test is complete, quit Terminal. The results will have been copied to the Clipboard automatically. They are not shown in the Terminal window. Please don't copy anything from there. All you have to do is start a reply to this comment and then paste by pressing command-V again.
If any private information, such as your name or email address, appears in the results, anonymize it before posting. Usually that won't be necessary.
When you post the results, you might see the message, "You have included content in your post that is not permitted." It means that the forum software has misidentified something in the post as a violation of the rules. If it happens, please post the test results on Pastebin, then post a link here to the page you created.
Note: This is a public forum, and others may give you advice based on the results of the test. They speak only for themselves, and I don't necessarily agree with them.
Copyright © 2014 Linc Davis. As the sole author of this work, I reserve all rights to it except as provided in the Terms of Use of Apple Support Communities ("ASC"). Readers of ASC may copy it for their own personal use. Neither the whole nor any part may be redistributed.

Will the new 2012 iMac support 2 hard drives (HDD and SSD) like the 2011 iMac?

Will the new 2012 iMac support 2 hard drives (HDD and SSD) like the 2011 iMac?

Well, I'm not sure how anything can fit into a 5 mm depth, so I can see why they've removed the CD drive - there probably wouldn't be enough room for the laser, LOL. Can't imagine speakers, hard drive (of any flavor), logic board and so on and so forth. Fortunately, my iMac has Applecare through early 2015 so I'm set for a while; I may check out a Mini at that point - saw that it is configurable with a fusion drive, which would make it interesting for me.

Hi guys yesterday i had my house robbed and they took my iMac which i purchased in 2011. so i went out and purchased a new iMac today but im having problems transfering all my music from my iPhone 5 to it. Any suggestions???

Hi guys yesterday i had my house robbed and they took my iMac which i purchased in 2011. so i went out and purchased a new iMac today but im having problems transfering all my music from my iPhone 5 to it. Any suggestions???

iTunes Store- Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer.http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1848
Or you can use a third-party utility such as Phone to Mac - Pod to Mac.

Has anyone seen the new 2012 iMac in any Apple stores yet?

I was told by an Apple store employee that they would have the new 2012 iMac's in the Apple stores with-in a few days of their launch announcement, back in late October .... here it is late November and the new 2012 iMac's are not yet in the Apple store, for display purposes, here in Rochester, NY.
Last night I was again at the Apple store here in Rochester, and asking about the new iMacs. one of the employees now says they "may be out in December" some time.
I'm very disapponted as a loyal Mac user for over twenty years (and even as an Apple investor). that Apple is announcing the launch of these new products, and then taking months for these products to show up for sale.
I'm starting to think that it won't be until late January that I can actually be able to purchase one of the new 2012 21.5" iMacs ..... i've been waiting years to get a new "antiglare" iMac.
Has any one actually seen one of the new 21.5" 2012 iMacs in one of their local Apple stores, on display yet?

UPDATE: Dec. 6, 2012
I was just over at the local Apple store loking at the new 21.5" iMac, and to be honest, I wasn't all that impressed. I have been waiting for over a year to upgrade my Mac, and had high expectations for the new 2012 iMac's .... but seeing and playing with one in the store .... the new one's may not be for me.
Most of all I wanted to believe all the talk about 75% less reflections in the new iMac display, but while in the Apple store, I saw no real difference over the previous model ... and if so, it was more like 25% less reflections. Nothing that dramatic, certainly not like the "anti-glare" screens available in the 2011 MacBook Pro. Basically, my understanding is that the new 2012 iMac's use the SAME DISPLAY as the previous iMac models did. It's the LG "LM215WF3" display, same as those in the 2009-2011 iMac displays. The only difference in the 2012 display, is that they took out the small space between the outer glass and the actual screen surface to get the overall display thinner. It still has the basic "glossy glass" cover screen.
The other disappointment was the extremely poor audio sound from the new iMac's built-in speakers. They just sounded so "tinny", even when playing with multiple iTunes "equalizer" settings. Again, disappointing.
Looks like I'll have to research the possibility of buying a Mini-Mac and an older Apple 20" cinema display off eBay. Or pick up a late model 2011 iMac and get the Rad-Tech "anti-glare" screen film for the display (Ugh!).
Being a graphic designer and art director in profession, I just can't understand why Apple has abandoned the "professional" market for these glossy displays in it's iMac line .... or at least STILL hasn't given us an option for a true "anti-glare" display.
Is it just me, or are my observations on the new 2012 iMac being seen the same by others as well?

Best current method to move from 2004 G5 iMac to new 27" 2012 iMac

I have read many threads but still would like updated clarifications, please.
Is setup assistant the best way to upgrade from G5 iMac running Leopard to new 2012 iMac running ML? I only wish to move my single user account and not apps (except where I have noted)
I still wish to keep G5 iMac in use. If I copy user account will there be any conflict with same account on both iMacs? And are there still known issues copying this user acc from G5 to 2012 iMac?
This is list of items I wish to copy to new imac.
1-iTunes
2-iPhoto
3-quicken 2007 (data files - hope to install new quicken 2007 for ML-not sure of correct process, though. I'm guessing install Q2007 for ML then copy data files from old imac?)
4-apple mail (several gmail imap accs with saved emails and folder structure)
5-documents
6-downloads
7-pictures
8-movies
9-crashplan backup app (need to research this process to switch backup to use new Mac)
10-carbon copy cloner app
11-safari / firefox bookmarks
12-network settings for Internet access via AT&T Ethernet using their 2wire router
There may be items I'm missing (not in front of iMac right now)...but will be in a few minutes
thanks for any advice.
Phil

A Basic Guide for Data Migration
If you are migrating a PowerPC (PowerMac) system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
Note: if you are upgrading to a Mac with Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later, or with the intent of upgrading to 10.7 or later anytime in the future, be aware that any applications that are not labelled Universal, or haven't been upgraded to Intel CPU compatibility will not run on Lion or later. Documents may migrate if an Intel native application exists that will open them, but applications that are PowerPC only will not. This user tip explains what else is needed for upgrading to Lion: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2465.
This also means for any Mac model whose hardware or firmware that has been refreshed on or after July 20, 2011, you won't be able to install 10.6.8 or get Rosetta from it unless you follow a link at the end of this tip. It may be better to get a used or refurbished Mac that predates July 20, 2011. See the Snow Leopard tip on the bottom for which Macs support Rosetta, which in turn supports older PowerPC applications.
Both Leopard (10.5) , and Tiger (10.4.4 through 10.4.11, excluding 10.4.0, 10.4.1, 10.4.2, and 10.4.3) have PowerPC and Intel Mac support, and upgrading to either, this tip here, as well as links to my tip on Tiger and Leopard will help with your upgrade.
The Knowledgebase article Intel-based Mac: Some migrated applications may need to be updated refers to methods of dealing with migrating from PowerPC chips to Intel with the Migration Assistant safely. The authors of this tip have not had a chance to verify this works in all instances, or that it avoids the 10.6.1 and earlier Guest Account bug that caused account information to get deleted upon use of the Migration/Setup Assistant. However, a well backed up source that includes at least two backups of all the data that are not connected to your machine will help you avoid potential issues, should they arise. In event it does not work, follow the steps below.
Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
Screensavers written for the PowerPC
System Preference add-ons
All Unsanity Haxies
Browser and other plug-ins
Contextual Menu Items
Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5
Kernel extensions
Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior 4.1, TechTool Pro 4.6.1, SuperDuper 2.5, and Drive Genius 2.0.2 work properly on Intel-Macs with Leopard. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries. Leopard Cache Cleaner, Onyx, TinkerTool System, and Cocktail are now compatible with Leopard.
Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
Intel In Macs
Apple Guide to Universal Applications
MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
Transferring data with Setup Assistant - Migration Assistant FAQ
Because Migration Assistant isn't the ideal way to migrate from PowerPC to Intel Macs, using Target Disk Mode, copying the critical contents to CD and DVD, an external hard drive, or networking will work better when moving from PowerPC to Intel Macs. The initial section below discusses Target Disk Mode. It is then followed by a section which discusses networking with Macs that lack Firewire. You can also determine if you have Firewire by looking at this image of the ports typically found on a PowerMac G4 Firewire 800, which has two 6 pin Firewire 400 (IEEE 1394a) ports below the USB ports, and below that, a Firewire 800 (IEEE 1394b).
The 4 pin Firewire found on many camcorders is just a Firewire 400 port that is not powered by the computer. Cables exist that can convert between all three.
If both computers support the use of Firewire then you can use the following instructions:
1. Repair the hard drive and permissions using Disk Utility.
2. Backup your data. This is vitally important in case you make a mistake or there's some other problem.
3. Connect a Firewire cable between your old Mac and your new Intel Mac.
4. Startup your old Mac in Target Disk Mode.
5. Startup your new Mac for the first time, go through the setup and registration screens, but do NOT
migrate data over. Get to your desktop on the new Mac without migrating any new data over.
If you are not able to use a Firewire connection (for example you have a Late 2008 MacBook that only supports USB:)
1. Set up a local home network: Creating a small Ethernet Network.
2. If you have a MacBook Air or Late 2008 MacBook see the following:
MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- Migration Tips and Tricks;
MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- What to do if migration is
unsuccessful;
MacBook Air- Migration Tips and Tricks;
MacBook Air- Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and wireless 802.11n networks.
Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:
In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Fonts
/Home/Library/Widgets
/Home/Library/Syndication (Tiger) or /Home/Library/PubSub (Leopard) <<< RSS
/Home/Library/Internet Plug-In
Credit goes to iBod for this information.
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
Credit goes to Macjack for this information.
If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the Discussions where specific applications store their data.
5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.
Special instructions for those who have purchased Mac models that do not support Rosetta:
The newest (post 2010) Mac models run only Lion or Mountain Lion. They are not able to run Snow Leopard at all. However, you can still run PPC applications using Snow Leopard and Rosetta by intalling Snow Leopard as a virtual machine using Parallels. This is not an exercise for the truly inexperienced user, but it is completely doable provided you are willing to spend some money and some time. For complete instructions on what to do see https://discussions.apple.com/message/18280105#18280105. Although the instructions are keyed to Parallels 7, you should instead use the latest version, Parallels 8. (This information was contributed by user MlchaelLAX.)
Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.

Vmware fusion 5.0.2 cannot connect to network on my brand new iMac '27 late 2012

Dear friends,
I have tried to install Windows 8 (x64bit) Pro., Windows XP, and CentOS 6.0 using vmware fusion 5.0.2 over my brand new iMac '27 late 2012. However, neither one can connect to the Internet. There was no problem with the same installation on my iMac 2011.
The network board recognized by Windows 8 is Intel(R) 82574L Gigabit Network Connection.
In the folder of vmware fusion's setting files on Mac OS, I found a file called Windows 8 x64.vmx, and
there is a line as follows.
ethernet0.virtualDev ="e1000e"
Any friend has the same problem or can give me some hints?
Thanks a lot!

Suggest that you post your question here

IMac 27" late 2012 + new Apple TV 3: bluetooth disconnections

Hello,
I have an iMac 27" late 2012 working perfectly with wireless keyboard, magic mouse, and wireless trackpad until two days ago, when I purchased the Apple TV.
Since then I have continous disconnections whith Mavericks. Mouse, Keyboard and Pad lost connection and a few seconds later reconnects.
Just this post is impossibly to write, but with patiente....
Just note that when working with Apple TV in standby, with white led off, I have no problems like ever.
If I push any remote button power on Apple TV then automatically Mavericks starts in infinite loop to disconnect (the 3) and connect again.
Then put in stand by Apple TV and then all thing go fine again.
Note that when working with W7 with Bootcamp no errors, no disconnections, anything... All OK.
By this reason I think that the issue is located in OSX Mavericks, not related to the new ecosystem with Apple TV.
Obviously anything isn't going right with Apple TV, but still thinking that it is working OK.
Any idea? how can I check error logs in Mavericks?
The iMac is under Applecare covering, and the Apple TV is new, 2 days old.
Best regards.

Thanks for your fast reply!!!
I think that I have found what was shutting down Bluetooth on iMac.
I installed 2 or 3 weeks ago NotifyR on iMac to get notifies when received in iPhone.
I have opened console at iMac and I have seen that continously was looking for devices and when found Apple TV, with Bluetooth panel opened I saw that shutted down.
First of all I have put in OFF NotifyR. All has become normal. No disconnections of anything and no shutdown in general of Bluetooth.
I have sure at 99,99% that this was the problem. I will have it in quarantine...
I will remove NotifyR waiting for new capabilities of Yosemite!.
Thanks again. I hope that if someone have the same combination will help him.

HT3696 How to know if your mac is using the latest Haswell architecture processor or not? and how to know the difference between the new imac and the 2012/13 imac?

How to know if your mac is using the latest Haswell architecture processor or not? and how to know the difference between the new imac and the 2012/13 imac?

Sorry to reopen an old post, but I've just purchased a 2nd hand late-2013 iMac (or so thats what the seller said).
I'm always sceptical though, and just wanted to know if there is a way to check if my iMac is indeed the late-2013 model that included Haswell?
I've attached screenshots of the About This Mac section hoping it may help shed some light.
Thank you in advance for your help!
PS - I can't compare to the iMac specs link you posted above because its now showing the late-2014 models.
<Image Edited by Host to Remove Serial Number>

How can i use a purchased version of Lion on a new Air to install on an existing iMac?

I have just bought a new Macbook air today which comes with Lion. I also have an iMac 27" at home already running Snow Leopard. Do I have to buy another copy of Lion for the iMac or am I entitled to use the installation I have with the Air? How would I go about getting Lion on the iMac in this case?

Yes, legally (and probably technically as well) you need to purchase Lion for your iMac. The copy that will come with your new MBA is licensed only for that system.
Regards.

I have a new (mid-2011 27" Imac with 2 Thunderbolt ports each driving one 27" Thunderbolt display. The 3 displays work perfectly in OSX Lion but in Bootcamp 4.0 with Windows 7 (64 bit) only 2 screens come up. everything is up to date. Anyonce who can help

I have a new (mid-2011 27" Imac with 2 Thunderbolt Ports each driving one 27" Thunderbolt display.
Graphic card is AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 2Gb of VRAM. All works 100% in Lion but
in Bootcamp 4.0 running windows 7 Professional (64 bit) Only 2 of the 3 screens work not all three.
Tried updates, calling Apple etc. But no luck. Windows doesn't recognize the 3rd screen while
checking on the driver in windows is tells me it's the latest and best available. ? In VMware
Windows 7 also works fine over three screens so windows can do it. But I need it natively to
work. (i.o.w. in Bootcamp). Does Anybody know how to solve this, or if Apple is working on a
solution for this ? It really hurts to have one of these expensive screens staring at you being dead.

I have a new (mid-2011 27" Imac with 2 Thunderbolt Ports each driving one 27" Thunderbolt display.
Graphic card is AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 2Gb of VRAM. All works 100% in Lion but
in Bootcamp 4.0 running windows 7 Professional (64 bit) Only 2 of the 3 screens work not all three.
Tried updates, calling Apple etc. But no luck. Windows doesn't recognize the 3rd screen while
checking on the driver in windows is tells me it's the latest and best available. ? In VMware
Windows 7 also works fine over three screens so windows can do it. But I need it natively to
work. (i.o.w. in Bootcamp). Does Anybody know how to solve this, or if Apple is working on a
solution for this ? It really hurts to have one of these expensive screens staring at you being dead.

I have an iMac 21.5 inch purchased in 2011 with a failing 1TB Seagate hard drive. Can I get a replacement hard drive?

I have an iMac 21.5 inch purchased in 2011 with a failing 1TB Seagate hard drive. Can I get a replacement hard drive thru the Apple Replacement Program? I did purchase the Applecare Plan but it expired in Dec. 2013.

FWIW, if you purchased the iMac in 2011 and purchased Applecare, you are covered for a total of 3 years. You mentioned yours expired in December 2013 - that cannot be unless you bought yours in 2010. If you bought it in December 2011, you should still be covered until December 2014 - if so, contact Apple/make a Genius Bar appointment quickly so the replacement is covered by the warranty. The hard drive replacement program might have expired, but as long as you're covered by Applecare, a drive replacement is covered.

**I've installed Windows 7 through bootcamp on the new 2012 iMac now I have no network drivers or graphics drivers to run aero! Help! **

**I've installed Windows 7 through bootcamp on the new 2012 iMac now I have no network drivers or graphics drivers to run aero! Help! **

I have been through it again and at the end it came up with the error:

How can I best make use of all my devices ? Mac mini, Apple TV, AirPort Extreme, airport express, ipad 2 (all purchased in 2011) and an old imac with OS X. I use my iPhones personal hotspot for all Internet.

How can I best make use of all my devices ? Mac mini, Apple TV, AirPort Extreme, airport express, ipad 2 (all purchased in 2011) and an old imac with OS X. I use my iPhones personal hotspot for all Internet.

Maybe you are looking to re-purpose this equipment versus getting rid of it if so, the best thing to do is search the internet for tutorials. And I say this because it's what I would do, there are a lot of tutorials online. Hope you can find good use for them. Worse case scenario if you can't find something right now, package them very nicely and when you come across something unbox and enjoy. I've re-purposed a mac color classic and LOVE IT!!

Purchasing a 2011 refurb iMac vs new 2012

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for