Update old Mac or buy a new one?

Any computer "iron", albeit the most powerful, will certainly be out of date. Therefore, from time to time prior to each owner of an apple computer gets the same question that you can answer is not always the first times: "update your Mac or just buy a new" Particularly acute, this problem may occur when switching to a new operating system - OS X Lion - albeit that is compatible with your computer, but a bit slower compared to Snow Leopard and, thus, gives a lot of inconvenience. Here the user thinks about buying a new MacBook Air or more of RAM.

If your Mac is not even two years old, you should think about installing new components to it.

Each of these computers ideal for work on the new operating system and meets system requirements Apple. Most likely, it will be no problem to run all sorts of programs, and it makes no sense to think about buying a new Mac, if you certainly do not need another computer.

At first inconvenience in the work should be paid attention to the volume specified in the Mac RAM, which must be at least 2 GB. But even with the amount of RAM in excess of the minimum requirements in half, I can not say I completely happy with the performance of your computer. Especially when working with Safari, which has a new architecture and a new memory leaks. Also, it is necessary to clarify before buying, how much RAM your computer will be able to freely recognize.

• For information about the one-piece iMac can be found at this pageAnd to install the purchased memory use our detailed guidance.
• RAM upgrade process to unibody-models, Mac mini is a few simple actions, but if you have an old Minicoy, then you may need another one of our instruction. The maximum value of "RAM" you can see on the support site Apple.
• Replace the memory in the MacBook Pro, too not so difficult.
• But to increase the amount of RAM in the new MacBook Air will not be able to design solutions into effect.

Anyway, contrary to popular belief, this operation is not permitted and will void the warranty Apple.

The second, and perhaps the main "bottleneck" of your Mac's hard drive is, the spindle speed which, depending on the model and year of your computer issue may be 5400 or even 4200 rpm (that very much few). And although his replacement is much more difficult to implement than to increase the amount of RAM, the majority of users with straight arms should cope with this procedure. Is that a problem may arise from the owners of the latest generation of the iMac, which Apple to design engineers used a new 7-pin connector, the SATA.

But if there are sufficient funds, I still recommend replacing your hard drive to SSD - sure, you will immediately You feel the difference (by the way, if you have had experience of this upgrade, please tell us in the comments on what is SSD-drives you We stopped). In this case, you will have to make certain compromises, because such flash drives until they can not boast of a large capacity for small money.

If the age of your computer is in the range of two to four years, then to choose the right strategy for action is much harder.

As we have seen, the two-year Macs should be fast enough and cope with all the latest software without problems, so if you want it, you can simply upgrade. But the older the computer, the more hard choices to be made to its owner, as much sense to invest in updating anymore. By the time when the computer turns 3,5-4 years should try to find finance to replace it.

One way to "get" the money to buy a new Mac - is to sell the old one. As a rule, used epplovskoe iron evaluated more expensive than their PC-analogues, but after about the second year of use begins to plummet cost of the computer. Naturally, the final amount of which is available for the Mac old, depends only on your personal business skills and the ability to convince the buyer. But by the beginning of the third "year of life" fair PC price will be approximately 40-50% of the amount that you paid for it in the beginning, that in itself is not bad. The cost of older Macs is reduced even more, so not every user will want to part with the usual computer for the money.

If your computer turned more than four years, then there is nothing to think about and think - is to raise money for a new laptop or desktop.

By and large, to invest in the Mac no longer has any meaning. Put it on the last version of the software - and you immediately want to roll back, because that even if the operating system and all applications run on it, you are unlikely to enjoy from bystrodeysvtie.

Of course, you may want to consider investing in the purchase of RAM or faster disk / flash drive, but if you need it? Even if we do not take into account so-called "planned aging", after about 5 years, you will not be able install on your computer the latest updates of the same iTunes 15, which will synchronize your ultra-modern iPhone 10. Simply continue to use this computer in normal mode, but it is better not keep it any important data as it ever could simply not turn on.

I hope that you will choose with respect to their current Macs right strategy that will not only work in the latest versions of your favorite programs, but also to enjoy their use :-)

[Based on the TUAW]