How Long Does an Imac Last? You Should Know This!

Besides being known for its expensive products, Apple is also known for its high-performance devices. The iMac, the Apple variant of a desktop pc, is well sought after by office workers, students, and just about anybody who likes top-end devices. They come in flashy colors you rarely find on windows pc.

If you’ve been looking to get this device, a question you might have asked yourself is how long does an iMac last? This is a very valid question; when spending $2000- $5000+ on a device, it is only natural you desire to get your money’s worth. Although they’re way more expensive than Windows PCs, there’re different price ranges to fit whatever budget you have in mind.

Read this article as we explore features to expect, the different budget ranges of Imac’s, and what to expect in product life span.

Are Imac Different From Windows PC

Imac

The basic difference between an Imac and a windows pc is the operating system. When it comes to how the internal components work, Imac’s and windows pc are very similar. They both have CPUs, fans, keyboards, Graphic cards, Ram; the list goes on and on.

Apple has invested a lot of time and resources to distance its products from its counterparts. But they can’t deny the fact that these products operate on the same basic principle as long as internal components are concerned.

The major difference is in the operating system. Software and programs are made independently for windows and apple pcs. The iMac has a very sleek layout; all its programs are optimized for aesthetics; this is why people love them. Another thing is the prestige attached to these devices. No matter how you deny it, owning an Apple product is now a class symbol; this means a lot to some people and nothing to others.

Windows PC

Our trusty Windows desktops have been with us for as long as we can remember. Known for their bulky numerous external components, these pics are made to last. Another reason people love windows is the upgradability feature.

You can take a stock desktop and turn it into the most advanced gaming rig. Windows pc gives you access to the various internal components, such as; graphic cards, ram, processor, fan. Tweaking these 3 components gives you room to upgrade your pc to whatever you want. This allows you to use your desktop for longer without it becoming obsolete.

Windows are well known for their clunky internal overlays. They’re built for speed and not aesthetics. Over the years, there have been serious updates to the operating system, from Windows 8, 9, 10, and recently 11, but these don’t come close to the iMac.

Pros and Con of Imac and Windows

Imac

pros	cons
They’re portable; the CPU and monitor are housed inside one unit.	They’re very expensive; you can often find windows products cheaper with the same performance specs.
The top-end products of Imacs have some of the best processors	They don’t allow for much upgradability when it comes to internal components
They come in eye-popping colors	Unless you have software that performs best on Imacs or is simply exclusive, it’s not worth going through all that trouble for casual users.
Apple’s internal security is top-notch.	They are not as versatile as Windows computers.
You gain access to various software’s which are only available on Imacs	Limited ports
Apple’s warranty is really attractive.	If you’re into pc games, Imacs aren’t a good option for this unless you wish to run Windows operating system on it, which defeats the purpose.
It has a sleek and smooth design.	They’re difficult to repair on your own without assistance from apple support.

Windows PC

Pros	Cons
Gives you access to a variety of software and programs	Their operating system doesn’t get updates as frequent as an iMac
They are less expensive to purchase	They are bulky and have so many extra parts lying around.
Easily upgradeable, this helps you use one pc for a long time without needing to replace it.	You don’t get access to exclusive apple software.
They’re perfect for gaming.	Their designs tend to be bland and uniform.
They are very versatile when it comes to handling third-party software.	Windows interface is not aesthetically pleasing without making many modifications to it.
They’re easier to repair on your own, with numerous youtube videos to guide you.
Simplistic interface that is easy to navigate.

How Long Do Imacs Last?

An iMac can last for from 3 to 5 years. This is when it can no longer keep up with new software and no longer functions well. We would also consider wear and tear. If the body of your iMac is compromised, how would you use it? Plastics and metals can last for a long time if used carefully. It will take a freak accident to destroy your iMac.

However, if you’re looking for a computer that could last longer, you may stick with Lenovo laptops. A Lenovo laptop could last up to 10 years or more.

In all, how long does an iMac last depends on two major factors? Let’s look at these two factors carefully.

Can It Keep up With Newer Software’s

Each year software runs upgrades on their existing versions; these updates add more features and enhance performance. But there is a catch with each update; it requires faster and more powerful processors to keep up with it.

This is the reason. Computer PCs are always releasing newer products to keep up with software that require better performance ratings. If you had a windows pc, it would have been as simple as swapping your processor for a more recent one or changing your graphic card when the old one becomes obsolete.

Apple products are not known for their internal components’ upgradability features, so chances are you will have to make use of what you have. With this in mind, if you buy the latest iMac, you have about 3-5 years before you need an upgrade.

What About Physical Damage

Since Imacs are rarely moved around, unlike Macbooks, it is unlikely physical damage will put an end to your pc. They’re pretty strong regarding structural integrity, and a fall from a regular-sized table should still have them functioning properly.

Unless you were to have a freak accident that involved water damaging the Imac, chances are you will use this pc until performance issues make you change it.

What Type of Imac Should Buy?

When it comes to expensive products like this, you should make your choice on the type of tasks you will handle daily. It doesn’t make any sense to have an extremely expensive pc you don’t use to its full capabilities unless you have a lot of money.

So how do you decide on what type of Imac to buy? A good way is to look at the most performance-intensive task you see yourself working on. And get an iMac that can handle these tasks without faltering. We would look at the latest releases and the difference in their specs.

Image 24 Inches (M1 chip, two ports)

Starting off at $1300, this 24-inch computer comes in four different colors, Blue, green, pink, and silver.  Here is a quick look at what you can expect to see specs-wise

Display	It comes with a 24-inch 4.5k Retina display.
Processor	Apple M1 chip is standard, arguably one of the world’s fastest processor’s
Processor cores	8 core CPU
GPU core	7 core GPU
Unified memory	8GB/16GB unified memory
Storage capacity	Up to 1Terabyte of internal storage
Size	18.1 inches height (46.1 cm) X 21.5 inches width (54.7 cm)
Weight	9.83 pounds (4.46 kg)
Camera	1080p  Facetime HD camera, which comes with an advanced image signal processor with computational video
Audio	High-fidelity six-speaker system with force canceling woofers.
Keyboard	Magic Keyboard with Touch ID Or Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad.
Wireless	802.11ax WI-FI 6, Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
Ports	Two thunderbolts & USB 4 ports, Configurable with Gigabit Ethernet
Secure authentication	Configurable with Touch ID
Video calling	Facetime video-enabled, Initiate video calls over Wi-Fi to any Facetime-enabled device.
Audio calling	Facetime audio
Siri	Activate Siri with your voice by saying: “Hey Siri.”

iMac Pro

Starting at $5000, this performance beast is available in space gray. Here is a quick look at what you can expect to see.

Display	It comes with a 27 inch 5K Retina display
Processor	Intel Xeon w processor
Processor cores	18 core CPU
GPU core	AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64X GPU
Unified memory	256GB memory
Storage capacity	Up to 4 Terabyte SSD of internal storage
Size	20.3 inches height (51.6 cm) X 25.6 inches width (65.0 cm)
Weight	21.5 pounds (9.7 kg)
Camera	1080p  Facetime HD camera
Audio	Stereo speaker, Four microphones, 3.5 mm Headphone  jack
Keyboard	Space Gray Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad
Wireless	802.11ax WI-FI 6, Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
Ports	Four Thunderbolts  & 3 USB C ports, 10Gigabit Ethernet, SDXC card slot
Secure authentication	Null
Video calling	Facetime video enabled, Initiate video calls over Wi-Fi to any Facetime-enabled device.
Audio calling	Facetime audio, Initiate audio calls over Wi-Fi to any Facetime-enabled device.
Siri	Activate Siri with your voice by saying: “Hey Siri.”

Image 27 Inches

This iMac starts at $1800 and comes in a silver color only. Here is a look at what you can expect spec-wise.

Display	It comes with a 27 inch 4.5k Retina display.
Processor	It comes with an Intel Core i9 processor
Processor cores	Up to10 core CPU
GPU core	Up to AMD Radeon Pro 5700  XT GPU
Unified memory	Up to 128GB unified memory
Storage capacity	Up to 8 Terabyte of internal storage
Size	20.3 inches height (51.6 cm) X 25.6 inches width (65.0 cm)
Weight	19.7pounds (8.92 kg)
Camera	1080p  Facetime HD camera
Audio	Stereo speakers, Studio-quality three mic array
Keyboard	Magic keyboard Or Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad.
Wireless	802.11ax WI-FI 6, Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
Ports	Two thunderbolts &  4 USB C ports, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, SDXC card slot (UHS-II)
Secure authentication	Null
Video calling	Facetime video enabled, Initiate video calls over Wi-Fi to any Facetime-enabled device.
Audio calling	Facetime audio, Initiate audio calls over Wi-Fi to any Facetime-enabled device
Siri	Activate Siri with your voice by saying: “Hey Siri.”

Conclusion

It is perfectly alright to ask “how long does an iMac last” before you leap purchasing this device, seeing as they don’t come cheap. In 3-5 years, you would most likely need an upgrade; if you don’t do this, you will find it hard to run newer software.

Buying an iMac should be based on the tasks you expect to run on it; most times, there is a huge price difference between the models. It makes no sense to get an overly expensive device you won’t use to its full capacity.