CyprusLiving

I received a phone call from Brian at Computer SOS yesterday to tell me that my lovely 2007 iMac had died on the operating table, despite attempts at resuscitation. I know that it was nine years old but ...

I have used Apple computers since 1989 and have a considerable investment in software, which will still be able to be accessed as the hard drive is to be removed and put into an enclosure. But this leaves us with a problem. There is no way we can afford a new iMac or Apple laptop - in fact we cannot even get close to today's prices. So we are left with my iPad and our mobile phones. My lovely wife is suffering withdrawal symptoms and so a replacement must be found.

I post this on the offchance that someone may be upgrading their iMac or Apple laptop and have one they no longer need. We cannot go down the Windows route for software reasons, and so I thought I would post this and see whether anyone can help. Do PM me if you have any suggestions.

Can't help unfortunately, but sorry to hear of your predicament - it's awful when they die....

We were only watching one of the ads on TV the other night for one of the iPhones at over £600 and both looked at each other in shock. I know these days phones are almost like carrying a mini pc around with you but the prices are astronomical so if that's the cost of a phone, I dread to think how much a new Mac system will cost you.... and one of the reasons we never went down that route.

We moved to Windows 10 on a new laptop earlier this year along with Windows operated phones the year before and have been very happy with them but if you're stuck with the software, you really don't have much choice to stick with your Mac.

Hope there is someone out there who can help you out.

Thank you for that, Jules. I have tried and failed to get to grips with non-Mac computers, but cannot. And the software I use to create websites is only available on the Mac. The thought of starting again does not fill me with glee. We have considered another iPad but there are certain things you can only do on a desktop or a laptop, and so we shall just have to see what happens.

Even without genuine MAC hardware, there are ways of installing OS X operating system on a normal PC.

You could either purchase a Windows PC and install 'Virtual' software to run OS x, or follow the MAC on PC forums and install OS X directly on PC hardware.

I have both. VMware on PC running El Capitan and OS X installed my PC. Look at this website and follow the instructions and advice for running OS X on PC hardware:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/.

There are also many other forums dedicated to doing this. Ask if you require more information.

Thank you very much for the link and the fact that the latest OS X can be run on a PC. I had never considered it as I was in the cosy world of Mac. I have read a number of articles about this now and it is certainly not outside my skill set (he said confidently), but I should prefer not having to buy a PC, and a monitor and keyboard if at all possible.

Running Windows on a Mac required a considerable amount of computing power (using Parallels), and I was never happy with the way peripherals would or would not connect, but this may have been my lack of Windows' knowledge. So I suspect a PC or laptop would need to have a decent processor.

However it is an option I may have to consider. And, for that alone, I am grateful for your post.

If your iMac was 2007, the computing power would be quite low compared with today's processors etc.

You could purchase a refurbished PC, (maybe from SOS), without operating system and install OS X directly to it.

Providing the hardware is compatible, (see the forums), it will run very well (and no Windows!).

Yes, computers do come on in leaps and bounds. At the moment SOS may have a 27" iMac (2011) for us but we are waiting on a price. Fingers crossed but, as I said, it is always good to have a Plan B, C ...

Thanks to Brian at Computer SOS for resolving things at a fabulous price. Ann tells me he is now on our Christmas card list ...