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+--- Thread: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) (/showthread.php?tid=229559)
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best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - clay - 06-18-2019
Got a client computer (2012 iMac), currently running 10.9. Also slow because of internal HD and apparent malware. They're going to go with an external USB3 boot SSD (to save some cost compared to installing internally). They also need an OS upgrade. They're looking at this move to SSD and OS upgrade as a way to get maybe another 1-2 years out of this computer before needing to upgrade to something newer.
I'm thinking Sierra (10.12) might be the sweet spot for this computer. Probably another year or two of security updates, right? But Mojave (10.14) might also be an option worth considering, even though it wouldn't be quite as speedy as Sierra on this machine. Getting them truly current might also have some value. It looks like this machine would be Catalina compatible as well, though I can't imagine it would be worth it for them to upgrade to that this fall when it comes out.
Any opinions?
Re: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - Ombligo - 06-18-2019
I'm on a 2012 MBP and stopped at Sierra. High Sierra didn't really offer anything I wanted or needed, and beyond that started creating issues with older software.
Re: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - Sarcany - 06-18-2019
Sierra loses support in September.
HS isn't exactly a joy, but it's tolerable and has another year.
Re: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - clay - 06-18-2019
Sarcany wrote:
Sierra loses support in September.
HS isn't exactly a joy, but it's tolerable and has another year.
I take it by your answer that Mojave should be avoided on a machine of this vintage/specs? I think the user will be just fine with 10.13.
Re: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - Sarcany - 06-18-2019
clay wrote:
[quote=Sarcany]
Sierra loses support in September.
HS isn't exactly a joy, but it's tolerable and has another year.
I take it by your answer that Mojave should be avoided on a machine of this vintage/specs? I think the user will be just fine with 10.13.
Mojave should be avoided.
Period.
.
Re: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - DP - 06-18-2019
I'm on 10.14.4 on my late 2012 iMac and seems OK. I'm getting warnings about the next OS not supporting some programs I have now. If I stay on Mojave I should get a couple more years with those apps.
Re: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - sekker - 06-18-2019
They are using a spinny disc.
Go to Mojave and ssd and they will be fine.
And longest support.
Re: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - Ken Sp. - 06-18-2019
Even though the 2012 iMac is USB 3, I seem to remember reading something about if there are USB two devices hooked up it slows everything down, including USB 3 to USB 2.
That being said, why don’t you look at using a Thunderbolt external hard drive for better throughput?
Stay with Sierra for as long as you can.
Re: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - NewtonMP2100 - 06-18-2019
....every once in a while you need to get High.........Sierra.....
Re: best Mac OS version for 2012 21" iMac (booting from external SSD, 8 gb ram) - Bill in NC - 06-18-2019
Sierra as long as possible.