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quiklee · Sep 28, 2006, 02:58 PM

If just left in the office of my house for it's entire life. How long will it last? How long do you think technology will let it last?

wtmcgee · Sep 28, 2006, 03:04 PM

5 years? It depends on what you're using it for, really.

badsey · Sep 28, 2006, 03:14 PM

10 - 20 years. People don't like throwing away their iMacs and these new Duo-Core systems are fast.

It always hard throwing away a Mac, even a Classic -people cringe at the thought. With a PC it basically declared junk -who want's a 386/486 anymore, but with a Mac there is always someone that will take it (even hoard it). Scary stuff.

dimmer · Sep 28, 2006, 03:26 PM

I have a SE/30 and a Mac Portable and I'll take them to the grave with me (if I get buried at sea, the weight of the portable alone will save them some lead).

It'll last at least five years, after that the screen may give out (flat panels live much shorter lives than CRTs), but you could still run an external monitor from it. In terms of running the "current" OS, assume at least three years (historically, it's been longer, but always assume the worst), but it'll run 10.4 and 10.5 fine as long as you want it to. It probably won't play "The Sims 5" all that well, but that may be more a blessing than a curse.

dimmer · Sep 28, 2006, 03:29 PM

these new Duo-Core systems are fast.
As fast as the '020 was?
As fast as the '030 was?
As fast as a Quadra, or as slow as a Centris?
As fast as a PowerPC 601, or a 603, or a 603e, or a 604 with dual burst cache?

Everything is fast when first we see it. Give my Workgroup Server 95 to a Multimedia Author today (who'd have killed for it back in the day) and they'll go pee pee in your cornflakes as soon as your back is turned.

I'm just glad I don't eat coco-pops.

::maroma:: · Sep 28, 2006, 03:41 PM

My Sawtooth G4 (originally 500MGz) is still my main computer. Although I've upgraded the hell out of it. I got it in 2000. I'm assuming the iMac will last at least as long, barring any malfunctions. And it all depends on what you use it for. The less processor intensive your tasks are, the longer it will last you.

iMacfan · Sep 28, 2006, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

My Sawtooth G4 (originally 500MGz) is still my main computer. Although I've upgraded the hell out of it. I got it in 2000. I'm assuming the iMac will last at least as long, barring any malfunctions. And it all depends on what you use it for. The less processor intensive your tasks are, the longer it will last you.

You forget that the Sawtooths are truly upgradeable - more so than nearly all the other Macs produced, apart from possibly the new Mac Pro (though the longevity of the FB-DIMMs is questionable).

Having said all that, there is a huge difference between how long it will last and how long you will want to keep it. Any Mac, should last a good 5 years, many are still running from the 80s - I have a Mac plus that runs fine, though the last time I booted it was about two years ago. But if you want to get a new Mac in 2-3 years, very few on this forum will blame you.

David.

indigoimac · Sep 28, 2006, 05:59 PM

I still have a G3 iMac that is basically my main machine, it still runs strong and it's 5y/o, though I think that I will be replacing it very shortly just because I want a new 1.

beetleboy · Sep 29, 2006, 10:17 AM

I still use my G3 iMac 400 almost on a daily basis. It still runs great and it's been over 6 years.

Beetleboy

Leonard · Sep 29, 2006, 03:10 PM

I still use my Powerbook G3 (pismo) after 6 years, so they can last several years or more. I have a Working Mac SE at home too, more of a conversation piece, though.