OSX versions and RAM requirements

[Bryan Brodie]

Hi Mike,

Agreeing with folks below, emphatically stating that any MacOS after 10.7
really requires an SSD to function with any usefulness.

The price of upgrading legacy systems (parts + installation time) can be
significant for a small / medium sized business.

Should you decide to wade into the used Mac market to save money, beware:
Apple has had some serious problems with MacBook Pro production quality.

I just led a client through upgrading their employee's workstation baseline
to 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD. (was against my recommendation, windows would
have been cheaper and linux cheaper still).

One employee was given (free) a top of the line 2013 MBP retina 16GB /
512GB, only to discover that it suffers from the infamous video card defect:
https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

Since this computer was purchased by her friend in April 2013, she has one
month remaining to take advantage of the free repair. If it fails 90 days
after that, she's stuck.

And if you think that buying new will prevent problems:
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/news/some-macbook-pro-2016-users-are-reporting-graphics-card-issues-1631064

We don't really need retina displays to run Omnis, so if you're doing Mac
laptops, a MacBook Air with 8GB / 256GB / Core I5 or I7 is a good baseline.

<rant>
This is my 2¢, your milage may vary. My personal feeling lately is that,
since Tim Cook started focusing on shareholder value over customer value,
the Apple / Mac value proposition is vastly overstated.
</rant>

Bryan Brodie


> From: Mike Rowan <michael.rowan3 at gmail.com>
>
> Hi
> My client has a number of elderly Macs (OSV 10.8.x) and one OSX10.11.6
> (factory installation in a recent 4GB RAM machine).
>
> Among my collection I have an iMac upgraded to 10.11.6 with 4GB RAM.
>
> Both OSX machines run very slowly the client is contemplating increasing
> the RAM.
>
> While I use only Word, Excel and Omnis Studio 8 and Lightroom, the client
> uses InDesign and other bits and pieces as well.
>
> Is going to 8GB going to help the speed generally?
>
> What would you recommend?
>
> Your wise advice would be appreciated.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> From: CLIFFORD ILKAY <clifford_ilkay at dinamis.com>
>
> Hi Mike,
>
> Skimping on RAM is false economy. I'd upgrade to 16GB of RAM, if
> possible. RAM is cheap. Personnel time isn't.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Clifford Ilkay
>
>
>
> From: Doug Easterbrook <doug at artsman.com>
>
> hi Mike.
>
> I agree with clifford ? as much ram in a machine as you can, its like a
> whole new device.
>
> I?d also look at the CPU ?  most older machines with a dual or core i7 are
> worth saving.
>
>
> if its core 2 duo - throw it out.
> some of the core i5?s can be ok ? but some are not.
>
>
> if you can swap out the spinning disk for an SSD.   its like a whole new
> device for a small amount of money.
> if you can make sure that they are running with enough empty space on the
> disk, that helps too.  best to not run a disk at over 75% capacity.
>
> I took my daughters 6 year old macbook air and upgraded it to a far larger
> ssd and new battery over christmas and it made a huge difference.
>
> Doug Easterbrook
>
>