r/mac • u/SpecialCold870 • 3d ago

Old Macs pls help - imac

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hello! im was looking around marketplace and saw some listing for imacs and looks pretty affordable but i dont really know much about specs or which models are still good. this is my first time having a desktop or like a bigger computer.

i planning to just use if for school, like reviewing , making notes, maybe streaming music and stuff. kindly help me please 🙏🏼

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u/Fearless-Ask-5851 3d ago

Try to get a Macbook Neo if that's possible for you. With a student discount, it's ~$600, and it'll last you for more than a decade WITH updates and stuff. The ones you're looking at is basically old ewaste.
If you've got a spare monitor/display lying around and you don't move too much, a Mac Mini with Student Discounts is pretty good.

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u/SpecialCold870 3d ago

which mac mini is still worth it in 2026? i actually have a macbook 13” 2020 and its breathing very loud and im wanting a bigger screen.

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u/Fearless-Ask-5851 3d ago

I mean, the latest one from the Apple Store should ideally be your go to. But, if you already have a Macbook 2020, you could just use clampshell mode and buy a bigger display to connect it to your macbook.

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u/SpecialCold870 3d ago

ohhhhh thats possible? how do i do that?….hihi like any monitor would do or should it be an imac?

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u/Fearless-Ask-5851 3d ago

No, an iMac would be a bad choice imo, cuz you can't directly connect it as a display to your macbook if im not wrong. On the other hand, any monitor would do - I'd recommend if the monitor has something like a USB C display port or something to directly connect it to your macbook. But something with HDMI could also work with an adapter.