I gave a 13-year-old iMac a new lease of life with two simple upgrades — but was it worth it?

A tech enthusiast recently attempted to revitalize a 2013 27-inch iMac, opting for hardware upgrades instead of purchasing a new model. By investing approximately AU$310, the user installed 24GB of RAM and an external 1TB SSD to improve performance. The project bypassed the difficult process of opening the iMac's adhesive-sealed display by utilizing an external drive for the operating system. Additionally, the user leveraged AI tools to navigate the complexities of installing an unsupported version of macOS Sonoma. While the upgrades significantly improved boot times and multitasking capabilities, the project highlights the trade-offs between DIY hardware maintenance and the performance of modern machines. The experience serves as a practical case study for extending the lifecycle of aging consumer electronics through cost-effective modifications, proving that older hardware can still handle basic daily tasks effectively with the right technical adjustments.