My Chinese flatmate left me their Apple iMac but it's not working

[RichW9]

How slow is your 4g? My home WiFi is 4g and it runs no bother. A 5gb file downloads in around 40mins (an hour tops) - and I live in the back of beyond, hence the need for 4g.

That's faster than mine! But then I do use it a lot, Three may be limiting my speed, but as long as I can stream movies / youtube that's all I use it for really. Didn't want to get into a long term broadband contract since my job at the University is only temporary.

@RichW9 - 'storedownloadd' is the the App Store daemon (good). 'sending status', not entirely sure to be honest as I can't say I've seen that log message before, although typically you'll see errors if anything is amiss and i'd take a hunch that it's downloading albeit extremely slowly - slow connection or your network is throttling Apple's update servers.

Leave it an hour and see what it says.
Otherwise, try and use an alternative connection or if you know anyone with a Mac (and internet access and a 8GB+ USB drive), then you can create a bootable USB drive of the Sierra installer (which arguably is the easy option).

I think you're right it seems to be moving slowly forward. Will leave it overnight then check it out in the morning, hopefully will work if not will try USB boot drive thanks. Never had an iMac before, not really something I'm interested in as my PC does everything I need here, but will try it out anyway.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[RichW9]

All working! Looks great and very clean! For those who have similar trouble, make sure you keept command R pressed when you turn on the device, format main drive, reinstall after, then press command L to see progress.

A massive thanks all!

 

[Feek]

Glad you got it sorted, now don't just run off but stick around and have a look at the rest of the forum

 

[RichW9]

Glad you got it sorted, now don't just run off but stick around and have a look at the rest of the forum

Got it sorted but I can't use this thing, I can't configure anything, the programs are irritating and much prefer my PC!! And the "magic" mouse is just annoying, it's far from magic haha I'm sensing it's on it's way to eBay lol

Sure, will do, looking to upgrade my PC soon and I do some retro gaming so will take a look, thanks for the warm welcome!

 

[Feek]

Got it sorted but I can't use this thing, I can't configure anything, the programs are irritating and much prefer my PC!! And the "magic" mouse is just annoying, it's far from magic haha I'm sensing it's on it's way to eBay lol

It's like anything new, it's just unfamiliarity and learning a different system.

I can't argue with you on the Magic Mouse, it's awful. Apple have never been able to design a decent mouse which is why I use the Magic Trackpad, that really is magical.

 

[RichW9]

It's like anything new, it's just unfamiliarity and learning a different system.

I can't argue with you on the Magic Mouse, it's awful. Apple have never been able to design a decent mouse which is why I use the Magic Trackpad, that really is magical.

I gave it a chance but it seems that Apple is just not me tbh. On my PC I have been using the same exact programs for the last 10 years, and they work, I don't need any new stuff. Damn, I'm getting old lol

 

[Feek]

I gave it a chance but it seems that Apple is just not me tbh.

Hour and a half, that's not giving it a chance

I'd been using computers since my early teens, long before Windows existed and I decided back in the middle of 2008 that I wanted to try using OS X. I made it my main OS, deliberately didn't touch Windows to force me to learn about it and within a couple of weeks I was absolutely hooked, I far preferred it to Windows and haven't looked back.

 

[RichW9]

Hour and a half, that's not giving it a chance

Perhaps not hah, but I don't go in for all this newfangled technology, this Apple system just seems to be fancy for the sake of being fancy. Might try again in the morning.

I'd been using computers since my early teens, long before Windows existed and I decided back in the middle of 2008 that I wanted to try using OS X. I made it my main OS, deliberately didn't touch Windows to force me to learn about it and within a couple of weeks I was absolutely hooked, I far preferred it to Windows and haven't looked back.

Windows 10 is also actually a complete nightmare, Windows 7 was the last good Windows OS system. But I just put up with 10's constant forced updates / spyware now. My computer does what I want it to do... for now

 

[Combat squirrel]

Perhaps not hah, but I don't go in for all this newfangled technology, this Apple system just seems to be fancy for the sake of being fancy. Might try again in the morning.

I used PCs for a long time until I took the time to learn OS X, and it really is honestly far superior, much more stable, secure and with tons of os features that are genuinely useful, also time machine is a godsend and works brilliantly.

If you take the time and effort to let ur muscle memory adjust I really promise you it's worth it.

I also have iPhone etc so the eco system really is worth so much (no idea if u have an iPhone though)

Sure people will so with various different apps you can vaguely achieve similar eco on PCs but it's honestly no where near as good or secure.

 

[Gredawarha]

Got it sorted but I can't use this thing, I can't configure anything, the programs are irritating and much prefer my PC!! And the "magic" mouse is just annoying, it's far from magic haha I'm sensing it's on it's way to eBay lol

Sure, will do, looking to upgrade my PC soon and I do some retro gaming so will take a look, thanks for the warm welcome!

If you are not happy with the machine, considering it was gifted to you by your Chinese flat mate have you considered contacting your local University and schools and see if they have a home computer donation program and giving it to them? There are lots of underprivileged families struggling with home schooling because they don’t have access to a computer. It would be a great way of paying back the kindness that your flat mate showed you.

Just a thought, not judging you if you do decide to sell it on eBay.

 

[Squink]

with tons of os features that are genuinely useful, also time machine is a godsend and works brilliantly.

I'm constantly wavering over a swap to MacOS. I've been a Windows user since forever, but with Windows 10 I no longer feel at home and am increasingly frustrated with various intrusive Microsoft-isms. What sort of MacOS features might be useful for a general (non-power) user?

And can Time Machine back up to iCloud? I checked the Apple website and it suggests local disk only.

 

[Combat squirrel]

I'm constantly wavering over a swap to MacOS. I've been a Windows user since forever, but with Windows 10 I no longer feel at home and am increasingly frustrated with various intrusive Microsoft-isms. What sort of MacOS features might be useful for a general (non-power) user?

And can Time Machine back up to iCloud? I checked the Apple website and it suggests local disk only.

it’s more time machine backs up your local disk including iCloud than the other way around I keep all my docs on iCloud anyway, which in turn time machine also backs up, so there still in 2 places.

yeah firstly Mac doesn’t have endless micro-isms as you say, no forced paid for apps or ads, no selling ur data off or shoving sponsored apps down your throat, you don’t get bothered or nagged once it’s all setup and running (obviously during setup and install you’ll get asked for your password a few times) - it just runs and runs smoothly.

useful features for me (I also have iPhone)

spotlight - cmd & space to bring up search is amazing, always doing it on windows and it’s not there
Texts & iMessage on desktop
Photo’s integrates with my phone
Cmd , shift, 4 - I can select any part of the screen and screen grab it
Very stable compared to windows - built a windows gaming machine a month ago and has crashed 5-6 times already
All docs in iCloud is great, my work personal files etc, means it’s also on my phone on the go
Sometimes iv left files on my desktop away from home, but desktop is also iCloud so also on phone
Iv both my Mac mini and MacBook Pro - the desktop is identical on both and mirrored which is brilliant

 

[shiver]

Find it interesting that the OP felt it was necessary to call out that the flatmate was Chinese from the start

Onto ebay it goes I guess?

 

[Squink]

SNIP

Thanks for the response. I've mentioned before on this forum that I'm using a specced-out 9900k/2080ti PC and it'll be a kick in the nuts to get shot of it, though it'll go to my 8-year-old son for playing Minecraft and Roblox (!). I just don't really need all that GPU power but then I tell myself that I don't need to hand it down either since my son already has a suitable computer with a 980ti in it.

 

[Royal Fleet]

useful features for me (I also have iPhone)

spotlight - cmd & space to bring up search is amazing, always doing it on windows and it’s not there
Texts & iMessage on desktop
Photo’s integrates with my phone
Cmd , shift, 4 - I can select any part of the screen and screen grab it
Very stable compared to windows - built a windows gaming machine a month ago and has crashed 5-6 times already
All docs in iCloud is great, my work personal files etc, means it’s also on my phone on the go
Sometimes iv left files on my desktop away from home, but desktop is also iCloud so also on phone
Iv both my Mac mini and MacBook Pro - the desktop is identical on both and mirrored which is brilliant

Good list. I would add Multiple Desktops are much better on MacOS, which are great when working on a laptop.

Ironically the question asked what a non-power user would gain. I would argue that Windows is better for true Power Users. MacOS is better for people who want stuff to just work and enable them to get on with using rather than configuring.

 

[Combat squirrel]

Thanks for the response. I've mentioned before on this forum that I'm using a specced-out 9900k/2080ti PC and it'll be a kick in the nuts to get shot of it, though it'll go to my 8-year-old son for playing Minecraft and Roblox (!). I just don't really need all that GPU power but then I tell myself that I don't need to hand it down either since my son already has a suitable computer with a 980ti in it.

yeah keep it in the house, I had Mac only for a few years but with the pandemic I got a gaming pc as started gaming every day.

id recommend an M1 Mac now if your not gaming, it’s faster than a 9900k. Get the Mac Pro model and just dock it if you want a desktop experience, then use as a laptop when u move around the house or go somewhere, you can take it with you.

 

[Combat squirrel]

Good list. I would add Multiple Desktops are much better on MacOS, which are great when working on a laptop.

Ironically the question asked what a non-power user would gain. I would argue that Windows is better for true Power Users. MacOS is better for people who want stuff to just work and enable them to get on with using rather than configuring.

I see what your saying but my dev friends who are extreme power users all use Mac or Linux, and command line customisations and change Mac OS to their needs. Terminal is v powerful.

 

[Squink]

The M1 would be a business purchase, so I get a fairly big chunk off by reducing my tax bill. I use Word 99% of the time and a program called Vellum for the other 2%. I'd probably prefer a laptop but since I never get off my chuff and work solely at my desk, I don't really need portability.

 

[Combat squirrel]

The M1 would be a business purchase, so I get a fairly big chunk off by reducing my tax bill. I use Word 99% of the time and a program called Vellum for the other 2%. I'd probably prefer a laptop but since I never get off my chuff and work solely at my desk, I don't really need portability.

Yeah fair enough - id still get the laptop macbook pro however as with M1 cooling isn't an issue and you get the same ports - the MBP will perform the same as the mac mini - just dock it and stick it behind your monitor and it will act the same - also on the off chance, its also a laptop.

That's my logic anyway, current M1's have made desktop M1 redundant - only if Apple makes a massive M3 desktop chip would a desktop make sense again given the power draw.

 

[visibleman]

All working! A massive thanks all!

No problem and glad you got it sorted!

Regarding the magic mouse (trackpad is far worse personally), you can switch off a lot of the gestures under Settings > Mouse (preferences) and similarly you can enable 'Secondary Click' which makes it more like a "traditional" mouse.

And I'd recommend getting MalwareBytes (free) installed and running it once in a while if you do intend on using it (takes a few minutes) just for a piece of mind as MacOS (Intel/M1) is open to malware/ransomware etc and Apple's own protection has been bypassed in the past.

What sort of MacOS features might be useful for a general (non-power) user?

I think @Combat squirrel mentioned a lot of them but ideally you need to be fairly submerged in the Apple ecosystem to make most of the features on MacOS but it is a very good, polished experience.
If you're not, then arguably it's not too different to experience on Windows and the need of using third-party apps, ie - using Dropbox for cross-platform sharing, Pushbullet for desktop notifications etc.

Still waiting for window 'snapping' on MacOS though