You probably have one. Maybe it’s that 2011 27-inch beast with the failing hard drive, or a slim 2015 model that simply can’t keep up with modern macOS updates. It’s sitting there. Collecting dust. You feel guilty about throwing it away because, honestly, the screen is still beautiful.
Most people think their old iMac is e-waste the second Apple stops supporting it with security patches. They're wrong.
Getting a few more years—or even a decade—of utility out of these machines isn't just about being frugal; it's about not being wasteful. Whether you want a dedicated Plex server, a high-end digital photo frame, or a Linux-powered coding station, your old hardware still has plenty of "zip" left in it if you stop trying to run modern, bloated software on a ten-year-old processor.
The SSD Miracle (And Why You Shouldn't Skip It)
Before we talk about software, let’s address the elephant in the room: the mechanical hard drive. If your old iMac is slow, it’s almost certainly because of the "spinning rust" inside. Even a 2012 iMac feels like a brand-new machine if you swap the internal HDD for a SATA SSD.
It’s a night-and-day difference.
Opening an iMac is intimidating, sure. The older "thick" models (pre-2012) involve some screws and heavy lifting. The "slim" models (late 2012 and newer) require a pizza-cutter-style tool to slice through the adhesive holding the screen on. It sounds terrifying. It’s actually pretty straightforward if you follow the guides on iFixit. If you aren't comfortable doing it yourself, even a local repair shop will do the swap for a nominal fee.
Once that SSD is in, you’ve removed the biggest bottleneck in computer history. Suddenly, what to do with old imac becomes a much more exciting question because the computer actually responds when you click things.
Turn It Into a Dedicated Media Server
This is the most common route for a reason. iMacs, especially the 27-inch variants, have decent speakers and great displays. But even if you don't care about the screen, the internals are perfect for a Plex or Jellyfin server.
🔗 Read more: Who is my ISP? How to find out and why you actually need to know
Instead of buying a dedicated NAS (Network Attached Storage) that might cost you $400, you use the iMac. You’ll want to plug in some external drives via Thunderbolt or USB 3.0 to store your 4K movies and TV shows.
The trick here is to disable the display sleep while keeping the system awake. You can use an app like Amphetamine to keep the server running 24/7. Now, every TV in your house has access to your local media library without you spending a dime on new server hardware.
The Linux Experiment
Apple is notorious for cutting off software support long before the hardware is actually dead. If you’re stuck on macOS High Sierra or Mojave, you’re missing out on security updates. That’s dangerous.
Enter Linux.
Distributions like Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, or Ubuntu run incredibly well on Intel-based iMacs. Why? Because Linux is generally much lighter on system resources than macOS or Windows.
I recently put Linux Mint on a 2011 iMac. It was snappy. Web browsing in Firefox was fast. LibreOffice handled documents without a hitch. If you have kids who need a computer for schoolwork, or if you just need a "kitchen computer" for recipes and YouTube, Linux is the way to go. It makes the machine feel modern again because you're using the latest versions of browsers and apps.
Target Display Mode: The Holy Grail (For Some)
There is a very specific window of time where Apple allowed iMacs to be used as external monitors for other Macs. This is called Target Display Mode.
💡 You might also like: Why the CH 46E Sea Knight Helicopter Refused to Quit
If you have a 27-inch iMac from 2009 or 2010, or any iMac from mid-2011 to mid-2014, you might be in luck. However, there are massive caveats. You usually need a specific Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort cable, and the "source" Mac (the one you're currently using) often has to be older too.
If you have a modern M1, M2, or M3 Mac, Target Display Mode basically doesn't work natively anymore.
Don't lose hope, though. There are software workarounds like Luna Display or Duet Display. These use your local network or a USB cable to turn that old iMac screen into a second monitor. It’s not quite as lag-free as a hardware connection, but for a Slack window or a Spotify dashboard? It’s perfect.
A Dedicated Retro Gaming Hub
Old iMacs are secretly the best retro gaming machines. Because they have those 1440p or 5K displays, pixel art looks incredible on them.
Download OpenEmu. It’s arguably the best-designed emulation software on any platform. It organizes your ROMs into a beautiful library that looks like iTunes used to. Connect a PlayStation or Xbox controller via Bluetooth, and suddenly that 2013 iMac is a high-definition arcade machine capable of playing everything from the NES to the PlayStation 2.
If you want to go deeper, you can install Batocera on a USB drive. Plug it in, boot from it, and your iMac transforms into a dedicated gaming OS. No macOS bloat in the background. Just pure gaming.
The "Smart Home" Command Center
Wall-mounting an iMac is a bit of a chore, but if you have a spot for it on a counter, it makes a killer command center.
📖 Related: What Does Geodesic Mean? The Math Behind Straight Lines on a Curvy Planet
Use a browser in full-screen mode to display a Dakboard or a Home Assistant dashboard. You can see your family calendar, the weather, your Ring camera feeds, and your to-do lists all at once. Because it’s a full computer, you can also use it to play music on your house speakers or act as a digital photo frame using iCloud Shared Albums.
It looks way classier than a tiny iPad propped up on a stand.
Can You Still Sell It?
Maybe. But don't expect a windfall.
Check eBay "Sold" listings, not the "Active" ones. People list 2012 iMacs for $300 all day, but they actually sell for $75 to $100. If you have the original box, the value goes up slightly because shipping these glass-heavy monsters is a nightmare.
Local sales via Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist are usually better. You avoid the shipping risk. If you can't sell it, please don't put it in the trash. Take it to an Apple Store. They will recycle it for free, and they’ll ensure the mercury and lead inside don't end up in a landfill.
The ChromeOS Flex Alternative
Google has a version of ChromeOS specifically designed for old PCs and Macs. It’s called ChromeOS Flex.
It’s basically a way to turn your iMac into a giant Chromebook. It’s extremely fast. It’s also very limited. You can’t run Mac apps. You’re stuck in the browser. But for many people, the browser is 99% of what they do anyway. If you're giving the computer to a grandparent, this is the best option because it’s nearly impossible for them to "mess up" the software or install malware.
What To Do With Old iMac: Actionable Steps
Stop letting it sit there. Here is exactly what you should do right now:
- Check the Specs: Go to the Apple menu > About This Mac. Note the year and the model.
- Back Up Your Data: If there is anything on that drive, get it off now. Old drives die without warning.
- Clean It: Use a microfiber cloth and a tiny bit of water for the screen. Use compressed air to blow out the dust from the bottom intake vents.
- Pick a Path: - If you want a "real" computer experience, install Linux Mint.
- If you just want a secondary screen, look into Luna Display.
- If you want a project, open it up and install an SSD.
- Factory Reset: If you decide to give it away or sell it, make sure you sign out of iCloud and iMessage first. Then, boot into Recovery Mode (Command + R) and wipe the drive using Disk Utility.
Your old iMac doesn't have to be a paperweight. With a little bit of tinkering, it can remain a functional, beautiful piece of technology for years to come.