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My late-2013 iMac is running just fine right now (it has a replaced hard drive). But Apple is no longer supporting it, I can't upgrade the OS and MS Office, which I use for work, won't upgrade anymore on Catalina. Should I replace or just wait until something finally goes wrong?
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15
If it's running fine and you have no reason to expect an imminent failure, then you should rest easy and continue to use your beloved iMac. There's nothing wrong with a 2013 iMac even if it's now 10 years old. I'm still using an 11-year-old MacBookPro and it runs like a champ. Ditto a 2009 24" iMac. Just make sure you back up your data on a regular basis (regardless of how old or new your computer is).
Catalina is a robust and secure operating system despite the fact that 3 years have passed and Apple has released 3 subsequent versions of macOS. Sure, it may be argued that later releases are "more secure" but that will always be the case and it does not mean that your existing Mac has suddenly become insecure. The biggest threat to most users is not a possible flaw in the underlying security of macOS but "social engineering" methods like phishing and false tech support messages that people fall for and using types of websites that are known for containing malware, etc.
Regarding MS Office, while it is true that MS has stopped providing updates for Office on macOS Catalina (the final Catalina version was 16.66) ... that does not make Office suddenly unusable or insecure. You can continue to use your version of Office on Catalina.
However, if your workplace/employer requires later versions of macOS and/or Office, that's a different story and you should probably consider getting a new Mac.
If it's running fine and you have no reason to expect an imminent failure, then you should rest easy and continue to use your beloved iMac. There's nothing wrong with a 2013 iMac even if it's now 10 years old. I'm still using an 11-year-old MacBookPro and it runs like a champ. Ditto a 2009 24" iMac. Just make sure you back up your data on a regular basis (regardless of how old or new your computer is).
Catalina is a robust and secure operating system despite the fact that 3 years have passed and Apple has released 3 subsequent versions of macOS. Sure, it may be argued that later releases are "more secure" but that will always be the case and it does not mean that your existing Mac has suddenly become insecure. The biggest threat to most users is not a possible flaw in the underlying security of macOS but "social engineering" methods like phishing and false tech support messages that people fall for and using types of websites that are known for containing malware, etc.
Regarding MS Office, while it is true that MS has stopped providing updates for Office on macOS Catalina (the final Catalina version was 16.66) ... that does not make Office suddenly unusable or insecure. You can continue to use your version of Office on Catalina.
However, if your workplace/employer requires later versions of macOS and/or Office, that's a different story and you should probably consider getting a new Mac.
Greetings copoll!
If your late-2013 iMac is running well with a replaced hard drive, you can continue using it for as long as it functions properly. However, since Apple is no longer supporting the device, you will not be able to upgrade the operating system to the latest version, and Microsoft Office will also eventually stop supporting Catalina.
If you need to upgrade the operating system and Office for work, you may want to consider replacing your iMac. A newer model will be able to run the latest operating system and have better hardware to handle demanding applications, such as Office.
If you're not in a rush to replace your iMac, you can wait until it experiences a hardware issue or becomes unable to perform the tasks you need for work. However, it's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of a hardware failure or if you need to upgrade to newer software.
Ultimately, the decision to replace or continue using your iMac depends on your specific needs and budget.
If cost isn't an issue I'd replace it. You could see if the online version of Microsoft Office is viable or try the free LibreOffice which works with Office files.
Should I replace my 2013 iMac?
