When will the 2017 iMac stop receiving software updates?

All of the 2017 iMacs have already stopped getting major macOS updates. You can update them to Ventura, but not to Sonoma or Sequoia. When Tahoe comes out this fall, Ventura will no longer be one of the most recent three and will likely lose support from vendors like Adobe and Microsoft.

Ventura has been getting the latest Safari updates, but I believe that will change once Tahoe is out.

Note that Apple has completely transitioned away from Intel chips, and is now on the fourth generation of Apple Silicon chips designed for Macs (M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max).

Unless you have very specific needs, now is probably not the best time to get an Intel-based Mac.

2019 is your best option -- look for one with 16gb ram minimum (32gb better) and SSD (AVOID fusion or anything to do with HDD, spinning hard drives)

the ram on 27 inch models is easily upgradable (plugs in back) -- ram on the 21 inch is a complete dissassembly (it's on the bottom of the main board)

if you want to upgrade a HDD on either size -- you need to cut the screen assembly off

so look for one with SATA SSD or PCIe SSD already installed... watch out for people selling their fusion models as "SSD" because they are only 3% SSD and are 97% HDD

HDD = about 80MBs read/write (painfully slow and laggy user experience)

SATA SSD = about 500MBs read/write

PCIe (Apple's version) = about 2000 write and 2500 read (if memory serves me)

then, buying used, you have DRIVE HEALTH percentages and Power on Hours -- DriveDX app will give you those numbers -- you don't want a machine with a worn out drive unless you are replacing it

a real benefit to 2019 hardware is running older software like Mojave and Photoshop CS6 -- Sequoia will be viable for several more years on 2019 hardware...

Re: “2019 is your best option”

A 2019 iMac will not have an Apple Silicon chip, will not be able to run macOS 26, and will be nearing the point where Apple does not offer hardware parts or repair service.

Since Adobe and Microsoft both have a policy of supporting only the most recent three, a decision to get a 2019 iMac instead of a current Mac will like result in the OP having to go shopping for another computer - sooner rather than later.

>> A 2019 iMac will not have an Apple Silicon chip, will not be able to run macOS 26, and will be nearing the point where Apple does not offer hardware parts or repair service.

with respect -- those are all positives on my desktop -- I'm still making money in 10.6.8 CS2 on 2010 hardware -- and mojave photoshop cs6 is my workhorse -- I see no immediate need for Silicon or 26 when Intel and Sequoia are expected to be good for several more years (for what I do)

and after seeing the "Persistent horizontal lines appear on iMac screen" problems with silicone iMacs -- i would be very hesitant to spend $3,000 on a new iMac when I can get the same spec in 2019 hardware for $300 and have plenty of inexpensive used parts I can change out

but I have no problem tearing apart a 2019 iMac and changing the RAM, the battery, the NVMe and SSD, the screen assembly

I'm just trying to give the OP some advice based on my experience -- sounds like they just need a few years to get through school and money is an issue -- maybe the silicone screen issues will be solved by then

If you want another iMac, then I would suggest getting a M-series Mac Mini and an LG Monitor which will be about $500US cheaper than an M-series iMac. Plus when it is time to replace the computer again, then you can save money because you can keep using your existing external display. @Grant Bennet-Alder's many posts on this forum with more details on such a setup including the exact LG monitor.

I would also avoid the M1 Macs at this time. There have been a lot of improvements with the later M-series Macs and many of the M1 Macs will start losing support in a couple of years.

Avoid any of the Intel 2018-2020 Macs since they tend to have a lot of issues including having a lot higher number of Logic Board failures than any older Macs. You are wasting your limited funds on those Intel Macs.

If you're considering getting a new Mac consider the following: a 10 Core Mac Mini M4 with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD ($999 + tax) with a 27" LG 4k monitor ($250 + tax from Amazon.com)  is $1249 + tax which is $560 less than a similarly configured new 24" iMac ($1799 + tax)  re 07/2025. Keep your keyboard and mouse from your current Mac for use with the Mini. 

I got the above Mini with a 32" LG 4K monitor w/speakers for only $60 more than the 27" (didn't know the Mini had a speaker).

And, I had the fastest 2017 iMac, an i9 CPU and a SSD drive. The Mini runs rings around it.

This is what my setup looks like:

However, if you're going to be in a dorm you may want something easier to lock down.

If you want to save some money then the Mini is the way to go.

Note: never purchase a used/refurbished Mac from anyone other than Apple. To many have gotten iMacs from Ebay, Craigs List, etc and they have not been prepared according to What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support  and they end up with expensive door stops.

Just some food for thought.

>> never purchase a used/refurbished Mac from anyone other than Apple.

>> Avoid any of the Intel 2018-2020 Macs since they tend to have a lot of issues including having a lot higher number of Logic Board failures

wow

that's like saying never purchase a used car except through a brand dealer

and avoid the model years that have had any failures

I've bought at least a dozen used 2019 iMacs from Craigslist, eBay in the past few years and haven't seen any issues using them daily -- none of them had hardware problems -- and none of the one's I've upgraded and flipped have came back

further, I haven't seen any logic board failures on a mac since my G5 leaked coolant on the board and killed it -- Apple had a program to cover that heartbreak -- but I missed the window by a few months and ended up junking the machine

-g wrote:

[...]

that's like saying never purchase a used car except through a brand dealer

and avoid the model years that have had any failures

There are some car models that are definitely worth avoiding - unless you're a mechanic with the knowledge to repair them when they do fail.

I've bought at least a dozen used 2019 iMacs from Craigslist, eBay in the past few years and haven't seen any issues using them daily -- none of them had hardware problems -- and none of the one's I've upgraded and flipped have came back

You've been fortunate and I'm sure you know exactly what to look for when scanning the eBay listings.

Unfortunately, very many (most?) Mac users don't know or understand the importance of properly preparing a Mac for owner transfer, including the consequences of Activation Lock and Find My security feature. having said that, users are becoming more aware.

BTW, the dozen 2019 iMacs you've bought don't have the security chip required to set Activation Lock, so therefore can't be bricked by that feature, though I believe they may still be locked with the Find My features if not properly prepared for sale.

Unfortunately, unlike a car that breaks down, if a Mac gets Activation Locked then there is no taking it to the local mechanic for repair. Unless one has on original retail receipt w serial number there is no help from Apple. Congratulations, you're the proud new owner of a paper weight.

I CONCEDE:

buying used is not for everyone

some people are better off buying new or refurbished directly from Apple -- taking their 'broken' Apple products directly to Apple for all troubleshooting and repairs -- buying their Mac RAM and SSD directly from Apple -- junking their machine when Apple no longer sells the parts or supports their machine

I'm still using my 2017 Retina 5K iMac running Os 10.13.6 High Sierra because a) I love it; b) I can't face updating all my apps; and c) I have invested heavily in RAM and internal SDD…but I can't delay the inevitable for much longer. Here are some of the issues I face every day:

• Safari stopped being updated years ago at v13.1.2 and no longer loads a growing number of web pages. It can't play 4K video. Opera is a workable alternative but I also have to use Chrome when I want to access online banking.

• HDR video can't be played in any browser.

• Most third party software can't be updated.

• Most new third party software is incompatible.

• Bugs in High Sierra's Apple Mail, Apple Contacts, App Store, Quicktime, etc will never be fixed.

• Intel chip not upgradable to M4.

Some of these issues could be fixed by updating my iMac to Os 13 (Ventura) but others can't be fixed as they are limitations of the hardware.

I will soldier on for as long as I can but I wouldn't recommend buying a 2017 iMac is you need to rely on it.

manicmacman

good list

iMac 2017 hardware is most useful to those running Adobe CS6 Photoshop and Acrobat (like me) -- Mojave runs Photoshop about 98 percent functional (and fast with internal flash PCIe SSD, no fusion/ HDD) -- CS6 Photoshop does all the basic stuff on 2017 I use in my workflow: 16-bit Camera RAW, CMYK, full Color Management, Adjustment Layers...

iMac 2019 hardware ALSO runs Mojave and Photoshop CS6 quite reliably (and fast with internal flash PCIe SSD, no HDD) -- in addition 2019 also runs the latest Photoshop under Sequoia (probably, but I don't need the latest features or subscription pricing)

photographers and designers with legit perpetual CS6 seats are a magnet for these 2017 2019 generations hardware -- and they are pretty cheap workstations if you have CS6 on the shelf...

manicmacman wrote:

I'm still using my 2017 Retina 5K iMac running Os 10.13.6 High Sierra because a) I love it; b) I can't face updating all my apps; and c) I have invested heavily in RAM and internal SDD…but I can't delay the inevitable for much longer. Here are some of the issues I face every day:

• Safari stopped being updated years ago at v13.1.2 and no longer loads a growing number of web pages. It can't play 4K video. Opera is a workable alternative but I also have to use Chrome when I want to access online banking.

• HDR video can't be played in any browser.

• Most third party software can't be updated.

• Most new third party software is incompatible.

• Bugs in High Sierra's Apple Mail, Apple Contacts, App Store, Quicktime, etc will never be fixed.

• Intel chip not upgradable to M4.

Some of these issues could be fixed by updating my iMac to Os 13 (Ventura) but others can't be fixed as they are limitations of the hardware.

I will soldier on for as long as I can but I wouldn't recommend buying a 2017 iMac is you need to rely on it.

What 3rd party software do you think is incompatible? Most have upgrades for the newer systems.

There are lots of alternatives available for many of the commonly used 3rd party software. Like LibreOffice (free) for MS Office and Affinity Photos (a one time purchase) or Graphic Converter or Gimp (free) for Photoshop. However, I use Photoshop Elements which does nearly everything that PS does except the CMYK profile.

You may ask why we're so adamant that you upgrade your Mac to a new Mini. The reason is we love spending other people's money. 😉

A 2019 Mac would be an Intel-based Mac. Most of those will not get macOS 26 (Tahoe), and Apple has also said that macOS 26 will be the last major version that runs on any Intel-based Mac.