I have a 13″ MacBook but not the Pro. I wanted the mobility due to my work but it is such a hassle I no longer take it. I’m thinking of purchasing an iMac with a larger screen and more computing power. I would like to know what people think about laptops versus desktop systems, what you are using and why.
Monte Stevens
Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku. Have a love for fountain pens.
7 Comments
Paul
Funny that you should bring up this topic, Monte, as I just bought a 27 inch iMac yesterday! I have the 15 inch MacBook Pro and have used it, exclusively as my primary computer; however, like you, I didn’t carry it with me everywhere because it was too heavy. I did take it to Australia, but all the way, wished that I had something lighter.
Now that I have a MacBook Air, that issue is solved. I love taking that thing. After I started doing lots of work on my books, I wanted a larger format to do processing on and, also, wanted a place to plug in my Wacom tablet that I’ve not used in years. I wanted a desktop. Originally, I thought of just using the laptop and getting a 24 or 27 inch monitor, but decided it was time for an upgrade.
Now, Tony will be the happy recipient of the MacBook Pro … he’s been trying to get it away from me for a couple of years. 🙂
Monte Stevens
I’m thinking along the same line you are. Once I’m back in my condo I may put out the money for an iMac and only use the laptop for extended traveling. My intentions when purchasing the MacBook was to add the larger monitor but that has never happened. Now they have a new monitor that will not even work with my laptop. I need the Pro for that monitor.
Tom Dills
I’ve got both an iMac (an older version) and a newer Macbook Pro. I use the MBP primarily for teaching and travel, but at home it sits on a desk since I use my iMac for my photo processing and printing, and use the iPad for reading.
The iMac is starting to show its age, and I’m debating between buying another iMac like Paul just got and buying a monitor for the laptop. There are definitely pros and cons to both ideas.
Since I seldom care about processing photos on the road I don’t usually take a laptop and just take the iPad. For longer trips like our upcoming Alaska trip I’ll take both.
A good monitor would get me half way to the price of a new iMac, so for me I’ll probably opt for a new iMac when the time comes…probably about the time I start processing files from the 5D Mark III ! 🙂
Monte Stevens
My previous desktop was sure nice to edit with versus my 13″ MacBook. I miss that large monitor and another reason I’m looking into the desktop. The Mac Pro is way out of my price range but I’d take one if given to me. I agree, you will need the newer iMac for those 5d Mark III files. Probably should make sure it’s the large monitor also. Heck, with those files maybe the Mac Pro is the way to go. 🙂
Mark
I am still using my Mac Pro I got back in 2008. Hums along just like when I got it and I haven’t felt a real need to upgrade it yet. Although I do have a laptop for travel (a heavy MacBook Pro) – I don’t really care to edit images on it. After working on my 23″ monitor at home for so long, it is really hard to switch to editing images on a smaller display. With the new thunderbolt ports, I think the need for accessory cards (one of the big reasons I bought a Mac Pro) is going away. So an iMac is probably one of the better choices right now I think, but I am not real familiar with the RAM limitations of those. I have 14 GB installed in my Pro.
Monte Stevens
The iMac can go up to 16G for memory and if you jump-in like Paul you can get the 27″ monitor. Just a bit bigger’
2008 was about the time I bought my MacBook and I’ve enjoyed it. I most likely will keep it when I upgrade to the desktop. It just feels better to be back in the darkroom in my condo rather than always mobile with the laptop.
Thanks for the info.
Paul
If’n you’re gonna jump, might as well use both feet! 🙂 I have only 4 GB, but it is easily user upgradeable to 16 GB.