I'm a graphic designer thinking of upgrading my computer. Not sure what would be better combo: imac 27" or MBP + external display like thunderbolt. Any suggestions folks?
27" iMac is more powerful and cheaper than the MBP + External. + less clutter on the desk
Yeah, iMac seems to be a way better value. One could get the high end iMac for $1,999, add a MacBook Air and still be around the same price range as for the 15 rmbp with display. But that's just generally speaking, I'm sure there are individual cases where the rmbp makes more sense.
macbook pro only makes sense if you need portability. I am a graphic designer myself and I have never needed portability yet.
Portability is a key thing especially in terms of working in various places from inspirational point of view.
I tried MBP + external display, but it wasn't great - fans kicked in now and then with a very annoying sound. It wasn't as powerful as a desktop computer, and as I wanted a somewhat powerful computer I had a 15", which, to be honest, isn't that portable. Overall, I wasn't happy with it, it had a lot of drawbacks and compromises.
Nowdays I run a 27" iMac, which is awesome for professional work. Also, I got a separate 11" Air for working on the road. It's perfect to bring to meetings, vacations, trips and such, and if I'm working a few days at another location it works great to just use an external screen. Very easy to carry around, and plenty powerful, although I wouldn't want to use it as a permanent desktop.
Personally, I think the combination of iMac + Air is by far the best.
I'm a graphic designer thinking of upgrading my computer. Not sure what would be better combo: imac 27" or MBP + external display like thunderbolt. Any suggestions folks?
Air as its cheaper then pro or as its lighter and more portable?
Portable, and in many respects almost as good as a Pro. Many see the Air as a very weak computer, but it's actually surprisingly powerful nowadays. It's not far from a modern Pro in terms of performance, it's just lacking a few ports, some battery time and has no retina screen. Besides that there's really not much difference for a working computer. I use it while working out of the office, and love it. I'm not sure if you'd be ok with it as a graphic designer though (smaller screen, not as good color representation), but for me it's great. And it's as easy to carry around as an iPad, ie hardly noticeable in a bag.
Portable, and in many respects almost as good as a Pro. Many see the Air as a very weak computer, but it's actually surprisingly powerful nowadays. It's not far from a modern Pro in terms of performance, it's just lacking a few ports, some battery time and has no retina screen. Besides that there's really not much difference for a working computer. I use it while working out of the office, and love it. I'm not sure if you'd be ok with it as a graphic designer though (smaller screen, not as good color representation), but for me it's great. And it's as easy to carry around as an iPad, ie hardly noticeable in a bag.
Portability is a key thing especially in terms of working in various places from inspirational point of view.
What do you mainly use your air for?
Do you use Adobe CS on your MBA? I found the MBA not to be a good choice for those applications, at least on regular basis. I am an iMac + iPad person.
I'm a UI designer, and I own a MacBook Air 13 (2012) and an iMac 24" — I will buy the iMac 27".
The MacBook Air is not like the first generations, now it's a really good machine, and with SSD is really fast. I've never had problems to work on that when I'm not on the iMac.
Air as its cheaper then pro or as its lighter and more portable?
I think the iMac27 + MacBookAir (MBA) 11" 2012 w/8gb ram is the perfect combination. With a thunderbolt cable, you can even use your iMac as a monitor for your MBA from time to time.
The way it works for us is great. When I'm home, I usually use the MBA plugged into and using the iMac as a monitor. When I leave, any other household member has access to the iMac for use. The iMac also doubles as an available machine for encoding video or some other work you would not want to be doing on your MBA. When using the iMac as a monitor in target display mode, I use screensharing feature to connect to it from within the MBA, even while using an iMac as a display for the MBA, and interact with the desktop as necessary to continue rendering or start a new render, etc.
I tried MBP + external display, but it wasn't great - fans kicked in now and then with a very annoying sound. It wasn't as powerful as a desktop computer, and as I wanted a somewhat powerful computer I had a 15", which, to be honest, isn't that portable. Overall, I wasn't happy with it, it had a lot of drawbacks and compromises.
Nowdays I run a 27" iMac, which is awesome for professional work. Also, I got a separate 11" Air for working on the road. It's perfect to bring to meetings, vacations, trips and such, and if I'm working a few days at another location it works great to just use an external screen. Very easy to carry around, and plenty powerful, although I wouldn't want to use it as a permanent desktop.
Personally, I think the combination of iMac + Air is by far the best.