13" MacBook Air + Cinema Display to replace 27" iMac

dmw16 · Dec 5, 2012, 03:36 PM

Currently I have a 27" mid-2011 iMac (2.7Ghz i5, 20GB RAM, 256GB SSD) and I find myself sometimes wishing I was more mobile. I have an iPad but that is more a toy to me and I am going to be selling it. It's worth mentioning that for storage I have a 4GB LaCie 2Big enclosure.

So I've been thinking of getting rid of my iMac and replacing it with a 13" MBA w/ 8GB RAM (and probably just the 128GB SSD).

I mostly use my computer for web surfing, music, and doing some light to moderate photo editing (18MP RAWs) in Aperture.

Has anyone else made a similar switch? Thoughts?

My other option is to sell my iPad and get a 11" refurb 2011 Air for mobile and couch surfing duties.

Thanks.

JeffiJers · Dec 5, 2012, 03:40 PM

would like some insite on this as well, but unlike you OP i have a 13 air and was considering purchasing the 27imac.

btw i use the air for web design/ minor photo editing in cs6 / web and its great for them all.

raftr · Dec 5, 2012, 09:29 PM

Having just upgraded from a 2011 Air to a 2012 version I have to say RAM and processor are crucial for comfort in editing photos in Lightroom — I suppose it's the same in Aperture.

I maxed out RAM and processor this time around and the difference is much more than noticeable.

martinm0 · Dec 5, 2012, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmw16

Currently I have a 27" mid-2011 iMac (2.7Ghz i5, 20GB RAM, 256GB SSD) and I find myself sometimes wishing I was more mobile. I have an iPad but that is more a toy to me and I am going to be selling it. It's worth mentioning that for storage I have a 4GB LaCie 2Big enclosure.

So I've been thinking of getting rid of my iMac and replacing it with a 13" MBA w/ 8GB RAM (and probably just the 128GB SSD).

I mostly use my computer for web surfing, music, and doing some light to moderate photo editing (18MP RAWs) in Aperture.

Has anyone else made a similar switch? Thoughts?

My other option is to sell my iPad and get a 11" refurb 2011 Air for mobile and couch surfing duties.

Thanks.

Why not just get the MBA and keep the iMac and use it as a display for the MBA when you need? I have to figure that it will be a wash in terms of cost for you to sell the iMac and then buy an MBA + ATD and you'll have two fully functioning machines. Just a thought.

iAppl3Fan · Dec 5, 2012, 11:45 PM

I have all the various combinations you mentioned. Like you, I have an iPad and is more of a toy as well. Whatever combination you pick will work. My requirements is to always have a laptop and it should be fine plugging into a monitor or an iMac.

Thares · Dec 6, 2012, 12:21 AM

Good morning,

I had that thought, too. Currently, I own an 27" iMac. In addition, I got a 13" Air. Most of the time, I don't use the 27" as a display. That's just pointless for me when I could just use the iMac as a computer instead. I don't know how your behavior in this case may be.

Personally, I'd trade my iMac in for a thunderbolt display - but I'm waiting for a new one with the new iMac form factor. It's just annoying to have to machines.

I use my Macs for websurfing, university stuff and watching movies/series. No editing.

dmw16 · Dec 6, 2012, 06:20 AM

Thanks for the responses.

I didn't know I could use my iMac as a display. I don't see myself really doing that though. If there is something I need to do that requires the screen save I'd just as soon do it on the iMac I would think.

I will see how having 2 computers goes. I ended up buying a base 2011 11" Air since Apple was running a refurb special. I'll see how having 2 machines goes and then I can always sell everything and get a 13" maxed out Air and a Cinema display with minimal loss thanks to Apple's great resale value

MTD's Mac · Dec 6, 2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmw16

Currently I have a 27" mid-2011 iMac (2.7Ghz i5, 20GB RAM, 256GB SSD) and I find myself sometimes wishing I was more mobile. I have an iPad but that is more a toy to me and I am going to be selling it. It's worth mentioning that for storage I have a 4GB LaCie 2Big enclosure.

So I've been thinking of getting rid of my iMac and replacing it with a 13" MBA w/ 8GB RAM (and probably just the 128GB SSD).

I mostly use my computer for web surfing, music, and doing some light to moderate photo editing (18MP RAWs) in Aperture.

Has anyone else made a similar switch? Thoughts?

My other option is to sell my iPad and get a 11" refurb 2011 Air for mobile and couch surfing duties.

Thanks.

I have a 24" LED Cinema Display (based on iMacs from 2 generations ago) that I use as a hub for my 2011 13" Air. It's a great setup, especially with the Magic Trackpad and Apple Wireless Keyboard and some USB speakers. I only wish that the monitor and notebook could display the same resolution, as they are both 16:10 aspect ratios. My next notebook may be a 15" rMBP, which I would use at 1920 x 1200 for a more seamless experience of going back and forth between home (desktop) and work (notebook) setups. Other than that, not much room for improvement.

zen · Dec 6, 2012, 10:23 AM

I've been using my 11" MBA with a Thunderbolt display as my only computer for a year. It's great, and the MBA sits in a TwelveSouth book arc. Plenty of power and the screen is great.

However, I've just ordered a Mac mini, as I want to have more flexibility. Plugging and unplugging the MBA gets a little old, as Apple doesn't have any kind of dock solution so it's the two cables. Which doesn't sound like much, but I've also got external drives plugged into the display, which need to be ejected before I take out the MBA.

The Mac mini will eliminate all this.

However, power and performance-wise, you'll be fine.

kppolich · Dec 7, 2012, 12:31 AM

I have the 13" Ultimate 2012 256/8/2.0i7 with the TBD, love it for sitting down and working, plus easy on the go with the 13. I've tried an 11", just too small for me personally. Love my setup at home with a few external HDD's plugged in to access all my movies not stored on my internal ssd.

raftr · Dec 7, 2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kppolich

the 13" Ultimate 2012 256/8/2.0i7

Shouldn't it be called "penultimate"?

What is the 512GB version called then?…

dmw16 · Dec 7, 2012, 09:47 AM

Thanks for the comments back. I may end up getting an 11" w/ the i7 and 8GB of RAM. Since I'd be using the cinema display pretty much exclusively when at my desk I can live without the 13" display I think.

dixido · Dec 7, 2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kppolich

I have the 13" Ultimate 2012 256/8/2.0i7 with the TBD, love it for sitting down and working, plus easy on the go with the 13. I've tried an 11", just too small for me personally. Love my setup at home with a few external HDD's plugged in to access all my movies not stored on my internal ssd.

Very similar setup as mine. I am also very happy with it and I could never own an iMac instead of a laptop since I am often on the move.

Dec 5, 2012, 03:36 PM	#1
dmw16 macrumors regular Join Date: May 2011	13" MacBook Air + Cinema Display to replace 27" iMac Currently I have a 27" mid-2011 iMac (2.7Ghz i5, 20GB RAM, 256GB SSD) and I find myself sometimes wishing I was more mobile. I have an iPad but that is more a toy to me and I am going to be selling it. It's worth mentioning that for storage I have a 4GB LaCie 2Big enclosure. So I've been thinking of getting rid of my iMac and replacing it with a 13" MBA w/ 8GB RAM (and probably just the 128GB SSD). I mostly use my computer for web surfing, music, and doing some light to moderate photo editing (18MP RAWs) in Aperture. Has anyone else made a similar switch? Thoughts? My other option is to sell my iPad and get a 11" refurb 2011 Air for mobile and couch surfing duties. Thanks.
	1

Dec 5, 2012, 09:29 PM	#3
raftr macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ireland	Having just upgraded from a 2011 Air to a 2012 version I have to say RAM and processor are crucial for comfort in editing photos in Lightroom — I suppose it's the same in Aperture. I maxed out RAM and processor this time around and the difference is much more than noticeable. __________________ www.cocones.com — original sleeves for MacBooks, iPads and iPhones
	1

Dec 5, 2012, 11:45 PM	#5
iAppl3Fan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2011	I have all the various combinations you mentioned. Like you, I have an iPad and is more of a toy as well. Whatever combination you pick will work. My requirements is to always have a laptop and it should be fine plugging into a monitor or an iMac. __________________  2012 15" Retina MacBook Pro + Thunderbolt Display + B&W MM-1  2011 27" iMac + Bose QC15  Unlocked iPhone 5 AWS + Bose QC3 \|  TV \|  Time Capsule \| B&W Zepplin Air
	0

Dec 7, 2012, 12:31 AM	#10
kppolich macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Iowa	I have the 13" Ultimate 2012 256/8/2.0i7 with the TBD, love it for sitting down and working, plus easy on the go with the 13. I've tried an 11", just too small for me personally. Love my setup at home with a few external HDD's plugged in to access all my movies not stored on my internal ssd. __________________ 13" Macbook Air Ultimate 2012 (FOR SALE) + 16GB iPad 4 +32GB Verizon iPhone 5
	0

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Dec 5, 2012, 03:40 PM	#2
JeffiJers macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: U.S.	would like some insite on this as well, but unlike you OP i have a 13 air and was considering purchasing the 27imac. btw i use the air for web design/ minor photo editing in cs6 / web and its great for them all.
	0

Dec 6, 2012, 12:21 AM	#6
Thares macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Osnabrück, Germany	Good morning, I had that thought, too. Currently, I own an 27" iMac. In addition, I got a 13" Air. Most of the time, I don't use the 27" as a display. That's just pointless for me when I could just use the iMac as a computer instead. I don't know how your behavior in this case may be. Personally, I'd trade my iMac in for a thunderbolt display - but I'm waiting for a new one with the new iMac form factor. It's just annoying to have to machines. I use my Macs for websurfing, university stuff and watching movies/series. No editing.
	0

Dec 6, 2012, 06:20 AM	#7
dmw16 Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: May 2011	Thanks for the responses. I didn't know I could use my iMac as a display. I don't see myself really doing that though. If there is something I need to do that requires the screen save I'd just as soon do it on the iMac I would think. I will see how having 2 computers goes. I ended up buying a base 2011 11" Air since Apple was running a refurb special. I'll see how having 2 machines goes and then I can always sell everything and get a 13" maxed out Air and a Cinema display with minimal loss thanks to Apple's great resale value
	0

Dec 6, 2012, 10:23 AM	#9
zen macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2003	I've been using my 11" MBA with a Thunderbolt display as my only computer for a year. It's great, and the MBA sits in a TwelveSouth book arc. Plenty of power and the screen is great. However, I've just ordered a Mac mini, as I want to have more flexibility. Plugging and unplugging the MBA gets a little old, as Apple doesn't have any kind of dock solution so it's the two cables. Which doesn't sound like much, but I've also got external drives plugged into the display, which need to be ejected before I take out the MBA. The Mac mini will eliminate all this. However, power and performance-wise, you'll be fine.
	0

Dec 7, 2012, 09:47 AM	#12
dmw16 Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: May 2011	Thanks for the comments back. I may end up getting an 11" w/ the i7 and 8GB of RAM. Since I'd be using the cinema display pretty much exclusively when at my desk I can live without the 13" display I think.
	0