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Not sure which computer to buy

G

galaksy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 19, 2014
298
0
I'm thinking of buying the 27 inch iMac, or the 21 inch with an additional screen for a dual screen.

And/or 15'' MBP retina or 13'' retina.

15'' definitely seems to have a better screen real estate, but is $1000 more expensive than the 13''.

Also 13'' is small enough that you can use it lying down on the bed, while 15'' might be a little bulky for that perhaps? But then having more RAM and i7 can't hurt. You never know if you need that extra RAM or i7.

Another thing is that I am not sure if I need the portability even. To me it seems if you are going to be outside for a long time, maybe you can get a Kindle and read.

1. There seems to be not much difference between $1500 and $2500 if you are going to use it for many years, and if you are going to pay it in a 12 month payment plan.

2. You might not even need to sacrifice power for portability that much if you get a Kindle with 3G, and you read a lot.

3. If I move to another country to teach English (which I am thinking of), it would be a headache to take the iMac with me.
 
Last edited:
Commy1

Commy1

macrumors 6502a
Feb 25, 2013
729
73
Canada
My philosophy is that when you need power, get as much power as you can. When you need portability then go as portable as you can.
As is usually the case however, life isn't that simple and compromise is needed. If you just want a screen for the living room or while in bed, the iPad is a great option.

In some cases, mine included, I need portability with than power, but still more power than an iPad so I opted into the 13" rMBP with upgrades and plan on purchasing a monitor in the future for my studio.
Judging by what you've said, I think a 15" rMBP would suit your needs well in portability and above higher ranged mobile performance.

my 2 cents
 
sb in ak

sb in ak

macrumors member
Apr 15, 2014
73
41
Homer, Alaska
You could always get the 13" rMBP and buy an external monitor for when you need additional screen space. That's what I've done for years with a standard Macbook and it works great. This is better anyway if you're doing any photo editing, etc. (large external display).

The new 15" models are pretty light though. I'd probably go that route if I were moving somewhere and didn't want to take a lot with me.
 
G

galaksy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 19, 2014
298
0
sb in ak, which monitor do you use?

----------

Thank you Commy1.

If I buy the $2500 one, how durable is it in case of falls? I had the non retina older 15'' from 2010 and it was really susceptible to breaking (the hinge) when dropped.
 
sb in ak

sb in ak

macrumors member
Apr 15, 2014
73
41
Homer, Alaska
galaksy said:
sb in ak, which monitor do you use?
Click to expand...

Don't remember exactly, but I bought a cheap 23" ASUS 1080p a few years ago. I think it was $160. Now that I'm more serious about photo editing, I'm finding the color gamut and resolution to be lacking. I'd spring for something else now. But it's perfectly fine for web surfing, movies and whatnot and I definitely don't feel cramped.
 
D

Dubberton

macrumors regular
Oct 9, 2013
141
50
galaksy said:
I'm thinking of buying the 27 inch iMac, or the 21 inch with an additional screen for a dual screen.

And/or 15'' MBP retina or 13'' retina.

15'' definitely seems to have a better screen real estate, but is $1000 more expensive than the 13''.

Also 13'' is small enough that you can use it lying down on the bed, while 15'' might be a little bulky for that perhaps? But then having more RAM and i7 can't hurt. You never know if you need that extra RAM or i7.

Another thing is that I am not sure if I need the portability even. To me it seems if you are going to be outside for a long time, maybe you can get a Kindle and read.

1. There seems to be not much difference between $1500 and $2500 if you are going to use it for many years, and if you are going to pay it in a 12 month payment plan.

2. You might not even need to sacrifice power for portability that much if you get a Kindle with 3G, and you read a lot.

3. If I move to another country to teach English (which I am thinking of), it would be a headache to take the iMac with me.
Click to expand...

I am a 6ft 220 male and the 15 inch retina macbook pro is very portable and comfortable enough to use in bed. The thing is slim and can be carried around opened with one hand very securely - it is that light. The issue I would have in your situation is resolution. Going from a retina screen to even a 1080p screen is really noticeable and not in a good way. That said, I would recommend getting the 15 inch retina with the dedicated graphics card, which is what I'm using, and a 1440p or 4k monitor. I'm just not sure how smooth the onboard graphics handle an external high def monitor, so I suggest the dedicated version. You mention you are not sure if you would like or use the portability, so I assume you have used desktops mainly. Me too, for a while I was stuck on high powered gaming rigs. With the weight and portability factor you won't think twice about carrying the rMBP around like you would even with an older slightly heavier laptop. In bed, on the couch, and outside it goes with me. I've actually found myself to enjoy working on the couch the best as instead of a desk. Oh, and the battery life on the haswell model is fantastic - I really do leave the charger at home now.
 
M

magnumpi

macrumors member
Sep 24, 2012
41
0
I would get the iMac and if I happen to need to go portable I would buy the MBA/MBP 13" (or even an iPad if it is good enough) later on. Never liked the 15" model, it's in no man's land imo: not very portable and not very powerful for the cash it costs.
 
G

galaksy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 19, 2014
298
0
Dubberton said:
I am a 6ft 220 male and the 15 inch retina macbook pro is very portable and comfortable enough to use in bed. The thing is slim and can be carried around opened with one hand very securely - it is that light. The issue I would have in your situation is resolution. Going from a retina screen to even a 1080p screen is really noticeable and not in a good way. That said, I would recommend getting the 15 inch retina with the dedicated graphics card, which is what I'm using, and a 1440p or 4k monitor. I'm just not sure how smooth the onboard graphics handle an external high def monitor, so I suggest the dedicated version. You mention you are not sure if you would like or use the portability, so I assume you have used desktops mainly. Me too, for a while I was stuck on high powered gaming rigs. With the weight and portability factor you won't think twice about carrying the rMBP around like you would even with an older slightly heavier laptop. In bed, on the couch, and outside it goes with me. I've actually found myself to enjoy working on the couch the best as instead of a desk. Oh, and the battery life on the haswell model is fantastic - I really do leave the charger at home now.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Dubberton. If you get the dedicated version, what's the price difference?

Going from a retina screen to even a 1080p screen
Click to expand...
Do you mean using an external monitor?

and a 1440p or 4k monitor.
Click to expand...
What model is it?
 
D

Dubberton

macrumors regular
Oct 9, 2013
141
50
galaksy said:
Thank you, Dubberton. If you get the dedicated version, what's the price difference?


Do you mean using an external monitor?


What model is it?
Click to expand...

The dedicated version is the more expensive of the two 15 inches. With education pricing it is the $2,399 model. It ends up being $500 more than the other base model. You also get double the ram and ssd size so it's a no brainer if you can afford it.

And yes, regarding the 1080p thing I was talking about external monitors. My personal preference is that I do not like going from looking at a retina screen to any screen 1080p or lower. It should be closer to the retina resolution. Though, to have all 1080p would be fine.

For the 1440p or 4k thing I was referring to what external monitor I would use in conjunction with the MacBook. Most 2560x1400 monitors run $300 and up, but 4k monitors I have no idea about.
 
D

dalupus

macrumors regular
Jul 19, 2011
132
0
Dubberton said:
The dedicated version is the more expensive of the two 15 inches. With education pricing it is the $2,399 model. It ends up being $500 more than the other base model. You also get double the ram and ssd size so it's a no brainer if you can afford it.

And yes, regarding the 1080p thing I was talking about external monitors. My personal preference is that I do not like going from looking at a retina screen to any screen 1080p or lower. It should be closer to the retina resolution. Though, to have all 1080p would be fine.

For the 1440p or 4k thing I was referring to what external monitor I would use in conjunction with the MacBook. Most 2560x1400 monitors run $300 and up, but 4k monitors I have no idea about.
Click to expand...

there are a couple in the refurb store as well for like 2.1k
 
H

howareyoukk

macrumors regular
Apr 1, 2013
169
5
galaksy said:
I'm thinking of buying the 27 inch iMac, or the 21 inch with an additional screen for a dual screen.

And/or 15'' MBP retina or 13'' retina.

15'' definitely seems to have a better screen real estate, but is $1000 more expensive than the 13''.

Also 13'' is small enough that you can use it lying down on the bed, while 15'' might be a little bulky for that perhaps? But then having more RAM and i7 can't hurt. You never know if you need that extra RAM or i7.

Another thing is that I am not sure if I need the portability even. To me it seems if you are going to be outside for a long time, maybe you can get a Kindle and read.

1. There seems to be not much difference between $1500 and $2500 if you are going to use it for many years, and if you are going to pay it in a 12 month payment plan.

2. You might not even need to sacrifice power for portability that much if you get a Kindle with 3G, and you read a lot.

3. If I move to another country to teach English (which I am thinking of), it would be a headache to take the iMac with me.
Click to expand...

15 inch all the way and dont look back. its either go big or go home ;)
 
G

galaksy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 19, 2014
298
0
Dubberton said:
The dedicated version is the more expensive of the two 15 inches. With education pricing it is the $2,399 model. It ends up being $500 more than the other base model. You also get double the ram and ssd size so it's a no brainer if you can afford it.

And yes, regarding the 1080p thing I was talking about external monitors. My personal preference is that I do not like going from looking at a retina screen to any screen 1080p or lower. It should be closer to the retina resolution. Though, to have all 1080p would be fine.

For the 1440p or 4k thing I was referring to what external monitor I would use in conjunction with the MacBook. Most 2560x1400 monitors run $300 and up, but 4k monitors I have no idea about.
Click to expand...

So were you saying that $300 monitors should suffice for rMBP?

----------

Two things are in my mind right now:

1. If I buy the 27 iMac, I don't have to buy a separate monitor and it's more powerful than the rMBP, and maybe for those rare times when I'm away from home I could use Kindle, etc to stay productive. But if I do move to a foreign country then I would have bought the iMac in vain, unless perhaps if I buy the $300 Wheels Away Carrying Case? http://www.amazon.com/27-inch-Wheels-Away-iMac-Carrying/dp/B0043F5GX4

2. Samsung ATIV Book 9 claims better than retina resolution and is a touch screen, so it might be easier to use it while lying down on the bed.
 
K

kathyricks

macrumors 6502
Nov 26, 2012
292
20
If you only had money for one computer I'd get the iMac. With regard to notebooks, I debated the 13" vs. 15" too and ultimately decided to go with the 8/256 base model 15" rMBP as it's only around $450 more than a 8/256 13" rMBP (from the Apple refurb store) and its slightly, but noticably faster and just 1 pound more in weight and still not fatally too large to travel with. In bed lying on my back the 15" feels perfect sitting on my tummy. And the late 2013 rMBP's do not get uncomfortably hot.
 
G

galaksy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 19, 2014
298
0
Did you get both rMBP and an iMac?
Do pre-late 2013 rMBP get hot?
how much money can you save by buying a refurb?
 
Last edited:
Hieveryone

Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Apr 11, 2014
5,624
2,337
USA
galaksy said:
I'm thinking of buying the 27 inch iMac, or the 21 inch with an additional screen for a dual screen.

And/or 15'' MBP retina or 13'' retina.

15'' definitely seems to have a better screen real estate, but is $1000 more expensive than the 13''.

Also 13'' is small enough that you can use it lying down on the bed, while 15'' might be a little bulky for that perhaps? But then having more RAM and i7 can't hurt. You never know if you need that extra RAM or i7.

Another thing is that I am not sure if I need the portability even. To me it seems if you are going to be outside for a long time, maybe you can get a Kindle and read.

1. There seems to be not much difference between $1500 and $2500 if you are going to use it for many years, and if you are going to pay it in a 12 month payment plan.

2. You might not even need to sacrifice power for portability that much if you get a Kindle with 3G, and you read a lot.

3. If I move to another country to teach English (which I am thinking of), it would be a headache to take the iMac with me.
Click to expand...


I have a good solution which may work for you.

Why don't you get a suped up 13 inch with a 512 SSD, 16 GB RAM, and i7 processor and just use it with an external monitor.

Those are the specs of the 15 inch basically but it's way more portable. If you get an external monitor, there's your iMac.
 
T

thundersteele

macrumors 68030
Oct 19, 2011
2,984
9
Switzerland
iMac + 13'' rMBP. If you move abroad sell the iMac.

The 15'' rMBP of course is a compromise between the two. But personally I would prefer the above setup, if space and money permits it.
 
Y

yjchua95

macrumors 604
Apr 23, 2011
6,725
233
GVA, KUL, MEL (current), ZQN
Hieveryone said:
I have a good solution which may work for you.

Why don't you get a suped up 13 inch with a 512 SSD, 16 GB RAM, and i7 processor and just use it with an external monitor.

Those are the specs of the 15 inch basically but it's way more portable. If you get an external monitor, there's your iMac.
Click to expand...

There isn't much of a difference between the 2.6GHz i5 and 2.8GHz i7, because both have 2 cores and 4 threads.

My 13" rMBP came with the 2.8GHz i7 because it was purchased by my dad (who probably didn't know the first thing about processor cores and just maxed out everything available, but I'm not complaining though :D ). If it was on my own dime, I'd stick to the 2.6/16/512 configuration.
 
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