advisable to use MPR as a desktop computer ?

[stuartrozier]

Hello, i as wondering if it is advisable to use macbook pro retina as a desktop computer ?
in replacement of my mac mini (doesn't support 4k res)

This will mean it being plugged in constantly, being constantly connected up to an external display,

will it do it more damage than its worth ?

seeing as its not really built for that ?

many thanks in advance

 

[Kapybarus]

I tried it but find out that wifi is very weak for that use in my case. In lid closed mode it was unusable.

 

[stuartrozier]

I tried it but find out that wifi is very weak for that use in my case. In lid closed mode it was unusable.

well I've managed to sort the lid closed prob, an have it closed an still use external mon, an the sorted the wifi prob by just using lan to thunder -

but was just curious to know wether it would maybe shorten the life, over a mac mini's life, seeing as i would keeping it on all the time :/

 

[Dark Void]

Sure but curious as to why you would want to do that if you won't be taking the laptop off of the desk?

 

[cambookpro]

I run mine as a desktop computer connected to an external display 90% of the time and have done for about five year. No issues whatsoever.

It's convenient to have the portability of a laptop when you need it, but most of the time I find it more productive to use a desktop for work.

Shouldn't really matter how long you have it on for.

 

[stuartrozier]

Sure but curious as to why you would want to do that if you won't be taking the laptop off of the desk?

its purely because i find the Mac Pro works better in performance compared to the mac mini,
and the mac pro retina also supports higher resolutions.

so if i decide to go ahead with it, i'll be using the Mac Pro retina permanently, and connected to a larger display,

but just worried its not built to be on all the time, and may get hot, may not handle as well as the mac mini, (seeing as the mac mini was built for a desktop purpose) - i leave my mac min on constantly, an let it sleeps when it needs to.

many thanks

 

[stuartrozier]

I run mine as a desktop computer connected to an external display 90% of the time and have done for about five year. No issues whatsoever.

It's convenient to have the portability of a laptop when you need it, but most of the time I find it more productive to use a desktop for work.

Shouldn't really matter how long you have it on for.

thank you, so no overheating or the fan kicking in due to the heat ?

I've just been finding when I'm using the mac pro ret for extensive periods, the fan kicks in (very loudly!) .... but the mac mini has never done this


many thanks

 

[OneZweiThree]

Is the wifi issue still a thing with the newer MacBook pros?

 

[ApolloBoy]

I tried it but find out that wifi is very weak for that use in my case. In lid closed mode it was unusable.

I occasionally use mine in clamshell mode and I have no wi-fi issues whatsoever.

 

[stuartrozier]

Is the wifi issue still a thing with the newer MacBook pros?

what do you mea, explain

 

[stuartrozier]

I occasionally use mine in clamshell mode and I have no wi-fi issues whatsoever.

I've been using for the past hour with the lid closed, an the lid to touch is hot - i guess when the macbook being open it allows the heat to escape -

do you recon keep the lid open ?

 

[OneZweiThree]

what do you mea, explain

The issue, where the wifi gets significantly slower when the MacBook is used in clamshell mode.

I'm asking because I am currently thinking about getting an IMac 5k or a MacBook pro + 4k monitor. And I would want to use the MacBook most of the time in clamshell mode. But if the wifi issue still is present in the current MacBook, that might not be great experience.

 

[stuartrozier]

The issue, where the wifi gets significantly slower when the MacBook is used in clamshell mode.

I'm asking because I am currently thinking about getting an IMac 5k or a MacBook pro + 4k monitor. And I would want to use the MacBook most of the time in clamshell mode. But if the wifi issue still is present in the current MacBook, that might not be great experience.

I'm really not sure, can't answer that one - only thing i can say is, because I'm thinking of using mine as a desktop laptop, I've currently got an ethernet going into the thunderbolt, that could be a solution ?

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

I've being using a 2009 13" as a desktop replacement for the past 6 years. No wifi issues on the 2009 model so the newer ones will be much better. Got myself a new rMBP 13" which will be a definite upgrade.

 

[cambookpro]

thank you, so no overheating or the fan kicking in due to the heat ?

I've just been finding when I'm using the mac pro ret for extensive periods, the fan kicks in (very loudly!) .... but the mac mini has never done this


many thanks

The fans will kick in if I'm doing anything intensive, but not when it's just in idle. It is quite well ventilated though, on a Rain Design mStand.

I wouldn't really worry about overheating. It'll shut down automatically if it's getting dangerous for the computer. The Mac mini is probably quieter as it has smaller fans and is a larger volume (may be wrong) so dissipates heat more easily.

 

[2984839]

Yes that will be fine.

 

[hiddenmarkov]

The issue, where the wifi gets significantly slower when the MacBook is used in clamshell mode.

I'm asking because I am currently thinking about getting an IMac 5k or a MacBook pro + 4k monitor. And I would want to use the MacBook most of the time in clamshell mode. But if the wifi issue still is present in the current MacBook, that might not be great experience.

You could move the WAP to a better broadcasting spot. Not sure of the bad story above but bad signal can have many causes beyond clamshell. Distance to wap, type of wap, etc. I live in Japan where due to typhoon and earthquake needs construction is done heavily with steel reinforced concrete. A few of these walls between source and destination and watch the signal get killed. So I drop the wap where I reduce this as much as possible.


What will your external monitor be? If t-bolt you can run lan cable to it and pass via the t-bolt cabling. If longer cabling run DIY stores should have raceway. Ran some raceway to clean up my install and its not all that bad a job. But I prefer wired for most uses. So an added impetus. Plus the whole guy project thing to do for the house lol.


Why if I may ask do you need clamshell. You will get better air flow open and I have found the MBP makes for a great secondary monitor. To each their own here but the second screen a very nice thing to have I have found.

 

[AreanFSL]

I'm running my Late 2013 MBP as a desktop hooked to my Samsung 4K display and initially had wifi problems. My wifi lag stemmed from ONLY when bluetooth was turned on (keyboard/mouse/track pad).
Wifi problems disappeared after I switched to my Airport Extreme band to 802.11N and (knock on wood) don't have any problems now.

 

[lowendlinux]

I wouldn't it seems pointless and expensive to use a portable as a non-portable

 

[ApolloBoy]

I wouldn't it seems pointless and expensive to use a portable as a non-portable

I do it because sometimes I just prefer sitting at a desk with a nice monitor, keyboard and mouse, having the computer tucked away; but at the same time I can take it out, open it up and have it in the kitchen for looking up recipes or in bed watching YouTube. Can't do that with a Mac Mini.

 

[lowendlinux]

I do it because sometimes I just prefer sitting at a desk with a nice monitor, keyboard and mouse, having the computer tucked away; but at the same time I can take it out, open it up and have it in the kitchen for looking up recipes or in bed watching YouTube. Can't do that with a Mac Mini.

No you can't and TBH I have both a desktop and a portable so it's a non issue but If I had to choose just one I'd keep the desktop.

 

[maflynn]

My rMBP is used as a desktop it works well for my needs

 

[S.B.G]

I use my cMBP as a desktop now and it works just fine for my needs and I've had no problems with the battery either.

 

[ssls6]

I use my new mid-2014 as a desktop. With a thunderbolt display it's like an iMac but with replaceable guts. When they limited the mini to dual core they forced me into this mode.