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I use a 15" MBP. The hi-res anti-glare display is just the right size, therefore I don't have a need for anything larger. While I used a desktop years ago, I'm very satisfied with my current Mac.
 
I went exclusively with laptops until a few months ago when I purchased a Mac Pro. I needed a more powerful computer, and now have the best of both worlds.

I will probably always have both, moving ahead.
 
I gave it serious thought and very well might have if I didn't need a laptop to take tests on.

When I finish school and (if) I have a job, I suspect I would trade my current macbook pro for an iMac+Air+iPad combo. The screen real-estate of the iMac makes it a nice machine for a lot of different tasks and the Air is good for travel.

but in doing that you are not getting away from the laptop model there as the Air is still a laptop.

Also an easy way to solve the screen real-estate problem is use an external monitor with the laptop. That way you have dual monitors. Minds you Apple's dual monitor support and UI is pretty piss poor but you could at least have the bigger monitor being primary and have the laptop monitor there to store stuff in.


I personally would not give up a laptop to for a desktop. I could go weaker laptop and powerful desktop.
Tablet have zero effect on that part. If anything I find my tablet taking a lot of workload off of my phone for surfing when laying around.
 
I only use a desktop and my iPhone because I have a budget, but I honestly can't see myself ever wanting to use a computer with a tiny ass screen on a regular basis. Every time I'm forced to use a laptop for an extended period of time the small screen size makes me feel claustrophobic.

I can see the appeal for using your computer in bed or on the couch though, but I'd probably just use an iPad if I could afford it.
 
I only use a desktop and my iPhone because I have a budget, but I honestly can't see myself ever wanting to use a computer with a tiny ass screen on a regular basis. Every time I'm forced to use a laptop for an extended period of time the small screen size makes me feel claustrophobic.

It's a good thing laptops come with ports that let them connect to external monitors then! ;)

Seriously, my MacBook Air doubles as both a desktop (with full sized keyboard, mouse, 23" wide screen 2048x1156 monitor) and a superior mobile device that's not just good for read-only content consumption.
 
I'm in the middle of transitioning from Mac desktop (iMac, and subsequently, Mac mini Server used as a normal Mac mini) to a Mac laptop (forthcoming MacBook Pro) with a NAS and a PC Desktop. Essentially the MacBook Pro does what I want a Mac to do (the every day stuff, e-mail, video editing, all-purpose production), the NAS gives me the storage space I need and can't have on anything but a desktop, and the PC Desktop does gaming and anything else I'd ever want a PeeCee to do.

Frankly, with iMacs and Mac minis being un-upgradable for everything but RAM, and the upgrade options for the Mac Pro being abysmal by comparison to any built-PC tower, I feel like there's no practical reason to even get a Mac desktop anymore unless you like the Mac mini's pricetag, or if you need the Xeon power or PCI-Express Slots of the Mac Pro. A custom-built PC Desktop has none of these problems, and the MacBook Pro is the easiest Mac to service that Apple has. Best of both worlds, if you ask me.
 
Kind of.

Budget permitting, my 15" Macbook Pro/iPad combination will be replaced with a Mac Pro/new portable this year.

That is assuming that Apple continue the MP line.

I need a workstation at home to handle the bulk of my needs, something that'll last me about 5 years and is flexible to upgrades.

On the flip side, I'm heading back to university this September and will want something small and light that I can carry across London. An iPad is my first choice, but that depends on how this textbook thing develops over the year. Failing that I'll go for a Macbook Air or something similar.
 
Everyone wants portable these days IMO so I don't really see too many people going from Laptop to Desktop... Honestly I use both since they serve me for different purposes. I have a Dell PC with an i5/4GB Ram/500GB HD I use as an HTPC connected to my living room TV and an 09 mac mini in my office "nook"... BUT I mainly use my iPad/iPhone/MBP since i'm traveling (for work) more than i'm at home...
 
I am going to. Right now I have a Macbook, iPad, and iPhone. Now that I have an iPad, I rarely travel with my laptop. It just sits on its stand connected to a 23 inch monitor and keyboard. I will probably get a new Mac this year, and will probably get a maxed out iMac. I'll probably keep the iMac for 4-6 years so I want to future proof it as much as possible. The only question will be if I should sell my Macbook or keep it around.
 
I never left the desktop world for the laptop one. I complimented my desktop with a laptop. When I'm home and working on something that needs big screens and lots of CPU grunt, RAM, etc, I use my Mac Pro. If I'm sitting at home and just surfing, reading email, and sending IMs, then it's my MacBook Pro.

The MBP gives me the opportunity to move around the house (or travel...) with it. Mac Pros are a bit heavy and bulky, and not easily transported in a small backpack. :) At the same time, the MBP is somewhat limited in CPU, storage, and RAM, and when I need those resources, it's off to the Mac Pro.

Tablets hold no sway over me whatsoever. The best thing I've seen an iPad do is play Angry Birds in HD.

I'm anxiously awaiting the rumored 15" MacBook Air. If it appears with a decent screen resolution, I might trade in my MBP for that. But the Mac Pros I have (one at home, one at the office) stay.

jas
 
but in doing that you are not getting away from the laptop model there as the Air is still a laptop.

That's true. I wouldn't want with an Air if it wasn't for the nature of legal work. If I was looking at this strictly from a personal use point of view, I would only get an iMac and iPad because the iPad is better for couch surfing and I'd do all my full computing at my desk.
Also an easy way to solve the screen real-estate problem is use an external monitor with the laptop. That way you have dual monitors. Minds you Apple's dual monitor support and UI is pretty piss poor but you could at least have the bigger monitor being primary and have the laptop monitor there to store stuff in.

I thought about this before deciding on the iMac, and the problem was that external displays inevitably take up a lot more desk space, and don't have the same design aesthetics as a single computer. Plus, if I were to spend money on a mbp and an external monitor, I'd end up with a budget pretty close to what an iMac and Air would cost anyways.
 
That's true. I wouldn't want with an Air if it wasn't for the nature of legal work. If I was looking at this strictly from a personal use point of view, I would only get an iMac and iPad because the iPad is better for couch surfing and I'd do all my full computing at my desk.
Not going to disagree there. I find myself doing all my computing work at my desk with my laptop and 2nd monitor. Surfing from the couch or bed I will either be on my phone or tablet now days.

I thought about this before deciding on the iMac, and the problem was that external displays inevitably take up a lot more desk space, and don't have the same design aesthetics as a single computer. Plus, if I were to spend money on a mbp and an external monitor, I'd end up with a budget pretty close to what an iMac and Air would cost anyways.

I could see that. I also depends on the type of work you do at a computer. For me 2 monitors is a life saver and if I could I would want 3 monitors and I would prefer it over a single large monitor but then again I do coding at my computer so one monitor is code and the 2nd monitor is either for references or testing. It is also angled for better viewing. I know there work that people do a single large monitor is better but other times 2 smaller monitors is better.

Really boils down to personal preferences and the type of work you do on it. I could not go back to a single monitor and really like working on duels.
 
I sold my MacBook Pro on eBay and bought two refurbished iPad 2's. One for me and one for the wife. We have a 2011 Mac Mini server used as our desktop machine for when we need a full computer. It was just becoming tedious keeping everything in sync between the MacBook and the Mac Mini because I like to have access to all the stuff regardless of which machine I'm on. It was just easier to move to iPads for portability and utilize iCloud and iTunes Match.
 
I sold my MacBook Pro on eBay and bought two refurbished iPad 2's. One for me and one for the wife. We have a 2011 Mac Mini server used as our desktop machine for when we need a full computer. It was just becoming tedious keeping everything in sync between the MacBook and the Mac Mini because I like to have access to all the stuff regardless of which machine I'm on. It was just easier to move to iPads for portability and utilize iCloud and iTunes Match.

This sounds like a great idea. Keep it simple.
 
I've used a desktop since 1996 and that hasn't changed.

I've got iToys and the like but I'm not using them for work. I tried using a BT keyboard and an iPad but it's just so much easier to use a laptop, plus it does more.

The power of the max 27" iMac is great, as is the display. I can't go back now.
 
Just got a 27" iMac

Because of wanting to work in iMovie, iPhoto and Aperture. I now have several thousand of photos to be scanned over the course of the year...
 
I traded my iPad away for camera gear.

I've got three laptops (including a X61 tablet) and two desktops. My smartphone or iPad didn't replace any of those for real tasks. I had been using the iPad for browsing the web while sitting on the couch, but I found using my 12.1" laptop to be more ergonomic.
 
What a ridiculous thread. BTW, Apple announced that while Macs grew 26% from the last year's quarter overall 5.6 million Macs were sold which is peanuts in today's market. How can a laptop(much less a smartphone) replace a core i7 desktop with widescreen monitor and multiple external hard drives and printer? Most people still need a desktop.
 
Personally, I have a 17" MBP with a 30" CD, a 27" iMac, 2 iPads, an iPhone, several iPods. I use them all. Then I have a butt load of Macs at work, some old some newer. Each performs a certain task.
 
Still love my 24" iMac and would replace it with another or 27" when the time comes. With the iPad I have the portability I need at home and light enough to take anywhere, and does mostly all I really need to do while being portable. MBP with a large monitor might cut it but I like my clean desktop of the iMac.
 
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