Buying advice

[CptFantastic]

Hello, new to the board and looking to upgrade my mac system. I have a 2013 MBP I've giving to my family to do school work and minor picture editing on. That puts me in the market for a new system.

My main usage needs are web surfing, email, financial/banking and minor picture editing. I also have a lot of music (live shows) I have collected over the years. I use the cloud, but would also like a hard drive to save the music on. Apple Music screwed up my music collection beyond belief and I've spent rebuilding. I also want something light and portable for just web surfing and email.

I'm thinking of one of two options. Cost is pretty similar so its not an issue.

1. Get an iMac--probably the 21-inch 4k and a MacBook air. I like the idea of having a "home" base computer. The MBP air is light and can easily handle what I would need it to do.

2. Get a new 13-inch MBP and use a monitor (which one). I guess I would need an external hard drive to save the music on. I could use the MBP as a portable laptop.

I know I sound all over the board--just trying to figure out the best option.

thanks in advance

SG

 

[Bart Kela]

Buy whatever Mac you want. Your usage needs are very mundane and won't tax the CPU.

The big unanswered question is how much you value a lightweight system while on the road. That's something no one here can answer. You owned a MBP so one would assume that you are comfortable carrying a device of similar heft.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"Get an iMac--probably the 21-inch 4k and a MacBook air. I like the idea of having a "home" base computer. The MBP air is light and can easily handle what I would need it to do."

I agree that it's great to have "a home base" Mac -and- a laptop to carry around, as well.

Some considerations re the iMac:
- RAM is soldered in, so you MUST "buy what you think you'll need" at purchase time. I would NOT buy a 4gb iMac. Get at least 8gb.
- DO NOT get an iMac with a platter-based hard drive inside. It will be "beachball city" with Sierra (or El Capitan). Either get a "fusion" drive or a "straight SSD".
- The iMac 5k 27" is a BIG step up. Have you considered one?

 

[Billy Underhill]

"Some considerations re the iMac:
- RAM is soldered in, so you MUST "buy what you think you'll need" at purchase time. I would NOT buy a 4gb iMac. Get at least 8gb."


The 5K iMac's RAM is not soldered in. It is user replaceable and easily accessible through a door on the back of the iMac. There are many places to buy RAM. I suggest Crucial.com and you can go as large as a total of 32gb.

 

[Tomorrow]

I'm thinking of one of two options. Cost is pretty similar so its not an issue.

1. Get an iMac--probably the 21-inch 4k and a MacBook air. I like the idea of having a "home" base computer. The MBP air is light and can easily handle what I would need it to do.

2. Get a new 13-inch MBP and use a monitor (which one). I guess I would need an external hard drive to save the music on. I could use the MBP as a portable laptop.

I use option 2 myself. I used to use both an iMac and a MacBook, but it was way, way too redundant. One actual computer is plenty for me. It gives me the flexibility of having mobility plus a desktop workstation with external storage.

You could go with option 1, replacing the "MBP air" with an iPad for web browsing and email and such.

 

[pika2000]

I know I sound all over the board--just trying to figure out the best option.

thanks in advance

SG

I would argue to simply buy the retina Macbook, a USB-C dock, external monitor, and external hard-drive.
Or if you are fine with the Macbook Air's display, get the Macbook Air and a USB3 dock.

I'm at the mindset to not give companies too much money for what I need. An iMac or a Macbook Pro is overkill for your usage.