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Do you use multiple MacBooks and for what?

Hieveryone

Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Original poster
Apr 11, 2014
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USA
Currently I use 2 MacBooks

1) 2019 base model 15" MacBook Pro

2) 2017 base model 12" MacBook

-I use the 15" for power. It's connected to a 24" LG 4K thunderbolt monitor I bought from the Apple Store. I usually have several hundred live data feeds, multiple live real time charts, 3-6 live video streams, 2 live news streams, and at some point about 100-200 tabs open.

-As long as the tabs are open in Safari, my 15" runs as fast as it would if I only had calendar open haha.

-My 12" I use for portability needs, outside of my desk. Sometimes I'll have a live video feed, other times just the web.

EDIT: I should mention I never turn my setup off...running around the clock. I do restart it though
 
Last edited:
I only have 1 Mac (MBP 2017 13", non touchbar). I use it extensively and for everything, ~ 18/24h, 7 days a week. Connected to a Dell 24" monitor.

I run Firefox because (1) privacy (2) extensions and (3) sync with my Android phone.

But the first question that popped up in my head is, how do you manage your attention with so much going on when using your 15"?
 
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I have two 2012 MBPs. A 15" 2.3 with the high res matte screen and a 13" i7 2.9. I use the 15" for photoshop and photo editing/management. The 13" is mostly my media server. I used to also take that on the road if I needed it because of the size but that doesn't happen anymore as I have a tablet for the road.

I run High Sierra on both of these machines. I've tried Mojave but didn't like it. I haven't tried Catalina, but I've heard it requires the subscription model for some software which I don't want to do. I'll likely use these machines until they die.
 
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Dave_H said:
I only have 1 Mac (MBP 2017 13", non touchbar). I use it extensively and for everything, ~ 18/24h, 7 days a week. Connected to a Dell 24" monitor.

I run Firefox because (1) privacy (2) extensions and (3) sync with my Android phone.

But the first question that popped up in my head is, how do you manage your attention with so much going on when using your 15"?
Click to expand...

Practice, practice, practice. After doing it for years it's easy. What happens is that you know in your head what you want to look at next, then you just look at it on the screen(s).

It starts in your head, the computers just serve a medium to see the information you want to know
 
Hieveryone said:
Currently I use 2 MacBooks

1) 2019 base model 15" MacBook Pro

2) 2017 base model 12" MacBook
Click to expand...
Just curious, if your 15 inch is always sitting on the desk, especially with the external attached, why did you buy this setup at first place?
I mean, iMac 27 has better value for the same price. Or mac mini with egpu.
You are overpaying for thermally worse, initially higher priced, battery powered equipment, which is used as a desktop.
 
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ctjack said:
Just curious, if your 15 inch is always sitting on the desk, especially with the external attached, why did you buy this setup at first place?
I mean, iMac 27 has better value for the same price. Or mac mini with egpu.
You are overpaying for thermally worse, initially higher priced, battery powered equipment, which is used as a desktop.
Click to expand...

First the bright side then some real talk:

Having both has come in handy and has been very convenient. When me and my ex-gf used to stay at my place I used to have the 15" setup as my "DJ desk" with bluetooth speakers hooked up. Used to stream some cool tunes and relax. Then when we took it the bed I'd have the 12" there for a little Netflix and chill.

Real talk though, I screwed up. If I could go back in time I would've gotten the latest 13" MacBook Pro as my portable and the latest iMac with SSD.
 
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Top of the line MacBook Pro- 13” 2019 model - my main workhorse.

Top of the line MacBook Air- 13” late 2013 model - my main workhorse while on business trips.
 
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akash.nu said:
Top of the line MacBook Pro- 13” 2019 model - my main workhorse.

Top of the line MacBook Air- 13” late 2013 model - my main workhorse while on business trips.
Click to expand...

how do you keep them synced? I need to get more of the stuff on my 15” to my 12”
 
Hieveryone said:
how do you keep them synced? I need to get more of the stuff on my 15” to my 12”
Click to expand...

I’m fully invested in the iCloud ecosystem and with optimised storage turned on I don’t worry about storage / sync issues.

Also most of my work related tools / software are all on the MacBook Pro. I only keep essential software on the MacBook Air and if I need anything else that I don’t have on the Air while travelling, I simply access my Pro remotely.
 
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15" mbp late 2013 for daily use and office
13" air 2017 for office trip
13" mbp 2015 just backup and like to keep this model lol
 
ctjack said:
do you keep it always powered on in this case?
Click to expand...

Yes when I travel abroad. But the screen goes to sleep if I’m not on it actively.

I hardly ever turn any of my gadgets off completely to be honest. Unless I have to after a OS update.
 
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the problem I found with having a MacBook Pro as a desktop into a monitor was the apps would get all unorganized once I unplugged and plugged to go mobile. I eventually got a Mac mini with a lot of ram to just stay constantly on with all the apps always organized and use a separate MacBook to stay mobile. Or is there something Im doing wrong with the app setup? Also Mac mini runs cool and silent like it doesn't have a fan at all.
 
From 2005-2008, I had 2 laptops, one was a 17" MacBook Pro that basically lived at my office and I'd be able to take it home on the weekend for media projects but was too heavy to commute with every day back when my commute was by bicycle in SF. I had a MacBook Air for nights & weekends and trips where I'd be at a conference and needed a laptop and it was a good setup. By 2010, the MacBook Air got fast enough and I sold the 17" and went to an iMac. Now, It's basically the same. I've had an iMac at home (upgraded every 3 years on average) since 2010 and now have a MacBook Pro which lives at the office or goes with me when I travel but my commuter computer is now an iPad Pro w/ keyboard and has been for 3 years.

I'm thinking at some point, my setup will be iMac at home, iMac at work and iPad for portability and I'll stop being a laptop user completely.
 
I won a 2011 13" and a 2019 16". I don't use the 13" much. The screen is just too low resolution and hurts my eyes.

I have been trying to use my iPad Pro 11" as my on the go device more often. I was really hoping the new iPad Pro magic keyboard would help, but it is too restrictive (typing only) for my use.
 
I have a work-issued 2015 13 maxed out except for SSD, a 2014 MBP 15, and a 2015 MBP 15. I use the 2015 15 for work (hooked up to two QHD displays), the 2014 15 for personal stuff - usually trading, and the 13 to watch videos, read books, stuff which doesn't require CPU. I am considering getting a Mini to replace one of the MacBook Pros.
 
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