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For Those That Leave Their MacBook Pro on a Desk Most of the Time, Why Not an iMac or Mac Pro?

I definitely fall in this user category. The reason for me is that the MBP is fast enough for what I currently need and still offers all of the advantages of laptop.

I'm a photographer/videographer on the weekends, and the biggest performance requirements for me are 1080 editing in FCPX and basic color correction in Davinci Resolve. The MBP handles these reasonably well, though working with Resolve has some limitations for sure.

The flip side of that is having a portable machine that allows me to unload/backup memory cards and SSDs is an occasional requirement. Having access to my Lightroom libraries and the ability to do culling/editing away from home with no compromise in performance is also pretty great. I edited 3 weddings on an Amtrak trip last year. It was the most relaxing work I think I've ever done.

If my Resolve work ever gets heavier, I'll have to build a desktop, but for now I'm happy with my MBP!
 
I had this thought recently and was close to switching to an iMac plus iPad Pro (and keyboard) instead of my old setup which was an Air with a big monitor, but I like the flexibility of having my laptop I can take anywhere and it has everything I need on it. I even tried an iPad Pro earlier in the year as a laptop replacement but its just not quite there yet.

Its also nice to be able to work around the house with the laptop when I choose to - again, the iPad often seems like a compromise and is nowhere near as efficient for when I'm doing work.
 
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It's all about money.
iMac 27"=5k monitor with a computer as extra gift, considering the price of a 5k monitor.
mbp=retina screen all in one.
iOS devices=highly mobility small computers.
mac pro, without monitor, without any other accessories, without refresh in 3 years, and high price.
mac pro= trash can.
 
If your mobility needs are low to non-existant then it does make sense to get an iMAc. Personally, I think given the price point and apple's lack of attention, the Mac Pro is really a poor choice.

The iMac can offer near the same performance of the low end Mac Pro, and its something that provides a large 27" 5k display.

I travel and have mobility needs, yet, I opted for the iMac and I have a small laptop for when I travel. I love this setup because my iMac is a beast and its fast.
 
I'm currently deliberating the same thing. I used to own iMac 27 + MBP13. But sold those two back in 2012, and got fully specd rMBP15. Using it docked with 3 monitors attached, I've got one great thunderbolt dock, etc.

But new Macbooks are far to expensive for what they offer (imho of course), and I am contemplating getting an iMac 27 5k with rMB. rMB for mobile needs, iMac for heavy lifting in office. I already owned rMB, great little machine. Loved it. But keyboard kept failing and failing (3 replacements). After that I've sold it.

I have a great chance to purchase iMac 5k with great specs (i7 4.0, 1tb flash storage, 32gb ram, r295x) for a decent price. In excellent working order, from a friend. So pretty sure everything checks out. I don't plan on waiting for a refresh, coz I expect they will give just more usb-c ports and call it a day.
 
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I get the OP point.

I have an old imac at home, just cannot afford a newer model.
I have a 2009 unibody macbook for work
I have my iphone 6s+ for in bed/on sofa.

At work need be portable to move from station to station so macbook works.
At home well not need move about, I would not like trying to move 2 20" screens around anyway!

I will upgrade when can afford it but still keeping 3 units for different jobs.
 
c0ppo said:
I'm currently deliberating the same thing. I used to own iMac 27 + MBP13. But sold those two back in 2012, and got fully specd rMBP15. Using it docked with 3 monitors attached, I've got one great thunderbolt dock, etc.

But new Macbooks are far to expensive for what they offer (imho of course), and I am contemplating getting an iMac 27 5k with rMB. rMB for mobile needs, iMac for heavy lifting in office. I already owned rMB, great little machine. Loved it. But keyboard kept failing and failing (3 replacements). After that I've sold it.

I have a great chance to purchase iMac 5k with great specs (i7 4.0, 1tb flash storage, 32gb ram, r295x) for a decent price. In excellent working order, from a friend. So pretty sure everything checks out. I don't plan on waiting for a refresh, coz I expect they will give just more usb-c ports and call it a day.
Click to expand...

That's the setup I was so close to going for - a 5K iMac with a rMB. I actually got a rMB but it was faulty and had to return it, but only thing available in store that day was a new non-TouchBar MBP. FWIW I loved the rMB, its a brilliant little machine, so portable and powerful enough for most people I'd suggest.

There's so many permutations to consider though, especially the price of a standalone 4K/5K screen if you're going to dock a laptop.
 
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