From a good MacBook Pro to an iMac M1 2021? upgrade or downgrade?

[CrisAle]

I am using a 2018 MacBook Pro 15-inch, with a 2,6Ghz intel core i7 6 core, 32GB 2400 Mhz DDR4 RAM, intel UHD 630 1536 MB and 1TB SSD.
Given that I will be less on the move and more in remote / smart working, I feel the need of a comfortable desktop. I will write and read a lot, make conferences and trainings. I need a larger screen, maybe 2. Or one large screen and a smaller sidecar screen (iPad?)
I am also an amateur photographer managing RAW files, I don't make videos.

Would you go for the new iMac M1 2021 with 16GB or would you wait for the new iMac 27inches?

Will it be much slower while processing my pictures in comparison with my MacBook Pro?

Anyway I will keep my MacBook Pro which I love.

Thank you in advance for your advice !

 

[Fishrrman]

Don't get too deep into the "upgrade fever".

If the MBP is still doing "good enough" for the moment, I suggest that you WAIT until the large-screen iMac is released later this year (looks to be Oct/Nov). That's not that far off.

It will be MUCH improved over the entry-level m1 24" iMac.

THEN you will have more options, and the 30" (guess as to display size) iMac WILL be an actual "upgrade"...

 

[JJL2026]

Since your MBP is meeting all your needs I would suggest buying an external monitor rather than a new desktop.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I would definitely wait until later this year.

 

[Ifti]

I have actually been thinking the same. I have a good spec MBP:

MBP 16" (late 2019)
2.3Ghz 8-core i9
1TB SSD
32GB RAM
Radeon 5500M 8GB

It stays on my desk and does not move.
I use an external keyboard and mouse with it as I find it more comfortable so the laptop itself has always been completely untouched!! Hence I'm hoping it will sell for a fair bit if I decided to 'upgrade'

I'm waiting for the larger sized iMAC.
Before I purchase I need more TB ports - at least 4 ports ideally (across 2 bus') for all my external editing drives etc, and I would also like 10GBe so I don't have to use an adapter any more along with a 32GB RAM option. Only then will I think of seriously purchasing......

 

[Realityck]

I feel the need of a comfortable desktop. I will write and read a lot, make conferences and trainings. I need a larger screen, maybe 2. Or one large screen and a smaller sidecar screen (iPad?)
I am also an amateur photographer managing RAW files, I don't make videos.

Would you go for the new iMac M1 2021 with 16GB or would you wait for the new iMac 27inches?

Will it be much slower while processing my pictures in comparison with my MacBook Pro?

Anyway I will keep my MacBook Pro which I love.

Thank you in advance for your advice !

Being a Retina MBP user, as well as a recent 27" iMac user that recycled that after logic board went. The M1 24" (23.5" retina screen 2240x1260 218DPI) ) flips though Photos images like lighting. You have the option with all the M1 Macs to drive 5K/6K external display. I also was just playing Diablo 3 in rosetta at GR125, the M1 iMac hardly got hot, it was just in the 60's with looking at temps. Normally it runs extremely cool.

I watched Netflix, and iTunes content in HDR, the screen looks great for all forms of video content. It also has the latest 1080P camera for doing FaceTime. mine is a 8/8/16GB/1TB silver. The stores carry the blue or silver of that config on occasional, just check pickup availability with those options on the $1699 config and it will allow you to check local pickup status.

I am still waiting for the eventual revised M2 models (MBP, larger iMac) , but now that I have this I am no longer anxious when those will come out.

Go to a Apple store and play with one they are pure fun to use. The W/R access to SSD is about 3000 MB/s BTW. But any Apple Silicone configuration you buy from now on is likely to be what you are stuck with as M1 Macs have soldered on memory/storage everything is done externally if you want any expansion.

 

[cwosigns]

I had a mid-2018 MBP 2.6 GHz also (only 16 GB of RAM though), and I traded it in for a blue M1 iMac with 1 TB SSD and 16 GB of RAM. For my work flow (Outlook, Teams, Zoom, Office, FCP, photo editing), it was a big upgrade and I don't have any regrets. I love it, and haven't had a desktop computer since the G5 iMac.

My company, though, just upgraded my work-issued computer to a 16" MBP Core i9. So I still have a MBP with a dedicated graphics card should I need it.

I have the iMac and 16" MBP on my desk in the living room, and I also have an M1 MBP 13" and a 2020 12.9" iPad Pro...I'm debating on selling the 13" MBP because it feels weird to have two laptops (granted, one is owned by my company), a desktop, and a large iPad Pro.

 

[CheesePuff]

I have the iMac and 16" MBP on my desk in the living room, and I also have an M1 MBP 13" and a 2020 12.9" iPad Pro...I'm debating on selling the 13" MBP because it feels weird to have two laptops (granted, one is owned by my company), a desktop, and a large iPad Pro.

Ha, I was in the same situation (2x MBP's, an iMac, an iPad) with one of the MBP's being company owned so I sold my personal one because it was never used and a pain to keep in sync and up to date with my other devices. Luckily my company doesn't use MDM so no lock downs or restrictions on it either

 

[cwosigns]

Ha, I was in the same situation (2x MBP's, an iMac, an iPad) with one of the MBP's being company owned so I sold my personal one because it was never used and a pain to keep in sync and up to date with my other devices. Luckily my company doesn't use MDM so no lock downs or restrictions on it either

Ahh...my company *does* do MDM, and I can't even update to Big Sur. I'm tempted to just do it and feign ignorance, but I'm a little worried I won't be able to get onto VPN and access network drives.

 

[Ifti]

How would a current M1 iMac (1TB SSD, 16GB RAM version) compare to the below specs?
Would it be better or equal/worse - heaviest use is some FCPX editing/rendering.....

MBP 16" (late 2019)
2.3Ghz 8-core i9
1TB SSD
32GB RAM
Radeon 5500M 8GB

 

[Hi!]

Since your MBP is meeting all your needs I would suggest buying an external monitor rather than a new desktop.

Agreed!! Thanks for the help!!