Going from iMac to Macbook Pro - anyone done it?

[Plughugger]

Hi guys - I know it's the current level of coolness to say that Apple is doomed, Steve is rolling in his grave and of course the new MBP is a huge disappointment.

Right now I am working on an aging 27 inch iMac from 2011 (i5 3.1 GHz). It still runs really well, but I need something portable and more powerful. I am one of those loonies who seriously is thinking of buying the new MBP, and I'd really like to hear your views on a transition like it.

Dongles doesn't bother me. I'll just buy a small dock and be done with it.

But what I am worrying about is going from a 27 inch display to a 15 inch display. When I went from a Macbook 2010 (white) to the iMac 27" I thought I would live in a world of endless desktop space and place for all plugins and audio programs I work with. But space ran out quickly and I start to think that no matter how large your monitor is - it will always be too small. Maybe going from a 27" to a 15" can actually be a good thing.

Of course I know you can hook up the MBP to an external monitor etc - but I am attracted to the idea of just having the Macbook Pro, and not an additional screen - in that case I could just add a mouse, keyboard and get a Mac Mini instead.

Has any of you guys gone from a large iMac to a smaller Macbook, and if so, how did you manage and adjust? Really curious to hear your experiences.

/Carl

 

[Carilyn]

Hi guys - I know it's the current level of coolness to say that Apple is doomed, Steve is rolling in his grave and of course the new MBP is a huge disappointment.

Right now I am working on an aging 27 inch iMac from 2011 (i5 3.1 GHz). It still runs really well, but I need something portable and more powerful. I am one of those loonies who seriously is thinking of buying the new MBP, and I'd really like to hear your views on a transition like it.

Dongles doesn't bother me. I'll just buy a small dock and be done with it.

But what I am worrying about is going from a 27 inch display to a 15 inch display. When I went from a Macbook 2010 (white) to the iMac 27" I thought I would live in a world of endless desktop space and place for all plugins and audio programs I work with. But space ran out quickly and I start to think that no matter how large your monitor is - it will always be too small. Maybe going from a 27" to a 15" can actually be a good thing.

Of course I know you can hook up the MBP to an external monitor etc - but I am attracted to the idea of just having the Macbook Pro, and not an additional screen - in that case I could just add a mouse, keyboard and get a Mac Mini instead.

Has any of you guys gone from a large iMac to a smaller Macbook, and if so, how did you manage and adjust? Really curious to hear your experiences.

/Carl

Ive only been an owner of the new MBP for 1 day but I also own a iMac 5k and can say with certainty the iMac will probably be ignored. I am loving this laptop so far and for my needs its perfect (professional photographer). Being able to edit on a capable machine not tied to my desk is a freeing feeling. My iMac is awesome and handles everything that I throw at it with ease but the option to be mobile and work wherever is perfection. Hopefully I will continue on with my MBP happily and with no issues.

Good luck with your decision!

ETA- the downsize in screen size doesn't bother me one bit (I was using a dual monitor setup with a Mac Pro prior to getting the iMac and then used my iMac solely). Both the iMac and the MBP have beautiful screens and I'm perfectly content with my 15"

 

[GatorGhost]

I did, because I no longer needed a work station and wanted to use the space for other uses. I got used to the 15" screen quickly and find I can accomplish the same work with the new MBP 2016. I am glad to be rid of the big stationary iMac, but if I ever wanted to return to professional full time work I feel I could do just fine with the MBP 2016 now.

 

[Plughugger]

Carilyn & GatorGhost

Thanks for your great insights! Much appreciated.

/C

 

[thats all folks]

my productivity goes us as screen size does. the 15" tbMBP is more powerful than your iMac. with a Thunderbolt 3 to 2 cable, you can use your iMac as a monitor. as to whether the tbMBP is a good idea, I'm not at all convinced.

 

[HBOC]

i had a mid 2011 iMac that i bought new in May of 2011. Sold it in July when i bought my mid 2015 MBP 15. The iMac was still running very well.

 

[KaiNL]

I've been an iMac user for more then 10 years. I used a 13" MacBook a couple of years ago at School for graphic design, no problems with the screen size. Now I was waiting for a new MacBook Pro refresh for about a year. Last week I bought my new MacBook Pro 15" and I love it! So I switched from my iMac 2012 21,5" Non-Retina to a beautiful retina screen. Screens-size is smaller, but it feels so much bigger with retina. I also love the mobility, now I can switch places. Maybe in the future I will buy a 4K display, but I don't miss it yet.