Help me make a purchasing decision

[Decisionsdecisions]

Hello,

Now that new M1 Pros are out, I feel so overwhelmed with choices.
I've literally watched hundreds of videos and still cannot make up my mind.

A bit about myself. I'm an art director. I use mainly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign but I don't work with huge files, nor do I do any sort of video editing or professional retouching.
I work remotely from home but I'll be travelling often and would like to have a laptop I can easily lug around or take to a café/client meeting.

Based on my needs, which do you think would be the best buying decision?

1-Macbook Pro M1 14" + external monitor
2-iMac 24" M1 + Macbook Air M1 (8GB, 256) for use when travelling/on the go.
3-Macbook Pro M1 16" only

Thanks in advance

 

[cababah]

Base 14” with external monitor. Also, you may want to consider making this a poll.

 

[Decisionsdecisions]

Base 14” with external monitor. Also, you may want to consider making this a poll.

Is there an external monitor that matches the beauty of the Liquid Retina though?

 

[jabbr]

No current afford monitor matching the built-in panel. But there are very good 4K monitors that look totally fine.

 

[Decisionsdecisions]

Ended up buying the Macbook Pro 14". Wow, what a beauty.

I'm really happy with the screen size. It doesn't feel restrictive at all. I can see myself editing photos on it on the go.

The display's resolution is gorgeous but coming from an iMac 21', it doesn't look as bright for some reason.

The laptop does feel a bit heavier than I would have liked, though.
I'm glad I didn't buy the 16". That must be so cumbersome to carry around.

 

[fa8362]

Hello,

Now that new M1 Pros are out, I feel so overwhelmed with choices.
I've literally watched hundreds of videos and still cannot make up my mind.

A bit about myself. I'm an art director. I use mainly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign but I don't work with huge files, nor do I do any sort of video editing or professional retouching.
I work remotely from home but I'll be travelling often and would like to have a laptop I can easily lug around or take to a café/client meeting.

Based on my needs, which do you think would be the best buying decision?

1-Macbook Pro M1 14" + external monitor
2-iMac 24" M1 + Macbook Air M1 (8GB, 256) for use when travelling/on the go.
3-Macbook Pro M1 16" only

Thanks in advance

You don't need a MacBook Pro for that. A MacBook Air is plenty for what you do.

 

[Fishrrman]

"I work remotely from home but I'll be travelling often and would like to have a laptop I can easily lug around or take to a café/client meeting."

This is easy.
Get the MBP 14".
It is EASILY "luggable" (whereas the 16" will be somewhat bulkier).

Also get an external display for home usage, preferably 27" or 32". (with the $$$ you save from NOT buying the 16" size).
Done.

 

[Decisionsdecisions]

You don't need a MacBook Pro for that. A MacBook Air is plenty for what you do.

Haha, too late now. I actually wanted a MacBook Air really bad because I love the thin design but would 8GB ram of memory suffice?
I use InDesign and Photoshop at the same time.

Also, If you spec up the MBA to 16GB and 512GB it would end up costing you $1,449.
That's only $500 cheaper than the Pro.
I think the bigger+better display, speakers, and performance are worth the extra $500.

 

[Decisionsdecisions]

"I work remotely from home but I'll be travelling often and would like to have a laptop I can easily lug around or take to a café/client meeting."

This is easy.
Get the MBP 14".
It is EASILY "luggable" (whereas the 16" will be somewhat bulkier).

Also get an external display for home usage, preferably 27" or 32". (with the $$$ you save from NOT buying the 16" size).
Done.

I have an iMac 21" i5 from 2017.
It's very slow but I'm thinking of using it as external monitor.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Haha, too late now. I actually wanted a MacBook Air really bad because I love the thin design but would 8GB ram of memory suffice?
I use InDesign and Photoshop at the same time.

Also, If you spec up the MBA to 16GB and 512GB it would end up costing you $1,449.
That's only $500 cheaper than the Pro.
I think the bigger+better display, speakers, and performance are worth the extra $500.

Agreed that entry level MBP pro has made any upgrades on the air or MBP 13 a tough sell. Can get some good deals on eBay or refurbed though.