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I've been using a laptop as my main and only computer now for a few years. I sold my macpro a while ago and have not looked back since
 
I use my MBP as a desktop. I only have an external mouse, I'm using the in-built keyboard and display. Slowness of 2.5" disks is a mild frustration (I'd love a 10000 rpm VelociRaptor) and also 4 GB memory limit on my 2007 MBP is annoying. But aside from that, great desktop, I'll be replacing it with another once the new MBP's are released next year.
 
I use my MBP as a desktop. I only have an external mouse, I'm using the in-built keyboard and display. Slowness of 2.5" disks is a mild frustration (I'd love a 10000 rpm VelociRaptor) and also 4 GB memory limit on my 2007 MBP is annoying. But aside from that, great desktop, I'll be replacing it with another once the new MBP's are released next year.

Are you using a 7200rpm drive or a 5400rpm drive?
 
Hi all,

As a potential Mac buyer and a potential user of a MBP as a main computer with an external screen, I have been wondering whether the screen of the MBP has to be opened or closed when an external screen is in use. And do you connect an external keyboard to your MBPs as well ? I suppose that when using an external screen the MBP lid is closed, and that one needs a USB or wireless keyboard with it... at least that's how I imagine it. Can anyone confirm ? Thanks :)
 
The screen can be closed or open when you are using an external screen. This requires you to have an external keyboard/mouse. I use my MPB late 08 (X25M G2 80GB SSD + 500gb WD Caviar Blue 5200rpm) as my desktop/laptop 80%/20% of the time. I use it in a dual screen setup with a 24" MVA Soyo for adobe bridge/photoshop
 
This might sound odd, but if I owned a desktop I would use it as my back up computer. And my MBP as my main computer. I just see my MBP as my main computer because it's with me all the time, I use it more. And to be honest, I would never buy an iMac, because I hate the idea of an all in one computer. If anything fails the whole computer is useless. I would buy a Mac Mini! Because then if the display fails I at least still have a working computer. Eh, that's just me. :D

The only imac I would consider is the quad core i7 one ;)
 
MBP is now my main computer. Before that it was a Mini.

The only desktop I own is a PC gaming rig, and my son uses it, I rarely do.
 
The amazing thing with the MacBooks are they are powerful enough to do both. The screen issue is the only thing that needs attention when you are at home. My advice is to pick up a good value LCD and avoid buying the iMac.
 
same here, use it as a desktop whenever possible, have a 22 inch LCD ad mac slim keyboard and mighty mouse, can't go wrong, why buy another computer to do the same, I can work and then move my "desktop" to my bed if I want to.
 
15" Early '08 MBP is my main computer. It's been performing incredibly well and I see no point in having a desktop as my main machine. I do have a Power Mac G4, but it's really just a backup machine and a print server (to allow wireless printing).
 
I've been using a laptop as my main and only computer now for a few years. I sold my macpro a while ago and have not looked back since

Sold my Mac Pro for a 13" MBP as a main machine as well.

But I missed an "always connected" machine, so I'm also using an old Macbook White as a "desktop" for:

  • Overnight Downloads
  • General TV via EyeTV
  • DVR with EyeTV Recordings, and remote access to iPhone
  • Remote desktop connection to access stored files
  • Video encoding
  • Audio encoding

For me it's not about desktop vs. laptop, it's about complementing one with the other without duplicating functionality.
 
I use mine for a desktop. But the only thing i had to watch out for is that if its connected to the mains all the time and the battery doesn't get used - the battery will not work properly which i have just discovered Luckily i have apple care.

When it is being used as a desktop i will unplug it and let the battery run down a far bit then plug the ac back in.

Mine is used for

1. Video editing
2. Remote work for Clients
3. General browsing / music / dvds
 
I use my Alu MacBook for everything right now. I hook it up to a keyboard and magic mouse, along with my 23 inch monitor and its my at home and on the go machine. In a couple years I will most likely be purchasing a Mac Pro, but until than its my MacBook all the way.
 
I use my Alu MacBook for everything right now. I hook it up to a keyboard and magic mouse, along with my 23 inch monitor and its my at home and on the go machine. In a couple years I will most likely be purchasing a Mac Pro, but until than its my MacBook all the way.

Same with me. I have a very similar setup with my MBP. I would like a MBP with a better graphics card (starting to play PC games again now that I am out of school), but what I have now is good enough.
 
I use a late 2008 15" MBP as my primary machine, with only an external mouse and nothing else.

I find the display is of a quality that I can't match with an external monitor without forking out quite a bit of money (I'm cheap, and these kinds of things tend to be expensive where I live).

People who have seen my monitor often remark how clear it is. I'm on this machine sometimes 10-13 hours a day and have never suffered from eye strain.
 
For my company I've bought 13, 15 and 17" MBP's (09's), a few 24" ACD's, iMac's and Mac Pro's and a few MacBook Air's.

My point is I can have/use any set up I want. In my experience as mentioned previously in this thread, everything all in one computer is the best. It's great to have a backup machine for server, downloads, storage etc. But working from "one main machine" is by far the best set up for me.

Right now I'm using the 15" MBP, 3.0, 4gb Ram, 256ssd with a 24" ACD.

The hardest choice for me was deciding to use a 13" or 15" MBP for a main computer. Since I use my computer a lot away from the 24" ACD I felt having the bigger and higher resolution screen of the 15" was the way to go. Still I like the 13" MBP a lot, so easy to handle on the couch, in the cafe, doesn't take up much desk space etc, but you're using a small screen when not connected to an external monitor, noticeably small than the 15" too I thought.

Ideally I'd use the MBA, love the size and weight, but it doesn't have quite enough power yet to be my main machine, maybe in the next revision, especially if they made a 15" MacBook Air ! :)
 
15 MBP + 24" ACD = Perfect setup for me at moment. Didn't even bat an eyelid when the new iMacs debuted. Only thing I plan to do is upgrade to an SSD drive next year.

It's a very versatile setup which is important for a student like me
 
I use my i7 desktop for gaming mostly, and when I need to crunch numbers/encode or do some vmware testing before I move them to my mac.

But for 24/7 use, I use my mbp.
 
I sold my MB Air and my 20" Imac to bought a 17" MBP which is a desktop machine 90% of the time....
 
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