How would you handle this setup?

[ddublu]

I have a late-2014 iMac 27" 5k that our family uses as the primary, do everything computer. I work from home and my office is setup with a MBP mid-2014 with three external Dell 24" monitors. I like the portability of the MBP but a couple of years ago I started an aerial photography company so my editing needs have skyrocketed. The laptop is doing an ok job but it's obvious that the iMac would blister it should i put side by side.

I am considering pulling down the 2 of the 3 external monitors and putting a 5k 27" iMac in my office and just use my laptop for portability as needed for my real job (not related to photography). Could I still pop my laptop down and connect it and use the 27" display along with one of the Dell displays and the MBP display?

Any suggestions for the best setup?

 

[AlliFlowers]

You're asking if you can remove your laptop, replace it with a desktop, and return the laptop whenever you feel like it?

Of course you can.

 

[redheeler]

I am considering pulling down the 2 of the 3 external monitors and putting a 5k 27" iMac in my office and just use my laptop for portability as needed for my real job (not related to photography). Could I still pop my laptop down and connect it and use the 27" display along with one of the Dell displays and the MBP display?

If you're referring to using the 5K iMac as a display for your laptop, the 5K iMac doesn't support Target Display Mode. The only way you'd be able to do this would be using Screen Sharing, and it's not the same experience as attaching a physical display.