Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iMac as a laptop replacement

R

roblin

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 5, 2007
222
48
The new iMac seems nice. 4.5kg is not a lot more than most laptops. So it got me thinking, could I use it to replace my laptop? I travel a lot and work from where I am, but seldom use my laptop outside of where I am staying. What do you guys think?

Size and Weight
Width: 21.5 inches (54.7 cm)
Height: 18.1 inches (46.1 cm)
Weight: for 4 Port Model 9.88 pounds (4.48 kg)3

Here are some example sizes of luggage.

1618959669711.png
1618959312489.jpeg
 
this post is very creative and out of the box, THANK U!
they should have jammed the logic board in the stem base
and implicated a pin-like connectors on the iMac were they can be transformed onto other happy colored iMacs
:~> !
 
I see this working for people who are location agnostic, where you stay in one place for 3-4 months at a time.

Yes I am looking at this now since this is interesting.

4.5kg is not that heavy now. It has a 24 inch screen while an M1 laptop only has 13.3 so you do not need an extra monitor.

And it can fit well on any good table where you are staying. It has a good/better webcam.

You can basically setup a home office wherever you are!

Earlier replies are from people who cannot imagine what location-agnostic means.

This is a new thing though since this has always been the realm of the laptop.
 
  • Like
Reactions: matrix07, roblin and whtwhnwhr
I think that’s actually a valid case. If you just set it up in the hotel anyway, that’s a perfect machine! I think it can also be folded relatively flat, so if you stuff the rest of your suitcase with clothes, the room it takes will be barely noticeable. You might get pulled out at the airport security, though, when you try to check this in since the boards, cooling and speakers look funny on the x-ray.
 
Somian said:
I think that’s actually a valid case. If you just set it up in the hotel anyway, that’s a perfect machine! I think it can also be folded relatively flat, so if you stuff the rest of your suitcase with clothes, the room it takes will be barely noticeable. You might get pulled out at the airport security, though, when you try to check this in since the boards, cooling and speakers look funny on the x-ray.
Click to expand...
There are people who already bring the current iMac when they travel. And there are also people who bring iMacs in coffee shops.
 
I have moved a 27" iMac in a suitcase once or twice. At 9-10 kg, it's not heavier than the other stuff I may have in the suitcase, and you pack it quite safely. However, knowing how airport personnel handle checked package, I wouldn't fly with one.
 
roblin said:
The new iMac seems nice. 4.5kg is not a lot more than most laptops. So it got me thinking, could I use it to replace my laptop? I travel a lot and work from where I am, but seldom use my laptop outside of where I am staying. What do you guys think?

Size and Weight
Width: 21.5 inches (54.7 cm)
Height: 18.1 inches (46.1 cm)
Weight: for 4 Port Model 9.88 pounds (4.48 kg)3

Here are some example sizes of luggage.

View attachment 1760942View attachment 1760939
Click to expand...
Perhaps Pelican will make cases for the new iMac. They made very sturdy cases for the classic cheese grater Mac Pro.

Another option for your use case would be buy a display that lies flat. Easier to transport a laptop and a display, but not as cost effective as to what your thinking. I'm guessing you want to only have the iMac as your only computer?
 
You can definitely do it! Anything is possible if you really want it. If at some point it is too much of a hassle, at least you have a desktop.
 
JouniS said:
I have moved a 27" iMac in a suitcase once or twice. At 9-10 kg, it's not heavier than the other stuff I may have in the suitcase, and you pack it quite safely. However, knowing how airport personnel handle checked package, I wouldn't fly with one.
Click to expand...
Yes, a lot of people have been travelling with iMacs before. And this new iMac is a lot lighter making the extra obstacle compared to a laptop a lot less. Instead of 4x MBP it is only 2x MBP in weight. And a lot less bezel making it fit more normal suitcases.

Is it possible to remove the stand?
 
roblin said:
The new iMac seems nice. 4.5kg is not a lot more than most laptops. So it got me thinking, could I use it to replace my laptop? I travel a lot and work from where I am, but seldom use my laptop outside of where I am staying. What do you guys think?

Size and Weight
Width: 21.5 inches (54.7 cm)
Height: 18.1 inches (46.1 cm)
Weight: for 4 Port Model 9.88 pounds (4.48 kg)3

Here are some example sizes of luggage.

View attachment 1760942View attachment 1760939
Click to expand...
I used to do that with the 2007 iMac 20" but stopped when I got my 2012 iMac 27".

With this update Apple now gave a new reason to go with the iMac.
 
Luba said:
Perhaps Pelican will make cases for the new iMac. They made very sturdy cases for the classic cheese grater Mac Pro.

Another option for your use case would be buy a display that lies flat. Easier to transport a laptop and a display, but not as cost effective as to what your thinking. I'm guessing you want to only have the iMac as your only computer?
Click to expand...
It looks like the new one can fit in checked-in luggage
 
As someone who has had to move around an imac before, you absolutely wouldn't want to do this. The stand makes them very hard to maneuver.

I understand the new one is lighter, but it would still be hugely inconvenient.

Best to buy a traditional monitor, and a macbook.
 
roblin said:
The new iMac seems nice. 4.5kg is not a lot more than most laptops. So it got me thinking, could I use it to replace my laptop? I travel a lot and work from where I am, but seldom use my laptop outside of where I am staying. What do you guys think?

Size and Weight
Width: 21.5 inches (54.7 cm)
Height: 18.1 inches (46.1 cm)
Weight: for 4 Port Model 9.88 pounds (4.48 kg)3

Here are some example sizes of luggage.

View attachment 1760942View attachment 1760939
Click to expand...
I travel[ed] a ton for business and would never travel with anything heavier than a Macbook Air. I had one of the smaller 12" Macbooks for a few years and it was great when shlepping through O'Hare or JFK or some similarly gargantuan airport but the keys were a disaster that led me to trade it in.

Don't know what you're doing work-wise but as a lawyer, I am writing, reviewing documents, pdfs, logging into the work lan and watching the occasional MLB.TV game when back at my hotel. Macbook and then 13" Air were definitely adequate for that.

I am thinking of getting one of these iMacs because mostly, I am just doing zoom arbitrations, depositions and court conferences from my bedroom.
 
An iMac ISN'T going to "replace" a laptop when traveling.

I suppose they can be lugged around, but it's going to become a hassle doing so, and probably quickly. You're gonna get tired of it, fast.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back