iMac Portability options?

[crashwins]

I tried going from an iMac 27" to a 15" MBP last year and just couldn't do it...I'm a photo/video guy and I need the screen real estate. That said, I really want some portability..I don't mean the "I'm going to a Starbucks" portability, but the kind where I could safely bring my computer to work for 2-3 days...Or somewhere else for a weekend. These machines are so light, weight isn't even an issue. It's just protecting it..I also use them for tethering in the studio (with my camera).

I might downsize to a 21" to maybe make this less of an issue. Maybe get a 13" iPad so use as extra screen real estate too. Any help? Thanks!

 

[Strider64]

The following might be go too extreme?

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

If you go the 21.5" route, ensure you get it with 16GB of memory and an SSD as a special order. The slow old 5400rpm laptop style drives are like molasses on a winter's morning.

 

[niteflyr]

The box it came in works great.

 

[Porkchop Sandwich]

I'm in the same boat as you albeit different circumstances. I'm going 21" iMac b/c I want to move it around.

Maybe something like this will work for you:

 

[crashwins]

I'm in the same boat as you albeit different circumstances. I'm going 21" iMac b/c I want to move it around.

Maybe something like this will work for you:

View attachment 793576

Thanks. I did see that. What will you end up using for your 21"?

 

[Porkchop Sandwich]

I don't go off site so I don't need a solution with the degree of protection that travel case offers. It looks pretty sweet though and exactly what you're looking for, even if it is a bit spendy.

I'm moving to a 21" b/c I've had a bad run w/mbp's here lately..expensive newer ones! I'm moving back to an iMac for overall stability and I'll also solve another problem at the same time: space and ease of movement. I keep a desk in my shop where I prefer to work, even when chained to the desk. At other times admin is at a minimum so shop space becomes a priority. 21" is ez to just p/u and move anytime should we need the space or run a dirty job where coolant and chips are flying. (machine shop)

I'm hoping for a six-core cpu option before I order, but little else.

 

[Fishrrman]

Keep the 27" iMac for home and buy whatever Macbook Pro you can afford, and TAKE THAT with you when needed.

Buy an economical external display for the office if needed.

 

[Porkchop Sandwich]

Keep the 27" iMac for home and buy whatever Macbook Pro you can afford, and TAKE THAT with you when needed.

Buy an economical external display for the office if needed.

Not to derail the thread but what you're suggesting, while reasonable, is not feasible in my case. I've been doing exactly what you're suggesting for a number of years now. The last couple of yrs using a mbp as a main computer has been interesting. Stability's suffered. Hence, my return to an iMac while using a laptop as a knock-around computer for word processing and visits with clients etc, but certainly not as a primary computer. If my needs were as the op described, I'd buy that iMac travel case without hesitation.

 

[crashwins]

Not to derail the thread but what you're suggesting, while reasonable, is not feasible in my case. I've been doing exactly what you're suggesting for a number of years now. The last couple of yrs using a mbp as a main computer has been interesting. Stability's suffered. Hence, my return to an iMac while using a laptop as a knock-around computer for word processing and visits with clients etc, but certainly not as a primary computer. If my needs were as the op described, I'd buy that iMac travel case without hesitation.

Agreed! The solution for me is very rarely "add more stuff".

This honestly has me considering going the Hackintosh route and building something that I could carry to 2 external monitors and using an iPad for extra screen real estate when needed...Probably would be cheaper too. But I'd need to scrap the 5K monitor

 

[alien3dx]

Not to derail the thread but what you're suggesting, while reasonable, is not feasible in my case. I've been doing exactly what you're suggesting for a number of years now. The last couple of yrs using a mbp as a main computer has been interesting. Stability's suffered. Hence, my return to an iMac while using a laptop as a knock-around computer for word processing and visits with clients etc, but certainly not as a primary computer. If my needs were as the op described, I'd buy that iMac travel case without hesitation.

mac mini is the best for travel. but 0 update

 

[crashwins]

mac mini is the best for travel. but 0 update

no GPU so really can't work for me....bummer.

Maybe external GPU?