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Mac Neo + iMac vs MBA + Mac mini

M

Mainsail

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Which setup would you prefer assuming base configurations. The MBN ($599) + iMac ($1299) costs about the same an MBA ($1099) + Mac mini ($599), if you add $200 for average keyboard, mouse and monitor at a big box store. Daily use would be office work, college student, or everyday productivity. Finally, assume usage is split evenly between the laptop and the desktop.

Right now, I have a 2020 M1 iMac and a 2022 M2 MBA, so I was just musing over what I might do when the time comes to replace and was interested in what others thought.
 
ipsedixit said:
Why not just get a MBA and a monitor?

If you upgraded to a higher trim of the MBA (more RAM) and just get a monitor, you can use the MBA for both a laptop and a desktop
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Good point. I think there are some people that just like having a desktop rig set up for convenience, and keep their laptop in a bag or next to the couch for convenience. Occasionally, they might use both at the same time when they need extra screen real estate.
 
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I find it much more convenient to not have to keep two machines in sync. Yes, iCloud exists, no, it doesn't do everything, or not well enough. One laptop with a monitor FTW. And we're in the age of USB-C, come home and attach one cable for display, charging, and whatever else you connect to the display or docking station.
 
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Basic75 said:
I find it much more convenient to not have to keep two machines in sync. Yes, iCloud exists, no, it doesn't do everything, or not well enough. One laptop with a monitor FTW. And we're in the age of USB-C, come home and attach one cable for display, charging, and whatever else you connect to the display or docking station.
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Understood, and that's pretty much how I operated until recently. I recently got an M1 iMac from a family member, and I kind of like having the desktop all set-up whenever I want it. Also, the monitor that I have to plug-in the laptop is not nearly as nice as the iMac screen.

I have no issues with iCloud, and for me, it pretty much seamlessly syncs all of my documents, photos, passwords, notes, and settings.
 
I personally prefer the one device/monitor option another poster mentioned, but given the options presented I would choose the second one, the MBA/Mini. More powerful mobile option, and scaleable desktop option through better peripherals.
 
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Given the price difference between the iMac and the Mac Mini, and the external accessories you can get for less, I always find the iMac hard to recommend, unless space on the desk is really a major concern (and even then, a Mac Mini M4 is really tiny).
Another advantage of the Mac Mini + external monitor + laptop is that you can also directly use the laptop on the external display (should the Mini have any issue or if you eventually need just one device and need to keep the mobile one).
 
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Initially, I had an MBA. There came a point when I realized I was using it more often on my desk (connected to peripherals) than as a mobile device. Acknowledging the advantage of a larger screen, I purchased a monitor, keyboard, mouse and camera - these 4 items under the $200 you suggested - and would use the MBA in clamshell.
Some time after, I thought about upgrading the Mac. Considered a new MBA and maintaining the one computer / two uses setup, but in the end, I went with a Mini and held onto my Air for mobile work, travel and occasional cafe visits.

As needed, I transfer files across via AirDrop.

And when / if the time comes, its cheaper to swap out just the Mini (or MBA) rather than a whole iMac. The rest of the desktop infrastructure works just fine. And as for the laptop - when it eventually goes up in a puff of smoke - and in all honesty - I'll look at a Neo, as it is no longer my primary use machine.
 
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Mainsail said:
Which setup would you prefer assuming base configurations. The MBN ($599) + iMac ($1299) costs about the same an MBA ($1099) + Mac mini ($599), if you add $200 for average keyboard, mouse and monitor at a big box store. Daily use would be office work, college student, or everyday productivity. Finally, assume usage is split evenly between the laptop and the desktop.
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I'd opt for a single computer and monitor. You can buy a better single computers instead of two lower-spec'd computers
 
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Mainsail said:
I recently got an M1 iMac from a family member, and I kind of like having the desktop all set-up whenever I want it. Also, the monitor that I have to plug-in the laptop is not nearly as nice as the iMac screen.
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Given your workload it doesn't sound like you're doing anything that would over-tax a M1 iMac or a M2 MBA, so maybe it's a bit premature to start choosing replacements - the options could change by the time you upgrade. At least wait for a M5 iMac or M5 Mini.

Bear in mind that the MB Neo is basically Apple's replacement for the original-design M1 MBAs that they were still selling via Walmart almost until the Neo launched. A Neo is not going to be night-and-day better than your M2 MBA or M1 iMac - I can see zero reason to switch beyond "new computer smell".

If you really want to have two separste computers, I'd wait until the next iMac comes out and upgrade that (which will be a significant step up from the M1) - and hang on to the M2 MBA.
 
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maflynn said:
I'd opt for a single computer and monitor. You can buy a better single computers instead of two lower-spec'd computers
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It sounds like a lot of people prefer the single computer set-up. So, you are not alone. For me, buying a more expensive higher-spec'd laptop really has no value because I never push the base configuration machines. I would be driving around a giant SUV with a bunch of empty seats in the back while looking for spot big enough park it.

In addition to a laptop, one advantage of having a desktop at home is that it is always in the same place and accessible to others. You can set-up additional user accounts, and family members can hop on to quickly respond to mail, do some shopping, or whatever. So, it can have some utility beyond a single user's needs. Of course, depending on one's living situation, this might not be compelling or worthwhile.
 
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theluggage said:
Given your workload it doesn't sound like you're doing anything that would over-tax a M1 iMac or a M2 MBA, so maybe it's a bit premature to start choosing replacements - the options could change by the time you upgrade. At least wait for a M5 iMac or M5 Mini.

Bear in mind that the MB Neo is basically Apple's replacement for the original-design M1 MBAs that they were still selling via Walmart almost until the Neo launched. A Neo is not going to be night-and-day better than your M2 MBA or M1 iMac - I can see zero reason to switch beyond "new computer smell".

If you really want to have two separste computers, I'd wait until the next iMac comes out and upgrade that (which will be a significant step up from the M1) - and hang on to the M2 MBA.
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Good advice. I was not going to do anything right away. I was more thinking about how I might migrate down the road, and was wondering if others were in a similar situation. The Neo has been getting a lot of attention not only as a primary EDU computer, but also as a secondary device.

Certainly, there are people that prefer a desktop. My wife is one of them. She really tries to stay away from heavy lifting on a mobile device (including laptops). She uses an iPad Air with MKB as her secondary device. My needs are a bit different in that I do some work away from the house for the family real estate business and would prefer a laptop for that purpose. So, down the road, a Neo might make sense for me as a secondary device. It really is about whether I want to put more money into the laptop or the desktop. It is a tough call because I use them about the same amount.
 
Mainsail said:
In addition to a laptop, one advantage of having a desktop at home is that it is always in the same place and accessible to others.
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When I said higher spec'd, I wasn't meaning a desktop. Many people who buy MBPs use them on their desks.

I agree, there are advantages to a laptop over a desktop (and vice versa). My point is multiple computers tend unnecessarily complicate things, especially if you're not needing two computers.
 
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maflynn said:
When I said higher spec'd, I wasn't meaning a desktop. Many people who buy MBPs use them on their desks.

I agree, there are advantages to a laptop over a desktop (and vice versa). My point is multiple computers tend unnecessarily complicate things, especially if you're not needing two computers.
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I understood you to mean that the one computer would be a higher spec laptop. I was just pointing out, per my original post, that would not add much value to me. Certainly, the use case I described would not warrant even a base MBP.

I agree that having two computers can add complexity. If devices are properly synced, which is very doable for the type of use I described (documents, photos, mail), then the complexity is greatly diminished.
 
I'd go with the Neo (or a MBA) and the iMac, but I'm biased as I prefer having a separate laptop and desktop. I've always had an iMac and MacBook. Currently, I have an M1 iMac and M1 Pro 16" MBP. I use my iMac strictly at home (for obvious reasons) and use my MacBook when I'm out and about, I rarely use my MacBook at home.

I like the look of the iMac (yellow!) and not having to worry about plugging in my MacBook each time I want to use it at home, forgetting it at home, needing a place to put it on my desk, etc. I know there are easy solutions and I'm being lazy, but I'd rather just come home and not have to touch my backpack after class lol

Plus, my iMac also acts as a mini music hub with speakers, a DAC, and some other things connected and I'd rather not have to plug and unplug a dock or similar to use it.
 
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Mainsail said:
Which setup would you prefer assuming base configurations. The MBN ($599) + iMac ($1299) costs about the same an MBA ($1099) + Mac mini ($599), if you add $200 for average keyboard, mouse and monitor at a big box store. Daily use would be office work, college student, or everyday productivity. Finally, assume usage is split evenly between the laptop and the desktop.

Right now, I have a 2020 M1 iMac and a 2022 M2 MBA, so I was just musing over what I might do when the time comes to replace and was interested in what others thought.
Click to expand...
The M1 and M2 MBAs supported a single external display. The M3 supported 2 when the lid was closed. The M4 and M5 support two externals plus the built-in display on. You may want to consider that as an alternative because it should provide sufficient power and flexibility when you need it. Plus you can splurge on a 5K display if you like.
 
If I was a broke student again I would not be considering the Neo. A used Air would me my choice - better specs and cheaper
 
If I had to recreate my setup I think I would go with the Neo and Mac mini + monitor. While much of what I do on either device is the same day-to-day I prefer a more powerful desktop PC for intense workloads. A stationary device is also useful since you can connect things like external storage and they stay connected since you aren't moving around. Also, Content Caching can be really nice to have on your LAN.
 
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zachz said:
I'd go with the Neo (or a MBA) and the iMac, but I'm biased as I prefer having a separate laptop and desktop. I've always had an iMac and MacBook. Currently, I have an M1 iMac and M1 Pro 16" MBP. I use my iMac strictly at home (for obvious reasons) and use my MacBook when I'm out and about, I rarely use my MacBook at home.

I like the look of the iMac (yellow!) and not having to worry about plugging in my MacBook each time I want to use it at home, forgetting it at home, needing a place to put it on my desk, etc. I know there are easy solutions and I'm being lazy, but I'd rather just come home and not have to touch my backpack after class lol

Plus, my iMac also acts as a mini music hub with speakers, a DAC, and some other things connected and I'd rather not have to plug and unplug a dock or similar to use it.
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Another advantage of desktops is they just seem to last longer than laptops because they don't get beat up, lost or stolen. In our family, laptops tend to go 5-6 years, and desktops over 8 years. These are base configuration devices that are used for everyday computing and productivity apps.
 
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Mainsail said:
Another advantage of desktops is they just seem to last longer than laptops because they don't get beat up, lost or stolen. In our family, laptops tend to go 5-6 years, and desktops over 8 years. These are base configuration devices that are used for everyday computing and productivity apps.
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Desktops also lack a battery, and many monitors can be easier to repair/cheaper to replace than an iMac display. With the device being stationary, it’s less prone to damage in general, you’re not at the same risk as dropping a laptop.
 
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