MacBook Air + Mac Mini/iMac vs MacBook Pro

[JonOlafson]

Hi.

With my new job I have to upgrade from an obsolete iMac and need some help to decide which way to go.

• I need a mobile solution for being able to make presentations and hold workshops. (Won't work on an iPad)
• I also need enough power to create and edit music, films, and photos in Logic, Final Cut and the Creative Suite. (Only stationary)

Therefore I am thinking about these three options:

1. MacBook Air + iMac
2. MacBook Air + Mac Mini + Display
3. MacBook Pro + Display

Things to consider:

• Those more intensive tasks I do only at my desk at home and I need at least a 21.5 inch display for that.
• I hated the touch bar the MacBook Pro that had to work with last year.
• I am looking for the most flexible and cheap solution.

 

[MvdM]

Hi.

With my new job I have to upgrade from an obsolete iMac and need some help to decide which way to go.

• I need a mobile solution for being able to make presentations and hold workshops. (Won't work on an iPad)
• I also need enough power to create and edit music, films, and photos in Logic, Final Cut and the Creative Suite. (Only stationary)

Therefore I am thinking about these three options:

1. MacBook Air + iMac
2. MacBook Air + Mac Mini + Display
3. MacBook Pro + Display

Things to consider:

• Those more intensive tasks I do only at my desk at home and I need at least a 21.5 inch display for that.
• I hated the touch bar the MacBook Pro that had to work with last year.
• I am looking for the most flexible and cheap solution.

[doublepost=1553112126][/doublepost]The MacBook Pro without touch bar still has the second generation keyboard. A colleague of mine bought one a year ago and has to bring it to the store for the 3rd keyboard repair.

I would choose the iMac above the Mac mini + display, I think you need the gpu. Don't go for the hdd only iMacs, they are way too slow.

 

[JonOlafson]

[doublepost=1553112126][/doublepost]The MacBook Pro without touch bar still has the second generation keyboard. A colleague of mine bought one a year ago and has to bring it to the store for the 3rd keyboard repair.

I would choose the iMac above the Mac mini + display, I think you need the gpu. Don't go for the hdd only iMacs, they are way too slow.

Thanks for your reply. I am also not very keen of the MacBook Pros. The advantage of the display would be that I could also plug the MacBook Air to it and I could bring the Mac Mini to the office if I ever need to do more demanding work there. What do you mean with I need the GPU?

 

[MvdM]

Thanks for your reply. I am also not very keen of the MacBook Pros. The advantage of the display would be that I could also plug the MacBook Air to it and I could bring the Mac Mini to the office if I ever need to do more demanding work there. What do you mean with I need the GPU?

For some reason I read Motion instead of Logic. Motion does 2d and 3d animation so I assumed a gpu might be nice.
I have no experience with the other software you mentioned. Some say photoshop etc work well without gpu. Hope others can tell you more about that.

 

[JonOlafson]

After reading some reviews about the Air I am seriously considering the MacBook Pro again. The Air seems to have problems with noises while cooling, comes with a lower wattage charger and has a less bright display.
Does the 2018 touch bar Pro have the same keyboard as the air? But then I am really not a fan of the touch bar and do not need the power on my mobile rig.
Should I consider the MacBook?

 

[maflynn]

I would vote on the MBP over a combination of machines. I always lean to the side of simplicity, and managing two different computers while perfectly doable adds a layer of complexity. I'd say use a single machine with an external monitor.

 

[JonOlafson]

I would vote on the MBP over a combination of machines. I always lean to the side of simplicity, and managing two different computers while perfectly doable adds a layer of complexity. I'd say use a single machine with an external monitor.

That makes perfect sense and I would prefer that as well. But to get close to iMac performance I would need to buy the top speced 13 MPB with touch bar. And I dont like the idea of carrying such an expensive machine around every day and dislike the touch bar.