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MacBook Air + Thunderbolt Display vs. iMac

febahadir

febahadir

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 3, 2015
49
6
Turkey
Hi guys,
I'm writing to make a good decision for my large secreen needs. I've a top upgraded 13" MacBook Air 1.7Ghz, 8GB ram and 512SSD.
I like my MBA. I use it for surfing the Net, blogging and some office document. I don't use Photoshop and other programs, either.
Now I'm in between buying a Thunderbolt Display next to my MBA or buying an iMac.
Which one do you advise me to buy according to my needs?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
 
febahadir said:
Hi guys,
I'm writing to make a good decision for my large secreen needs. I've a top upgraded 13" MacBook Air 1.7Ghz, 8GB ram and 512SSD.
I like my MBA. I use it for surfing the Net, blogging and some office document. I don't use Photoshop and other programs, either.
Now I'm in between buying a Thunderbolt Display next to my MBA or buying an iMac.
Which one do you advise me to buy according to my needs?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
Click to expand...

Don't get an iMac, you already have a nice Mac, seems redundant.

Thunderbolt display is nice because it has integrated speakers, a camera, and a USB hub. Otherwise you can get a similar display for around $350.

If you don't mind some desk clutter, I would get a 27" display, USB hub, keyboard, mouse, and speakers and plug them all into the MBA and keep the MBA under your desk somewhere, closed. It will be less elegant than an iMac but much cheaper.
 
motrek said:
Don't get an iMac, you already have a nice Mac, seems redundant.

Thunderbolt display is nice because it has integrated speakers, a camera, and a USB hub. Otherwise you can get a similar display for around $350.

If you don't mind some desk clutter, I would get a 27" display, USB hub, keyboard, mouse, and speakers and plug them all into the MBA and keep the MBA under your desk somewhere, closed. It will be less elegant than an iMac but much cheaper.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your quick response. I'm also thinking to buy a Thunderbolt Display with Magic Mouse and Keyboard. I don't need speaker and usb hub.

Thanks to this option, I don't have to manage to computers as well.
 
febahadir said:
Thank you for your quick response. I'm also thinking to buy a Thunderbolt Display with Magic Mouse and Keyboard. I don't need speaker and usb hub.

Thanks to this option, I don't have to manage to computers as well.
Click to expand...

You can use the Magic Mouse and wireless keyboard with any monitor you buy. Again, you can save a LOT of money if you get a 3rd party monitor instead of the Thunderbolt display.

But the Thunderbolt display is a nice, integrated solution and it probably has good resale value. You might be able to get a refurbished one from Apple for less money too.

Personally I would be reluctant to buy a current Thunderbolt display for two reasons. One is that it isn't Apple's latest screen technology. If you get a 27" iMac, the screen is bonded (glued) to the glass and it really reduces glare. The TB screen is not bonded. The second reason is that the TB display has a fan, which is annoying if you're sensitive to noise, and it's the sort of part that might fail after several years of use.
 
motrek said:
You can use the Magic Mouse and wireless keyboard with any monitor you buy. Again, you can save a LOT of money if you get a 3rd party monitor instead of the Thunderbolt display.

But the Thunderbolt display is a nice, integrated solution and it probably has good resale value. You might be able to get a refurbished one from Apple for less money too.

Personally I would be reluctant to buy a current Thunderbolt display for two reasons. One is that it isn't Apple's latest screen technology. If you get a 27" iMac, the screen is bonded (glued) to the glass and it really reduces glare. The TB screen is not bonded. The second reason is that the TB display has a fan, which is annoying if you're sensitive to noise, and it's the sort of part that might fail after several years of use.
Click to expand...

Then I should wait for TB 2 or buy 3rd party monitors.
 
febahadir said:
Is there anyone who use TB display with MBA and share their experience?
Click to expand...

I used exactly that setup with the same Air you have for over a year and I was very happy with it. As others mentioned, only having to manage one computer is a big plus. I never felt like I needed more speed or power for anything I did.

I recently updated to the new 13" Retina model and that works nicely with the TB display also.
 
Weaselboy said:
I used exactly that setup with the same Air you have for over a year and I was very happy with it. As others mentioned, only having to manage one computer is a big plus. I never felt like I needed more speed or power for anything I did.

I recently updated to the new 13" Retina model and that works nicely with the TB display also.
Click to expand...

Thank you Weaselboy for your reply. I think I am gonna go with this setup. I like my MBA and do not want to change it soon. Then I provide my big screen need via TB display.

----------
Weaselboy said:
I used exactly that setup with the same Air you have for over a year and I was very happy with it. As others mentioned, only having to manage one computer is a big plus. I never felt like I needed more speed or power for anything I did.

I recently updated to the new 13" Retina model and that works nicely with the TB display also.
Click to expand...

One more question:
Should I wait for TB display 2 or just just go with the current one?
 
febahadir said:
One more question:
Should I wait for TB display 2 or just just go with the current one?
Click to expand...

Tough question. The current one is getting old, but still does the job. There have been no solid rumors about a date for a replacement, and the older rumors we heard were about a much higher resolution version that I suspect will cost a lot more than the current model.

It if was me and you need one now, I would just get the current version. If you watch the Apple Refurb store they are often in there for $200 off.
 
Weaselboy said:
Tough question. The current one is getting old, but still does the job. There have been no solid rumors about a date for a replacement, and the older rumors we heard were about a much higher resolution version that I suspect will cost a lot more than the current model.

It if was me and you need one now, I would just get the current version. If you watch the Apple Refurb store they are often in there for $200 off.
Click to expand...

Thanks again, then I go just with the current one because I need now, not later.
 
febahadir said:
Is there anyone who use TB display with MBA and share their experience?
Click to expand...

I use dual TB displays with my 11" Air. It's a great setup.

You won't go wrong with Apple Thunderbolt display. Having a single cable to connect beats all the mess with USB hubs and such that others had suggested.
 
ctyrider said:
I use dual TB displays with my 11" Air. It's a great setup.

You won't go wrong with Apple Thunderbolt display. Having a single cable to connect beats all the mess with USB hubs and such that others had suggested.
Click to expand...

Thank you Ctyrider for your experience. I was hesitant in using TBD with Air. I think I can use it with my Air easily.

I don't need both iMac and MBA. So buying a TBD will be a good solution for my big screen need.
 
Last edited:
ctyrider said:
I use dual TB displays with my 11" Air. It's a great setup.

You won't go wrong with Apple Thunderbolt display. Having a single cable to connect beats all the mess with USB hubs and such that others had suggested.
Click to expand...

I would like to ask 4 more question:
1-) Shall I close cover of MBA when I connect TBD?
2-) Do I have to leave awake while using?
3-) Is there any app for not letting MAB sleep?
4-) Using MBA when its cover closed is harmful for its fan?
Thanks in advance.
 
febahadir said:
I would like to ask 4 more question:
1-) Shall I close cover of MBA when I connect TBD?
2-) Do I have to leave awake while using?
3-) Is there any app for not letting MAB sleep?
4-) Using MBA when its cover closed is harmful for its fan?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


Can only help with 3) A free app called 'caffeine' works well.
 
febahadir said:
I would like to ask 4 more question:
1-) Shall I close cover of MBA when I connect TBD?
2-) Do I have to leave awake while using?
3-) Is there any app for not letting MAB sleep?
4-) Using MBA when its cover closed is harmful for its fan?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

MacBooks have a nice "lid closed" (also called "clamshell") mode where, if the laptop is closed and plugged into a power source and monitor, it will essentially function as a desktop computer. They are designed to do this and it will not harm the machine.
 
febahadir said:
I would like to ask 4 more question:
1-) Shall I close cover of MBA when I connect TBD?
2-) Do I have to leave awake while using?
3-) Is there any app for not letting MAB sleep?
4-) Using MBA when its cover closed is harmful for its fan?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

1) Up to you - it works either way. Since I have plenty of screen real estate with dual displays - I keep my MBA closed.
2) Yes
3) No, you can set it to never sleep in Power Preferences
4) No
 
ctyrider said:
1) Up to you - it works either way. Since I have plenty of screen real estate with dual displays - I keep my MBA closed.
2) Yes
3) No, you can set it to never sleep in Power Preferences
4) No
Click to expand...

Thank you for your answers.
 
Hacks said:
What made you decide to get the iMac?
Click to expand...

Anyway, the guy who wants to but my MBA was a fraudster. I get my Air back. I think I go with Thunderbolt Dlsplay.

Why do I want to buy iMac? I just like the design when I see an iMac at an Apple Store.
 
Meister said:
What display?
Click to expand...

I was wondering that too.

While there are a lot of inexpensive 27 inch displays, they aren't near the same quality. Most of them are only 1080p. You don't find cheap 2560 x 1440 displays.
 
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