Macbook Pro vs iMac

[redchef82]

Im not sure which way to go.

I currently have an outdated (2006) iMac which is running a bit slow but very functional. I don't do much on it except internet, email and Microsoft word/excel.

I do consulting and do need a laptop from time to time but only very basic functionality, basically writing reports from my hotel. However, I should mention that I hate the layout of basically all laptop keyboards and mousepads. But will suffer through it when I have to and just use my own mouse.

So I'm not sure which route to go.

Get a Mac Book Pro and buy a monitor to use as a docking station or buy an iMac and a cheap PC laptop that will allow me to do my reports the few times a year that I will need it.

I'm just worried and feel that the MBP is not as durable as the iMac and I don't want to spend $1500 on something I will need to replace in a few years. In that case I can buy the iMac which will be more powerful and hopefully last longer and get a cheaper PC laptop.

Thoughts?

 

[augustya]

Have you thought about using the iPad for the Consulting and the light reports making thing that you have mentioned about ? use a External Keyboard and you are done ! And buy a iMac !

 

[NukeIT]

How powerful would depend on which models you are looking at. i5 vs i7, etc

I thjnk durability is about the same especially if your going to use it in clam shell mode and it sits on your desk 90% of the time.

 

[leman]

What about a MacBook Air?

 

[alphaod]

Just get a nice external monitor and base model MacBook Air.

You should be able to do all the things you said.

If you want to play games or something, buy a gaming PC instead.

 

[gomatt]

I just posed a thread on this board about that. See "review: macbook pro 13" retina...." by gomatt.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1711624/

Get the pro 13", and a 27" asus pro art ips screen. It is AWESOME and you dont have to use 2 computers, which really sucks, files here, settings there. A mess.

 

[maflynn]

Get the MBP, a good monitor, keyboard and mouse. While at home you'll have the best of both worlds and then when you're mobile you have a product that gets the job done as well.

If you get a wireless mouse (and even keyboard) you can take that with you easily if you wish to use those instead of the laptop touchpad and keyboard.

 

[Vandefilm]

For your needs. Get a macbook air (with 8 GB RAM and you're good for the next 5 years) and cheap external display.