MBP or iMac?

[MrMister111]

Trying to decide on going MacBook or iMac this time, upgrade from a iMac 2012 and want to last a long time so have updated a few things. Both work out the same price really, won’t take MBP out of house, it’s more for the convenience of having it to use on desk, table, sofa etc.

Used as a day to day machine, Photos library (on an external USB), very basic iMovie 4K editing, General use. I use my iPad 80% of time really.

MBP 13” 1.4GHz 16Gb RAM 256 SSD AC+ £1709

iMac 21” i5 6 core 256SSD 16Gb RAM AC+ £1700

 

[Howard2k]

iMac gets you more bang for your buck, but MBPro gives you the convenience of portability.

Since you have an iPad I'd question the portability aspect, but having said that, even when I'm home I tend to use both my MBPro and my iPad and appreciate being able to move them around.

I had an iMac before my MBPro and so went from a 21" to a 13" and the reduction in screen estate wasn't a big deal for me. I considered buying a desktop monitor to use with the MBPro but just haven't had that burning need.

I would consider the 2.4GHz MBPro if you can stretch to it. Faster CPU, GPU, SSD, and 50% faster wifi. The 1.4Ghz machine is a good deal, but I would compare it to a refurbished 2.4GHz unit and see if you can make it work.

 

[MrMister111]

I had an iMac before my MBPro and so went from a 21" to a 13" and the reduction in screen estate wasn't a big deal for me. I considered buying a desktop monitor to use with the MBPro but just haven't had that burning need.

exact same worries. My eyes aren’t the best, so worried on big screen size drop. I am thinking I Airplay to my TV though. Using the iMac I’m stuck out of the way, on an uncomfortable desk.

I would consider the 2.4GHz MBPro if you can stretch to it. Faster CPU, GPU, SSD, and 50% faster wifi. The 1.4Ghz machine is a good deal, but I would compare it to a refurbished 2.4GHz unit and see if you can make it work.

Looked at the benchmarks and they don’t seem to be very much better that I would expect. Seem very close, not sure why as seems it should be much quicker?

 

[Howard2k]

exact same worries. My eyes aren’t the best, so worried on big screen size drop. I am thinking I Airplay to my TV though. Using the iMac I’m stuck out of the way, on an uncomfortable desk.



Looked at the benchmarks and they don’t seem to be very much better that I would expect. Seem very close, not sure why as seems it should be much quicker?

Benchmarks aren't the best for real world usage. Certainly they're strongly indicative, but they're only part of the story. The 2.4Ghz should sustain higher loads for longer, and be generally a little swifter overall. 5% to 10% in day to day tasks, but perhaps more under heavy load as it should have more thermal headroom. And Wifi speeds don't matter if your Internet service or home network usage is pretty mundane, though they're excluded from something like Geekbench. For 4K video I'd certainly consider upgrading. But if it's just for fun and for home use and you're not being paid to do the work then does it matter how long it takes? I still use a dual core, so my Lightroom work would improve substantially even with the 1.4Ghz, but I'm not being paid for what I use it for either.

All the same, if I was buying today I'd take the 2.4Ghz over the 1.4Ghz for sure. The price difference is not huge, but I'd still take the extra performance.

The 1.4Ghz machine is good though, especially if you don't need the faster wifi speeds (and many probably don't). It's no slouch.

 

[maflynn]

If you have mobility/travel needs, buy the MBP, if not, buy the iMac. Its a no brainer, because you get a larger display and more computer for your money then the MBP

 

[kart]

Depending on your budget but a MBP for portability is great + a monitor for when you’re stationary if you need a larger display.
My set up is a 15” MBP + 27” lg ultrafine monitor.
It works perfect for me, as I need the portability that the MBP offers and then the screen offers that extra real estate plus the ability to them use 2 screens that I can use when at home.