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My experience: MacBook killer Mac for travel and office (with LG34 curved)

R

Robbenisland

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 15, 2015
133
135
From the day of the announcement I was wondering if I should get the rMB. I used a 11" Macbook Air for many years, which I connected in the office and at home to a Thunderbolt Display. I travel a lot and do a lot of vidcons over Lync Webclient.

I decided against the rMB and went for a rMBP instead (2015 model, fully loaded). Main reasons:
- power
- fear the rMB would not do vidcons properly
- no connectivity to Thunderbolt displays
It is a great machine and enjoyed using it for a couple of weeks. Did not like the weight/size though.

After the first reviews here came out I could not withstand any more and changed the whole setup. I went for:
- rMB, 1.3, 512GB
- two LG34 curved displays (one at home, one in the office)
- a ridiculous amount of money for 3 power supplies, USB C cables and 3 HDMI adapters (for the displays and one for travel)

I LOVE the new setup. My experience:
- The one plug really works for me: in the office and at home I plug in one cable which gives me power, monitor, USB and LAN (through USB LAN adapter which is connected to the LG USB hub on the back)
- The rMB has no problem running this amazing display. I thought the TB display is great, but the curved LG gives you the size of two monitors in one very slick and modern format. I normally run three main windows next to each other, using BetterSnapTool to move them quickly in the areas I like them.
- The rMB is perfect for travel. No need to explain. Went for a Joli Leather Case - very nice.
- I like the rMB keyboard. Had no issues from day one. I guess my years with the 11" MBA helped - always had the lowest footprint
- To my biggest surprise the vidcons I run for work (multiple locations) work well, too. The non HD camera does not matter the size of the videos on the Lync page are small anyhow.
- My application use is mail, Office (2015 pre release), Evernote, Lync, iTunes and sometimes handbrake. No issues on running on any apps.

Any downsides? I sometimes have an issue that the rMB does not properly wakes up or boots up. Have to press the power button for a long time for a full shutdown and then restart. Hopefully a software issue only.

So bottom line: a very capable machine that is even able to power one of the best displays I have ever seen/used for office usage. Form factor is a killer for travel the purity of not having a fan is just a great "feeling".

IMG_4966.jpg
 
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Robbenisland said:
From the day of the announcement I was wondering if I should get the rMB. I used a 11" Macbook Air for many years, which I connected in the office and at home to a Thunderbolt Display. I travel a lot and do a lot of vidcons over Lync Webclient.

I decided against the rMB and went for a rMBP instead (2015 model, fully loaded). Main reasons:
- power
- fear the rMB would not do vidcons properly
- no connectivity to Thunderbolt displays
It is a great machine and enjoyed using it for a couple of weeks. Did not like the weight/size though.

After the first reviews here came out I could not withstand any more and changed the whole setup. I went for:
- rMB, 1.3, 512GB
- two LG34 curved displays (one at home, one in the office)
- a ridiculous amount of money for 3 power supplies, USB C cables and 3 HDMI adapters (for the displays and one for travel)

I LOVE the new setup. My experience:
- The one plug really works for me: in the office and at home I plug in one cable which gives me power, monitor, USB and LAN (through USB LAN adapter which is connected to the LG USB hub on the back)
- The rMB has no problem running this amazing display. I thought the TB display is great, but the curved LG gives you the size of two monitors in one very slick and modern format. I normally run three main windows next to each other, using BetterSnapTool to move them quickly in the areas I like them.
- The rMB is perfect for travel. No need to explain. Went for a Joli Leather Case - very nice.
- I like the rMB keyboard. Had no issues from day one. I guess my years with the 11" MBA helped - always had the lowest footprint
- To my biggest surprise the vidcons I run for work (multiple locations) work well, too. The non HD camera does not matter the size of the videos on the Lync page are small anyhow.
- My application use is mail, Office (2015 pre release), Evernote, Lync, iTunes and sometimes handbrake. No issues on running on any apps.

Any downsides? I sometimes have an issue that the rMB does not properly wakes up or boots up. Have to press the power button for a long time for a full shutdown and then restart. Hopefully a software issue only.

So bottom line: a very capable machine that is even able to power one of the best displays I have ever seen/used for office usage. Form factor is a killer for travel the purity of not having a fan is just a great "feeling".

View attachment 563151
Click to expand...

I'm glad that you're enjoying your purchase. I recently started seeing the delayed wake issue that you're describing too and was wondering what could be causing it. Hopefully a fix shows up soon, as it is an annoyance (minor, but still present).
 
How smoothly does the rMB drive the display? Any hiccups? More importantly, how is running 1080p while surfing run? Any dropped frames?
 
Glad to see you have a setup that you like!

I have not found Handbrake to be a good match with the rMB, though. I wasn't expecting the device to do well with it, and I am not at all disappointed, but potential buyers should know what they are getting into. Perhaps you could post estimated times for files to give a better sense of what you are experiencing.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Are you running 1080P ? How is the quality of the image compared to Thunderbolt Display?
 
Sander25 said:
Are you running 1080P ? How is the quality of the image compared to Thunderbolt Display?
Click to expand...

No I run this at 3440 x 1440, so higher than 1080p. The quality is excellent. The TB display is glossy, to can at times look more impressive but many times less, as it is reflecting more. I am very happy with the LG and would not go back to a TB sized/resolution if they would offer one for USB C.
 
What adapter are you using for the usb type-c. Is this the Apple multi one?

Robbenisland said:
From the day of the announcement I was wondering if I should get the rMB. I used a 11" Macbook Air for many years, which I connected in the office and at home to a Thunderbolt Display. I travel a lot and do a lot of vidcons over Lync Webclient.

I decided against the rMB and went for a rMBP instead (2015 model, fully loaded). Main reasons:
- power
- fear the rMB would not do vidcons properly
- no connectivity to Thunderbolt displays
It is a great machine and enjoyed using it for a couple of weeks. Did not like the weight/size though.

After the first reviews here came out I could not withstand any more and changed the whole setup. I went for:
- rMB, 1.3, 512GB
- two LG34 curved displays (one at home, one in the office)
- a ridiculous amount of money for 3 power supplies, USB C cables and 3 HDMI adapters (for the displays and one for travel)

I LOVE the new setup. My experience:
- The one plug really works for me: in the office and at home I plug in one cable which gives me power, monitor, USB and LAN (through USB LAN adapter which is connected to the LG USB hub on the back)
- The rMB has no problem running this amazing display. I thought the TB display is great, but the curved LG gives you the size of two monitors in one very slick and modern format. I normally run three main windows next to each other, using BetterSnapTool to move them quickly in the areas I like them.
- The rMB is perfect for travel. No need to explain. Went for a Joli Leather Case - very nice.
- I like the rMB keyboard. Had no issues from day one. I guess my years with the 11" MBA helped - always had the lowest footprint
- To my biggest surprise the vidcons I run for work (multiple locations) work well, too. The non HD camera does not matter the size of the videos on the Lync page are small anyhow.
- My application use is mail, Office (2015 pre release), Evernote, Lync, iTunes and sometimes handbrake. No issues on running on any apps.

Any downsides? I sometimes have an issue that the rMB does not properly wakes up or boots up. Have to press the power button for a long time for a full shutdown and then restart. Hopefully a software issue only.

So bottom line: a very capable machine that is even able to power one of the best displays I have ever seen/used for office usage. Form factor is a killer for travel the purity of not having a fan is just a great "feeling".

View attachment 563151
Click to expand...
 
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