Old MacBook Pro to new iMac

[elmarjazz]

Just a general opinion question here to get some thoughts. I’ve had a MBP 15” 2015 16gb 1tb. It has been a great computer in all the ways it is but is it time? Just got an iPhone 13 mini, and iPad Pro 11”, and the iMac M1 would fit into this system well for general use and photo editing giving me a lot more in computer power in a fixed work station with a better large screen (the iPad has become my portable work device). I have never really used the MBP as a daily driver portable, but do move it around the house, the iMac can still be moved from desk to table or between rooms, but putting it in the car weekly for a trip between houses is probably not going to happen and will be a compromise in that regard.

I see the MBP 2015 becoming a ‘legacy’ computer in a year or two without updates, still usable, but not being able to limited integrate with my newer devices, and also although it's functioning fine now, computers do fail in time. I'd get another MBP but the value/cost of an M1 iMac is just so much better. What to do?

My hesitation... First time without a MacBook in 30 something years. Just try and sell it (and use the funds towards an iMac), or give it to my son who needs a computer for school and video work (or is an M1 MB AIR a better option for him? A new base model Air or selling this MBP are about the same value). Or, just keep going till it is not an option and lose any value it has at this time.

Just thinking here, and appreciate any thoughts.

 

[glenthompson]

I took a slightly different route but arrived at a similar place. Had a 2011 MBP that worked well for years but the GPU finally crapped out. Picked up a used Air that I used with an external display. Was fine but the 8gb was a limitation. Ordered the M1 iMac as soon as it was available. Been using it exclusively along with my iPad Pro for most portable tasks. Kept the MBA since I didn’t have that much invested in it and it’s nice to have for travel. I’m retired so most travel is longer trips in our RV. I like having a Mac along since there are some tasks that are very hard to do on an iPad.

I would estimate that my computing is 80% iPad, 15% Mac, and 5% iPhone.

 

[MBAir2010]

for what computing, age and usage is worth
our internet company needs me to remotely edit 56 photos for a website this month.
i know my 2010 MacBook air with CS4 photoshop will perform this project perfectly!
and can even air drop all these photos to a Mac mini 2012 and then an iPad.
and the back again from the ipad.

all in 2022!

 

[wilberforce]

I have a 27" iMac, and not practical to move around much (20 lbs and big; power cord, keyboard and trackpad/mouse are added nuisances to move)
I think a 24" iMac (10 lbs) would be OK to move from room to room occasionally.
An iMac is not very practical to move from house to house. Too much damage risk.

I think an iMac at home plus iPad Pro for couch or traveling is a great combo - have been using it for many years. I also have an MBP, but use it the least.

 

[Bazza1]

Not dissimilar considerations here -

I have a 2017 MBA which I have used as my home / work on the go / travel computer. Works perfectly well, but it is now out of AppleCare and in the past year, its had a couple of 'near misses' when on the go.

(I also have an el cheapo 8" Amazon Fire tablet - albeit tweaked to bypass the Amazon adware Launcher - for news aggregators, books, occasional games, internet and movies while commuting or at a cafe, all without fear of the cost of abuse involved)

Not wishing to risk losing all of my computer needs during an 'oops' moment on the road, this past Black Friday, I relegated the MBA to becoming my home desktop computer as I bought myself a > $250 11" ASUS Win11 laptop for the on the road / travel purposes. Sizewise, its perfect for that purpose, it does a majority of the tasks I need a laptop to do while away from home, and it syncs with my iCloud, so I'm not losing out there. And, at >$250, if something goes horribly wrong on the road, I won't see my bank account flash before my eyes.

But now my MBA is at home - essentially a desktop (I've never really wandered from place to place in my apartment with it) - and I'm considering its potential lifespan (not so much the hardware, but the OS and software - especially with M-series processors), as well as just the advantage of a larger workspace.
I know my MBA is good for few more years yet, from an Apple support POV, but I have been wondering if now is the time to use its trade-in / sell value towards an iMac. Oh, I know something 'better' will come out later this year, probably with both MBAs and iMacs, but I also know if you wait for the next version, you'll never buy anything - or have buyer's remorse.

I haven't yet convinced myself its worth the leap, while I do see the advantage of such a thing. Its a conundrum.

 

[Fishrrman]

Get the new iMac.
But... KEEP the 2015 MBP.

There's nothing like having a nice desktop for "desktop things", AND a nice laptop for "laptop stuff"...

 

[elmarjazz]

Continuing on this iMac thinking... Talked to my son and he doesn't want my MBP 2015. he wants a new smaller/lighter MBA, and I can understand that. So that kind of easy ‘trade’ option isn't happening and that means having to get 2 new computers. Also, the refurbished ‘deal’ iMac M1 16gb RAM 1tb on the APPLE site I was considering is gone (but a 16gb 512 is still available, and I’d be getting a 2tb SSD to stick on the back anyway, so maybe still a go). Wish I could just keep the MBP 2015 and get the iMac, AND a new MBA for my son, but ‘money.’ So, it comes down to are the trade-offs of power, screen size, portability, new vs old (but still usable), and generally having a desktop for the first time in 30 something years worth the change? And, if so, to make the change I’d really have sell the MBP 2015 to offset some of the cost. And... I was just looking at the APPLE site and more of a stretch in funds but there actually isn't a huge difference in price/configuration (16 RAM/512) and I could go ‘all-in’ and keep the laptop thing going with a base model new MBP M1 14” ;-), but that iMAC 24” screen size is nice... and maybe I’m a bit more motivated for a real change being happy with the iPAD PRO 11” for my everything in the lap-on the go use. Thank you again for your experiences and thoughts. And wondering more about how folks have felt in the switch from laptop to desktop?

 

[wilberforce]

I used laptops for many years, then realized I was pretty much using it one position on a desk 95% of the time, so bought an iMac in 2014. Should have done so earlier, I really like it.

The 2015 MPBs are the last and best of that era of MBPs, before the 2016-2019 era of questionable design changes, bad keyboards, removal of ports, etc. It's a keeper if you think you might still use it. It is probably getting close to due for a battery replacement, if you have not done so already. (If there are any signs of swelling, do not delay!)