Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

One Mac or two ? What's ideal, the debate continues ...

from reading here it seems like -

a) you're best to work from "one" main computer
b) there's nothing wrong with having more than one computer but it's generally a secondary machine maybe for backup's / hub / server / download machine / HTPC set up etc..

I'm beginning to agree by trial and error it's much easier and simpler and more enjoyable to work from one machine, less confusion, everything's in one place, no doubt the preferred set up.

Explains why the MBP is so popular ....

Thanks for the input so far!
 
I spend a lot of time at my desk and computer doing design work, light photo shop, drawing, research, emails, surfing etc. I think I'm more creative and more relaxed when not working at my desk, therefore I want spend less time at my desk.


Given the choice, what would you choose for your set up:

1. MacBook Pro and 24" ACD + MacBook Air (rev B 1.8,128ssd)

or

2. iMac(24") and 24" ACD + MacBook Pro, 15" + MacBook Air

or

3. MacBook Pro, 15" + 24" ACD (single computer set up)

4. iMac and ACD + MacBook Pro

Keeping in mind I have a I have a secondary computer (HP Tower) acting as a server hooked up to a Panasonic 37" TV. I have a 1TB Time Capsule attached as well so for movie downloads, NAS, back up, printer server etc. needs I'm well organized ...

It's going to be one of the choices above.
 
I have two, an imac and a mini. But the mini serves as a HTPC, so I don't keep anything in sync. I also have a hateful little dell notebook for work... but that doesn't count.
 
I didn't read the whole thread but heres my opinion:

If your a heavy computer user two computers are great. (Three or more is better :D)

Its not hard to sync multiple computers. I've never got the chance to do it on a mac yet but on windows its easy so I'm assuming its even easier on a mac.

The best way IMO to transfer data from one to another is keep everything on a network attached storage device or just start a share from a computer with a drive attached (That computer will need to remain on at all times though which is why I prefer NAS.)
 
entatlrg said:
I spend a lot of time at my desk and computer doing design work, light photo shop, drawing, research, emails, surfing etc. I think I'm more creative and more relaxed when not working at my desk, therefore I want spend less time at my desk.


Given the choice, what would you choose for your set up:

1. MacBook Pro and 24" ACD + MacBook Air (rev B 1.8,128ssd)

or

2. iMac(24") and 24" ACD + MacBook Pro, 15" + MacBook Air

or

3. MacBook Pro, 15" + 24" ACD (single computer set up)

4. iMac and ACD + MacBook Pro

Keeping in mind I have a I have a secondary computer (HP Tower) acting as a server hooked up to a Panasonic 37" TV. I have a 1TB Time Capsule attached as well so for movie downloads, NAS, back up, printer server etc. needs I'm well organized ...

It's going to be one of the choices above.
Click to expand...

choice 3, no comparison...
 
I have 3 computers that I use - a two-month old unibody MacBook, a Dell Inspiron 1150 laptop running Windows XP, and an old Dell Dimension L500c running Ubuntu Linux 9.04.

The MacBook is my main computer. The Inspiron still runs well, but the USB ports on it died (and I wasn't about to replace the motherboard for the second time in a year, which resulted in the MacBook purchase). I use the Inspiron mostly for newsgroup and torrent downloads, and Active Directory work via VPN, but will probably start doing some light Visual Studio work on it in the near future. The Ubuntu machine functions as a file server and an iTunes server (thanks to Firefly Media Server) for my machines and my wife's machines. I'd say that I only "need" the MacBook and the Linux file server.
 
I personally have four computers, five if you count my fiancee's macbook.

But, my four machines have a purpose.

Mac Pro: Workhorse
Macbook Air: Mobile
Mac Mini Server: Runs OS X Server
Mac Mini HTPC: Hooked up to my TV for media

My two machines, the Mac Pro and the Macbook Air are kept in sync by my server. I use PHD for my personal account, and other accounts that roam, like my fiancee.

Of course this is a more complex setup, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
I've currently got the MB in my signature and a crappy PC that I might turn into a hackintosh. My ideal setup would be a 15 inch MacBook Pro, 24 inch ACD and a gaming pc.

One day!
 
I've got a MBP 15" for the road, useful for working with video proxies. Just ordered my Mac Pro for grading and onlining projects (will hopefully pay for itself very quickly!) Also got a Mac Mini connected to the living room TV for screenings, web access and the like.

If one was to go it would be the mini as it really needs to be better integrated for more day-to-day use.
 
I have:

iMac for large display on project based activities, and the extra HP really comes in handy.

13" MBP is 75% work duties and 25% computing on the run, although my iPhone is eating into this space as it's more convenient for travel.

Mac mini is perfect for the HTPC role.

I find having different machines the best way to go to cover my needs. I have portable HDs, NAS attached to my Extreme and Mobile Me to keep things connected; I don't find syncing any hassle at all now I have some systems established.

--- --- ---

BUT, if I was restricted to just one machine then definitely the 15"MBP would be the Mac of choice.
 
it really completely is personal choice.

for me, i work from 2 main computers - an imac and mac book pro. syncing is really not an issue as i use Dropbox, which is amazingly fast and reliable. mobileme and spanningsync keep my iphone in sync regardless of where i add contacts or calendar information - from my phone, ical, or google calendar on any computer.

i could see how a nice external display could work well with a MBP as well, but i will sometimes work from different offices within my home and so it is nice to have different computers setup.
 
One. I had a MacBook before & an isus notebook. I felt weird having two computers. I personally prefer one since it's annoying being at one computer and be like wait my other files are there. That's sorts why I got the air since the ssd and the 1.86ghz gave me the speed, portability and keyboard space I needed.
 
One. I had a MacBook before & an isus notebook. I felt weird having two computers. I personally prefer one since it's annoying being at one computer and be like wait my other files are there. That's sorts why I got the air since the ssd and the 1.86ghz gave me the speed, portability and keyboard space I needed.
 
When working with more than one Mac and a PC (at work) I have found Dropbox to be fantastic. I now have a copy of all my documents automatically synced between all three machines. If I wanted to do some work over the weekend I would either have to remember to copy the files I needed from the server at work on to my MBP or have to login via VPN to pull them down. Now all my files are stored locally on my Desktop PC at work, MBP and Mac Pro at home.

http://www.getdropbox.com/
 
As for now, i don't need 2 computers because i think it's a real hassle. If the reason for having 2 computers is because there's a "backup", i think it's better to purchase 2 external HD
 
uh.. 11 computers. I'm more of a PC guy but in no way could I function with just one machine.

General categories fall into:

Server - central storage for data
Gaming Rig - Self explanatory
Video Editing - What my mac is for
HTPC - Self explantory
General Purpose desktop - testing the latest flavor of whatever
General Purpose laptop - something you can drag around the house, not really worry about battery life
Traveling laptop - must be light weight, portable and have good battery life

As for the comment of one centralized desktop and files - I use dropbox for my files. I find that it serves more than enough for what I need; any large amounts of data for music / media goes on the central storage.
 
eazyc10 said:
uh.. 11 computers. I'm more of a PC guy but in no way could I function with just one machine.

General categories fall into:

Server - central storage for data
Gaming Rig - Self explanatory
Video Editing - What my mac is for
HTPC - Self explantory
General Purpose desktop - testing the latest flavor of whatever
General Purpose laptop - something you can drag around the house, not really worry about battery life
Traveling laptop - must be light weight, portable and have good battery life

As for the comment of one centralized desktop and files - I use dropbox for my files. I find that it serves more than enough for what I need; any large amounts of data for music / media goes on the central storage.
Click to expand...


25gbbxx.jpg


But at this rate, to have 11 computers, you either have a business or have one in... uh, let's see-- the bedroom for late night movies, the kitchen for when you make popcorn at Midnight, the bathroom for when nature calls AND one at your mistresses' place so your wife doesn't see bits of broken press-on nails under the glass trackpad. lol
 
entatlrg said:
If you had the choice what would your ideal set up be?
Click to expand...

A Mac in every room in the house (two or three in the bigger rooms) all connected to a central server, plus a Mac Mini installed in the car connect via the Internet, and don't forget an iPhone and iTablet ... you did say "ideal" set-up. ;)
 
I have 2 Macs, the other one as backup in case one of them conks out and needs repair. You never can tell about unexpected breakdowns and you lose incomes each day that passess having your machine in the repair center for too long.
 
macshill said:
But at this rate, to have 11 computers, you either have a business or have one in... uh, let's see-- the bedroom for late night movies, the kitchen for when you make popcorn at Midnight, the bathroom for when nature calls AND one at your mistresses' place so your wife doesn't see bits of broken press-on nails under the glass trackpad. lol
Click to expand...

Lets just say the basement is where my wife designates my play area
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back