Regreting not getting a Desktop

[tgi]

I'm sorry you have and I apologize I really appreciate the help. I don't know that I would be able to sell my MacBook for enough. I bought it for $1,700 and the 21" iMac is like $1,300

I'm thinking about saving a bit getting a Thunderbolt display. That way it's like using an iMac at home and when I go to class, starbucks, a friends, my parents, I can unplug it and take it. Is that a good way to go?

That would not be a bad route. You would get the best of both worlds. If you don't want to spend $999 on a Thunderbolt display, why not try a cheaper alternative?

Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter - $6.89
http://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Thunderbolt-Adapter-Audio-Support/dp/B002HWWDAY

LG 27-inch Widescreen 1080P LED LCD - $299
http://www.amazon.com/LG-E2742V-27-...e=UTF8&qid=1369771873&sr=1-3&keywords=monitor

 

[SMDBill]

About a month ago I purchased a 13" MacBook Pro with Retina display. I love the laptop and I think it works great however I sort of regret that I didn't get an iMac instead and my 14 days are well over.

I just want to know what I can do to fell less bad about my choice. I got it thinking I'd like the portability but I have yet to take it out of the house. When I play WoW it gets hot and I can't find a comfortable set up for it. I've tried external displays and it is cumbersome and none of mine are good. I can't afford a Thunderbolt Display right now and All this money on accessories I should have just bought an iMac. Don't get me wrong it is an AMAZING computer the best I have ever owned but I want to be more happy about my purchase...

To be honest, and not at all trying to be a smarta** with my comment, I think you just bought the wrong machine for your needs. You're pushing an integrated GPU that is fairly weak for gaming and it is contained within a tight chassis. It also has to push a retina display, taxing the GPU further. What you needed was a dedicated GPU (in the 15" retina) or an iMac to be satisfied with the experience running WoW.

I think your options are to either sell for a max price and you'll probably come out with enough to get a nice iMac 21" with a bit of upgrade. If you were really wanting the 27", then you probably need to come up with some more cash. THe other option is to lessen your expectations or requirements, neither of which will lead to anything but frustration and regret. Personally, I'd take the loss and get what I want. If you need portability, buy an iPad and enjoy the iMac since that's what you prefer and need.

 

[thekev]

Stating you play WoW, would the 15inch have been a better choice? Also, if you truly regret the purchase I would personally sell it ASAP and take a small loss then purchase an iMac. It sounds like you would be happier.

If you don't want to go that route and want to feel better about the MBP. Take it out, go play WoW at a cafe. Bring it places. I'm sure you won't regret it then.

I don't play WoW, so maybe I don't get it. You really want to take a computer with you everywhere to play MMOs? Most people find their general mobile needs can be served by their phone. The people you see in coffee shops on their notebooks really seem like the minority these days.

Start writing an important document on your Macbook. Now go to your circuit breaker and cut the power to the room.

Continue writing that important document knowing that a Desktop would be absolutely useless at that point and may have actually lost data.

It's typical to have a UPS. Beyond that the OP wasn't really talking about documents. If this involves important data, you would have backups anyway. If it's just a matter of filling in blank forms, you shouldn't be set back very far (again backups). You shouldn't deal with important data without a backup on the notebook either.

 

[jdblas69]

I'm sorry you have and I apologize I really appreciate the help. I don't know that I would be able to sell my MacBook for enough. I bought it for $1,700 and the 21" iMac is like $1,300

I'm thinking about saving a bit getting a Thunderbolt display. That way it's like using an iMac at home and when I go to class, starbucks, a friends, my parents, I can unplug it and take it. Is that a good way to go?

Refurb TB display are now going for $799, couple hundred bucks off new. Not sure if that is still outside your current budget??

So your sitting at $1,700 + $800 = $2,500. Yes you could get a really specd out 27" imac but you have to factor in the portability factor of the laptop.

Also there are other decent monitors out there besides the TB display.

 

[palmharbor]

[url=http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/starbuck_full.png]Image[/URL]

__________________

If you have no laptop in Starbucks, you might have to actually talk to people about yourself, Ron Paul and his insane rants, meeting a woman or a man.
It might be nice...it used to happen in the 90's all the time.

 

[Pomares]

Get an external monitor

That would not be a bad route. You would get the best of both worlds. If you don't want to spend $999 on a Thunderbolt display, why not try a cheaper alternative?

Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter - $6.89
http://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Thunderbolt-Adapter-Audio-Support/dp/B002HWWDAY

LG 27-inch Widescreen 1080P LED LCD - $299
http://www.amazon.com/LG-E2742V-27-...e=UTF8&qid=1369771873&sr=1-3&keywords=monitor

That's what I do: Macbook Air + 24" external display through a hdmi adpater.

 

[tgi]

That's what I do: Macbook Air + 24" external display through a hdmi adpater.

Nice! How does the MBA's display look on the 24"? Does it look the same/better than it would on a Thunderbolt display? Can to post a photo of your setup?

 

[TheEasterBunny]

TBH I'm not sure an iMac would be much better in terms of heat. It would be exactly the same in terms of external devices.
Now getting a tower would be better in terms cooling choices and GPU choices.
If I had done what you have done, I would try to enjoy what you have for the time being. Run it at full resolution, wear welding gloves to protect fingers. But enjoy it, the time will come soon enough that you will have to upgrade it, laptops and iMacs have few choices for upgrades other than external. Next time get something that more suits your needs.
We all make them, make the best of it!

 

[LaunchpadBS]

About a month ago I purchased a 13" MacBook Pro with Retina display. I love the laptop and I think it works great however I sort of regret that I didn't get an iMac instead and my 14 days are well over.

I just want to know what I can do to fell less bad about my choice. I got it thinking I'd like the portability but I have yet to take it out of the house. When I play WoW it gets hot and I can't find a comfortable set up for it. I've tried external displays and it is cumbersome and none of mine are good. I can't afford a Thunderbolt Display right now and All this money on accessories I should have just bought an iMac. Don't get me wrong it is an AMAZING computer the best I have ever owned but I want to be more happy about my purchase...

Just get a cheap e-IPS external monitor, like the LG IPS234V, the retina MBP's come with HDMI out don't they?

 

[Serban]

I mean I know gaming is not Macs main function but WoW is fully supported and it is the only computer game I play and I vastly prefer OS X to windows and the iLife suite.

I was thinking about getting an Mstand and magic mouse/keyboard for the house to get a good desktop feel at home and then if I do take it somewhere I'll still have my stuff since I'd have one computer instead of a desktop and laptop.

I love this laptop honestly the ONLY reason I regret not getting a desktop is my WoW experience on a notebook isn't as good as I hoped (I'd only ever played on desktops)

There is good though. It looks amazing running at the Retina resolution however that makes it hot and I can't play and I worry about it (and my fingers). If I run SMC fan control and put the settings on fair and halve the resolution and cap the FPS at 30 it doesn't get that hot but it's a shame I have to do that when it looks so damn good on the max resolution and on Good setting but it burns my fingers (and I worry about the CPU).

Thanks for responding guys. I still feel bad though...

There are no options graphic cards for that kind of resolution max out. Maybe in 2-3 years will be.

----------

but you can buy an 21.5" iMac..that it is the most portable desktop of them all.
just only 5kg

 

[ggibson913]

Exactly the Same Dilema

I was thinking the same way as you are. I am not a gamer but really wanted that big screen for photo editing. Plus I have an iPad so any work I need to do away from home I can do on that for the most part (it is not a replacement for a Macbook but it is at least almost a replacement). Any writing I need to do I can do in Pages and transfer to MS Word when needed. I currently have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 13.3 inch screen that I am replacing with an iMac 27". In the almost two years I have had it, I have never once needed to take it out of the house. Others have a good point about the UPS I may have to pick one up.

 

[Phat Demon]

I wouldn't know where to sell it for a good amount enough to cover or almost cover an iMac

 

[RcktMan77]

I'm sorry you have and I apologize I really appreciate the help. I don't know that I would be able to sell my MacBook for enough. I bought it for $1,700 and the 21" iMac is like $1,300

I'm thinking about saving a bit getting a Thunderbolt display. That way it's like using an iMac at home and when I go to class, starbucks, a friends, my parents, I can unplug it and take it. Is that a good way to go?

The lack of a discrete graphics card in the 13" is going to hinder your ability to play games on a Thunderbolt display substantially. The HD 4000 is a good integrated card, but the native resolution of the Thunderbolt Display would be pushing the limits of high end desktop cards in modern games. WoW isn't all that demanding, but you're still going to experience sub 20 fps when connected to a Thunderbolt Display with an HD 4000.

 

[TheEasterBunny]

I wouldn't know where to sell it for a good amount enough to cover or almost cover an iMac

This is why I say to just enjoy it full power, they are designed to run at just over 200F.
One consolation is the amount of depreciation now, is about the same as it would be next year. meaning it won't go down much more in a year.
So, save your money, enjoy it at full power, and sell it next year and get what you really need.
Be honest with yourself about what you truly want a computer for.

 

[Phat Demon]

This is why I say to just enjoy it full power, they are designed to run at just over 200F.
One consolation is the amount of depreciation now, is about the same as it would be next year. meaning it won't go down much more in a year.
So, save your money, enjoy it at full power, and sell it next year and get what you really need.
Be honest with yourself about what you truly want a computer for.

Honestly I think I will do this. I'll keep the MacBook Pro (because honestly I do love it and aside from gaming it is perfect for all my computing needs and a really awesome machine) and save up to replace my desktop (which is slow and should be replaced soonish anyway). It doesn't take me long to save money.

 

[jjhoekstra]

I'm sorry you have and I apologize I really appreciate the help. I don't know that I would be able to sell my MacBook for enough. I bought it for $1,700 and the 21" iMac is like $1,300

I'm thinking about saving a bit getting a Thunderbolt display. That way it's like using an iMac at home and when I go to class, starbucks, a friends, my parents, I can unplug it and take it. Is that a good way to go?

I am pretty sure that once you get the Thunderbolt display that you will regret getting that too. And than you have to sell both at a loss. Than again, I am also sure that would you have gotten the iMac you would have really missed missed the portability. So, why not be happy with what you have?

 

[SilverOath]

Honestly I think I will do this. I'll keep the MacBook Pro (because honestly I do love it and aside from gaming it is perfect for all my computing needs and a really awesome machine) and save up to replace my desktop (which is slow and should be replaced soonish anyway). It doesn't take me long to save money.

I was/am sort of in your situation. I found the ideal setup was to stay with the MBPro and get a Thunderbolt Display. At least in the SF area you can get a 27TB for around 550-600 with a little bit of patience on craigslist. There are cheaper alternatives and if that's more to your budget -- you do not need the 27TB, but it sure does fit well in the Apple ecosystem!

Your MBPro (any laptop really) will get hot but that doesn't matter. The only real draw back is it getting a little noisy. If you run it in clamshell as a mini desktop it works great and the docking capabilities of the 27TB for all intents and purposes make it a desktop while at home.

My other recommendation would be considering finding someone in the opposite situation (wants portability of rMBPRo 13) and has a rMBPro 15. I tried playing SC2 on a rMBPro 13 and was not very impressed - but the 13 series lacks quad core and dedicated graphics. I have been able to play SC/WoW at high settings at full TB resolution (even with the 2011 generation cMBPro 15) and have been very happy.

 

[tgi]

you do not need the 27TB, but it sure does fit well in the Apple ecosystem!

I don't know too much about the TB display, but can you explain the advantages of it over say a "regular" display using the HDMI port. I'm just curious to how it fits well into the Apple ecosystem.

 

[old-wiz]

[url=http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/starbuck_full.png]Image[/URL]

Good grief! I'm surprised Starbucks doesn't kick him out. That is way excessive.