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Should I buy a MacBook Air as an accesssory to my 15" MacBook Pro?

Hieveryone

Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Original poster
Apr 11, 2014
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I recently bought a 2019 15" MacBook Pro base model.

I mainly use it monitor real time data around the clock except when I'm sleeping. This is pretty important for me to do.

I feel like I need another computer to do other work some of which is also important. I don't think I need the horsepower of a Pro machine as I'll mainly be writing documents, watching live video, and of course your standard YouTube, Twitter, web browsing, and so on.

I feel like I could keep the Pro machine to the side constantly running feeding me real time data, and then also have my MacBook Air in front me to take care of other work as well as just relax with Twitter, etc

I'm also considering a MacBook although I do feel like the 12" is on the small side
 
SandboxGeneral said:
Yes. Yes you should buy one. Fully spec'd too.
Click to expand...

Ok well I don't need fully spec'd because this is just as an accessory to the 2019 15" MacBook Pro base model I got.

I am looking for a good deal though maybe refurbished or some deals from Best Buy.

I do think that 128GB is too little though I mean that's just not much space.
 
hmm... If you have your "data-feed" on one side, and a MBAir in front of you -- don't you need a third laptop (this could be a nice Chromebook (if such exists), as the third unit would need almost no performance at all, just monitoring your heart rate, I suppose.
Just kidding...
Why do you think that a reasonably specced 15-inch could not handle your routine tasks, as well as your pretty minimal data functions. You have quite a lot of power in that one 15-inch.
-- that's pretty much what they are designed to do, don't you think?
 
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I went from a late 2013 Macbook Pro to an iMac (2019) and 13" MBP (2019). But that's because I need a capable machine on the go.

If you already have a capable, portable machine, in my opinion the improvement in portability isn't worth the extra dime.

Alternative Solution: A Macbook Pro Dock

You slide in the machine when you need office productivity, and slot it out for on-the-go.
 
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Hieveryone said:
I recently bought a 2019 15" MacBook Pro base model.

I mainly use it monitor real time data around the clock except when I'm sleeping. This is pretty important for me to do.

I feel like I need another computer to do other work some of which is also important. I don't think I need the horsepower of a Pro machine as I'll mainly be writing documents, watching live video, and of course your standard YouTube, Twitter, web browsing, and so on.

I feel like I could keep the Pro machine to the side constantly running feeding me real time data, and then also have my MacBook Air in front me to take care of other work as well as just relax with Twitter, etc

I'm also considering a MacBook although I do feel like the 12" is on the small side
Click to expand...
If you're looking to use your MBP as the stay at home workstation, and the other computer as your coffee shop 'get some things done' computer, and the MacBook (which I believe has been discontinued in the U.S.) seems small, a MacBook Air (128GB SSD, 8GB RAM, 2.75 lbs) at $1100 works.

So does a Surface Pro 6 (128GB SSD, 8GB, 1.7 lbs w/cover), keyboard, Pen, and Microsoft mouse that can be had for less than $900.

If the documents you are creating are not complex Word documents, you can get a 13" flip Chromebook (32GB SDD, 4GB storage, 3.3 lbs) for less than $400.
 
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Well, wondering why no one has suggested my solution which I did exactly almost because of your scenario having a larger laptop (well waiting for the 16 actually lol.....) I got the 12.9 IPad PRO loving it! So fast, light, powerful... perfect for on the go and Best Buy has them 200-400 off this weekend!
 
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DeltaMac said:
hmm... If you have your "data-feed" on one side, and a MBAir in front of you -- don't you need a third laptop (this could be a nice Chromebook (if such exists), as the third unit would need almost no performance at all, just monitoring your heart rate, I suppose.
Just kidding...
Why do you think that a reasonably specced 15-inch could not handle your routine tasks, as well as your pretty minimal data functions. You have quite a lot of power in that one 15-inch.
-- that's pretty much what they are designed to do, don't you think?
Click to expand...

That’s not it. I need to view both screens at the same time. I don’t want to have my complex data feed in another window.
 
I would just get a second monitor but if you want to swim against the stream and any common sense please be my guest and purchase another computer for every three new apps you’re getting. Personally I’d solve the issue of missing display space with additional monitors.
 
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If I may ask, what is this complex real time data? And why is it so important to warrant spending another 1000 dollars on a computer so you can always see the data? My short answer to your question is: absolutely not.
 
I didn't need another laptop as an accessory to my MBP, but I bought one anyway so my MBP would have its own pet. Looked lonely. Got a free bag of laptop litter and a squeak toy with purchase.
 
Hieveryone said:
I recently bought a 2019 15" MacBook Pro base model.

I mainly use it monitor real time data around the clock except when I'm sleeping. This is pretty important for me to do.

I feel like I need another computer to do other work some of which is also important. I don't think I need the horsepower of a Pro machine as I'll mainly be writing documents, watching live video, and of course your standard YouTube, Twitter, web browsing, and so on.

I feel like I could keep the Pro machine to the side constantly running feeding me real time data, and then also have my MacBook Air in front me to take care of other work as well as just relax with Twitter, etc

I'm also considering a MacBook although I do feel like the 12" is on the small side
Click to expand...
An iMac + MacBook Air setup would make more sense here. Not sure why you'd need two laptops.
 
Get a second monitor or an iPad. The iPad is even more portable and it can soon act as a second monitor to the MBP if you prefer to use it that way. You can add any bluetooth keyboard to it if you need to type a lot and remove it when you just want to prop it up to watch a movie. Not to mention you suddenly have access to iPad apps although MacOS will be getting access to those as well soon. Still having a touchscreen that is super portable can have its benefits as well and certain apps will function much better as a touchscreen.

Is this data just being monitored? I find it hard to believe you need a 15" 6 core for that. Why not use the cheaper device to view the data and the 15" as the better performing machine for other tasks.
 
Personally, I think the real question that needs to be answered first is: do you really need a second machine to do what you want? If so, then go for either a MBA or iPad Pro. It sounds like all you need is the extra screen real estate, so my primary suggestion would be to use a second monitor. If your extra activities (web browsing, etc.) will bog down your MBP (unlikely), then a MBA is a reasonable solution..... although very expensive. I have a 6 get iPad and it's been a great little laptop replacement for me in many ways, enough for me to use it with a keyboard at times. I do understand wanting a second machine though. I just find it unnecessary with what little you've described.
 
AustinIllini said:
I know this isn't the question, but I would at least try the iPad Pro. It's cheaper and an absolute screamer.
Click to expand...

This 100% . with the upcomming ipadOS, it opens the door to a wide of features like sidecar, where he can use the ipad as a second screen with his 15' . its ultra portable too . the only question is what size to get .
 
If the OP does go the route of the iPad, the downside is that it's still a separate machine for the time being. Probably would require a keyboard at the least to run it now, side by side with the MBP, for what the OP wants. I could be wrong, but I think we might be overlooking the fact that sidecar isn't an actual "thing" just yet.

Still, I think the iPad is the best option for the OP
 
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