The ideal combination of Apple products (to maxirmize productivity)

[ixodes]

The perfect combination is based on personal preference involving so many variables, there is no single ideal solution.

Long ago I became very proficient at keeping multiple computers in sync, so that's not a road block for me. I've got a system so well sorted out, it's superfast & easy.

Spending so much time computing for work & personal, I like to have choices so as to not get bored with just one. Then taking into consideration my work takes me all over the world part of the year, there's frequent air travel to consider.

When in one of my offices or the design lab I use a T-Bolt display via one of my laptops or Mac Pro.

Here's the list of my Apple tools:

17" MBP
15" MBP
13" MBA
11" MBA
Mac Pro
iPhone 4S
iPad 3

 

[ep1cn00bt00b]

Go with:
MacBook Pro of your choice, I'd recommend the 15" model ($1799). Upgrade the RAM to 16gb ($77)
iPhone 5 (TBA)
iPad 3 ($499)
Apple TV3 ($99)
and a 24" external monitor to pair with the MacBook ($149). IMO the thunderbolt display is a waste of money for the average consumer with simple computing tasks.

 

[chaseychasem]

and a 24" external monitor to pair with the MacBook ($149). IMO the thunderbolt display is a waste of money for the average consumer with simple computing tasks.

In the past month I've consolidated from a PC desktop + netbook setup to the MBP. Unexpectedly, I'm now waiting for the TBD refresh to pair one with the notebook for more workroom at home. I tried a third-party external display (HP ZR2440w), but whether on account of poor implementation of 650M drivers, OS X font rendering/smoothing, or the antiglare coating on the monitor, or some combination of these, the text gave me a headache at 1920x1200, even via DisplayPort. Admittedly, I'm coming from the world of ClearType, but I found the viewing experience unacceptable. Plenty of people have complained lately of third-party display blurriness, in fact, and the common variable between all cases seems to be more the 650M than Retina.

So, sure, by all means, find a cheaper monitor. It's good advice. I tried, and when after a couple of days it came time to return, Newegg cut me some slack by halving the restocking fee and providing complimentary shipping. Not trying my luck again, of course, and looking forward to the docking capabilities of the TBD. If the gloss doesn't turn me into a raging narcissist.

 

[grapels]

bumping thread instead of a new one...

Surprised so little use of the mac pro. And yes, it depends on personal needs. I personally can't stand the new Imac glossy screens...

for me, and something I've thought about for awhile...

I use

Mac Pro with dual 23" matte cinema displays @ 1920x1200
I do layout and video work so color accuracy and availability of more cheap ram/hdd space, best discrete vid cards is a must.
and an 11" macbook air.

portability yet still os x on the go... work horse at home office.

ipad as a laptop replacement is not doable for my needs, doesn't run any programs I need. As for phones, I actually don't care for iOS that much and until recently all iphones are under contract which i don't like, I have an android phone, love os x though.