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

Thinking of Downsizing.... Potential Issues? Things I forget?

James.K.Polk

James.K.Polk

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 31, 2015
865
333
Law student. Thinking of selling my 2015 15" Macbook Pro, and buying a 12" m5 Macbook. Trying to consider all the hidden costs (and more just the hidden annoyances) of moving away from what I've had for a while.

Just sold my 30" Cinema Display, which means I have no I/O mismatches if I just to USB-C - it also means I don't have a second display at all, so 12" is as much real estate as I have for now.

Would need to get a lighting to USB-C for that 1 time/month I plug my phone/Airpods into my Macbook. Printing is wireless. Don't use Ethernet.

Are there any 'hidden' issues anyone found making this transition? Is it even worth it?
 
My experience is slightly different. I went from 2011 15" MBP to 12" rMB.

So my non-retina screen and the new retina screen effectively show the same real-estate. I love the portability and, like you, seldom us the port except to charge.

If you don't need the processing power of the Pro, then you won't notice and speed difference. You seem to value screen size though as you had external monitor even with the 15". If I were you, I'd go hang out in a best buy or Apple Store and play around for 20 or so minutes.
 
get a usb3>usbC adapter (i have the nonda, from amazon); you can plug in any other drives, your iphone... then get on with it. one question: what do you use for backup? i'm backing up online (i use crashplan); and every few weeks, i back up to an external drive as well (carbon copy cloner).

otherwise, i love the simplicity of this. the 12" is great (as long as you're not doing pro audio or video....)
 
Well the actual portability aspect is SO much better in the 12" MacBook, as it transports like an iPad in your bag. As for peripherals, get a USB-C hub. And for external I/O, the LG 4K UltraFine literally seems like it was made for the 12" MacBook. I'm obsessed with it.
 
joshwithachance said:
Well the actual portability aspect is SO much better in the 12" MacBook, as it transports like an iPad in your bag. As for peripherals, get a USB-C hub. And for external I/O, the LG 4K UltraFine literally seems like it was made for the 12" MacBook. I'm obsessed with it.
Click to expand...

How do you find the LG combo and your MB?
 
a "USB Multiport AV Adaptor" and a "USB-C to USB-A cable".

Multiport for home use connected external hard disk for regular time machine and iPhone charge, and small cable for outside use.
 
joshwithachance said:
Probably my favorite computer set up yet. The MacBook has ZERO issues powering the monitor, and it's so damn easy to just unplug it and be on my way if needed.
Click to expand...

If you had to nitpick, what would you consider as shortcomings regarding that monitor?
 
kylera said:
If you had to nitpick, what would you consider as shortcomings regarding that monitor?
Click to expand...
It's only compatible with USB-C MacBooks. Otherwise there's actually nothing wrong with it. Only other nitpick would be size, but that's why the 5K version exists.
 
joshwithachance said:
It's only compatible with USB-C MacBooks. Otherwise there's actually nothing wrong with it. Only other nitpick would be size, but that's why the 5K version exists.
Click to expand...

I also imagine that since you said there were zero issues, you noticed next to no stuttering when you have multiple documents or windows open, and you're swapping back and forth between apps or desktops?
 
kylera said:
I also imagine that since you said there were zero issues, you noticed next to no stuttering when you have multiple documents or windows open, and you're swapping back and forth between apps or desktops?
Click to expand...
I've personally had no performance issues at all, shockingly! And that's been with my use of the monitor with both the new Pros and the 12" MacBook.
 
I have the USB-C compatible 27" LG 4K monitor. I wouldn't advise going any smaller on the monitor at the higher resolutions (text will be too small.) I have mine paired with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I highly recommend the Logitech K811 keyboard. The only thing I don't like having to re-pair my mouse when I switch between my work Thinkpad and the 12" Macbook. The Logitech K810/K811 make it really easy to switch between computers.
 
...don't expect it to work properly with an external monitor in bootcamp, and YMMV with regards to using on in OSX. If the LG is solid then great but there's a HUGE thread on the communities with regards to external monitor instability on the rMB. Returned mine, it was unusable.
 
James.K.Polk said:
Law student. Thinking of selling my 2015 15" Macbook Pro, and buying a 12" m5 Macbook. Trying to consider all the hidden costs (and more just the hidden annoyances) of moving away from what I've had for a while.

Just sold my 30" Cinema Display, which means I have no I/O mismatches if I just to USB-C - it also means I don't have a second display at all, so 12" is as much real estate as I have for now.

Would need to get a lighting to USB-C for that 1 time/month I plug my phone/Airpods into my Macbook. Printing is wireless. Don't use Ethernet.

Are there any 'hidden' issues anyone found making this transition? Is it even worth it?
Click to expand...

As a law grad, screen real estate is a pretty big deal for me. I had a 15" and routinely would be looking at two things side by side or typing in word on one side and have research up on the other. I also had 2 24" screens to plug into at home. I personally would have trouble writing briefs on just a 12" screen. If you had an external monitor for writing/research and used the 12" screen for taking notes in class, that could work.
 
Freyqq said:
As a law grad, screen real estate is a pretty big deal for me. I had a 15" and routinely would be looking at two things side by side or typing in word on one side and have research up on the other. I also had 2 24" screens to plug into at home. I personally would have trouble writing briefs on just a 12" screen. If you had an external monitor for writing/research and used the 12" screen for taking notes in class, that could work.
Click to expand...

Appreciated. I can already see how it may be an issue, though I tend to do the most 'more space' option which helps. Just a 1L, so I'm only getting to briefs now, but I do some work at a law firm and have another monitor there, so worst case I have screen real estate. Definitely enticed by the 1-cord USB-C monitors... perhaps out of my budget now, but once the Summer Associate money comes in this summer, it may be possible.

Thanks!
 
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