To those who use a rMB as their main machine...

[Eggtastic]

Do you have a docking set up? I am considering picking up a Dell 25in 1440p, a desk arm / laptop tray combo, keyboard and mouse to use when I want more screen real estate. I would also need to get that stupid apple usb-c / HDMI adapter but I guess it still beats getting a full blown computer which I don't need.

Anyway, I ask because the rMB seems like a secondary pc to most, however some have been getting great productivity done on it. For me, my uses are light, so this would just allow more screen real estate and to not be cramped up with the compact typing / scrolling.

I want a 4k display, but not sure I need it as I don't game and if I watch videos its youtube and some clips. So i figured 1440p would be a good step with the price (feel free to comment on that).

Any comments / suggestions?

 

[Legionnaire]

I have it as my only pc, I got rid of my 15 inch after I bought this. I dont use secondary etc, I think its perfect for the everyday laptop for home or college. Then again, I have a iPhone SE, I dont really care about big screens. I have good vision and doesn't strain me to see or read

 

[maerz001]

It's also my only computer and it works fine for me. I just use from time to time a 3D mouse for CAD work.

For streaming movies I hook it up via hdmi dongle to my TV

 

[OldMike]

I didn't think I would, but I use my 2016 rMB m5 512GB/8GB as my main machine. I also have a Dell U2515H 1440P monitor that I hook up to.

Funny thing about that Dell monitor, I purchased it after returning a Samsung 40" curved 4K TV I purchased to use as a monitor. It had chroma 4:4:4 - but it was just so big and there was so much light coming at me, that I returned it. After going from 4K to 1440P, I was shocked at how much I preferred the Dell U2515H. I think for 25" 1440P is about perfect. And although I didn't know I would be getting a rMB at the time, 1440P is probably a great monitor for the rMB since it doesn't require a ton of effort to drive the pixels.

Anyway, what I found useful for using my rMB as a full time machine are these items:

• OWC USB-C Dock: https://www.owcdigital.com/products/usb-c-dock/
  
  I use this dock in my office where the Dell is. I have other monitors that are connected to a tower pc, but find one monitor along with my rMB screen works pretty well. This hub provides power to the MacBook, so I don't need to tote around the power adapter. I keep a keyboard, mouse and the monitor hooked up (along with some external drives) and can just unplug the MacBook and go.
  
  
• Aukey USB-C Hub: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZPM6VQ
  
  I use the Aukey hub in the house. I have my iPad hooked up to it, an external drive, keyboard, and other items at times. I had watched a lot of reviews about all of these USB-C hubs and this one seemed to perform the best when it had multiple external drives hooked up. I was originally going to get a HooToo, but in the test I had seen it did not perform well with external drives.
  
  
• Faracent USB Type C Extension Cable - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071DMMW4J
  
  The integrated cable on the Aukey hub was fine when I had the MacBook sitting on the counter, but it was too short when I decided to raise up the MacBook. This USB-C extension was not the cheapest - but it seems to be very good quality and worth the few bucks extra.
  
  
• Limeno MacBook Stand: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZXXRP8W
  
  All I can say wow, pretty nice quality stand. Surprised how nice it is for the price. I bought one of these for my daughter, and decided to try it out with my MacBook and knew that I needed to get one for myself. When I am in the house I setup on the counter at the breakfast bar. I like standing when I work. When I put the MacBook on this stand, it is sitting just below eye level - which is great. Before using the stand, my neck would hurt and I sometimes felt like the 12" screen was just a little to small. But now it doesn't feel like a compromise at all.
  
  
• Nixeus Moda Pro Mechanical Keyboard: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DXVUDEA
  
  Ok, there are some who hate these new low travel keyboards, and there are some who love them. I don't mind them - BUT when I am doing work, I have to have a real keyboard with a numeric keypad. This mechanical keyboard is a fantastic deal. I had been looking at more expensive ones and decided to give this one a try. It is extremely heavy duty and very nice. Another great deal in my opinion. It comes with Mac specific keys. You will only have one option key on the left side of the spacebar - but that does not bother me at all. I can type on this blue switch mechanical keyboard WAY faster than any laptop keyboard. When I am working, I need a real keyboard and mouse - no exceptions....
  
  
• Duet Display: https://www.duetdisplay.com
  
  At first I thought this was going to be a novelty, and maybe not work so well. But like having a real keyboard, I really like have a second display (ok, no, I need to have a second display). On the counter in the house I don't have a ton of room. I have had a couple of displays on there before - but it just seems a bit much. I normally like having a second display for documentation or toolbars. Duet Display and an iPad fits the bill for this. It works pretty well and I think it is amazing that in one small bag, I can have a MacBook and an external display that I can setup anywhere - fantastic, haha.

Ok, all of these probably are not necessary for everyone. I found, though, that this setup works really well and has allowed me to make this rMB my primary machine. My intention when buying the rMB was just to hold out until a new Mac Mini was released, or perhaps maybe an iMac (when I became demoralized enough about a lack of a new Mac Mini). My current setup with my rMB, though, works really well - and I am in no hurry to switch to anything else now.

Disclaimer: If Apple does release a new Mac Mini, I am buying one, I have waited too long. I will keep the rMB, though!

 

[dgdosen]

I didn't think I would, but I use my 2016 rMB m5 512GB/8GB as my main machine. I also have a Dell U2515H 1440P monitor that I hook up to.

• OWC USB-C Dock: https://www.owcdigital.com/products/usb-c-dock/
  
  I use this dock in my office where the Dell is. I have other monitors that are connected to a tower pc, but find one monitor along with my rMB screen works pretty well. This hub provides power to the MacBook, so I don't need to tote around the power adapter. I keep a keyboard, mouse and the monitor hooked up (along with some external drives) and can just unplug the MacBook and go.

Disclaimer: If Apple does release a new Mac Mini, I am buying one, I have waited too long. I will keep the rMB, though!

Did you go with a DisplayPort or HDMI version?

 

[OldMike]

Did you go with a DisplayPort or HDMI version?

OWC had the HDMI version on sale for $99, so I ended purchasing that version. The display port version was going to be $50 more and I didn't think it was worth it for my needs. I also had intentions of hooking it to other displays that did not have display ports.

 

[Eggtastic]

OWC had the HDMI version on sale for $99, so I ended purchasing that version. The display port version was going to be $50 more and I didn't think it was worth it for my needs. I also had intentions of hooking it to other displays that did not have display ports.

I have to ask, what is better display port or HDMI?

 

[OldMike]

I have to ask, what is better display port or HDMI?

Generally, DisplayPort is better. But on these OWC USB-C docks, both the mini DisplayPort and the HDMI only support up to 4K @30Hz. So really, they are not that much different on that specific hub.

 

[Neodym]

I have to ask, what is better display port or HDMI?

Anecdotal: I have experienced more problems with DP connections (recurring signal loss, requiring re-plugging the cable) than with HDMI. Might be related to the maker of my work PC though ...

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Anecdotal: I have experienced more problems with DP connections (recurring signal loss, requiring re-plugging the cable) than with HDMI. Might be related to the maker of my work PC though ...

This is almost always the other way round with macs, just so you know, macs have been supporting mini display port since 2010 and their software works very well with it. Not so much hdmi which was never more than an afterthought.