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HaddockW

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 4, 2017
117
93
San Francisco
I have a 2016 15” touch bar, loaded. 16gb/1TBSSD.

And I got a new job and they gave me a 2017 (new in box) 13” non-touchbar w/ 2 thunderbolt ports. This one has 8GB/256GB.

Now, what should I do with 2 MacBooks. Same color, space grey. Obviously, I will only do work related stuff on my 13”. And keep my 15” for home stuff. I suppose. Just feels strange to have both. At least, I can use my two Thunderbolt 3 docks and USB-c docks/ssd/drives.
 
I have a work computer for work, nothing personal goes on it, and a home computer for personal stuff. If you only surf and do light office stuff, there's probably no reason to have both, so sell the 15"

For me, I have my software, images, taxes and all of my personal data on my home computer, there's no way I'm putting that on my work computer
 
I have a work computer for work, nothing personal goes on it, and a home computer for personal stuff. If you only surf and do light office stuff, there's probably no reason to have both, so sell the 15"

For me, I have my software, images, taxes and all of my personal data on my home computer, there's no way I'm putting that on my work computer

I am in the same situation as you @maflynn so could not get rid of 15 but otherwise if your use @HaddockW is very light just keep the 13 inch.
 
I have a work computer for work, nothing personal goes on it, and a home computer for personal stuff. If you only surf and do light office stuff, there's probably no reason to have both, so sell the 15"

For me, I have my software, images, taxes and all of my personal data on my home computer, there's no way I'm putting that on my work computer

Are you working form home or do you have a separate place you go to? I work from home, I am intrigued by your idea of two computers for work and pleasure. If possible, elaborate. :)
 
Are you working form home or do you have a separate place you go to? I work from home, I am intrigued by your idea of two computers for work and pleasure. If possible, elaborate. :)
I do work from home, but in the past I commuted and had a work laptop and a home computer. I split my time between the office and home at this point
 
I do work from home, but in the past I commuted and had a work laptop and a home computer. I split my time between the office and home at this point

And use two computers in those two times? Or your new MBP does double duty?
 
I do. Only because I cannot get anyone to purchase my 13” at a decent price on Craigslist. People are really cheapskates.

For a while I used it as a second computer, but carrying both my work laptop (employer provided ) and my personal laptop with me during my commute got old and I reaplace the MacBook Pro 13” with an iPad. Much lighter and does what I need it to during the bumpy train ride to work.
 
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For a while I used it as a second computer, but carrying both my work laptop (employer provided ) and my personal laptop with me during my commute got old and I reaplace the MacBook Pro 13” with an iPad. Much lighter and does what I need it to during the bumpy train ride to work.

I hear you on this. I am doing this now. I was carrying my 15” along with my work issued Dell. Simply because I have freelance work on the side. Clients, patiently, sometimes ask me to fix things which I do on my lunch break on my personal time. I can quickly SSH in and do my thing. I’ve been exploring doing it with my iPad Pro. SSH/SQL/AWS.

Carrying two laptops, my backpack weighed in at 12 lbs.

But now with a 13”, it doesn’t make sense to do both. I can load up an Ubuntu VM/ w/a USB dongle so it doesn’t go on any work network. The VM can connect directly to a phone via USB for networking and I can run it off an encrypted SSD.
But I rather not risk it. So I am gonna carry my Dell 2-in-1 (Surface 3 clone) which has thunderbolt 3/USB-C so I use one charging/cable/docking station in a pinch.

What I really want is a 12” MacBook as a throw-around second computer to put in my backpack. Or a Windows equivalent with that weight and USB-C ports. In fact, I only want USB-C/Thunderbolt with my current setup.


I will definitely not do any personal stuff on my work issued laptop.
 
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I have a 2015 15", a 2017 13" from an organization I do work with, and a 2018 15".

The 2017 13" is just too small - it works, but I don't care for it at all.

The 2018 is improved over the 2016/17, with keyboard feel, at least, to say nothing of CPU performance.

The 2015 is my preferred one, though, having a substantial feel and a keyboard that works well.
 
I have a work computer Dell Latitude 14”, I hate having to use it. I use it only if I need to get on the company Intranet VPN. 2 times a year maybe, sign up for insurance etc. Otherwise I use my 2016 13” MBP TB mostly and taking delivery of a 2017 15” this week to replace the 13”. Handing down the 13”. Our company software can be accessed from any platform. Adding company mail via outlook exchange on your MBP is very easy. I like using my personal computer for work and play. I can’t even add a printer driver on the Dell without going thru IT.
 
I carry two 15" MacBook Pro and a Surface Pro.

For example stuff my designer sends me are all Mac only and stuff my marketing guys sends requires Windows. I use a Mac for personal stuff. I keep work and personal separate.

Sometimes you just got to suck it up.
 
I would never put personal stuff on a work laptop. That machine doesn't belong to you and anything you put on there will be monitored by your employer. It's just asking for trouble to put sensitive credentials on a device that can be taken away from you at any moment and out of your control.

In fact, I don't even put my personal machine on the company network. I use the guest WiFi sometimes with my own VPN or I tether to my phone. No point in having personal stuff go through the employer's network either. Having done corporate security myself, it amazes me how people blur the lines between their personal stuff and work, almost always to their own detriment.

@alphaod, do you think you can use a virtualization solution to save on having to carry a Surface around as well?
 
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I would never put personal stuff on a work laptop. That machine doesn't belong to you and anything you put on there will be monitored by your employer. It's just asking for trouble to put sensitive credentials on a device that can be taken away from you at any moment and out of your control.

In fact, I don't even put my personal machine on the company network. I use the guest WiFi sometimes with my own VPN or I tether to my phone. No point in having personal stuff go through the employer's network either. Having done corporate security myself, it amazes me how people blur the lines between their personal stuff and work, almost always to their own detriment.

@alphaod, do you think you can use a virtualization solution to save on having to carry a Surface around as well?

I can for sure and I do. My work Mac runs Windows for work stuff in Parallels. I actually prefer using my Surface Pro above my Macs go figure huh.
 
I do. Have a 2017 15" 16GB 512GB and a 2017 13" 3.1, 8gb, 256GB. I am retired. I take the 13" on trips and the coffee shop, the 15" is a desktop for me. I bought the 13" discounted heavily. Was hard to resist.
 
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