Air & iMac or wait for new MBP?

[Trimmer2]

I currently have a MacBook Pro built in '05 so we're coming up on a 3 year old MBP. I love it don't get me wrong but, it's time to upgrade for more storage and etc...

My initial thoughts were to wait for the new MBP expected in June or fall. I can wait but, have thought of another solution. Currently I'm connected to a 23" Cinemax display and wireless mouse and keyboard. Good set up in my opinion and I'm quite content. I would probably keep the same set up with a new MBP.

My other solution would be to purchase the MBAir and an iMac. I like the horsepower of the iMac and the portability of the Air. What issues besides Air storage would there be in keeping the two synced? I'm often on the road for a week or two at a time but, at home I'd like to have my iPhoto, iTunes and other storage intensive programs accessible. Not necessary as my iPod takes care of the tunes and important pics currently.

Is this a valid option or should I just wait for the new MBP? What other suggestions for a power user at home and a road warrior? ...I also NEED to stay current with technology so, that's a factor too..

 

[Philflow]

Have you considered upgrading the harddrive in your MBP?

There are new 320GB harddisks that deliver very good performance, or 200GB that deliver the best performance.
http://www.storagereview.com/php/be...&numDrives=1&devID_0=355&devID_1=359&devCnt=2

 

[Trimmer2]

I haven't considered a hard drive upgrade. I'm also looking for new graphics card, more memory, faster wifi and etc... 3 years is OLD for a laptop and 1.5 years longer than I've ever gone. It's just time to upgrade/freshen up.

Besides the $$'s what are the pit falls of an Air and iMac combo vs. new MBP?

 

[nick9191]

You must have a powerbook not a macbook pro if you got it in 05.

I would just go for the current macbook pro if you need it now, the next update wont add any worthwhile features really. The current ones are still at a good price point as well.

I would pick up an external display as well so at home you can use the nicer screen. This will be cheaper, and will let you have all your work on one computer.

Edit: Oh you already have a display, even better.

 

[jnc]

Wait for the new MacBook Pro. It's a portable iMac, and two machines gets irritating after a while if you plan to use them both frequently - which I'm sure you'd want to in the case of a brand new iMac and MBA. I have a Mac Pro (FS - see sig! ) and a MacBook and I enjoy using the MP at home but obviously once on the move I require the MacBook. The MBP offers the best of both worlds - (power/portability)

 

[rom]

Wait

If you can wait, wait until you find the configuration that suits both your needs and budget.

 

[jonswan]

I have the iMac / MBA set up and for me it's perfect - they are both excellent machines. I like having both especially if one breaks down, the portability of the MBA is amazing. However, only you can decide if it's worth changing your set up completely. Go play with them at the Apple store and take your time deciding.

 

[ayeying]

Im awaiting for the new MBP to replace my air as a primary computer. I agree with some ppl saying iMac + Air would be a great combo for when one system dies or such, but for me, its a hassle to use 2 systems with 2 different sets of files and settings and such.

 

[twoodcc]

my question is how do you sync the files?

 

[juro]

iMac and MBA are perfect - I have the same setup right now. Of course, my iMac is an older G5, but the complement each other very well. I get the storage and power from the iMac and I get the portability and form factor of the Air.

If you can afford to buy them both brand new - I'd say go for it!

 

[Philflow]

I would always choose a separate desktop and ultraportable. Laptops of 2,5 kilo are not meant for the road.

Plus I don't like unpacking my bag, connecting and disconnecting my portable to power, LCD, keyboard every time I get home.

my question is how do you sync the files?

I use my gmail account to sync some small files, like bookmarks. For the rest I don't sync.

 

[jnc]

my question is how do you sync the files?

It would be cool if you could sync your folders iPod-style

 

[wordmunger]

I have pretty much the setup you describe. I use .mac and iDisk to keep my most important files available on both computers. It's not ideal though because iDisk is not backed up through time machine. I'd love to know of a better way to keep files synced.

For access to all my files I could use Back to My Mac, but I've never needed it.

For mail syncing I use gMail's web platform on the MBA and only download the messages to Mail on the iMac.

Overall, it works great to have an iMac and an MBA. You could get the smaller 20-inch iMac and pair it up with your 23-inch display to have a very nice system.

 

[i0Nic]

I'm in the exact same situation but I'm coming from a MB not a MBP.

I still haven't made up my mind yet, also wondering about the syncing problem and if it would be too much of a hassle to be worth it. A big fear is paying for two premium computers and only using one of them the majority of time. I am at my desk 80% of the time, however that might be because my laptop is tethered to the display and I can't be bothered unplugging/plugging all the time.

 

[jnc]

I have pretty much the setup you describe. I use .mac and iDisk to keep my most important files available on both computers. It's not ideal though because iDisk is not backed up through time machine. I'd love to know of a better way to keep files synced.

For access to all my files I could use Back to My Mac, but I've never needed it.

For mail syncing I use gMail's web platform on the MBA and only download the messages to Mail on the iMac.

Overall, it works great to have an iMac and an MBA. You could get the smaller 20-inch iMac and pair it up with your 23-inch display to have a very nice system.

Or... he could get a MBP and plug the display directly into that when at home, not have to worry about file overlaps and save a boatload of money. HMMM, DECISIONS.

 

[wordmunger]

Or... he could get a MBP and plug the display directly into that when at home, not have to worry about file overlaps and save a boatload of money. HMMM, DECISIONS.

Sure, it's up to him. Personally I prefer to have a much more portable computer. Every time I look at my wife's PowerBook, I think to myself what a clunky, ungainly thing it is. I barely notice the MBA when I put it into my bag to carry around. I can't say that about the iBook G4 I used to carry. I also like not having to plug a mouse and display into my laptop whenever I want to get down to serious work. For me, it's great to have a central, always-on computer that can serve up music and photos to the rest of the house. But for other people, those things aren't as important as saving $700 or so, depending on your configuration.

 

[jnc]

Sure, it's up to him. Personally I prefer to have a much more portable computer. Every time I look at my wife's PowerBook, I think to myself what a clunky, ungainly thing it is. I barely notice the MBA when I put it into my bag to carry around. I can't say that about the iBook G4 I used to carry. I also like not having to plug a mouse and display into my laptop whenever I want to get down to serious work. For me, it's great to have a central, always-on computer that can serve up music and photos to the rest of the house. But for other people, those things aren't as important as saving $700 or so, depending on your configuration.

more like $1000 at the least... that's the price gap between a MBP and the MBA/iMac combo, at base specs...

 

[wordmunger]

more like $1000 at the least... that's the price gap between a MBP and the MBA/iMac combo, at base specs...

Or $500 if you get the 512 MB video card. Whatever. Look, if you really want to save money, you could get a Mac mini and a MacBook for less than a MBP. Clearly money's not such a big deal to this guy. I'm just saying that the ultra-portability is worth it to some people, and it's worth it to me.

 

[jnc]

Or $500 if you get the 512 MB video card. Whatever. Look, if you really want to save money, you could get a Mac mini and a MacBook for less than a MBP. Clearly money's not such a big deal to this guy. I'm just saying that the ultra-portability is worth it to some people, and it's worth it to me.

If 2.4lb weight difference + gimped features on the move at the cost of $1k is his thing, he needs medical diagnosis. Everything in the OP suggests he'd go for MBP anyway.

 

[wordmunger]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

This debate has been going on ever since the MBA was announced. If you don't want an MBA, DON'T GET ONE!

 

[jnc]

If you don't want an MBA, DON'T GET ONE!

Settle down sir. I'd love an MBA, but I just can't rationalise it. Seeing as this guy is trying to make a choice rather than just going for one or the other, I guess he's trying to weigh things up too.

 

[wordmunger]

Settle down sir. I'd love an MBA, but I just can't rationalise it. Seeing as this guy is trying to make a choice rather than just going for one or the other, I guess he's trying to weigh things up too.

Look, I'm just tired of the same old arguments being repeated over and over again. As I said many times in this thread, for some people, it's worth paying for portability. Others, not so much. Personally I can't understand why anyone would pay the exorbitant monthly rates for iPhone service. Others seem to be happy to pay. I'm willing to pay a $700 premium over a MacBook to save 2 pounds in an MBA. Others think I'm crazy. That's life. No logical argument is going to convince me that it wasn't worth it to me to pay the extra for the MBA.

 

[i0Nic]

I am leaning towards a MBP+display setup for the cost effectiveness and simplicity of not having to transfer files. The two main things I'm giving up with this configuration are 1) A very portable laptop, 2) Giving up using the laptop as intended (since it will mainly be in desktop mode).

However for the times I do decide to take it with me I think this setup will be more useful than having a whole other computer with a premium price just sitting around idle most of the time. I think if I was going to be carrying around a laptop every day to work or wherever I would go for the iMac and MBA option, but carrying a MBP around the house and to work once every couple of weeks won't drain me.

For my needs I think mbp/display is the best option... however even better would be a more capable Macbook Air + display.

Since I'm upgrading at the start of next year, I'm really hoping that sometime around then the MBA gets updated to a 2ghz processor with 4gb RAM, 128gb SSD and a better integrated vid card. I think those specs would allow me to get the Air over the MBP, barring massive price difference.

 

[Philflow]

Settle down sir. I'd love an MBA, but I just can't rationalise it.

It's the people that need to rationalize their decision that you see carrying around 2,5 kilo laptops

 

[ninjapenguinart]

You could always get an Eee 900 (with linux) if all you want is portability, and it's only $550.