Air & iMac or wait for new MBP?

[netdog]

An iMac and an MBA make for a great solution. Assembling and disassembling your home work setup is much more of a hassle than you might think.

As for keeping the critical documents that you need in sync on both machines, there are a number of easy automatic software-based solutions.

I used to carry around a MacBook Pro. The MBA really is much more portable.

 

[Satori]

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.

Absolutely!

I don't know why folks who don't want an MBA themselves seem so determined that no one else should want one!

 

[i0Nic]

An iMac and an MBA make for a great solution. Assembling and disassembling your home work setup is much more of a hassle than you might think.

As for keeping the critical documents that you need in sync on both machines, there are a number of easy automatic software-based solutions.

I used to carry around a MacBook Pro. The MBA really is much more portable.

I kind of agree with you on the assembling/disassembling the home setup being a hassle with a laptop/display setup. It's like this, I'm at my desk right now with that very setup, I would probably be more comfortable downstairs in front of the fireplace (it's cold here). However my laptop is tethered and it would be a hassle unplugging it and then knowing I'd have to replug everything later.. so I stay here.

Also coming home from uni, I can't just sit down at my desk and browse the net. I have to unpack my bag and hook everything up to use my computer. It can be a bit of a hassle.

However which is more of a negative, syncing files and maintaining two computers, or reassembling your home setup. It's a hard decision with some factors to weigh up like, how often are you going to be taking your laptop on the road or to the office? If it's every day, then you might be better off with a smaller less capable laptop (MBA) and a desktop computer.

If it's not too often like me, then maybe the MBP/display option is best. Or even an iMac and an EEEPC. An EEE to keep costs down and so I don't feel so guilty for not using it too often as it's not as freakin expensive as a MBA.

 

[jnc]

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.

I don't even know when this winded up being a MBA discussion. My original point was that MBP seems more convenient than having two computers and all the data swapping that might incur, but it got lost in the fire.

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

If I can only choose one Mac (which is the case) I'll take the 1kg hit in weight for all those extra features any day. However much I love the MBA it wouldn't be viable as a primary computer for my requirements. If I had a powerful home computer I'd certainly go for the MBA as my road machine.

I kind of agree with you on the assembling/disassembling the home setup being a hassle with a laptop/display setup. It's like this, I'm at my desk right now with that very setup, I would probably be more comfortable downstairs in front of the fireplace (it's cold here). However my laptop is tethered and it would be a hassle unplugging it and then knowing I'd have to replug everything later.. so I stay here.

Also coming home from uni, I can't just sit down at my desk and browse the net. I have to unpack my bag and hook everything up to use my computer. It can be a bit of a hassle.

I hope I will be okay in the home environment with a MBP acting as a DTR. I've a Cintiq I'd need to plug into the DVI and USB, but USB devices will be managed with a hub. Then two fw800 external hard drives, daisy-chained and using just one port.

So, fw800, USB hub, DVI and power. Four things to connect. I hope that doesn't get as annoying as you make out

 

[grandeabc]

For me, the MBPro is like a desktop, because it is too heavy and too big. The MBA is the best solution for portability, and better if you can buy a desktop (iMac). So, if you can buy only one machine, get the MBPro. But, if you can pay more, the best option is to have a MBA plus an iMAC. I had the MBPro and I quite never carry it out, beucause it is too heavy. Even at home the MBPro was not nice to carry. Now, I have a MBA and I'll buy an iMac in this Week. For sync I'm thinking about SyncTogether app instead of dot Mac. Also, if you do not neew to carry a MB, and if you have already a display, as you really have, I would buy (in you case) a MBA + TimeCapsule 1tb (to stream midia) and use your display at home.
Best solution for you, in my point of view: MBA + TimeCapsule 1tb, in case you do not run heavy programs for work.

 

[beast]

it depends.....

This decision really depends on how much power you need on the move..... If you don't need a lot of power and disk space when you are away from the desk, then the air and imac combo is a good one. However, if your portable needs stretch beyond basic everyday computing, then get an MBP.

 

[johnnyjibbs]

What's the hassle in taking a laptop out of a bag and plugging the power cable in? You have to do that with the MBA when you get home anyway. I would say keeping files synced between computers is actually more of a hassle.

 

[i0Nic]

What's the hassle in taking a laptop out of a bag and plugging the power cable in? You have to do that with the MBA when you get home anyway. I would say keeping files synced between computers is actually more of a hassle.

Agree with the fact it may be more of a hassle to keep the computers synced then having to plug in. However... it is more than just having to plug in a power cable and you're done. Personally, I have an array of connections, I use up basically all the ports on the macbook at my desk. In addition, I have to wake the computer, enable both the screens, which then requires me to re-adjust the window sizes of the various apps I've had open on the smaller macbook screen. Before I do this I have to walk upstairs, unpack my bag, unzip the macbook out of it's case and place it on the stand.

I know this sounds fairly trivial, but when you do this routine every day, sometimes I think it would just be easier to have a seperate desktop Mac and a portable. That way my laptop can be as intended to be used portably. It could live downstairs where I'd most like to use it. In addition, when I got home all I'd have to do to start computing is either stay downstairs with my laptop, or go upstairs and press a single key on the keyboard and my iMac would wake.

However.... the dreaded syncing issue comes into play, and this is the main reason that's stopping me from going this route.

 

[Philflow]

What's the hassle in taking a laptop out of a bag and plugging the power cable in?

Well in my case:
-unpacking bag
-plugging in power cable in Air and in power outlet
-plugging in mini DVI cable
-plugging in keyboard and mouse

And then when I leave I would have to un plug everything and pack my bag.

On average I would have to pack & unpack twice a day.

You have to do that with the MBA when you get home anyway.

No I leave it in my bag. And work at my desktop at home.

I would say keeping files synced between computers is actually more of a hassle.

Well maybe in your case, not in my case.

I do most of my work online, so I hardly sync files.

 

[i0Nic]

Well maybe in your case, not in my case.

I do most of my work online, so I hardly sync files.

Tell me more about how you do your work that you don't often require to sync.

 

[Philflow]

Tell me more about how you do your work that you don't often require to sync.

Part of my job is a lot of email: I use a gmail account

Other part of my job is updating a website; all files are online. I work in Adobe dreamweaver which is installed on both systems.

For the rest I read a lot of stuff, also online.

The only syncing I sometimes do is the bookmark file of Firefox, I save that as a draft in my gmail account. Takes hardly 5 seconds.

 

[jnc]

Before I do this I have to walk upstairs,

OH

unpack my bag,

THE

unzip the macbook out of it's case

HORROR!

I know this sounds fairly trivial

Sure does. Phew, I think I'll survive

 

[wordmunger]

OH
THE
HORROR!

Sure does. Phew, I think I'll survive

Give it up. Some people find this inconvenient. Clearly you don't. We get it.

 

[jnc]

Give it up. Some people find this inconvenient. Clearly you don't. We get it.

okay, dad.

 

[mhnajjar]

I am sorry guys for digging this up, but I am interested to know the OP's decision because I am thinking of doing a 24" iMac + 1.6 MBA!

 

[bb10lue]

I have the 24'' imac and 80hdd macbook air, IMO its the PERFECT combo!! Absolutely LOVE it!!! I do most of my works on imac (love the big screen), and macbook air when im away(man....its amazing!!!).

 

[agent mac]

go for iMac/MBA

I recently upgraded my kit from a G5 MacPro and a 12" Powerbook to a 3GHz iMac and a 1.8 Ghz/64 GB MBA. I couldn't be happier with them. I had worries about the reflections on the iMac, and the truth is it's a complete non issue. As for the Air, reading these forums I was really wondering whether I'd made a horrible mistake, but again, my machine is fast, silent, and yesterday I callibrated the battery and to run it down played videos on YouTube for half an hour and it was absolutely fine!

As for the amount of memory...if you reinstall the OS and leave out things like Printer Drivers for printers you won't meet, and odd languages and GarageBand etc, and then you run Xslimmer to take out the PPC code, you end up with plenty of memory for a machine out on the road. I have Word, Excel and Powerpoint 2008 on mine, with Pages and Numbers, Aperture, Xslimmer and Starry Night, and I have 44GB free. That's plenty for a decent selection of music and photos and enough documents to keep anyone busy.

So what you do end up with is a light machine that doesn't weigh your bag down, is powerful enough for most things you'd want to do away from home, and a beast of a desktop for any hardcore video work etc.

Good luck!!

 

[jnc]

Until recently I had a Mac Pro and a MacBook, moved to a MacBook Pro 15"

I couldn't go back. The 15" matte screens are glorious, bright and size/resolution makes for a notably larger workspace; the difference in physical dimension + weight ARE negligible - MBP feels no heavier, and even fits in my old MacBook sleeve...

The iMac/MBA really is an extravagance, and I'd never opt for two glossy machines - especially not a powerful home machine with fixed display. If anything, I'd hunt for a 24" white iMac. Anyway, if you can afford the iMac/MBA setup, I'd strongly recommend MBP + a huge external display instead, unless the MBA's -2.4lb weight-for-performance trade off is going to make a WORLD of difference to you.

 

[Sound Evolution]

Dear,

I was there with you. Since the introduction of the MBA I needed months to think it over. Especially based on the negative reactions from posters on the internet (like the MBA is only good for web browsing and heavy underpowered etc.).. Boy what are they wrong! So I took the step and bought a MBA. I was planning to buy a Imac and a MBA and the MBA I bought as first. Soon it become clear that in reality I can use the MBA as main computer. I do heavy CAD/CAM designing and it is fast like lightning. As a matter of fact the MBA is the fastest computer I ever worked on. After a couple of days getting used to the small size and incredible light weight you never want to go back to a heavy chunky laptop. That is my experience. Yes I have some rev. A issues with my MBA but I feel confident It will get solved in a good way by Apple this week.

With kind regards,
Bas

 

[ins0mniaque]

(like the MBA is only good for web browsing and heavy underpowered etc.).. Boy what are they wrong!

So true! Two months ago I was looking to replace my work laptop (an old HP Pavilion P4 3Ghz, 2GB RAM), and since I'm a developer and wanted to do some iPhone development too, I thought a MacBook Pro would perfect; I could boot into Windows for Visual Studio needs, and have Xcode too. I could now own and eat the cake at the same time!

But oh boy did my trip (my first one!) to the Apple store changed my mind. Entered the store and saw those magnificent MBAs laid down everywhere... Couldn't resist trying one, and immediately fell in love with it. After a couple of minutes with a clerk there (a genius ? lol), I was told that I could buy the MBA, and if it wasn't powerful enough in Windows for Visual Studio, I could just bring it back and exchange for a MBP. Wow! Every store should handle customers like that! Showed him my credit card, pointed a MBA (1.8 SSD) and happy like a lil' girl who just got a pony I was.

I've been working with it for two months now, and it simply is an INCREDIBLE machine. I have had no core shutdown/panics, and no w3ird noises. I don't even boot into Windows! I run my full Visual Studio 2008 environment side-by-side with Xcode in a VMware Fusion XP machine; and still can't believe it compiles faster than most machines I've used before (probably because of the SSD).

If you need a laptop, don't need a powerful graphic card and you can afford it, I would definitely recommend it.

EDIT: Typos.

 

[Diatribe]

As for keeping the critical documents that you need in sync on both machines, there are a number of easy automatic software-based solutions.

And which are those? I'm curious as that would be my preferred set-up too (iMac/MBA).

 

[mhnajjar]

I am only waiting to get my hands on testing 1.6 HDD vs. 1.8 HDD vs. 1.8 SSD in order to decide which one to buy to get along my 3.06 24" iMac.

I am kind of in between 1.6 & 1.8 HDD since SSD isn't justified yet and I can always upgrade my HDD to SSD in the future.