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Downgrade from MBP > MB + iMac?
- Thread starter erkanasu
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If you were getting a MB + 20" iMac I'd say definitely absolutely yes go for it. But the 17" iMac screen is just a tiny bit bigger than your MBP, so I probably wouldn't bother unless you find the MBP a bit too big to carry around.
I wouldn't enjoy maintaining two systems (i.e. trying to make sure the file I worked on my iMac last night was sync'ed on my MacBook the following morning), but that's just me.
This is really easy to do if you have OS X server on one machine and use mobile home sync. I use it and it's awesome to be sitting at your desktop working away on a file and then leave and just continue from where you left off with the same file on your laptop without having to click sync now or whatever. As with many things with Apple, it just works.
But server is $500 so I doubt that's an option the OP wants to consider, as they are trying to save money here.
I would definitely consider it, but I am in agreement that the 20" iMac is more worth it. The 17" is kinda small these days.
I am considering doing the same thing myself. I will probably wait until they have the flash ROM memory and Leopard but I'd say go for it!
I am considering doing the same thing myself. I will probably wait until they have the flash ROM memory and Leopard but I'd say go for it!
I'm not sure about that one. Firstly, it seems like plugging in the MacBook to a display whenever you sit at a desk is a minor thing, but when I had only a laptop I done exactly this and I can guarantee you that it does become annoying. Come in, sit down, put laptop on desk, plug in power cable, USB cable, display cable... it seems minor but it does get annoying. Furthermore, using the keyboard on the laptop means the laptop and its display are always awkwardly in front of the big display... so you either have to live with that or buy another keyboard so you can sit your laptop at the side.
Secondly, if you do decide you want the display anyway then I wouldn't recommend the current Apple displays. They are getting old and are currently quite overpriced. A lot of people thought they were a cert to be upgraded at MWSF. That didn't happen, but I still think they'll be updated very soon. If you want an external display I'd go with a Dell, which have the same actual display unit in them as Apple's do anyway and are about half the price. By the way, despite this I have an ACD plugged into my iMac right now... but I bought it ages ago when they were priced more or less the same as the Dell ones.
I think your options are...
1) Keep the MBP and live off that.
2) Buy a MacBook, 20" screen, a keyboard and a mouse. If you do this remember the mini-dvi to dvi converter for the monitor.
3) If you can somehow stretch to it, buy a MacBook and a 20" iMac.
Whatever machine you buy I'd make sure you have 1GB RAM in it.
Agreed. Especially since your stipend might be enough to feed you 5 times per month, and might allow you to rent a place that has running water (but that might be pushing it). You'll definitely need extra money for beer to drink away the monetary problems. Enjoy grad school though!
You could get the refurbished ones for about 100 dollars cheaper. Also the dell E228WFP for 300 dollars right now. It is a 22 inch widescreen monitor.
the reviews on there look bad for the 22", albeit there are only 2. ill investigate
i'm in grad school and i have a macbook. works for all my needs. of course if you are getting an advanced degree in photography or something that requires a lot of work on the computer (or a lot of screen real estate), then maybe you do need an external monitor etc.
but i carry mine on campus all the time. works great.
but i carry mine on campus all the time. works great.
definetly go for the external display. first of all anyone that is really considering getting rid of a macbook pro because of a "grainy" display is crazy, they are just looking at the damn screen too meticulously. All displays have this "grain" and its not actually "Grain" its the antiglare coating manufacturers put on the LCD display. Geesh people c'mon now
from personal experience, i can say the Gateway 22" HD lcd is very nice, its only $399 and you get component hook up.
Having owned an 800MHz PowerBook, a 1.5GHz PowerBook, a 1.67GHz PowerBook, two MacBook CDs, a MacBook C2D, a MacBook Pro CD, a MacBook Pro C2D, a 20" iMac, a 24" iMac, 2 20" Apple Cinema Displays, and at least 5 PC laptops, here is the list of all those that I find to have a grainy display... ready...?
The MacBook Pro C2D.
It is simply not true that ALL displays have grain. The only screen I've seen with grain, out of the many many displays I've used for long periods of time, is the MacBook Pro C2D.
I made the switch! Typing on a brand new Black MacBook ($1399 edu discount).
THE SCREEN IS SOOO MUCH NICER! I'm not ******** you guys. Apple really ****ed up with changing the MBP display. This thing seems more tough too. I think I'll be more comfortable bringing my laptop around now too, the keyboard is going to take some time getting used too.
Apple would only give me a gift card for the remainder of the cash tho( its a long story, im not upset). Soo, I think im going to try to sell this giftcard online at a discount ( card is $442, maybe sell it for $415 ), so I can get one of those dell displays, whatdya think?
THE SCREEN IS SOOO MUCH NICER! I'm not ******** you guys. Apple really ****ed up with changing the MBP display. This thing seems more tough too. I think I'll be more comfortable bringing my laptop around now too, the keyboard is going to take some time getting used too.
Apple would only give me a gift card for the remainder of the cash tho( its a long story, im not upset). Soo, I think im going to try to sell this giftcard online at a discount ( card is $442, maybe sell it for $415 ), so I can get one of those dell displays, whatdya think?
excellent choice
congrts! excellent choice!
let us know which display you finally get. i still recommend the 24" because nothing less than 23" will handle 1920x1200. IT ROCKS!
get a BT kb/m so you can run it clamshell -- your monitor will be faster and smoother.
congrts! excellent choice!
let us know which display you finally get. i still recommend the 24" because nothing less than 23" will handle 1920x1200. IT ROCKS!
get a BT kb/m so you can run it clamshell -- your monitor will be faster and smoother.
Awesome Thanks for the advice!
btw, Whats a BT kb/m?
Bluetooth, just look for the wireless keyboard and mouse in the Apple store.
I have been thinking about the same thing. I plan on getting a Macbook Pro, but I also want a desktop.
I am considering buying a Macbook Pro, a 30 inch Dell monitor, firewave and 5.1 speakers, and a mouse and keyboard. Does anyone know if that'll work without damaging the laptop?
I need the portability of a laptop, but I'd prefer to use a desktop when I'm at home. Money isn't too much of an issue, I am just concerned if the Macbook Pro will run okay with all of that stuff hooked up to it. I REALLY don't want to buy two computers though.
I am considering buying a Macbook Pro, a 30 inch Dell monitor, firewave and 5.1 speakers, and a mouse and keyboard. Does anyone know if that'll work without damaging the laptop?
I need the portability of a laptop, but I'd prefer to use a desktop when I'm at home. Money isn't too much of an issue, I am just concerned if the Macbook Pro will run okay with all of that stuff hooked up to it. I REALLY don't want to buy two computers though.
i have similar setup but with my mb.
24" dell monitor; 5.1 speaker system and printer running off the airport express; BT kb/m
the only thing actually hooked to the mb is the power brick and the monitor; and occassionally i link my hdd (mostly for bkup. i'm thinking of adding ap extreme so i can have wireless external hdd.
i don't see a problem with the setup you envision -- it's just a step up from what i run.
i believe the ap extreme only runs usb though for the hdd. but my ext hdd is both fw and usb so if i have to, i can run a wire if i have the occassion to need to boot from that.