I know the screen is bigger on the iMac, but the display is better on the MBP.

[The Cockney Rebel]

Not speaking about using an external display.

The display is XDR on the MBP, ProMotion, and is just overall better.

So, do you go for a 16” MBP, or a 24” iMac?

Not interested in hooking up external displays.

What would you go for?

 

[jb310]

I'd pick the MacBook Pro just because I need the portability and performance more than I need a big display or anything else the iMac has.

But if I had to pick purely based on display... personally, I prefer a larger screen over ProMotion; I'd take the iMac. But apart from the larger screen, I think the MacBook Pro is a superior device in every way.

 

[cateye]

The difference in screens isn't that major. I'm typing this on my M1 Pro MacBook Pro, connected to an Apple Studio Display, which should be essentially similar to the iMac display, just larger. Side-by-side, with static content, in my office, they may as well be identical. There is no visible difference. Sure, if I scroll quickly on the MBP, it's marginally smoother due to ProMotion, but it's a pretty minor difference.

I would personally choose the larger screen for a larger workspace, unless I absolutely needed the portability of a laptop (which I did, which is why I bought it). The form factor defines which I would buy—minor screen technology details don't really enter into it.

 

[xraydoc]

If I were not using the computer as a mobile laptop and was not going to attach any external displays, I'd get the iMac.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

If you need portability, the MacBook Pro
If it's stationary and straight M4 is fine, iMac

 

[M4pro]

Don’t make me choose… 😆

I’ve stopped by the local Apple Store almost daily since the M4 Mac’s were released.

I haven’t seen anything to stop me from purchasing both, ha ha…

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Don’t make me choose… 😆

I’ve stopped by the local Apple Store almost daily since the M4 Mac’s were released.

I haven’t seen anything to stop me from purchasing both, ha ha…

That's my feeling on it

 

[stevemiller]

i mean if the screen is the only thing you're torn on, note that you can add an external to a macbook pro and get the real estate, but you can't add portability or max processor performance (if those are considerations) to an imac...

that said the imac could be the right fit for someone if that form factor is most appealing to them. 🤷‍♂️

(noted that you're not interested in hooking up an external, just saying the option exists if you feel cramped, but zero options exist if you later decide you want portability - i personally went notebook only in 2008 and never looked back)