Looking for tips (MBP+eGPU or iMac)

[legna]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum so if this post doesn't belong here, please move it to the corresponding place. Also, I'm not a native english speaker, so please don't take my gramma very seriously.
I will try to be extensive with my petition so you guys can be more precise with your answers.

My situation:
I currently have a maxed macbook air 11' mid 2011, so it starts to be quite slow and the battery is terrible.
I'm a bioinformatician about to start my master's thesis project (about machine learning), so I code a lot but I also work with demanding 3D software (Protein or other molecules modeling, drugs, etc.) which are quite laggy in my current computer. For me, it's important to have a high portable computer to be able to work on at the university or any other place.
In my free time I enjoy playing light games such as Hearthstone, but with my new computer I want to be able to run more demanding games that I want to play such as Batman Arkham Knight or tekken 7

My ideas:

A) Repair the macbook air battery and buy an iMac (2017 27" 512 SSD 32GB Radeon Pro 580) so I can do the basic work outside home and at home I can do the more demanding work and also play.
B) Buy a macbook pro (not clear which one of them) with an external monitor and a eGPU to be able to do the graphic work and playing smoothly. The MBP 15" seems better but I don't know if it is to big...

The A) set it less expensive and I have better power/cost ratio.
The B) set is more expensive, but I have a better portable computer.

So, what do you think/suggest?

I'm sorry for the mega long post but I wanted to make sure you have all the information.
Thank you very much in advance.

 

[keysofanxiety]

The 15" with the top spec GPU will be an enormous step up in graphics performance over your 2011 MBA 11". Personally I'd try one of those for a few days as you may find you won't even need the eGPU for your workflow. You should have a 14 day return period so if it just can't cut the mustard, I'd probably return and then get the iMac.

eGPUs are also quite expensive and have some performance deficit so I'd probably recommend exploring other avenues (GPU performance built into the machine) before going for one.

 

[CrystalQuest76]

Save some money and reformat the drive on this wonderful machine that you have. Then install a fresh version of the MacOS and then install the applications that you currently use from their original sources. After doing that restore your backed-up data files. You will discover that you machine will no longer be slow. Having a battery that no longer holds the all day charge that it once did can be an inconvenience, but its better than having to take out loans for a new machine that is not required.
You are a graduate student. For most people, that means lots of debt. Don't go deeper in the hole. Wait till after graduation to give money to apple when you have a full time job.
Saving money is not a crime.

 

[legna]

The 15" with the top spec GPU will be an enormous step up in graphics performance over your 2011 MBA 11". Personally I'd try one of those for a few days as you may find you won't even need the eGPU for your workflow. You should have a 14 day return period so if it just can't cut the mustard, I'd probably return and then get the iMac.

eGPUs are also quite expensive and have some performance deficit so I'd probably recommend exploring other avenues (GPU performance built into the machine) before going for one.

Thank you very much for your answer, that's probably what I'll do
[doublepost=1498752046][/doublepost]

Save some money and reformat the drive on this wonderful machine that you have. Then install a fresh version of the MacOS and then install the applications that you currently use from their original sources. After doing that restore your backed-up data files. You will discover that you machine will no longer be slow. Having a battery that no longer holds the all day charge that it once did can be an inconvenience, but its better than having to take out loans for a new machine that is not required.
You are a graduate student. For most people, that means lots of debt. Don't go deeper in the hole. Wait till after graduation to give money to apple when you have a full time job.
Saving money is not a crime.

Thank you for your wise answer. But don't worry for the money. In my country college (and all related expenses) is free, and if you have good marks the government pays you a mini salary. So, I don't have any debt and I have a solid amount of savings from the 4 years of collage and 1 of the master because of this salary. Nevertheless, I will think about trying to extend the life of my MBA 2011. Thanks again.

 

[nph]

Ok, now I am curious which country pays a small salary to students with good grades?

 

[legna]

Ok, now I am curious which country pays a small salary to students with good grades?

As this topic is unrelated to my question I will answer you privately, so we don't fill this thread with unrelated topics.