I'm looking at a new machine to replace my '15 iMac 27" and my 13" MacBook Pro. It's going to either be a Studio and Studio display, or a MacBook Pro 14" M1Pro and Studio Display. I like the idea of the extra portability, but it's 50/50 as to whether I really need it. However, I'm keen to explore the idea of the M1 MacBook as a desktop alternative, being connected to both a Studio Display and a secondary 1440p screen. How would it stack up as a daily driver, mainly ploughing through Adobe CC apps (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop etc)? Will it throttle, heat up, do anything that it otherwise wouldn't do if just used solely as a laptop on its own?
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Macbook Pro as a desktop
- Thread starter dazzer21-2
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I am getting ready to do the same thing and chose the 16” MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip, 64GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, and the upgraded GPU to be maxed out too… I lost interest in the Mac Studio when i saw no visible interest by Apple in resolving or addressing the widely reported whining sounds being produced by some of those new machines…
You can find less expensive monitor/display solutions too… without a doubt.
I use a 14" as both a desktop and laptop and I promise you will not be disappointed. These things are beasts like I've never seen before.
I just got an MBP 14” base model with the idea it would function for the dual purpose of being portable and with my APPLE Thunderbolt Display (still a nice display) as a desktop too, and also can connect with SideCar to my iPad Pro 11” on a stand if needed. I would have liked more built-in storage for easy portability, but saved some money there and got a fast external TB enclosure. I also have a mechanical keyboard and mouse with universal control. A good fairly complete set-up I hope to last a while.
What are people's preferred configurations? Clamshell or open? Also, what are thoughts on laptop cooling fans?
The fans almost never turn on on my 16” M1 Pro. And when they do (and again, this is very rare), they are really quiet - I can’t hear them over the sound of my AC unit, for example.
I use it open because my LG Ultrafine monitor uses Macbook’s sensors for Truetone and these are unavailable in clamshell mode. Also, a second screen helps. I have the MacBook raised with an arm, so it sits close to the monitor and its screen is at eye level.
i have it in clamshell mode 70% of the time, mainly cause i need the extra screen real estate for work. its whisk quiet and you won't even notice it.
Just keep in mind that leaving a Mac laptop plugged into power all the time will eventually kill the battery; it'll degrade and swell up and need to be replaced for safety's sake even if you never use it on battery. (And if you remove the battery, it'll refuse to boot.)
macOS might notice that the laptop is always plugged in and might allow the charge to drop below 100% sometimes, but in my experience that's not reliable, and it likes to keep charging the battery all the way up to 100% again. I really wish macOS had an option to set a hard limit on battery charging. My Lenovo Legion 5 Pro can do this; I have it set to never charge the battery above 60%. And there are some Mac apps which say they can do this, too, but I wish it were part of the operating system.
macOS might notice that the laptop is always plugged in and might allow the charge to drop below 100% sometimes, but in my experience that's not reliable, and it likes to keep charging the battery all the way up to 100% again. I really wish macOS had an option to set a hard limit on battery charging. My Lenovo Legion 5 Pro can do this; I have it set to never charge the battery above 60%. And there are some Mac apps which say they can do this, too, but I wish it were part of the operating system.
I used MBP's as desktops for years. Eventually I realized I was not making enough use of the portability to make the compromises worth it. As a secondary issue, Apple laptops also tend to develop battery issues over the years, which means your "desktop" will need a pricy battery replacement.
In some ways it was useful to be able to pick up my desktop and leave the house with it, but ultimately it was not worth the trade-offs anymore for me. Your mileage may vary based on usage patterns.
In some ways it was useful to be able to pick up my desktop and leave the house with it, but ultimately it was not worth the trade-offs anymore for me. Your mileage may vary based on usage patterns.
I have been using Macs for years mostly in clamshell mode without any need to replace battery. Right now MacOS itself is keeping my battery at 80% while plugged in with an option to charge it to 100%.
The main inconvenience with using clamshell mode is losing TouchID support and there are no good options for that if you don't care for Apple's keyboard.
I've decided to instead set my Macbook Pro to be used as an external display more.
Most days, I work with it open. For those long days where I need a lot of information at once, I connect to monitors and use in clamshell mode.
I don't think I've never heard the fans come on in my MBP.
Originally, I was going to buy an iMac to have a seperate desktop, but instead opted to buy monitors and just use my MBP in clamshell.
Agreed.
I tried both the 14" and 16" MBP and settled in on the 14" version. The 16 just felt a little too big on my lap, I didn't need all of that performance and the cost was a bit higher.
My 14" is whisper quiet, no matter what I throw at it, and its fast enough for my needs.
Unless you need the M1 Max or Ultra capability the M1 Pro's specs are more then enough for most people
I use my 16" M1 Max as a desktop replacement together with a CalDigit TS3+ and AlDente to keep charge limited to 70% when in Desktop use for longer time. Great results for me. Great performance, low power usage, stays mostly silent even when running heavy FCP projects. In my case, it replaced an i7-8700K + Radeon VII hackintosh. I don't think I will ever go back to a pure desktop machine.
I'm running my 16" M1 MBP in clamshell mode, connected to an Apple Studio Display. The setup is as good as - or better, in some cases when portability is required - than my i9 iMac. After some initial teething problems, the ASD is perfect, doesn't have the iMac's chin, and since I've upgraded to USB-C across the board, even the minimalistic port selection isn't a bother.
I put my MBP in a leather sleeve and lock it in a file cabinet at the end of each day and leave the ASD sitting on my desk. No theft problems thus far ... knock on wood! I'm using the Apple Touch ID keyboard and Magic Trackpad as well.
I put my MBP in a leather sleeve and lock it in a file cabinet at the end of each day and leave the ASD sitting on my desk. No theft problems thus far ... knock on wood! I'm using the Apple Touch ID keyboard and Magic Trackpad as well.
16” as my desktop replacement with no peripherals, IPP as my portable house device and MBA as my work/travel companion that stays at work the majority of the time.
MBP user here as I now need portability. If I didn’t need portability, I’d absolutely buy the Studio. It’s going to do just about everything better. Why compromise?
14" MacBook Pro M1 Pro 10-core/16-core used as a desktop 75% of the time with two external monitors, external keyboard, mouse, ethernet, external Time Machine drive, etc.
I don't think I've ever heard my MBP's fans come on. And it's faster and more flexible than a Mac mini.
I don't think I've ever heard my MBP's fans come on. And it's faster and more flexible than a Mac mini.
For years, I stayed patient waiting for what would ultimately be called the Mac Studio...
But then those new MacBook Pros came out. And I finally decided to pull the trigger one Saturday back in February. Picked up a 14" 10/16/16/1TB at Best Buy. It replaced my 2019 Mac mini with an i5 and 32GB RAM.
Zero regrets. I MOSTLY use it as a desktop — open so I have a third smaller screen — paired with an OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock, an OWC TB3 to Dual DisplayPort adapter, and two converted 21.5" 4K Retina iMac monitors.
And it's real nice being able to take it away from my desk and use it all day without plugging in. I'm taking a class two days a month; attended for the first time last week. I used that thing all day for notes without charging. Amazing.
The Studio would've been nice... but I also don't think I'd be taking advantage of its power and I would've lost out on the portability. This MBP runs circles around my old mini — even with less RAM and a portable enclosure. I'm happy. But of course, we'll see what tomorrow brings.
But then those new MacBook Pros came out. And I finally decided to pull the trigger one Saturday back in February. Picked up a 14" 10/16/16/1TB at Best Buy. It replaced my 2019 Mac mini with an i5 and 32GB RAM.
Zero regrets. I MOSTLY use it as a desktop — open so I have a third smaller screen — paired with an OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock, an OWC TB3 to Dual DisplayPort adapter, and two converted 21.5" 4K Retina iMac monitors.
And it's real nice being able to take it away from my desk and use it all day without plugging in. I'm taking a class two days a month; attended for the first time last week. I used that thing all day for notes without charging. Amazing.
The Studio would've been nice... but I also don't think I'd be taking advantage of its power and I would've lost out on the portability. This MBP runs circles around my old mini — even with less RAM and a portable enclosure. I'm happy. But of course, we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Interesting comments from everyone. I am running a two machine life, 2017 iMac 27" and 2017 MBP 13". Seriously considering going back to a one computer lifestyle (with iPad Pro, iPhone of course). As a salesman who will be back on the road more soon, I look forward to have one much faster machine (MBP 14").
MBP 14” is a good ‘combo’ computer. I was tempted by the MBP 16”, it's similar in overall size to the MBP 15” 2015 it would replace with a larger display, but the 14” still has enough under the hood I felt, and is much more portable, and less money. With an external display, it’s the best of both worlds. If I really need something light and smaller my iPad Pro does the job and that smallish 14” display (it is smaller than the 15” and still getting used to it) can also be ‘expanded’ with SideCar and the iPad.
I replaced my old workhorse, a 27" loaded up iMac with a 16" M1 Pro. Hooked up to a nice Dell 34" curved HDR monitor in clamshell.
I dunno how I went for years moving from desktop to a phone or other laptop. I love just being able to unhook USB c and carry on doing what I was doing. Even if I am staying in the house.
I dunno how I went for years moving from desktop to a phone or other laptop. I love just being able to unhook USB c and carry on doing what I was doing. Even if I am staying in the house.
I went from Mac Mini M1 desktop with 32” monitor and MBA M1 to MBP 14” base model and iPad Air 5 + Logitech Combo Touch. No regrets and much less janitorial work to keep two computer up to date. When using it as desktop in clamshell mode it is connected to 32” monitor and Logitech Craft + Logitech mouse. It runs cool and silent, so far cooling fan has started only once and even then I had to pay attention to be able to hear it. This is much more silent than my Mini M1 was and so much faster. iPad Air 5 is excellent sofa surfing machine and capable of covering most of my needs for laptop to carry with me if needed. If I ever need more powerful laptop to take with me, I grab my MBP 14” from the desk and I have all my apps and stuff with me.
My only regret is that I did not do this earlier.
My only regret is that I did not do this earlier.
Which do you spend more time with?
The iMac?
Or... with the laptop?
If it's the iMac, get the Mac Studio and KEEP the MacBook Pro.
There's nothing that beats having a good desktop for "desktop things" and a nice laptop for "laptop things".
Give up one of them, and I predict you'll be missing it sooner rather than later.
If you spend more time on the MBP, then I'd suggest you take advantage of bestbuy's 1,599 price for the 14" base model, and keep the iMac...
The iMac?
Or... with the laptop?
If it's the iMac, get the Mac Studio and KEEP the MacBook Pro.
There's nothing that beats having a good desktop for "desktop things" and a nice laptop for "laptop things".
Give up one of them, and I predict you'll be missing it sooner rather than later.
If you spend more time on the MBP, then I'd suggest you take advantage of bestbuy's 1,599 price for the 14" base model, and keep the iMac...
I don't see any benefit for having dedicated desktop computer. It just adds you janitorial work to keep both updated and have the same files and all that (surely using iCloud or similar helps with personal files) but still there is more things to keep up with two machines. With single MacBook you can just grab your laptop with you and continue doing what ever you were doing and other way around.
I had desktop + laptop system before moving to single laptop computer and I now only wonder why I did not do this move before. This is by far the best system I've even had this way. Surely in one computer system it is worth to invest fast and efficiently cooled system so that you can push it when needed, so MBP is likely the best computer in that case.
The new Apple Silicon machines result in a lot less compromise because they aren't furnaces like the intel ancestors.
The flip side of having a battery is that you've got a built in UPS for power outages.