Macbook Pro to replace ailing Mac Pro and Macbook Air

[Mhaddy]

In a bit of a conundrum. I've got a Mac Pro 3,1 and an original Macbook Air, both lovingly looked after for roughly six years. The Air has a shiny new SSD and the Pro has lots of RAM, new GTX Ti650 video card and an SSD. However, both are starting to get a little long in the tooth for my daily needs so I know I'm going to need to replace them "this year".

I do a lot of graphic and web design, coding and desktop publishing work on the Pro and the Air is for travel (more for when I was single), coding and MBA-related office type work. I'm also an avid photographer working with Aperture and RAW images.

I'm sure the new i7 Macbook Pros have the processing power to replace both computers and tied to some thunderbolt expansions, it'll have the storage too. My question is... How clean is this workflow? Are the new MBPs light enough to come close to the Airs? Would the docking and undocking get annoying? How fast would the external storage be compared with the internal in used to? Input from anyone with a similar workflow would be appreciated!

I would love to get a nMP or even an old 5,1 and grab a new 12" Retina Air in the fall, but don't think that's in the budget .

 

[CASLondon]

In a bit of a conundrum. I've got a Mac Pro 3,1 and an original Macbook Air, both lovingly looked after for roughly six years. The Air has a shiny new SSD and the Pro has lots of RAM, new GTX Ti650 video card and an SSD. However, both are starting to get a little long in the tooth for my daily needs so I know I'm going to need to replace them "this year".

I do a lot of graphic and web design, coding and desktop publishing work on the Pro and the Air is for travel (more for when I was single), coding and MBA-related office type work. I'm also an avid photographer working with Aperture and RAW images.

I'm sure the new i7 Macbook Pros have the processing power to replace both computers and tied to some thunderbolt expansions, it'll have the storage too. My question is... How clean is this workflow? Are the new MBPs light enough to come close to the Airs? Would the docking and undocking get annoying? How fast would the external storage be compared with the internal in used to? Input from anyone with a similar workflow would be appreciated!

I would love to get a nMP or even an old 5,1 and grab a new 12" Retina Air in the fall, but don't think that's in the budget .

Given you are working with still images and not video, I don't think you need the nMP.

I've always had MBP 17, so to me the size is not an issue. If you need a computer in the field shooting, then you should get a MBP 15" at least, to get the bigger processors and graphics options. This could replace both computers easily, and external storage is fast and easy (if not cheap). External monitor is fast and easy. I would strongly recommend this over Air or 13", not least for a longer life span/reseller value.

Or, if you don't need to process images on the road, I would consider selling off both, that might get you close to a grand. Buy a single GPU 2009 MP. Flash the firmware from 4,1 to 5,1. Upgrade to a hex core CPU. Add RAM, a SSD boot drive, a SSD scratch drive, and cheap internal storage for bulk and back ups. Add one of many excellent modern video cards. You could make a beautiful, fast workstation this way in a very cost effective manner.

Otherwise, you sound like a good candidate for a higher end iMac, to be honest

 

[Mhaddy]

I really do like the idea of having the 1 Macbook Pro to replace both computers and then just docking it when I get home. Sounds like Thunderbolt is pretty quick to supplement my internal storage. iMac won't work as I've already got a beautiful 30" IPS at home.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Pressure]

I replaced my Mac Pro 3,1 (early 2008) with a MacBook Pro with retina display (Late 2013).

It's faster at everything basically.