Not sure if I’m wasting money on too many devices.

[Tommy c]

Hi Guys,

I have an interesting question for you guys. I want to see what everyone here thinks. I have a M1 16” MBP and a M1 iPad Pro. I did have a M1 Mac mini and was happy. But, I thought i would get more out of a MBP, but I barely take it out of the house. It’s in clamshell mode 99% of time. My primary use is Photo-editing and maybe 4K video. (I have a Canon R5) and i watch TV on it. I use my iPad for most everything else.

See, I do things for work sometimes that require me to use Excel and i do not like the version on the iPad. I like the full regular version. My thought was to maybe trade or sell this MBP for a refurbed M1 mini again maxed out for 1400 on the apple refurb site. Then get a used M1 MBP or AIR for when i do work stuff and need to bring it into the job. That is what I was thinking.

Or I was thinking of getting the new M1 mini when it comes out, that will have the same processors options as this MBP ( I have the 16GB M1 pro, 1TBSSD) I have a 32” 4K Dell monitor.

I find myself switching too much. I must have gear syndrome, or whatever it’s called. I could have gotten a lot more computer for the 2800 this MBP cost, not that I think about it If I had waited.

This is more of a discussion, than anything. I look forward to what you guys think and use for these use cases.

Happy chatting!

 

[Realityck]

I find myself switching too much. I must have gear syndrome, or whatever it’s called. I could have gotten a lot more computer for the 2800 this MBP cost, not that I think about it If I had waited.

I ended up replacing a older iMac that tanked, updated a older iPad mini 5 that I didn't like its speaker implementation, and saw a lot of potential with the latest MBPs.

So I currently use a 8.3" iPad mini 6 for a multimedia playback, web surfing on the go, and its small enough to take anywhere. I use the 16" M1 Max MBP as something I can occasionally travel with, but its screen is large enough to do a lot of standalone work on. I also use the notably larger 24" iMac that is so portable compared to the prior 27" iMac. All you need to do is unhook the power adapter and its so light to pick up and move to another of room. I look at all three as progressing from small to larger to even larger as well as all three have different mobility uses. I always liked have something to fallback in case something happens to one especially if you are now using M1 computers. Yes I rotate between all three, and its kinda nice to be doing things on the iMac and be other doing things on the laptop close by as needed, or even use the iPad for doing something additionally all at the same time.

 

[russell_314]

Well unless your budget is really tight is it really a bad thing? I’m not sure getting the Mac mini would make financial sense if you’re only going by that because it would mean selling your current 16” MacBook Pro for less than you paid. I think the new high end mini is going to be priced similar to the high end Intel Mac mini.

From a sense of it being more of a tidy set up I like it because you have your Mac mini for your desktop that does all the hard work then for the occasional spreadsheet or field work the MacBook Air is perfect. If you can get a good deal on a used one that might save you some money and perhaps some worry if it were to get damaged. There’s also the possibility of a new MacBook Air coming out but that might not work with your saving money idea ?

 

[Bodhitree]

These days I’d buy an M1 MBA before an iPad Pro, the battery life has caught up and you can do a lot with MacOS that you can’t with iPadOS, and price wise there’s not much in it. Although a cheaper option would be to just get a standard iPad.

 

[UBS28]

To be honest, the biggest selling point of the M1 Pro and M1 Max is efficiency, which you will only benefit from in a laptop. I don't think the M1 Pro and Max makes much sense in a desktop.

For the money of the upcoming M1 Max Mac Mini, you can build a far more powerful PC desktop. Heck, you can probably get a more powerful PC laptop even most likely for the same money.

So in your case, if you do need the power of the M1 Max, then downgrading to a M1 MBA or M1 MBP makes much more sense to me than a M1 Mac Mini.

 

[gigatoaster]

This is what I would suggest.

List all your tasks and for each ones of them, put a pourcentage. Define for each ones of them which device is the best suited then, compute everything and voilà.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

You describe my reasoning (back in 2010, a few months after iPad was introduced) for never buying a laptop again. Desktops with large displays in the home and office, iPad (with keyboard) for mobile use. iPad is lighter and more compact, and all I need on the road so long as I can touch type on an accessory keyboard. iPad fits far better on an airline tray table than a laptop, and one pound less in a daypack can be really meaningful when you're toting it around all day.

Although laptops are the largest market segment for traditional computers these days, it seems a large percentage of them are used primarily for office/home use, rather than true portable usage. That just doesn't make ergonomic sense to me. At my height (6-foot 1-inch), the display of a laptop is far too low - a literal pain in my neck. And if I'm going to be sitting at a desk and looking at a screen all day long, give me a really big display!

I'm no sure why the MBP tempted you, other than using Excel on a Mac at all times. I happen to use Numbers, and for the little work I do on Numbers when I'm mobile, the iPad works well enough for my needs.

Whether you get a mini and a separate display, or an iMac... either one seems a better choice for what you describe.

I happen to be an iMac fan - I like the all-in-one format. (If people don't have problems buying an all-in one laptop, why do they object to an all-in-one desktop?) Although I've been holding out for the 27/30-inch M-series, the 24-inch is pretty darned nice, and if the 27/30 turns out to be Mac Pro-priced (which I can't justify based on what I ask the machine to do), I'll probably end up with the 24-inch anyway (I have to get something soon, my Late 2013 27-inch is getting a bit old).

I suspect though, if you got a 24-inch iMac today, you'd trade it in for a 27/30-inch when it's introduced. ;-)

 

[kschendel]

The question in my mind when reading your post was "what will a refurb Mini get for you that the MBP in clamshell mode won't?" The answer to that question will likely determine what you should do.

 

[Tommy c]

I appreciate your answers guys. I am reading them!

 

[Tommy c]

The question in my mind when reading your post was "what will a refurb Mini get for you that the MBP in clamshell mode won't?" The answer to that question will likely determine what you should do.

I guess I was thinking that mini would give me a 2TB SSD 16GTB Ram For 1400.00. But, it’s not the M1 Pro chip.

 

[Tommy c]

You describe my reasoning (back in 2010, a few months after iPad was introduced) for never buying a laptop again. Desktops with large displays in the home and office, iPad (with keyboard) for mobile use. iPad is lighter and more compact, and all I need on the road so long as I can touch type on an accessory keyboard. iPad fits far better on an airline tray table than a laptop, and one pound less in a daypack can be really meaningful when you're toting it around all day.

Although laptops are the largest market segment for traditional computers these days, it seems a large percentage of them are used primarily for office/home use, rather than true portable usage. That just doesn't make ergonomic sense to me. At my height (6-foot 1-inch), the display of a laptop is far too low - a literal pain in my neck. And if I'm going to be sitting at a desk and looking at a screen all day long, give me a really big display!

I'm no sure why the MBP tempted you, other than using Excel on a Mac at all times. I happen to use Numbers, and for the little work I do on Numbers when I'm mobile, the iPad works well enough for my needs.

Whether you get a mini and a separate display, or an iMac... either one seems a better choice for what you describe.

I happen to be an iMac fan - I like the all-in-one format. (If people don't have problems buying an all-in one laptop, why do they object to an all-in-one desktop?) Although I've been holding out for the 27/30-inch M-series, the 24-inch is pretty darned nice, and if the 27/30 turns out to be Mac Pro-priced (which I can't justify based on what I ask the machine to do), I'll probably end up with the 24-inch anyway (I have to get something soon, my Late 2013 27-inch is getting a bit old).

I suspect though, if you got a 24-inch iMac today, you'd trade it in for a 27/30-inch when it's introduced. ;-)

Lol, yea, I think you would be right on that very last sentence. The thing is, I have a 32“ screen. I did have a M1 Mini, but then saw that the new MBP was coming out and would use it for my main desktop and have the option to take it where I may need.

But, I never did that. It just sits on my desk and stays there. My main tasks for home desktop use are photo editing with Canon R5. Maybe, I will do some video.

My idea for the small laptop was for work only, this was separate from my home iMac. I don’t like using Excel on the iPad. I just never got suede to it. But, I love doing this stuff with it.

 

[Danfango]

I think the your issue is the 16" MBP is too large which makes it feel less portable and a pain to carry around. I had a 15" MBP and thought the same about that in the past. I vowed never to buy a large laptop again.

I ended up, after a couple of swaps, with the 14" MBP and use that mobile and at a hot desk (keyboard, mouse, 4k 27" display) and that gives me the M1 Pro grunt and the desktop experience with no compromises on mobility or desktop usage. It's pretty much on the mark. I would rather like a 5k 27" mini-LED display though but I suspect if one does materialise it's going to cost too much. I don't really need it though as it's mostly programming usage and cheap 4k IPS is fine.

I would not go for the M1 Mini or M1 Pro Mini if one appears. You will miss the portability instantly. I had one. My eldest daughter liberated it off me in the end. It will also have compromises such as no camera which instantly turn into a pain point if you ever need one.

As for the M1 MBA, they are really really nice (I have one which I am selling). The battery life is excellent, build quality amazing and the performance pretty good. The 16Gb models are too close in price to the 14" MBP though so I probably wouldn't bother unless you're using the bottom end one.

On the iPad front, it can't do everything. I use my iPad Pro for sketching, note taking, general personal organisation, GIS and entertainment. I take that with me if I'm going away for the weekend as it's good enough but it's an 80% device. I don't use it with a keyboard. It's a bad laptop but it's a really really really good tablet. It also complements the Mac as well, particularly in document markup and annotating stuff.

So end game for me:

1. MBP 14" base 16/512 model. main productivity / work computer. Used docked as a desktop or portable. Goes with me to the coffee shop.
2. M1 iPad Pro 11" 256 model. admin, entertainment and ancillary computer. Used always without a keyboard, goes with me most places but not the coffee shop

 

[headlessmike]

I must have gear syndrome, or whatever it’s called.

In photography (and apparently other areas, too) this is known as Gear Acquisition Syndrome, or GAS for short.

 

[Danfango]

Yeah it applies to lots of things. By far the worst are electronic test equipment and music gear. I have been victim of both.

 

[bluespark]

I have switched gear too much as well, wasting a lot of money in the process. One of my worst was to switch from the iPad Air 4 to the then-current iPad Pro, which was essentially identical in most ways that mattered to me (and I didn't like the color as much). I was pulled in by online comparisons, which for obvious reasons play up very minor details, and I wasn't honest with myself about what I actually wanted. What I ended up with is fine, but I've come to realize that I have considerable difficulty ignoring hype.

 

[Makisupa Policeman]

My ideal setup if I could afford so would be:
24” M1 iMac for home/desk use

12” M1 MacBook/Air (if Apple ever decided to bring it back) for around the house/travel/movies/etc.

iPad mini with Wi-Fi/5G for scrolling Twitter/internet

iPhone for mobile

That’s probably too many devices but whatever, it would be nice lol