please help choosing between this 2 macs

[feeverte]

Hello
I urgently need a new mac as both my macbook and my iMac are suffering. Unfurtunately even my finance have taken a massive hit this 2020 so my budget is so little this is the best I have found. They are old, brace yourself for it. (I did find newer but with lesser specs and more obnoxious vendors)

One laptop one desktop. What I am interested in is getting the better machine out of the two, disregarding the pros and cons of laptop vs desktop in terms of usability. I need advice on which machine is in itself a stronger bet


iMac 27" Midd 2010 (old case with dvd slot)
Processor 2.8 GHz Intel Core 15
RAM 16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Start Up Disk Macintosh SSD
Graphic Card ATI Radeon HD 5750 1024 MB
Storage 1T
System macOS High Sierra
version 10.13.6



Macbook Retina 15”
i7 quad core 2.3Ghz
8GB di Ram
DOUBLE (??) video card, GT 650 1GB + iris 4000 1,5GB -
SSD 256GB
no dents
battery 370 cycles, 2 hrs autonomy
no bad pixel
Catalina installed



please please help!
i can add any more info if needed

 

[James_C]

The MacBook Pro Retina is probably the one to go for.

It is the 2012 Spec Machine so is more recent.

It has a retina screen unlike the 2010 iMac

It has a better processor, graphics capability is similar between the two.

It has USB3 ports that are a lot faster for adding additional storage than USB2 on the iMac.

I actually owned that spec of machine, was the best laptop I ever bought. Keyboard was really nice.

Only downside is the RAM as the laptop only have 8GB, which you can't upgrade. If you are only doing web browsing / word processing then this should be fine. Also the iMac has more storage - It looks like it was configured with a 256MB SSD as a boot drive and conventional 1TB HDD for storage. The MacBook Pro only has a 256GB SSD.

Problem with the iMac is the 1TB HDD is slow by todays standard of SSD, and you are limited to USB2 for external storage ( It has thunderbolt but thunderbolt 1 drives are rare these days). At least with the MBP you can add a USB3 SSD external drive.

The battery in the MBP looks like it is towards the end of its life, so would need to be replaced at some point. Not an issue if you are going to use with a power adapter most of the time.

You could replace the drive in the iMac, but unless you are technical this would need to be done by a repair shop.

This having being said there is not a great deal of difference between the two.

The iMac is already on the highest OS Release High Sierra, the MBP is on the current release of Mac OS, Catalina but will not be able to run the next version of Mac OS Big Sur due to be released in October (hopefully).

 

[chrfr]

One laptop one desktop. What I am interested in is getting the better machine out of the two, disregarding the pros and cons of laptop vs desktop in terms of usability.

This really can't be ignored. If you need a portable, then you should buy a laptop. If you don't, you should buy a desktop. I would really look around more and find something newer. Both of these computers are prone to graphics issues, and really any 10 year old computer could fail at any time.

 

[CooperBox]

Good advise by @JCramer.
However I have both models, same specs, and believe it or not I've not used the MacBook Retina in over a year, which goes to prove how I still love the earlier iMac. It should be noted though that I added a 500GB Samsung SSD to the iMac which absolutely transformed the performance. Plus I know if anything goes wrong I can easily change out components for very reasonable cost -which is not the case with a MBPRet. If the screen, disk drive or memory fails with the MacBook you have greater problems.
If you wish to have the latest OS Catalina, it's a no-brainer, the laptop is the way to go. However I would downgrade to Mojave, as I love the OS and it's more compatible with a greater range of currently available apps.
Nothing wrong with High Sierra though on the iMac; I ditched Safari years ago and now always use a current updated FireFox (now v81) and a private/secure search-engine to complement web browsing.
Imho not an easy decision between the two unless your computer is required for occasional deplacement or travel, in that case it has to be the laptop.
Better still, look for a mid 2012 15" MacBook Pro10,1 model A1398. Arguably the best Mac laptop ever, and certainly the most upgradeable. Plop in an SSD with Mojave or Catalina (preferably the former), upgrade the memory and you're ready to go. Mine has never missed a beat, and is an absolute 'keeper'. They are also holding their price very well, as we collectors appreciate how good and reliable they are compared to much newer MacBook Pros. Personaly I wouldn't touch a new one with a barge-pole for fear that it would spend valuable time at an Apple Store for keyboard change, overheating-related rectification etc.
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[Fishrrman]

I'd pick the MacBook retina, too.

 

[feeverte]

thank you all for the precious advice and time you gave.

Its not a case of do I need a laptop or a desktop, I do have both and I do need both. However I am hoping that in the new future I will be able to buy if not new but a much earlier

but as today I am stuck with an iMac that only works in safe mode so not that great, and a Macbook air

I do work with graphic and I need to use creative suit so not to bother of Catalina in fact I would worry my old adobe creative suite will have issue on it.

I am glad you agree its a difficult choice, I was driving myself crazy.

I will give it a few days to look for the laptop one suggested.

So to recap... is something fails its easier and cheaper repair it on the iMac (I have opened old macs... but my abilities stopped with the Quicksilver) by a technician

as a good deal, the macbook pro has got more votes

yes I am incline to get the laptop because ultimately I would rather spend 2k on a iMac which I prefer to work by far when I am in a better financial position

and 15ich will be a life saver as I am having to do illustrator work on MacBook Air and it drives me nuts

 

[feeverte]

This really can't be ignored. If you need a portable, then you should buy a laptop. If you don't, you should buy a desktop. I would really look around more and find something newer. Both of these computers are prone to graphics issues, and really any 10 year old computer could fail at any time.

please see my answer with regards to what I need, and you are right I do expect a failure, gosh poverty is not fun

 

[feeverte]

Better still, look for a mid 2012 15" MacBook Pro10,1 model A1398. Arguably the best Mac laptop ever, and certainly the most upgradeable. Plop in an SSD with Mojave or Catalina (preferably the former), upgrade the memory and you're ready to go. Mine has never missed a beat, and is an absolute 'keeper'. They are also holding their price very well, as we collectors appreciate how good and reliable they are compared to much newer MacBook Pros. Personaly I wouldn't touch a new one with a barge-pole for fear that it would spend valuable time at an Apple Store for keyboard change, overheating-related rectification etc.
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thanks and yes I may just do that, peraphs its worth a longer drive if I do

is this the one that had the dvd drive?

 

[James_C]

but as today I am stuck with an iMac that only works in safe mode

What is the vintage of the iMac - Year and model ?

 

[feeverte]

if

What is the vintage of the iMac - Year and model ?

2009 🥺 I posted about that iMac during lockdown pls see my other post

I need a script !

just realised i never came back to this but iMac graphic card was the issue so r.i.p. imac (and the mistery script with it)

forums.macrumors.com

let me know if you need more info

Are you interested in old vintage Macs? I got a few

****one more question... I am thinking to by the lacie diamond to back up my old Imac, the Macbook Air (Got an old alluminium 16" inch which I keep as its the only device to view my nostalgic shockwave projects on) and an eMac - also a quicksilver and a quadra gosh I am old plus all my old external to finaly ditch) I understand that the lacie on the mac book pro would be ok not so with the iMac 27

 

[James_C]

OK Thank you, the reason I was asking was this iMac is capable of using target display mode. Both this Mac and the Retina MacBook Pro that you are looking at both have a mini display port. If you have or can locate a cable on eBay you can connect the MacBook Pro to the iMac and use the 27" existing iMac as a display. So you get the best of both worlds if you like using the 27" display.

I know that your iMac currently has a problem as it only boots into safe mode, but it looks like target display mode will work still if the Mac is in safe mode. I can't guarantee this will work, but worth a try.

1. Make sure that your iMac is turned on (in safe mode), and the other Mac is logged in to a macOS user account.
2. Connect the Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable between the two computers.
3. Press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac that you want to use as a display.

Just read your earlier post, you would need to be able to boot into safe mode for this to work, and I am not sure if you can or not. If you can get to the desktop in safe mode then target display mode should work.

 

[feeverte]

Better still, look for a mid 2012 15" MacBook Pro10,1 model A1398. Arguably the best Mac laptop ever, and certainly the most upgradeable. Plop in an SSD with Mojave or Catalina (preferably the former), upgrade the memory and you're ready to go. Mine has never missed a beat, and is an absolute 'keeper'. They are also holding their price very well, as we collectors appreciate how good and reliable they are compared to much newer MacBook Pros. Personaly I wouldn't touch a new one with a barge-pole for fear that it would spend valuable time at an Apple Store for keyboard change, overheating-related rectification etc.
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isnt this the same as you are reccomending ?

 

[James_C]

isnt this the same as you are reccomending ?

yes it is the same as @CooperBox recommended.

 

[James_C]

Plop in an SSD with Mojave or Catalina (preferably the former), upgrade the memory and you're ready to go.

I should point out it is not possible to upgrade the memory as it is soldered to the motherboard, and while the SSD is not designed to be "user upgradable" it is not soldered and it is possible to buy a 3rd party kit and upgrade it. However you have to be careful ensuring you purchase the correct spec as the SSD is a non standard design and you will need a special screwdriver to do it.

 

[feeverte]

to be honest I have no intention of ripping open any old mac for upgrade...especially 27inch screen
----

yes it is the same as @CooperBox recommended.

ah ok thanks ! so that screenshot is actually the mac book pro I have a chance to buy

and you are correct I could always trying using it as a monitor ... true I have not tried that but I do have a thunderbolt cable for starting in target mode

 

[James_C]

ah ok thanks ! so that screenshot is actually the mac book pro I have a chance to buy

Go for it, I had one of those and still miss it to be honest. I 'upgraded' to a 2016 15" MacBook Pro, yes it is quicker, but I hate the keyboard and Touch Bar. I have used many Powerbook / MacBook Pro's over the years and I would argue that the mid 2012 was the most enjoyable notebook I have ever used.

Hopefully you can get target display mode working on your old 27" iMac so you can have the portability and a nice large display when you need it.

 

[CooperBox]

isnt this the same as you are reccomending ?

No! Sorry for misleading you, I should have said the mid 2012 15" MacBook Pro9,1 model A1286 which is the non Retina, that's the model I prefer and really recommend over the 10,1 A1398 which is the same year but with Retina screen.

 

[feeverte]

ok I think I am getting the mac book pro.... feel a bit nervous cause the keyboard its not british english, but begger cant be chooser

In the meantime I found another 27th, if one is still around when my next pay check comes in, maybe.
There are quite a lot on sale at the moment, perhaps as the new 27" is out ?

Pretty much the same but one a touch newer and a slight higher processor but less ram and fusion (does this mean number 1) was opened and manually upgraded?

1)
iMac 27" Midd 2010 (old case with dvd slot)
Processor 2.8 GHz Intel Core 15
RAM 16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Start Up Disk Macintosh SSD
Storage 1TB
Graphic Card ATI Radeon HD 5750 1024 MB
Mac OS High Sierra vers. 10.13.6.


2)
Computer iMac Apple 27", End 2010
Processor 2,93 GHz Intel Core i7
Ram 8GB 1067 MHz DDR3
Start up Fusion drive
Storage 1TB
Graphic Card ATI Radeon HD 5750 1024MB
Mac OS High Sierra vers. 10.13.6.

 

[feeverte]

No! Sorry for misleading you, I should have said the mid 2012 15" MacBook Pro9,1 model A1286 which is the non Retina, that's the model I prefer and really recommend over the 10,1 A1398 which is the same year but with Retina screen.

why is the retina worst?

I did source one midd 2012 for the studio I work part time, and I liked it so much which is why I was looking for same/similar set on 15"... so I do know what you mean even if I dont fully understand why they are good or someone say even better than more recent model. its a very pleasant machine to work with.

I could actually do a swap has it has a british keyboard unlike the one I am getting right now.

 

[feeverte]

havent said thanks yet have I, so thanks, really appreciated.

 

[CooperBox]

why is the retina worst?

I did source one mid 2012 for the studio I work part time, and I liked it so much which is why I was looking for same/similar set on 15"... so I do know what you mean even if I dont fully understand why they are good or someone say even better than more recent model. its a very pleasant machine to work with.

I could actually do a swap has it has a british keyboard unlike the one I am getting right now.

I didn't actually say the Retina model was the "worst", but as I own both the mid 2012 15" Unibody MBPro and also the mid 2012 MBPro Retina model, it's the former non Retina model that I prefer by far.
Many may disagree (and that's ok) but imho 'Retina' is very much a marketing buzzword - although agreed the display in terms of pixel definition is greater, but the display is only average in other respects, i.e. many of the LG displays were reported to have image retention issues, and I dislike the glare of the retina screen compared to the non retina mid 2012 model. The fact that my retina model has had no use these last 10 months whereby the non retina is in daily use must say something for the latter's preference.
Reasons for my preference:
My non-retina runs a little cooler, probably due to the slightly thicker unibody case and the Samsung 500GB SSD I've installed.
One can easily and very economically max out the non-retina model with up to 16GB Ram and a Samsung or Crucial large capacity SSD. Plus the battery is much easier to change.
The additional CD/DVD drive and ethernet plus firewire 800 ports are for me also a game changer. I frequently use firefire especially for target mode backups and clones. The lack of HDMI and thunderport ports for me is not a problem.
In summary, the major reason for my preference cannot be ignored:
Ifixit gave the mid 2012 15" Unibody MBPro a repairability score of 7/10. The same year retina display model......(wait for it)......1/10.
With a significant hardware problem or screen relacement the retina model will be more costly to repair.

 

[feeverte]

I am sure you are dying to know what I got in the end.
I went for the mac book pro
Ended up having a bit of an issue with seller as the speakers are pretty dire and the battery is for service
anyway I m here for a new post so, cheer ho