Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Awesome setup & an amazing story! Thank you 🙂

I myself am not sure if I should get an 4k External Display, or go with the iMac ... Because the 13" Screen is not cutting it. You seem to have tried it all and found what works the best 😅
My personal opinion, if you ever feel in time, you will want to add an additional monitor to your setup, I would seriously not consider the 24" iMac. Unless, you're okay with the difference in visual quality between it and the new monitor. Then again, if it was a ProDisplay, then you'd be fine :)
 
Awesome setup & an amazing story! Thank you ?

I myself am not sure if I should get an 4k External Display, or go with the iMac ... Because the 13" Screen is not cutting it. You seem to have tried it all and found what works the best ?

I would say MacBook Pro and external monitor wins over an iMac. I just didn't stick with that combination because the MacBook available at the time wasn't up to the performance I needed. By the time I got round to a decent MacBook I had got used to working on it and didn't see the need to get an external monitor.
 
My personal opinion, if you ever feel in time, you will want to add an additional monitor to your setup, I would seriously not consider the 24" iMac. Unless, you're okay with the difference in visual quality between it and the new monitor. Then again, if it was a ProDisplay, then you'd be fine :)
Appreciate it. I highly doubt that I will get a ProDisplay 😄 I had a 32" 4K Dell, but ended up returning it because of the common screen flickering issues. Haven't gotten a new one yet. But I am leaning towards external monitor, more than the iMac.

Portability is great to have, but I rarely take my MacBook outside 🤷‍♂️ That's why I was thinking about getting an iMac.

I would say MacBook Pro and external monitor wins over an iMac. I just didn't stick with that combination because the MacBook available at the time wasn't up to the performance I needed. By the time I got round to a decent MacBook I had got used to working on it and didn't see the need to get an external monitor.
Thanks for the input. I see that lots of people lean towards a MacBook + External Display nowadays 🤔
 
  • Like
Reactions: ivanwi11iams
IMG_4215.jpg


14" MBP Space Gray
 
I replaced my mid-2015 MacBook Pro. It's the maxed out version (with the M370X) and honestly, it's still going very strong, but I need more power and hope this new base 16" M1 Pro wil serve me as well. Going to replace my iPad Air 2 next. Probably gonna get the Air again instead of the 11" Pro, since I dont use the iPad much.

Hope Apple also releases a new (nicely built) screen like the Thunderbold display. I just cannot justify getting the Pro Display XDR one.

View attachment 1933554

Oh, and if anyone is wondering. Here are the last 3 larger MacBook Pro designs compared.
From the bottom up: 2015 15" Retina, 2019 16" Touch Bar, 2021 16" M1 Pro:

View attachment 1933553
How does that Thunderbolt Display compare to the 16” MB Screen? After using my MB, I couldn’t stand my low-quality 24” Display, it’s just collecting dust now.
 
How does that Thunderbolt Display compare to the 16” MB Screen? After using my MB, I couldn’t stand my low-quality 24” Display, it’s just collecting dust now.

The lower pixel density is definitely noticeable. It already was, compared to my Retina MacBook Pro, and especially now compared to the M1’s screen.

Although my laptop is often on the stand and I dont use it’s screen then, just the Thunderbolt one, I keep it dimmed, but open for better cooling, so I get used to the lower ppi of the Thunderbolt one… But whenever I take the MacBook with me, use it, come back home, plug it into the display: yeah, the difference becomes very noticeable. That’s why I’m very interested to see if Apple releases a new, more affordable, model.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EzisAA and kToni73
How does that Thunderbolt Display compare to the 16” MB Screen? After using my MB, I couldn’t stand my low-quality 24” Display, it’s just collecting dust now.
Sell or gift (to a high-school/college student) that 24" display you're not using. No need to add to home or pile of electronic waste vs gifting to someone that could use it for they learning / work.
 
LEFT: Even though retired, I occasionally work on some freelance projects - for which I prefer using my MBP.
RIGHT: For personal computing like web browsing and reading, I use my iPad.
BOTH: My calendar, task list, notes, sketches etc. are all done analog - in my Travelers Notebook.

View attachment 1934035
Was that a shift from Physical Books to Digital? I'd love to hear from more people on this, might help me figure out what I want. Love holding the actual book in my hand, feeling the paper. But there are so much Pros with Digital copies as well.
 
Was that a shift from Physical Books to Digital? I'd love to hear from more people on this, might help me figure out what I want. Love holding the actual book in my hand, feeling the paper. But there are so much Pros with Digital copies as well.
Thanks kToni73, interesting question indeed. I'll try my best to answer.

After my "Rewind to Analog" process, I was wondering if there was still a purpose for my iPad. So the e-reader idea came to mind, for the obvious reasons: quick and easy purchase-direct-download, a whole library in one compact device, no more bookshelves... One of the things I like in particular is having Safari alongside for extra research, translation...

I've been working towards my present setup for a few months only, so it's perhaps a little too soon to evaluate. But I think I can do a lot of e-reading on my iPad. Nevertheless, some books (like p.e. drawing tutorials) could work better as actual physical books to hold and eventually fill with scribbles.

Hm, with that said, why not use both options to fit your usage best ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: kToni73
Very neat. Did you work like that or was it cleaned up for the picture? Totally appealing but my workspace gets cluttered in 24-48 hours like magic. Maybe if I had less space I’d keep my area neater but probably not.
I generally keep a clean desk. For me, a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind. My macOS desktop on the other hand is a complete mess! Easier to hide though. ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: mj_
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.