Question for iMac owners: What do you use for portability?

[PatriotInvasion]

My iMac is a personal computer. So for portability right now I use an iPad Air 2, I think about the 12.9 inch Pro but am happy with mine at the moment and can do most things that I would want to do at the moment. I am amazed that with the right apps, how productive I can be on the iPad. The 5K screen is absolutely gorgeous and I would never want to part with it other than for another one.

No one who owns an iMac ever has a significant complaint about it. Plenty of opinions on Apple's portable options but the iMac people are always pretty happy. That's why I plan to own one for as long as they sell them and experiment with portables to get my tech fix. The Retina MacBook has been by far my favorite setup, albeit a week in.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

rMBP hooked up to a 4K external monitor. I love the iMac, I just hate having multiple computers.

Which 4K monitor are you running. And, why do you hate having multiple computers? In some ways having an iPhone and a Mac is having multiple computers. As is an iPad mixed in to that group.

 

[flyinmac]

I use an hp laptop and my iPhone for portable use.

 

[BenTrovato]

Which 4K monitor are you running. And, why do you hate having multiple computers? In some ways having an iPhone and a Mac is having multiple computers. As is an iPad mixed in to that group.

I use the Dell P2415q and it's been pretty good. I do use a phone and iPad but I just like to have one computer. I find I'm more productive with one system than a bunch of them. Just in terms of getting work done. I use the iPad more for browsing and reading.

 

[Icaras]

Which 4K monitor are you running. And, why do you hate having multiple computers? In some ways having an iPhone and a Mac is having multiple computers. As is an iPad mixed in to that group.

I actually feel the same way as gibbson913 on having multiple computers, although I wouldn't say I "hate" it, just not preferred. And again, my preference is the same here with using an iPad instead of a Mac for portability.

The last time I had two Macs was when I had a 2010 MacBook Air plus an iMac but I only kept the Air for about a year before handing it over to my wife. The problem back then was that all we had was MobileMe, so I personally found it irritating not having all of my data and media synced up seamlessly. It was unnecessary upkeep for me. However now since that iCloud has merged pretty much all your data, i would be more open to the idea of having a second Mac.

But at the same time I really find an iOS device a joy to use because of how smaller and lighter it is, both in terms of physical size and weight, and also on my wallet. I myself don't do any serious work on the go but it is certainly capable of doing enough work to make me happy and justified. And for me I'm finding it harder to justify owning a secondary portable Mac when we are starting to get new iPad Pros that are having greater performance than before.

But I will say that having a second Mac today is much simpler and better than it was before. It's just that there are more mobile options now than in 2010.

 

[MCAsan]

We are about to move from iPad Air 2 and rMBP to iPad Pro for mobility and iMac for more performance and better screen on the desktop.

 

[MadDane]

I have a 27" iMac at the desk and a 13" rMBP for mobility. I am currently working on my master thesis (engineering) so I need some power on the go I also have an iPad Air 2. But I am considering selling it as I very rarely use it.

 

[mmomega]

My portable is the 12" retina MacBook 512GB.
It's very lightweight, the screen looks great and the only connectivity I need is internet and the occasional USB drive.
I've been a 27" iMac user since the late 2009 model as well as the late 2009 15" MacBook Pro. I've stuck with the 27" desktop but have been gradually getting smaller and lighter laptops and at least at this point, the 12" rMB is exactly what I want in a portable.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

I actually feel the same way as gibbson913 on having multiple computers, although I wouldn't say I "hate" it, just not preferred. And again, my preference is the same here with using an iPad instead of a Mac for portability.

The last time I had two Macs was when I had a 2010 MacBook Air plus an iMac but I only kept the Air for about a year before handing it over to my wife. The problem back then was that all we had was MobileMe, so I personally found it irritating not having all of my data and media synced up seamlessly. It was unnecessary upkeep for me. However now since that iCloud has merged pretty much all your data, i would be more open to the idea of having a second Mac.

But at the same time I really find an iOS device a joy to use because of how smaller and lighter it is, both in terms of physical size and weight, and also on my wallet. I myself don't do any serious work on the go but it is certainly capable of doing enough work to make me happy and justified. And for me I'm finding it harder to justify owning a secondary portable Mac when we are starting to get new iPad Pros that are having greater performance than before.

But I will say that having a second Mac today is much simpler and better than it was before. It's just that there are more mobile options now than in 2010.

Yes, iCloud has certainly made having a second Mac much easier and part of the reason I went that route. If you save your most commonly used files to iCloud Drive, it's like you're using the same Mac anywhere. For the times I need something on my iMac I use Back to My Mac to access it via File Sharing - something that cannot be done easily on an iPad without multiple 3rd party apps.

I find the 12-inch MacBook to be the perfect portable for those who are always scraping the boundaries of what they want their iPad to do when it comes to file management, ergonomics of use, keyboard typing, etc. At 2.03 lbs, it's also lighter than a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard.

 

[circatee]

For me it is rare that I travel etc. However, if I do, and need a device of sorts, I take my iPad Air II

 

[Icaras]

Yes, iCloud has certainly made having a second Mac much easier and part of the reason I went that route. If you save your most commonly used files to iCloud Drive, it's like you're using the same Mac anywhere. For the times I need something on my iMac I use Back to My Mac to access it via File Sharing - something that cannot be done easily on an iPad without multiple 3rd party apps.

I find the 12-inch MacBook to be the perfect portable for those who are always scraping the boundaries of what they want their iPad to do when it comes to file management, ergonomics of use, keyboard typing, etc. At 2.03 lbs, it's also lighter than a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard.

That's awesome that you found the perfect solution for your needs. iCloud makes things just a whole lot easier, and if you simply need OS X, there's no question that a Macbook is definitely a great choice as a portable companion for the iMac.

Great point on Back to My Mac as well. That is absolutely an added bonus for using two Macs. Also, the weight companions between the 12-inch Macbook versus the iPad Pro + Keyboard is interesting. I never did the math on the weight to compare it myself but I had no idea the iPad Pro actually weighed more after slapping on a Smart Keyboard, and even more with a case on. So basically the iPad Pro weighs more (with accessories) and costs an additional $99 (w/ Smart Keyboard) or more (w/case) over the base Macbook model. Great deal actually if you don't care about the additional 1" of screen size and Apple Pencil support.

 

[MCAsan]

So much depends on what you need to do in the field. Very hard to say what is best unless someone describes a specific use case. For the wife and I in the field all we need is email, browser, games, newsstand of subscribed magazines, AirDrop. If we have to edit a photo in the field we can make due with Photos or Snapseed or similar. But all serious photo culling and editing will be done back home on large calibrated monitors.

 

[geekiemac]

Great point on Back to My Mac as well. That is absolutely an added bonus for using two Macs.

Handoff is also a great feature when using two Macs. I couldn't count the number of times I start something on the iMac and then continue it on the Macbook. Too bad it's limited to a few applications, though. An extended usage of the feature - or even enabling it for third-party applications - would be a real plus in OS X.

 

[MCAsan]

If you happen to be in a location with reliable high speed wifi....great! But in a remote cabin in Alaska photographing bears or out in bush camp in Kenya, that scenario can't happen. Again, depends on the use case....what apps and in what circumstances.

 

[geekiemac]

If you happen to be in a location with reliable high speed wifi....great! But in a remote cabin in Alaska photographing bears or out in bush camp in Kenya, that scenario can't happen. Again, depends on the use case....what apps and in what circumstances.

Of course. I can only speak for my own experience... besides that, what would be the point for Handoff while photographing bears in a cabin ??

 

[ggibson913]

Yes, iCloud has certainly made having a second Mac much easier and part of the reason I went that route. If you save your most commonly used files to iCloud Drive, it's like you're using the same Mac anywhere. For the times I need something on my iMac I use Back to My Mac to access it via File Sharing - something that cannot be done easily on an iPad without multiple 3rd party apps.

I find the 12-inch MacBook to be the perfect portable for those who are always scraping the boundaries of what they want their iPad to do when it comes to file management, ergonomics of use, keyboard typing, etc. At 2.03 lbs, it's also lighter than a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard.

You really can't go wrong here. Whether you are like me and use an iPad for portability or use the 12" Macbook, both are a great solution.

 

[VanNess]

I'm a huge fan of my 27-inch iMac. I have a Late 2013 Haswell and before that I owned a 2010 model. I really enjoy having a big display at my desk, but inevitably the lack of portability becomes an issue, so wondering what other iMac owners choose to go with for their portable computing needs to get a sense of what is most prevalent.

12.9 IPP, 9.7 Air 2, and iPhone 6s. Whether I use the IPP or the Air on the go is mostly a matter of available space or mood.