Question?

[Libertine82]

I like having a laptop then a second screen connected that is above my laptop (currently 2016 MacBook Pro and standard 22" HD screen) ive been waiting for a 27-30" iMac but not looking likely in the next few months, so I was wondering would the new MacBook Air and the M1 24"iMac using universal control be a good solution?

** its about the same price as Mac studio and studio display but I dont need that power and would also give the flexibility of a laptop and a workstation (if universal control would work ok with the above suggestion)

 

[jav6454]

If you have a MBP, why not get the 14" MBP then? Leave the iMac until it comes out in M2 flavor.

 

[Libertine82]

If you have a MBP, why not get the 14" MBP then? Leave the iMac until it comes out in M2 flavor.

yeah def a good shout but I want to upgrade my larger screen too and also the 14" has been out awhile so if spending that kind of money would like to get the longest support window (kinda wish I just got the 14" rather than waiting on iMac, the plan was to use my iPad as the lower display using universal control with a 27" iMac)

 

[jav6454]

I'd suggest you wait and not get an MBA. Remember those machines will throttle and by the sound of your setup, you likely are heavily using your machines.

 

[Libertine82]

I'd suggest you wait and not get an MBA. Remember those machines will throttle and by the sound of your setup, you likely are heavily using your machines.

yeah the lack of fan is a concern, just trying to think of the best set up to have a small display then a larger above under 3K would be the sweet spot. id be happy with a base M2 in a 27" iMac tbh that would be my ideal machine then use my iPad Pro below it, but I doubt we will ever get that

 

[jav6454]

yeah the lack of fan is a concern, just trying to think of the best set up to have a small display then a larger above under 3K would be the sweet spot. id be happy with a base M2 in a 27" iMac tbh that would be my ideal machine then use my iPad Pro below it, but I doubt we will ever get that

Yeah, stick to the 14" MBP. Also, wouldn't the Studio Display do it?

 

[Libertine82]

Yeah, stick to the 14" MBP. Also, wouldn't the Studio Display do it?

yeah its just the cost if it was 1K then fine, at the price point I can get a iMac 24" on amazon UK for about 1.1K **edit and with universal control kinda does the same thing?

 

[jav6454]

yeah its just the cost if it was 1K then fine, at the price point I can get a iMac 24" on amazon UK for about 1.1K **edit and with universal control kinda does the same thing?

Then yes, given that, a nice 14MBP and a future iMac makes sense.

 

[Libertine82]

Then yes, given that, a nice 14MBP and a future iMac makes sense.

thanks for the input, I was just curios if universal control would be OK but the fact no one has said no then cool, so I can have my main intensive tasks on the 14" and then use the larger screen for websites etc and also get a mouse and keyboard too just need to measure that the 14" will sit below the 24"iMac

 

[jav6454]

I have an iPhone and 13"MBP and haven't found issues in Universal Control using it on a friend's iPad. So either way you'll be fine.

 

[cheesygrin]

I would look at a MacBook Pro 14” and a premium Dell monitor personally. I know Dell might not be as flashy as an Apple display, but honestly the Studio display is way overpriced and over complicated for what it is, and using an iMac as extra screen is also way overcomplicated. A nice big Dell panel would be more useful and probably cheaper as well.

 

[crossrhythm]

Here is my set up as a standing desk/zoom teaching station (I’m a musician). 14” MBP with a Phillips 27” 4k, only 60hz but works well for my needs.

(in the photo it is connected to my iPad but I use it as the primary display of my laptop all the time).

 

[jav6454]

Here is my set up as a standing desk/zoom teaching station (I’m a musician). 14” MBP with a Phillips 27” 4k, only 60hz but works well for my needs.

(in the photo it is connected to my iPad but I use it as the primary display of my laptop all the time).
View attachment 2023118

Shinny... I love it.

 

[Libertine82]

Here is my set up as a standing desk/zoom teaching station (I’m a musician). 14” MBP with a Phillips 27” 4k, only 60hz but works well for my needs.

(in the photo it is connected to my iPad but I use it as the primary display of my laptop all the time).
View attachment 2023118

looks amazing thanks for sharing, music looks so beautiful on the page, like Tolkien scroll

 

[jav6454]

looks amazing thanks for sharing, music looks so beautiful on the page, like Tolkien scroll

I guess that setup will influence and solidify the 14" MBP option?

 

[Libertine82]

I guess that setup will influence and solidify the 14" MBP option?

yes certainly, its a nice set up and that Phillips panel looks really good, tbh I could prob get away with the new air as I do like the slimmer size but the 14 has the better screen and ports etc, guess its just a 1st world problem. Appreciate the feedback, certainly have some new things to think about, and the reason I made the post was to get some other ideas

 

[Danfango]

I bought a 14" MBP and a Studio Display. I don't regret it for a moment. They are top notch devices which were well worth investing in.

However due to a working situation change here if I was going to do it again I'd probably just max out a 24" iMac with 16Gb/1TB and use my ipad pro for portable stuff. The killer thing is the iMac is definitely good enough for most things!

 

[w5jck]

I’m not sure what kind of processing power you need, but I have more than enough to do a lot of Lightroom, Photoshop, and 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro with my MacBook Air 2020 M1 16GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. No throttling as far as I can tell and no over heating. I attached a photo of my setup with a Samsung S80AU 27 inch 4K monitor. You can see the monitor ($400) has very good color that matches the MacBook Air M1 Display P3.

​

 

[Libertine82]

I bought a 14" MBP and a Studio Display. I don't regret it for a moment. They are top notch devices which were well worth investing in.

However due to a working situation change here if I was going to do it again I'd probably just max out a 24" iMac with 16Gb/1TB and use my ipad pro for portable stuff. The killer thing is the iMac is definitely good enough for most things!

yeah I think waiting on the next iMac/iPad is prob where im at but it could be ages, I would love a 14" and studio though, but out my price range though with the current circumstances

 

[Libertine82]

I’m not sure what kind of processing power you need, but I have more than enough to do a lot of Lightroom, Photoshop, and 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro with my MacBook Air 2020 M1 16GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. No throttling as far as I can tell and no over heating. I attached a photo of my setup with a Samsung S80AU 27 inch 4K monitor. You can see the monitor ($400) has very good color that matches the MacBook Air M1 Display P3.

​

oh my processing requirements are generally low (however future proofing is good), IT admin and I like writing, however I do play one simulation game that does tax my 2016 pro.

 

[w5jck]

oh my processing requirements are generally low (however future proofing is good), IT admin and I like writing, however I do play one simulation game that does tax my 2016 pro.

In that case, no matter which M1 or M2 you get eventually be sure to get at least 16GB RAM to help future proof the purchase. Macs tend to last a long time, longer than their usefulness in some cases. I upgraded to the MacBook Air M1 a few months ago from a 2014 MacBook Pro 15” 16GB RAM and i7. It can still handle the tasks, but much slower than the new Mac. It sounds like your workload is fairly light, so as long as you get plenty of RAM and a good sized SSD the new Mac(s) should serve you well for several years.

 

[jonblatho]

would the new MacBook Air and the M1 24"iMac using universal control be a good solution

It's up to you, of course, but I'd consider getting a standalone monitor to go with your laptop instead of an iMac, as someone who wound up with almost exactly this solution (an M1 MacBook Air + M1 iMac). Long story. Anyway, Universal Control is certainly helpful for a two-computer setup, but it still pales in comparison to having everything on one computer (with the option of extra screen real estate when you’re home and you want/need it) in my experience, unless you have a specific need for two machines.

If you're willing to take a small hit in display quality, you could also apply the savings from the display (vs. a Studio Display or iMac) toward a more powerful laptop (14" MacBook Pro?) if you'd like — or just save some cash, can't ever hurt.

At work we have 27" 4K displays paired with 5K iMacs (for now, awaiting 14" MacBook Pros ordered in March 😬) and I've yet to encounter a serious issue between the two display panels. The Studio Display is a much better design and slightly better panel, but it's not worth anywhere close to the ~$1000 premium for our (or I'd argue most) purposes.

 

[kevcube]

I'd suggest you wait and not get an MBA. Remember those machines will throttle and by the sound of your setup, you likely are heavily using your machines.

I wouldn’t worry about the throttling.. as a user of a 13” mbp, my fans never turn on. The m2 is more efficient, so even less to worry about.

 

[jav6454]

I wouldn’t worry about the throttling.. as a user of a 13” mbp, my fans never turn on. The m2 is more efficient, so even less to worry about.

In OP's case, yes throttling will be an issue. So the MBA is not the machine for OP. It's the 14" MBP.

 

[bobcomer]

I wouldn’t worry about the throttling.. as a user of a 13” mbp, my fans never turn on. The m2 is more efficient, so even less to worry about.

Throttling was a big issue for me and the M1 MBA, so much so I traded it in on a Studio Max. It's all about workload and the way you do it, so I can't say it would effect anyone for sure, but it definitely can be a problem. I'll never buy a passively cooled computer again, that's for sure.