Trying to get my Apple workflow optimal for me

[CSBBody]

Hi all,

long time lurker, first post, this forum has been immensely helpful thus far.

Currently my line up is:

2017 base iMac 27 inch (16gb Ram i5 quad core)
2018 iPad Pro 11
2019 iPad mini

i had the 13 inch 2017 dual core MacBook Pro but sold it as it was gathering dust.

I am in nutritional sciences and physiology, most of my day is designing nutrition plans in numbers, converting to pdf, or working on the back end of my app in safari. I work for myself and have my own practice.

I recently went on holiday and thought i could do everything via the iPad (and probably still can) , right up to the point I had 30 plans to get out, and realized I didn’t fully understand the new workflow on the iPad, this caused huge stress, but managed to get through it. This i know is more down to me than iPad limitations.

I do photography as a hobby, and i am getting into basic video shooting , editing and have realized i need to start putting more educational content out in video form to my clients and social media. I currently shoot with a Fuji T3.

Now, when i figure out the iPad, and become more fluent in its use, the above items, seems like a great workflow for now and it is.

i work 99% from home, but i do occasionally need to work out of office, and having my own business i am never on “holiday” so i always need to be up and running during holidays.

Here is the main issue, where i live, we have to put up with load shedding, which to anyone unfamiliar with it, we have rotational power cuts, we are often down for 4-9 hours a day without electricity, some months nothing and then we have 1-3 months of almost daily power cuts.

This has had me thinking of moving on the iMac and getting a base 16 inch (i cant upgrade ram etc, where i am it takes way to long and way to expensive to get it done, for example the base model , working on exchange rates is $ 3550 for the same machine costing 2200 in the states)

so base 16”or new 13/14” with an external monitor ,keyboard etc. this will allow me to be portable , and survive the electricity cuts.

i think either of these machines should be enough for my more basic editing needs, even though they will bring in money, they are still basic. Anything further i would rather bring in an experienced editor.

so whether to suck it up, sell iMac,pay in the difference and get the accessories to make this all work, or stick to my current set up, and put more effort into learning the ipad pro ?

Btw my spreadsheet needs does not involve equations or anything complex, it’s literally just what i design the layout on, duplicate and export to pdf.

Other than that i am always studying (iPad) or taking notes during client consults ~(iPad) or reading fiction (iPad mini)

all articles i write for various publications, i do via the imac and evernote, as well as any photo editing via affinity.

apologies for the long post, but wanted to expand on my current use cases, future use cases, and current situation regarding power outages etc.

 

[bfChris2]

I've lived outside the States so I understand some of your constraints. If it were me, I would sell the iMac and work with a MacBook Pro. You can connect an external monitor, but when the power goes out, you still have the built-in screen. Short of using a generator (which it sounds like the people where you live would all own?), you don't have the option of a desktop computer. No UPS will be sufficient, and the other standby power methods such as flywheel are not practical for the home.

 

[Conutz]

I live in the same part of the world as you

A MacBook will certainly handle load shedding without a problem - my 2018 15” custom that I brought in from the US laughs at the typical 4 hours, even with a virtual machine running (ending with ~60%).

For your use work though a MacBook Air might be a better option. It’s lighter & significantly cheaper, and may very well give you longer autonomy. It is a lot less powerful than a MBP though, so it may battle with photos/video. Having said that, you have a decent iPad that will happily let you complete your spreadsheets, either in Excel or in Numbers. You can sync/storeyour files in iCloud or Dropbox. I use both and the flexibility it provides is great - I move between my MBP, 2018 Mini (also custom from the US ) and my iPP seamlessly. You didn’t mention whether you use a keyboard with your IPP though, but for spreadsheets and writing, it’s an essential tool for the iPad. Remember that iOS 13 has mouse support, which may make your life even easier. You’ll need to check out which devices are supported though.

Another option is a decent UPS for your iMac. It’ll be cheaper than another Mac and will allow you to keep your iMac with that fantastic display. It need not provide hours of autonomy, but enough to finish what you’re doing, save (and cloud sync) and shut down. You could then continue working on your iPad. Your UPS could also be used hold up your modem/router for the duration of load shedding, if spec‘ed correctly - we have one for our modem, router and comms equipment in the office. If you go this route, chat to knowledgeable/reputable suppliers, I’m not sure that the traditional retail stores will provide the best options or advice.

It’s a difficult one as load shedding is so unpredictable, as you say. At this point, it’s pretty manageable as I’ve outlined above, even if it’s daily for 4 hours. Once it gets to 6, 8 or more, then that will likely require a different approach...likely a small, but decent generator.

 

[CSBBody]

thanks so much for the advice and replies.

load shedding has started up again this weekend and the coming week, luckily only 4 hours down each day.

I considering the UPS , but think the laptop option will offer more in the end, although UPS far cheaper option.

I went and played with the MacBook Air and 16 inch again the weekend, both great machines. the allure of the 16 inch is great haha

the ideal would be whatever may or may not be realised on the 13 inch side come march April, I am going to try keep my wallet in my pants and hold out day by day.

and try put more effort into learning this iPad Pro, I figured out going from the google drive app (I run my business entirely on this) is what caused all the issues, when accessing from the "files" app and then to google drive worked far better, still taking longer per plan than what I can normally work, but at least workable in a sense.

I think finding an external monitor is more intense than deciding on which laptop. a whole area I am unfamiliar with, and options are slim here on the ultra wide.