Using Macbook Pro as Desktop/Mac Mini?

[FaceChart2]

Hi everyone,

I am just wondering if this is possible....

With the new MacBook Pros coming out tomorrow, they are probably going to be the latest and greatest Macs around for a while as far as the new Apple Silicon goes... (Unless they surprisingly announce a new iMac or Mac Mini, which sounds very unlikely).

I am wondering, how possible would it be to use the MacBook Pro as a desktop computer? I am thinking about just ditching my 8 year old Mac Mini and simply having a MacBook Pro.

Couldn't I just connect the MacBook Pro to my 32" 4K monitor, mouse, and keyboard, and use it as a desktop computer plus be able to take it with me on the go? Is this possible?

Are there any disadvantages to doing this as opposed to having a Mac Mini desktop computer? It seems like this would be a WAY better setup than the Mac Mini....?

I appreciate any advice!

 

[zakarhino]

I've been using a MacBook Pro as a 'desktop' device for years, many of my friends do too. I use a thunderbolt 3 bolt and two displays. Works fine. The only issue is extended periods of having the laptop plugged in can degrade the battery but I think newer versions of macOS help alleviate that issue.

Couldn't I just connect the MacBook Pro to my 32" 4K monitor, mouse, and keyboard, and use it as a desktop computer plus be able to take it with me on the go? Is this possible?

Literally my setup except I also have a portrait mode display set up in addition to the 4k monitor. It's perfectly possible and works great.

Given that the mac mini will have equivalent performance to the laptop range it makes a ton more sense to get a powerful laptop and use it in a desktop configuration because you get the obvious added benefit of portability when you need it. The only reason I would buy a desktop machine over a laptop would be if the desktop has significantly better performance than the laptop.

 

[skaertus]

Hi everyone,

I am just wondering if this is possible....

With the new MacBook Pros coming out tomorrow, they are probably going to be the latest and greatest Macs around for a while as far as the new Apple Silicon goes... (Unless they surprisingly announce a new iMac or Mac Mini, which sounds very unlikely).

I am wondering, how possible would it be to use the MacBook Pro as a desktop computer? I am thinking about just ditching my 8 year old Mac Mini and simply having a MacBook Pro.

Couldn't I just connect the MacBook Pro to my 32" 4K monitor, mouse, and keyboard, and use it as a desktop computer plus be able to take it with me on the go? Is this possible?

Are there any disadvantages to doing this as opposed to having a Mac Mini desktop computer? It seems like this would be a WAY better setup than the Mac Mini....?

I appreciate any advice!

It should be possible, although it will also depend on what Apple will reveal tomorrow and whether it will bring any limitations (which is unlikely).

I have used Mac laptops as desktops in the past and it works fine. Just connected my Mac laptop to a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse or trackpad and it works fine.

 

[OW22]

Coming back to this. I currently have an iMac 27in, the late 2015 model. I was waiting for Apple to update the iMac this year with the M1 but like many others, I was really disappointed to see the trusty 27in model discontinued. So the next option is ASD + Mac Studio, Mac Mini or MBP.

I just ordered the ASD, there are long lead times for this so I have time to decide.

I'm not a heavy user, web, music, watching media content, Word/PDF and emails and that's it. No video/photo editing or gaming. I know the Mac Mini would be enough but I'm keen to future proof so I don't mind paying more for the studio or MBP.

The 14in MBP seems a great choice with a powerful chip and of course the incredible screen and portability. I travel a lot for business so can just bring this and use it as my work PC as well.

Are there any downsides to using the MBP as a desktop besides possible battery degradation long term? From what I can see, I won't even have to plug the MBP in via Mag Safe when hooked up to the ASD.

Money wise they look similar. Basic Studio with 1TB SSD is €2,579 and 14in MBP €2,749 with 1TB SSD. Obviously, the Studio has the M1 Max but I doubt I will ever need that power. The portability and the screen on the MBP make it look like great value compared to the Studio.

 

[Jamacfer]

I am in your exact same situation and waiting for the new MBA (should coming this fall) to connect to the ASD. I too am on the fence about buying now the 14" MBP but I think it would be unnecessarily too powerful, expensive and heavy for my typical use.