At the moment’s featured setup consumer seeks out and will get good recommendation on his improve questions. He runs an getting old MacBook Professional and a more moderen iMac, however wonders about changing them each with a more moderen MacBook Professional, maybe an M4 Professional mannequin. Commenters on his submit provided helpful ideas, under, on future-proofing decisions of Mac fashions in addition to exterior show choices.
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Consumer’s dilemma: M3 iMac vs MacBook Professional (M4 Professional)
All-in-one Mac
2023 M3 iMac
Apple’s all-in-one desktop machine includes a 24-inch built-in show and color-matched keyboard and mouse — plus all the fundamental specs wanted for informal makes use of.
- Easy all-in-one design
- Stunning 24-inch show
- Shade matched keyboard and mouse
- Not probably the most highly effective Mac
In a submit entitled, “Substitute M3 iMac with M4 MacBook Professional?” WFH actual property agent and Redditor Icy_Astronaut_7534 posed the query about which of his Mac machines to switch when, and with what. He runs an M1 MacBook Professional with 8GB of RAM. It drives a 27-inch LG show, although he additionally leaves the laptop computer open to be used with Common Management. However he additionally runs an M3 iMac (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) as his primary machine that he thought he may ditch as nicely, probably in favor of an M4 Professional MacBook Professional. He stated he loves the newer laptops’ two-external-display functionality, and possibly it may change each his Macs.
“I at all times have loads of tabs open. I additionally am beginning to do extra video modifying and extra demanding duties. It’s been nice to this point, however my M1 MacBook Professional with 8GB RAM is beginning to be inadequate. As a substitute of changing solely my laptop computer, I’m contemplating changing/promoting/buying and selling my iMac as nicely, whereas it’s nonetheless value one thing, since I plan on upgrading my MacBook sooner or later anyway, and finally this 16GB M3 iMac received’t lower it.”
“I’m searching for suggestions for MBP Chip, RAM, SSD (leaning M4 Professional, 24GB, 512GB), and a primary monitor since I’d now not have the iMac’s stunning 24 inch show,” he added. “Or whether or not I ought to simply watch for the M5 MacBook Professional this fall since I don’t essentially have to improve at this second. Open to all recommendations.”
And the recommendations got here from useful commenters. Coincidentally, Icy’s high choose for MacBook Professional is precisely the mannequin I’ve as my primary every day driver.
What useful commenters advised on iMac vs. MacBook Professional and show questions
Transportable powerhouse
2024 M4 Professional MacBook Professional
4.5
This Apple laptop computer options an M4 Professional chip with a 12-core CPU, a 16-core GPU and the identical light-weight design everyone knows and love. Out there in area black or silver.
- 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR show
- 24GB unified reminiscence (configurable from 16GB to 36GB)
- 512GB SSD storage (configurable to 1TB)
- Similar design as earlier fashions
Simply change the MacBook Professional with MacBook Air
- The iMac you’ve is nice. You ain’t getting a display like that for any affordable amount of cash, and the value of the Studio show is simply silly. If I have been you I’d simply purchase a brand new [MacBook] Air when the M1 craps out. However you say this iMac is just not gonna lower it. I don’t know what may you be doing in actual property {that a} base chip (even an M1 tbh) can’t deal with. Have in mind Professional and Max chips are equally as quick as the bottom chips, they only have extra cores. If you happen to wanna add a 3rd show, whereas not breaking the financial institution, I’d extremely recommend the LG 4K Ultrafine 27-inch. Additionally, having two units is definitely higher than having one system. Folks generally don’t notice how helpful it may be to be working with a number of Macs in parallel.
- Icy’s reply to above: I believe you’re proper, my workflow isn’t chip demanding, simply RAM demanding. And having two separate computer systems kinda areas out that workload. I believe I’ll simply wait and improve, such as you stated, as soon as this MacBook has its final breath. Perhaps I’ll look to discover a Mac mini or one thing sooner or later to switch my iMac when my work circulation calls for it.
Add an exterior SSD or go together with M4 MacBook Professional
- What your leaning into ought to be good on your modifying wants 16-24GB because you already know the 16GB really feel with ur iMac. Simply get an exterior SSD if you want it later. However for those who simply do gentle modifying on movies, nothing main, then you can too go M4 solely and 24GB 1TB [SSD] if it’s a problem to hold round an exterior SSD. Must be priced across the similar.
Change to used MacStudio and exterior 4K show
- If you happen to simply use the laptop computer for primary stuff, preserve it. Nevertheless … I’d get a second hand Mac Studio and get an honest however cheap 27-inch 1440p (or 4K) monitor. You received’t get the identical stage of sharpness however you’ll be saving cash in the long term. That approach, for those who resolve to get a Studio Show later, it can save you cash additional time to get that as a substitute of making an attempt to get all of it in a single go.
Be careful for laptop computer swelling with MacBook-as-desktop
- I’m not a fan of utilizing MacBooks as a desktop after having a couple of get wrecked from battery swelling. However for those who want your desktop and laptop computer absolutely in sync, it’s not a foul possibility, however could value you long run. In concept they improved battery chemistry and the OS battery well being enhancements, however they could nonetheless run sizzling and be inclined relying on what you’re doing. I attempt to reduce that threat that comes with having it plugged in on a regular basis.
Store this stuff now:
4K decision
Computer systems and stands:
Show and overhead desk lamp:
Enter units:
Audio:
Different lighting:
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