Advice on going from Desktop computers to Laptops

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MikeB4
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#1499629 26-Feb-2016 10:29

for "lap work" I think a tablet is better than a Notebook, lighter, cooler and generally better battery life although the later is improving on Notebooks. An MacBook Pro or other brand would travel with me a lot so portability away from the home is a factor.

I do have a table as such that attaches to my wheelchair that I use for my Surface and would be used for a Notebook.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Batman

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#1499635 26-Feb-2016 10:33

The table attachment is a game changer

gzt

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#1499735 26-Feb-2016 11:53

A dock is essential for cable management and portability. There is a realy nice 3rd party vertical dock for Macbook. Many choices actually.

Hatch

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#1499770 26-Feb-2016 12:29

If you're buying a mid/top of the line macbook/notebook then performance wise you should be fine except for the most CPU/GFX intensive tasks.

When I bought my macbook it was $3-4k and when I bought a top of the line HP 17" notebook that was $4k+ (this is several years ago when I had more money). If money isn't an issue than a decent notebook (see that I am distinguishing from "laptops") could be fine depending on your work flow and needs.

My surface pro 2's screen is too small for long periods of work, and I use an external USB screen when getting serious. To be honest it's crap to use being a surface pro only 11". I usually end up connecting a full sized keyboard via USB 3.0 dock with a wired mouse and the USB external screen (only one USB port on surface pro).

The various bluetooth mice I have used with windows devices and the macbook haven't been great. I don't have the latest macbook but I have always hated the mac trackpad. For serious work and editing documents etc I really must have a good mouse.

Use of the actual macbook is fine and on par with any other mid/top level windows notebook. But if I had a decent workload that needed to be done at home, at a desk everyday I would save my money and just get a mid level compact desktop, dual screens, comfortable chair, ergonomic keyboard and mouse.

MikeB4

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#1499790 26-Feb-2016 12:54

gzt: A dock is essential for cable management and portability. There is a realy nice 3rd party vertical dock for Macbook. Many choices actually.

These guys have a nice dock for the MBP the horizontal dock looks nice.

http://hengedocks.com/

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richms

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#1499801 26-Feb-2016 13:13

Hatch:

The various bluetooth mice I have used with windows devices and the macbook haven't been great. I don't have the latest macbook but I have always hated the mac trackpad. For serious work and editing documents etc I really must have a good mouse.

I've always found bluetooth peripherals have too much latency to be pleasant to use. Much worse than logitech wireless ones which are quite tolerable.

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gzt

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#1499802 26-Feb-2016 13:13

Thing with horizontal dock, it takes all your desk space.

Also ugly taking up space with nothing in it when not in use. Then you will be tempted to push it back to reclaim some desk and makes a terrible mess crunching cables and connectors etc.

All IMO and IME of course ; ).

MikeB4

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#1499860 26-Feb-2016 13:52

gzt: Thing with horizontal dock, it takes all your desk space.

Also ugly taking up space with nothing in it when not in use. Then you will be tempted to push it back to reclaim some desk and makes a terrible mess crunching cables and connectors etc.

All IMO and IME of course ; ).

I agree, this is one of the conundrums. I also like their vertical docks but the would need a monitor something I was hoping to avoid.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

MikeB4

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#1499861 26-Feb-2016 13:54

richms:

Hatch:

The various bluetooth mice I have used with windows devices and the macbook haven't been great. I don't have the latest macbook but I have always hated the mac trackpad. For serious work and editing documents etc I really must have a good mouse.

I've always found bluetooth peripherals have too much latency to be pleasant to use. Much worse than logitech wireless ones which are quite tolerable.

The Apple Bluetooth peripherals I am using with my iMac, that is, Keyboard, Mouse and trackpad are good, I wouldn't use them for gaming but other wise they function very well. They are however battery hungry.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

gzt

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#1499862 26-Feb-2016 13:56

MikeB4:
gzt: Thing with horizontal dock, it takes all your desk space.

Also ugly taking up space with nothing in it when not in use. Then you will be tempted to push it back to reclaim some desk and makes a terrible mess crunching cables and connectors etc.

All IMO and IME of course ; ).

I agree, this is one of the conundrums. I also like their vertical docks but the would need a monitor something I was hoping to avoid.

Not if you have thunderbolt iMac. Drop macbook in dock, hit cmd f2 on the imac, you now have external monitor and audio.

Edit: and audio.

gzt

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#1499866 26-Feb-2016 14:03

Also works with mini display port but YMMV

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19038

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MikeB4

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#1500468 27-Feb-2016 18:02

Called into HN today and looked at the Apple offerings. Now I am more confused. I really liked the MacBook Pros both the 13" and 15". The 15" not quite as portable as the 13" but not that heavy. The track pads are fantastic and retina displays a real pleasure to look at. The key board is

good with good feedback and travel. I am interested in seeing what the changes will be to the MacBook Air range later this month.

Then I looked at the iMacs, I currently have a 27". The new iMacs are truly fantastic machines. I was hoping to cut down the footprint a PC has on my desk. The iMacs are quite irresistible however if I were to get another iMac it would most likely be the 21.5" unit. So, that visit to HN has confused

and conflicted me even more.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

leo0787sx

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#1501208 29-Feb-2016 09:35

MikeB4:

Called into HN today and looked at the Apple offerings. Now I am more confused. I really liked the MacBook Pros both the 13" and 15". The 15" not quite as portable as the 13" but not that heavy. The track pads are fantastic and retina displays a real pleasure to look at. The key board is

good with good feedback and travel. I am interested in seeing what the changes will be to the MacBook Air range later this month.

Then I looked at the iMacs, I currently have a 27". The new iMacs are truly fantastic machines. I was hoping to cut down the footprint a PC has on my desk. The iMacs are quite irresistible however if I were to get another iMac it would most likely be the 21.5" unit. So, that visit to HN has confused

and conflicted me even more.

Get refurbished / second hand of both and then you have the best of both Worlds :) I'm sure if you sold your old one on TradeMe you'd get some decent cash, they hold value very well.

MikeB4

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#1501259 29-Feb-2016 10:04

leo0787sx:

MikeB4:

Called into HN today and looked at the Apple offerings. Now I am more confused. I really liked the MacBook Pros both the 13" and 15". The 15" not quite as portable as the 13" but not that heavy. The track pads are fantastic and retina displays a real pleasure to look at. The key board is

good with good feedback and travel. I am interested in seeing what the changes will be to the MacBook Air range later this month.

Then I looked at the iMacs, I currently have a 27". The new iMacs are truly fantastic machines. I was hoping to cut down the footprint a PC has on my desk. The iMacs are quite irresistible however if I were to get another iMac it would most likely be the 21.5" unit. So, that visit to HN has confused

and conflicted me even more.

Get refurbished / second hand of both and then you have the best of both Worlds :) I'm sure if you sold your old one on TradeMe you'd get some decent cash, they hold value very well.

I am trying to declutter with kit so looking to drop several devices for one. As for my old iMac I will give that away, its a thing I do I like to give stuff I no longer want/need away

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

leo0787sx

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#1501301 29-Feb-2016 10:40

MikeB4:

leo0787sx:

MikeB4:

Called into HN today and looked at the Apple offerings. Now I am more confused. I really liked the MacBook Pros both the 13" and 15". The 15" not quite as portable as the 13" but not that heavy. The track pads are fantastic and retina displays a real pleasure to look at. The key board is

good with good feedback and travel. I am interested in seeing what the changes will be to the MacBook Air range later this month.

Then I looked at the iMacs, I currently have a 27". The new iMacs are truly fantastic machines. I was hoping to cut down the footprint a PC has on my desk. The iMacs are quite irresistible however if I were to get another iMac it would most likely be the 21.5" unit. So, that visit to HN has confused

and conflicted me even more.

Get refurbished / second hand of both and then you have the best of both Worlds :) I'm sure if you sold your old one on TradeMe you'd get some decent cash, they hold value very well.

I am trying to declutter with kit so looking to drop several devices for one. As for my old iMac I will give that away, its a thing I do I like to give stuff I no longer want/need away

I'd go with a Laptop, gives you more options and if you miss having a desk just buy a big screen for when at a desk. I traded my Desktop for a Laptop and haven't looked back as I find I get more use of it not being restricted to a desk. Yes Desktops are more powerful but I only find the need if gaming, I'm using my mid-range Laptop for Photoshop and it runs perfect and I can still play games if I wanted to.

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