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golden_zap · May 6, 2006, 07:29 PM

Hello. I've been considering on buying an Apple computer and I have saved enough for a MacBook Pro.

But since I work both at home and on the road, I'd like to save up for a iMac Intel. I'd like to know if there is a way to dock or synchronize the Macbook Pro with the iMac so that all the files are the same on both computers.

If you're not sure what I'm talking about... I remember there used to be a laptop where it came with a dock that connected to your home PC: The Sharp Actius:

If this is possible, I'd like to get an iMac and a Macbook so I can work portably and at home.

mavherzog · May 6, 2006, 08:21 PM

I'd suggest getting a nice external display (and possibly a BT keyboard and mouse) and use the MBP at home and while away.

golden_zap · May 6, 2006, 11:02 PM

I don't know... The thing is... I want them both, lol. But maybe I will go with your idea and hook the MBP to my old display.

stefanicotine · May 8, 2006, 01:31 AM

Lol, you're looking for such a complicated solution. All you need is a firewire cable. Apple invented firewire, so it comes as no surprise that it has flawless firewire file sharing. ^_^

MBP + iMac = Happy You

dn15 · May 8, 2006, 02:11 AM

Originally Posted by mavherzog

I'd suggest getting a nice external display (and possibly a BT keyboard and mouse) and use the MBP at home and while away.

I second this idea. It might make more sense to have two computers if you were going to get a higher-end, more powerful desktop for home. But the MacBook Pro is essentially a portable iMac in every spec I can think of except the hard disk. Personally I think it would be silly to buy both a laptop and a desktop of comparable speed when you could just get the MacBook pro and add a 20" Cinema Dispaly for $799 (US) to use when at your desk.

golden_zap · May 8, 2006, 10:28 AM

Ok, thanks for everyone's ideas.

LagunaSol · May 8, 2006, 12:03 PM

I also considered a MacBook Pro, but given the limitations of a portable, and the fact most of my work is done on the desktop, I opted for a 20" iMac. Then I'll fill my portable needs with a low-end MacBook (once they're released).

I use ChronoSync to sync all my files to a backup drive; I plan on using the same application to sync all my files between my desktop and portable computer.

hookem2oo7 · May 8, 2006, 12:45 PM

do the new MBPs have target disk mode? what if you just used an imac to boot from the MBPs hard drive...then it would be like you were on the same computer... just something i thought of when i read over this thread...

dn15 · May 9, 2006, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by hookem2oo7

do the new MBPs have target disk mode? what if you just used an imac to boot from the MBPs hard drive...then it would be like you were on the same computer... just something i thought of when i read over this thread...

They do support it, but remember that since the machines are virtually identical except hard disk capacity and speed, you'd have no speed gain and would actually slow down the iMac by doing this.

harrisjamieh · May 9, 2006, 02:00 PM

I have said this before in the apps forum i believe, but if you do decide on 2 separate computers, use foldershare (.com) to sync the two computers. I use it, and its great. You download a client for each computer (works with mac or pc), set up a free account, set up which folders to sync via the foldershare site, and whenever both computers are hooked onto the net, they auto sync the files, so that they are the same on both machines. It really is great.
Also, as a bonus, you can access your files from anywhere in the world via foldershare.com and logging into your account, as long as the computer you want to remotely access is turned on.

However, I suggest you just get one machine, as they are basically the exact same machine, and will perform almost exactly the same. If you need more than the 100/120 GB HDs that come in the MBP, get an external drive that you can hook up to it when at home. Also, get an iCurve, ext mouse & keyboard, and poss and ext display, and theres your desktop setup sorted.

golden_zap · May 9, 2006, 03:13 PM

Do you necessarily need the remote computer to be on when using FolderShare?

harrisjamieh · May 9, 2006, 03:20 PM

The service does not store your files on some sort of 'foldershare' server somewhere in cyberspace, so the idea of it is it just sends files direct from 1 comp 2 another, keeping them updated, so ye, if you want to auto sync to work, both have 2 b connected 2 the net (and on) at the same time, but my imacs on all the time anyhoo

LagunaSol · May 10, 2006, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by harrisjamieh

However, I suggest you just get one machine, as they are basically the exact same machine, and will perform almost exactly the same. If you need more than the 100/120 GB HDs that come in the MBP, get an external drive that you can hook up to it when at home. Also, get an iCurve, ext mouse & keyboard, and poss and ext display, and theres your desktop setup sorted.

I see the logic here, but check this out. The premium of a MacBook Pro over a 20" iMac is what, $300? OK, now add a keyboard & mouse and iCurve for another $100. Now add an external FireWire hard drive for another $150. And a 20" external display for another $400 or so. Now you're at $950. Why not just take that $950, get a new MacBook (whenever they come out), AND a 20" iMac? Now you have BOTH a desktop machine AND a portable for the same money (or close to it) and you don't have to disconnect a dozen cables from your portable every time you want to take it off your desk. That was the biggest turn-off for me about going exclusively portable: having to connect and disconnect cables all the time.

Unless you absolutely need a high-end portable, I think the MacBook + iMac combo would be a great way to go. That was my thinking, and that's the route I'm taking.