[alligator]

I have a Mac Pro, 3.0 GHz machine with 3 GB of RAM and 3 hard drives. I'm wondering if I should switch to a MacBook Pro instead. I bought the Mac Pro with the intention of making movies with my home video, but I really don't use it much for that anymore. I mainly use my computer for web surfing, e-mail, iPhoto, Remote Desktop, Office, and iTunes. I also use Boot Camp or Parallels (depending on what works at the time) to run Quicken for Windows (Vista). That's it. I'd like to simplify my life, have something portable, and I'm considering selling the Mac Pro for a MacBook Pro. I already have a MacBook, but that's really for my wife and isn't powerful enough for me. Don't laugh, money is not an issue - but having the right equipment is important to me. I work in a technology related job, so I'm constantly evaluating technology and I want the best for my tasks.

So please, talk me in or out of this. Am I nuts?

[Kadarin]

Not nuts at all. I bought a new 17" MBP to use as a portable desktop replacement, and use it primarily for websurfing, iTunes, and Boot Camp for the few games I play. I've been very happy with it over the past month that I've owned it.

[imitchellg5]

That is a great idea I think. It's quite reasonable in my opinion to get a portable to replace a desktop, I've been wanting to replace my desktop with one for a while now, but don't have the funds yet. Soon though

[JKT]

If money is no issue why not have both?

[Simon]

If money's not an issue, I'd take both. Use the MBP when you're on the road, use the MP when you need performance. I use a MBP and a MP at work and both go very well together. A little rsync script will keep your files synchronized and you'll end up with the best of both worlds.

[alligator]

The reason I'm not going with both is because I'm really trying to unclutter my life and simplify things. If I can get rid of this huge box in exchange for a computer I can take with me anywhere (even work and on vacation), that seems really attractive to me. I also feel really bad that I'm not using the Mac Pro for the level it was intended to be used for - I probably purchased it just because I could replace my G5 with something faster.

How large would the speed difference be between my 3 GHz Mac Pro and a 15" MacBook Pro?

Maybe it's just this "back to school" bug I have every fall - it makes me want to get organized.

[Faust]

It's not crazy. You know best what it is you'd like to get out of a computer, so it is your call on what to do. If you are certain that you're not going to be needing any of the performance power the Mac Pro offers you for the next few years, then it doesn't sound unreasonable to get something that suits your current body of tasks.

Personally, I would not do that kind of a switch, but then again, I have the tendency to not know what I'll be doing tomorrow, ergo, it's nice to have the Mac Pro as I use its resources heavily, eventhough not on a daily basis. I do not like the idea of switching to something when I do not know whether I'll have to switch again in the foreseeable future. So, if I can afford to, I'd always stick to something that allowed me to expand upon (creatively), if I so chose to at any given day.

[alligator]

Thanks - this helped.

[SVass]

Let me suggest my solution if money is not a problem. I bought the mid-range Mac Book Pro (15" display and 4 GB of ram) to get the good graphics driver and a BenQ 24 inch display with component, DVI, and HDMI inputs. The portable drives the big display via the DVI connection while on my desk and yet it can be take elsewhere when desired. sam

[Simon]

Yeah, an external monitor (and KB + mouse) goes very well with a MBP. I hook up a 23" ACD to my MBP at the office and at home. It's a pleasure to work with.

[Waragainstsleep]

From the usage you describe, a MacBook is more than capable. And if money is no object, you can max out the RAM and fit a big drive.

[alligator]

I already have an Apple 23" display for the Mac Pro. I could get a 2.4 GHz machine with a 200 GB hard drive. That, plus my 10 GB server space on my .Mac account would be a nice pair. I could back up almost everything (except my music and videos) to my .Mac account.

Now, given that I've been ripped off before on eBay, I'll have to try the marketplace here to sell the Mac Pro.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that this is a good move - but from what everyone here has said, and since I like the feel of the MacBook Pro keyboard, I think this will work.

One final question - can I run Aperture on the MacBook Pro? I don't use this often, but I do have it and might use it from time to time.

[alligator]

It's up for sale in the marketplace. Now I need to spec out a laptop and purchase it to begin the transfer of my files. Thanks for the advice.

[SVass]

As suggested above, get an external keyboard and mouse and additionally, I bought an external USB 2 powered hub for use in the desktop version. Note that I got an Apple keyboard $29 and the Kensington Pocket mouse $15 both from Apple.

And in case you don't know, after the external display is connected and ON, start your laptop, set it to sleep, and then close the lid. Then wake from sleep by touching an external keyboard key or moving your external mouse. This will wake the computer while keeping the internal display off. sam

[alligator]

Perfect, thanks for the tip. I was wondering how to do this.

Any other suggestions for a good keyboard to use? My Microsoft Bluetooth keyboards are awful beasts.