Thinking about a new Mac...

[George K]

I'm thinking that, in the next 6 months or so, I may want to move to a new Mac. I don't need a lot of horsepower (no gaming, video editing) since all I do is web browsing, simple word processing, etc. I'm thinking that a MacBook Air might be an appropriate choice for me, but....

I need a couple of things:

1. The ability to use it in "clamshell mode," as Jon does with his Mac. I prefer sitting at my desk, rather than using a "Lap"top.
2. That said, connectivity is an issue. I need audio out, and access to an external enclosure (Thunderbolt 2) that houses my digital media (music and books) and backup
3. I would need a monitor, something no smaller than my current 27" iMac. I assume that today's monitors would have the I/O to suit my needs.
4. USB-A is also important for printers, iPhone and iPad charging and syncing.

I'm just spitballing for now, but...

Any thoughts?

[Axtremus]

MacBook Air is perfectly fine. Most of the time I use a personal computer, I use a MacBook Air. Spring for an Intel i5 or better if you can. If you have been on desktop class iMacs for a while, most likely you will feel that an Intel i3 or lower class CPUs to be sluggish. Max out the RAM as always.

Clamshell mode how-to: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201834

Get a Thunderbolt 3 docking station, for examples: this or this.

The docking station will give you the legacy ports (USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, etc.), some may even function as a power supply (as opposed to just "passing through" the power from Apple's USB-C power supply). There are quite a few choices on the market. Just pick the one that gives you the ports you need/want.

Good luck!

[George K]

Thanks...

Yeah, I'd need a keyboard (currently using a Logitech solar wireless) and mouse (currently using an Amazon vertical mouse), so I'd need USB ports to plug the receivers in.

From what I see, Henge makes some pretty nice docking stations for the MacBook Air and Pro.

The low end Pro and Air have only 2 Thunderbolt ports. Would that satisfy my needs (like audio out and connecting to external enclosures)?

Any thoughts on what monitor would be a consideration to meet my needs?

[Axtremus]

All MacBook Air model comes with only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and one 2.5mm audio port (combined stereo output and microphone input). If you need more ports, you will have to go to the MacBook Pro line.

No recommendation for external display because I myself rarely use one.

Once you get a docking station with USB-A ports, you can reuse your old Apple keyboard and mouse. I have no keyboard to recommend because I just keep using the built-in keyboard/trackpad or the old Apple keyboard/mouse. :man-shrugging:

The greatest challenge may be your Thunderbolt 2 devices (external drives?) I am not aware of many third party that sells Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. Apple has one but it’s a one trick pony: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

If you can take the internal drive out of the Thunderbolt 2 enclosure, then maybe you can use something like a USB-A (or USB-C) to SATA III adapter.

[Doctor Phibes]

I believe that Apple are planning to dump Intel as their processor supplier and switch to a different architecture. It might be an idea to either buy before this happens, or wait until any potential 'undocumented features' have been ironed out.

[Jolly]

@Doctor-Phibes said in Thinking about a new Mac...:

I believe that Apple are planning to dump Intel as their processor supplier and switch to a different architecture. It might be an idea to either buy before this happens, or wait until any potential 'undocumented features' have been ironed out.

Intel is a gone puh-cawn.

[George K]

@Doctor-Phibes said in Thinking about a new Mac...:

I believe that Apple are planning to dump Intel as their processor supplier and switch to a different architecture. It might be an idea to either buy before this happens, or wait until any potential 'undocumented features' have been ironed out.

Yes. THey're moving to in-house chips. Some computers, probably by the end of this year, will have the "A-series" silicon. Better battery life, higher performance, etc.

[George K]

Any thoughts on what monitor might suit my needs?

[Horace]

Not sure about monitors, but do not settle for any after-market monitor stands. Rely on Apple brand monitor stands for all your monitor standing needs.

[George K]

@Horace said in Thinking about a new Mac...:

Not sure about monitors, but do not settle for any after-market monitor stands. Rely on Apple brand monitor stands for all your monitor standing needs.

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the pro tip!

[Rainman]

@Axtremus said in Thinking about a new Mac...:

Most of the time I use a personal computer, I use a MacBook Air.

Hey Ax 'ol buddy 'ol pal. What do you mean, like most of the time you use an impersonal computer? Or, do you have a rack of computers, like a rack of sports coats in your closet?
@George-K
As for cheap George, do you really want to buy a fancy car, and tell them you don't want a dual-turbo V-8, you will settle for a 4-banger?

Here's what you do: decide on Apple, go in and drop your Visa on the counter, and just tell them you want the highest-powered laptop they make, with all the accessories Apple makes. This takes 30 seconds. Within 10 minutes, you'll be out the door and putting the boxes on the front passenger seat of your Audi.

Audi, with the most expensive computer Apple makes, it all makes sense and fits together as a presentable image of a retired physician that believes money is no object, everything is pocket change.

And @Horace Thanks for putting your picture back up. I almost forgot what you looked like. Lost a couple pounds, eh?

[jon-nyc]

I bought the LG monitor from the apple site. Perfectly fine. They have 24 and 27”. Honestly I forget which I bought.

The monitor has several USBc and regular USB ports so it acts as something of a hub.

I have that with the top of the line MacBook Air from last September, and it’s a great setup.

[Horace]

You're welcome Rainman. I'm trying to achieve an elfin figure but for now it's still elefantine. Only a few more letters to drop.

[89th]

@George-K said in Thinking about a new Mac...:

I'm thinking that, in the next 6 months or so, I may want to move to a new Mac.

This is so funny. Just yesterday I was thinking about how reliable you are with your Mac, your data backups, your vast collections of music and audio...and truly was like “I wonder what he’d buy if he got a new rig”, just because you’re so l337.

[Rainman]

I purchased an external 1T SSD drive that is thunderbolt-only. It is incredibly fast, and works fantastic with huge music files which are instruments for DAW. Point is, the speed is worth the money. Thunderbolt is de bomb.

[taiwan_girl]

I may be wrong, but you can get a mac book regular or pro for the same price as a mac book air, it has more ports and maybe more power.

If you are not going to be carrying it around, I would think you would be better off with a non-Mac book air. You pay for the weight savings.

[Klaus]

@George-K one buys the Air for its portability. But from what you write, it sounds more like you need a desktop computer. Have you considered a Mac Mini or iMac instead?

[Rainman]

I've got an Apple IIe that I'm not using.
More than enough power for someone retired.
Let me know if you're interested. I can throw in some floppies.

[George K]

@jon-nyc said in Thinking about a new Mac...:

I bought the LG monitor from the apple site. Perfectly fine. They have 24 and 27”. Honestly I forget which I bought.

The monitor has several USBc and regular USB ports so it acts as something of a hub.

I have that with the top of the line MacBook Air from last September, and it’s a great setup.

Yeah, I was specifically thinking of what you do when it comes time.

@Klaus , yeah. Portability is not high on my list of needs. I spend 90% of my time at my desk. If I want to consume content, or travel, my old iPad Air (2) does it pretty well, particularly with a Brydge keyboard attached to it. Mrs. George has an 11" MacBook Air and I have an account on it, so I can access all my stuff should I need to.

Like I said, I'm just spitballing here.

The one nice thing about the MacBook Air is the fact that it's a larger screen than my iPad.

[Klaus]

If you don't need the portability, I'd not get a notebook. The Mac Mini or iMac give you more bang for the buck: better performance, longer lifetime (upgrades), more repair options, more connectors. The iMac also gives you a very clean look with minimal set of visible cables.