Need to consolidate - what to do?

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shoota

[H]ard|Gawd
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Feb 26, 2011
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Ok I just moved and finished school. I have a gaming PC (2600k based), a late 2009 iMac (3.06 C2D based), and a 2013 rMBP. I don't really need the laptop anymore and I don't play PC games much anymore so I'm debating selling the rMBP and the PC and just keeping the iMac supplemented with an iPad for general browsing, iPhoto, Netflix, etc.
How much longer will a late 2009 iMac be viable as the only computer in the house? Got any other ideas/opinions?
 
I would keep the rmbp and buy a monitor if you need more space while at home. I find a laptop far more useful compared to an aging aio. I like to be able to carry my work with me around the house and the rmbp will last for longer at this point.
 
voklskier4452 said:
I would keep the rmbp and buy a monitor if you need more space while at home. I find a laptop far more useful compared to an aging aio. I like to be able to carry my work with me around the house and the rmbp will last for longer at this point.
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I agree and my thinking is that is what the iPad will be for.

illgiveumorality said:
Probably only one or two years before it becomes unsupported.
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Unsupported, yes, but usable? I can fix things on my own so I'm not worried about support, unless you mean unsupported software-wise.
 
shoota said:
Unsupported, yes, but usable? I can fix things on my own so I'm not worried about support, unless you mean unsupported software-wise.
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A Windows 95 machine is still technically usable. If all you're doing is browsing facebook/chatting/watching youtube, you won't likely need a newer, more powerful machine than your iMac/MBP for another 5 years.

Look at the software you currently use. Look at what the minimum version of OSX is that's required to run said software. How old is that OS? That's the lifespan of your computer.
 
Consider this another vote for keeping your rMBP and plugging in a big monitor with an integrated USB hub, and selling off the rest.
 
I would recommend keeping what you want to keep. I'd only caution that I made the move to keep iMac only, and I wish I still had my laptop. But then I'm in a position to need both (as my work generally requires me to use a machine on site).

Still, the iMac has served me well. I kept it because I need the horsepower, in those terms it wasn't a mistake. I probably won't need to upgrade for another several years.
 
shoota said:
I agree and my thinking is that is what the iPad will be for.



Unsupported, yes, but usable? I can fix things on my own so I'm not worried about support, unless you mean unsupported software-wise.
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I tried the ipad route and I don't find it a comparable replacement until it is has enough ram for true multitasking. I pretty much only used it for games and browsing the web in bed. For those 2 things I think it is great but other than that I would prefer a laptop.
 
voklskier4452 said:
I tried the ipad route and I don't find it a comparable replacement until it is has enough ram for true multitasking. I pretty much only used it for games and browsing the web in bed. For those 2 things I think it is great but other than that I would prefer a laptop.
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Define your use of "multitasking" on an iPad please. Give me a scenario that doesn't work well.
 
Well that biggest thing is being able to have videos play in the background. The other annoyance I have (at least with an iphone) is safari having to refresh webpages because of the lack of ram. Admittedly I have not used an air 2 which finally has 2gb of ram so maybe it has gotten better.

I just want to note that I am not against owning an ipad at all. I just find its uses limited for my personal desires. If it were me I would sell the imac and have the rmbp and an ipad. I would love an ipad as a gift but I don't think the price justifies how much use I would get out of it currently. This may not be the case for you.
 
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voklskier4452 said:
Well that biggest thing is being able to have videos play in the background. The other annoyance I have (at least with an iphone) is safari having to refresh webpages because of the lack of ram. Admittedly I have not used an air 2 which finally has 2gb of ram so maybe it has gotten better.

I just want to note that I am not against owning an ipad at all. I just find its uses limited for my personal desires. If it were me I would sell the imac and have the rmbp and an ipad. I would love an ipad as a gift but I don't think the price justifies how much use I would get out of it currently. This may not be the case for you.
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Price vs. use is definitely an obstacle. But if I kept the MBP then I would definitely not buy an iPad.
 
You guys obviously don't have a non-technically inclined wife that loves her iMac and hates change haha. Any of you have any experience with the mbp docks? I wonder if that would be easy enough to use that she wouldn't freak out if she wanted to watch netflix and had to set it up first.
 
shoota said:
You guys obviously don't have a non-technically inclined wife that loves her iMac and hates change haha. Any of you have any experience with the mbp docks? I wonder if that would be easy enough to use that she wouldn't freak out if she wanted to watch netflix and had to set it up first.
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If that was your reasoning in the first place, why didn't you just say so and go with that option?

Forums can give [reasonably] objective responses, but they don't make any sense if you have other usage cases or other reasons for doing things.

No one else can answer this question but you. If you want to just keep using the iMac, just do that.
 
Thanks for being a sounding board guys, I'm going with the rMBP and a dock. It should be the best balance between flexibility, performance, and longevity. Thanks for saving me from making a bad decision :)
 
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