Quick LinksA MacBook Pro Offers Easy Convertibility Using a MacBook Pro Helped Me Save Money What I Miss About the iMac

I've been a fan of iMacs ever since I bought the iMac G4 in 2002. However, having owned three generations of Apple's all-in-one desktops, I've decided against upgrading to the 24-inch iMac because it made more sense to repurpose my MacBook Pro instead.

A MacBook Pro Offers Easy Convertibility

While an iMac is an excellent machine that works seamlessly as a comprehensive unit, it has limitations when it comes to customization. If you add a separate screen, it looks out of place and ruins the aesthetics that are such a large part of the iMac's appeal.

Another issue is longevity. Once an iMac becomes outdated, you'll need to replace the whole expensive unit. While a new model will last you several years, an upgrade would feel necessary long before it stops getting software updates. So, instead of buying another iMac, I repurposed my MacBook Pro with a desktop stand and dual monitors.

As someone who often works remotely, I have greater flexibility because I can disconnect my laptop as required while working away from home. When I'm engaged in creative work like editing movies in Final Cut Pro or writing music in Logic Pro, the MacBook Pro is assigned to desktop duties and connected to outboard equipment such as a MIDI controller, audio interface, and active desktop speakers.

Using a MacBook Pro Helped Me Save Money

My main reason for repurposing the MacBook Pro for desktop use was to save money. It made little sense to continue owning both a high-performance laptop and a desktop computer when their specs are fairly similar.

Instead of buying a new iMac, I opted to buy a new pair of KRK Rokit 5 active speakers, monitors, and an iPad with a Magic Keyboard, and I still have cash left to put toward my next MacBook Pro upgrade.

The iPad purchase means I can leave my MacBook Pro on my desktop and use my iPad exclusively for work duties. I only carry my MacBook with me on longer trips and travels abroad. I also repurposed the Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard from my old iMac for use on my desktop with my MacBook Pro.

Having the same peripherals as before helped me save money, and the transition between setups felt familiar and less of a shock to the system.

What I Miss About the iMac

While repurposing your MacBook Pro as a desktop computer sounds great, I've had to make some compromises. Starting up after shutdown is a pain, as I must remove the laptop from its stand while it's still connected to outboard devices, open it up, log in, and replace it each time. It's a minor gripe but can be annoying when performed regularly or if a restart is required at a busy time.

I also miss my iMac's big Retina display. To keep the new desktop configuration financially viable, I had to settle for LCD monitors, which lack the sharpness and clarity of the iMac's superb built-in screen. That said, I still have a Retina display when using my MacBook Pro as a laptop, so I'm not entirely missing out here.

Now that I've replaced my iMac with a MacBook Pro, I can safely say the difference is primarily aesthetic. My desktop is nowhere near as pretty, but I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

If you're not sure whether to buy the iMac or MacBook Pro, it's worth noting that MacBook Pros are now available with the superior M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. Apple only sells the 24-inch iMac with the base M3 chip. This might be enough reason to make you lean toward the MacBook Pro, but it's mostly a matter of practicality and flexibility for me.