Is the iMac better for designers than macbook pro?

I am a designer working from home and have had Macbook pro for 5 years since starting my BA in 2015. Am having major issues with space, despite backing everything up onto external hard drive but apparently 'system' is taking up a lot of space on top of all the Adobe software I need for design.

I am looking to upgrade but not sure whether to get another Macbook or Imac as I am looking for something to last me a long time and which I can rely on with a lot of space and fast processing.


Any suggestions?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 5, 2021 5:39 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 7, 2021 10:13 AM

Paigeleach wrote:

but apparently 'system' is taking up a lot of space on top of all the Adobe software I need for design.

If you're referring to the graphical storage representation under the "About This Mac" that is misleading. Ihe system also included any files, like the user library, that are associated even remotely with the system. Do not rely on that graphical representation for size of items on your hard drive. Use the Get Info in the Finder for any item you want to know the size of.


The obvious benefit of an iMac over a MBP is screen size. You get a lot more realestate to work with.


Here's some food for thought:


1 - get a 27" iMac with the minimum RAM, 8 GB. You can upgrade the RAM to 24 GB (two 8 GB modules) for about ⅓ the cost of adding the RAM at the time of purchase from Apple. The only two sources I would buy from are Crucial.com and MacSales.com.


With the saved $$ on RAM go the the fastest CPU your budget can afford.


2 - Get a good size SSD (no Fusion drive), 1 TB is a good start, because you can add additional external SSD drives that are reasonably priced. Again MacSales has an excellent selection of reliable and reasonably prices external SSDs.





3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 7, 2021 10:13 AM in response to Paigeleach

Paigeleach wrote:

but apparently 'system' is taking up a lot of space on top of all the Adobe software I need for design.

If you're referring to the graphical storage representation under the "About This Mac" that is misleading. Ihe system also included any files, like the user library, that are associated even remotely with the system. Do not rely on that graphical representation for size of items on your hard drive. Use the Get Info in the Finder for any item you want to know the size of.


The obvious benefit of an iMac over a MBP is screen size. You get a lot more realestate to work with.


Here's some food for thought:


1 - get a 27" iMac with the minimum RAM, 8 GB. You can upgrade the RAM to 24 GB (two 8 GB modules) for about ⅓ the cost of adding the RAM at the time of purchase from Apple. The only two sources I would buy from are Crucial.com and MacSales.com.


With the saved $$ on RAM go the the fastest CPU your budget can afford.


2 - Get a good size SSD (no Fusion drive), 1 TB is a good start, because you can add additional external SSD drives that are reasonably priced. Again MacSales has an excellent selection of reliable and reasonably prices external SSDs.





Jan 7, 2021 9:57 AM in response to Paigeleach

They work the same. And actually have the same storage space options to 2TB. The only difference there will be wether you want something portable or not.


Also obviously the size of the actual screen and small CPU difference.


The storage space on an iMac and a MacBook Pro will run out exactly the same way. Perhaps understanding what is taking up space in System, which should be no more than maybe 30 to 40 GB would be a better option.


Try these threads: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7712843

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7691903

Jan 7, 2021 9:25 AM in response to Paigeleach

Hello Paigeleach,


Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities! We understand that you have some purchasing questions about an iMac versus MacBook Pro. You can see a side by side comparison of different Mac models by visiting the following page:


Mac - Compare Models - Apple


If you'd like to speak with someone at Apple to help further determine which model may suit your needs best, you can also use the link in this section:


"Get help choosing. Contact us."


Take care.

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Is the iMac better for designers than macbook pro?

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