We have lusted after the MacBook Pro for some time. We were on the verge of buying one, after we realized a few things:
- We don’t like typing on laptop keyboards
- We don’t like using laptop trackpads
- We don’t like the positioning of laptop screens
- We prefer portrait to landscape displays (we have found portrait displays better for work, and we do a lot of writing and web browsing, while landscape is better for media applications)
Obviously given all this, we are not very good candidates for a laptop. However, if one wants portability, what can one do? Well we came up with a portable solution with Mac that uses a Mac Mini. Here is the configuration:
- Mac Mini
- Shuttle portable monitor (which can be turned either landscape or portrait)
- Both an external laptop battery like the one seen here:
http://www.amazon.com/Tekkeon-myPower-Extended-Battery-MP3450-10/dp/B0017DS0SS/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1DQ7SXYR1987V&colid=19J51FLM164W3
While a bit more cumbersome than a laptop, for us its perfect. We would recommend the iLugger 17 inch carry bag, which is designed to carry the iMac, as our 17 inch Shuttle display would be too big for our Codi Laptop Bag. Here are the costs:
http://www.ilugger.com/black-imac-carrying-case.cfm
Mac Mini = $750 (4Gb of ram model)
Keyboard = $50
Mouse = $20
iLugger = $120
Shuttle Display = $300
Tekkon External Power = $90
$1350
However, since we already own the keyboard, mouse, and Shuttle display our cost would be $750 + 90 + 120 or roughly $1000 with shipping costs.
A little more setup buys us a more comfortable and portrait display computer in addition to more tablespace (we have to connect an external keyboard to any laptop, so for us laptops take up a lot of table space at the local Starbucks)
