iMac + iPad v MacBook Pro

[Wendy]

Is anyone using an iMac + iPad set up instead of a MacBook Pro? If you are, how is it working out for you?

I've got to get a new computer and am wanting to take the plunge and switch to a Mac from the PC's I've always used. I had originally planned to get a MacBook Pro, but after spending way too much time in the Apple store over the past week, I am in love with the iMacs.

The MacBook Pro would clearly be the better choice to do editing and slideshows for clients on location and having a fully functional computer to travel with, etc. I don't do a whole lot of that, though.

I think I could make the iPad work for quick uploading and basic editing of photos using the camera kit and some of the apps available for it. Does anyone do this? How difficult/easy is it? I wouldn't be trying to process photos for final printing or anything. I always do that at home, so the iPad would be used for showing quick proofs when needed.

What I really like about going this route though, is having the iPad with me to use as a portfolio to show potential clients. I could also use it as a proofing device when I meet with clients after their session. I'd be doing the editing on my iMac and transferring the proofs to the iPad to take with me to show clients.

Does this sound reasonable? Is anyone using this set up?

[Monreal]

I currently have a 15" MacBook Pro that I attach to a 30" Cinema Display and just picked up an iPad to use as a portfolio. Since I have had the iPad, I have not picked up my MBP unless I backup or edit photos. I plan on selling the MBP and buying a MacPro tower so that I can have much more space and ram.

FYI... The iPad is not well enough to edit photos on or to replace a computer. Get the iMac and an iPad. Wife is even thinking about selling her MBP and getting an iPad and using my future MacPro for any work or documents she needs.

Hope this helps :)

[Monreal]

P.S. The iMac would give you a much bigger display to work on photos, editing photos on a 15" MbP will get very tiring.

[srwatters]

I love my Mac Pro for editing. My daughter has the 24" iMac and it's a fine machine as well. I also have a 15" MacBook Pro but will be handing that down to my wife and replacing it with the iPad2 when it's available. I don't find myself needing to edit on the go and as far as I'm concerned the iPad will be a welcomed change of pace from the traditional notebook style machine. I have a second Mac Pro at the studio for tethered shooting and previewing.

I think your choice is very logical and I agree.

[hhscr]

I can tell you my experience with the camera connection kit with the ipad. I was using a SDHC card and it brought up the photo download on the ipad when connected. I have not tried the USB with a card reader for CF cards.

I had several photos on the root directory of the card and also had the DCIM folder from the camera. It would only let me select files from the DCIM folder for import and I was not able to get it to find the other files on the card.

There also is a filename restriction for importing, I moved the files from the root directory into the DCIM folder using my IMAC. When I tried to import them onto the Ipad it did not find them on the first attempt, I had to put the card back in the IMAC and shorten the file names to no more than 8 characters and then I could import them into the IPad.

As far as using the Ipad as a portfolio, I downloaded the portfolio app from the app store and it works as described.

[crbeveri]

I am not a fan of the iPad in any way but love Mac. I have a 1st gen (2007) unibody Al 13" MBP. I have used this since 2007 for everything from university research to photo editing. I have a 27" monitor hooked up to it now but still find it 2 slow. I am (waiting for the new one) gonna be getting a iMac 27" to replace the MBP when at home. However, I am keeping my MBP for travel as it hold more than the iPad will ever. I also have external HD's so I always have at min 2 copies of every picture I take.

IMO the MBP is just too small to edit on. I think the iMac is a great computer unless you are setting up a professional studio then look into the MacPro but i feel that is overpriced.

just my $.02

[Tom]

We use a MBP and a iMac. I can't imagine doing anything on an iPad. Most color corrections, basic edits, etc on the MBP and the hard core stuff on the iMac.

[LadyShutterBug]

you can use iphoto to make galleries to sync with your ipad (for portfolio use). there's also an app called "portfolio for ipad". the ipad has been tremendously helpful in having portfolio right htere and ready to rumble when someone walks in and wants to play with a gadget... or for taking to small events and family functions and just letting it run on slideshow mode. it's nice to be able to locate an image, then hand it over to a client.

i like the portability of a laptop, so i work on a macbook pro w/ a second monitor for editing.