IMac – Remote File and Application access from iMac to Macbook (Not screen sharing)

imacmacbook proremote desktop

I use an iMac (2017, 27 inches) and a MacBook Pro (2013,13 inches) for software development and UI design. My work is remote 90% of the time and I use GitHub and other cloud services for sync.

Problem:
The problem I'm facing is that my iMac and MacBook both need to have the same software suites like Xcode, Adobe Suite, etc. to run the projects themselves. I have to keep multiple licenses of same software, not to mention my MacBook has only 128 GB and only 4 GB RAM, it takes a hell load of time to compile the same application too.

What I have tried:

  • Screen Mirroring: Numerous screen sharing services (Native
    screen/file/remote sharing, Screens Viewer, Team Viewer, many others!) but the lag is HUGE and the aspect ratio is completely messed up to the point that I cannot see text.
  • Server OS: Bought MacOS server with a hope to have complete "native"
    file system and application (Xcode, Photoshop) access from my MacBook
    but it doesn't let me access the whole file system and 0 application
    access even as an admin with login privileges granted.

Can anyone direct me to a solution that I can use?

Best Answer

Hardware

You have two vastly different hardware platforms. One (iMac) has twice the standard memory of the other (MacBook Pro) - 8GB versus 4GB and two generations and (approx) 30% difference in clock speed. You're also developing UI on a 27 inch screen then switching to a 13" screen

There's no getting around this discrepancy in horsepower.

Software Licensing

This shouldn't be an issue on two computers.

  • XCode is free and you can install it on multiple computers that is associated with your developer ID

  • Adobe CC products can be installed and activated on two computers simultaneously, but you can only use one at a time.

Remote Work

If your work is 90% remote as in you live out of a suitcase, your best bet it is get the most powerful MacBook Pro you can afford and utilize external monitors (hotel TVs perhaps?).

If it's remote as in you work out of your house, your current setup is fine - you just need to move your data to the cloud (iCloud, OneDrive, etc.) and sync the data and install the apps on each Mac.

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