930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: ggw on January 24, 2017, 04:33:22 pm
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Does anyone use Airport Express to wirelessly connect their itunes library to their home stereo? If so, does it work well? If not, does anyone have any other tips/suggestions for a setup/device that will allow me to play my itunes through my home stereo?
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Sonos.
/thread
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Sonos.
/thread
I'm imagining GGW's home stereo setup is of higher quality than SONOS.
Where is your iTunes library currently stored? On a desk/laptop or in the cloud?
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itunes is on my laptop.
Your imagination is correct. I have a (moderately) high quality home audio system including built-in speakers in some rooms. I don't want additional speakers through which to stream music. I just want to use my itunes as another input component to my existing stereo. But do so wirelessly so I can manage the tunes from the kitchen or living room (or wherever I am with the laptop) and not have to go to the library (where the stereo lives).
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Sonos.
/thread
I'm imagining GGW's home stereo setup is of higher quality than SONOS.
Where is your iTunes library currently stored? On a desk/laptop or in the cloud?
I'm confused. I have a high end sound system that uses SONOS but not SONOS speakers.
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I finally quit using Airport Express because it kept cutting out. I was told by a techie Airport Express has many problems due to software updates and that you need to be a routing guru to keep up with the updates. Switched to Sonos, much happier...sounds awesome.
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itunes is on my laptop.
Your imagination is correct. I have a (moderately) high quality home audio system including built-in speakers in some rooms. I don't want additional speakers through which to stream music. I just want to use my itunes as another input component to my existing stereo. But do so wirelessly so I can manage the tunes from the kitchen or living room (or wherever I am with the laptop) and not have to go to the library (where the stereo lives).
I'll say it again.
SONOS
/thread
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Yada is referencing SONOS Connect. In GGW's scenario where he wants to carry his laptop around with him, or play from where ever his laptop is, that should work.
I was imaging a scenario where GGW would like to keep his library stationary, and then use a phone to choose the songs to play. That's going to take a little more time to figure out, and probably require a cloud based solution for his music.
Another alternative to SONOS is a Chromecast Audio, but that won't play well with iTunes. Which was my next question - why are you still using iTunes?
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I know it's not directly relevant to GGWs question, but as someone who cannot run wires where he is, SONOS is the best~$3500 vansmack ever convinced me to spend.
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I know it's not directly relevant to GGWs question, but as someone who cannot run wires where he is, SONOS is the best~$3500 vansmack ever convinced me to spend.
The only thing Smackie is better at than spending his own money, is spending other peoples money....
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I finally quit using Airport Express because it kept cutting out. I was told by a techie Airport Express has many problems due to software updates and that you need to be a routing guru to keep up with the updates. Switched to Sonos, much happier...sounds awesome.
Exactly the type of feedback I was looking for.
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Yada is referencing SONOS Connect. In GGW's scenario where he wants to carry his laptop around with him, or play from where ever his laptop is, that should work.
I was imaging a scenario where GGW would like to keep his library stationary, and then use a phone to choose the songs to play. That's going to take a little more time to figure out, and probably require a cloud based solution for his music.
Another alternative to SONOS is a Chromecast Audio, but that won't play well with iTunes. Which was my next question - why are you still using iTunes?
I'm just an analog man in a digital world.
Really - I am the world's slowest adapter. My phone is a BlackBerry Classic. I doubt I can control anything with it. Terms like "cloud based solution" frighten me. I'm sure there's something better than iTunes, but I'm comfortable with it and it fits my limited needs.
Thanks for the tips. I'll follow your (and yada's and jeffml's) advice and check out sonos.
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Amazon Echo Dot with Amazon Music unlimited ($3.99 a month) is pretty cool too. Connect via blu tooth or 3.5 cable.
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Yada is referencing SONOS Connect. In GGW's scenario where he wants to carry his laptop around with him, or play from where ever his laptop is, that should work.
I was imaging a scenario where GGW would like to keep his library stationary, and then use a phone to choose the songs to play. That's going to take a little more time to figure out, and probably require a cloud based solution for his music.
Another alternative to SONOS is a Chromecast Audio, but that won't play well with iTunes. Which was my next question - why are you still using iTunes?
I'm just an analog man in a digital world.
Really - I am the world's slowest adapter. My phone is a BlackBerry Classic. I doubt I can control anything with it. Terms like "cloud based solution" frighten me. I'm sure there's something better than iTunes, but I'm comfortable with it and it fits my limited needs.
Thanks for the tips. I'll follow your (and yada's and jeffml's) advice and check out sonos.
Will set up AV systems for food (and droogz and booze).
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Yada is referencing SONOS Connect. In GGW's scenario where he wants to carry his laptop around with him, or play from where ever his laptop is, that should work.
I was imaging a scenario where GGW would like to keep his library stationary, and then use a phone to choose the songs to play. That's going to take a little more time to figure out, and probably require a cloud based solution for his music.
Another alternative to SONOS is a Chromecast Audio, but that won't play well with iTunes. Which was my next question - why are you still using iTunes?
I'm just an analog man in a digital world.
Really - I am the world's slowest adapter. My phone is a BlackBerry Classic. I doubt I can control anything with it. Terms like "cloud based solution" frighten me. I'm sure there's something better than iTunes, but I'm comfortable with it and it fits my limited needs.
Thanks for the tips. I'll follow your (and yada's and jeffml's) advice and check out sonos.
I love that GGW was using a BlackBerry Classic in 2017 :)
Anyone looked at Marshal for doing multi room speakers and looking like a hepcat instead of a nerd dad
https://www.marshallheadphones.com/us/en/acton-multi-room.html
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They are hard to find to do any sound tests with. I have found the Marshall bluetooth speaker in a store, and it was nice, but BT speakers pale in comparison to WiFi speakers.
They are certainly more classic looking for the old souls on this board (The Brand would probably never go for them) and they are more versatile in that most are WiFi (Chromecast, Spotify Connect and AirPlay compatible), BT and have a 3.5mm jack, and some are even portable, but until I hear them, I won't have a full opinion.
There are plusses and minuses to Chromecast, Spotify Connect and AirPlay compatibility compared to how SONOS does it though. The Marshall way offers more flexibility but can be more confusing, as opposed to the simplicity of the SONOS services model, but that model depends on SONOS offering the music services you want.
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I know it's not directly relevant to GGWs question, but as someone who cannot run wires where he is, SONOS is the best~$3500 vansmack ever convinced me to spend.
time for an upgrade...offering decent discounts for trade-ins
https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/11/21559967/sonos-upgrade-program-30-15-percent-discount-play1-play3-play5-recycle-mode-controversy
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I know it's not directly relevant to GGWs question, but as someone who cannot run wires where he is, SONOS is the best~$3500 vansmack ever convinced me to spend.
time for an upgrade...offering decent discounts for trade-ins
https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/11/21559967/sonos-upgrade-program-30-15-percent-discount-play1-play3-play5-recycle-mode-controversy
Everything I own is newer than that. I do need to trade my playbar in and get an Arc though.
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I have an opportunity to be given something called a "Bowers and Wilkins" CM9 speaker. The thing is freaking huge! Is this something I can hook up directly to my new 70 inch television . . . or do I have to have some other kind of equipment for that to work? Or it that something dumb to hook up to a television. As you can see, I know nothing about this stuff.
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at a quick glance looks like you'll need a decent amplifier to power those. So your tv would go into the Amp and the speakers would connect to that
those are big speakers and I think over 2K msrp
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I have an opportunity to be given something called a "Bowers and Wilkins" CM9 speaker. The thing is freaking huge! Is this something I can hook up directly to my new 70 inch television . . . or do I have to have some other kind of equipment for that to work? Or it that something dumb to hook up to a television. As you can see, I know nothing about this stuff.
I've had the CM8s for close to a decade, absolutely great speakers... you absolutely need an amp.
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Two things:
1. Thanks.
2. Holy fuck; the return of Yada
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Nice
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Help me 930kenobi . . . you're my only hope.
I am a Realtor who needs to buy a new laptop. I don't need anything exotic or crazy. I don't need a gamer laptop. I just want a good laptop to access email / use programs on the internet / use excel and word / porn of course. What do you recommend under say $500 - $600? My last one was an HP touchscreen something or other, which I was very happy with.
Thanks.
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These people will be of no help
I had my heart set on an Apple laptop and they crushed my dream
I just bought something cheap I never use.. instead here I am on my iPhone
I am now planning anew to get an Apple Laptop but know better than to ask around these parts
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Crushing Hutch's dreams was written by the Pilgrims in the original Charter of the 9:30 forum, so it's performing as expected
There is no such thing as a low-cost Apple product. Minimum entry is typical $1100 (although the 2020 Macbook Air 13 inch is on sale in the $840 range...not a bad deal, want me to talk to Santa?)
But sounds like you want windows anyway and need to run Office (so chrome books are 'kinda' out)
When looking for a laptop for my kid, I was impressed by how much of a windows laptop you could get for under $600
These are not the 'netbooks' of ten years ago, this is a full-fledged computer that has the specs to run in a corp environment
Now, I don't love Lenovo, but for budget-conscious, this is a great package
https://www.microcenter.com/product/628648/lenovo-ideapad-flex-5-14-14-2-in-1-laptop-computer---grey
Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 14 14" 2-in-1 Laptop Computer
AMD Ryzen 3 4300U Processor 2.7GHz (first cost savings and it's in the i7 intel range, so it's decent)
8GB RAM (in a perfect world I'd recommend 16, but this will probably suit you)
256GB Solid State Drive (SSD is the only game in town, never buy a HardDrive with moving parts)
AMD Radeon Graphics (decent graphics card)
Microsoft Windows 10 Home in S Mode (this is where some of your cost savings come in. I think this wouldn't impact you, but there are limitation you can read about (https://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-10-s-mode-pros-and-cons/))
Bluetooth 5.0 (the latest and greatest, much better with Audio (although not so good to entice Smakie))
14" Full IPS LED-backlit Touch Display (touch display for sub $600 is very nice, if you are showing clients photos, it's nice to be able to flick the screen)
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Crushing Hutch's dreams was written by the Pilgrims in the original Charter of the 9:30 forum, so it's performing as expected
There is no such thing as a low-cost Apple product. Minimum entry is typical $1100 (although the 2020 Macbook Air 13 inch is on sale in the $840 range...not a bad deal, want me to talk to Santa?)
But sounds like you want windows anyway and need to run Office (so chrome books are 'kinda' out)
When looking for a laptop for my kid, I was impressed by how much of a windows laptop you could get for under $600
These are not the 'netbooks' of ten years ago, this is a full-fledged computer that has the specs to run in a corp environment
Now, I don't love Lenovo, but for budget-conscious, this is a great package
https://www.microcenter.com/product/628648/lenovo-ideapad-flex-5-14-14-2-in-1-laptop-computer---grey
Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 14 14" 2-in-1 Laptop Computer
AMD Ryzen 3 4300U Processor 2.7GHz (first cost savings and it's in the i7 intel range, so it's decent)
8GB RAM (in a perfect world I'd recommend 16, but this will probably suit you)
256GB Solid State Drive (SSD is the only game in town, never buy a HardDrive with moving parts)
AMD Radeon Graphics (decent graphics card)
Microsoft Windows 10 Home in S Mode (this is where some of your cost savings come in. I think this wouldn't impact you, but there are limitation you can read about (https://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-10-s-mode-pros-and-cons/))
Bluetooth 5.0 (the latest and greatest, much better with Audio (although not so good to entice Smakie))
14" Full IPS LED-backlit Touch Display (touch display for sub $600 is very nice, if you are showing clients photos, it's nice to be able to flick the screen)
My God, I could have your baby!! This helped me so much, especially understanding Windows S mode which I knew nothing about and now know to stay away from. Blessing to you!
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My God, I could have your baby!! This helped me so much, especially understanding Windows S mode which I knew nothing about and now know to stay away from. Blessing to you!
from what I've read it's free and easy to get to win 10 Pro
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/upgrade-from-windows-10-s
the biggest risk is that the hardware couldn't handle win 10 pro...with that model, I don't think that's an issue
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Dear Lord, you, are, amazing.
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Nice thing about Micro Center is that they actually have stores (locally in Fairfax and Rockville), and they're awesome. They're like IKEA but for geeks. Shit tons of DIY stuff.
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Damn you all to hell...TO HELL
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Now, I don't love Lenovo
i for one do at least like lenovo. i'm currently typing on a 4 or 5 year old lenovo gaming laptop and it's stilll a beast of a machine. rock-solid, i've had zero problems with it.
per your stated requirements, you don't need a high-performance machine, just something average. what you may want, and i'm assuming a few things here, is support. i suspect you won't have a corporate helpdesk to call up when things don't work, so getting some good tech support and a good warrantee/guarantee is something you should consider as part of your purchase - and consider whether it's worth paying extra for it. when i bought my lappie i got a 3-year no-questions-asked extended warrantee for a good price. i used it once and it was a breeze. had my 'puter back to me in 3 or 4 days, i forget. if you buy from MicroCenter, ask them what support they offer.
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I also, endorse both:
Lenovo and
Microcenter.
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I can feel the, love. Hutch, not so much.
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Nice thing about Micro Center is that they actually have stores (locally in Fairfax and Rockville), and they're awesome. They're like IKEA but for geeks. Shit tons of DIY stuff.
like the only computer store left, I try to stay away as it causes leakage in my wallet
Now, I don't love Lenovo
i for one do at least like lenovo. ...i got a 3-year no-questions-asked extended warrantee for a good price.
had my 'puter back to me in 3 or 4 days
Actually, support is probably my biggest gripe with Lenovo. the Depot support where you have mail your laptop in for service is cringy and their phone support was always weak
I've been in the computer support biz for over 20 years, Dell by far has the best support (although now you have to get the 'pro' support package to get that)
If they can't fix it remotely, they send someone to your house to replace no questions asked
But that ends up costing about $100~ in your purchase price
if you buy from MicroCenter, ask them what support they offer.
This might be a better option
Laptops it's always good to get the Accidental support, but at $600 for a new one, not sure it's worth paying $150 for
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Hutch...New apple laptops for $750!
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-macbook-air-13-3-laptop-with-touch-id-intel-core-i3-8gb-memory-256gb-solid-state-drive-space-gray/6366606.p?skuId=6366606
in "Space" gray
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Buy a $300ish Chromebook and call it a day.
It will cover all of your forum and youtube needs.
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auction anyone?
https://rasmus.com/auctions/9My4e3D64rN9QUjluBHT/a/M30511---MacBook--Laptops---IT-Online-Auction--Computers--Projectors--IT--MacBooks--Laptops--Baltimo (https://rasmus.com/auctions/9My4e3D64rN9QUjluBHT/a/M30511---MacBook--Laptops---IT-Online-Auction--Computers--Projectors--IT--MacBooks--Laptops--Baltimo)
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I agree with Yada...I can't see a single reason why that wouldn't fit the bill for him
I think hutch was burned by a POS netbook almost a decade ago and is once bitten twice shy
But he said he wanted an Apple (hey somebody needs to keep my stocks up) and $750 for a new apple is somewhat unheard
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That’s the old model
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That’s the old model
It's still new and has a warranty...but yes it's discounted to move so they can sell you the $1000 ones when the inventory is gone
like you'd know or see any difference between the models...
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auction anyone?
https://rasmus.com/auctions/9My4e3D64rN9QUjluBHT/a/M30511---MacBook--Laptops---IT-Online-Auction--Computers--Projectors--IT--MacBooks--Laptops--Baltimo (https://rasmus.com/auctions/9My4e3D64rN9QUjluBHT/a/M30511---MacBook--Laptops---IT-Online-Auction--Computers--Projectors--IT--MacBooks--Laptops--Baltimo)
Hmm. Some interesting stuff here. Thanks for the link!
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auction anyone?
https://rasmus.com/auctions/9My4e3D64rN9QUjluBHT/a/M30511---MacBook--Laptops---IT-Online-Auction--Computers--Projectors--IT--MacBooks--Laptops--Baltimo (https://rasmus.com/auctions/9My4e3D64rN9QUjluBHT/a/M30511---MacBook--Laptops---IT-Online-Auction--Computers--Projectors--IT--MacBooks--Laptops--Baltimo)
Hmm. Some interesting stuff here. Thanks for the link!
these devices are 8 years old!
I guess for $50 it's not a bad deal, but not sure I'd be buying stuff that old for anything other than giving to my kids or Hutch
You probably won't even be able to upgrade them past Snow Leopard and you'll have all sorts of application/browser/security issues
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I could not accept it...
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I could not accept it...
Sort of anti-eponysterical?
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auction anyone?
https://rasmus.com/auctions/9My4e3D64rN9QUjluBHT/a/M30511---MacBook--Laptops---IT-Online-Auction--Computers--Projectors--IT--MacBooks--Laptops--Baltimo (https://rasmus.com/auctions/9My4e3D64rN9QUjluBHT/a/M30511---MacBook--Laptops---IT-Online-Auction--Computers--Projectors--IT--MacBooks--Laptops--Baltimo)
Hmm. Some interesting stuff here. Thanks for the link!
these devices are 8 years old!
I guess for $50 it's not a bad deal, but not sure I'd be buying stuff that old for anything other than giving to my kids or Hutch
You probably won't even be able to upgrade them past Snow Leopard and you'll have all sorts of application/browser/security issues
Yeah, I'm not looking for a laptop, tho.
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Yeah, I'm not looking for a laptop, tho.
Those projectors are pretty cheap...but it's always the bulb with those
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I could not accept it...
Sort of anti-eponysterical?
well done there
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Yeah, I'm not looking for a laptop, tho.
Those projectors are pretty cheap...but it's always the bulb with those
Yup. Maybe not worth the hassle. Aren't the ones they make now tiny?
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Yeah, I'm not looking for a laptop, tho.
Those projectors are pretty cheap...but it's always the bulb with those
Yup. Maybe not worth the hassle. Aren't the ones they make now tiny?
of course, but they are also $400 and up
probably not to hard to find out what a replacement bulb would cost?
but at less than $50, even if only lasted 70 more hours would be a good investment IMO
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Hey, i need tech advice on getting you all to contribute to buying this for me at auction.
https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/68719/auctions/85332/auction_items/2393554 (https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/68719/auctions/85332/auction_items/2393554)
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Do not buy the Intel based Macbooks at this point. What Apple is doing with their new silicon is nothing short of amazing.
That being said, I would only buy the Gen 1 M1 Macbooks if you absolutely needed a new laptop RIGHT now. Otherwise, hold out for Gen 2 and the refresh.
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That said, it’s important to keep this all in perspective: We’re talking about a neglible difference in overall speeds on some benchmarks—a gap most people will never notice in everyday use.
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That said, it’s important to keep this all in perspective: We’re talking about a neglible difference in overall speeds on some benchmarks—a gap most people will never notice in everyday use.
Disagree, having used both side by side. Chrome is much faster and will only get batter. That's 90% of most people's use case and the new M1 version of chrome has a negligible impact on battery life - that's how they've nearly doubled the battery life compared to existing Intel MacBooks. That says nothing for those who wish to use Safari - not even close to compare the two - the M1 is miles ahead on both performance and battery life.
If you're inclined to be CPU intensive, the rendering of 4K video files was much faster on M1 Final Cut than Intel based Final Cut, and even the M1 MacBook Air was equal (or close) enough to my Intel Core i5 MacBook Pro to 4K rendering in Adobe Premiere. Remember, the MacBook Air does not have a fan, competing against a Machine that does...
Intel is in big trouble here as they cannot produce the same computing power ATM without increasing power draw. This has been a problem for them for at least the last 5 years and why Apple took thing into their own hands.
But going back to what you quoted, it's also why I said to wait until Gen2 of the M1 comes out. By then most apps will be M1 compatible (as opposed to being emulated through Rosetta 2) and the performance increases will be that much better and this won't even be a debate any longer.
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CPU speed is pretty much the least of my concerns on a daily basis...
Now stoping the fan noise and increasing battery life, now you are talking
Who actually uses safari? Oh yeah mac users who can't even figure out how to download CrEdge, Chrome or Firefox
Most home users are limited by their poor home Wifi, not some fancy new CPU
I still bet that most people will notice a negligible difference and not worth an extra $500 on purchase
Now I can see gamers and Auto-cad folks getting excited about this
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my Intel Core i5 MacBook Pro
wut?
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my Intel Core i5 MacBook Pro
wut?
Yep. It's been quite a November at Chateau de Smackie....
sent from Smackie's iPhone 12 Pro
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sent from Smackie's iPhone 12 Pro
Where is my luxuriously appointed fainting couch? I have the vapers.
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smax with both a MacBook and an iPhone?!?
next thing you know he'll be signing up for the CD-of-the-month club...
2020 is an abomination.
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ICYMI tech nerds, introducing: the most frustrating TikTok ever (https://twitter.com/TravisShreffler/status/1337800833329729537?s=20)
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Slo news day...you already posted that?
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Buy a $300ish Chromebook and call it a day.
It will cover all of your forum and youtube needs.
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my Intel Core i5 MacBook Pro
wut?
Yep. It's been quite a November at Chateau de Smackie....
sent from Smackie's iPhone 12 Pro
also: work wouldn't spring for an i7?
(i have to assume you have this machine because of work, i can't imagine you'd spend your own money on JobsTech...)
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Slo news day...you already posted that?
In a different thread. So what?
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next thing you know he'll be signing up for the CD-of-the-month club...
This is my Phone case:
(https://www.imore.com/sites/imore.com/files/styles/w830/public/field/image/2020/10/disccase-iphone-12.jpg)
Go Nimble (https://www.gonimble.com/products/iphone-clear-case?variant=32919693262882)
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also: work wouldn't spring for an i7?
(i have to assume you have this machine because of work, i can't imagine you'd spend your own money on JobsTech...)
Yes, the MacBook is a work machine and not only does it not have the i7, it only has 8GB of RAM and only 2 Thunderbolt ports. The Brand has no problem reminding me how inferior my "public sector" machine is to her "private sector" i7 with 16GB RAM and 4 Thunderbolt ports.
The iPhone 12 Pro on the other hand was all on me, well sort of. at&t gave me $700 for my Pixel 4XL and and another $200 for being a new customer so I spent $99 on it. I would have spent $99 for 4K Dolby Vision recording alone...
As I mentioned before, if I were to buy a new Macbook, I would wait until the Gen 2 M1 chip in a 14 inch variety - hopefully less bezels in approximately the same size as the current Macbook Pro.
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Where is my luxuriously appointed fainting couch? I have the vapers.
I sent Hoya one very important text about changes to the Audio Edition of The Economist and all he could reply back to was the "blue bubble in all of its glory" that just arrived on his phone.
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Where is my luxuriously appointed fainting couch? I have the vapers.
I sent Hoya one very important text about changes to the Audio Edition of The Economist and all he could reply back to was the "blue bubble in all of its glory" that just arrived on his phone.
He’s probably delirious from celebrating Mayor Pete’s appoint to energy secretary on his treadmill.
Which is like a train. A train for your feet.
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also why I said to wait until Gen2 of the M1 comes out. By then most apps will be M1 compatible (as opposed to being emulated through Rosetta 2) and the performance increases will be that much better and this won't even be a debate any longer.
another reason to wait for Gen2 M1
https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/27/apple_m1_chip_bug/
Apple's Arm-based M1 chip, much ballyhooed for its performance, contains a design flaw that can be exploited to allow different processes to quietly communicate with one another, in violation of operating system security principles.
maybe even waiting for gen3 of M1
"Apple has acknowledged the flaw, but I highly doubt it is fixed in the next silicon iteration; it's too quick for that,"
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A man can only wait so long...
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actually, this flaw isn't that big of a deal it turns out
but I don't think you are in the market for an M1 apple