Everything Apple (the Mac heads thread)

Cross post, anyone looking for a Mini Mac?

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/355136/#comment15584326

I tried all the steps there but it didn't help. Also the hard drive boots up but instantly goes to sleep when plugged in without showing up on the Mac. Any other ideas anyone? I really don't want to miss the data on that disk

Can’t help directly, but maybe try the macrumors.com forum for more help.

Will do, thanks!

What can I do other than trying different cables and USB ports?

If you haven't done so yet not only try different cables and ports, but also different computers - have you tried whether a Windows machine sees the drive?

You could also try a different hard drive enclosure. It’s possible that the drive is fine but the electronics in the enclosure have failed.

Time to replace my decade old MBP. 13” case recommendations please. Nothing too bulky. Never used a laptop case before but dropped my old one within a fortnight of owning it, and about 20 times during its lifetime, so should probably protect this one from its inevitable fate.

I'd get whatever apple is selling, doubt they'll let anything bad into their shop

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HPAW2ZM/A/incase-13-hardshell-case-for-macbook-pro?fnode=6cacc23fdd67adf6ac45cda7addb2c9d7d9f0a6ec83ae7292e9311292fe769a1f1f8074d08d21e5e44b4ab93a10d6f940c0567fff4c20f540a05ab51c37c75b9a6870fa8de90a18f8ac00d457eb188896628066583bf2e9840610a075c47b877057c6a30587b4efe8debd5e2ec243186

You could also get a DBRAND "teardown" skin, which might train you to handle the very expensive and shiny piece of kit with appropriate care?
https://dbrand.com/shop/special-edition/teardown
I mean no case whatsoever* will protect a MacBook if you keep dropping it on the floor I guess 🙂

*..maybe those Thule ones will - but you said "not too bulky" -

1 Attachment

Those Thule ones are supposed to be great. Know a few photographers that swear by them and they're hauling their kit around on a daily basis. Wirecutter rates them too

Yea, haven't used them myself but heard good things about them.

Would have bought one myself, but then again 95% of the times I take my laptop with me I do also need to bring other stuff as well - so need to take a backpack anyway so I did just get a slim leather sleeve with a bit of padding that then goes inside the rucksack.
It's one of these Woolnut ones - and while I did ask myself a few times whether I really want to spend over a hundred bucks on a fucking laptop sleeve those really are nice (nicer than the original Apple ones for sure, also they are open on a short side which is great), and I guess it will last at least as long as the computer so it's ok..

Had a Joli Originals case for my last MacBook Air which look exactly like the Woolnut ones, and thought exactly the same as you regarding the cost - they do wear in nicely though!

Gone for a Bellroy sleeve this time out, bought it when they had a 'Digital Nomad' bundle offer on which included Tech Kit 'washbag' too so means everything has it's place...

Any recommendations for a FREE iPhone app for keeping track of expenses?

Mostly making notes of things and/or taking photos of receipts to add later.

I use Expensify which is good. The paid levels have OCR and the like but the basic level where you just enter the details yourself is fine for me.

How about Notes?

Doing some forward planning, so thinking of getting an iMac 27” from 2017 or so, to replace my Mac Pro cheese grater when it finally keels over/ or it won’t use the latest OS X, are there any issues with running mini display port monitors into thunderbolt ports, as I’d like to keep the monitors I have so I can keep a two monitor set up?

None at all; Thunderbolt supports native DisplayPort alt-mode. Just get decent adapters and you’ll be golden.

Cool, thanks

Just don’t get one with a ‘Fusion Drive’ whatever you do, or factor in the cost of replacing that carbuncle with a pure SSD into the purchase price.

are the drives easy enough to replace? I've replaced hard drives in my macbook, so assuming it wouldn't be too difficult. But I've done nothing research wise than do a bit of searching on ebay for what the cost would be, for one with upgraded ram.

I opened it up and un- and replugged the controller to the hard disk which seems to help for a little while. So I guess it's the controller

Depends on what you's class as 'easy'... To fit/replace an SSD you'd have to slice off the screen panel, disassemble a large chunk of the innards and fit a proprietary B-grade drive you've scoured eBay for, then scrape off adhesive residue, reapply new sticky tape band before refitting the screen.

Much easier to find one with SSD-only storage. But whatever you do, avoid any with a spinning drive/'Fusion'.

Nice one, glad that helped. So get that data off whilst you can!

ipad air 202o, 10.9" 256gb, wifi = £729
ipad pro 2020, 11" 128gb, wifi = £769

Any reason not to go for the Air over the pro? Main uses taking notes in meetings, using as laptop when travelling and watching films. Will be buying apple pencil and keyboard (which one?)

Pro is still brighter and has pro motion display, more cameras, lidar scanner etc..

https://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/compare/?device1=ipad-pro-11&device2=ipad-air-4th-gen&device3=ipad-8th-gen