pdnoble

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pdnoble
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  • M2 MacBook Air review roundup: This is the Mac you're looking for

    pdnoblepdnoble
    On an aesthetic note: I had immediately ordered a midnight blue custom configuration, which looks terrific in marketing photos, despite warnings re fingerprints by those at the introduction. THEY WERE, OF COURSE, ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! I just went to the Apple Store and the Midnight Blue display unit, on display for just one hour, looked absolutely awful. Covered in fingerprints. By far the worst affected color. Even space gray seems unaffected. I immediately cancelled the order and reordered in the traditional Silver. The good news: my delivery is unaffected: August 1-8. The traditional silver anyhow still looks, to my eye, the best by far, putting fingerprints aside.
    williamlondonwatto_cobraAlex_V

  • What you need to know about Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack

    pdnoblepdnoble
    StrangeDays said:
    pdnoble said:
    From the Apple support doc:

    When charging on the go, your MagSafe Battery Pack can charge your iPhone with up to 5W of power. If connected to a 20W or higher power source, it can charge with up to 15W of power. 


    So it does work as a full performance substitute to the 15w desktop MagSafe charger, but ‘on the go’ - why else would one pay $99 for a battery pack - it is rather underwhelming in both power and performance. 
    Apple's is certainly better looking than any of the above. It appears smarter with no need for on/off buttons. It reverse charges. And I see no indicators that the others charge any faster. 

    Can you clarify the value proposition that is appealing to you?
    I had read widely, though maybe speculatively, that other MagSafe compatible battery packs were limited to 5w charging due to Apple imposed licensing or other constraints. There seemed an expectation that Apple would eventually introduce a battery pack that offered greater or full 15w charging. 

    It does seem ‘smarter’ and it is on the other hand 2x-3x more expensive. I will anyhow buy one myself. 

    I am personally disappointed, actually surprised that it is only available in white - and would have much preferred a grey or black option at the least, but assumed it would be leather covered, available in matching or contrasting colors to the cases, like the wallet. Especially at the $99 price point. 

    And I agree with others that thinner and wider would have been better since 5w suggests an ‘attached while used’ use case. 
    watto_cobra

  • Apple's original HomePod was overpriced, and that doesn't bode well for AirPods Max

    pdnoblepdnoble
    I had six HomePods but two were used on their own: one grey, one white. So I just bought one each grey (one of the last) and white (from Apple) and now have four pairs. They sound better than 2x when used in stereo. They are wonderful. I consider myself the lucky recipient of Apple's incredible R&D. I also have an AirPod Max. Wonderful. Thank you, Apple team, for both!
    Alex1N

  • The best USB-C to Lightning cables released so far

    pdnoblepdnoble
    The Anker Powerline+ II braided cable is much nicer, more durable and flexible and worth the extra $6. Mated with their new PowerPort III mini 30w charger you get the smallest, most elegant option for fast charging an iPhone. Anker just continues to deliver the very best portable power accessories on the market from my POV.
    razorpit

  • One month later: iPhone XS versus the iPhone XS Max

    pdnoblepdnoble
    Both are terrific. Absolutely the best ever and with no material differences beyond screen size and battery life. After a month with the Max, and after a year with the X, I feel the Max was the better choice for me. I have relatively small hands but always use it two handed. The majority of my daily use is mail, text, notes and browsing/news apps. Typing is marginally less error prone. News/web site layout is more generous and more comfortable to read (as are Books - single page being close to double page on an iPad Mini.) Photos/editing is easier, camera function a little less so, size-wise. And, no doubt, using it to watch a movie in flight the extra screen size makes all the difference.

    I personally carry my Max around all the time in my jeans front pocket, no issue, or in a jacket 'wallet' pocket. It is a bit heavier for sure, but not, for me, unacceptably so. One thing I would add: I use Apple's silicon case. I have used their leather cases in the past but I find they wear quickly on their edges. This is a minimalist case that adds very little to the Max's size or weight. It works perfectly for me, giving me enough protection (I have never dropped my iPhone) and grip. On the other hand, if you like big, bulky, heavy, super protective cases, that may tip the scale for you re the size and weight versus the Xs. 

    Some have mentioned that Apple's lack of ongoing support for the iPad Mini form factor suggests they see the Max as being an effective substitute.I really don't think it fully is and I'd buy an updated Mini 5 or Pro in a minute if they introduced it: same form factor with a slightly larger screen and Face ID, to replace my aging 4. But the Max certainly gets closer and when I travel internationally I will likely continue to leave the Mini 4 behind. Less to bring with a single always connected mobile device with one daily international roaming charge.
    watto_cobra