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Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

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Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#181
post #23

There are many good hardware choices at this point in order to replace a Macbook. What is entirely not clear is what software to use to replace a Macbook.

This is why I'm probably going to opt for a maxed out 2015 Macbook Pro. Yes, I know I'm paying for "old" hardware but I don't use VMs or compile anything heavy so it should last me a while. After selling my current one it should come out to about $1000 so not too bad. I'm just too invested in macOS in terms of apps, comfortableness, muscle memory, etc. I actually really like it as well.

"This is why I'm probably going to opt for a maxed out 2015 Macbook Pro. Yes, I know I'm paying for "old" hardware but I don't use VMs or compile anything heavy so it should last me a while. After selling my current one it should come out to about $1000 so not too bad."

I just did this.

I currently use a second-from-last generation 11" Macbook air and it works perfectly and I expect it to last another 2-3 years.

However, I just purchased a refurbished latest-generation 11" macbook air, with maximum specs, to keep on reserve.

Now I can put off these decisions for 5 or more years.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#182
post #58

Thinkpads definitely get over-recommended on the internet, but I have been really pleased with my X220. I bought a corporate refurb on ebay a year ago for about $200. It has sailed along since then. Any problems I have I am confident I can repair and parts are cheap and plentiful. At one point I replaced the DC jack and WiFI card in an hour or two with a screwdriver and a youtube video (total cost: $25). It runs linu…

I have a similar story with my T430. Ivy Bridge CPU, 8GB, and two internal SSDs (one msata). It's a tank, and worth the $300 or so I paid. Upgraded it to add the msata ssd and add a backlit keyboard, and it's a great beater laptop for when I don't need portability.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#183

I've been disappointed by the lack of true MacBook Pro 15 alternatives, and it doesn't seem like Lenovo offers one in the ThinkPad line, either. What I want: Quad-core CPU, decent-ish discrete graphics, a great screen, a somewhat compact case that doesn't weight a ton. What I get: An endless supply of 13" ultrabooks, 6+ lb. gaming laptops with 2 hour batteries that sound like an airline taking off on startup, sub-$80…

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/9445/

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#184
post #47
post #3

Since Lenovo preinstalled spyware/malware they can no longer be trusted.

Yes because Lenovo is the only major vendor to install spyware, break ssl, or any other things. Dell has never done that... ohh wait https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/11/superfish-20-now-dell-...

The Dell case at least was a honest mistake. Superfish actually did MITM to show ads and Lenovo was trying to make money from it.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#185
post #161

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So? Generally you are either at a desk (often with a display, keyboard, and mouse), or you are traveling lighter and don't need to connect many usb devices. So for each desk get a widget that takes a tb3/usb-c connection and connects to your mouse/monitor/keyboard. Basically an instant dock. If you really hook up more than one device, travel light, AND need more than 10 hours a day buy a little usb hub. I suspect ove…

Nowadays, TB2 hubs are not cheap (200-300 EUR) and I don't expect TB3 to be cheap either. Just USB3 hub does not cut it, it will be a while until you will be able to connect displays using USB3. Even today, I'm using two TB2 ports and one USB port (i.e. three ports on the computer) because: 1 x miniDP (no, most displays are not TB2 native and cannot daisy-chain with other TB devices), 1 x ethernet adapter (the Apple…

New (granted not quite shipping) hubs/docks sound like $100 or so. You sit down, connect the tb3/usbc cable and your mouse, keyboard, and display works. Of course your laptop is getting charged as well.

Preorder for $105 http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/10/28/13453274/a...

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#186
post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't know people felt that stongly about arbitrary binary blobs. I know this is hackaday and open hardware and all, but if im going to be worried about binary blobs im going to be worried about a ton of netsec related stuff in other boxes too. Just wonderin' who this is really biting, assuming the intended individual was also already a closed-source, secretive apple fan.

It's not an arbitrary binary blob. It's blob that's running at SMM level. A perfect place for rootkits.

AFAIK it is not SMM, it is a separate CPU. IMO, the most important lesson everyone should learn however is the laptop anti-theft arms race is horrible too.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#187

"Here are the names Apple still uses for their laptops (and yes, these are the actual model names): 13-inch MacBook Pro with 2.0GHz Processor and 256GB Storage 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and Touch ID, 2.9 GHz Processor and 256GB Storage 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and Touch ID, 2.9GHz Processor and 512GB Storage The ThinkPad naming convention makes marketing easier, product differentiation simpler, and…

My first car was a 1986 Toyota MR2 . It was not a Beige Toyota Sports Car with 1.6L 4 cylinder gasoline engine and 5-speed manual transmission, 14" wheels, sunroof, and cassette player

[deleted]

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#188
post #103

I was very disappointed too, however I've seen similar disappointments when Apple dropped CDROM, usb, audio jacks etc. Eventually everyone gets used to it, and admittedly they are trying to simplify the keyboard IMHO. I'm super happy to have bought a maxed out mbp15 before not too long ago, so I won't have to deal with the devices/adaptors market catching up to Apple. And BTW, looks like the disappointment is all aro…

Mostly agree, but MagSafe was amazing and USB is what everyone in the world uses... we will just have to get a hub... it's not like when they killed floppies or CDs or Ethernet Ports and I hadn't used those in years anyway... This stings. I still like HDMI... literally all the ports on my 2013 MBP I think are perfect. Except the card reader... that's dumb and can go away.

Ugh, I don't care about plugging in dual 5k monitors, I use my laptop monitor when I use my laptop -- I only care about HDMI for conference room sharing since everyone has that. I'm sure in a year I won't care once I buy a hub and new adapters... I apppreviate pushing the envelope but I like more "standard things" like USB and HDMI.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#189

Was thinking about Lenovo X series 3 years ago... until I've found out that their IPS display is not that good, it's comparable with a good Macbook Air display (although that is a TN one). For the price of a new X series better get a Macbook Air, it's the more comparable one (also nearly same price region) to Lenovo than the Macbook Pro (this is another league).

What about the razed blade stealth? It seems fantastic but I don't know anyone using it.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#190

I've been disappointed by the lack of true MacBook Pro 15 alternatives, and it doesn't seem like Lenovo offers one in the ThinkPad line, either. What I want: Quad-core CPU, decent-ish discrete graphics, a great screen, a somewhat compact case that doesn't weight a ton. What I get: An endless supply of 13" ultrabooks, 6+ lb. gaming laptops with 2 hour batteries that sound like an airline taking off on startup, sub-$80…

XPS 15 9550 has Skylake: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_XPS#XPS_15_.28Touch.29.5B...
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