Random thoughts that are pointless and too dumb to say anywhere else thread: 2015–2018 (plus one)

[Thurston Fluff]

What the hell is pokemon go? I just found out apparently the gorilla we have outside our store is a marker or something of the sort in it. Most importantly does it make us cool?

[MrTPlush]

What the hell is pokemon go? I just found out apparently the gorilla we have outside our store is a marker or something of the sort in it. Most importantly does it make us cool?

 

Basically it's Pokemon, but you literally have to go catch them. There are PokeStops where you refuel to get stuff and then there are different locations for gyms...where you battle. It is kind of funny because when you find a Pokemon it uses you camera and puts the little character on the screen where you flick balls at it. It doesn't make you special because all cities have them.

 

I was never into Pokemon, but I tried it anyway. It's a very interesting concept and it gets you up and active if you want to catch them. It gives you something to do on a walk I guess. Reminds me of when I was a kid and on roadtrips we always played that alphabet game etc. to not get bored.

[rwa12]

What the hell is pokemon go? I just found out apparently the gorilla we have outside our store is a marker or something of the sort in it. Most importantly does it make us cool?

 

It certainly makes you cool to a certain demographic, hopefully they also like what you sell . I am apparently uncool, as I needed met plush' explanation as well.

[MrTPlush]

The first thing I wondered is why the company isn't trying to sell the rights to a "PokeStop". I mean if you were a candy store or some other business that is attractive to kids it could be a type of advertisement to lure in potential costumers.

[fondybrewfan]

I just don't understand the concept. Pokémon was always something for 7 year olds; now all these adults are wandering aimlessly throughout the streets playing it? I think it is actually kind of creepy. Kids shouldn't be wandering around by themselves all day and adults being obsessed about Pokémon is just weird.

 

It was annoying when people are staring at the phones texting while walking; this is a lot worse than that.

[rwa12]

Well, the kids that grew up on Pokémon are now in their early 20s, for some it's probably nostalgia, for some it's still a big part of their lives. I'd knock them, but it's my generation's fault that we've now had like 17 Transformers movies...

[Thurston Fluff]

Thanks for the explanation MrTPlush. My wife decided to download the app and looked up our location. It gives a short bio of of the landmark (or whatever it's called.) They called it an icon in Appleton and told the story of someone stealing it a few years ago and that it was found because they bragged about it online. No idea who did it but frankly we are touched someone thought of us unsolicited let alone provide that nice write up. Minor, and very local, celebrity status here we come!!! All in all I like the idea of the game. Get people out walking instead of sitting around. Getting a little feel/history of the neighborhood you are in can't hurt either.

[homer]

Apparently someone was playing in a holocaust museum. Maybe I should put this in the "what's bugging you" thread.

[1992casey]

The overhead digital sign on I-41/94 at Seven Mile Road said "Drive now, Pokémon later."

[jerichoholicninja]

My MacBook is on it's last leg. After 8 years the track pad sometimes refuses to work, half the screen is dimmer than the rest and sometimes the whole thing goes out for a few seconds, and most everything is too old to be updated so using internet can be a hassle. Overall it still works though. I'm not sure if I want to get a new one now or wait until it dies completely.

[Patrick425]

My 18 year old son had a phase of watching Pokemon and collecting cards when he was around 6-8 years old. I never understood it and found the cartoon to be odd. Just a different culture I guess, but always thought cartoons or animations should contain mostly humor (looney toons, sponge bob, family guys, etc). To me, that's what makes them watchable - especially as an adult.

 

Had two painters at the house yesterday and as they are working I'm overhearing their conversation (keep in mind that these are two guys that are probably in their mid 20's or older). At one point one asked the other one who his favorite Pokemon character was and the other answered that it was hard to say but that "you gotta catch them all...right?". Again, different generation, so trying not to be too judgmental....I guess if you enjoy something and it makes you happy and doesn't harm anyone else then there is really no harm. At the same time, I hope my 18 year old son doesn't suddenly discover Pokemon again. I don't think he will, but seems like many people are getting addicted to it.

[Baldkin]

The overhead digital sign on I-41/94 at Seven Mile Road said "Drive now, Pokémon later."

 

Not as morbid as the one I saw last week, (and I'm paraphrasing here) "Donate blood. Don't waste it. Pay attention while driving."

[1992casey]

My MacBook is on it's last leg. After 8 years the track pad sometimes refuses to work, half the screen is dimmer than the rest and sometimes the whole thing goes out for a few seconds, and most everything is too old to be updated so using internet can be a hassle. Overall it still works though. I'm not sure if I want to get a new one now or wait until it dies completely.

As I type this, I'm in the waiting room at the guru's getting my keyboard replaced. My 8-year-old MacBook Pro runs the current operating system, but it won't take Sierra when it comes out this fall.

 

I want to see what a product refresh brings before buying something new. However, if my machine were near death, I guess I'd grab something right away.

[jerichoholicninja]

My MacBook is on it's last leg. After 8 years the track pad sometimes refuses to work, half the screen is dimmer than the rest and sometimes the whole thing goes out for a few seconds, and most everything is too old to be updated so using internet can be a hassle. Overall it still works though. I'm not sure if I want to get a new one now or wait until it dies completely.

As I type this, I'm in the waiting room at the guru's getting my keyboard replaced. My 8-year-old MacBook Pro runs the current operating system, but it won't take Sierra when it comes out this fall.

 

I want to see what a product refresh brings before buying something new. However, if my machine were near death, I guess I'd grab something right away.

 

Ya, my issue is more hardware than software and it's so not worth sticking money into it.

[1992casey]

If I remember correctly, your computer hasn't been able to run the current operating system for quite some time. That's reason enough to consider an upgrade.

 

I've always figured that I'd run my current Mac for up to a year with an OS that isn't new. The previous OS would still be getting updates, and I'd have time to consider my options. It's turned out that Apple's new operating systems have supported my machine for quite a bit longer than I would have expected them to.

 

As time has gone by, new operating systems have offered features that my computer won't run. I've been OK with that as nothing's been compelling enough to cause me to upgrade. But it'd be nice to have the new toys. There's some particularly nice iPhone/iPad connectivity. For instance, you'd be able to read and send SMS messages and make calls from your Mac; your iPhone would do the heavy lifting. And you can use your personal hotspot without first having to enable it on your device. Also, the AirDrop feature would work between an iPhone/iPad and a newer Mac, which would be great for transferring certain types of files.

 

My biggest beef is that the computer I'd likely want is running an Intel processor that came out in 2013. There've been minor speed upgrades, but no new technology. That's an Intel issue rather than an Apple issue. During that time, Intel hasn't released anything new that's appropriate for the most powerful Mac laptops, i.e. a quad core laptop processor. Lower end Macs have carefully chosen Intel upgrades, i.e. Apple has waited until bugs have been worked out. Microsoft jumped in head first with Intel's latest processor last year, and they paid dearly with bugs that were essentially out of their control.

 

Hopefully, something good happens in the processor department within the next year. In the past three years, the only significant change to the 15 inch Mac notebooks is that they have the new trackpad. Outside of that, the three-year-old Intel processors have gotten minor speed updates.

[AKCheesehead]

Speaking of the new trackpad in Macs, let me say I am not a fan. Mine has one major glitch, which I haven't been able to solve by adjusting settings. When I type, occasionally my thumb muscle will touch the trackpad and cause random unpredictable things to instantly occur with my existing text and cursor placement.

[1992casey]

I have mine set to tap, which is the most sensitive way you can set a trackpad to respond. I rarely have an "accident," but I could easily see how that could vary from person to person.

 

My experience with the new force touch trackpads is limited to trying them out in the store. They're somewhat easier to click than the old ones. The upside would be that you can click with equal force anywhere on the pad. On the older pads, it becomes easier to click as you move your finger toward the bottom of the pad. Of course, the easier click could cause people do do things they don't want to do.

 

Actually, these new trackpads don't click at all. And they don't move at all except for a very slight bend in the glass surface. The trackpad actually gives tactile feedback and makes a sound to make you think you're clicking. A "click" with extra force will bring up different functions. Because I'm used to tapping, I think I'll be largely unaffected by the new pad.

 

In addition to the trackpads, some report trouble adjusting to the new keyboards because the keys don't travel as much as they used to. Apple's position is that the lesser amount of travel is offset by the keys being larger and more stable. Some reviewers say that they're fine with the keyboards after getting used to them. I didn't notice any significant difference at all. The big adjustment for me was getting used to chicklet keyboards in the first place when they started appearing about a decade ago.

[logan82]

My biggest beef is that the computer I'd likely want is running an Intel processor that came out in 2013. There've been minor speed upgrades, but no new technology. That's an Intel issue rather than an Apple issue. During that time, Intel hasn't released anything new that's appropriate for the most powerful Mac laptops, i.e. a quad core laptop processor. Lower end Macs have carefully chosen Intel upgrades, i.e. Apple has waited until bugs have been worked out. Microsoft jumped in head first with Intel's latest processor last year, and they paid dearly with bugs that were essentially out of their control.

 

Hopefully, something good happens in the processor department within the next year. In the past three years, the only significant change to the 15 inch Mac notebooks is that they have the new trackpad. Outside of that, the three-year-old Intel processors have gotten minor speed updates.

Intel has a 4 core mobile processor from at least the 4th generation on. They didn't have one in the i5 line but there were a few in the i7 line. Granted, most laptops use the 2 core U processors most of the time. Which is probably fine for most people. It looks like the Macbook line is using the Core m processors which I would definitely avoid but would be good for most people.

 

I am kind of disappointed Apple really tries to obfuscate the specific processor they are using. I understand why they are doing it though. Most people would be scared off spending that much on old technology even if it works better.

[1992casey]

Here's what Apple currently uses:

 

[list-sp]

• MacBook: Intel Core m3, m5, or m7 (6Y30, 6Y54, 6Y75) ("Skylake"), 2 cores
  
• MacBook Air: Intel Core i5 or Core i7 (5250U, 5650U) ("Broadwell"), 2 cores
  
• MacBook Pro 13": Intel Core i5 or Core i7 (5257U, 5287U, 5557U) ("Broadwell"), 2 cores
  
• Macbook Pro 15": Intel Core i7 (4770HQ, 4870HQ, 4980HQ) ("Haswell"), 4 cores

[/list-sp]

 

When i look at Apple's website, it's clear about clock speed; Core M, i5, or i7; and L3 Cache (something that consumers frequently overlook). But it's not clear about processor family (Haswell, Broadwell, Skylake).

 

The Core M processors used in the MacBook are significantly slower. The reason those processors are slower is that they don't require any fans. But I agree with Logan that they'd be fine for most people. What might not be fine for many people is the fact that the MacBook only has one port (USB-C). At this point, the MacBook is a computer for people who value portability over everything else. Right now, I wouldn't call it a mainstream machine.

 

The MacBook Airs still have non-retina displays and use the multi-touch trackpads that have been around since 2008. I wouldn't let the 2008 trackpads scare one off; it took years for the Wintel world to start to catch up to them. The MacBooks and MacBook Pros have retina displays and the new force touch trackpads.

[jerichoholicninja]

Here's what Apple currently uses:

 

[list-sp]

• MacBook: Intel Core m3, m5, or m7 (6Y30, 6Y54, 6Y75) ("Skylake"), 2 cores
  
• MacBook Air: Intel Core i5 or Core i7 (5250U, 5650U) ("Broadwell"), 2 cores
  
• MacBook Pro 13": Intel Core i5 or Core i7 (5257U, 5287U, 5557U) ("Broadwell"), 2 cores
  
• Macbook Pro 15": Intel Core i7 (4770HQ, 4870HQ, 4980HQ) ("Haswell"), 4 cores

[/list-sp]

 

When i look at Apple's website, it's clear about clock speed; Core M, i5, or i7; and L3 Cache (something that consumers frequently overlook). But it's not clear about processor family (Haswell, Broadwell, Skylake).

 

The Core M processors used in the MacBook are significantly slower. The reason those processors are slower is that they don't require any fans. But I agree with Logan that they'd be fine for most people. What might not be fine for many people is the fact that the MacBook only has one port (USB-C). At this point, the MacBook is a computer for people who value portability over everything else. Right now, I wouldn't call it a mainstream machine.

 

The MacBook Airs still have non-retina displays and use the multi-touch trackpads that have been around since 2008. I wouldn't let the 2008 trackpads scare one off; it took years for the Wintel world to start to catch up to them. The MacBooks and MacBook Pros have retina displays and the new force touch trackpads.

 

I have no clue what most of that means. When I get my new one I'll just get whichever one is the prettiest. But since it's a Mac they all look the same.

[logan82]

You kind of have to work backwards from the graphics to figure out the processor. Anything from 4th generation on should be pretty good. The main reason you might want something 6th gen or newer is thry are compatible with faster RAM, but that probably won't make a difference to most people.

 

If you are doing more than word processing and internet browsing I would avoid the Core M processors. They are ultra low power, which is why they are fanless. For example my i5 desktop processor uses 84w and the Core M's use about 4.5w. Less power = longer battery life or smaller battery and lighter.

[1992casey]

Here's where I lose track. Which generation is fourth generation?

 

With Mac notebooks, you don't have to worry about RAM compatibility as all RAM is hardwired into the motherboard. For that reason, you need to decide how much RAM you want up front. I'd avoid 4GB and go with either 8GB or 16GB. Actually, the Airs are the only models that offer a choice (4GB or 8GB). The MacBook has 8GB, and the MacBook Pros have 16GB.

 

I'm not sure which models currently have upgradeable storage, but that's also a good decision to make up front. I think 256GB is the sweet spot. The Airs start out at 128; I wouldn't consider that to be enough.

 

jerichoholicninja, I'd start with screen size and work from there. As far as the prettiest, that would be the MacBook. It comes in Space Gray, Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold. The Airs and Pros only come in plain old aluminium.

[logan82]

Here's where I lose track. Which generation is fourth generation?

Haswell is the 4th generation of the "i" processors. You can tell by the number. The first digit of the four digit number indicates the generation. 4th Haswell, 5th Broadwell, and 6th Skylake.

 

 

With Mac notebooks, you don't have to worry about RAM compatibility as all RAM is hardwired into the motherboard. For that reason, you need to decide how much RAM you want up front. I'd avoid 4GB and go with either 8GB or 16GB. Actually, the Airs are the only models that offer a choice (4GB or 8GB). The MacBook has 8GB, and the MacBook Pros have 16GB.

I hate hardwired RAM. Processors are no longer the limiting factor on computers. It is nice to be able to add some RAM.

 

I'm not sure which models currently have upgradeable storage, but that's also a good decision to make up front. I think 256GB is the sweet spot. The Airs start out at 128; I wouldn't consider that to be enough.

Storage is probably upgradable on all of them. Some will probably be easier than others and you really have to know what you are doing. I would guess the Airs are practically impossible to upgrade on your own.

[1992casey]

I've been running happily on 8GB of RAM for several years, so I'm not really worried about my needs changing like they did in years past. But I'll get 16GB next time just in case.

 

I've decided that more than 256GB of internal storage is too hard to manage. Your backups get huge, and it's a lot to restore should you decide to reformat. My 240GB SSD is usually about half full. I use external drives for iTunes and for stuff I have infrequent need to access. I back them up with a sync app. (Always preview syncs to make sure they're doing what you expect.)

 

My gut says that the MacBook might be the toughest to upgrade. I've attached a photo of its motherboard inside its bottom case.

[logan82]

Here is a link to the Macbook 2016 tear down on ifixit. They gave it a 1 out of 10 with 10 being the easiest. Looks like they found the Air a little easier to fix. Proprietary parts though. Hard drives should not be proprietary. They fail way to often for that.

 

I have seen some laptops that are a huge pain to do anything with. Pretty much anything that doesn't have screws on the bottom is going to be a giant pain to upgrade or fix.