The Apple Discussion Thread

[dieworkwear]

We’ll see. The whole line of MacBook pros are due for a design refresh, so I assume they’ll roll out the 16 initially, call it the MacBook Pro Plus or something, and then the 13 inch models will follow later in 2020 or 2021

Damn, I hope I'm not stuck with this laptop for much longer. I was hoping I could replace it with a new one this fall.

Anyway, thanks for the news.

 

[bruceclark]

Damn, I hope I'm not stuck with this laptop for much longer. I was hoping I could replace it with a new one this fall.

Anyway, thanks for the news.

The 16 inch will have fixed switches (assuming rumors are accurate), the air and other models won’t get the fix until next year.

 

[chobochobo]

I would buy a MBP with a fixed/ normal keyboard and without a touchbar, same specs etc.

 

[CBrown85]

I farted around with the touchbar at the Apple store today. Not sure what all the hate is about- I mostly only use Office suite and Ed Tech sites, so it looks like it makes some of that kind of stuff easier.

 

[Van Veen]

MBP, mini, iMac, or build a Hackintosh? I can't decide.

 

[emptym]

Good news about the return of a small phone, hopefully next March.

 

[ter1413]

Apple TV+ streaming service: Price, release date and shows

Apple TV+ FAQ: Everything you need to know

Apple's streaming service competes with the likes Netflix, Disney, and Amazon Prime. Here's how to watch, what to watch, what you need, how much it costs.

www.macworld.co.uk

 

[dieworkwear]

Wondering if anyone has to deal with theft in their area. A few years ago, I got robbed outside of a cafe. Basically, the game is to catch someone not paying attention (e.g. looking at their laptop), snatch their laptop, and then run to a getaway car.

In the last couple of years, these incidents have really gone on the rise in my area. A few weeks ago, it happened inside one of the cafes I frequent. Someone just snatched two laptops off a table and ran out. Then it happened a few days ago at another cafe.

Apparently, there are underground networks at restaurants where thieves can offload these laptops for decent money. The police say to be vigilant (e.g. look for people loitering around but not buying anything, etc). But you know, if you're working on your laptop, you're also working on your laptop.

I looked up some preventative/ security measures. I know there are laptop locks, although I don't know which may be the best for a MacBook Air. I've also heard of programs like Prey, but don't know much about them. I've thought about buying an iPad for working at cafes and today's release looks interesting.

Does anyone have strategies or preventative measures they take for this?

 

[otc]

I used a cable lock back in college libraries. Easy on/off to prevent simple snatching. Not secure against mid-size cable cutters and, as I recently discovered, fairly easy to pick...but should stop the kind of theft you are talking about.

Unfortunately, the Air lacks a "kensignton slot"...so you have to buy an adapter that costs 2x what the lock itself costs and install that on your computer first.

 

[MGoCrimson]

Good news about the return of a small phone, hopefully next March.

It’s the same size as an iPhone 8 so not exactly a new SE unfortunately

 

[emptym]

Wondering if anyone has to deal with theft in their area. A few years ago, I got robbed outside of a cafe. Basically, the game is to catch someone not paying attention (e.g. looking at their laptop), snatch their laptop, and then run to a getaway car.

In the last couple of years, these incidents have really gone on the rise in my area. A few weeks ago, it happened inside one of the cafes I frequent. Someone just snatched two laptops off a table and ran out. Then it happened a few days ago at another cafe.

Apparently, there are underground networks at restaurants where thieves can offload these laptops for decent money. The police say to be vigilant (e.g. look for people loitering around but not buying anything, etc). But you know, if you're working on your laptop, you're also working on your laptop.

I looked up some preventative/ security measures. I know there are laptop locks, although I don't know which may be the best for a MacBook Air. I've also heard of programs like Prey, but don't know much about them. I've thought about buying an iPad for working at cafes and today's release looks interesting.

Does anyone have strategies or preventative measures they take for this?

This happened a few months ago to a friend of mine. He was working at a cafe in the Stonestown Mall. A guy snatched his laptop and ran to the nearest entrance, where a driver in a black car was waiting. It had its license plate and all logos (car brand and model) removed. Fortunately, most of his work was backed up online and his employer covered the cost of a replacement.

It’s the same size as an iPhone 8 so not exactly a new SE unfortunately

Thanks, yeah, I read that after posting. That is sad.

The 11 pro seems smaller than the X. But I don't think I need a $1000 phone. I just use it as a phone, for texting, photos, Lyft, airplane tickets, and maybe directions or the internet once a month.

I'm actually considering getting a non-Apple phone. I was pretty happy with my Nokia and Motorola phones before the iPhone. If anyone could recommend a good, small phone with the capabilities I mentioned, I'd appreciate it. I'd also still like photos and text message to sync with my MacBook.

 

[imatlas]

My wife is pretty happy with her Galaxy A10e (yes that actually is the model designation)

 

[dieworkwear]

This happened a few months ago to a friend of mine. He was working at a cafe in the Stonestown Mall. A guy snatched his laptop and ran to the nearest entrance, where a driver in a black car was waiting. It had its license plate and all logos (car brand and model) removed. Fortunately, most of his work was backed up online and his employer covered the cost of a replacement.

I bumped into some police officers yesterday and asked them about it. They said this is an issue that's on the rise across California (don't know if your friend is in CA).

They said the best thing to do is to not sit outside of cafes working on your laptop. Also don't sit next doorways. Take basic precautions, like being vigilant and lock your laptop when you can, but working in the center of a cafe, rather than outside or near exits, will supposedly reduce your risk greatly.

Anyway, if someone steals this, I hope they're forced to type on my brownie-crumb damaged butterfly keyboard. I had to correct my text four times just writing this post.

 

[imatlas]

My aunt's backpack was stolen in exactly this fashion from a cafe on Polk about 3 weeks ago.

Seems like this would be a great opportunity for a sting operation, and I'll bet a couple of arrests would have a big impact - there are probably only a few groups pulling these jobs. It doesn't take an army to create a crime wave, just a few dedicated individuals.

 

[scamster]

@emptym try the pocophone f1 if you're leaving apple and want something else, this is supposed to be an excellent mobile especially considering the price, the pixel 3a is also a good alternative.

to sync message from an android device on your laptop use android messages for web for photos if you're using icloud you may need to dump that if you swap to android, not sure if google photos works on a mac but dropbox is good for syncing your photos on your mobile and computer.