New Macs

[The Korff]

The weird thing is that a software update can stop it getting fried

Doesn't surprise me too much... Apple chargers have had wee microcontrollers in them for years to regulate current depending on the state of the battery (its charge, age, etc). It's possible they'd programmed the OS to allow the battery to draw too much current in order to be able to publish a 'charges from 0 to 100 in 5 minutes!' spec on launch or something.

[Guest]

Yeah, my ageing iPhone is now helping out it's ageing battery by "intelligently" guessing wrong each day what time I will get out of bed to make sure the battery is never charged!

[Sam Spoons]

What the heck makes these Apple phones and laptops and whatever so sensitive, I still cannot understand.

I don't think they are sensitive, I don't hear of a higher failure rate amongst Apple kit than others, and personal experience is very much the opposite. I've only had one example of an 'exploding wall wart', it was a cheap Apple clone and the MBS escaped accompanied by a bang and a flash. No damage was done to the iPad it was connected to at the time.

[Kennyscrown]

Hi - sorry to swing the focus of this thread around a little, but...

IS there a thread anywhere that lists what is compatible with the M1 Mac/Big Sur yet?

As I said earlier in the thread, I am just about ready to upgrade my 2013 iMac to a new M1 machine, probably a Mac Mini but just possibly a MacBook Air. My interface is ready to go as well - it's a Focusrite Forte, which I have loved, but I've had it for 7 years; Focusrite are no longer supporting it and now the headphone socket is dodgy.

I am thinking of the Audient EVO 8, as 2 headphone sockets is pretty much what I need, and my budget is limited. The 4 inputs are very tempting as well. However, I was about to purchase when I decided to check their website, and they categorically state that the EVO range is NOT compatible with Big Sur and the M1 Macs, but that they are hoping to make an announcement in the future.

I thought that if a device was class compliant, it would work on the M1 Mac, but the support software wouldn't. Any thoughts appreciated.

[Guest]

Any class compliant audio device should work, maybe they plugged it in and it didn't though.

You could always just buy one, try it out and if it doesn't work return it.

Edit: just had a look on the web, looks like the interface will work fine but the software to control the mixer will not work. If you don't need that then I guess its ok to get it.

[CS70]

What the heck makes these Apple phones and laptops and whatever so sensitive, I still cannot understand.

I don't think they are sensitive, I don't hear of a higher failure rate amongst Apple kit than others

"Sensitive" not as in "easily damaged" but "Sensitive" as in "the required voltage must come only from a device branded Apple".

Given that a device can be physically connected (so that if it can fry things, it will well before the software can check anything), the software could simply verify that what voltage or data line required are present, without being so fussy about which manufacturer is sending it.

It's like if my BMW didnt accept a new oil filter which was functionally identical to the BMW one only because it didn't have BMW written over it.

[Sam Spoons]

I certainly have no problem charging iDevices from 3rd party chargers and cables, a while ago they did seem to dislike some non-Apple cables but over the last few years the only one's I've had issues with have been "Poundland specials'. Reputable manufacturer USB chargers don't seem to give any problems.

Laptop chargers are a different matter though and I'm pretty sure, given the required spec for USB C cables the charger for my MBP is capable of supplying somewhat more than the old style 5VDC leaving a much bigger opportunity for damage.

[Drew Stephenson]

What the heck makes these Apple phones and laptops and whatever so sensitive, I still cannot understand.

I don't think they are sensitive, I don't hear of a higher failure rate amongst Apple kit than others

"Sensitive" not as in "easily damaged" but "Sensitive" as in "the required voltage must come only from a device branded Apple".

Given that a device can be physically connected (so that if it can fry things, it will well before the software can check anything), the software could simply verify that what voltage or data line required are present, without being so fussy about which manufacturer is sending it.

It's like if my BMW didnt accept a new oil filter which was functionally identical to the BMW one only because it didn't have BMW written over it.

See also printer cartridges with RFID chips...

[Luke W]

See also printer cartridges with RFID chips...

Just what I came here to say

[Sam Spoons]

Yup that is a constant bugbear...

[Guest]

I bought a flashish car around 15 years ago and maintained the manufacturers warranty, after being charged 140 quid to replace the wiper blades the next time they went wonky I put some 30 quid Bosch ones on.

The next time I went in for the warranty check I got told off and they were only letting me have the warranty as long as I didn't do it again. I was incredulous and the woman said we even know if the valve caps on the wheels are not from us!

[Sam Spoons]

IIRC that sort of thing is no longer allowed in the EU, pattern parts and/or service by non-approved (as long as they are competent) garages can't be an excuse to void a warrantee.

[Guest]

Surely it is up to the company if they extend your warranty?

If you buy a car with a 3 year warranty, sure they must have to fulfill that obligation.

If you are paying for the 4th year they don't have to take that contract?

[Sam Spoons]

I don't think so but maybe, AFAIK it's the principle that the EU ruled against, i.e. that you had to have your car serviced my a main dealer using all original manufacturer spare parts and consumables or they could squeeze out of the warrantee. Whether the EU specified only the 'standard' warrantee or included a paid for extended warrantee (which is an insurance policy) I don't know but I always assumed that it applied to both.

[Guest]

Thanks goodness the EU are looking after us.

Oh, hang on a sec.

[Kennyscrown]

Any class compliant audio device should work, maybe they plugged it in and it didn't though.

You could always just buy one, try it out and if it doesn't work return it.

Edit: just had a look on the web, looks like the interface will work fine but the software to control the mixer will not work. If you don't need that then I guess its ok to get it.

Thanks, will probably take a risk bearing in mind that they say they are working on the software.

[BigRedX]

See also printer cartridges with RFID chips...

TBH if colour accuracy is important to you when printing then it makes sense to use the printer manufacturer's own brand ink cartridges. IME, not matter how compatible 3rd party cartridges claim to be, the fact is that the colours will not be the same and they may also be absorbed by the paper in a different way which will also change how they appear. Whilst it is possible to tweak the colour settings on some printers to compensate, it requires specialised hardware to check the output, a lot of time an effort on the part of the user, and ultimately is more hassle than saving some money on cheap cartridges is worth.

[Drew Stephenson]

See also printer cartridges with RFID chips...

TBH if colour accuracy is important to you when printing then it makes sense to use the printer manufacturer's own brand ink cartridges. IME, not matter how compatible 3rd party cartridges claim to be, the fact is that the colours will not be the same and they may also be absorbed by the paper in a different way which will also change how they appear. Whilst it is possible to tweak the colour settings on some printers to compensate, it requires specialised hardware to check the output, a lot of time an effort on the part of the user, and ultimately is more hassle than saving some money on cheap cartridges is worth.

I get that, but I still think we should have the choice.

[CS70]

I certainly have no problem charging iDevices from 3rd party chargers and cables, a while ago they did seem to dislike some non-Apple cables but over the last few years the only one's I've had issues with have been "Poundland specials'. Reputable manufacturer USB chargers don't seem to give any problems.

Laptop chargers are a different matter though and I'm pretty sure, given the required spec for USB C cables the charger for my MBP is capable of supplying somewhat more than the old style 5VDC leaving a much bigger opportunity for damage.

I have no idea when exactly it happens, and it happens less with the latest iphones/ipads, but I occasionally get a "this device is not supported" or something like that.

In about 40 years of dealing with computers (I started at about 10...) I have never seen any other device behaving that way.

There was, of course, the mechanically-clamped 16K expansion of the ZX81 that could suffer from occasional glitches if was inadvertently moved from it slot..

[CS70]

But all still going, what about your other manufacturers devices over that period you have, how many are still running?

Not replying specifically to your reply to s_e_a_n, but I was happy last year (no wait, 2019) to find out that my ZX81 still powered up fine and the cursor showed up. The hardest bit was to find a TV with coaxial input to test it with.

The original Sinclair16K expansion was, however, fried. Not sure where to complain...

[muzines]

I have no idea when exactly it happens, and it happens less with the latest iphones/ipads, but I occasionally get a "this device is not supported" or something like that.

It happens when you buy cheap counterfeit three quid lightning cables from eBay, happens much less if you buy proper branded UK-sold lightning cables from a reputable third-party, and doesn't happen at all with Apple cables (unless they're broken).

The takeaway from that is don't try to cheap out with counterfeit cables (but yes, Apple cables are expensive).

[Sam Spoons]

I have no idea when exactly it happens, and it happens less with the latest iphones/ipads, but I occasionally get a "this device is not supported" or something like that.

In about 40 years of dealing with computers (I started at about 10...) I have never seen any other device behaving that way.

I adopted the Apple ecosystem when smartphones were first becoming commonplace (iPhone 3GS was my first smartphone) and have hardly owned/used any non Apple devices, the exception was a Sony eBook Reader which refused to talk to third party chargers of any flavour. Since I find Android impenetrable* I have no interest in using non Apple tablets or smartphones so I doubt I'll ever find out if they are more accommodating.

Thanks goodness the EU are looking after us.

Oh, hang on a sec.

I have no idea when exactly it happens, and it happens less with the latest iphones/ipads, but I occasionally get a "this device is not supported" or something like that.

It happens when you buy cheap counterfeit three quid lightning cables from eBay, happens much less if you buy proper branded UK-sold lightning cables from a reputable third-party, and doesn't happen at all with Apple cables (unless they're broken).

The takeaway from that is don't try to cheap out with counterfeit cables (but yes, Apple cables are expensive).

Decent third party cables are usually fine (95% of the time), as I said above steer clear of 'Poundland Specials'

* Purely a matter of familiarity, I learned iOS back at the beginning, Android is different and I no incentive to learn how to use it.

[CS70]

I have no idea when exactly it happens, and it happens less with the latest iphones/ipads, but I occasionally get a "this device is not supported" or something like that.

It happens when you buy cheap counterfeit three quid lightning cables from eBay, happens much less if you buy proper branded UK-sold lightning cables from a reputable third-party, and doesn't happen at all with Apple cables (unless they're broken).

The takeaway from that is don't try to cheap out with counterfeit cables (but yes, Apple cables are expensive).

Nah, it happens occasionally with cables which are not branded, but sold in perfectly reputable high streets shops. I never bought a lighting cable from eBay because it would be stupid to pay shipping for something I can find around the corner .

The takeaway is not that at all. Because there's nothing inherently expensive or to counterfeit at all, in a lighting cable: some metal, rubber and maybe a $.001 chip. It's like a pair of socks: beyond a very reasonable standard of manufacturing, it cannot be made special in any particular way. Or like audio cables...

The takeaway seems that something very simple is made complicated, where it shouldn't be. Hence me wondering which kind of odd design choices have been made...

[CS70]

I adopted the Apple ecosystem when smartphones were first becoming commonplace

Same here.. I am prisoner of my own laziness, and 15 years of accumulated data, familiarity and the family ecosystem. A man never knows fear until he has children.. and tries to change the operating system of their phone or pad.

And gotta say, I always liked the iPhone interface better than any Android I've ever tried.

[muzines]

happens much less if you buy proper branded UK-sold lightning cables from a reputable third-party

Nah, it happens occasionally with cables which are not branded, but sold in perfectly reputable high streets shops.

I'm not sure why you're saying no and then stating exactly what I said in the post you quoted?

I said it happens "much less" with reputable cables not from Apple that you can buy legitimately in shops, not that it doesn't happen.

You won't find unbranded cables in UK shops, they are all branded. (Perhaps you thought I mean "Apple branded" - I did not, there all all kinds of brands of cables you can buy in Currys/Sainsbury's/etc.

The takeaway is not that at all. Because there's nothing inherently expensive or to counterfeit at all, in a lighting cable: some metal, rubber and maybe a $.001 chip. It's like a pair of socks: beyond a very reasonable standard of manufacturing, it cannot be made special in any particular way. Or like audio cables...

No, the cheap Chinese knock offs are very clearly obviously counterfeited. Even down to the packaging, and the marketing "Genuine Apple-branded cable!" etc. And they are all garbage and if they work at all, you might get a few weeks before you start getting connection problems, maybe longer if you are lucky.

You may have your own takeaway on your posts, but you can't take mine!