New Macs

[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!

[BigRedX]

Is there an "Apple Event" coming up any time soon.

The iMac Pro appears to be in short supply and limited options, so I wonder if it is about to be replaced?

[muzines]

Is there an "Apple Event" coming up any time soon.

Yes, end of March. Don't get excited, it's going to be for stuff like iPads, Airpods, Airtags etc, according to rumours.

The iMac Pro appears to be in short supply and limited options, so I wonder if it is about to be replaced?

The iMac Pro is history, it will not be replaced.

Of course, the iMacs, and the 16" Macbook Pros are due to be replaced for Mx versions, likely in June.

[CS70]

No, the cheap Chinese knock offs are very clearly obviously counterfeited. Even down to the packaging, and the marketing "Genuine Apple-branded cable!" etc.

Apologies, my misunderstanding. You meant really counterfeited in a literal sense, not just lookalike as shape. These aren't the ones I am speaking of - the ones I buy at high street shops are a little cheaper but clearly branded with their own brand and packaging.

They last exactly as long the real Apple ones, but occasionally give the "not supported" message..

[muzines]

You meant really counterfeited in a literal sense, not just lookalike as shape. These aren't the ones I am speaking of - the ones I buy at high street shops are a little cheaper but clearly branded with their own brand and packaging.

Yep, I listed three cable types, if that wasn't clear - genuine Apple ones, branded third-party ones available to buy in UK shops, and the cheap knock-offs you get on ebay etc.

They last exactly as long the real Apple ones, but occasionally give the "not supported" message..

Not in my experience. My genuine ones last typically for the lifetime of the cable (ie, up to the time the cable starts to physically fail), whereas a range of third-party ones bought in shops (and not especially cheap either) tended to last anywhere from three to 12 months, on average based on my sample size over the last 8 or so years - multiple Apple ones, multiple cheap ebay ones (cheap, worth a try) and multiple ones of various good third-party brands bought in shops, probably a good 6+ of each, plus other family and friends experiences added in there.

I've never had a "not supported" issue with genuine cables, but definitely do get them with branded third-parties over the lifespan mentioned above - some of which causing cables in otherwise perfectly good condition to be discarded because they no longer work, and/or charge Apple devices.

I absolutely have observed and experienced repeatable way improved lifetimes with genuine cables over any other solution, meaning that I favour that approach where possible. Ymmv of course, I'm just mentioning my experiences with them.

[ConcertinaChap]

The iMac Pro appears to be in short supply and limited options, so I wonder if it is about to be replaced?

The iMac Pro is history, it will not be replaced.

That's my understanding but as an iMac Pro owner it doesn't bother me. This machine will see me well into the Apple silicon era; indeed at my age it might be my last ever computer.

CC

[muzines]

That's my understanding but as an iMac Pro owner it doesn't bother me. This machine will see me well into the Apple silicon era; indeed at my age it might be my last ever computer.

Indeed - it doesn't stop it from being a great machine!

[CS70]

They last exactly as long the real Apple ones, but occasionally give the "not supported" message..

Not in my experience.

Eh well, we have different experiences.

My Apple cables - the ones the come with the devices and some I bought later on, ended up with the rubber peeling at the connector edge within about 6 moths. The copy ones last about as much - usually they stop working rather than peeling, but because then ones I get tend not to have rubber but textile. Which is why now I buy only copies. I go thru about 4 cables a year.

Admittedly having several children in the house swapping cables all the time may have something to do with that.

I wouldn't dream of buy anything counterfeit (dont see the point) which is why I misread you.

[BigRedX]

My experience of Apple vs non-Apple cables has been much the same a Demond's. It is most noticeable with the Lightning/USB cables, to the point where now I won't even consider using anything but genuine Apple ones.

However for the more "chunky" cables like FW and USB A-B the ones that come with a device from a reputable brand are generally robust enough.

[Agharta]

Amazon UK have some decent discounts on the M1 Minis, starting at £551:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08N5NT8VF? ... A1OLE&th=1

[Guest]

Interesting, I guess people aren't buying these 8GB ones.

[Sam Spoons]

Two shiny new MacBooks arrived at around 10:45 this morning, both have gone through the setup process without a hitch. Mrs S thinks her Rose Gold MacBook Air is "very pretty"

I think the screen, keyboard and touch pad are excellent, boot up times are not much different to my SSD equipped 2012 MBP but overall is seems more sprightly and iCloud has worked it's magic so just the other stuff to transfer from the various archives. Every time I get a new ssd or, in this case computer I am full of good intentions about the lean mean machine It's going to be then it ends up with everything including the kitchen sink on there

2020 MBP M1 update.

Hmmm, well over the weekend the screen on my new MBP has taken to displaying flashing rectangles and fine horizontal lines. It's currently backing up to Time Machine and awaiting collection by Apple's couriers while I type this on the old 2012 MBP