iPhone 13 Pro Max 256 GB
Back in March (2022), I decided to let go of my LG smartphone. I've been using LGs since the V20 (used the V30 and had been using the V60 (which I still have) up until March).
When LG decided to get out of the smartphone business, I began my look for a different phone. None of the other brands held my interest. Yes, other companies make phones that have similar specifications, but most do not have expandable memory (micro SD) or physical audio ports (or even DAC). LG's V60 was innovative, in that you could also use dual screens (docks with screens) with them.
I did not want a Chinese phone (no OnePlus or similar). I did not want Samsung (used their phones awhile back...was NOT impressed and had several issues with two phones where I had to return both of them and one of the replacements experienced the same issue 1.5 years after the exchange).
Several things about iPhones that will never go away: Their resale value. They also have a very good ecosystem. The software and security is good. They've long support. If I have an issue with a phone, I can visit the local Apple Store. Their peripherals work great (even when using them with non-Apple products).
I decided on, and bought, an iPhone 13 Pro Max 256 in Alpine Green. The phone looks great and feels great in the hand. It has an elegant look to it.
Right off the bat, I hated the fact that logins are tied to Apple IDs and iCloud. I also hate the fact that I can't change the UI. (With Android, we use launchers to change the look of everything.) The phone has no fingerprint reader. (Face ID works great, though!) It came with no ear phones, nor did it come with a power adapter, which is mandatory for usage of the Fast Charging feature. It's all glass but comes with no phone case (WTF). Luckily, I ordered a case when I ordered the phone. I also ordered a 32W power adapter.
It is now May and I've used the phone a few months. I've grown accustomed to it. There's less of an issue with me fighting with iCloud now. (I found that a large part of my issues stemmed from the fact that I somehow have two Apple IDs.)
I've begun using the phone to listen to music. Most of my music collection consists of raw MP3s, but it is a royal bitch to use raw MP3s with iPhones. I had to import the raw files into iTunes on a PC so that I could import/link/sync them to the iPhone. Some of my music was tied to one of the two Apple IDs, and for a while I had issues where I couldn't access the content I paid for ten years ago. (Yes, I got that sorted.)
Apple Airpod Pro Earbuds
I even bought a set of Airpod Pros. I tried a pair of my daughter's corded Airpods but they would never stay in my ears. Even Airpods slipped out, as they are similar to the corded variant. The Pros have rubber pieces that help keep the pods in the ear canal, and they stay put better than regular AirPods, but they're still not all that secure when in my ear. I foresee these falling out of my ear at inopportune moments. They've great sound, with noise cancellation and sound pass-through and text-to-voice features. The rechargeable case is great (although slick).
Mac Mini M1 (2020) Base - Space Gray
I'd been using my 27" iMac lately to access the music and files on it when using the new iPhone, but it is OLD (late 2009 model). So, I bought a Mac Mini M1 to replace it - that was the best decision I've made in quite a while, as this Mini is very powerful. I bought the 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD version. I didn't want to spend a ton of money on another Mac, so I focused on the lower end (after doing research, the lower end will be fine for non-professional things and even some professional tasks). As well, I bought a dock that gives me several more ports (for less than $100) - it fits under the Mini and has the same profile. The dock also had a port for an SSD card, so I mounted a 500GB SSD to it, so the system now has a 500GB data drive. The dock is a Quiizlab USB-C Hub.
I'd been using the iMac as a dedicated monitor for work, but I think I'll use it with the Mini instead. I'm currently using a Dell SE2719H 27" monitor with the Mini but love the 1440p screen of the iMac.
What's also cool is that I'm remotely administrating the iMac from the Mini using the Screen Sharing tool. This is somewhat new to me, as the iMac was previously the only other working Mac in the house. Note that I've two old (2005ish) Macbooks that aren't being used, as well as a G4 PowerMac that's sitting in a corner. The Mini may spur me to get another (modern) Mac system. UPDATE - Yup...bought a Macbook Air M1.
I've also bought my first real app for the Mini: iStatistica Pro, a system monitoring tool. I used to use iStat and was going to purchase it but saw that it hadn't been updated in awhile (and other issues). iStatistica Pro was the same price ($10), and didn't seem to have any bad reviews, so I bought it. I've already used it to pare down some files. (I copied the files from my iMac to the Mini when setting it up, so there's a bit of files on the Mini already.)
So, I'm happy. I won't promise to document my experience with the recent Apple purchases since my life is pretty fragmented right now, but I'll document the experience when I remember I've things to share.
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