I've a New Macbook!

Today, I bought a new Macbook.

I wanted another portable Mac but didn't want an Air.  I also wanted something with a bit more horsepower than what I already had, as my Air is a base model.

I wanted more than just 8 GB of memory.  

I wanted more than just 256 GB of drive space.

I wanted a bigger screen than 13".

I wanted a system that offered a bit more longevity.

I wanted to be less compromising.

Here are the specs of the new notebook:

Make/Model:  MacBook Pro 14" (MRX43LL/A - Release Year 2023)

Chip:  M3 Pro

Memory:  18GB

GPU:  18-core

CPU:  12-core

Drive capacity:  1TB SSD

Color: Space Black

I've also gained ports/connections when compared to my MBA:  I now have MagSafe, an extra (3 todal) Thunderbolt port, an SD card slot, and an audio cable port.  The system also has fans, to keep temps down - the Air doesn't have fans.

The whole system certainly seems less fragile than my Air.

So, I wanted more than just 8 GB of RAM because the Air was always using a LOT of swap because it would easily run out of memory.  I was always having to close apps to get the system to release memory.

I wanted more than just 256 GB of drive space because I was always struggling to perform OS updates with the Air.  The Air's drive space was always 75-80% consumed and I believe that SSDs require some extra drive space for TRIM management - if I was always at 80%, I'm sure that TRIM was close to being adversely affected.  I'd been using external drives as workspace, but that doesn't solve the 80% consumption of system drive space.  1 TB gives me a lot more elbow room and it also gives me serious trade-in power, as well.

Regarding display size, 14" is significantly better than 13".  On paper, it seems like a small difference, but practical-wise, it's a noticeable difference.

When I buy notebooks and PCs, I always compromise.  I didn't want to do that with this one.  Actually, I did compromise - I actually wanted a 16" MBP but that's immediately a $2000 system, and a base system, too.  To have the system I wanted in 16" variation would've put me at $2500+ and that amount assaults my sensibilities, so I had to compromise.  This system was $1800.  I've spent that amount in the past on a gaming laptop and that laptop was obsolete rather quickly.  I worry less about that with a MBP.  I can easily see myself using the MBP 5-6 years.

I also bought a set of Airpods Max.  I have a set of Beats Studio Pros that haven't faired well.  They're rickety AF right now.  I've put a LOT of use on them, to the point that I am expecting them to fail soon.  I needed a good headset and I've historically not had good experiences with what I've chosen in the past.  I decided to splurge on the Max.  I actually hate the Beats Studio Pros...they're inferior to anything that is Apple-branded, as Apple purposesly neuters the Beats products so that they won't be competitive with the Apple brands.  They're designed mainly for users who want to use them with Android smartphones.

I'm excited to try this new gear, as I've some backlogged video editing that I need to catch up on.  I'll report my usage experience as I use the new equipment!

UPDATE (3/31/2025):  Uhmmm....this laptop has GREAT sound!  I thought my Macbook Air sounded great.  Apparently, MBPs have a six-speaker system.

UPDATE (4/6/2025):  I installed homebrew and then fastfetch.  Screenshot --

Birthday Gifts

Yesterday was my birthday.  I'm now 57 years old.

I got two gifts.  My wife bought me a DJI two-way charging kit.  My sister bought me a Wheeler F.A.T. Wrench.

Regarding the DJI two way charger, it's a battery charger for DJI drones.  This is is for my Mini 3 drone.  I currently have two batteries.  The charger is basically a caddy that can hold up to three batteries.  It charges the batteries one at a time, starting with the battery that has the lowest charge.  It can also be used to charge other things (drone remote, phone, GoPro, etc) and will use whatever battieres are in the caddy to charge other things.  This also gives me the excuse of buying a third battery.  I might buy the Intelligent Plus battery, as it has up to 51 minutes of power, but it will mean that I'd have to register my drone, as that battery has extra weight that will put the drone over 249g.

The Wheeler wrench is a inch-pound torque wrench, mainly for use with firearms.  I wanted this for use in installing optics and other things that require precise torquing of bolts and screws.

Besides that, I bought myself PC game, Armored Brigade II, which I posted about a day or two ago.

I'd thought about getting a new Apple headset since my Beats Studio Pro has one leg in the grave.  We'll see.  I've a long flight to CA coming up and I might purchase that headset before I fly out.

Armored Brigade & GHPC

What have I been playing lately?

I've been playing quite a bit of Gunner, HEAT, PC (or GHPC), mainly due to their recent updates that contain the Leopard tank.

I also recently bought Armored Brigade, after seeing PhanFantasy review it a few months ago.  I only started playing it maybe 2 weeks ago, and ended up loving it so much that I also bought Armored Brigade 2, which isn't released on Steam yet.

I like the above-mentioned games because Steel Beasts, while I love that game, is a bit too much for me.

As much as I like Sea Power, it's a bit much, as well.  I'm not going to lie, though - Armored Brigade has quite a bit of a learning curve too, but not as much as Sea Power or Steel Beasts.

I'll continue to study both versions of Armored Brigade, and will also continue to play GHPC.