Surface Devices

[Queen6]

All I know are dropping Apple for professional use as they have had enough of waiting for decent hardware. MBP is now flawed on multiple levels, vastly overpriced for it's capability, and in some roles simply works against you.

Touch takes some getting used to, equally it then brings a new dimension to the computing experience, to be able to touch and manipulate the object or document is completely natural, having to deal with a secondary display with limited functionality place out of direct line of sight of the content not so much.

Personally I think Touch works best with more portable systems 10" - 13" and of course the opposite end of the spectrum (Surface Studio). Benefits I've experienced with a Touch & Pen enabled 2 in 1, far outweigh anything Apple is capable of producing in this class, adding a layer of additional productivity that Apple simply fails to recognise.

I'll be straight Apple is just producing junk these days and prepared to nickel & dime it's customers at every possible opportunity. That in mind I have no interest in supporting Apple either professionally or privately, there's simply far better hardware out there now, just doesn't look as pretty. Bottom line is those who rely on their hardware/software for a living have little tolerance for the current nonsense that Apple is pulling...

Q-6

 

[SDColorado]

It would have been smarter to have a set of keys with a tiny screen under each key on the top row. Then you would know when you pressed it, and it still could be FUNCTION KEYS. WHICH EVERY PROGRAMMER LOVES.

Forget to mention the ESCAPE KEY.

Exactly. I am not a programmer, but I know the programmers love the Fn keys, but I use them a lot too and I know where they are instinctively, just as I know where every other key on the keyboard is touch typing. But the problem with the Touchbar is the display is fluid. It offers different functions, layouts, options depending on which program you are using or what tool you are using in that program, IF it is even supported at all.

What you suggest, I would have liked. But the touchbar as it stands, if given the option when ordering it, I would never have opted for it after learning the hard way with my 2016. You live and learn.

But if that was the way they were going to go, it should have been added to the keyboards so the workflow was at least consistent between MBP and iMac. Why did they never add it to the Magic Keyboard? or the Air? Again, it is my belief that Apple knows that at least in its current implementation, it is overall a fail.

Edit: You know, I am not an Apple Hater. Everything I own is Apple except the Surface Pro. But I think the same folks who applaud the Touchbar are the same ones who will tell you how awesome the butterfly keyboard is once you get used to it. dunno ¯\_(⊙_ʖ⊙)_/¯. I think they are both terrible designs that make this iteration of the MBP my least favorite.

 

[Queen6]

Credit to @Queen6, who consistently says that "Pro's" are leaving Apple in record numbers, it would appear that maybe Apple is indeed out of touch with what professionals want. Not talking about Apple using professionals specifically, but in general.

Well, this is my 5th week in the field visiting countless contractors offices & engineering facilities, sum total of Mac's seen Zero All I know have, or are planning to switch as there's no reliable/sensible portable offering from Apple and that includes a few who are avid Apple fans for many years, equally when one's workflow is negatively impacted hardly surprising...

Since returning to the PC for professional use I've incurred no issue, other than myself getting it wrong. What I found like all in life time invested, more than pays off. All my systems are stable, present no issues and get the job done without problem or hinderance and that is not possible with Apple's current line up.

Q-6

 

[Dave245]

Dave it's a real shame we missed some of these personal Taboo's you have about touch that we have only recently found out as I am sure we would of steered you away from the SP purchase and more towards SB types subject to cost

We all definitely missed you approach to apps too, just goes to show 54 pages later and we are not on the same page LOL

Yea, I probably should of posted more of my uses and so on. Don’t get me wrong I don’t regret trying the Surface Pro 6, in fact it’s still sitting on my desk in the home office and I use it occasionally. I think at the time I rushed into buying the SP6 because I was annoyed at Apple (due to my iPad Pro issue which they did send me a brand new one in the end) and because of the Black Friday deal that was available at the time.

I don’t regret it tho, as they say if you don’t try you never know, I’m sure at some point I’ll be able to sell it.

 

[Bodie CI5]

Hi all,

Anyone here read Brad Sims’s “Beneath a Surface”? I ordered the paperback version last night.

https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Surface-Brad-Sams-ebook/dp/B07HDV5364

I feel as though the book was mentioned once a while back in this thread.

 

[SDColorado]

Hi all,

Anyone here read Brad Sims’s “Beneath a Surface”? I ordered the paperback version last night.

https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Surface-Brad-Sams-ebook/dp/B07HDV5364

I feel as though the book was mentioned once a while back in this thread.

First I have heard of it, but it looks like an interesting read. I know up to... was it the Surface 4? Microsoft was still losing money on every Surface sold and it was rumored as late as 2016 (I believe) that they would end the project by 2018. But Microsoft always discredited the rumors and claimed they never had any intentions of doing so. They have stuck with it, made it profitable and have grown the line. I will have to give it a read.

If I recall there was a discussion about this in the main forums, maybe mendota (sp)?

 

[Roadstar]

Hi all,

Anyone here read Brad Sims’s “Beneath a Surface”? I ordered the paperback version last night.

https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Surface-Brad-Sams-ebook/dp/B07HDV5364

I feel as though the book was mentioned once a while back in this thread.

I've bought the ebook, just havent't had time to read it yet. But I will eventually
[doublepost=1550087673][/doublepost]

Well, this is my 5th week in the field visiting countless contractors offices & engineering facilities, sum total of Mac's seen Zero All I know have, or are planning to switch as there's no reliable/sensible portable offering form Apple and that includes a few who are avid Apple fans for many years, equally when one's workflow is negatively impacted hardly surprising...

Since returning to the PC for professional use I've incurred no issue, other than myself getting it wrong. What I found like all in life time invested, more than pays off. All my systems are stable, present no issues and get the job done without problem or hinderance and that is not possible with Apple's current line up.

Q-6

Well I switched to my current employer at the beginning of 2017 and even though I had an MBP as my work computer at my previous job, I went for a standard issue ThinkPad at my current job as I just couldn't justify getting an unreliable butterfly keyboard. The lease for the current ThinkPad is ending at the end of this year and I might try a MacBook next (as most of my work is getting done on customer-issued ThinkPads and Dells anyway), but that's only if they regain their senses and start manufacturing reliable keyboards again. I'm not actually holding my breath for that to happen, though.

 

[lcseds]

I personally hate the Touch Bar on my 2018 MBP 15. One of the reasons I'm considering stepping away. Apple does not provide me the option of a 15" display without it. I'm older. I just want to tap volume/brightness etc. Not look for controls then touch and slide. It drives me nuts it keeps changing what is on the bar. Give me function keys I have already memorized. I can see where it could be greatly useful for some pros, but everyday casual users like myself might easily struggle with the touch bar. Even if Apple released a 15" without a touch bar, they would figure out some way to gimp the crap out of it so you would upgrade anyway.

 

[derekamoss]

Here is another reason why I am liking Microsoft so much better than Apple is because of customer support. Here is the story that happened today and am still dumb founded that it worked.
Last week I broke my Surface Pro 4 and it was still under warranty with MS complete I had already used up the two accidental claims. Well I ended up buying a Surface Book 2 with MS complete again, and the sales guy told me they can sometimes do a case by case basis after the second incident. Well a couple days later I called the store and told them what had happened and I was wondering if I could get it replaced using the case by case basis hoping since I just spent around $1500 on a Surface Book they might allow it. Well the manager on the phone said no and me being me lol I hate to take no as an answer.

A little back story before I continue. I had found an exploit a couple of years ago in the Windows Store in Windows 8 which basically allowed me to download anything without having to pay for it. Well I sent it to MS through e-mails and phone calls and they said thanks we will look into it and heard nothing back or any updates for a while and the exploit was still there and I'm a curious person. Well I took the off chance of emailing Satya Nadella about it and not expecting anything really but to my surprise he emailed me back and put me in touch with an Executive Vice President named Richard Kaplan. Well all the sudden I was updated about everything and they thanked me and stuff and all was good. Well at the time I had a Surface RT with no warranty and it was my only computer and I had school going and I broke the screen so on a whim I emailed Satya and Richard and told them about the problem hoping I had some good grace and they might help out. Low and behold swapped for free. Since then with Richard we have had some informal email conversations so I felt comfortable with him Eventually I upgraded to a Surface Pro and sent Satya and Richard an email saying I finally went Pro and told them how good the Sales Clerk was at the store and apparently the store got huge recognition for it. Well that sales clerk no longer works there anymore so I didn't really have any pull at the store anymore.

That leads to the best part of the story. Well the manager on the phone said no and I'm persistent and emailed Satya and Richard telling them what was going on and the whole reason I want to replace it is because I wanted to give it as a Valentines Day gift for my female friend who is a single mom struggling with expenses and is taking online classes and she is using a dell laptop hooked up to a second monitor at home and if you unplug the laptop it just dies. So I figured if I can make this all happen why not give it to her. Well within one hour I got a reply back from Richard saying he sent it to the escalation team to make it happen but it would take a while. Well I thought if I go to the store and possibly show them the emails that manager might change his mind. Well he wasn't there so I ended up speaking to another manager and told him the story and he remembered me when I mentioned the email I sent to Richard and Satya about how great they were, and I'm not lying, the Texas Baybrook mall store really is the best customer support people I have ever dealt with. I told him sorry to do this but I'm just using every resource I can before I admit defeat and he laughed and understood. I showed him the emails with Satya and Richard and he said it's done. So they replaced it and didn't even charge me the 50 dollars! I'm still in shock that it worked. Now I can't wait to surprise my friend with a surprise tomorrow!

 

[SDColorado]

Here is another reason why I am liking Microsoft so much better than Apple is because of customer support. Here is the story that happened today and am still dumb founded that it worked.

I don’t have a tale as long as yours, but I purchased my Surface Pro 2017 (5) with the 4 year complete for business that included 2 incidents of accidental damage.

A couple weeks after purchasing it I was running late, grabbed the Surface Pro in a hurry and heard an odd sound. I had left the pen between the keyboard and display instead of magnetically attaching it to the side (won’t make that mistake again) and causes a crack in the display in closing it before it causes the keyboard to separate. It still worked fine, but it had a visible like that ran across the very bottom.

I called the Microsoft Store when I got home and told them that I needed to make one of my damage claims. They looked up the record and said “Oh no, you have only had that 2 weeks?” I replied “Yes, unfortunately just two week” and explained the story. The manager said “We aren’t going to count that as an insistent for a 2 week old computer. Since it is working, just back it up and bring it in.”

I did that and they brought a new one out, restored it from my backup and sent me on my way without charging an incident. 18 months later, I still have both incidents remaining.

Pretty nice of them since if was a self inflicted wound due to my own carelessness.

 

[kazmac]

What lovely responses from the MS teams and brass.

@derekamoss you deserve all the good from the MS team and thanks for alerting them to that exploit.

I hope my cheapie mouse will work with my SL2 because I have to brush up on Excel and Word for next job. I absolutely love this little machine, just annoyed my particular physical issues make it tricky to use.

I think I will wait on replacing my iMac until later this year, I had no physical issues with the SB2. I was toying with getting another iMac,but for that money I want newer tech (and not a T2 chip).

 

[burgman]

Here is another reason why I am liking Microsoft so much better than Apple is because of customer support. Here is the story that happened today and am still dumb founded that it worked.
Last week I broke my Surface Pro 4 and it was still under warranty with MS complete I had already used up the two accidental claims. Well I ended up buying a Surface Book 2 with MS complete again, and the sales guy told me they can sometimes do a case by case basis after the second incident. Well a couple days later I called the store and told them what had happened and I was wondering if I could get it replaced using the case by case basis hoping since I just spent around $1500 on a Surface Book they might allow it. Well the manager on the phone said no and me being me lol I hate to take no as an answer.

A little back story before I continue. I had found an exploit a couple of years ago in the Windows Store in Windows 8 which basically allowed me to download anything without having to pay for it. Well I sent it to MS through e-mails and phone calls and they said thanks we will look into it and heard nothing back or any updates for a while and the exploit was still there and I'm a curious person. Well I took the off chance of emailing Satya Nadella about it and not expecting anything really but to my surprise he emailed me back and put me in touch with an Executive Vice President named Richard Kaplan. Well all the sudden I was updated about everything and they thanked me and stuff and all was good. Well at the time I had a Surface RT with no warranty and it was my only computer and I had school going and I broke the screen so on a whim I emailed Satya and Richard and told them about the problem hoping I had some good grace and they might help out. Low and behold swapped for free. Since then with Richard we have had some informal email conversations so I felt comfortable with him Eventually I upgraded to a Surface Pro and sent Satya and Richard an email saying I finally went Pro and told them how good the Sales Clerk was at the store and apparently the store got huge recognition for it. Well that sales clerk no longer works there anymore so I didn't really have any pull at the store anymore.

That leads to the best part of the story. Well the manager on the phone said no and I'm persistent and emailed Satya and Richard telling them what was going on and the whole reason I want to replace it is because I wanted to give it as a Valentines Day gift for my female friend who is a single mom struggling with expenses and is taking online classes and she is using a dell laptop hooked up to a second monitor at home and if you unplug the laptop it just dies. So I figured if I can make this all happen why not give it to her. Well within one hour I got a reply back from Richard saying he sent it to the escalation team to make it happen but it would take a while. Well I thought if I go to the store and possibly show them the emails that manager might change his mind. Well he wasn't there so I ended up speaking to another manager and told him the story and he remembered me when I mentioned the email I sent to Richard and Satya about how great they were, and I'm not lying, the Texas Baybrook mall store really is the best customer support people I have ever dealt with. I told him sorry to do this but I'm just using every resource I can before I admit defeat and he laughed and understood. I showed him the emails with Satya and Richard and he said it's done. So they replaced it and didn't even charge me the 50 dollars! I'm still in shock that it worked. Now I can't wait to surprise my friend with a surprise tomorrow!

Glad it worked for you, my pride wouldn't allow me to go that far. Much less write a book about it on a forum, but hey that's my problem.

 

[derekamoss]

Glad it worked for you, my pride wouldn't allow me to go that far. Much less write a book about it on a forum, but hey that's my problem.

I honestly can't tell if your comment is sincere or just sarcasm. I just tell myself if there is something I really want I will try to use every resource I have available before I take no as an answer. A lot of it is probably due to me when I was in the Navy and if you wanted something done sometimes you have to be persistent and loose the pride.

 

[Queen6]

The numeric touchpad on the Asus ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) is something I would actually use though, since I do a lot of numeric entry.

I really like the design of the new ROG Zephyrus S (GX701), not sure about the numeric touch pad, tend to prefer the physical keys on my ROG Strix (GL703GS) other downsides are 24Gb RAM & no card reader

I need to see the new Zephyrus S (GX701) to see if the size difference stacks up versus the trade off's. There's also the MSI GS75 another impressively powerful notebook for it's size.

Q-6

 

[SDColorado]

I really like the design of the new ROG Zephyrus S (GX701), not sure about the numeric touch pad, tend to prefer the physical keys on my ROG Strix (GL703GS) other downsides are 24Gb RAM & no card reader

I need to see the new Zephyrus S (GX701) to see if the size difference stacks up versus the trade off's. There's also the MSI GS75 another impressively powerful notebook for it's size.

Q-6

I do like that MSI as well. I*really* like what I have seen of it.

I do a lot of numeric entry and mostly do it on my iMac due to the numeric keypad on the keyboard, but I think I would use my laptop more for that if it had a trackpad that could be used as a number pad.

The Asus StudeioBook S also has a *lot* of appeal. The problem is I am just not sure after using retina and higher resolution that I could go back to FHD again. Maybe more of a mental adjustment than a real-world one?

 

[kazmac]

And after three hours with MS support on the phone and online, the Surface Laptop 2 went back today.

Trying to connect other mice failed and I had to disconnect the Surface Mouse to try to connect the others. The SL2 then refused to reconnect the Surface Mouse. After using Device Manager to erase and restore the driver multiple times, turning Bluetooth on and off etc. I followed at least 10-12 fix its online (from MS etc) which the phone tech repeated to no avail.

Even my Luddite mom said, “What’s up with that? You should be able to connect and disconnect a mouse with no issue.”

So between that and my physical issues, my Windows experience is over. Not to mention, having to go to the actual store to get a refund on the Complete warranty. Seriously, phone billing Dept couldn’t even find the flagship store in Manhattan.

Thanks for the help everyone, it was most appreciated. I’ll just bugger off now.

Enjoy your Surface and Windows machines.

 

[Queen6]

I do like that MSI as well. I*really* like what I have seen of it.

I do a lot of numeric entry and mostly do it on my iMac due to the numeric keypad on the keyboard, but I think I would use my laptop more for that if it had a trackpad that could be used as a number pad.

The Asus StudeioBook S also has a *lot* of appeal. The problem is I am just not sure after using retina and higher resolution that I could go back to FHD again. Maybe more of a mental adjustment than a real-world one?

It's just in the minds eye, unless your workflow dictates. I never find myself thinking I can see those "pesky" pixels on my 17.3" admittedly my 12" 2 in 1 is sharper, equally I'm hardly using them in the same manner.

StudioBook S is high on my list as being 16:10 and that I like a lot, need to try the virtual numeric input, although it's position works for me as I can input with left hand and mouse with the right

Q-6
[doublepost=1550245897][/doublepost]

And after three hours with MS support on the phone and online, the Surface Laptop 2 went back today.

Trying to connect other mice failed and I had to disconnect the Surface Mouse to try to connect the others. The SL2 then refused to reconnect the Surface Mouse. After using Device Manager to erase and restore the driver multiple times, turning Bluetooth on and off etc. I followed at least 10-12 fix its online (from MS etc) which the phone tech repeated to no avail.

Even my Luddite mom said, “What’s up with that? You should be able to connect and disconnect a mouse with no issue.”

So between that and my physical issues, my Windows experience is over. Not to mention, having to go to the actual store to get a refund on the Complete warranty. Seriously, phone billing Dept couldn’t even find the flagship store in Manhattan.

Thanks for the help everyone, it was most appreciated. I’ll just bugger off now.

Enjoy your Surface and Windows machines.

You should have asked here, one of us would have walked you through it in 5 minutes, as we've mostly been there done that...

Alternatively ever considered a mouse with a wire Have one myself as no wireless connection or charging needed

Q-6

 

[SDColorado]

You should have asked here, one of us would have walked you through it in 5 minutes, as we've mostly been there done that...

Alternatively ever considered a mouse with a wire Have one myself as no charging needed

Q-6

I agree with Queen 6 @kazmac. I mean no offense, but I don't think your Luddite mom is the best source to ask when trying to work with tech. I would never call my Luddite brother if I was having trouble. He can't even set the time in his car, let alone configure a mouse . I believe the reason he always has a broken display on his phone is because he gets frusterated and tosses it across the room.

That said, Logitech has a couple of varieties of wireless mice as well. One has a proprietary dongle and its own software and one uses the dongle or bluetooth.

My wife had a miserable time getting her Logitech mouse connected via bluetooth to her MacBook Pro (contrary to popular belief they don't just automatically connect with Mac either) due to the printed instructions on how to pair being wrong, but we found proper ones on their forums and she got it paired.

Speaking of the actual store, based on my experiences with the Microsoft Store, they would have helped you in store setting up the mouse and you likely would have been in and out in no time with a functioning mouse

 

[kazmac]

I agree with Queen 6 @kazmac. I mean no offense, but I don't think your Luddite mom is the best source to ask when trying to work with tech. I would never call my Luddite brother if I was having trouble. He can't even set the time in his car, let alone configure a mouse . I believe the reason he always has a broken display on his phone is because he gets frusterated and tosses it across the room.

That said, Logitech has a couple of varieties of wireless mice as well. One has a proprietary dongle and its own software and one uses the dongle or bluetooth.

My wife had a miserable time getting her Logitech mouse connected via bluetooth to her MacBook Pro (contrary to popular belief they don't just automatically connect with Mac either) due to the printed instructions on how to pair being wrong, but we found proper ones on their forums and she got it paired.

Speaking of the actual store, based on my experiences with the Microsoft Store, they would have helped you in store setting up the mouse and you likely would have been in and out in no time with a functioning mouse

Hi everyone,

Actually did not ask Luddite mom for help, she just commented hearing me grumble. And no offense taken. She said, “I feel so bad you’re having all this trouble and I cannot help because I do not know this stuff.”

My main reason for the return is my physical issues with using trackpads and that particular Surface mouse. I returned a few Apple laptops too because of this exact reason.

The mice Bluetooth issues were the icing on the cake for me. I thought official online channels would help. With everything going on at home, it is just too big a leap for me to go Windows right now.

And I am dead embarrassed about the soap opera posts of my woes in trying to learn Windows here. I so appreciate everyone’s help, and if my arthritis wasn’t an issue, I would have asked for help and brought it into the MS store.

Believe me, I’ve had a heck of a time with my iMac’s Bluetooth and the original Magic Mouse. I finally figured out a fix for that: I have to leave the iMac on in order for the Bluetooth connection to hold.

I will definitely be picking up a wired, mechanical keyboard for my next machine, a desktop.

At any rate, thank you all for being so awesome, friendly and supportive. I’ll duck in from time to time, but I’ll leave Windows to you Pros for now*.

*Unless my next job insists I use Citrix on a Windows machine.

Mouse with wire: SL2 only has one older USB port. I learned pretty quick: no dongle life for me.

 

[SDColorado]

Believe me, I’ve had a heck of a time with my iMac’s Bluetooth and the original Magic Mouse. I finally figured out a fix for that: I have to leave the iMac on in order for the Bluetooth connection to hold.

My 2015 iMac is the same for some reason. Every time I have to reboot it, it becomes an adventure in what won't be found. Almost never the mouse until you log in and then not always. So I have to go through a turning off the mouse and turning it back on and hoping the iMac finds it. Sometimes I have to go through the re-pairing until it does. Usually, it finds the keyboard, but sometimes not and I have to go through turning that off and back on again. I

If that doesn't work, it is SMC reset time...

1. Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
2. After your Mac shuts down, unplug the power cord.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Plug the power cord back in.
5. Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button again to turn on your Mac.

Same thing I have to do when I sometimes find it has randomly powered off on its own. It won't restart with the power button until I have done steps 1-4.

Edit: Perhaps the Mac Mini with monitor, keyboard, and mouse of your choice would be the ideal solution for you? The new ones are pretty darned nice. Decent port selection with Ethernet, 4X USB-C, 2x USB 3, HDMI and headphone jack.

 

[OdT22]

So I wasn't alone on the iMac & MM pairing/charging issue? Our (now sold) iMac was a constant challenge to keep paired or charged.

Wish I had thought of putting a wired mouse on it when we had it. That would have saved me a lot of profanity last year.

 

[SDColorado]

So I wasn't alone on the iMac & MM pairing/charging issue? Our (now sold) iMac was a constant challenge to keep paired or charged.

Wish I had thought of putting a wired mouse on it when we had it. That would have saved me a lot of profanity last year.

But this way you got to increase your vocabulary

 

[Bodie CI5]

I've bought the ebook, just havent't had time to read it yet. But I will eventually

I love computer history and so am eagerly looking forward to the read

Hi SDColorado, I'm fairly certain it was in the time before Mendota became a member here. Could have just as easily been on any of the other forums I frequent. But it just feels as though it was mentioned by one of you in here. But not to worry

Hi Kazmac, that's a shame, but whatever you feel happy with is paramount!. Out of curiosity was your mouse the Surface Mouse or the Surface Precision Mouse? I know there was a discussion here many pages back but I don't think I saw what it was you ended up with.

 

[kazmac]

I love computer history and so am eagerly looking forward to the read

Hi SDColorado, I'm fairly certain it was in the time before Mendota became a member here. Could have just as easily been on any of the other forums I frequent. But it just feels as though it was mentioned by one of you in here. But not to worry

Hi Kazmac, that's a shame, but whatever you feel happy with is paramount!. Out of curiosity was your mouse the Surface Mouse or the Surface Precision Mouse? I know there was a discussion here many pages back but I don't think I saw what it was you ended up with.

It was the Surface Mouse and some solid usb transmitter wireless mice from Amazon. I am a lefty, so no precision Mouse for me.

Yes, it’s a bummer, but perhaps a smaller Surface Studio would entice me down the road. I was just looking at them again, the monitor is gorgeous but probably overkill for me.

The Mac Mini, dealing with a separate monitor and eGPUs is both nice and frustrating. I’ve read more than a few pages of T2 crashes, Bluetooth connectivity errors and coil whine complaints to make me uncertain about going that route. What little testing I did on one was impressive though.

Right now, veering toward maxed out 2017 21.5” iMac, but indecision prevails.

 

[SDColorado]

It was the Surface Mouse and some solid usb transmitter wireless mice from Amazon. I am a lefty, so no precision Mouse for me.

Yes, it’s a bummer, but perhaps a smaller Surface Studio would entice me down the road. I was just looking at them again, the monitor is gorgeous but probably overkill for me.

The Mac Mini, dealing with a separate monitor and eGPUs is both nice and frustrating. I’ve read more than a few pages of T2 crashes, Bluetooth connectivity errors and coil whine complaints to make me uncertain about going that route. What little testing I did on one was impressive though.

Right now, veering toward maxed out 2017 21.5” iMac, but indecision prevails.

Amazon? Was it some no-name branded transmitter/ mice with 100’s of awesome fake reviews? Or a reputable brand?