Who's rocking an M1 still and how's it holding up for you?

[EugW]

The average user just believes “update” or “buy” a new computer solves the problem, but professional users have other gear, software, plugins etc. that have to all work together and when you “finally” get everything working without issues, you just want to camp where you are to get work done.

In the creative field, you don’t want hindrances in creativity and having to mess around with software and hardware issues all the time, including dealing with bugs or glitches, especially with the next “new-and-greatest” promoted thing. It is too distracting and/or slow things down. So “yes” new stuff is “cool”, but we have to weigh the costs of the new.

Some say, “Then don’t upgrade”, but sometimes you have too for various reasons of compatibility.

I for one usually like the “new-and-greatest” as I was groomed through the years that updates “always” generally make things better…but..lately…instead of updates or new to make “better”, changes occur JUST to change or do a new thing because new people just want to make their mark…and now the thinking is different.

I am kind of tired of waiting for version .6 of the “new” OS to get things working and THEN start over with the “New” again and have to wait for six version over the year to work things out and THEN start over again the next year JUST for the sake of “New”.

Intel Mac Professional users can have difficulties upgrading because their gear, plugins etc. are not comparable. So..they have to use until they can upgrade. They are not “hold outs” just because…there are sometimes good reasons.

Yeah that’s fine but at my old workplace (not video creation), they would eventually update once security updates became a concern. It was fine to be on old OSes, sometimes to maintain application and hardware compatibility, but only if they were secure.

Sometimes it meant orphaning old hardware. In occasional instances they would keep old hardware on old insecure OSes when feasible but in those instances the hardware had to be taken off the network for security reasons.

That’s what I was getting at with Ventura. It will no longer be getting security updates going forward. At my old workplace that would mean a machine like that would eventually either be taken off the network or else retired.

 

[leifp]

The average user just believes “update” or “buy” a new computer solves the problem, but professional users have other gear, software, plugins etc. that have to all work together and when you “finally” get everything working without issues, you just want to camp where you are to get work done.

In the creative field, you don’t want hindrances in creativity and having to mess around with software and hardware issues all the time, including dealing with bugs or glitches, especially with the next “new-and-greatest” promoted thing. It is too distracting and/or slow things down. So “yes” new stuff is “cool”, but we have to weigh the costs of the new.

Some say, “Then don’t upgrade”, but sometimes you have too for various reasons of compatibility.

I for one usually like the “new-and-greatest” as I was groomed through the years that updates “always” generally make things better…but..lately…instead of updates or new to make “better”, changes occur JUST to change or do a new thing because new people just want to make their mark…and now the thinking is different.

I am kind of tired of waiting for version .6 of the “new” OS to get things working and THEN start over with the “New” again and have to wait for six version over the year to work things out and THEN start over again the next year JUST for the sake of “New”.

Intel Mac Professional users can have difficulties upgrading because their gear, plugins etc. are not comparable. So..they have to use until they can upgrade. They are not “hold outs” just because…there are sometimes good reasons.

Every once in a while I don’t upgrade the OS until they’re about to release the version afterwards (e.g. I went from El Capitan to Sierra just before High Sierra came out) and once I completely skipped an OS version (Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion) because I didn’t like how Lion ran on a friend’s system.

I’m debating those options for macOS 26 because every time there’s a massive overhaul there are bugs and too aggressive design decisions that get calmed in later releases.

I no longer have workflow concerns since most of my tech “just works” and I’m almost ready to get read of USB-A completely, negating my need for a dock. Well, excepting legacy CF cards from my D700…

 

[circatee]

On an M1 Mac Mini here. However, over the past weekend, the Mac Mini M4 was on sale at Costco, so I purchased one. Now, this was mainly due to it having 16GB memory, whereas my M1 only has 8GB.

Overall the unit is holding up fine. Alas, I have had it since the release of the M1. Thus, wanted additional memory, and to have the machine for quite a few more years.

Once I switch over, I will trade my M1 in, and get some Apple credits on my Apple ID account...

 

[Technerd108]

The average user just believes “update” or “buy” a new computer solves the problem, but professional users have other gear, software, plugins etc. that have to all work together and when you “finally” get everything working without issues, you just want to camp where you are to get work done.

In the creative field, you don’t want hindrances in creativity and having to mess around with software and hardware issues all the time, including dealing with bugs or glitches, especially with the next “new-and-greatest” promoted thing. It is too distracting and/or slow things down. So “yes” new stuff is “cool”, but we have to weigh the costs of the new.

Some say, “Then don’t upgrade”, but sometimes you have too for various reasons of compatibility.

I for one usually like the “new-and-greatest” as I was groomed through the years that updates “always” generally make things better…but..lately…instead of updates or new to make “better”, changes occur JUST to change or do a new thing because new people just want to make their mark…and now the thinking is different.

I am kind of tired of waiting for version .6 of the “new” OS to get things working and THEN start over with the “New” again and have to wait for six version over the year to work things out and THEN start over again the next year JUST for the sake of “New”.

Intel Mac Professional users can have difficulties upgrading because their gear, plugins etc. are not comparable. So..they have to use until they can upgrade. They are not “hold outs” just because…there are sometimes good reasons.

What you are describing is the practice of delivering software in a semi finished states with updates finishing the software over time, generally 6 months to a year and sometimes longer.

This practice started many, many years ago and once consumers accepted the practice software companies have only took this principle as far as they could.

Look at any Operating system from mobile to desktop from Android to iOS to Windows to MacOS all of them are doing the sane thing. Offering customers a "new" OS version in a semi finished state with new features coming....

Why would any company deliver fully finished software when they can deliver half baked software that customers must stay on to get the new features and fixes? They can basically fudge a release date since if the software isn't ready they can just release it and update any issues away later. In other words since consumers have accepted the idea that software is never really "ready" as it is always getting updates to improve and fix issues the hard release date having perfect software is not as important as in the past. You can release unfinished software as a practice and generally most people just accept it and figure it will get fixed eventually.

Back when Microsoft used to charge for each major release of Windows people had much higher expectations of software readiness. It is due to these high expectations that MS stopped charging for new major releases and switched to rolling releases and ever since the expectations have plummeted since it is "Free"!

I understand your complaints and agree but I don't think it is limited to Apple but a widespread industry issue that needs to be addressed.

 

[loby]

What you are describing is the practice of delivering software in a semi finished states with updates finishing the software over time, generally 6 months to a year and sometimes longer.

This practice started many, many years ago and once consumers accepted the practice software companies have only took this principle as far as they could.

Look at any Operating system from mobile to desktop from Android to iOS to Windows to MacOS all of them are doing the sane thing. Offering customers a "new" OS version in a semi finished state with new features coming....

Why would any company deliver fully finished software when they can deliver half baked software that customers must stay on to get the new features and fixes? They can basically fudge a release date since if the software isn't ready they can just release it and update any issues away later. In other words since consumers have accepted the idea that software is never really "ready" as it is always getting updates to improve and fix issues the hard release date having perfect software is not as important as in the past. You can release unfinished software as a practice and generally most people just accept it and figure it will get fixed eventually.

Back when Microsoft used to charge for each major release of Windows people had much higher expectations of software readiness. It is due to these high expectations that MS stopped charging for new major releases and switched to rolling releases and ever since the expectations have plummeted since it is "Free"!

I understand your complaints and agree but I don't think it is limited to Apple but a widespread industry issue that needs to be addressed.

Explains it exactly.

"acceptance" might be a kind word. "Forced" is a better word.

But now companies use the yearly update to parallel their hardware or device releases, so with each "new" device, comes a "new" OS.

They can regulate user's cycle of purchase and kept people on a "subscription" THOUGH the user believes they are purchasing.. It "looks" like you are buying a device, but the reality is...if you buy every 3-5 years, it is an expensive subscription. Some now every 2 years. Well done Apple.

Before, if you "stopped" upgrading (both hardware and software), you could just use that version for some time, but now..subscriptions come and once you "stop", your software stops working, so you are "forced" to continue paying. If you "stop" upgrading the OS, eventually you have to upgrade because the software does not support the OS any longer. Before it was years...now...it is just about two years.

Either you pay to play or not. Camping out on Unix or other platforms might be "ok" for users who just wants something to do their general activities, but if you use your Macs, especially Windows for business, then you have to continually to "pay" to play in this environment of existence.

Again, they figured out how to keep users buying, but money eventually runs out, so I think the "acceptance" will no longer be when or "if" sales go down. THEN companies would be "forced" to change. But currently, sales are not, so we have to "accept".

 

[Technerd108]

Explains it exactly.

"acceptance" might be a kind word. "Forced" is a better word.

But now companies use the yearly update to parallel their hardware or device releases, so with each "new" device, comes a "new" OS.

They can regulate user's cycle of purchase and kept people on a "subscription" THOUGH the user believes they are purchasing.. It "looks" like you are buying a device, but the reality is...if you buy every 3-5 years, it is an expensive subscription. Some now every 2 years. Well done Apple.

Before, if you "stopped" upgrading (both hardware and software), you could just use that version for some time, but now..subscriptions come and once you "stop", your software stops working, so you are "forced" to continue paying. If you "stop" upgrading the OS, eventually you have to upgrade because the software does not support the OS any longer. Before it was years...now...it is just about two years.

Either you pay to play or not. Camping out on Unix or other platforms might be "ok" for users who just wants something to do their general activities, but if you use your Macs, especially Windows for business, then you have to continually to "pay" to play in this environment of existence.

Again, they figured out how to keep users buying, but money eventually runs out, so I think the "acceptance" will no longer be when or "if" sales go down. THEN companies would be "forced" to change. But currently, sales are not, so we have to "accept".

Absolutely.

Linux is the only answer which then brings with it a whole other set of problems.

Pay to play is it. Forcing subscription models was the most brilliant and evil thing done to consumers. I do my best to avoid them at all costs. Have an old version of Office I purchased for life. Office 365 sucks unless it is the free version!!

The best you can do is keep whatever you have as long as possible. Most devices these days from major brands like Samsung, Apple etc last 7 years. Chromebooks if you could use them last 9 or 10 years. Windows generally goes about a decade before you are forced off the platform.

So if cost is the biggest issue buying a Chromebook or Windows laptop and Samsung or Pixel Android device then you are good BUT the quality of updates is way different. Windows laptops are great for a year and then after that most OEMs just abandon updating drivers. Drivers are not updated through windows and are not always secure. Malware has been spread through driver updates in some Windows laptops in the past. Samsung updates are often months behind Pixel. If you have an Android tablet quarterly updates are standard. Chromebooks are seamlessly updated.

Honestly the best combo would be a Pixel and Chromebook BUT the problem is most of the software you need in Business or proprietary software you are screwed.

Linux works well on Supported hardware which can be difficult in laptops. Desktops are the best environment for Linux. If you buy a laptop pre-installed with Linux which is what I would recommend it is going to cost way more than a comparable Windows laptop. If you use a Windows laptop you could have driver issues that most people may not be able to resolve. Proprietary software is mostly out the door and compatibility issues are a real problem.

Basically to do heavy or professional work your choice is Windows or Apple. If you go Windows chances are your hardware may be supported longer than a comparable Mac but only by a few years. Mac Hardware is generally high quality and lasts a long time and is well designed with all Apple products working seamlessly together. All updates are given to all devices no matter age at the same time. All driver updates are included in main updates securely delivered to all Apple products. There are no security holes in the hardware. Optimization of the software and hardware is unmatched by anyone other than Apple and maybe Pixel and Surface devices. Both platforms have strengths and weakness they share and are unique to each platform. I prefer Apple software platforms overall when everything is sad and done.

 

[loby]

Absolutely.

Linux is the only answer which then brings with it a whole other set of problems.

Pay to play is it. Forcing subscription models was the most brilliant and evil thing done to consumers. I do my best to avoid them at all costs. Have an old version of Office I purchased for life. Office 365 sucks unless it is the free version!!

The best you can do is keep whatever you have as long as possible. Most devices these days from major brands like Samsung, Apple etc last 7 years. Chromebooks if you could use them last 9 or 10 years. Windows generally goes about a decade before you are forced off the platform.

So if cost is the biggest issue buying a Chromebook or Windows laptop and Samsung or Pixel Android device then you are good BUT the quality of updates is way different. Windows laptops are great for a year and then after that most OEMs just abandon updating drivers. Drivers are not updated through windows and are not always secure. Malware has been spread through driver updates in some Windows laptops in the past. Samsung updates are often months behind Pixel. If you have an Android tablet quarterly updates are standard. Chromebooks are seamlessly updated.

Honestly the best combo would be a Pixel and Chromebook BUT the problem is most of the software you need in Business or proprietary software you are screwed.

Linux works well on Supported hardware which can be difficult in laptops. Desktops are the best environment for Linux. If you buy a laptop pre-installed with Linux which is what I would recommend it is going to cost way more than a comparable Windows laptop. If you use a Windows laptop you could have driver issues that most people may not be able to resolve. Proprietary software is mostly out the door and compatibility issues are a real problem.

Basically to do heavy or professional work your choice is Windows or Apple. If you go Windows chances are your hardware may be supported longer than a comparable Mac but only by a few years. Mac Hardware is generally high quality and lasts a long time and is well designed with all Apple products working seamlessly together. All updates are given to all devices no matter age at the same time. All driver updates are included in main updates securely delivered to all Apple products. There are no security holes in the hardware. Optimization of the software and hardware is unmatched by anyone other than Apple and maybe Pixel and Surface devices. Both platforms have strengths and weakness they share and are unique to each platform. I prefer Apple software platforms overall when everything is sad and done.

Totally agree.

Good insight on our present tech reality and options. Linux has always been a good option for alternative OS's, but is still very limited. By the time it gets to mainstream, I will probably already have existed the race. There are other apps options other than the main stream, but I am not a fan of the general UI or graphical interfaces and like consistency and simplicity. Linux apps reminds me of the old days of throwing code together more so for function over form, but function is still not always worthy of the jump.

My main apps now are Apple products which work well (of course) with the hardware eliminating driver issues, so no need for a jump in concerns for malware. Like yourself, I tried to camp on an older version of Office, but compatibility options (as written in their code) MAKEs you upgrade . When you open a file from a newer version in an older "stand-alone" version, you have to correct to much, therefore "forcing" you to subscribe (time vs. money). Well done Microsoft.

Personally, if I could just use Apple's ecosystem I would be fine. I like all of Apple's apps (though Numbers is VERY limited). But again, compatibility when relating to others outside of Apple's farm becomes the challenge as Microsoft dominates the plantation of business.

When retiring...Linux becomes the retirement home.

 

[Technerd108]

Totally agree.

Good insight on our present tech reality and options. Linux has always been a good option for alternative OS's, but is still very limited. By the time it gets to mainstream, I will probably already have existed the race. There are other apps options other than the main stream, but I am not a fan of the general UI or graphical interfaces and like consistency and simplicity. Linux apps reminds me of the old days of throwing code together more so for function over form, but function is still not always worthy of the jump.

My main apps now are Apple products which work well (of course) with the hardware eliminating driver issues, so no need for a jump in concerns for malware. Like yourself, I tried to camp on an older version of Office, but compatibility options (as written in their code) MAKEs you upgrade . When you open a file from a newer version in an older "stand-alone" version, you have to correct to much, therefore "forcing" you to subscribe (time vs. money). Well done Microsoft.

Personally, if I could just use Apple's ecosystem I would be fine. I like all of Apple's apps (though Numbers is VERY limited). But again, compatibility when relating to others outside of Apple's farm becomes the challenge as Microsoft dominates the plantation of business.

When retiring...Linux becomes the retirement home.

It has been over 20 years I have been waiting for the year of Linux widespread adoption and heard people saying it is just a few years away.

I love the idea of open source software. In an ideal world it is a great model. In the real world software designers/developers have to get paid. Most are overworked. So time that goes to donated work has a limit from good software developers.

Most good Linux distros have corporate sponsors.

I think we need a hybrid open source/proprietary software solution for Linux where some apps or PS features can be copyrighted but the general OS can't so that at the fundamental software level people can get paid to deliver a certain level of software in an open source environment. Maybe there could be time limits on copyright that can't be renewed like 5 years or so. That way developers can make money and then eventually their software gets ported back into the OS and open up the code.

If a Linux distro could charge a fee for each release like some have done upstream downstream. In other words something like base Debian becomes a paid community use fee per year. A low fee like $10 a year or per major release no less than a year. Then developers at Debian could get paid just to develop Debian and that would not affect open source licensing.

Then Debian could also offer OEM's a fee comparable to Windows to help with hardware adoption. Until OEM'S get paid to use Linux on their hardware they won't.


All of this could potentially help make Linux a viable option but it seems that you need some sort of cost associated with software in order to get the best available software.

This is one reason why Apple and Windows have a lock on the market.