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  • Seeking Basic Stage Manager Assistance

    I recently started using Stage Manager on my M1 Air as a way to maximize my screen space. It’s an interesting alternative to the traditional dock, but I’ve noticed a limitation I’d like to address.

    At present, Stage Manager only displays four applications at a time. While this setup is useful, it seems to overlook the fact that I often have more applications running concurrently.

    This limitation can be a bit frustrating, especially when I need to switch between multiple tasks quickly. I’m curious if there is a way to configure Stage Manager to show all open windows at once.

    It would be much more efficient to have a complete overview of my applications without the need to cycle through them or lose track of what I have running. I appreciate any insights or tips you may have on this.

    Thank you!

  • Discussion on Upgrading CPUs in Flashed 4,1 Macs

    Hello everyone,

    I’ve been looking into upgrading the CPUs in a flashed 4,1 dual CPU model and observed that many tutorials emphasize the use of de-lidded processors. This raises a question for me: Is it necessary to purchase de-lidded models, or can I simply use regular Xeons? When comparing the costs, I found that de-lidded X5680 Xeons are nearly $100 for a pair. In contrast, the lidded versions are much more affordable at around $40 for two.

    Given the significant price difference, it’s worth considering whether the de-lidding process is essential for the upgrade’s success. I’ve seen various guides suggesting that de-lidded CPUs might offer better thermal performance, which could lead to improved stability and longevity. However, I’m curious if the regular lidded Xeons can still perform adequately for the intended use cases. If anyone has experience or insights on this topic, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

    Are the benefits of de-lidded CPUs justifiable compared to the cost savings of lidded ones? Thank you for your help!

  • Is AppleCare Still Worth It for My Vintage 2018 Mac Mini? What Happens When It’s Obsolete?

    Hi everyone,

    I recently decided to upgrade to a new Mac Mini M4 over the weekend, and I’ve mostly set it up, aside from sorting out my virtualization rig. I found that memory pressure was not an issue; I used 24GB of physical memory, with 19.48GB in use and 4.88GB cached.

    This was while running multiple applications, including VirtualBox, PHP Storm, VS Code, SOAP UI, and Firefox. I’m certain that if I had stuck with 16GB, I would have struggled, so opting for 24GB was definitely the right choice.

    Now, I have a question regarding my 2018 Mac Mini. Its AppleCare coverage is set to renew at the beginning of July, probably around the 5th or 6th.

    Since it’s already considered vintage, I’m unsure if renewing the coverage would be worthwhile. I did upgrade this machine to 32GB, but I suspect Apple might not be inclined to offer service for such an old device.

    Meanwhile, my new machine comes with three years of coverage already included. Additionally, my old Mini was classified as vintage about two months ago, which means it’s on its way to becoming obsolete and no longer serviceable.

    I believe I have about a year left before that happens. However, I’m curious about what occurs if Apple were to classify it as obsolete while I’m still within the coverage period.

    Would they cancel the contract and issue a refund? I’d appreciate any thoughts or guidance on these points!

    Best,
    Gumbaloom

  • Thoughts on Beelink’s Mate Mini and Mac Mini M4 Pro Dock

    Beelink may not be a well-known name to everyone, but they seem to have carved out a niche in the mini-PC market. I have to say, I am quite impressed with their offerings, especially as I’m currently in the market for a Thunderbolt 5 (TB5) dual-slot NVMe enclosure.

    My main requirement is to achieve around 2800MB/s for each NVMe drive independently. While additional features are a bonus, the overall design appears thoughtful and well-executed, and the cooling strategy looks promising.

    The alignment of the ports with the Mac’s design is a nice touch. However, I would prefer to wait for some user reviews before making a purchase.

    One concern I have is the unspecified fan noise. If I decide to place the enclosure under or on my Mac Mini, I want to ensure it doesn’t generate excessive noise.

    Another important aspect is the PCIe lane configuration, which hasn’t been clearly stated. There are two versions: Version “A” with two NVMe slots achieving read speeds of 3219 MB/s and write speeds of 2800 MB/s on macOS, and Version “B” with one NVMe slot reaching 5809 MB/s read and 3162 MB/s write.

    It raises questions about the specifics of the performance claims—such as whether the 3000 MB/s advertised for Version A is for each slot individually or from a RAID configuration. Thunderbolt 5 supports four lanes of PCIe 4.0, suggesting that Version A might be utilizing two lanes for each slot.

    There are other considerations as well, such as the lack of a power supply and the recommendation to use a PD 3.0 USB-C charger rated at 30W or higher for multiple peripherals. Also, a significant downside is the absence of Thunderbolt pass-through for daisy-chaining devices, which could be limiting for some users.

    Finally, I appreciate the three-year warranty, which feels reassuring, though I would like clarity on whether it includes Thunderbolt compatibility with an Intel or alternate brand chip. Overall, while this enclosure offers interesting specifications, further details would be beneficial before making a commitment.

  • Mac mini M4 (2024): Explore Accessories Like Docks and Stands on MacRumors Forums

    I’d love to hear your recommendations for docks, stands, and other accessories designed for the Mac Mini 4 and Mac Mini M4 Pro. It would be fascinating to see how brands like Satechi and Hagibis leverage the Mac Mini’s design for docking solutions, especially since the device has unique cooling requirements due to its fan placement. One idea is to create a dock that features a recess for easy access to the power button.

    More innovative designs could integrate a mechanism to activate the power button from the dock’s back. It’s essential to avoid placing any dock beneath the Mini, as this would hinder access to the power button and could complicate the device’s functionality. Currently, my Mac Mini is mounted to a dual monitor stand via a VESA bracket, and I’m keen on finding a new, more compact bracket for the M4 Mini, or perhaps a mount that can be positioned under my desk.

    A horizontal docking station that holds the Mini upside down could improve airflow and facilitate access to the power button. On a lighter note, it’s hard to believe some of the more absurd designs that have been suggested. A joke may have been missed somewhere along the line in discussions about them.

    I’m open to a minimalist dock, about the same size as the new Mac Mini, to sit alongside it. This could feature built-in storage, card readers, and a couple of USB A ports. Positioning the Mini on its side could solve cooling issues while making cable management simpler, although accessing front ports could be a bit tricky if you frequently plug and unplug devices.

  • W5700X Replacement for 580X Fails to Power On

    If you have access to another Mac, it would be worth attempting to enter DFU mode on the Mac Pro. If it does not enter DFU mode, your only option may be to enlist the help of an Apple technician.

    In some cases, Macs equipped with Apple silicon or the Apple T2 Security Chip may become unresponsive and require firmware recovery or restoration from another Mac. It seems that the Mac needs to exhibit some signs of power to successfully enter DFU mode.

    Alternatively, you could try resetting the NVRAM, PRAM, and SMC. A situation like this can often resemble issues with a power supply, such as a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.

    Unfortunately, I can’t afford to spend money on an hourly technician for unguaranteed results, especially considering the service charges that Apple typically imposes. I regret putting the W5700X on my credit card, but here we are.

    I have generally had positive experiences purchasing items on eBay, but I never anticipated that even a non-functional card could cause my entire computer to fail. I contacted the seller, who indicated that he is not familiar with Macs; however, he offered a refund if we cannot resolve the issue, which still leaves me with a non-operational computer.

    I genuinely appreciate your willingness to assist me. With the wealth of knowledge among the Mac community, I was hoping to connect with someone experienced in hardware repairs, particularly regarding power supplies for this model.

    I’ve found power supplies priced between $99 and $150. If there is no fuse or breaker to reset, and if I could confirm that a replacement power supply has been tested and works, I might take the risk and purchase it.

    Thank you once again for your help!

  • Just Purchased the New MBA – It’s Amazing! Noticed One Thing After My Upgrade.

    In a recent post, a user named a-m-k expressed their satisfaction with the new MacBook Air (MBA) they purchased. They noted that the aluminum body of the new model feels more robust compared to their previous MBA, even likening its sturdiness to that of the old MacBook Pros (MBPs). a-m-k encouraged others considering a new MBA to proceed with their decision, assuring them they wouldn’t regret the purchase.

    Another user, lambertjohn, inquired about the specific size of the MBA that a-m-k had acquired. a-m-k responded, clarifying that the memory of their device is 16 GB. They asked for further specifics if lambertjohn was referring to something beyond the memory.

    The conversation continued as dwrufus53 chimed in, suggesting that lambertjohn was likely curious about whether a-m-k had opted for the 13-inch or the 15-inch model of the MBA. Following this, a-m-k confirmed that they had indeed selected the 13-inch model, boasting 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage. This exchange on MacRumors highlights the enthusiasm shared by users within the tech community, especially concerning new device features and specifications.

    a-m-k’s positive feedback serves to foster excitement among potential buyers, illustrating how product enhancements can significantly impact user experience.

  • Effective Tips for Reducing Eye Strain on the MacBook Air M3 15.4″

    It is important to recognize that videos cannot accurately represent what the human eye perceives in real-life scenarios. The human eye operates very differently from a video camera, exhibiting greater flexibility in handling aspects such as refresh rates, resolutions, brightness, and color balance. Therefore, the only true way to assess a system’s performance is through direct interaction; it won’t take weeks to identify issues that might impact your experience.

    For instance, I can record a video of my MacBook Air showing a flicker that originates from a mismatch in refresh rates with my iPhone. While the video might appear poor, I haven’t noticed any flicker while using the laptop for three years. This discussion isn’t new, but it warrants a response.

    Some argue that videos vividly illustrate what the eyes see, making it easier to understand phenomena that may not be apparent in real-time. Our biology processes light signals rapidly; when a display flickers, it can be understood as a mechanism for adjusting brightness using pulse-width modulation (PWM). It’s noteworthy that many laptops are specifically designed to avoid PWM for brightness control given its known adverse effects on sensitivity.

    As a result, individuals who are sensitive to PWM should steer clear of Apple laptops, unless they are paired with an external non-PWM display. This hardware design constraint is prevalent in many PC laptops and even smartphones. I have personally experienced migraines linked to PWM displays.

    After using an iMac that caused significant eye strain, I realized that the headaches subsided once I stopped using it. Consequently, my M1 Pro MacBook Pro remains unused unless connected to an external monitor, as I experienced discomfort after just three days of use. In my opinion, electronic devices utilizing PWM should carry warnings about their potential health impacts.

    The mechanism at play is that the eye adjusts its light intake by dilating and constricting pupils. When a display flickers excessively, it causes pupil dilation that can lead to discomfort and potential damage over time. This issue has persisted with various devices since 2012, necessitating careful selection of laptops to avoid such problems.

    Ultimately, the only viable solution for those affected is to use an external display that does not rely on PWM. Anything else could be merely a placebo, failing to address the core of the issue.

  • Struggling to Snap Back the Bottom Case on My 2019 16″ MacBook Pro

    I recently attempted to remove the bottom case of my 2019 16″ MacBook Pro to install some thermal pads inside. However, I am having difficulty securing the back corner of the case. After several attempts, I’ve taken the case off multiple times, trying to follow the guides from iFixit and other YouTube videos.

    Unfortunately, I still can’t figure out where I’m going wrong. I’ve attached some pictures for reference, including one of the opposite corner where the case is correctly snapped down. This gives a clearer view of how it should look when everything is in place.

    Despite my efforts, the back corner simply won’t secure properly. I’m reaching out for any suggestions or tips that might help me resolve this issue. Any insights from those who have experience with this model would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you!

  • iOS 26 Introduces Liquid Glass Design Ahead of 20th Anniversary iPhone Featuring Curved Glass Edges

    The new Liquid Glass design of iOS 26 marks an exciting development for Apple as it prepares for the release of its 20th-anniversary iPhone. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, this upcoming phone is rumored to feature beautifully curved glass edges, slim bezels, and an all-screen display without any cuts. Internally, Apple has referred to this innovative device as the “Glasswing,” inspired by a butterfly known for its transparent wings. The Liquid Glass design is set to be showcased at Apple’s worldwide developers conference in June 2025.

    This aesthetic will complement the sleek and minimalistic nature of the anniversary iPhone, which is anticipated to be launched in September 2027. In addition to the developments surrounding the anniversary iPhone, there are several other Apple-related news items generating buzz. Analyst Jeff Pu has indicated that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to be released later this year, potentially alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup. On another note, reports suggest that Apple is facing pushback from automakers regarding the next-generation CarPlay Ultra, which several major car manufacturers appear to be reconsidering their support for.

    Meanwhile, Apple has provided developers with a second beta for iOS 26, featuring initial tweaks and improvements to the operating system since its debut. Finally, upcoming rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro models suggest a return to an aluminum frame, departing from the titanium used in recent models. There are also speculations concerning a foldable iPhone, with potential camera configurations being discussed. With these developments, Apple continues to innovate and keep its audience engaged.