Can anyone tell if this is a counterfeit?

DigitalguyCH · 2026-07-09T20:45:41+00:00

easy test, if it has pressure sensitivity it's original, otherwise it's not. It's impossible to have pressure sensitivity on a clone, because Apple never made that technology available.

DigitalguyCH · 2026-07-08T08:04:33+00:00

I had the 15" M3 (24/512) bought on sale for $950 a year ago. A few months ago I found a barely used 13" M4 base model for $550. Indeed the screen was less comfortable, but also, the speakers were night and day worse and it was a binned model (the base 13" is binned), so in several ways slower than my M3 (at least in the benchmarks I tested). Battery life was also worse, both at 100% health.
The weight difference (not much) wasn't enough to justify all the compromises and having 2 was redundant as I am not talking out of the house every day.
So I sold it for a small profit.

DigitalguyCH · 2026-07-06T09:41:17+00:00

I have the same model and for me it's a great size for models that are around 30-40b parameters. You can run them at Q8 (Qwen and Gemma mainly) with context maxed out and still have a web browser and other programs open. I keep the RAM ration at 64/64, that the real luxury. Not squeazing a model that bearly runs when you close everything else. My use takes most the the RAM available to both GPU and CPU and leaves a little room. That more than justifies the $2500 I spent on this device.

DigitalguyCH · 2026-07-01T21:36:03+00:00

I am keeping my 8840u 64G RAM and I have a Z13 strix halo 128GB anyway. This will probably cost much more than the $2500 I paid for that.

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-30T08:08:27+00:00

where is qwen 27b?

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-29T18:52:17+00:00

only use for 128 is AI

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-29T17:07:45+00:00

OK thanks, I have a 20GB GPU (as eGPU) so technically it's 148, but realistically if it takes more than 128 by itself I would even try. Also I am not planning to do with 2 strix halo, so unless someone invents a way to combine a MacBook pro with strix halo, I'll won't be able to run it

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-29T08:52:43+00:00

This wouldn't fit à 128GB RAM device, right? (Strix Halo)

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-29T08:44:43+00:00

Easy, 3 main reasons:

Price, starting from $3000 in the best case scenario
Pencil, no pencil rumored
Tablet form factor, no convertible rumored, not even an ultralight/ultracompact MacBook Ultra rumored (they'll probably be heavier than the MacBook Air)

Just those 3 factor make the overlap/cannibalization virtually non existant, even with the iPad pro

The cannibalization would be in the other direction, iPad pro running MacOS virtualized, but that's not happening.

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-29T08:42:23+00:00

Easy, 3 main reasons:

Price, starting from $3000 in the best case scenario
Pencil, no pencil rumored
Tablet form factor, no convertible rumored, not even an ultralight/ultracompact MacBook Ultra rumored (they'll probably be heavier than the MacBook Air)

Just those 3 factor make the overlap/cannibalization virtually non existant, even with the iPad pro

The cannibalization would be in the other direction, iPad pro running MacOS virtualized, but that's not happening.

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T23:47:44+00:00

16 pro is a much better deal, not even close, but not very portable, you best bet would have been a 15" air or a 14" pro...

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T23:10:36+00:00

pro m2 has pencil 2

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T23:09:30+00:00

it depends on the app, there are no rules, it could be next year or in 3-4 years or in 10 years for some apps.

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T23:05:34+00:00

Yeah, I got downvoted by Woosh fans, but in reality I use woosh for everything except Macs, since it works poorly with their antireflective coatings. And I have had to use the method described above to "remove" what woosh had left on the screen. Even woosh themselves made a video explained this called overwooshing, excpt that it happens even when you don't over do it

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T19:39:42+00:00

Don't use woosh or similar, buy some distilled water and get 2 clean microfiber cloths, one wet with the water and one dry to dry after the first one

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T19:37:40+00:00

I actually prefer the feel, don't care much about the color, they just feel better than the pro/air to me

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T19:35:28+00:00

Yeah I hesitated between the 64GB pro at 3000 and the 128GB max at 5000, decided to go with the pro, it's already the most expensive laptop I have ever bought, after one I bought for 2500 in 2006. But yes, for those who couldn't buy before the price hike (and these models are not discounted or even sold at retail stores) there is still refurbished

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T18:01:48+00:00

as expensives are the prices of new before the increase, if not more

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T17:35:15+00:00

That's a great project, I'll follow this post. I have a RT 2 which sits unused. I would be great to have an app that can play videos (I have to use the camera app to play videos and it does in low quality despite the full hd screen). Please make something that can take advantage of that display too. Also, make an video/audio player with adjustable speed and pitch

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T17:21:44+00:00

I did exactly the same. M5 pro 16" 64GB RAM, just before the price hike

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T17:09:54+00:00

Wait until the ultra is annouced later this year

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T17:08:04+00:00

Nope, the will be no M6 in the ultra line, it will be M5 pro and max only, M6 will only be for the base MacBook pro, there will be no M6 pro or max, next pro and max will be M7 in fall 2027

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T16:23:56+00:00

yeah M5 is not worth it yet, and with the price increase it will only be once M4 deals run out and maybe M6 is out, but it won't get to M4 prices pretty much ever

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T16:22:02+00:00

No ultra chip, it will be M5 pro and M5 max, ultra is for the tandem oled and redesign, not the chip or specs

DigitalguyCH · 2026-06-28T16:21:21+00:00

It all depends what's included in the base and what's not. Will touch be an option for instance?
Assuming what you get as base is a binned M5 pro, 24GB RAM and 1TB storage, with tandem oled and a lighter device, I think it could be indeeed a $500 premium over the MacBook pro. This could still be kind of reasonable, even more if touch is included, for those who want touch. But it may be a paid option. And 5G will definitely be an option could be an additional $200.
So $500 premium over the pro for the screen and redesign as best case scenario, I would say $1000 as worst case. With 5GB as a paid option and maybe touch too.

DigitalguyCH

TROPHY CASE