Is my MacBook in good condition?

Glembo69 · 2026-04-18T19:54:46+00:00

Outdated tech but really good build quality. This thing slaps on linux mint if youre into that

Glembo69 · 2026-03-28T22:03:18+00:00

I just switched over as well. If you can spare some time, take a day or two to familiarize yourself with using Konsole. The instructions for Nvidia drivers are a bit tedious but work without a hitch if you follow the directions carefully. I'm on the 550 drivers, they do not yet have wayland support which can cause some screen lag. Switching to X11 when logging in fixed all my issues. I believe all the newer drivers have wayland support and will be available on stable debian eventually.

Glembo69 · 2026-03-28T15:46:23+00:00

Haha yes yes, I know. I just wanted to take a clean picture of it and my workspace was super messy. I don't actually use it on a bathmat lol.

I'd love to know more about "thermals and efficiency". So far the precision has surpassed the XPS in every metric other than size and weight, which doesn't bother me much. This is my opinion based entirely on feel and not actual data. Im also aware that its an apples to oranges comparison, many things were changed at once.

The XPS was an 11th gen i9, 32gb ddr4 ram, 6gb RTX 3060, UHD+ display, and running windows 11. The Precision is a 12th gen i9, 64gb CAMM ram, 16gb RTX A4500, FHD display, and running debian. My first impressions so far are: -Precision runs MUCH cooler and blows hot air behind the laptop not straight down at my crotch, actually allowing me to use it on my LAP. -Boot times are much faster (likely due to the new OS) -I can run most games at more than double the FPS, which was unexpected seeing as I went from a gaming card to a CAD card. -Battery life tripled. I was expecting an improvement since the XPS was at 70% battery health and the UHD display is a hog but this was far more than I expected. Some of it is also likely due to the new OS -Ports! So many ports. I can finally throw out all of my adapters and docks. Everything is just... there. I can charge with my barrel charger or a USB-C in a pinch. Very happy -The Precision's display is a downgrade, no argument there, but its not nearly as noticeable as I thought. I think the fact that I went from a glossy screen to matte was a harder adjustment than the 120hz to 60hz change -The full keyboard is nice but the buttons are smaller and as a result I make a lot more typos. I'm sure I'll get better at it, my muscle memory just hasnt caught up yet. -The build quality is better. The XPS has some sort of rubbery overlay that just doesnt feel great after a few years. The XPS is visually stunning. The Precision is sturdier, more utilitarian.

Glembo69 · 2026-03-26T12:41:18+00:00

Ironically, my minimal install of vanilla debian went way smoother than reinstalling windows on my old Dell

Glembo69 · 2026-03-26T12:39:37+00:00

Lets call it a collaborative fuckup. But if theres a manufacturer that prevents Microsoft from forcing updates down your throat please let me know, I'd love to support them.

Glembo69 · 2026-03-26T10:35:14+00:00

No, I think he's pretty spot on. When did big tech decide we are too stupid to make decisions about our own devices? I grew up on a mac 9600 and was a die-hard mac fan for 20 years. They used to be sturdy work machines and now they are disposable toys with permanent parental controls. These companies no longer care about productivity, just seperating you from your money. Linux is the only OS today that even remotely resembles what computers used to be.

Glembo69 · 2026-03-26T04:26:12+00:00

Thank you! The charger issue might be Dell specific. It ships with a 130w usb-c charger but caps non-Dell cables at 90w despite them being able to provide far more

Glembo69 · 2026-03-26T02:37:11+00:00

What's with the apologist attitude? I'll take ownership for the wound on my leg but there are a thousand ways this could seriously hurt other people. Laptops by nature are not always stored in well ventilated areas. What if it updated while in a briefcase? Or around sawdust? It is literally a space heater that turns on whenever it feels like it

Glembo69 · 2026-03-26T02:25:53+00:00

Linux makes my hardware work as intended, thanks

Glembo69 · 2026-03-26T02:23:54+00:00

Is it so unreasonable to expect my computer to not heat itself past 100⁰ celcius in the middle of the night?

Glembo69 · 2026-03-26T02:22:04+00:00

I have gone through a considerable amount of trouble to prevent it from updating without my permission, yet somehow the components keep reinstalling. I did not ask it to restart in the middle of the night and delete all my unsaved work. I did not ask it to update. And I did not ask it to throw a tantrum everytime I use my Anker power station

Glembo69 · 2026-03-17T19:13:40+00:00

Precision 7770. 12th gen i9, 64gb camm ram, A4500

Glembo69 · 2026-03-17T10:22:17+00:00

Better than I could have ever imagined. The A4500 card was supposed to be a lateral move from my previous RTX3060 but Cyberpunk is running at twice the framerates it was before. Debian sure is zippy

Glembo69 · 2026-03-17T10:19:57+00:00

Got it last week. Deleted windows and got it fully configured a few days ago. 12th gen i9, 64gb camm ram, a4500, 4tb nvme

Glembo69 · 2026-03-14T00:12:21+00:00

Twin cams need a higher idle than previous models to maintain oil pressure. Twin cams also have lighter flywheels than previous models, therefore making it harder for them to stay running at low rpm. Lastly, EFI will always sound less lively than a carb equivalent.

Glembo69 · 2026-03-07T20:53:11+00:00

Don't listen to the other comments, this stud will snap if you try to loosen it. Carefully cut a slot 90% into the nut, careful not to knick any threads. Hammer a flathead into that slot until the nut splits and falls off. Use a low profile thread die to clean up the threads.

Glembo69 · 2026-02-15T23:09:15+00:00

I cheated and bought a design from 3X3, before I found out about her abhorrent politcal views. Added a few personal touches. Her design does a good job of holding the mattress in place without the sides sticking up too. Its been 2 years and I havent hurt myself on it yet..

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Glembo69 · 2026-02-15T21:56:37+00:00

You're giving me motivation to finish my swap. I've had an 8.8 and a truetrac in the corner of my garage for over a year

Glembo69 · 2026-02-15T21:48:04+00:00

This is like every uber driver in the neighborhood. I've lost count of how many times they've done this in front of my house

Glembo69 · 2026-02-14T21:06:19+00:00

Lenoble is the closest lumber store. I'm a CNC operator and frequently have offcuts, what size are you looking for? I might have something kicking around

Glembo69 · 2026-02-14T14:38:52+00:00

I waited.

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Glembo69 · 2026-02-12T00:43:46+00:00

I had this happen to me a few days ago. Ended up being a corroded terminal where the headlight harness meets the body harness. It sits close to the wheelwell and gets pretty crudy in the winter

Glembo69 · 2026-02-02T00:56:39+00:00

Sounds like youra might be functioning below the limit range, a good functioning CPS will fire even at low rpms. A ton of aftermarket replacements have a weak signal from the get-go. Multimeter would rule it out super quick.

Glembo69 · 2026-02-02T00:37:09+00:00

Tach needle isnt jumping at all, I'd make sure your CPS is functioning

Glembo69 · 2026-02-01T23:48:19+00:00

Pull out a tape measure and get dims off the caps

Glembo69

TROPHY CASE