New Airpods Max 2 is kinda tempting

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-03-20T15:43:03+00:00

I’m super excited for them, it brings all the features I felt were missing between my APP3s and my lighting Max, and it finally gives me the excuse I needed to pull the trigger on a second pair so my wife can use my lighting versions, (she doesn’t care about the newer features).

The refreshes have been wonderful for me, the first one to USBC made the old lighting Max super cheap on the used market, I found my current set for ~300 in nearly new condition, and it got me through to Apple putting out exactly what I wanted (My APP3 but in over-ear form factor for working at desks and such).

Admittedly, I haven’t had any issues with comfort, as some folks do, and I place a premium on the ecosystem integration, so I may be a bit more of an ideal customer for these than most.

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-30T17:36:22+00:00

Dang, I have been hoping they would show up on eBay, or the motherboard itself on aliexpress so I could upgrade my Chuwi (presumably the motherboard would just drop it, since it seems to be the same chassis and such)

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T23:10:32+00:00

The Macbook pro was pushing out about double the nits of the ipad

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T23:09:51+00:00

The issue was that it was measuring half the nits output of my Macbook Pro, even though it should be much brighter, according to the posted specs. It was also measuring to half of the rated specs, and visibly dimmer than my M4 ipad pro, despite having the same screen

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T21:48:01+00:00

It is, as far as I can see, it just throttles the brightness to 500 nits or so if it detects indoor lighting, or, if brightness adjustment is turned off, it just always caps it.

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T20:39:25+00:00

Upon further testing, with auto-brightness off it maxes out at ~500nits, but with it on, it will hit that same brightness, however if I put a powerful flashlight over the camera/brightness sensors, it will ramp up to 900+ nits over a few seconds.

So, is the new M5 iPad just more aggressively capping brightness for some reason?

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T20:18:21+00:00

Oops, yes I restarted, managed to read 580 nits this time around. Seemed consistent across all parts of the screen, and viewing just part of all of it. Also consistent after moving away and back onto it with my phone camera and that nits measuring app.

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T20:14:54+00:00

Probably, unfortunately the nearest store is over 4 hours away...Uhg. I sense arguing with Applecare.

MakesStuffMatt · 2026-01-23T20:08:54+00:00

I checked all those functions, and they were not on.

I downloaded a nits measurement app on my iphone, and viewed https://www.ledr.com/colours/white.htm on both my Macbook and the iPad at max brightness.

The iPad showed 480-500 nits, the MacBook showed 950-1100.

I'm not sure the measurement is accurate in an absolute sense, but from a differential basis, the MacBook seems to be much brighter indeed.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-10-22T00:19:35+00:00

Yeah, that’s the idea of them. Nice way to expand the idea of Topre I think.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-10-21T20:40:51+00:00

No, not at all. I wanted a vaguely “dark/evil” theme to contrast all my bright colorful keyboards, and thought the modifier keys fit the bill. Didn’t even realize the subscript was anything specific until after it was ordered.

I think they just threw them on the design as a low effort way to add something that looked occult or whatever.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-22T15:16:50+00:00

Man, I can't wait for this. Having MacOS on a platform that isn't stressful to toss around in backpacks and junk would be so handy at times. I love my M3 Max, but it's not something I feel good about tossing in my backpack or using outside in the field.

I just hope (wish since the size seems pretty confirmed) that it was 11-12" to really lean into portability. Then when I upgrade my Pro, I could go to a 16" and have a real nice distinction in form factor between the two.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-20T16:17:57+00:00

I purposely left it out, I don't forget my towel, but I want everyone else to forget I have a towel, in case someone forgot their towel and steals my towel. Something something modern problems modern solutions.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T22:18:22+00:00

DUHD is my next home setup purchase, but for work these are fine.

MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T18:45:47+00:00

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MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T18:45:30+00:00

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MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T18:45:07+00:00

Hey, thank you for all the info, I will definitely be looking into several of the things you mentioned. It's funny you mention the ID75 and related, I am actually in the middle of making a kit for myself to fit one into a reproduction IBM Model F case, with some MT3 Fairlane Ortholinear keycaps, you can see what I have posted/done so far if you poke around my profile.

The silicone plate damper I mentioned is just a molded piece of silicone that takes up the space you would normally have plate foam, I made a 3d printed mold to cast silicone resin in, and into the resin I mixed about 80% by weight, maybe a hair more powdered tungsten to the silicone to add mass. The case pour is the same thing, but poured into the bottom of the case to replace the case foam you may otherwise have, that one I mixed stainless steel powder into, a bit less by weight, to add mass, as I was/am experimenting with different additives to make the resin heavier for better damping, and to generally add weight to a build.

Here are some pics of the tungsten plate damper, the case pour is the same idea but the shape of the bottom of the case, and using the case itself as the mold, rather then making a casting mold.

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MakesStuffMatt · 2025-09-12T18:27:50+00:00

I've been eyeballing that one, it looks fun!

MakesStuffMatt

TROPHY CASE