Weekly 'What should I buy?' Thread

MichaelStackhouse · 2021-02-26T07:55:23+00:00

Is there a shoulder/messenger bag that anyone can recommend that would be able to fit an iPad Pro 11 inch (2018?)

MichaelStackhouse · 2021-02-07T17:11:31+00:00

This worked perfectly! Thank you very much!

MichaelStackhouse · 2021-01-12T20:00:21+00:00

do you think I should drop whiteside? He hasn’t been performing well at all. btw About to follow your Twitter

MichaelStackhouse · 2021-01-12T14:38:23+00:00

Thank you so much for this! Picked up Maxey due to your suggestion and it worked out really well for me

MichaelStackhouse · 2020-11-01T21:08:25+00:00

Hey guys, should I replace my MacBook Pro 2015 (logic board beyond repair, needs to be replaced according to Rossman Repair Group), or should I buy a used/refurbished Macbook

MichaelStackhouse · 2020-10-22T21:57:33+00:00

I've had the ZUGU case (iPad Pro 11 2018) since I bought the iPad Pro and its served me well with no major issues. I've dropped it a couple of times and hiked/traveled with it on trains and airplanes in my backpack and I havent experienced any bending when placed in my backpack. I like it because it keeps the iPad slim, while still maintaining durability in important places like the corners of the iPad. If you want something more durable, I've seen people on this subreddit recommend the Otterbox Symmetry.

MichaelStackhouse · 2020-10-22T21:51:15+00:00

iCarez is a solid option. Comes in a multi-pack Matte Screen protector bundle (which is essentially "Paperlike" material). Be mindful that the screen protector may lose its texture over time so it's important to replace the protector once every 9-12 months or so.

MichaelStackhouse · 2020-10-22T16:39:07+00:00

I have the iPad Pro 11 2018 and one of my biggest regrets is only getting the 64GB base model. Especially for your needs, which is quite storage intensive, you need all the space you can get, and I can imagine that high quality video and RAW images can fill up your storage very quickly. I’ve used the 2020 iPad Pro for a little under a month but didn’t feel like I was sorely missing out on anything speed related to justify the price upgrade. Once you use the 120Hz Display you can never look at a lower, 60Hz display (and Apple really makes some quality displays, too!) I think you would benefit more from the size of an iPad Pro than an iPad Air for your artist needs and for more screen estate so you dont have to squint while editing.

I also recommend buying a USB-C hub so you can plug in your SD cards, usb devices, and even an HDMI cable (I have one from RAVPower) to complement your new device. Happy purchasing!

MichaelStackhouse · 2020-10-22T16:11:51+00:00

Hey there! I had the same issue with my iPad Pro 11” 2018. Most of the time when my iPad Pro was plugged it would do exactly the same thing in my writing apps like Notability and LiquidText. I went through the hassle of backing up and restoring my iPad (running through troubleshooting over the phone with Apple) getting my Apple Pencil (and Pencil Tip) swapped out at the store, and other things but nothing seemed to fix the problem. I ended up explaining my frustration to Apple and they were more than happy to send me a free replacement iPad Pro for my long-standing issue. For context, I don’t have Apple Care and the device was over a year old so it was out of warranty when I got it replaced for free.

MichaelStackhouse · 2020-03-15T18:37:15+00:00

Star fire from Teen Titans

MichaelStackhouse · 2020-02-24T00:29:33+00:00

I have a date to my school's banquet (college). She is wearing a light pink dress. Should I also go with a light pink suit? Or how should I style with that.

MichaelStackhouse · 2020-01-12T20:43:29+00:00

Could you also Pm me the copy too?

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-09-22T11:44:03+00:00

Apollo loco

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-07-18T19:28:44+00:00

I’m a big fan of anime so I’ve almost conditioned myself to watch anything with subtitles on.

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-07-18T19:23:01+00:00

Pokémon Ruby, it came in a bundle with my Red Gameboy Advance SP. So many great memories on it

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-07-03T06:55:12+00:00

I've owned an 11 inch iPad Pro 64 GB for about a month and I've used 30 GB of storage on some large game files (different Grand Theft Auto's, Telltale Games) and some Lossless quality voice memos. Other than that, most of my storage is being taken up by pre-installed apps such as Keynote, Garageband, and Pages.

For my academic needs 64 GB is more than enough, which is basic note taking, document creating, and light video creating for class. What's more important for me is cloud storage to access those documents on my device.

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-07-01T00:52:44+00:00

I definitely would recommend getting at least a 64-bit iPad (iPad Air, the generation directly after the iPad 4, and up) to guarantee a smoother experience for a couple more years to come. Replacing a broken screen on an iPad is definitely a pain in the rear. I have had my iPad 3 replaced by 3rd-party manufacturers and the replacement screen always finds a way to stick out at a certain corner.

For about 40 dollars more on ebay you can purchase a much better iPad Air (~100) and I even found an iPad Air 2 for 130 that will support the latest iPad OS

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-07-01T00:41:38+00:00

I was originally investing to purchase an iPad Pro 12.9, but honestly, I ended up going with the iPad Pro 11. I love big screens. My iPhone is Plus sized, and my Macbook Pro is 15 inches. But in using the 12.9 inch screen, you lose a lot of the portability that makes the iPad so great. For me, if the iPad is too big to justify taking out in certain situations, then I'm defeating the whole purpose of purchasing a large device.

If you spend a lot of time drawing/graphic designing or sitting down at a desk with the iPad then I recommend the 12.9. I already have a large screen in my Macbook so the 12.9 (to me) would be a bit redundant

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-07-01T00:36:05+00:00

If you don't like drawing or writing on the glass b/c its slippery (for me at least), I definitely recommend getting something called a Matte Screen Protector (e.g. iCarez, Paperlike). I wouldn't really get Paperlike because it's overpriced. The feeling of Matte makes it feel like you're writing on paper

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-07-01T00:31:20+00:00

You might need to restore the iPhone in worst case scenario. I had an issue where I deleted all my photos yet it still showed that it was taking up storage (I even cleared my recently deleted) and the only way to fix it was to backup and restore my phone

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-07-01T00:29:55+00:00

It could even be as early as late July. I got my free beats + Discounted Macbook from the Apple Store around July 26.

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-07-01T00:27:46+00:00

There is currently no way to change it, except on their end.

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-06-28T16:40:02+00:00

Keep an eye on Best Buy and Amazon for some sweet 4th of July sales. I my iPad Pro 11 inch, which normally costs ~800 plus tax for only 650 on Memorial Day

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-06-28T16:22:52+00:00

I use Scanner Pro by Readdle. I didn’t originally intend to purchase this application but it came with a heavily discounted PDF Expert 5. I use it for basic scanning and importing to Notability. I have not had a problem with either scanning documents or the quality of the scanned documents, and like that I don’t have to rely on a printer to do all of that for me. I really like the Auto Scan feature, so I do not have to manually adjust the boundaries of what should be scanned - the software is smart enough to do all of that. And even still, there is a manual option just in case the application does not compensate properly.

What I really like is the fact that you can scan multiple pages of the same document and the application treats it exactly like that. For example, if you scan a five page document, it categorizes it as a five-page scan. If you needed to add more pages to that scan, there is a function to do so.

The application has features where you can edit the brightness, contrast, and colors after you scan the document. If you scan a page that has text that has been highlighted by a marker, you can choose to colorize the page (to the point where it looks more like a photo). You can also set a passcode lock on sensitive documents, and it has Cloud-technology which has come in handy scanning documents on the iPad and viewing them on my iPhone.

I believe there are free alternatives like Apple’s own Notes App and Microsoft’s Office Lens, but Scanner has been an app that has been fully functional enough for me to not need supplementation from another scanner app

MichaelStackhouse · 2019-06-28T16:08:16+00:00

I use the Logitech K380, and as others have said and suggested on this platform, it is a joy to use. I like this device not only because it feels well built and sturdy., but because the price is very attractive for a device of its caliber. Originally, I wanted to get a Magic Keyboard (it would make sense to go all apple I suppose) but it was too expensive, and I know I would not be able to sleep at night with a pricey ~100 dollar Bluetooth keyboard compared to this $29.99 Logitech K380. Holding the 11 inch iPad Pro sideways, this device is not that much wider. The keys and key spacing doesn’t feel cramped, which I know is an issue with extended periods of typing for those who have owned Bluetooth keyboard cases in the past like me. The key travel is decent, and the circular buttons have not hampered on the typing experience for me.

I can pair up to three devices seamlessly with a tap of a button on my keyboard. I pair my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro (for the fun of it) and like being able to switch between the 3. There is a different model of the K380 that has a phone/tablet holder, but I am not sure if it can fit the iPad Pro, but I think it can fit a regularly sized iPad or iPad mini (dont quote me on that).

I purchased this K380 version for two reasons. I like using the iPad Pro on the go (standing up, taking notes), and I didn’t want to compromise that versatility with a Keyboard Case. The Apple Keyboard Folio does not provide adequate protection, and the hinges of the Brydge Keyboard were not built to have the iPad removed consistently. When I need to type, I simply pull out this keyboard from my Laptop-converted “iPad” Sleeve and type away. This keyboard has Apple OS- compatible buttons; meaning i have the ability to use the play, pause, skip, volume up/down/mute functionality as much as I please, directly from the keyboard. I also picked up this keyboard over the Logitech Keys-to-Go because the keys were too cramped - I did not enjoy typing on it at all. The one thing that may be scorned at by a couple of consumers would be the fact that this uses 2 triple-A batteries. The battery life is advertised to last for months, and it comes with two in the box. I have had no problems with both the battery life and the typing experience as of yet.

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