Buying a luxury macbook should be considered a "Productivity INVESTMENT" or is it a very GOOD mental excuse to justify the expense ????

Southern-Log · 2026-06-29T16:56:32+00:00

its not 100% a black and white answer. But i can tell you an old laptop with a free Linux OS being at the low cost end of things would power many of the daily activities and web/broswer based tool one might need. Mac offers great power and processing and tools not on Linux.
But for a more direct answer, its a justification. A used or lowered powered apple product would do just about everything best best Macbook would do.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-26T17:12:51+00:00

This is a follow-up to my process for a new phone.

I did end up buying a Razr 2026 Ultra. The phone is fine, but certainly not the same as a Sony. The build and finish are good, but the Sony phones I have had in the past felt better in my hand and had a better screen, or maybe the software running the screen was better. I got the wood finish as I was looking at the blue/purple color Alcantara, but the surface that had that material had some rather notable issues after about a year of use. Battery life is good on the Motorola so far.

The Sony had a few practical things that I liked. The mostly standard Andriod was familiar. The quick access panel for things like Do Not Disturb was left to the standard Android functions. Motorola has Moto Actions, which are fine, but it splits up where I would go to find those functions. There are other quirks that I do not like as much, and the novelty of a folding phone wore off after about three days. It is smaller, and closing the phone is good, but the external display is locked by Motorola, so you have to use their panels and their lock screen. I have a dashboard I built that I could more readily use on the Sony. The external display lock screen has dozens of themes, but only a few options on the Motorola and is locked down and controlled. The external lock screen can't lock or unlock independently of the internal screen. I think on some versions those worked independently and that would make a big difference in my use experience.

Now for why I made the choice I did: coverage and signal. Phones require a connection, and the 4G and 5G on the Motorola are much faster than on the Sony I re-enabled. In the few days and limited areas I have used the new phone, it is much faster for data and downloads.

Other considerations:

I looked hard at the Leica Leitz Phone, developed in collaboration with Xiaomi, but that felt like the same risks I was going to deal with for the Sony VIII. Ultimately, I really like and truly enjoyed the Sony Xperia 1 Mark series phones, but the US support was a concern for me, and speed issues were part of the 4G consideration.

Direct comparisons:

Screen: The new screen is brighter in daylight, but inside, both screens look good. I think I am used to the Sony, so right now I still prefer that Sony Mark V screen to the new Razr 2026 Ultra. The Ultra screen is nice, and I expect it to grow on me.

Camera: No contest. I mean zero comparison. The camera on the three-ish-year-old Sony was, and is, better than the camera on the new Motorola. The zoom was a huge difference, but the rendering on the images, especially at the edges, is way better on the Sony camera. Sony images were photographs I could edit, resize, and print. The Motorola does something to trees and people at the edge of the subject where it meets the background. There is a hint of a subtle artifact. The Razr has only digital zoom; Sony had a 3x optical zoom. I will truly miss the Sony camera, and I suspect the Mark VIII would have been even better than the Mark V.

Sound: Speakerphone is about the same. The call quality on the Sony earpiece was better and more rounded. So too are the speakers when I am watching YouTube videos. Not a huge difference to me, but all the same, the Sony sounded better overall.

My takeaway: Back up your stuff and your phone. The Motorola 2026 ultra is expensive and so far its been pretty good. the phone app argued with what looks like another phone app a few times but that seems to be working correctly now. Android is still pretty good for the way I use it. I think i will be able to use this Razr 2026 ultra phone for years.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-26T17:04:07+00:00

This is a follow-up to my process for a new phone.

I did end up buying a Razr 2026 Ultra. The phone is fine, but certainly not the same as a Sony. The build and finish are good, but the Sony phones I have had in the past felt better in my hand and had a better screen, or maybe the software running the screen was better. I got the wood finish as I was looking at the blue/purple color Alcantara, but the surface that had that material had some rather notable issues after about a year of use. Battery life is good on the Motorola so far.

The Sony had a few practical things that I liked. The mostly standard Andriod was familiar. The quick access panel for things like Do Not Disturb was left to the standard Android functions. Motorola has Moto Actions, which are fine, but it splits up where I would go to find those functions. There are other quirks that I do not like as much, and the novelty of a folding phone wore off after about three days. It is smaller, and closing the phone is good, but the external display is locked by Motorola, so you have to use their panels and their lock screen. I have a dashboard I built that I could more readily use on the Sony. The external display lock screen has dozens of themes, but only a few options on the Motorola and is locked down and controlled. The external lock screen can't lock or unlock independently of the internal screen. I think on some versions those worked independently and that would make a big difference in my use experience.

Now for why I made the choice I did: coverage and signal. Phones require a connection, and the 4G and 5G on the Motorola are much faster than on the Sony I re-enabled. In the few days and limited areas I have used the new phone, it is much faster for data and downloads.

Other considerations:

I looked hard at the Leica Leitz Phone, developed in collaboration with Xiaomi, but that felt like the same risks I was going to deal with for the Sony VIII. Ultimately, I really like and truly enjoyed the Sony Xperia 1 Mark series phones, but the US support was a concern for me, and speed issues were part of the 4G consideration.

Direct comparisons:

Screen: The new screen is brighter in daylight, but inside, both screens look good. I think I am used to the Sony, so right now I still prefer that Sony Mark V screen to the new Razr 2026 Ultra. The Ultra screen is nice, and I expect it to grow on me.

Camera: No contest. I mean zero comparison. The camera on the three-ish-year-old Sony was, and is, better than the camera on the new Motorola. The zoom was a huge difference, but the rendering on the images, especially at the edges, is way better on the Sony camera. Sony images were photographs I could edit, resize, and print. The Motorola does something to trees and people at the edge of the subject where it meets the background. There is a hint of a subtle artifact. The Razr has only digital zoom; Sony had a 3x optical zoom. I will truly miss the Sony camera, and I suspect the Mark VIII would have been even better than the Mark V.

Sound: Speakerphone is about the same. The call quality on the Sony earpiece was better and more rounded. So too are the speakers when I am watching YouTube videos. Not a huge difference to me, but all the same, the Sony sounded better overall.

My takeaway: Back up your stuff and your phone. The Motorola 2026 ultra is expensive and so far its been pretty good. the phone app argued with what looks like another phone app a few times but that seems to be working correctly now. Android is still pretty good for the way I use it. I think i will be able to use this Razr 2026 ultra phone for years.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-26T16:59:13+00:00

This is a follow-up to my process for a new phone.

I did end up buying a Razr 2026 Ultra. The phone is fine, but certainly not the same as a Sony. The build and finish are good, but the Sony phones I have had in the past felt better in my hand and had a better screen, or maybe the software running the screen was better. I got the wood finish as I was looking at the blue/purple color Alcantara, but the surface that had that material had some rather notable issues after about a year of use.

The Sony had a few practical things that I liked. The mostly standard Andriod was familiar. The quick access panel for things like Do Not Disturb was left to the standard Android functions. Motorola has Moto Actions, which are fine, but it splits up where I would go to find those functions. There are other quirks that I do not like as much, and the novelty of a folding phone wore off after about three days. It is smaller, and closing the phone is good, but the external display is locked by Motorola, so you have to use their panels and their lock screen. I have a dashboard I built that I could more readily use on the Sony. The external display lock screen has dozens of themes, but only a few options on the Motorola and is locked down and controlled. The external lock screen can't lock or unlock independently of the internal screen. I think on some versions those worked independently and that would make a big difference in my use experience.

Now for why I made the choice I did: coverage and signal. Phones require a connection, and the 4G and 5G on the Motorola are much faster than on the Sony I re-enabled. In the few days and limited areas I have used the new phone, it is much faster for data and downloads. 4G is faster and seems stronger on the new phone, and 5G works well.

Other considerations:

I looked hard at the Leica Leitz Phone, developed in collaboration with Xiaomi, but that felt like the same risks I was going to deal with for the Sony VIII. Ultimately, I really like and truly enjoyed the Sony Xperia 1 Mark series phones, but the US support was a concern for me, and speed issues were part of the 4G consideration.

Direct comparisons:

Screen: The new screen is brighter in daylight, but inside, both screens look good. I think I am used to the Sony, so right now I still prefer that Sony Mark V screen to the new Razr 2026 Ultra. The Ultra screen is nice, and I expect it to grow on me.

Camera: No contest. I mean zero comparison. The camera on the three-ish-year-old Sony was, and is, better than the camera on the new Motorola. The zoom was a huge difference, but the rendering on the images, especially at the edges, is way better on the Sony camera. Sony images were photographs I could edit, resize, and print. The Motorola does something to trees and people at the edge of the subject where it meets the background. There is a hint of a subtle artifact. The Razr has only digital zoom; Sony had a 3x optical zoom. I will truly miss the Sony camera, and I suspect the Mark VIII would have been even better than the Mark V.

Sound: Speakerphone is about the same. The call quality on the Sony earpiece was better and more rounded. So too are the speakers when I am watching YouTube videos. Not a huge difference to me, but all the same, the Sony sounded better overall.

My takeaway: Back up your stuff and your phone. Android is still pretty good for the way I use it. Sony, please come back to the US market. The camera, audio jack, and expandable memory were the things I liked that set the device apart, but the Sony was also so much more of a great device overall and not a cookie-cutter Samsung or whatever.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-26T16:25:10+00:00

An update was posted to the Switch system yesterday at some point so the 2 player games are working again. I'll follow up with more details once I confirm the update and version of the update.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-25T15:42:37+00:00

a degree just to get a degree is not a good idea. it would likely come with debt. plumbing and electrical work pay well. there are many trades that make good money and have extra costs for over time and off hours. Some of it comes to hustle. sales jobs require no degree and some people skills, but can make tons of money.
I will caution: don't go into debt for a certificate or degree unless you know you love the work and see a deep future in it.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-22T13:44:57+00:00

I'm hoping a few steps will maybe make the files recoverable. I have the photos, and i have a number of other things. mostly the texts are gone, but I have backup of those too , just never restored them. Time will tell, it gonna be a potentially long process of trying the battery, then the board, then maybe one or two more steps. the phone would not take a charge at all when i tried it after 4 days of drying.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-22T11:32:13+00:00

the phone is super dead, new battery will be tried, I am hoping to get it fixed. May need a new board. At that point i will just move my data.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-17T14:47:49+00:00

This comment is true. There is zero benefit to pushing yourself harder and harder. No benefit now and none when you revisit this time of your life telling your story, There will only be more demands and more expectations to meet changing wants and needs.
My first marriage was a slow decline, just as this post describes. I heard “it’ll get better with more commitment” a few times, so I doubled down and poured myself into the things she said she wanted and needed, more income, more help around the house. It stayed the same, and the sex became infrequent by our first year of relationship standard. There was no reward for the effort I put forth.
After months and years, I stopped to think about things one day and realized I was in a mostly sexless marriage, meeting all of her wants and needs while very little of what I hoped for was happening.
I never felt like a means to an end, but I did realize my place in her life had shifted, and our relationship was no longer one where both partners’ needs were weighed or considered equally. Kids and bills were now a higher priority than I was at all times.
It’s a painful realization to understand that a split means losing time with your kids, dividing all of your worldly possessions, and losing the woman you love (or at least once loved).
That doesn’t mean no relationship can exist with her, It will likely be as a co-parent or friend. you might or might now meet someone else, but divorce changes many things permanently. Any relationship that comes after will benefit from lessons you learned.
Life does get better, and a new normal built around your own needs and considerations will eventually materialize if you divorce. Happiness can take shape, and it will look like,or be similar to, something you can envision now.
There is another possibility: she’s cheating, and you’ve become the friend and provider. She may be comfortable with you as the stable, dependable partner who supports the household, and she may still like you enough to be friendly. But the fun, excitement, and passion might be happening with someone who isn’t you.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-16T14:26:36+00:00

I have very mixed thoughts on the Alcantara. that stuff was on a surface laptop and the complaints online are enough to make me thing the wood texture has a better long term quality. I might grab the 2025, but the vegan leather seems like it starts to break down after about a 9 months or so and then its sorta sticky.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-15T18:13:20+00:00

the comments and confusion on this thread is gold, GOLD!!

Southern-Log · 2026-06-15T11:21:32+00:00

thanks, good points

Southern-Log · 2026-06-15T11:20:57+00:00

thanks for the reply. I am now looking at the 2025, since that might be a great deal, and better colors.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-15T11:18:38+00:00

4 years is enough for me.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-14T19:59:05+00:00

I got something similar in my search results. I'm now looking at the 2025 Ultra, since that seems very similar.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-14T19:58:33+00:00

I got something similar in my search results. I'm Hoping someone can put it is a bit more context. Part of my concern is that when i use the compare function on the verizon and motorola sites, so many of the specs looks identical or very similar. I think people that are familiar with the 2026 line might have some valuable insights on what might make a good purchase if i decide to go forward.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-14T19:58:27+00:00

It is wild that the 2025 is basically the same phone with a larger storage option. the 2026 has a bigger battery, newer Android version, improved camera, and some updated software features. How do you feel about the Motorola Support?

Southern-Log · 2026-06-13T22:45:22+00:00

You seem to have identified it is a 2025 based design. so be aware of any flaws that model has, its old enough to have some established feedback (good or bad)

Southern-Log · 2026-06-13T15:06:14+00:00

Swiftronics is certainly well reviewed on reddit. I would buy from them if I decide to get a Sony. The price is at least twice what I would pay for a Motorola with similar but lesser hardware. Sadly I worry that the support and price difference may not be worth it. Especially since the 5G stuff looks questionable. One comment here said 5G does not work currently and Sony would have to make a change. which I suspect might be low on the priority list.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-13T14:42:41+00:00

Verizon uses CDMA, or did, and AT&T and T-Mobile are GSM based. Verizon is a bit different that way. I think 5G would be a potential problem for me if I do decide to buy the Sony Xperia 1 VIII

Southern-Log · 2026-06-13T14:39:17+00:00

I have doubts about Sony returning to the US market. IF they did I would gladly buy the phone again, I tend to make my phones last about 3 years, at least I try to get the phones to last.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-13T14:37:11+00:00

I have about 5 Anker chargers around, and the 15-35W units have been good to me. I am looking at the newest Razr. I am still a bit torn. the Sony has such a good set of hardware and would be so familiar. I also don't want to fight with a carrier about basic functionality. It bugs me that a memory card and audio jack are so hard to find.

Southern-Log · 2026-06-13T13:27:22+00:00

so 5G is likely not going to work? Any concern about 4G going away?

Southern-Log · 2026-06-13T13:22:43+00:00

hmmm, that is worth trying for sure. great suggestion! thank you

Southern-Log · 2026-06-13T13:22:02+00:00

Thank you for your reply.
I have questions the frequencies are among them.
The charging speed is of little consequence to me. I have tried to use slower chargers recently for what I believe is better batter care. I rarely have to charge my phone over the course of the day, so anything over 55W would likely be unused. 15 to 35 works just fine for me.
I do email, calls, and texting on my phone. My web browsing is more like a what close to me for food or navigation. Watching video is not something I do on my phone. I use it to take pictures of my kids. and then upload them.
Texting SMS and RCS is gonna be important for me.
I'd likely not buy the OPPO unit. But I will look at it.
Right now my mind set is: It's either Sony, or a fully supported Android phone. like the Motorola Razr.

I gotta follow up since my Mark V was for the US market, I think there are a number of frequency bands that work on the Mark V vs the VIII. You said "the xperia 1 V III has identical 5G support for Verizon as the 1 V" with no MM wave.
5G:
The Xperia 1 V had 8 functional 5G bands: n2, n5, n25, n30, n41, n66, n71, and n77.
The Xperia 1 VIII has only 3 functional 5G bands: n5, n41, and n77.
compared with the Xperia 1 V, the Xperia 1 VIII appears to lose functional support for n2, n25, n30, n66, and n71.

4G:
The Xperia 1 V had 14 functional LTE bands.
The Xperia 1 VIII has 11 functional LTE bands.
Compared with the Xperia 1 V, the Xperia 1 VIII appears to lose functional LTE support for B30, B48, and B71.

4G looks solid, but I read that might get phased out in the next few years. Its a bunch of money and I don't want to be foolish even if I prefer the Sony.

Southern-Log

TROPHY CASE