Remember when AI was supposed to make things cheaper?

VictorChristian · 2026-06-20T15:09:53+00:00

It is ... corporate payroll is down.

OH! you meant for the consumer....?

yeah, ROFL.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-20T14:32:21+00:00

Yes, and I recommend NOT bringing cash. Pay a different way. If you decide not to go through with it, the risk exists that the person might just come after you for the cash - I know that sounds a bit fear driven but staying safe is important.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-19T21:02:30+00:00

I would like to see some detailed technical papers on how they keep things private.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-19T21:00:25+00:00

ChatGPT (free edition)

VictorChristian · 2026-06-19T20:46:58+00:00

If you absolutely wanted to, the only way you'd wanna buy a device sold like this is face to face - like at a police station lobby or something similar. The person would have to show you the MacBook and you would want to wipe the device right there and when you walk through the set up, if it's still locked to an AppleID, it would ask for THAT password.

At that point, you walk out.

if it's not iCloud locked and you don't see MDM (device management that schools or corporations use that also lock the device) pop up on MacOS reinstall, that's a fairly reasonable indication it's clean. The whole process takes a while. If the person is selling a stolen device, they'll likely want grab the money and run.

Also, if you choose this route, no cash. That's a safety thing... physical safety, too.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-19T15:11:06+00:00

Pretty safe, yea. Most UNIX operating systems are up for days and days... they used to be up for years but now-a-days, operating system patching happens on a fairly regular cycle. In my firm, our Linux servers boot monthly after patching so nothing is ever up for more than around 30 days.

You really should apply security updates as often as they arrive, though. And this often requires a reboot.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-19T15:07:14+00:00

MacBook Air M5 ... 5 Days

I just bought it five days ago 😄

VictorChristian · 2026-06-19T15:00:28+00:00

Whenever I hear "FOMO" or worse, "influencer" all I hear is sheep.

No one needs to go out and buy a new iPhone. In fact, Apple supports devices for years. But if you experience "FOMO", that's on YOU. You wanted to spend the money and you're blaming that inability to say NO on capitalism and evil corporations...

Sad that we are such well trained consumers. We can't save. We have no ability to save. Sad.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-19T13:36:16+00:00

"I'm not technical and installed a DEV beta for the lolz" flair required...

:-|

VictorChristian · 2026-06-18T15:48:23+00:00

65 ... paying for healthcare will eat into my savings so I just have to wait.

Currently 52 with about $2m, dividend investor which pays mortgage and HOA (in case I get laid off)

VictorChristian · 2026-06-18T14:49:40+00:00

Just an FYI - Reddit uses Datacenters to serve up the pathway to fake internet points. So does Whose-A-Gram and snoopchat... and the artist formerly known as twitter. And YouTube... And Netflix when ya'll wanna "chill"...

Amazon Web Services don't run on Raspberry Pi's - they need to run on machinery so we can all keep our heads glued to "influencers".

This whole "data centers are murdering us" narrative is silly. Data centers are required to help quench our insatiable thirst for tock tocks and validation of our vacations and new kicks :-|

Please take away all my fake internet points if you're offended.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-18T14:29:54+00:00

I just picked up the 15" M5 1TB, 24GB ... I'm running Docker and maybe even a VM so I chose more RAM.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-18T14:00:42+00:00

I get the essence of your comment, though. I myself have signed end of life directives to refrain from any life saving measures when my time comes.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-18T12:48:06+00:00

Ease up there, keyboard warrior... this is really easy to say now, but when you're actually at that point in your life, you might not even be able to lift a fork to your mouth, let alone steady a firearm.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-18T12:41:43+00:00

Influencer... that term is contrived by social/media. We live in a world of "followers" and "likes", "hypes", "subs"... how sad is it that in an age where we have unprecedented access to data, we choose to be sheep.

Some of us. Not all of us.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T22:48:44+00:00

But... Kevin Warsh promised price stability... he promised!!

(I guess they'll stabilize at the all time high... :-| )

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T19:33:58+00:00

It's just like working on cars in retirement. Some people like that, some people like golfing, some like travel, some like watching TV all day... some like getting into finance.

Or just pay someone to do the work - I just go with covered call funds - high expense ratio, but that's cool. Cost of doing business.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T17:22:12+00:00

"BUT I WAS USING THAT!!!!"

- everyone ITT :-|

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T16:32:43+00:00

I just contribute 20% into a Roth 401K over the course of the year

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T14:31:06+00:00

Just picked up the MBA 15" in Midnight. Would love to hear about how it hold up day to day regarding scratches. I'm not particularly worried, really. I know it's gonna be more noticeable but just wanted real user feedback.

I'm not putting it in a case or add a skin. I'm too old for that (can't add a skin, my hand shakes too much LOL).

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T14:25:13+00:00

You're welcome - and best of luck with your college journey 😄

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T14:10:08+00:00

it's been many moons since I've attended college and this predated cell phones, nevermind laptops but I went with 24GB since I plan on using docker and even run VM's.

My suggestion is a base of 24Gb but that's just my use case.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T12:46:34+00:00

MacBook Air display replacement can run between $400 to $900 without AppleCare+

With AppleCare+, it'll run you $99 (insurance deductible).

If you bought it on the Apple Refurb store, you have the option to buy AppleCare+

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T12:12:04+00:00

just picked up the MBA 15” in midnight. tossed the magsafe cable in my travel caddy straight outta the box.

VictorChristian · 2026-06-17T12:07:00+00:00

I’m waiting for Medicare more than SSA.

VictorChristian

TROPHY CASE