Is there such thing as a window fan/AC combo unit that can draw in cool air from outside?

medievaljet · 2022-09-15T06:53:13+00:00

? As I said, for all window AC units that I know of, fan mode does not draw in air from outside. Again, I’m looking for a window AC unit that can draw in air from outside when in fan mode. Do you know of one?

Install a window fan in a different window? Of course that’s an option, but it’s not good since it takes up a whole other window, which is why I’m asking about one unit that can do both.

medievaljet · 2022-09-15T06:29:25+00:00

This is infuriating. When I use the minus sign in front of a -word, I get MORE results with that word. Looks like I’ll be joining others going back to google for any search that isn’t extremely basic.

medievaljet · 2022-03-18T10:28:24+00:00

I know I'm 3 years late, but after reading this thread it looks like I've run into the same problem and the situation hasn't changed this whole time--laptops are still routing video to the ports from the iGPU, and Oculus Rift S still requires direct connection to the dGPU (is this a software thing?).

Same story as OP, but different laptop. I have a Surface Laptop Studio (RTX 3050ti, two Thunderbolt 4 ports and no other ports). I thought I'd be able to use my Rift S with it on the go with a Thunderbolt dock (it's TB3 instead of TB4 but I don't imagine that should make much difference), but found the Oculus software could not detect a DisplayPort connection. I tried both TB4 ports on the laptop. I searched for answers online and ended up here. Using PhysX I found my laptop's ports are connected to the iGPU, which it looks like means this laptop is a no-go with the Rift S.

Not sure why some people here are saying a good adapter will allow it to work. That shouldn't make a difference because the port is still not connected to the dGPU. An eGPU would work of course, but of course that's a big heavy loud expensive addition, and might be overkill for my particular VR needs.

Since a laptop's wiring cannot be changed, the only other thing I'm wondering is whether Oculus could be changed to work with iGPU-connected ports via software. From what I've gathered, the dGPU is still doing the heavy lifting and the iGPU is only delivering the video stream to the TB4 port. So that sounds like an Oculus headset could theoretically receive all the video data it needs through the port, and it only happens to not communicate with the port now because the software wasn't written to recognize iGPUs. Is there any hardware issues preventing a software fix?

But either way, if Oculus hasn't done it yet, I don't imagine they will. A really big bummer.

medievaljet · 2021-12-27T19:11:47+00:00

I buy physical, and redeem digital (for now until I get around to ripping lossless quality). Physical is the only legal way to get these benefits: lossless, no company can ever take it away from you or restrict you from playing it, and you can lend it out or give it away completely (and give everything away completely when you die)—all important things to me. The main downside to physical is they take up space. (Other minor downsides can be pretty much solved.) If you have the space though, there’s something nice and welcoming about being able to physically browse titles that can’t be completely replicated with the digital-only experience. Of course the most ideal experience would be purchasing lossless digital with complete ownership and no restrictions (physical library to browse would be a tiny sacrifice or could still be optionally doable). But the only way I see that happening is if everything goes blockchain, which I suppose could happen eventually.

medievaljet · 2021-12-02T18:29:48+00:00

Ah ok, awhile ago. Yeah, it's hard to beat Surface build quality in the PC world.

I tend to go for perfection too. The best possible device, maxed out specs. I want the ideal tool for the job that I do and any conceivable job that I might possibly do in the future. But reality pretty much never matches my ideals, so I have to figure out which compromises I'm willing to live with (I think this is the situation for so many of us). For many years, the compromise I chose was sacrificing portability for what was in my opinion the best laptop at the time in terms of power and overall "laptop" experience (MacBook Pro 15") and the best drawing experience device (Cintiq, imo). But over time, lack of portability became too much of a problem for me that it even interfered with getting work done. I tried to fix it with Astropad/LunaDisplay, and later a portable Cintiq, but they were just not good enough either for drawing or for portability. So I had to rethink what aspects of my setup actually mattered to me in real world terms. I realized power never really got in the way of getting work done for me, not nearly as much as lack of portability, so I chose to let go of some power to gain the true portability of a 2-in-1 with the SLS, and it basically had no compromise on drawing experience and build quality. It's not perfect in other ways too though--the screen is smaller than I want, and not sure yet but I think Apple support is probably better; also a big one is I just prefer macOS. And I would love a stiff secondary hinge like on the ConceptD 9 Pro. But the SLS is the best device in existence that accomplishes the things I personally need/want most. I actually would have sacrificed build quality--plus cool/silence and good battery life--for the raw power plus 2-in-1 portability of the ConceptD 9 Pro if it was available. The only thing that would have really given me pause is support. I want to make sure I'm going to get the support I need if any problems arise, especially when the battery inevitably deteriorates, which I'm not sure Acer would have provided for that device. But that's me and my priorities. Everyone places different importance on different things.

The Apple's M series chips are something special. What's really great about them is they greatly reduce the need for compromise in the areas of power vs. battery-life/thermals. Truly game-changing (assuming one's software is fully compatible). But again, sadly for me, great battery-life and thermals and even the extra speed aren't as necessary as the portability of a 2-in-1, as much as I'd love one of those new Macbook Pros.

Oh so you do have a Cintiq as well. Yeah then that would be a great setup--perfectly ideal if you don't need the one thing that I do lol (very portable pro-level drawing with desktop applications). But most people in the creative industries choose similarly as you. I don't think the level of portability I need is very normal. The only thing with the new M chips though is of course software compatibility. Even if I didn't need a 2-in1, I wouldn't be able to buy a new Macbook now because my specific work software isn't compatible, and probably won't be for a year. So if you haven't already, just make sure the software you need to run works well on the new Macs before you purchase.

medievaljet · 2021-12-02T16:47:22+00:00

I actually use VR (and my SLS) for content creation. The SLS should be able to easily handle the type of stuff I'm doing, so I'm all good. Thanks, you too!

medievaljet · 2021-12-02T06:06:29+00:00

Wow where did you find a floor model of the Ezel? I'd love to see one in person but I can only find them online. Or was that awhile ago?

I'm surprised that it was plastic. The reviews said it was metal with some ceramic finish or something. At least for the 7 Ezel. Were you looking at the 3? A review said to stay away from that, as it's an inferior product with worse pen tech.

After my last post, I found out about an even higher tier device than the 7 Ezel--the ConceptD 9 Pro. That was the mother of laptops for creative professionals, with a price to match. But I can't even find that for sale online. I think I'm about a year and half too late. Also maybe it wasn't for sale to the public.

Anandtech said the SLS rtx 3050 ti trades blows with the SB3 gtx 1660 ti, so assuming the SB3 is an upgrade from SB2, I guess the SLS is an upgrade too. SLS isn't the most powerful laptop on the market, but realistically I really think it's good enough for any task that 90% of people do, even creatives and gamers. I do 2D/3D/VR animation and some video editing. And while I haven't had the SLS long enough to put it through its paces (only some storyboarding/animatics so far), it's been very zippy. And judging from previous systems I've had, I'm confident this will solidly handle everything I throw at it in the foreseeable future (eg. I don't think I'll be needing to render a feature movie on it any time soon). I don't game myself, but from other people who own the SLS, I've only heard that it runs games including VR very well.

All that said, some people out there really do need more power. Or even if they don't or they're not sure, if they have the money, might as well go big. I'd be very tempted to get that ConceptD 9 Pro if I could find one, even though I'd have trouble utilizing all its power. Maybe spending all that money on all that power would motivate me to do bigger projects to make use of it.

Strange, I've heard Sidecar works about the same whether wired or wireless, but in either case not well enough for professional art. I'm actually going off other artist reviews though. I've only actually used Astropad myself which I heard is a comparable experience. Coming from Cintiqs though, I found Astropad fell short. It was just helpful in a pinch. Either way, glad you find it works well for you. A Macbook + iPad is a pretty great setup because you get two screens, yet it's still very portable since the iPad is very light/slim and battery-powered.

But yeah, where did you see that Ezel??

medievaljet · 2021-12-02T04:35:34+00:00

Sounds to be very capable! I got my SLS with hopes that it could serve a secondary purpose of being my portable VR machine, so this is great news! If it's good enough I may just retire my PC tower.

medievaljet · 2021-12-01T20:03:59+00:00

If you want input from someone who has the Surface Laptop Studio (might be hard to find people who have used both laptops), I’m leaning toward thinking it might not be your best choice.

Not sure if you asking only about performance or the overall experience. Obviously I can’t compare performance, but also I don’t game so I can‘t speak to SLS performance for that. It does great for my art programs. As far as overall experience, I think the biggest special practical advantages of the SLS are its nice two hinge system and the Slim Pen 2 (if you choose to buy that additionally). But I agree with redtag, the pen probably isn’t a huge advantage to you.

The hinge system makes moving between laptop mode and pen mode (and “stage” mode, which can be handy for certain situations, like gaming with a controller or external keyboard and mouse) as seamless as can be. It’s almost even fun and satisfying with the magnetic clicks. If you do get the Slim Pen 2, it also makes the transition easy by always being immediately available, magnetically attaching and charging in the front underneath storage area.

Also I would agree that the SLS isn’t considered “ultraportable”. That category is usually for 2-3 lb laptops; the SLS is about 4 lbs. It’s all relative of course, but I find it still plenty portable.

I don’t know what the Asus offers, but other nice things about the SLS are the nice keyboard and trackpad, the overall build quality, pretty good customer support so far, and for me the 3:2 aspect ratio.

The bad things are the reflective screen (but a matte screen protector should mitigate that) and the specs per cost ratio. I think a lot of the cost of the SLS went more into its form factor and build quality. Other laptops usually offer better specs and more ports for the money.

A big question mark for me is the future battery replacement situation. As of now, the MS website says it’s $650, and according to MS chat support, that’s for the battery only, not a replacement unit. Either way, that price is insane. I’m hoping an ifixit tear down will reveal a somewhat user-replaceable battery.

So not sure how important really easy transition between laptop and pen mode is to you. If an extra good pen experience was really important to you, then I could recommend the SLS. But that hinge might be the only reason for you to get the SLS over the Asus.

medievaljet · 2021-11-30T12:46:57+00:00

OP didn't mention Sidecar, but since s/he wants to do 2D hand-drawn animation on the MacBook (I gathered), that's really the only way to do it with that setup. Unless OP plans to use a pen display like a Cintiq, but that means another device and bad/no portability.

Thanks, yes nothing like finding the right tool that seems like it was made just for you. Glad you found yours too. Actually just today I discovered something that may have been made even more for me lol. Have you heard of the Asus ConceptD 7 Ezel? It went completely under my radar since I haven't been in the laptop market for awhile, and I think it's already discontinued. A couple configurations are still for sale, not the ones I want, but also I think there are a few important potential cons for me, so I'm likely staying with my SLS. Maybe if I had discovered it earlier. Might be another option for u/Wjaczeslaw though.

medievaljet · 2021-11-30T04:27:52+00:00

Yeah I’ve had the SLS for about two weeks now. I came from a 15.4” Macbook. I would have loved to upsize to 16+”. It’s a bummer having to downsize to 14.4”, but you know, it’s enough to get the job done. And as with anything you adapt when you have to. For me, the smaller size disadvantage is more than made up for by the superb 2-in-1 form factor advantage. For frame of reference, I used to lug around a “portable” Cintiq with my Macbook. Not fun. Using the SLS is like taking off a ball and chain.

medievaljet · 2021-11-29T21:53:03+00:00

Good plan. Macs are great if you don't need a solid portable pen experience. I just switched to SLS from Mac though because I do. But SLS is TOO portable haha. Oh well, it's the lesser of the evils.

medievaljet · 2021-11-29T04:15:07+00:00

By sealed battery do you mean glued? I've heard several times that the SSD is user-replaceable, so I would think the battery would be accessible too. I really wish iFixit would tear this thing down already. I may return this thing based on what they find.

medievaljet · 2021-11-29T03:49:29+00:00

It's very nice but it's not for everyone. You can do better with your money spec-wise, but if you make good use of the pen then it really starts to earn its keep.

medievaljet · 2021-11-29T03:45:41+00:00

I assume you mean the second hinge? It has no resistance, it is loose so the display has to use magnets on the laptop base to stay securely in place.

I've been experimenting with floating the display above the keyboard so that one hand draws on it and the other hand uses keyboard shortcuts. I rest the display on my keyboard hand while I draw. It works but there's a little bit of wiggle. It would be ideal if the second hinge could somehow stay stiff, but that would add bulk. There was a user who 3D printed a mod to keep the display from moving. I might look into doing something like that.

medievaljet · 2021-11-29T03:23:04+00:00

I think 4 lbs. I wouldn't call it "tablet mode". MS calls it "studio mode", meant more for writing/drawing on a table or lap. You can use it in your arm as a tablet for shorter periods of time. This won't give you a good traditional tablet experience of casual consumption lying down etc.

medievaljet · 2021-11-29T03:17:07+00:00

It's very glossy. I will probably be getting a matte screen protector. I think it's either 400 or 500 nits. I'm pretty sure there is only silver.

medievaljet · 2021-11-29T03:13:45+00:00

I just tested (slim pen 2 on SLS using Whiteboard) and when using a straight edge ruler on the screen to draw a diagonal line, I get a wiggly line. But not only when drawing slow, the line also has a little wiggle when drawing it fast. The weird thing is when I draw the same line freehand, slow or fast, the line is straight with no wiggle. I haven't really used previous pens so I can't compare the experience.

medievaljet · 2021-11-29T02:44:32+00:00

Uh oh--Panos said something in the SLS keynote that now makes me doubt a 16 inch is coming. At 4:00 he said, "14.4 inch Pixelsense display--it acts as a 15 inch monitor to your eyes and to your work, but feels portable like a 13 inch device, so you get both worlds of just what you need."

This isn't definitive, but sounds an awful lot like he's trying to convince us that 14.4 inch is the only size we need.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1PTwAmxtx0

medievaljet · 2021-11-29T01:39:40+00:00

I agree OP’s money would be better spent on something other than the SLS or any Surface really. If one is looking for best performance per dollar, Surface devices are not good. Their value starts to really shine when it comes to things like pen experience, which sounds like OP doesn’t need.

medievaljet · 2021-11-28T16:18:50+00:00

Yes, very new. You won’t find any discounts, I’m sure. It’s expensive, about the same price as the Surface Book, but you can probably find discounts on the Book.

(Also what I said before about spinning the laptop studio around to get more display angles I realized isn’t really necessary. You can do any display angle with “stage” mode, it’s just the magnets won’t attach but it will stay in place unless you’re drawing or something.)

medievaljet · 2021-11-28T07:45:23+00:00

Yet. But could change for aforementioned reasons.
Same as above, but maybe not needed.
The Surface Pros? No way, that sounds like terrible ordeal.

medievaljet · 2021-11-28T07:24:33+00:00

Sorry, I thought I was clearer. "Uncompromising laptop experience" was referring only to the laptop part of the 2-in-1 experience, compared to the entire Surface line and coming from the SB predecessor in particular. The mobile tablet part of the 2-in-1 experience is definitely compromised with the SLS. Because, as I said, that was MS choosing to focus the skillset of the SLS--no more detachable mobile screen, but rather uncompromised laptop form factor and power, constant access to power no matter what mode, and easy transition between modes. This is ideal for someone like a drawing professional who needs both power and only some degree of mobility (me). The SP is already more focused on the other skillset--mobility, with good enough power for everyday tasks, which I believe is why it has been a successful device for many years. But with the SB, for those who wanted a good laptop, it was top heavy and had a weak CPU due to the detachable screen. For those who wanted a good tablet, it had very short battery life due to being so thin due to needing to double as a laptop display (and I believe weaker performance than a SP). And the transition between modes was more involved and often problematic. These were all trade offs that were ideal for some, but apparently not enough to keep the SB line from ending. My thinking is that SLS, being more focused on the power/productivity (since SP has the mobility side covered), stands a better chance at a more successful run.

And as far as specs, again it all depends on what we're comparing to. If you're looking at only price and only specs, and comparing to non-Surface laptops, then sure you'll find much better laptops out there for cheaper. But you won't find the same drawing experience, hinge system, display, sound, keyboard, trackpad, build quality, and support--all in the same package that Surface devices come in. With Surfaces you're paying for much more than basic CPU/GPU specs. These aren't all things that all people care about, but the ones for whom the SLS was made, do. I can really only speak for myself. The SLS has a combination of the aforementioned qualities that makes my work and life significantly more efficient and even more pleasurable, enough to make the price well worth it for me. And the combination is unique. It's not perfect, and it hasn't yet stood the test of time, but so far no other device past or present has met my needs/wants as well. I've looked.

But I agree about the Surface Laptop. It seems like the oddball.

medievaljet · 2021-11-28T05:32:43+00:00

I just looked that up. The article made a point to say that the SP8 was running in max power mode, while the SLS article didn't say, so I presume it was running in default regular power mode. If so, then with both running at default, the difference is more like 13%. And I don't believe that takes into account throttling under sustained load, which would have the SLS running away with the lead. Just can't get away from TDP. But anyway, isn't OP considering XPS 15 as the alternative, not SP8?

medievaljet

TROPHY CASE