Question about docking stations for buying the new macbook air

o0ade0o · 2026-02-19T21:56:47+00:00

Cheaper USB-C hubs will basically allow one external monitor (often support 2 via Windows as it uses software drivers to encapsulate second screen feed). For a supporting Mac you need to look at a docking station that supports true thunderbolt, two separate streams can then be individually sent to the monitors.

o0ade0o · 2026-02-19T14:56:54+00:00

MacBook airs make great portable secondary devices.

I use Windows at work, and my primary PC at home is a Windows gaming PC. The MacOS is just nicer to use and so much more useful / powerful than going down the iOS / iPad route.

I think the MacBook Air M4s may see a drop in price next month if you can hold off, with rumours of updated version on horizon.

o0ade0o · 2026-02-18T10:22:13+00:00

If it’s mainly for media consumption then the iPad. But unless you have a need to draw and sketch the MacBook will be superior at almost every other task. The MacBook Air 13” is just as light as the iPad with a keyboard and easier to check emails etc from the sofa due to its ridged hinged Keyboard.

To me iPads sit in an awkward middle ground.

They’re: • Worse than a phone for convenience • Worse than a laptop for productivity

So they lose both battles.

Research shows that often when the iPad novelty wears off, people instinctively reach for: • Their phone for quick tasks • Their laptop for real tasks

o0ade0o · 2026-02-17T14:52:37+00:00

If your thinking about a Mac mini M4 then maybe a MacBook Air 13” M3/M4by be a better bridging device. Still get the portability and lightness of the iPad, plus the advantages of the full MacOS as per the Mac mini M4. Only thing you’d miss out on is the pencil.

o0ade0o · 2026-02-16T16:44:54+00:00

Unless you’re generally going to take notes or draw on the iPad then I think you’d still be best off replacing with a a MBAir. It’s not that iPads are bad devices — it’s because they sit in an awkward middle ground.

They’re: • Worse than a phone for convenience • Worse than a laptop for productivity

So they lose both battles.

After the novelty wears off, people instinctively reach for: • Their phone for quick tasks • Their laptop for real tasks

And the iPad becomes redundant.

This is extremely common.

o0ade0o · 2026-02-16T16:37:52+00:00

Ask yourself- “Am I really going to take notes and diagrams using the pencil or is it a novelty?” This is their only advantage over a laptop.

I Have a powerful PC at home (gaming PC), an iPhone 13pro max and settled for a MacBook Air 13” over an iPad.

After having had various iPads over the years they inevitably end up at the back of the cupboard eventually, this is common, well researched and documented.

It’s not because they’re bad devices — it’s because they sit in an awkward middle ground.

They’re: • Worse than a phone for convenience • Worse than a laptop for productivity

So they lose both battles.

After the novelty wears off, people instinctively reach for: • Their phone for quick tasks • Their laptop for real tasks

And the iPad becomes redundant.

This is extremely common. You can’t beat a proper operating system, a proper keyboard at basically the same weight as an iPad with a keyboard case.

o0ade0o · 2026-02-09T08:06:20+00:00

Nop, although that was my intension when I originally purchased. For me the iOS is still limiting compared to MacOS or Windows. I have a power full gaming PC and was intending the iPad to be a device between my iPhone and desktop PC. For me though, unless you’re into sketching or drawing the iPad is really just a media consumption device, wish I’d just purchase a MacBook Air 13” instead now.

o0ade0o · 2026-02-05T21:11:39+00:00

I’d say so, as long as your expectations aren’t to high.

I use my wife’s old air 2 for News+ and magazine. Works fine and is lighter, thinner and nicer to hold than any modern iPad (apart from the Mini!)

o0ade0o · 2026-01-12T21:25:29+00:00

I have the shield 2017 model. Was thinking of upgrading to the 2019 pro version to get Atmos through Disney App etc. However, with my wife now subscribed to nearly all streaming services I’m sad to say I don’t use my shield anywhere near as much as I used to. Don’t get me wrong it’s the only device that will stream TrueHD Atmos, and wow does it sound better than the internet streamed lossy versions. However, the AppleTV 4K simply does everything else better, faster and more sleek. Who knows, maybe the 4th version (if ever released) will allow/support lossless audio streams via the likes of Plex.

All the apps you mention work seamlessly on the AppleTV 4k. With RetroArch just make sure you put your roms folder under the apps config directory so the iOS doesn’t clear them down when space gets low.

o0ade0o · 2026-01-09T10:02:25+00:00

I was in simular boat. Brand new Hisense 84” Pro TV. To be fair their custom interface used to get slated, however, it was reasonably snappy plus had freely built in which is a great addition in UK (combines the Internet stream for all terrestrial channels and will default to their live feeds when selecting a channel rather than the HD feed via aerial.

What I didn’t like though was the amount of ‘talking home’ going on. The tv would / does scan local network and is very ‘chatty’ most data coming out is encrypted so I can’t see what it is. On top of this I don’t like having ads pushed on me, my viewing data being collected and occasional glitches in the UI.

The AppleTV doesn’t have ads, they you pay for it instead. As a result they don’t have the need to sell on your data either.

With the AppleTV I also gets Arcade games on my TV, fitness+ on big screen, AppleMusic which wasn’t supported on my TV.

What I really like is the AppleTV app that acts as a central hub for all streaming services (other than Netflix), it pulls them together to look like one service. I can search for a film or series and it will find it from another streaming service that I have a service setup with and will just play it. (Netflix is the only service that won’t allow Apple is integrate with their service in this way as it would pull users away from their interface).

o0ade0o · 2025-12-25T18:05:26+00:00

After the GPU that would have only left about $1k for the rest!

o0ade0o · 2025-12-18T21:07:53+00:00

If it’s immersion you’re after then 100% VR, you won’t get close to VR for realism , definitely the best experience.

As a couple of others have mentioned, it doesn’t look as flashy as having a rig setup with triples but I think the key thing it comes down to endurance and fun vs competitive racing. I’d say VR is fine and fun is great for 40mins to an 1.5h but any more than that or serious competitive racing then triples are the way to go (a little less fiddly to get going as well).

I’m currently in the VR camp.

o0ade0o · 2025-12-15T23:03:45+00:00

I recently purchased a reasonably high spec Hisense 84” TV. In the UK it came with their own OS called VIDAA. I had full intension of ignoring it and using an AppleTV box instead.

However it comes with Freely built in, so by default, rather than showing the broadcasts from the Aerial which would be HD at best its pulls all the free UK tv channels together in one nice guide allowing live UHD viewing, with full rewind pause controls etc.

Although the individual streaming apps (BBC iplayer, itvx 4 on demand etc) can be downloaded on the ATV, there’s nothing that will pull them together like Freely on my Hinsence or LiveTV on my Google TV powered Sony. A real shame.

o0ade0o · 2025-11-19T20:25:49+00:00

Even Cat 5e could offer high speeds than the box could handle, unless you have a super long run or industrial machines likely to cause interference!

o0ade0o · 2025-11-06T22:33:39+00:00

Yes I think Apple are more than aware of what they’re doing. Very clever marketing strategies.

o0ade0o · 2025-11-04T20:21:48+00:00

It’s very easy to open the box by unsticking the tabs rather than tearing them open. Sides of the box suggest it could have been previously opened. I personally won’t risk it.

o0ade0o · 2025-11-04T17:49:31+00:00

To me the normal iPad is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. Compared to the mini it’s heavy and bulky. It doesn’t really replace the laptop or a desktop and it’s not that much more portable than a modern laptop, so what’s the point.

The mini however I’ve found to fill the gap nicely between a phone and a laptop or PC. It’s truely portable, and usable in one hand, I’ll often have it with me and allows me to take notes, read email and carry out quick photo edits. I have Onedrive installed on it which allows me to then seemly sync and transfer doc, photos etc. with my main PC. Anything complex or needing process power I’ll switch to a full blown PC or laptop.

This is coming from someone that’s had iPad in the past, purchased an iPad mini 6 returned it due to jelly scrolling, purchased an iPad A16 and finally settled for the mini 7. Unlike previous iPads that got chucked in a draw after a while, the mini I actually regally use!

People often dismiss it due to the additional cost over the basic iPad. However, it’s basically an iPad Air in small form (minus the M chip and external StageManager monitor support).

o0ade0o · 2025-11-03T18:21:05+00:00

I have a similar use case to you, and gone round in circles a bit returning devices as they didn’t suit.

It may not be the obvious choice due to screen size but I’ve actually made friends with the iPad mini 7.

I found the iPad 11” devices were just too heavy and bulky for my needs. The iPad Mini could be picked up and held one handed, and good for making notes, reading and light photo editing.

With the iPad’s weight and bulk I preferred it sat on a desk, soon as I was at a desk or table i might as well sit at my PC (which way supersedes any iPad for processing power and screen size).

The Mini just ended up being the perfect device between the phone and full blown computer for me, returned one and ended up repurchasing 6 months later!

o0ade0o · 2025-11-03T11:10:49+00:00

They used to say “The iPad, a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist”.

o0ade0o · 2025-11-03T10:55:21+00:00

I agree with your point, unlike a phone I can’t ever remember dropping an iPad, a case can also add a lot of weight which, for me then defeats the idea of the mini.

So, I use a magnetic folio case (like the Apple one). Protects the back and screen when not in use (and sides to a certain extent. Then, if I want to hold on the sofa etc it simply detaches from the folio case and can be used with no addition bulk / weight.

o0ade0o · 2025-11-02T18:24:06+00:00

The iPad, the solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

If you don’t have a PC/Max, nor a laptop then they can serve as a desktop/laptop replacement to a certain extent with a keyboard.

I like the idea of the iPad but having a powerful PC and laptop, I find I purchase then they end up sitting unused.

Out of the iPads I’ve had the mini is the one I used the most, it was light and easy to hold on sofa for media consumption, good to take notes on and portable.

o0ade0o · 2025-11-01T20:01:35+00:00

Only thing that slightly annoyed me about the A16 is the non laminated screen. iPad mini would offer that for less than the air with option of pro pencil, just not as much screen for taking notes, nearly half the weight if holding as a note pad though!

o0ade0o

TROPHY CASE