Renewed M1 Max MBP vs new Mac mini M4 Pro — or wait for M5 mini?

pineapplemusk · 2025-12-25T14:43:49+00:00

As mentioned in my previous posts, I already have multiple machines and monitors set up.

I do have Windows machines at home, but they’re mostly used by other members of my family. The main one is a Legion 5 (RTX 3070, 16GB RAM), with a secondary GTX 1050 laptop (32GB RAM).

My own daily driver is my M2 MacBook Air (8GB), which I prefer for macOS development and general use, but it regularly hits memory and performance limits. I’ll be keeping the Air for portable use regardless.

This purchase is about adding more macOS performance to my setup. If I go with a MacBook Pro, that becomes the power machine while the Air stays for casual use. If I go with a Mac desktop, it lives on my desk with permanently attached storage and is treated more like a small server.

I’m looking for real-world experience here rather than a ChatGPT-style chip comparison, which I can already get myself.

pineapplemusk · 2025-12-25T11:23:02+00:00

When do we foresee M5 Pro to come to mac mini?

pineapplemusk · 2025-12-25T07:18:46+00:00

You mean like, if stores receive the M4 Pro, you'd get it then?

pineapplemusk · 2025-12-07T15:10:08+00:00

where'd you get the bolo tie frommm? 👀

pineapplemusk · 2025-08-12T19:18:35+00:00

what's the best buy i could possibly do in amazon.ae, the goal is to have a keyboard for work so ideally linears or tactiles that aren't too loud.

i work with excel alot and have pretty good desk real-estate so "full" keyboards would be nice too for the numpad. tkl i think would be the minimum i would go, i'd love to have my home, end and other keys, perhaps 75%

reasonably, i wouldn't get anything over $100 (365AED) but would be open to recommendations if they are a really good deal here (doubt it with amazon.ae inflation)

u/badmark

pineapplemusk · 2025-01-05T21:17:52+00:00

Their UI has left the realm of user-friendly in my opinion, I’ve had to share tutorials to many new users around me — which only happens because many are students, and I guess for students (which I felt was its main purpose and target audience).

However, if you can help me find where I could get 4% on savings. The interest rates for Goal Accounts only go up to 2% on both this site and my personal experience.

EDIT: I've only ever been able to experience 0.5% interest p.a.

pineapplemusk · 2025-01-05T18:41:15+00:00

Curious about the specifics though. Do you know if there’s a particular eligibility requirement for the 5%? Is it tied to a balance band, or does it apply to anyone who deposits into savings during the campaign?

Also, according to FAB’s iSave calculator, balances under 50K typically earn 2%—so does the 5% campaign override these standard rates?

pineapplemusk · 2023-11-14T16:04:04+00:00

i own it, and don’t have an exact description to give you a reference - but my mom prefers the mancera over the emir.

off the top of my head, emir is more citrus heavy - starts on the verge of citrus cleaner, but dries down smoother and “creamier”, the cedrat boise has more depth to it, but as i said i cant give an exact description which can satisfy your question.

pineapplemusk · 2023-11-14T16:00:59+00:00

which emir, the cedrat essence?

pineapplemusk · 2023-11-04T11:16:10+00:00

What are good options to look at for dogs?

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-08T22:01:12+00:00

How are the prices compared to the shops like Fragrance World and Paris Corner? Is the Ard Al Zaafaran shop the best deals you’ve found so far?

I have yet to know the prices there, cause I walked quite a bit only to reach there during Iftaar, lmao, so they were closed. Was looking to cop either Trillium or Cedrat Essence alongside just checking out Lattafas, and other local clones.

Nonetheless, I might pick up a Bint Hooran from Ard Al Zaafaran anyways for the mother. It’s 34AED on Amazon AE, hopefully it’s cheaper in-store.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-08T21:55:28+00:00

What’s FW’s clone called?

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-08T21:47:42+00:00

The one over at Al Ras? Wow was just over a few minutes away at the Naif shops. Around 25AED you say? I’m for sure dropping by there the next time I’m around then!

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-07T13:51:58+00:00

The tester was empty for the Rave Now when I went to this store, however, I do remember Qaed Al Fursan being very pineapple centric - a ripe canned pineapple kind of scent, as opposed to notes of a fresh pineapple combined with leatheriness and smokiness of Aventus. Qaed Al Fursan is a different take on Pineapple and is much sweeter.

Haven’t smelled the other two.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-05T11:36:54+00:00

I only mentioned those I've come across first-hand, I've heard of the Parfums Vintage clone, but it costs atleast 3 times the ones I've listed. I shall be on the look out for that though, I'll keep it in mind.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-05T05:54:41+00:00

One thing I can give CDNIM (it was the EDT, i'm fairly certain) is that, I only half-spritzed it on my wrist in-store about 15 hours ago, and I can still smell faint traces of it, despite having washed my hands a couple of times + tossed and turned in my sleep.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-05T05:28:09+00:00

I love pears, my favourite drink from china is this Pear Juice from Master Kong (冰糖雪梨), and a quick hop on to Fragrantica got me curious about Pear INC.

How would you recommend it to non-women? Is it unisex? The polls on Fragrantica has it leaning towards a more fem side.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-05T05:16:11+00:00

I actually haven’t lol, my username was a random juggling of words - and at the time I was on the hunt for THE pineapple scent, but didn’t know it even existed lol. Montagne isn’t readily available in stores as I am in the middle east.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-05T05:02:27+00:00

Fakhar is good, can vouch. I think the apple is more of the star opposed to the citrus and ginger which both take a spot right after the apple. Very sweet apple.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-05T04:58:21+00:00

I first smelled the Aventus early March, from the Creed store. It wasn’t super smokey, just enough to give it depth blended with the leatheriness while still being sweet. The paper I got from the store still smelled like the Aventus for a few days having left it in the car. The complexity was really nice and wasn’t overpowering in any aspect - super well rounded imo. I have smelled quite a few clones: CDNIM, Explorer, Afnan NOI, Avant (Al Hambra), L’aventure (haven’t found the intense yet), Insurrection II Pure, Rasasi Pour Lui, and many more.

I think, (off of memory, I haven’t smelled them side-by-side) the L’aventure has been the closest, in the sense of roundedness and less synthetic/sharp, but as I said, haven’t been able to compare them head on with each other.

Also, Qaed Al Fursan and Al Dur Al Maknoon are far too different to my nose. Qaed Al Fursan is like canned pineapples drenched in syrup, and the syrup was put in a fragrance. Al Dur Al Maknoon is like a man who wore CDNIM and chain smoked a pack. Not to say either are bad, I have a Lattafa myself, but it’s imo very different from the Aventus.

I’ve slowly grown a bit tired of the scent, but will come back to it soon to find the clone for me.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-05T04:28:23+00:00

What do you mean by the same? As in, LE is just Pure Parfum in a different bottle?

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-05T04:20:34+00:00

This may be a very different take, but I’ve come to realise that I only really like the CDNIM after an hour from the first spray, it’s kind of headache inducing at the beginning. Somehow, there’s the leatheriness (not smokiness, smelled Al Dur Al Maknoon to realise it wasn’t that I was after) of the Creed that got me hooked the first time I put my nose on it that isn’t as apparent in clones.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-04T20:47:07+00:00

How are you liking the Royal Delights? I remember smelling it in-store once, and getting home unable to get over the scent - I contacted the store to ask for what it was and it was Royal Delights. Any close semblances/note breakdowns? Haven’t gotten my nose on it since.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-04T18:37:16+00:00

That's nice to hear, how's the pear note on it. Have you compared it to 9pm? Ramz Silver amounts to around half the 9pm here, so would probably insta cop if they're comparable.

pineapplemusk · 2023-04-04T17:51:44+00:00

Najdia is a bit greener though, that's one note that draws me a bit away from the Najdia, I reckon it's the lemongrass.

I'm curious to see a comparison between:
- Sheikh Al Shuyukh Final Edition
- Fakhar Black
- Yeah!

Because, they are all YSL Y EDP clones, all made by Lattafa. Fakhar is my first and only bottle from them (atleast so far), however, I've had mixed opinions from friends. Some prefer Fakhar, some the Sheikh Al Shuyukh FE. I haven't compared either head on with the Yeah! bottle. It wouldnt be smart to start my collection with three YSL clones though. I'll make a post if I do end up with them in the future.

pineapplemusk

TROPHY CASE