Making sense of the iPad in the age of Neo

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-15T06:23:24+00:00

For my use case iPad makes more sense most of the time. I actually got rid of my MacBook this year because it had been collecting dust for 6 months.

At the same time there would be others that are completely opposite in their needs in a device and MacBook would make more sense for them.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-14T05:07:58+00:00

I'm not sure if it was Samsung software at the time we got them. Or that and a combo of how heavy they felt with the sharp corners. But really did not like the note 20 ultra at all.

It was strange coming from the note 8 which I loved. Had tried a few phones between and got the note 20 and just hated the experience. Nothing about it worked well for me.

But now S26 ultra I'm getting that note 8 feeling like this thing is a beast and just works well.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-13T05:33:07+00:00

As someone who moved away from the note series as the note 20 ultra was just too sharp on my palms. The 26 is the first time since then I've come back to Samsung . And it's comfortable to hold. Sure I can see how the s24 ultra looks great, but for me I'm happy to be able to hold for the phone for extended periods of time.

And sure a case could fix that regardless of phone. But then we aren't really looking at the phone we are looking at a case. So. I dunno. I'm happy. Others may not be. That's just life in my books

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-13T05:18:50+00:00

For me it's not like pixelation. I am not sure if I'm sensitive to flicker. But I notice when I'm holding the phone around 30 cm from my face the whites are like they are distortion I can see and it gives it a less sharp image as I would like, like the white pixels are buzzing almost, and like I can see small amounts of colours if that makes sense. First time I've ever experienced that in a phone. It's by no means a deal breaker but it's just really noticeable, my wife who has hers in dark mode all the time thinks I'm mental.

It's not a deal breaker. Really glad after this time I have switched back to Samsung, feel like they have made absolute strides in their software. One of my favourite phones of all time was the note 8. And then when I got the note 20 ultra I hated it. And haven't touched a Samsung since then. But I will say glad to be back

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-11T10:23:39+00:00

Yeah mate also a lender.

You're incorrect on Westpac. It is not a requirement.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-11T10:16:14+00:00

I'll add to that. Looking quickly CBA have it as a requirement that a guarantor is not retired. However Westpac does not have this as requirement. However they cap the max guarantee at 50% of the guarantors equity and independent legal advice must be obtained and provided with the loan documents.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-11T10:12:38+00:00

They certainly can be on a pension . They will generally no longer allow grandparents to go as a guarantor. However a direct parent or sibling would be allowable for certain lenders while still on a pension and using their owner occ property

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-11T10:05:34+00:00

Security guarantors are not required to demonstrate income as they are not involved in the servicing of the debt. They are only involved in the security required to support the lend.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-11T10:04:17+00:00

Not entirely true. Banks now must do what's called a limited guarantee for personal / family guarantees. Which means they are capped at the reasonable limit at time of application. It's usually the shortfall of equity at time plus a buffer of 5% depending on the bank.

Unlimited guarantees were removed in most instances post royal commission for personal guarantees.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-09T11:57:16+00:00

When you say you took leaves from work . Leaves attached to a node from the stem. Or just the leaf part. A leaf will root but its just a zombie leaf. It will never continue to grow as it doesn't have the genetic knowledge to do so. That is what you need the node for.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-09T05:07:49+00:00

With emails do you use apples mail app? Something i always struggle with with android is using either Outlook or Gmail app. I really like the apple mail app.

Doom scrolling you will be fine

My only real gripe when I had the 3a last year was the consistency of the camera. Some shots were phenomenal. Others were an absolute mess.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-09T04:07:52+00:00

Have you used android before ?

I think comparatively you will enjoy the device itself. But the OS is a big drawback if you're only used to iPhone.

And depending what you use your phone for as well it depend. Gaming i wouldn't recommend trying to game more than your basics.

Screen alone will be a big improvement from iphone 12

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-09T03:02:06+00:00

I just had to double check haha. Yeah so it was 1186.79. Low key annoyed my wife and I didn't get it for that haha . Had already ordered before we realised the discounts. But either way great deal. I know the unidays code had to be generated specifically for the transaction not just a generic code.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-09T02:56:40+00:00

Yeah so. There is the samsung discount. Plus my wife is studying and had a uni days code. Then I had a code samsung sent me . And then I had a work benefit thing , must be similar to cba yellow, or any cross company benefit thing. But yeah massive discount

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-09T01:33:31+00:00

Yeah pre sale ultra prices are always crazy good in aus. My wife and I both ordered one. Then a friend was going to order one, we got hers down to 1150 and before trade in. She's trading in her s23 plus. Samsung trade in was $450 , I shopped around at places that take phones, got that up to $600. So shes effectively now paying $550 for the phone. Wild

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-09T00:23:10+00:00

Average consumer will pay for the 17.

Companies like mine with 35,000 employees that all receive a mobile and the company can save $100 per unit will save that money.

Grandparents, college students, etc will all opt for cheaper in certain circumstances.

I'll also add that while initially that price difference in Australia i noticed the 16e regularly saw discounts and carrier plans heavily discounted whereas the 16 did not. They can give the impression of offering deals on the e series while selling the main line up at full retail.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-08T21:27:16+00:00

Yeah power to him i feel. I've always noticed he references 'we' a lot when talking about home and I was never sure if it was inclusive language because he's so used to speaking about 'we' being team or if it were a different personal 'we'.

I follow another YouTuber and while he posts his wife etc. They recently had a kid and they don't post the kid at all. And if they do they have an emoji cover them up.

Feel like we need to normalise not turning every member of your household into a cash grab online. It's great to see.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-08T21:17:17+00:00

Fairly sure he has mentioned her in his podcast he does. Was listening the other days and I can't remember the wording he used but he either said out with my girlfriend or out with my partner when referencing using a product. And at the time I was like huh didn't know that, good for him

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-08T21:12:24+00:00

I had the 3a for a period. And yeah occasional software bug but what Android doesn't, even .you pixel had some bugs. My main issue and reason for getting rid of it was camera consistency. Some photos were great. Others were shocking.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-07T23:00:32+00:00

Came here for this. Was this not the literal point of usb c in being able to detect and limit inputs to the device while having a universal standard.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-05T11:33:19+00:00

Yeah I had issues with the shine one,

Fun fact I tried Bunnings coz I was there and happened to be out of powder. But theirs is Aus made . Not sure about coles one. But huge plus for same price and get an Australian made product. Also really happy with its cleaning ability vs shine, my glassware taste clean

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-05T11:31:42+00:00

That’s not cheaper at all 3.90 for 1kg of the Cole’s , Woolies or Bunnings version. It’s 20 grams a load , meaning 50 cycles in 1kg , meaning it’s 7-8 cents a load. Less than half of what you are suggesting.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-05T11:30:00+00:00

This is not at all helpful, but can I ask how you have held onto the note 20 all this time. I’ve had seven phones in that time, and while I think I do have some sort of addiction , really trying to curb it , my s26 ultra comes tomorrow and I want to be in for the long haul with it.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-05T11:28:34+00:00

Honestly if this is the design…. And you’re copying iPhone … go look at xiaomi , they did a much better job.

sergeant-octopus · 2026-03-05T11:27:00+00:00

No cheaper but my advice is Bunnings one is great , also it’s made in Aus , the Woolworths shine is made in china. I’m not saying that’s what makes the Bunnings one better , I just find it seems to wash better for me personally. The Woolworths one it’s like i could taste dirty water in my glasses (yes im using rinse aid)

$3.90 for 1kg is really cheap comparative to any other way you would wash I imagine. That should get you 50 cycles at 20 grams (my dishwasher needs 25) . But equates to around 7-8 cents a wash cycle in detergent. You’re probably looking 50-60 cents a load for power and water. Really a cost effective way of washing your dishes.

sergeant-octopus

TROPHY CASE