exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

rubber_jonnie wrote: 11 Nov 2021 10:04 I know my discussions about moving to Apple from Windows proved a little controversial, so I've decided to post a mini first impressions review on my main blog to keep it a bit lower key.

No controversy here, pretty sure now it'll be that machine in that configuration that'll replace my current (2018) touch bar 15" MB Pro. I can afford to do it now but looking back on the last 18 months with an uncertain winter ahead I'm going to wait until the new year, before I pull the trigger.

They are expensive, however, the upfront cost has to be considered in the context of pretty strong resale values, even apple trade-in rates are pretty good. So @ £2.5k a pop I'll be taking the sting out of it with a trade in.

The repair thing is a pain so of late I've tended to go apple care on my work machines. That said I've only had to use it once and once past the script monkeys on the phone they were pretty good at up lift repair and return, all covered under the extended warranty.

My last machine is still going strong after 7 years, although it's been running mint debbie and running it well this last 6 months or so. The great graphics card unpleasantness and touch bar debacle aside, it's not unreasonable to expect 5 trouble free years out of a mac book and even after that it'll still be worth a few quid 2nd hand.

Icky wrote: 16 Nov 2021 19:10

rubber_jonnie wrote: 16 Nov 2021 14:22 Somebody mentioned merch the other day. Well here is my ST remake pen :)
Currently in daily use :)

I still have a few pens spare if anyone wants one but will have to wait until I have moved in to the new house as they are all packed :)

rubber_jonnie wrote: 16 Nov 2021 14:31 I have a mug too. Well, my boss has it, probably still in the box. Long story, thanks Covid :(

Perhaps one day.....

Unfortunately no mugs left @rubber_jonnie

exxos wrote: 16 Nov 2021 14:24 So unfair :cry: :lol:

Why are you crying @exxos you have a Phoenix hat

:lol: :lol: :lol:

~Willie~ wrote: 16 Nov 2021 19:15

rubber_jonnie wrote: 11 Nov 2021 10:04 I know my discussions about moving to Apple from Windows proved a little controversial, so I've decided to post a mini first impressions review on my main blog to keep it a bit lower key.

No controversy here, pretty sure now it'll be that machine in that configuration that'll replace my current (2018) touch bar 15" MB Pro. I can afford to do it now but looking back on the last 18 months with an uncertain winter ahead I'm going to wait until the new year, before I pull the trigger.

They are expensive, however, the upfront cost has to be considered in the context of pretty strong resale values, even apple trade-in rates are pretty good. So @ £2.5k a pop I'll be taking the sting out of it with a trade in.

The repair thing is a pain so of late I've tended to go apple care on my work machines. That said I've only had to use it once and once past the script monkeys on the phone they were pretty good at up lift repair and return, all covered under the extended warranty.

My last machine is still going strong after 7 years, although it's been running mint debbie and running it well this last 6 months or so. The great graphics card unpleasantness and touch bar debacle aside, it's not unreasonable to expect 5 trouble free years out of a mac book and even after that it'll still be worth a few quid 2nd hand.

It's a great machine and perfect for what I want. If it lasts as long as the mid 2012 MBP I've been using as a daily driver, then I'll be happy :)

Something different on the bench today, my Behringer mini mixer that I have been intending to look at for a while now. The L/H output simply doesn't work, and though I can still get output from one of the other sockets, I'd like the main output to work.

Here it is before and after disassembly:


Top of the PCB:


And the underside:


On first inspection, and since I bought it on eBay I've never had it apart, it seems like there are two things obviously not right:

1. There are signs of liquid damage and light corrosion on the bottom of the PCB.
2. There are signs of possible previous rework.

First things first, I have already taken care of item 1 by cleaning with IPA. Are there any failed components due to corrosion? I don't know at this point.

Next I'll have a look at the places that seem to have seen rework. Some just have flux, which I cleaned off with IPA also, but some other areas are showing rather odd looking soldering, so I will clean those areas up and reflow.

I'll then go over all the socket solder points and make sure there are no signs of cracking etc. Given the sockets are held to the case with nuts, and it's all very well held together, I doubt it's a problem, but I'll check anyway.

After that I'll check the caps, as I've heard they can go bad, and there's an awful lot of them. I guess we'll see where that takes me to, and I can make a plan from there.

Nice end to today, I was told I am promoted, effective tomorrow :)

Plus I get a pay rise too, just in time for Christmas:

:girldance: :girldance: :girldance:

Congratulations

That's nice @rubber_jonnie - make sure to get an increase in the hobby budget every month! ;)

Tomswork wrote: 30 Nov 2021 21:35 Congratulations

Thank you 😁

JezC wrote: 30 Nov 2021 21:48 That's nice @rubber_jonnie - make sure to get an increase in the hobby budget every month! ;)

Thanks, and suitable budget increase already negotiated 😁

Well done @rubber_jonnie

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