It’s been a while since I’ve written about my adventures without a MacBook.
TL;DR: I have a MacBook. (Again.)
I Returned the iPad Air 2 ¶
If Mark Gurman is right, the Air 3 should be out in less than a month. No sense having a years-old iPad when the new one is just around the corner.
Back to the Retina MacBook ¶
I’m typing this post on my new Retina MacBook. Why did I get this MacBook again, especially considering that it can’t drive a Thunderbolt Display?
Because of this.
Indeed, the HydraDock is a Kickstarter project that actually came to fruition. Should be shipping at the end of February.
“But wait,” you ask.
“The HydraDock couldn’t possibly allow the USB-C MacBook to transverse connectivity technologies and talk to the Thunderbolt-based Thunderbolt Display.”
This is true.
But what the HydraDock does allow is for the Retina MacBook to talk to the ~5-years-old Apple LED Cinema Display (ACD, hereafter).
And that’s why—as I type this—I’m looking at a NOS 27" Apple Cinema Display sitting on my desk.
Apple LED Cinema Display ¶
Yes, there are still a few around.
And yes, it’s not Retina.
But you know what it is?
It’s a big ol’ screen from Apple. Therefore, it is well made, and it will hold its value. Moreover, it’s the only modern-ish big display from Apple. Yes, I could get a higher resolution display from Dell or LG (I’ve discussed this before), but I don’t want to. If for no other reason, those display just look terrible.
👌🏿
Somewhat fortuitously, I ended up with two ACD’s. One brand new, and one with a single dead pixel that’s completely obvious, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you why. Once Apple releases new MacBook Pro’s with Retina MacBook hardware, I’ll get one of them, and then run both (!) ACD’s. I can see it now: left screen for the browser and code apps, right screen with The West Wing reruns in another browser window.[1] Who cares about a dead pixel? (Of course, the fabled standalone 5K Display that just must be coming—its unveiling will likely make these ACDs `once-and-for-all` obsolete. But until then, I ❤️ them.)
The Future ¶
I’m sure there will be another MacBookless adventure sometime soon. For instance, if/when Apple announces a new MacBook Pro lineup, there will probably be some time in-between announcement and availability. So I’ll likely need some time to sell this MacBook in preparation for the new Pro’s. At that point, I’ll just use an iPad only (again).
Why am I calling it “the browser?” After all:
var toniBrowser == safari("duh")and
var toniBrowser !== chrome("totes")