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Happy April!
For some reason, as far as I'm concerned, March went on for an eternity! (Not that I'm complaining, but I do like the nicer weather better!)
This month (like virtually every other month), I answer a question that I'm asked at least twice a week: "What kind of computer should I buy?"
Also - my experience with an Apple demo, paying for storage, April's Quick Tip and the most popular part of this newsletter - the fun links at the end. All part of my nifty newsletter that hits your inbox the first day of the month, no matter what day of the week (or holiday) it is - all with the goal of streamlining your tech life and making you more knowledgeable and productive.
See you on May Day. Talk soon.
-CC
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Pleasure Before Business! | |
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Before we get in to the newsletter, I did publish a rare mid-month blog post, regarding the demonstration I attended of the Apple Vision Pro at my local Apple Store in SoNo.
Right now, it's nothing that I imagine that I would own, but I don't want to be a spoiler - read about my experience here!
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Are You Planning on Buying a New Computer Soon? | |
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Does your crystal ball tell you that a new computer is in your future?
I get asked (all the time!) about when is the best time to buy a new computer – and I usually give the same answer: Think of it like a car, when it’s time to get a new one, you’ll know. Not exactly rocket science, but I like to think I’m pretty good about suggesting when. But it’s the what that requires me to put on my detective hat and start asking questions.
Now besides the cost of the new computer and any related expenses (for a quick refresher, read my blog post from July 2021), there is the small matter of deciding what model/configuration is best for you. Need more help deciding? Then read here!
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Are You Paying for Storage? | |
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Are you getting charged for storage?
Chances are, you are paying a few shekels every month for storage. If so, it works something like this: You’ve signed in to iCloud, and you start taking a bunch of pictures with your iPhone. Or you turn on iCloud drive and the files on your desktop and your documents folder exceed the measly 5 GB that Apple gives you for free. Not to mention all those text messages that you’ve opted to save forever. The solution? Either slim down the number of pictures, texts, and/or documents or pay extra for more storage.
And it’s not just Apple; Google also has a free-tier (but with 15 GB - 3x the free storage that Apple gives you) and a pay-for-storage level. But in both instances, it’s the total of what’s stored there – documents, photos, email messages. And, to add injury to insult, when you’ve exceeded the limits, you’re stuck – you can’t send/receive emails, your photo uploads stop working, your data doesn’t sync…
But wait – there’s more! Besides Apple and Google, other services that offer a free level and a paid premium tier include Dropbox, Optimum email, OneDrive, Adobe Creative Suite, and a bunch of ones you’ve never heard of.
Need to know how to handle things? Check out how much of the storage you’re actually using in these services. In some cases, you may need more, and in others, you’re paying for service you’re not using, something I see quite often with Dropbox users. Check your credit cards to see what you’re being charged for, and if it’s something you feel is worth the cost, keep on paying. But if it’s not, definitely do something about it.
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Sure, I'm a day late and a dollar short on this one, but World Backup Day was yesterday, March 31. According to the book of knowledge (Wikipedia), World Backup Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually by the backup industry and tech industry all over the world on March 31. It highlights the importance of protecting data and keeping systems and computers secure.
So - are you backing up? Is your data secure? There are lots of ways to do this - employing a a local hard drive, using cloud services (iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox), or signing up for an online service (Carbonite, Backblaze, CrashPlan, etc.) Check out my 2020 blog post here.
And - I'll be discussing backing up in next month's newsletter. Stay tuned!
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Happenings in the Apple and tech world that could possibly impact you!
If you're looking for a standard laptop at a great price, Wal*Mart (yes, Wal*Mart) sells Macs! The good news is that right now, the ubiquitous retailers is selling the M1 version of the MacBook Air for $699! The even better news is that you can order it online, and not have to set foot inside the store. Check it out here!
Once again, lawsuits have hit Apple, and pretty big ones at that from the DOJ, find out the deets here. plus a couple of states (California and New Jersey) have filed class action lawsuits. Find out the sad details in this 9to5 Mac piece.
In more uplifting news, Apple's WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) has been announced for June 10, 2024. I'm no Mark Gurman, but look for a new version of the iOS (18), a new OS (15), along with lots of watch stuff. Plus, word on the street is that new iPads will be announced before then. But you'll read two of my newsletters before the WWDC, so stay tuned here!
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When you know the devil has truly infiltrated your computer... | |
Support your local authors! | | |
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Jim Parakis, one of my clients has just published a book: Fighting for Peace - A Vietnam Era Thriller, set in 1968. It’s the story of a US Navy pilot who falls in love with an anti-war protestor, joins the peace movement, and becomes obsessed with ending the war. It’s built around historical events, so also a chance to learn something about a politically driven war and demonstrations that involved millions of people - now mostly forgotten. Find it on Amazon here.
Meanwhile, two of my other clients, Bruce Kirby and Lester Colodny (both great men with amazing stories, and who have both sadly passed away the past few years) have books on Amazon that I recommend.
The Bruce Kirby Story: From the River to the Sea: Bruce Kirby has earned a significant place in sailing history as a yacht designer, three-time Olympian and honored sportsman who has reshaped the sport of sailing. His story chronicles a remarkable life of adventure, artistry, intrigue, stormy seas, spectacular success, risky business, friendship and family. A life lived in full.
A Funny Thing Happened: A humorous romp through the Golden Age of Hollywood and Broadway by a man who worked with the brightest stars of those years. From working with Mel Brooks, when Mel was just trying to break into show business, to his days writing for The Today Show with a 25-year-old Florence Henderson, to his time with Frank Sinatra, Joan Rivers, Jerry Lewis and more, this book has laughs and smiles to spare.
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What's On The Horizon For Next Month... | |
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For May, I'll be talking about backing up, and all the different scenarios. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the unnecessary!
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Nine Helpful and (Hopefully) Fun Links for April 2024! | | |
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Like what you're seeing here? Learning something new, or simply entertained? Then feel free to forward this newsletter to any of your friends, family members, or coworkers who will get some value out of it. Thank you! | |
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Chris Capelle
Macintosh Computer &
Apple Products Expert
P.O. Box 7512
Wilton, CT 06897
203.451.1377 (cell/text)
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Don't forget to follow me on social media!
(Though I don't really use Twitter, err, X very much...)
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