Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by maximR

16GB Macbook Air vs 8GB Macbook Pro

maximR — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 11:24:12 +0800

My mid-2013 MBA, which I have used for close to 8 years, is near the end of its life. It had served me well as a student in the mathematical sciences -- (rudimentary) numerical simulation, programming, scientific document preparation, basic graphics and video editing. The battery now requires constant charging, one of its USB ports is busted, and there are frequent driver issues with different external devices. I am planning on getting a replacement, with the M1 models being my pick.

The 16GB MBA costs almost the same as the entry level 8GB MBP. The former will have only 7 cores of GPU, and the latter 8. Both have the same storage, but the latter will have a fan.

How does a fanless 16GB MBA compare with an 8GB MBP? Going forwards I might need to use it for more extensive research work (and some 3D graphics simulation), and I don't think I'd be able to replace it in the near future. This purchase will definitely cost me a lot of money, which explains why I'm deliberating so much.

When is Jumaat Keliwon?

maximR — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 23:33:18 +0800

I've heard of this term for a long time without knowing what it meant, but today I finally searched and found out that it's a sacred night of the month for people of Javanese descent.

But which Friday does it occur in our standard calendar?

Senior with nonsenior citizen as vaccine dependent

maximR — Tue, 18 May 2021 13:42:48 +0800

I registered my father (he's 65+) a week after they opened the registration on MySejahtera. But without me knowing he put my mum as his dependent (they wanted to go get their jabs together), but she's not in the senior citizen category.

Now his friends who are the same age as him are getting their calls and shots, while his is still "processing".

Could it be due to him registering my mum as his dependent?

Looking for an old video of life in KL

maximR — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 19:49:27 +0800

A while ago somebody on /k shared a YouTube video of a home recorded tape set in the 80s (or 90s?) by a Caucasian family. I think the family is American. The video is quite long, and shows the family's home, and a drive around the city (I'm pretty sure it's in KL) by the wife. I could be wrong about KL, but it should be near the city.

I can't seem to find the video now. I've tried searching, but failed to get the exact video. Was it taken down? Trying to see if somebody knows.

Unifi Air -- has there been improvements?

maximR — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 23:06:32 +0800

A few years ago, if I'm not mistaken, the consensus was that Unifi Air is unstable, and you're better off with Streamyx.

I'm subscribed to the highest grade Streamyx plan that's available, 8Mbps. But recently after the reduction in price there'd been a severe reduction in quality. A few days ago when a technician visited we found out that our 8Mbps port was secretly given to another user, and ours was downgraded to 1Mbps. He "fixed" it, but now the speed has reduced to around 2Mbps once more.

The Unifi Air plan requires signing a contract. Is it worth switching from Streamyx to Unifi Air?

USB-HDMI adapter for Mac laptop

maximR — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 12:37:09 +0800

I have a Macbook Air, and I would like to connect it to my TV to watch movies. Unfortunately there is no HDMI port on my laptop. Can anybody recommend a reliable adapter, which also would not cause too much of a hassle with compatibility issues? I tried searching on Lazada and some require installation of software using CDs. Most are also USB-C adapters, but my older laptop only has larger USB 3 ports. Also, I wouldn't want to get one which would stop working after a few weeks.

Thanks!

Severe issues with internet (Streamyx)

maximR — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 22:27:23 +0800

Images one load, videos won't play. Poor download speeds.

What is going on?! How to do uni online quizzes and exams?!

Unable to use TnG E-Wallet on Lazada

maximR — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 23:07:15 +0800

The e-wallet payment option is greyed out for now. What is the problem?

Notebook with blank sheets

maximR — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 21:30:18 +0800

I'm looking for a notebook with blank (unlined) pages. I use it to do mathematics mainly. So far I've only found the type in the pic, which does not have too many pages, and also does not stand regular use (cover falls off pretty quickly). A4 size or something slightly bigger or smaller would do, but not too small (the usual diary size). Anybody has a clue on where to get something like that?

Umapagan is back to reviewing movies

maximR — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:05:05 +0800

Example podcast: https://goggler.my/the-goggler-podcast-episode-1-bonus/

Hiss and crackling sound, earphones on Mi8

maximR — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 00:01:21 +0800

All the in-ear earphones I've used with my Mi8 have this background "crackling" sound when I'm listening to audio. It's more obvious if the music is softer with fewer instruments in the background. For example, if the beginning of a song is instrumentless, then I can hear this krr-krr-krr sound, like very soft rattle-snake sound? At first I thought it had to do with the impedance of my earphones, but I've tried very high impedance earphones and still can hear the sound. My brother uses Mi8 and the problem is also present in his, so it's not something isolated. What to do?

Welder's glass, shade no. 14

maximR — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 18:37:27 +0800

This is related to a previous thread I opened about safely viewing the sun. After some research I realise that the glass welders use to shield their eyes during welding can be used to look at the sun, but it has to be shade no. 14. I looked around in my local hardware stores, and they only have shade 10 without ISO certification. Any welders here know if there are different grade levels in Malaysia?

Where to get solar eclipse glasses?

maximR — Sun, 22 Dec 2019 16:43:45 +0800

I'm looking for a pair of glasses (ISO 12312-2) that will prevent me from going blind when I look at the sun. Do normal hardware stores sell it?

> More affordable replacement for SoundMagic E80?

maximR — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 00:00:34 +0800

I bought a pair of SoundMagic E80 earphones in the middle of 2017. It was superb for my standards, and I found it to be very durable. But quite recently the external sheath that protects the wires inside starting falling off piece by piece, and now the earphones no longer work as they should.

Can anybody recommend an alternative to the E80? Hopefully at a lower price point; I bought it at RM260, and I wonder if there are newer earphones since 2017 which are of better quality and at a lower price.

More affordable replacement for SoundMagic E80?

maximR — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:36:47 +0800

Replacing torn insole of a pair of Skechers?

maximR — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 14:42:49 +0800

As you can see, my right shoe's insole is quite badly damaged from extensive walking at my university campus. I thought I could easily replace it, but the insole is glued to the shoe, and not removable.

What do you guys think? Is there a way to salvage it?

Really bad water odor in Sepang

maximR — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 22:42:07 +0800

The water stinks of acetone smell. Anyone facing the same issue? I thought they've cleaned up?

MP Teresa worried about action against 4 companies

maximR — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 23:43:31 +0800

“From our records, the four named Malaysian companies are among the most respected oil palm cultivators.

“Those familiar with the industry will vouch for the fact that an act of open burning such as the current accusations would result in the cessation of their certification status not only in Indonesia but throughout their operations including in Malaysia.

"Such actions would be rather counterproductive to their business status,” she said.

clickity-click

Finally Indonesia's own images show haze

maximR — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 17:46:46 +0800

Minister Siti: Malaysian company involved

maximR — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 12:42:11 +0800

Sebagian besar saham PT Adei, kata Siti, dimiliki oleh Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) yang berpusat di Malaysia.

Minta Menteri Malaysia Objektif

"Data itu yang saya jelaskan. Saya minta supaya obyektif. Kalau yang dibahas data yang hari ini ya tentu lain dong situasinya. Makanya harus sekuensial dong melihat dan mengolah data," ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Gubernur Sumatera Selatan Herman Deru menyebut salah satu faktor kualitas udara memburuk di wilayahnya adalah akibat kiriman asap dari Serawak, Malaysia.

"Malaysia sumbang [kabut asap] itu, di Serawak itu. Sampai ibu KLHK marah-marah," ujar Herman, Kamis (12/9).

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