🧑‍🤝‍🧑 / 🏡 Was finally able to order a new phone

[sean]

I've had the iPhone 13 Pro Max since it was released 4 years ago (well, couple days after). I never upgrade to the very next thing/model, I always wait a few turns. So this time I decided to get the 17. I didn't order it on release day as I knew it would be close to impossible to secure one unless I was online waiting the second it was available. But I'm not like that and don't need it ON release day. So I waited. But I didn't think I'd really have to wait this long. When I got the 13, I went online, did the upgrade, then went to the Verizon store after work and picked it up. No worries. But the 17 was a bit tougher to get.

My best friend got one on release day (he waited in line up at The Summit at the Apple Store for about 30 minutes). He hasn't had a phone for quite a while (like...several years), so he was definitely due for a new one. He got the blaze orange ( ). I'm not about to let anything orange into my house, so I opted for the silver (the only other color is blue...also a "nope" from me). And I wanted the 2TB version.

I checked every other day...nada. Nothing through Verizon and nothing at the Apple Store. Until today. I logged onto Verizon and checked, and they had the one I wanted, and ONLY that one, in stock. Lucky me! So I placed my order, and it should be here tomorrow. I also ordered a new case and screen protector for it; which they should be here tomorrow, as well.

So hopefully tomorrow I'll have my new phone and new case and screen protector. Then I get to restore it from my i cloud backup and send the old one back (got a little bit of a credit for it).

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I upgrade iphones every 3 years or so, which about the time the battery turns to shit. I have another year or so to go with my current one. I did finally upgrade my laptop the other day and got a new Macbook Air. I'm pretty excited about that... I sorta needed a new one since my old one was from 2010... though I haven't used it since 2018 'ish or so. Been using a shitty Surface Pro 6 since then (or my phone) most of the time. I'm probably gonna wait until Christmas to use the new Macbook though if I can hold off.... it's just sitting on the dining room table all boxed up right now... staring at me.

 

[Bamabww]

I'm probably gonna wait until Christmas to use the new Macbook

You have a lot more patience, endurance, whatever, than I have.....

 

[TerryP]

My opinion starts here.

If you are in video or audio there's a reason to have an Apple product. If you aren't in either industry, it's a waste of money.

And just for the hell of it, I think you're supporters of the CCP.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I got a 14 plus two years ago, still like it fine. I went with an otterbox cover which made it just a little bit unwieldy for some pockets, but I've gotten used to it since I retired and turned in my work phone. Before the 14, I never had a personal phone, just did everything on the work phone. The biggest difference between mine and my wife's newer version is her ability to edit out people and objects in photos. My plan is to buy the highest memory prior model, so absent breakdown/loss I'll probably get a 17 when the 18's come out.

I bought a laptop ahead of retirement, still do a good bit with it, but I can see where those who do things exclusively from a phone would want the newest and best.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

My opinion starts here.

If you are in video or audio there's a reason to have an Apple product. If you aren't in either industry, it's a waste of money.

And just for the hell of it, I think you're supporters of the CCP.

Do you include phones in this opinion?

 

[TerryP]

Do you include phones in this opinion?

The same things apply. Its price point is too high for a phone unless you need it for those things mentioned.

 

[TerryP]

Do you include phones in this opinion?

Oh, was this in reference to the CCP comment?

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Oh, was this in reference to the CCP comment?

video or audio

 

[It Takes Eleven]

The same things apply. Its price point is too high for a phone unless you need it for those things mentioned.

How much are the new phones? @sean what did the 2TB run?

 

[sean]

I upgrade iphones every 3 years or so, which about the time the battery turns to shit. I have another year or so to go with my current one. I did finally upgrade my laptop the other day and got a new Macbook Air. I'm pretty excited about that... I sorta needed a new one since my old one was from 2010... though I haven't used it since 2018 'ish or so. Been using a shitty Surface Pro 6 since then (or my phone) most of the time. I'm probably gonna wait until Christmas to use the new Macbook though if I can hold off.... it's just sitting on the dining room table all boxed up right now... staring at me.

I need to build my mom a new computer, too. I can't upgrade hers to Win11 because it's a little too old. I have the parts picked out, I just need to get them and install them. Thankfully I don't need every component, so it's not like I'm building an entirely new computer. But I do want to get her a new MOBO that has WiFi so I don't have to use the shitty WiFi dongle that's in it her current one. And I may be able to use her old GPU. The only she uses her PC for is paying bills and watching videos.

 

[sean]

How much are the new phones? @sean what did the 2TB run?

They run $1199. But with trading in my current phone I got almost $300 off. And to be honest, that full price is only $100 more than my current phone. And I got less for my previous trade-in.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I need to build my mom a new computer, too. I can't upgrade hers to Win11 because it's a little too old. I have the parts picked out, I just need to get them and install them. Thankfully I don't need every component, so it's not like I'm building an entirely new computer. But I do want to get her a new MOBO that has WiFi so I don't have to use the shitty WiFi dongle that's in it her current one. And I may be able to use her old GPU. The only she uses her PC for is paying bills and watching videos.

My old desktop has my tax files on it, and I got a notice that the 2025 version won't run on 10. I'm going to update the backup on the desktop, move to the laptop for that stuff, and end my desktop era. We've turned it on twice in the five months since we moved it to the lake, and that was to look for a specific file.

Look at the prices for just a box with Windows 11 and see if it's worth the effort to rebuild/update. The cheapest desktop (no monitor, new, not refurbished) I see at Walmart is $229. That's what I've done with my last two desktops.

Dell 3020 SFF Desktop PC with Intel Core i5 Processor, 16GB Memory, 480SSD Hard Drive, DVD, Wi-Fi and Windows 11 Pro Computer (Monitor Not Included) - Walmart.com

Buy Dell 3020 SFF Desktop PC with Intel Core i5 Processor, 16GB Memory, 480SSD Hard Drive, DVD, Wi-Fi and Windows 11 Pro Computer (Monitor Not Included) at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[TerryP]

How much are the new phones? @sean what did the 2TB run?

I can't speak for everyone here because phone plans are so different. I don't think there's a doubt I-phones are more expensive than their Android competition for the same features. The differences are found in AV. (And in the stores now...but that's a different story.)

My phone is three years old; a little less. I'm just starting to have issues and it's not the phone but the software (blocking messages that aren't blocked.)

In hypothetical numbers on my last phone (which I bought two.)

The monthly bill on air time $10.
The monthly note on the two phones $2.
My bill was $10...they deducted the phone off my air time and kept the air time cost static.

I'm currently on T-Mobile's 55+ plan. The Internet, and two phones, run me less than $125 a month. There's a discount because it's automatic withdrawal and that takes it down to $115 or so...I'd have to look at the bill.

 

[TerryP]

My old desktop has my tax files on it, and I got a notice that the 2025 version won't run on 10. I'm going to update the backup on the desktop, move to the laptop for that stuff, and end my desktop era. We've turned it on twice in the five months since we moved it to the lake, and that was to look for a specific file.

Why haven't you put all of that on a drive and just moved on? Are there pictures there you won't want ... eheheh.

 

[TerryP]

FWIW, NewEgg has had the best customer service with me for computers, for years. Even their refurbished stuff.

The new laptop I bought last week was one of their refurbished that carries a longer warranty than the new one off the shelf. A few years ago I had a problem with one that was outside the warranty and they just sent me a replacement.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Why haven't you put all of that on a drive and just moved on? Are there pictures there you won't want ... eheheh.

Just haven't done it yet. Nothing on it untoward, just everything I've amassed personal wise, including a ton of old photos. It's landed on my wife's desk in the bedroom, and she wants a laptop, so it'll be a winter rainy day project.

 

[sean]

My old desktop has my tax files on it, and I got a notice that the 2025 version won't run on 10. I'm going to update the backup on the desktop, move to the laptop for that stuff, and end my desktop era. We've turned it on twice in the five months since we moved it to the lake, and that was to look for a specific file.

Look at the prices for just a box with Windows 11 and see if it's worth the effort to rebuild/update. The cheapest desktop (no monitor, new, not refurbished) I see at Walmart is $229. That's what I've done with my last two desktops.

Dell 3020 SFF Desktop PC with Intel Core i5 Processor, 16GB Memory, 480SSD Hard Drive, DVD, Wi-Fi and Windows 11 Pro Computer (Monitor Not Included) - Walmart.com

Buy Dell 3020 SFF Desktop PC with Intel Core i5 Processor, 16GB Memory, 480SSD Hard Drive, DVD, Wi-Fi and Windows 11 Pro Computer (Monitor Not Included) at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

I MUCH prefer to build than buy pre-built. That way, I know there's no bloatware on it. My very first PC was from Gateway. After that, I've built every other PC I've ever owned.

 

[TerryP]

Just haven't done it yet. Nothing on it untoward, just everything I've amassed personal wise, including a ton of old photos. It's landed on my wife's desk in the bedroom, and she wants a laptop, so it'll be a winter rainy day project.

I know, and knew.

It's another thing I'm anal about. I have my files on drives here and have copies in the box at the bank. Some in a cloud as well.

I'm going to get rid of my desktop fairly soon. I don't know why I haven't. I rarely use it unless I'm in that room and it's usually for background entertainment. There's, literally, nothing of importance on it any longer.

On the anal bit ... I really hate the "feel" of keys on external keyboards now.

 

[TerryP]

I MUCH prefer to build than buy pre-built. That way, I know there's no bloatware on it. My very first PC was from Gateway. After that, I've built every other PC I've ever owned.

Damn. Memories.

I had this gig with Conseco Finance. It was just after 9-11. My job was rebuilding their computer system within the offices...thirty something cubicles all selling mortgage refinances on the phone. I got that gig because I was sitting in a sports bar listening to a guy running his mouth about how he was going to "upgrade" his office.

I knew the guy. Knew him, in the sense of we're both at the bar and I bought shots for a half of a dozen people and the other five did the same. I told him his idea was stupid.

I made good money from that gig and saved him a lot...but I digress here.

I've built more than fifty computers in my life...never for me. That's weird. And, I've never thought about it until this morning.