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Yeah, I would agree, the product stack is rather convoluted at the moment. I feel like it used to be pretty simple. Now, choosing the right one requires more research than I feel like it should, which used to be one of Apple's strong points over a Windows machine. You would just walk in, see the simple lineup of laptops, and know which was the best for you almost just by looking at them (i.e. Air vs Pro). Even as someone who is literate in computers and hardware, how am I really supposed to know if I need a 10-core or 12-core CPU... On the other hand, I appreciate that this sales model allows you to build one to your perfect desired specification based on your needs and desired budget. To me, the ecosystem remains very simple because I only use a MacBook and iPhone (maybe an iPad in future), so I don't have to deal with that many decisions or a wide mix of products. As far as my next MacBook goes, I will probably get a mid-spec 14" (i.e. 12-core, 16GB, 1TB) which will be plenty.

Agreed. It is really the perfect size. I avoided the 15" models previously because they were jusssttttt too big. And I've always preached that MacBook trackpads are amazing. I haven't felt one comparable on any other laptop. Price is steep for the latest models, I agree. If I decide to trade mine in to Apple for a credit on a new one, I am sure it will only be a few hundred dollars if I am lucky, but I'd rather them take it off my hands than just have it sitting around, only to dig it up when I eventually move in the future. Though, in fairness, $2,000 now gets you a pretty good 13". When I bought mine in 2018, $2,000 got me a quad-core i5, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage. That same price now represents a 13" with 8-core M2, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD. Not bad. I wish they stopped offering the touch bar. I have it, and it was a mistake. Seemed cool at the time but ended up just being a huge gimmick. It doesn't even appear that you can get a 13" without it anymore, which kind of sucks. Interesting you mention iPad. My girlfriend uses one with a pencil for most, if not all, of her day-to-day tasks. She also owns a regular MacBook but uses the iPad for notetaking, reading textbooks, searching and browsing, and a few other things. She doesn't need to use programs like Office or anything more typical of a traditional computer, so it works really well for her. She just ends up giving her laptop to her younger sister to use most of the time. I think, for her, the selling point is the ease of taking nursing school notes and the subsequent ability to organize and categorize them all in the notetaking app she uses. Also, most school textbooks are digital now, so she can side-by-side the textbook app and the notetaking app. Personally, I couldn't get away with it, because I have to use Excel, BI, Dynamics, etc. each day, and having a full, non-iOS-based operating system to work with goes a long way in that regard, obviously. Edit: Went to check what Apple would offer me for my current laptop -

I am excited to get my hands on a new one. I think sometime later this year is when I will retire this one. For right now, it is doing totally fine at handling Chrome tab abuse and Excel, which is basically all I need it for right now. I am also very excited that, since purchasing this one years ago, they've introduced the 14" option. Having previously also owned a 14" Razer Blade, I really think it is a perfect size and was a bit bummed when I began using my 13" MBP. Improved battery life will be appreciated, as I currently need to charge this one often when power using.

Agreed with @johnt on the RAM comment. To add some input - I use a 2018 MacBook Pro 13in w/ 8GB and you would more than likely notice the performance hit when using, say, Lightroom + Chrome at the same time, under the assumption that you keep several tabs open at once (even if not tbh). I don't think there is anything wrong with going the refurbished route. If the option is available and within your price range, try to seek a refurbished Pro. They come with a one year warranty and they can still be covered under AppleCare after the warranty ends if you want to go that route. You are right about the lifespan. Mine has lasted me since then (>5 years now), getting me all the way through college + internships), though it is beginning to show its age. The display is still great and the battery is still in good health, but the hardware itself is becoming dated and you would definitely notice the increase in speed of a newer machine side by side in any real-world comparison.

It's great to hear that you have a plan set in place to achieve a degree and become more qualified to take on other work. Apologies for perhaps not understanding one thing - the salary increase that comes with it. You mentioned a few hundred euro increase in pay. Did you mean per week, pay period, etc.? I think it would definitely pay off to explore other niches and interests during your free time. Also great to hear that you have found stability in your lifestyle as it relates to the people you surround yourself with. Lifestyle creep is a real thing and can definitely result in unhealthy spending habits, ultimately leading to an impact on mental health, financial stability, and so on. Ultimately, if you are content with your job and don't want to move around, that definitely speaks to your level of happiness with what you do in one way or another.

This is honestly quite accurate. Everyone has a threshold that they will operate within if it serves as a means to an end. Of course, not everyone has the luxury of being able to make the decision between multiple opportunities offering various types of environments, conditions, and compensation. I have some friends who are generally pretty miserable during the week because of the expected long hours that their careers require, but they tolerate it because they're young, have the energy to get through it, and are paid handsomely (allowing them to have the fun they want, buy some flashy things, and still save considerably) with the expectation of future growth - another important factor to consider. These people, like many others, work along the lines of the saying 'short-term pain for long-term gain,' in other words, they'll put in the hours, earn their stay, and use the present as an opportunity to build upon their foundational knowledge knowing that what comes next is worthwhile (i.e. their future selves won't have to work such long hours and will be earning considerably more). @Neroon, my question to you is, finances aside (not to make too many assumptions, but it sounds like you are doing ok) do you see yourself progressing professionally? Do you feel like you're hitting a wall? You mentioned you've been in this field for 15 years, how has your compensation for your experience changed over that time? Has your relationship with money changed since entering the field? Have you largely spent it with one company or multiple? @CerealExperimentsLain said it pretty well in mentioning the value of coming home (or signing off if you work remotely) and being able to look back on your day without feelings of disdain, or even worse, the feeling of "I can't believe I have to do it all over again tomorrow." Your mental well-being impacts your ability to perform your job, and if a company that you work for does not care to acknowledge this in the form of ensuring adequate staffing or other factors, the one you are hurting the most is yourself. On the bright side, it sounds like you already have a solid understanding of the type of environment you want to be in. For what it is worth, I am one of the people who are willing to accept a slightly lower compensation than some of my peers in exchange for a great work environment - which is true, I made that decision and live that reality now. And yes, this would obviously change if I wasn't making enough money to sustain myself and the lifestyle I've grown accustomed to. After all, if your chief concern is ensuring you have food to eat and a safe place to sleep each night, your attention should be primarily focused on increasing your income despite your feelings about the workplace. Cover yourself now, and worry about the rest later. But for now, it sounds like you are a step or two, or a few, beyond this concern, and are more concerned with fulfillment and joy in your job. If this is the case, and your current employer is unable to offer this, it might be time to find another opportunity.

If there are no reviews, I would just find a similarly priced and sized 1080p monitor from a reputable brand like Asus, Acer, etc. Assuming they are available where you live, I don't see the reason to go with the unknown when you could get from a better known name and peace of mind. Even if the reputable brand comes at a few dollar premium, I'd say it is worth it.

Yeah shouldn't be a problem.

Ah, in that case then switch it to the most power conserving option and it will perhaps give preference to the iGPU except for when you are gaming or doing something intensive?

I would try one of two things, either: Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options. Change setting to performance when not plugged in. This is assuming you have this issue when not plugged in. and/or Nvidia Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Power management mode > Prefer maximum performance. This should prevent it from trying to switch to the iGPU that is technically more efficient

Fair points. Yeah seems like we are circling a bit here. People have the right to be upset with the market. In my area particular there seems to be a lot of local options for buying secondhand, but I also live in an area not far from New York City, so that probably contributes to it.

Huh, interesting. I've honestly never really minded the weight. I came from a Razer Naga all those years ago so honestly the weight was kind of refreshing. The Naga was made from such light, cheap materials that the G502 felt like a quality improvement on the basis of weight and in-hand feel alone.

As a G502 owner I can second this. I've had one for around the same time if not longer. Super durable. Wheel is in fact loud lol. My friends on FaceTime are always complaining. I'm assuming you know/knew about this, but did you remove the weights that can be accessed from the bottom of the mouse?

I have no problem with people buying high end hardware. If price is no object to someone and they have no problem spending the money to get the performance they want, who am I to tell them not to? I am simply saying most people really don't need as much power as they think to run the games that they want to. Yeah no shit you don't rent a graphics card. There is obviously compromise in not buying the most expensive graphics card that can handle the most demanding games. If I spend most of my time playing games that can be handled by a 3060, my entire PC gaming experience isn't worthless when I have to dial back the heaviest hitting games for that minority of the time. A game can still be enjoyed for what it is without having the highest graphics quality. There is almost always a balance to be reached and obviously every problem cannot be perfectly solved. Asking if something is necessary does not imply that there is a way in which people should enjoy their games, all it poses is the question as to whether having all of the computing power to run things as high as they can go is necessary, which for most, is not the case. I understand the market for graphics cards is absurd. You, nor I, nor anyone else can get performance for what it is supposed to cost. That doesn't mean accessible performance that would comfortably satisfy most gamers can't be had for a realistic price. The used market for graphics cards is plentiful with tons of deals to be had (not speaking on new cards being resold) and if you try hard enough, I am confident one can scout a deal or opportunity to get a new card that offers the performance they are seeking for a price they are comfortable paying. If neither of those options work, then like most people at the moment, waiting is the name of the game and there is not much any of us can really do about it.

Christ, talk about putting words in my mouth, times ten. Obviously if you want to run intensive games at the highest settings then you need high of componentry. Truth is, most people don't crank their games. My argument is not to say that people who want high end hardware do not deserve to exist, that is ridiculous and I don't know how you arrived at this conclusion. I am quite literally saying that most people playing most games for most of their time can get away with hardware that isn't the latest, greatest, or most powerful, and I don't see how that is incorrect at all. Not once did I say that I'm happy with a 3060 costing the MSRP of a 3080. It's stupid, and if you go up and read a few messages above, I made that clear in saying that scalpers suck. And again, I don't know how you arrived at the conclusion that I think high end gamers have no right to exist.

So you are laying out the things you need for... yes, something you ultimately want. Needing things to fulfill something you want is still the pursue of a want, and they are two things that are distinctly different. You literally don't need ray tracing, a feature that is described in print as the "holy grail" of realistic lighting in order to play in the "best visual quality you can." Sure it'd probably be nice to be able to have it switched on, but then again how is ray tracing any different from being able to run an intensive game at ultra settings, which we've already established is obviously a luxury in the realm of PC gaming? We both know we can sit here all afternoon and minutely go back and forth about the individual wants and needs of individual gamers because surely it differs prom person to person, sometimes even quite wildly. But again, going back to what I reiterated in posts above, the vast majority of gamers clearly don't need this and that is very easy to tell based on the recommended hardware specifications of the games that most people are going to spend most of their time playing, which is the whole point.

Ahhhhhhh. Very good point. I guess in that case finding accurate player base data is probably difficult, knowing that most got it through GOG and they aren't publishing figures about it. A quick search yielded me nothing specifically from them in terms of a player count. Can you briefly educate me on what Ray Tracing is?

Yeah, so that's why. At some point, the game is probably just too much and one of these farts and closes. I don't know what settings you're running the game at, but perhaps try slightly lowering some of the demanding settings if you haven't already? Like I said, I experienced similar issues before revising my system.

Yep, you bring up good points. Cyberpunk is admittedly something I have little knowledge or experience with. Based on Steam data alone however, it looks like very few people are actively playing it, meaning that what I've been saying above does still apply here. If you're playing Cyberpunk today, you are apart of a small minority of gamers and one that is getting smaller month after month. Like I said, I don't know much about the game and haven't followed its development closely at all, but if I recall correctly, it's been a rocky road (?).

Ok, so that pretty much rules out overheating issues. Nice. In terms of resource usage, what have you noticed CPU, GPU, and RAM usage to be at during gaming? I still suspect it is probably a matter of being strapped for RAM.

Are any of your components reaching very high temps? My first guess would be a lack of RAM because I used to experience similar crashes on intensive games prior to adding more to my system. Also, when you say the game is crashing at the end of every mission, is this a surefire, clockwork-like thing? As in, you finish each mission and it crashes right after at basically the same exact time like when trying to load in/out specifically?

Yes, and wants can be irrational relative to what someone actually needs. I want a 25,000 square foot house with a 10-car garage filled with opulent luxury cars. And you bet your ass I have no use for all of it. Hyperbolic exaggeration aside, why does someone need the latest greatest when they can play all of their games perfectly fine on less cutting edge hardware? You're right. The little guy does get screwed in the market for new cards in instances like these. I personally approached this from the angle of being able to purchase slightly older, used hardware, which, in my opinion, still shows opportunity for great value to be had, even if it costs more on average than it did in previous years. I apologize for not making this clearer before.