Issue #4
The Untitled Newsletter Jan 2021
The iPad vs. The Mac
I made a video earlier this month about how I bought a Mac Mini. This wasn't to replace my iPad or even be a computer I used everyday. I bought this to be a server. A computer I can use to store files and run automations from. BUT I am a nerd and was curious to see how this would work for an everyday computer. Before I go any further I want to just say the iPad is still my main computer, this experiment didn't change that. No reason to scream at me and say you are unsubscribing. Yes, this did unfortunately happen when I made that video.
There are some things I do enjoy about the Mac. For one how great it is to let stuff run in the background. For things like file transfers and uploads to YouTube I have to just let my iPad be. Which means I can't use it for work while it's doing those tasks.
It's also a lot easier to recored podcasts on a Mac than an iPad. With the iPad I had to use the Zoom audio recorder to get my local track. With the Mac I can just use Audio Highjack. This is something that I have feeling will get fixed on the iPad.
Then there are apps like Alfred, utilities that can't live on the iPad in its current state. Alfred is a Spotlight replacement that does a lot more than what Spotlight can do. It not only does search but it's a true clipboard manager and text snippet tool, a long with more features.
The iPad though is the perfect computer for me though. One of the things that originally attracted me to the iPad was how limiting it was. You could only have one or two apps on the display. This seriously helped me focus on what I was working on.
I also love the app ecosystem of the iPad. There is so much here and new stuff still coming. I know the M1 Macs can run iOS and iPad apps, but when an app is built for touch it really doesn't work well on the Mac. I tried LumaFusion on my Mac Mini, it was very difficult to interact with. There's also a none insignificant amount of apps that I use with the Apple Pencil and there is no alternative for that on the Mac. Don't forget about Shortcuts, lovely lovely shortcuts.
To sum up, yes the M1 Macs are great, and yes I love my Mac mini, but I do not think it will be replacing the iPad for me anytime soon.
Focus Mode Shortcut
This shortcut has been something I've been relying on a lot lately. I've been struggling to stay focused on my work with all the outside noise of US politics happening.
How this works is it gets the current date and sets 60 minutes, then it turns on Do Not Disturb. If you want the timer to be longer or shorter you can edit it in the shortcut.
Once set it will then start the drippy rain sound from Dark Noise. You can swap out the dark noise action for a music playlist, different noise, or whatever else you want to happen next.
I find 60 minutes a solid amount of time for me to sit down and get some work done. Once the timer is done I answer any messages and then start the shortcut again for another round.
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Weekly Report
This month on The Weekly Report I talked about how I want to push my iPad this year. My desk setup and Mac Mini customizations I have planned. Also I covered my yearly theme and what my north start will be for the year.
You can sign up and listen to The Weekly Report here
This Months Videos
Expanding the Storage on my M1 Mac Mini
The BEST Alternative AirPods Max Case - AirPods Max Shield Case by Waterfield
Building The Ultimate iPad Ergonomic Desk Setup
What’s on my iPad 2021 Part 1 - How to Customize an iPad Home Screen
