u/Avarria587

I asked on here about a week or so ago about my dilemma choosing between the MacBook Air and Thinkpad. I got many helpful responses.

I finally decided on the MacBook Air M5 15". It's easily the nicest laptop I've used. I was initially interested in it since it had a nice aluminum frame and I wanted to try MacOS. I didn't expect how nice the charging cable would be and how small the charger is. Compared to the power bricks I am used to, it looks like a phone charger. I was very impressed.

I still have a ton to learn, but it's not as bad as I expected it to be. I learn a bit more each day. Some of the minor nice things like a pseudo ring light on the photo mode were pretty neat.

I have other things positive things to say, but I just wanted to thanks to those that took the time to answer my questions.

I currently have a fantastic ENT/Otologist, but I am moving. I would rather not have to fly 600 miles to see him if I can avoid it.

I have complex ear issues including permanent perforations, non-fuctional eustacian tubes, hearing aids, balance problems, etc. The works.

I need a good otologist to take over my care. I am fine traveling anywhere in Chicago or the surrounding area. I just some really good doctors that I can research more on.

Any suggestions?

I am listing my house for sale next week. I am moving from TN to IL.

How far ahead should I apply? I had considered 3 months ahead (August). Is that too early? Perhaps I should wait until it's 1 month before I am expected to arrive (aka the day I get an offer)?

How is the job market in Chicago right now? I am concerned about finding work. A friend of mine is struggling to find work in San Francisco, which worries me.

I am trying to juggle many things right now, but my main concern is finding work in a new area and how to navigate that. I've never applied for work out-of-state before.

I've used Windows for about 30 years now. Given how Windows has gone downhill, I switched my desktop PC to Fedora KDE Plasma Linux.

I recently tried getting a Windows-based gaming laptop against my better judgment. It was a bit of a disaster. It was a Lenovo Legion 5a and, to make a long story short, I was not impressed. It didn't have the same quality as I grew to expect from their Thinkpads. I returned it.

I am looking for a MacBooks now. I already own an iPhone and I hear they work well together. I am mostly looking for something to use when I am at the airport, at my hotel, on a long train ride, or sitting in a cafe. Or maybe just watching dumb videos while sitting on the couch. I don't do any actual work on my laptops except maybe word processing.

I do game some, but I have a high-end desktop for AAA games. I mostly want a laptop that can play cozy games like Stardew Valley, city builders like Civilization, war crime simulators like Rimworld, etc.

I am basically down to a Thinkpad with Linux or a MacBook at this point.

Would a MacBook fit my needs? If so, which one?

I am primarily a Linux user as Windows has become a mess. I am debating between a Thinkpad T14 with Ubuntu and a Macbook Air. I've never owned an Apple laptop, but I do own an iPhone.

My primary desktop PC is running Linux is a my gaming machine, but I would like to play cozy games like Stardew Valley at times on the go. I recently tried getting a Lenovo Legion 5e. It was a bit of a disaster as the product was defective and Lenovo's customer service for their consumer-grade laptops sucks.

I've owned Thinkpads in the past and liked them, but my recent experience has soured me a bit on the brand.

I will be mostly using my laptop for web browsing, movies, TV shoes, very light gaming (Stardew Valley, etc.) and doing video conferences.

What are your thoughts?

I recently got a Lenovo Legion 5a (Gen 11).

When I try to play something like Cyberpunk 2077, regardless of settings in the game, the screen tears. When I turn the camera, it stutters slightly, too. It does this whether I use DLSS or not. I get great FPS, especially with DLSS, but it has this issue regardless.

When I try to play something like Stardew Valley, it's even worse. I get an approximately 0.5" tear in the screen and the image movement looks off.

I have zero issues with general use. It's only gaming I have this issue. It occurs immediately when temps are baseline.

How do I fix this? Is something wrong with my GPU, or is it a settings issue? This is my first gaming laptop. Used desktops for decades.

I just got this laptop the other day. It's great so far. I was pleasantly surprised to see it performs almost as well as my desktop. Well, when it's not hot, anyways. I need a cooling pad!

I initially decided on the IETS GT600, but after reading on this subreddit, some people say it's very loud? I like that it apparently cools well and a filter is a huge bonus, but if it sounds like a jet engine...

The Flydigi BS2 Pro initially looked like a huge upgrade, but when I read on their page, it's for laptops 15.6" or larger. Mine is 15.3". Will that even work?

Any advice is appreciated. Never bought a laptop cooler before.

I don't game much anymore, but I do own a gaming desktop and a gaming laptop for those rare times I do game.

I am moving soon and I am really starting to ask if I need both. I don't do actual work on my PCs. I just browse reddit, watch TV shows, etc.

Do I really still need a desktop? My laptop has a built-in UPS as well, which would allow me to ditch the behemoth UPS I have for the desktop that only lasts a few minutes.

I also own three monitors. All three are different. I am considering just getting a single ultrawide and calling it a day. Thoughts?

EDIT: I am basically considering a more minimalistic setup overall.

I currently live in TN. As a trans woman, it has continued to get worse in the past few years here, so I have started the process of leaving. It just doesn't feel safe anymore.

In my countless hours of Google searches, I've come across many organizations in the Chicago area. Howard Brown Health seems to have all the healthcare part taken care of and I am going to schedule my first appointment next week. I am also looking at Center on Halstad for counseling and (hopefully) a place where I can ask a lot of questions about where to live, good places to find work, etc.

Are there any other organizations I can look into?

I should clarify I did read a lot of good information on this subreddit already, but most seem to be more for younger people. I am not really too worried about the meeting people side of things. I am 39, so my main concerns are work, housing, and healthcare.

I do work in healthcare if that matters at all.

Thank you.

I have a computer being delivered to my home address. I have to work, so I will probably miss the delivery. The company I bought from won't allow any changes to the delivery and won't let me pick it up at an access point.

I called UPS and they claimed they could hold it at the local hub, which is, according to google, the one on Callahan.

However, it seems they're also doing renovations there according to this subreddit.

Can we pick up items from this location, or am I going to have to miss work to get this package?

I am short, so I have to use a standing desk to get the sitting height just right. I don't usually stand very much, but it's a nice feature to have on rare occasions.

From what I've gathered, I should get a 60x30 standing desk to accommodate my 34" ultrawide and my laptop.

One of the main issues I have with standing desks is the weight. I move around a lot and my Uplift v2 Commercial is just too heavy. I will be moving 600 miles in a few months and I really don't want to take it with me. It's overbuilt for my needs.

Are there lighter options that are good quality? Flexispot seems to have the E2, E5, and E7 that are lighter than what I have. I don't stand much, so sitting quality is more in line with what I need.

I can't seem to find anything with a simple crank that's 60x30, but I am open to options.

I’ve had a desktop most of my adult life. I barely game anymore and laptops have improved a lot.

I looked at my desk the other day and started thinking. I have a large case for my PC, three monitors, a speaker system, a ring light that has barely been used, a large condenser mic, a webcam, a mouse, a keyboard, and other items. My desk is also 150 pounds. And my UPS is huge and heavy.

I’ve really started to ask if I need this stuff. A laptop, docking station, one monitor, and my mouse and keyboard would replace all that. I could also take the laptop with me places.

I’ve cut down on stuff in all other aspects of my life. I literally hired movers just to main move my desk.

Thoughts?