WC 1M Post Challenge - You Ready?!

[Laura Knotek]

So I did a soft reset last night on the Flex 14. I'll see how that works out. I didn't like the preinstalled software on the flash drive so I formatted the whole bit.

I always do that clean install whenever I get a new PC since I have no use for all that bloatware either.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Some pictures from the hike yesterday.
In the second picture to the left is San Gorgonio and right is San Jacinto, the two peaks I hiked last year.View attachment 142348View attachment 142349

Those pictures are beautiful! I especially love the first one. What did you shoot it on?

 

[Laura Knotek]

Last batch of pictures.
View attachment 142356View attachment 142357View attachment 142358

Wow! That first picture would make a beautiful wallpaper.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I stepped outside my comfort zone a little again this week. I had already purchased the latest victim prior to my Hummer hijacking a week’s pay so I wasn’t too dismayed. I had read some of the reviews for the Samsung Galaxy Book2 and it didn’t make much sense because the impressions were all over the place. This is usually my first clue that the reviewers are not being objective and are wanting the review subject to be something it’s not.


First impression, the screen is unlike any other Windows 2-in-1. This is the one area where all the reviews were in unison and for a reason. The main reason I even considered this tablet was LTE, end of story. I flirted with the idea of a Surface Go 2 but I couldn’t get past the display size. I knew it would be an issue so I discarded the idea. I had the original Go and it was nice and all but an additional 1/2” of display on the new one was trivial.


Now for the elephant in the room. The Snapdragon 850 is NOT as crippled as the reviews suggest. Bear in mind that I don’t, and never have, keep 10-12 tabs open all at once while running Spotify and YouTube in the background. My needs are spartan in a way and Store apps are more than enough. I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to get full Office onboard since S Mode doesn’t run executables or .msi files. Well it does. At least the Microsoft variety anyway. I was even able to install the 32-bit version of Windows Journal. There is no note-taking app I’ve ever had that comes close.


As I mentioned, LTE was critical and I can say mission accomplished. Instant on is everything it’s cracked up to be and I’m hoping lag doesn’t eventually creep in. This AMOLED screen is tough to put down. For now I can say “iPad what?”.


Setup took about 2 hours including Windows updates and Store updates. During this time the battery barely moved. I was happy to say the least. The pen is a major surprise in that Samsung has stuck with Wacom EMR so the pen from my ancient Motion Computing slate works too. Yay, no more hunting down AAAA batteries!!! As I put this rig through the wringer some more I’ll update.

That's great! Please do a mini review once you've had a chance to use it more.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

It's funny because there are a couple stray cats who hang out near the dog shelter where I volunteer. They're trying to catch the cats so the vet can neuter / spay them and send them to a shelter that takes cats. Most have been caught, but the two are very elusive. However, they love to antagonise the dogs. The dogs typically ignore the cats, even when the cats arch their backs and hiss at the dogs.

As a certified cat lady, my sister has rescued quite a few felines right off the street in her day, including the ones she had - a mom with three kittens at the time. If you don't know how to do it right, it usually ends up in disaster.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I always do that clean install whenever I get a new PC since I have no use for all that bloatware either.

That's the first thing I did. I just think in mid March it took a bad update and I didn't have a flash drive on hand to be super aggressive and roll it back. So I'm hopeful this soft reset and update to a hot fix will work. Otherwise it's a full wipe and backup.

 

[Laura Knotek]

That's the first thing I did. I just think in mid March it took a bad update and I didn't have a flash drive on hand to be super aggressive and roll it back. So I'm hopeful this soft reset and update to a hot fix will work. Otherwise it's a full wipe and backup.

Ugh. I hope it didn't get that update again. I hope that does solve the problem for you.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Wow! That first picture would make a beautiful wallpaper.

As much as I like to rag on them, both Rue and 99 have good eyes for landscape photography. They usually pick some nice base shots you can tweak for solid wallpapers.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Ugh. I hope it didn't get that update again. I hope that does solve the problem for you.

So far it doesn't look like it. Think the last round of updates may have solved the problem. Plus it isn't nagging me to take these generic Intel drivers. But, give me a week.

 

[Laura Knotek]

As a certified cat lady, my sister has rescued quite a few felines right off the street in her day, including the ones she had - a mom with three kittens at the time. If you don't know how to do it right, it usually ends up in disaster.

A former coworker found an abandoned newborn kitten near the warehouse dock. She called a vet and took in the kitten. I had never seen a kitten that tiny. My coworker nursed the kitten with a tiny bottle and kitten formula. He survived and thrived, ending up to be a big healthy adult cat. Of course she kept him after saving him.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Now that I have the NM card, I'm super tempted to get that Mate 20 RS. Likely won't happen, but the temptation is there.

 

[worldspy99]

Those pictures are beautiful! I especially love the first one. What did you shoot it on?

S20 is the current phone.

 

[fatclue_98]

Nice work. I was going to ask about the Surface X as an option, but somehow this seems a bit better fix. (no wonder you ain't had room for an HD2...)

Keep us posted.

That HD2 is still on the radar. Regarding the X, that may be an option as prices fall and I get a better sense of the Snapdragons. But the display better bring it if MS wants my paper.

 

[Laura Knotek]

As much as I like to rag on them, both Rue and 99 have good eyes for landscape photography. They usually pick some nice base shots you can tweak for solid wallpapers.

They are both very talented in landscape photography. You take nice urban landscape photos.

Landscape photography is not my best type. I am better at portrait and candid photography.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

That HD2 is still on the radar. Regarding the X, that may be an option as prices fall and I get a better sense of the Snapdragons. But the display better bring it if MS wants my paper.

Well, if you cannot find one, you know where mine is. It would include phone, spare battery and back cover. I'd only move it to a good home and at cost, both would fit you.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

They are both very talented in landscape photography. You take nice urban landscape photos.

Landscape photography is not my best type. I am better at portrait and candid photography.

I'm still a work in progress there. Can only shoot decent urban landscape.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Went out to get some food from my favorite Mediterranean restaurant to show some support. Here are two random shots I took in that neighborhood. No edits. 3XL.

 

[libra89]

So I've got mixed feelings about Quibi. This shows how short people's attention span have become. On the other hand it's nice to see all these different avenues for actors to ply their trade. Anna Kendrick does have this endearing quality to her that I like so far.

Maybe Libra will watch "Dummy" and give us a review? I won't spoil the concept, but I think it's interesting.

I keep seeing that (Quibi) and it looks like a subscription. I can't, I already have a few that need to go (one will soon).

 

[fatclue_98]

I'm still a work in progress there. Can only shoot decent urban landscape.

Hunter is only an hour and a half drive up from the 212. Or 718.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Hunter is only an hour and a half drive up from the 212. Or 718.

Agreed. It's very easy for me to get to. I'd go to New School for their visual arts program instead though, to be honest.