Hardware

Spenser has an old white MacBook that he uses to tether to his Nikon cameras and take pictures of his astronomy. There's a solar eclipse coming in 2024, and he wants to know if he can use it even though it's over 10 years old now. Leo says it may be better to see if there's a new version of the software used on a newer Mac. Unfortunately, the old version of the software won't work on modern macs because Apple stopped supporting 32-bit applications. So you'd need a newer version of the software.

John recently recycled a 2013 iMac for a client who loves Photoshop. He used a Thunderbolt 2 adapter to display port for a second monitor. But with the latest 5K iMac, he needs a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter so he can use the second monitor. But it doesn't recognize it. What can he do? Leo says that John needs a DVI adapter to keep it digital. Apple suggests starting up in safe mode to see if it works. If it does, there's a driver issue causing the problem. But it may be time to update the monitor. You can get one for under $100. Leo likes the AOC USB monitor.

Dwayne wants to know what we can do to avoid being overly reliant on China to build everything. Leo says that for years, the world, and the US specifically, has looked at China as the manufacturer of the world. But that kind of overreliance can be problematic when relationships become strained like it did when the US started requiring tariffs. Companies like Apple are now looking to move their manufacturing to other countries, even back to the US. Diversity is a good hedge against overreliance.