2026-07-13 19:38:05
Back in February 2026, I documented my work setup based around my trusty M1 Pro Max. In that blogpost, I mentioned that things have changed significantly. For a recap:
One way to approach this review is simply saying, "It's a corporate Dell laptop" and call it a day. However, that would do great injustice to this machine.
For me, it is my workforce; every single dollar I have earned since September 2025 is by using this laptop. Therefore, regardless of how good or how terrible it is, I have a lot of respect and admiration for the Dell 5450.
Specs:
This laptop is no longer sold. You can usually buy it for AUD500 to AUD700. I think that's a fair price for it.
Impressively, it has not slowed down on me and never felt that I required more performance. For my personal computing, I get the most powerful Apple hardware, when for my actual work, a mid-range Dell is sufficient.This puts things into perspective, and from now on, I am unlikely to splurge on high-end Apple hardware (I type this on a MacBook Pro M1).
Since starting work at my current employer over 16 years ago, I have never had the privilege of installing software I desire. All software installed are managed and installed by corporate IT.
Unlike in my personal computing where I have spent countless hours (if not days) trying to find and use the best software for my use case, the lack of choice in my work software stack has actually not been a problem. To be honest, it has been quite freeing, despite the lack of choice appearing like a limitation (ironic, is it not).
Interestingly, because there is no other option, I make the most out of the current software stack, which I have been using for over a decade. I know its limitations and I know its advantages. I have the focus at work that I miss on my personal computing. For example, I moved from Things 3 to Todoist over 3 years ago. I know in my mind that for my use case, Todoist is the better choice. However, every so often, I still visit the Things 3 website to see what's new. By the way Todoist is no longer blocked by corporate IT 😹.
I live in the Microsoft suite of apps for my work, largely in Microsoft Word (60%) and Microsoft Outlook. Lately, work has switched communication to Microsoft Teams, so that's invaluable to me now. Notes are in OneNote and the default browser is Microsoft Edge. Thankfully, we also have Firefox with an ad blocker.
OneNote is pretty good. I even tried to use it for personal notes. Strangely, I couldn't stand it outside of the corporate environment. I found it ugly 🦢.
Copilot is also part of my software stack, and I actually do not mind it. For research, it has been invaluable, not perfect, but a good foundation. I deal with legislation and court cases. It's incredible. I can find relevant information easily. The system breaks down judgments into bullet points. This makes them simple to understand. I can also ask for specific things. For example, I can ask for a list of issues where judges disagreed.
The laptop came with pre-installed with Windows 10. I didn't mind, but eagerly waited the arrival of Windows 11. I knew it was coming because Microsoft was ending Windows 10 support soon, and being good corporate citizens, my employer would upgrade sooner rather than later.
A few months ago, Windows 11 arrived 👏, and I was super excited. Kind of like a child on Christmas Day. However, within the first hour, my excitement was short-lived. Nothing wrong with Windows 11. I had over-hyped it in my mind, and when it arrived, it was just another working day.
The Windows 11 upgrade was completed in the office. The next day, all hell broke loose.
The Windows 11 upgrade was not all roses. My beloved Apple Studio Display stopped working. That made me sad.
Where there's a will, there is a way.
Thank the good Lord for showing me the correct path 🙏
The solution has legs, but has also some compromises:
The most upsetting part was going through the process of finding another monitor, and readers of this blog will know that I have yet to find one.
Thankfully, I found a solution. Its not perfect, but it works. It required the following two items:
My setup now is: the Dell laptop is connected to the Targus Dock via USB C cable. The Targus Dock is connected to the Apple Studio display using the Tunghey HDMI cable. The USB C side is connected to the Apple Studio Display.
Honestly, the Targus Dock is unnecessary. At first, I was simply connecting the Tunghey HDMI cable from the Dell Laptop to the Apple Studio Display. However, this setup does not charge the laptop. Plus, with the limited length of the cable, the fan noise from the Dell laptop was distracting. The Dell laptop fan is always on. That is why, previously, I used a 5m USB C cable to ensure the Dell is put FAAAAAARRRR away in the closet.
The Targus Dock allows me to:
The downsides are:
Perhaps, a Dell monitor is more reliable because the corporate laptop comes with the Dell Monitor app pre-installed, and in the office, we have a Dell 34inch ultrawide monitor (which, to my surprise, I enjoy using). I could buy that (sold on eBay for approx. AUD500) and call it a day. However, my ass is spoilt by the Apple Studio Display. So I live with this setup for now.
The only genuine disappointment with this laptop is that the fan is always on and its loud. Coming from the MacBook M1 Max, I am very sensitive to fan noise because the MacBook was super quiet. As stated above, I go to great lengths to put this laptop as far away from my desk as possible.
This is a 14-inch laptop and I miss the 16-inch display, but if I am being honest, over 98% of the time, the MacBook was used in clamshell mode, and the Dell is no different in that regard.
The build quality is terrible. It's all plastic, all around.
Does it really matter? NO, it's not as nice to hold as the MacBook, but it does the job. That's what matters.
How often am I holding it? Exactly once a week when I need to take it to the office and plug it into the Dell 34 inch ultra wide monitor. Even at work, I put the laptop under the desk to mask out the fan noise. I hate it. I hate it with a passion. Okay, that's probably too strong...
The bottom line is that for a corporate employee working in a not-for-profit sector, which I am, this laptop does the job and it does it well. It is cheap to acquire and cheap to replace. It has no character. I am not emotionally attached to it as I am to my almost 5-year-old 16 inch M1 MacBook Pro.
However, I use a Dell to pay my bills and not the MacBook. That took a long time to get used to. Isn't it ironic? I overthink the tools when the most basic tool will do the job.
Perhaps that is the lesson here. At the end of the day, the best tool for the job is the tool that does the job. Anything more is unnecessary.
Written entirely on the M1 MacBook Pro, using Ghost Editor on Arc Browser.
2026-07-02 19:54:52
Over the years, I have documented some (but not all) of my experiments. Every experiment may not have been a success, but every experiment was exciting at first. It was something new I was doing. It was something out of the ordinary, something out of the daily grind of life.
Most importantly, along the way, I discover things about myself, about my preferences, about my thoughts, and about how all of the above could change depending on the circumstances and my personal situation.
Experiments can also nudge us out of our comfort zones. For example, I was so into the Apple ecosystem that I could never see myself even exploring anything else. However, attempting to explore other options was eye-opening. It was not all roses but there were things I preferred, and there were things I missed.
Life is like that too. Its never truly black and white. There is a mountain of grey in between and usually, in this mountain, one truly finds themselves. Its also a whole lot of fun.
In July 2025, I bought a refurbished iPhone 13 Mini. The idea at the time was that I really missed having a small phone. Honestly, looking back, at the time, I liked the idea of having a small phone but not the practicalities of living with one. Anyway, I essentially moved it to be my night phone so it stayed by my bedside and my actual phone(s) was left in my study. The separation did wonders because I installed a NextDNS profile on the iPhone Mini which basically blocked all non essential sites (e.g. mastodon, reddit, twitter, etc). Its primary job was audiobooks, meditation (headspace and Calm), control smart devices etc. Solved my nighttime doomscrolling problem 😸
A few weeks ago, Apple launched iOS 27 and at the time it hit me, my iPhone 13 Mini's days are numbered. It is unlikely to keep getting future updates and if so, its likely to slow the iPhone further.
iOS 27 was different in the sense that it actually improved the performance of my 13 mini. I am on Developer Beta 2 so not going to say much more other than its performs and lasts longer than it did on iOS 26. To the extent that after a couple of days, I stopped using my iPhone Air and transferred my primary number from the iPhone Air to the 13 Mini. It has been really nice.
The iPhone 13 Mini is not a better iPhone than the iPhone Air. However, I want to experience living with a small phone and I feel like as the months and years go by, this option is going to fade away. Today, no major mobile manufacturer makes a small phone. I still want to experience living with one.
Did I say, it has been really nice. It really has been. I am thinking of expanding this experiment. I want to stop using my Pixel 10 Pro Fold and switch to using the iPad Mini as well.
Apple undoubtedly will release its first foldable. I want to explore the idea of carrying a small phone and a small iPad as my everyday carry.
Most people believe, its always better to pay for experiences rather than material objects. This is the justification for paying for a hot balloon ride or skydiving, etc. For me, the experiments I undertake are my experiences. It is what I prefer.
Anyway, dear reader, I will keep you updated.
2026-06-07 18:57:39
My early impressions were overall positive and today I wanted to document my overall thoughts on the Fitbit Air. In typical MereCivilian style, I will keep this succinct and unfiltered.
Dear reader, from Melbourne, I send positive vibes and wish you a great week ahead!
Written and edited on MacBook Pro 13 M1 Touch, using Ghost Editor on Arc Browser.
2026-05-31 14:06:20
Initially, I was not overly keen on the Fitbit Air, and that's because the thought of wearing something on me all day, every day, was not motivating. That is why I do not wear a smart ring. Context below:
However, I also dislike wearing the Apple Watch or the Pixel Watch to track my sleep and much rather wear a band that is much lighter than either of those devices. Therefore, the only reason I bought the Fitbit Air is to track my sleep and, to some extent, the alarm feature was intriguing. Despite preorders opening on 7 May 2026, I waited til 25 May to get my order in.
I got the black (obsidian) one because Australians did not get the option to order the Special Edition.
Another notable thing is that despite the Fitbit Air selling for USD99 in USA, in Australia its AUD199 (inclusive of 10% sales tax) which is approximately USD145, which is significantly more expensive. I suppose Australians are required to pay the Down Under Tax.
One would think I have spent enough, but I really liked the look of the modern band so I got that one too:
I got the Fitbit Air on Wednesday afternoon, and I am writing this blog post on Sunday afternoon. Therefore, I have 4 solid days of use, and in most of that time, I was not wearing any other wearable (no smartwatches). Battery life is at 55% which means a 7-day battery life is feasible.
Setting up on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold was seamless and straightforward. I suspect the setup would be just as seamless on the iPhone. At the time of writing, the Google Health app does not sync data from the Fitbit Air to Apple Health. When it does that, I'll move the Fitbit Air from the Android phone to the iPhone Air. Side note: I use the Health Sync app on my iPhone to sync Fitbit data from the Google Pixel Watch to Apple Health Kit. Therefore, the same app is now syncing the data from the Fitbit Air to Apple Health Kit until Google comes to the party.
Since I still want to continue wearing smartwatches on my left hand, I set up the Fitbit Air to be worn on my right hand. First thought, I like nothing on my right hand. However, I powered through, and as time went by; I got used to having it on my right hand. I still would prefer not to have it. Therefore, when I move on from wearing the Fitbit Air all day to only wearing it when I sleep, I will wear it on my left hand as it's intended for my use case.
My instinct was correct. Sleeping with the Fitbit Air is significantly more comfortable than the smart watches. Also, not having any light coming from the screen on the wrist is fantastic. After a couple of nights, I am confident that the Fitbit Air will be my sleep tracking device of choice. I have yet to try the alarm feature. I thought I would use it all the time, but I forgot my son wakes me up every single day. Somewhere after midnight, he wanders into our room and just sleeps between my wife and I. It's adorable and so sweet to wake up next to him. He will eventually grow up, and I will miss this.
I like the app. It talks to you in simple English, and I would much rather it tell me about the data than me having to analyze the graphs, etc. Note: I sleep well most nights. I'm not concerned about my sleep quality itself (though it could be better). Instead, my difficulty is in falling asleep, a process that can last from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, or sometimes more. Also, no sleep tracker in its own right can improve my sleep. That comes down to me. I feel like it's important to remind myself of that. All these tracking will not magically improve my health or my life, for that matter.
It came as a surprise, but I actually enjoyed use the Google Health app and will probably keep paying for Google Health Premium largely for Gemini (AI) and the workouts.
Allow me to give you an example. On day 2, for my morning brief, the coach asked me if I was okay with the proposed plan for the day. I said, for the last couple of days, I have had some pain in my left instep leg. Taking this into consideration, it suggested low-impact strength exercises. That suggestion went a step (pun intended) further, suggesting workouts from the Fitbit Premium library which were low-impact and supported the equipment I already had.
This made the entire process so easy. I recall spending a lot of time scrolling through the Apple Fitness library trying to find the right workout, while Google Health Premium so easily surfaces the appropriate workout based on my needs. The Fitbit Premium library comprises content from the Peloton library, which I found to be better than the Apple Fitness workouts. In addition, it has custom workouts where it shows an animated video of the exercises that need to be done.
I was impressed, which I had not expected. It is not all roses, though. First, the app is still super buggy. It crashed a few times starting the workout, but once started, it worked well. I predominantly used it on the Pixel Tablet. Noting, there is no iPad app and no app on Apple TV (which is where I used Apple Fitness the most).
Regarding the accuracy of the data, I am in no position to comment. From my perspective, I hope it is consistent so I can get trends, etc. More importantly, I find the AI within Google Health more useful. I can tell things, and it gives me some options to address my concerns, etc.
Another example: I told Google Health that my knees feel tight and it made some useful suggestions, and the strength exercises it suggested were sitting down or laying down.
I am not a fitness expert, so any advice it gives is useful. To the extent that now I am more willing to ask specific questions relating to the health data it has or questions regarding my health and fitness in general. In my books, it's a win.
Google is an advertising company (by the way, so is Apple and Microsoft) but I made my peace with that a long time ago.
The way I see it, Google Health has told me more about my health data and my fitness in the last week than Apple has told me in over the last decade that it has had my data.
It is pretty cool to see others have created things that support or enhance the Fitbit Air experience.
Like this cool charging stand:
Also, this cool 3D print to use the Fitbit Air with a Casio watch:
This is even cooler, which works with NATO watch straps and does not require a 3D printer:
I'm not planning on returning the Fitbit Air. In fact, I'm keeping it. However, the Google Health app has impressed me more than the Fitbit Air. It is still pretty buggy, but it's got a great foundation and is very useful to me. Interestingly, even if I return the Fitbit Air (which is unlikely), I will continue using the Google Health app. Even in its current state, it can be a hub for all my health data. It has one-way sync from Apple Health (bidirectional is coming) and it syncs with Lose It, my Withings Scale, my Pixel Watch and my Pebble Round watch (via Apple Health). I hope that both Google Health and Apple Health have all my health data, and I can benefit from both these large entities trying to improve their user's health.
Five years ago, my privacy-centric approach would not let me consider using Google Health as my health hub. How times have changed? Yes, my perspective has changed too, but my trust and expectations of Apple have also changed.
I wish you a great week ahead and send positive vibes from Melbourne, Australia.
May the Force be with you!
Blog written entirely on M1 13 inch Macbook Pro, using Ghost editor on Arc Browser.
2026-05-19 18:15:19
What can I say? Despite seeing lots of things that AI can do, I hadn't really found a use for my personal use case. Until today!
I have a Elgato Stream Deck which is connected to my Mac. It works well... most of the time. However, occasionally, the Philip Hue plugin would hang and the only solution would be to quit the Elgato StreamDeck app and relaunch the app. I wanted to program one of the keys on the Elgato StreamDeck itself to quit and relaunch the app.
This sounds simple enough so I decided to use Apple Shortcuts and run the shortcut from the Streamdeck. This partly worked. Partly because, it executed the first part, which is quitting the app but did not relaunch it. This greatly annoyed me, as now, the Streamdeck is completely useless as opposed partially useless where only the Philip Hue buttons weren't working.
Anyway, I decided to ask Google Gemini:
Impressively, Google Gemini explained that sometimes the script can cut off mid execution which is what was happening in my case. The solution provided also made sure that the script did not cut off mid-day.
Anyway, as advised, I went with Method 1 and created the following shortcut:
The relevant code:
osascript -e 'quit app "Elgato Stream Deck"'
sleep 2
open -a "Elgato Stream Deck"
I then assign a button to run this Apple Shortcut from the Streamdeck and it worked flawlessly.
I must say, kinda impressed how easy this was. I am warming up to AI. At least for these specific use cases.
2026-05-10 08:49:36
Recently, a reader of the blog emailed me asking about my RSS workflow, specifically my use of both Feedbin and Readwise. I assume this question relates to a blogpost I published in September 2024:
Anyway, the following is my response, noting my workflow is remained the same:
Hello XX
Trust you are well.
I have been using Feedbin forever. Its fast and I like its straight forward approach, to the extent that I only use the feedbin web app on all platforms. I do not use any third party RSS apps for Feedbin.
Readwise Reader came into the picture because I was already subscribed to Readwise so reader was included with that subscription. The way I use Readwise Reader is for when I have long blogposts to read, I star it on Feedbin and it shows up on Readwise which allows me read it and my highlights are saved in Readwise.
I have over 700 feeds on Feedbin which I think will just be too much for readwise.
So in summary, Feedbin for triage and Readwise Reader for reading.
Can I move everything in Readwise? Probably but I like using both which have their respective strengths.
Hope that helps.
Wishing you a great day. Today its expected to be sunny in Melbourne so I looking forward to getting out of the house.
Another reason, I am posting my response on my blog is because it is my way of documenting the interactions that come about only because I have this blog. I enjoy communicating with people, and it is great that people reach out. Please continue doing so..
It is mothers day in Australia today... Wishing well to all mothers on this beautiful planet of ours 😸
written and edited on my Macbook M1 Max 16 inch using the Ghost editor on Arc Browser.
