Apple iCloud Down -- June 2, 2020

Re-posting.

Right on cue: see #14 in the original post. That was posted yesterday, June 1, 2029. This evening, June 2, 2020, link here:

Need I say more?

Original Post

 

Note: in a long note like this there will be typographical and content errors. I will correct them later when I find them. 

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site.  Do not make any investment, financial, career, travel, job, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here.

AAPL: when I last checked in with AAPL some months ago, AAPL was flirting with a $1-trillion-valuation. After the lock down and meltdown, I sort of lost track, and lost interest. Last week I started checking in on the market again. I was surprised to see that AAPL's valuation is now up to $1.3 trillion. I was more surprised that it was Microsoft that was at the same valuation.

Today: I see AAPL finished up about $4/share, up about 1.25%, and holding that gain after hours.

High school students on their way to college this autumn and computers.

I bring this up because I assume some readers have high school students heading off to college this autumn.

If so, I assume the subject of a new computer will come up in conversation.

Here is my advice. This and $0.69 will get you a cup of senior coffee at McDonald's.

1. Every college student will need a laptop computer.

2. A tablet, as an additional mobile device, is optional, but no matter what you are told, a tablet with detachable keyboard is no substitute for a laptop computer.

3. The make (Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Samsung, Google Chrome) is up to the student, not the parent.

Mobile devices are an extension of the student's personality. That settles the discussion regarding which make to buy. 

The upfront price differential between a Mac and a non-Mac may seem significant, but over the course of the lifetime of the use of the mobile device, that differential will go away. No "manufacturer" beats Apple for integrating desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, headphones / ear pods. Period. Dot.

4. If your student opts for a non-Mac, that's fine. But quit reading here; the rest has to do with Apple. Except for one point: if at all possible, avoid the Google Chrome: its association with elementary schools is too strong.

5. If your student wants an Apple product, the next question is which one.

6. The only laptop a college student should consider, regardless of the amount of money one wants to spend or is able to spend, is the MacBook Air. They do not need the MacBook Pro. If they say they do, I would like to hear their reasoning -- again, this has to do with college, not extracurricular activities.

7. The only real question when it comes to the MacBook Air: which base model product to buy: the $999 model or the $1,299 model. If money is no object, buy the $1,299 model. If money is an issue, the $999-model is just fine.

8. With either model one can upgrade to a) more memory (RAM); b) more storage (solid state); or, c) both.

9. If money is not an issue, upgrade both the memory and the storage.

10. If money is a minor issue, upgrade memory. It is easy to find external, and perhaps less expensive, storage down the road, if necessary.

11.  If money is a significant issue, there is no need whatsoever to upgrade either memory or storage.

12. Buy a case for the laptop; if money is an issue, one can find inexpensive alternatives.

13. AppleCare? I can't make a recommendation. That is 100% personal preference. I have never bought AppleCare (I bought my first Apple computer in 1984, and have bought not less than a dozen Apple computers over the years) and I have never had a problem. I believe Apple has a full 90-day warranty and some type of one-year warranty but I've long forgotten.

14. It is incredibly easy to get the MacBook Air up and running.

The only question that deserves some thought is whether to "automatically" save all data on the iCloud. If you check that box, you will find that the "free" storage is incredibly limited and one will have to buy additional (pretty much unlimited) storage for 99 cents/month. I have no problem with that. I have other issues with iCloud but the monthly subscription cost is not one of them. I do not use iCloud.

15. I don't subscribe to Apple's streaming music service but I would recommend doing so if the student wants it. The student will end up subscribing to some streaming music service at some point; if there is no preference, I would assume Apple makes most sense.

16. Printer: buy a very inexpensive inkjet printer at Walmart.

Once the student becomes familiar with the computer and if the printer ends up not meeting one's need, one can buy a laser printer. I think HP inkjet printers can still be found for about $69. Printer ink is incredibly expensive but whether that necessitates a laser printer or not depends on the student's needs which won't be known for a few months when going to college for the first time. I assume most students will eventually migrate to a laser printer.

17. Printer: make sure the printer is wi-fi enabled.

18. Apple computers won't play Blu-Ray DVDs. Don't ask. It's a huge irritant for me, but I assume most students will stream their movies and not buy DVDs.

19. You will need to get a dongle for your new Apple computer. Your son or daughter can explain a dongle to you; if not, the Apple associate will.

20. Maybe more later, but I need to go pick up Sophia.

21. Oh, one more thing. Smart phone? If money is an issue, one choice: the new SE.