Олег Желябин | Техноблог CheckingTech

How to cool a MacBook in the summer heat?

19 May 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Technics

With the approach of summer, the air temperature rises, and therefore the laptop does not cool as efficiently as we would like. In general, Apple recommends using your MacBook at temperatures no higher than +50 degrees Celsius. It seemed that such high temperatures are rare, but even values close to this affect the cooling process. In this article, I’ll show you how to properly use your Mac in the heat to keep it from overheating.

How is the MacBook cooling system?

First of all, let’s figure out how an Apple laptop is cooled. Unlike other laptops, the MacBook case is an additional element of the cooling system. That is, excess heat is transferred not only to the radiator but also to the aluminum case. That is why during operation it can be warm to the touch.

In general, the system works as follows: computer components heat up and transfer heat to a heatsink equipped with a fan. When a certain temperature is reached, the cooler turns on and removes excess heat from the radiator. In turn, on the back of the case, there are ventilation holes through which air circulates. MacBook overheating leads to freezing, increased noise, rebooting, or even burning of some components.

Using a MacBook in the Heat

Почему нельзя использовать Макбук в кровати

As we have already found out, the laptop case is an element of the cooling system, and there are “air intake” holes in its rear part. For the MacBook to cool effectively, you must follow some rules:

Do not place the laptop on a soft surface (bed, sofa, pillow, etc.). The fabric not only prevents the case from cooling quickly but can block the ventilation holes.
Avoid holding your MacBook on your lap if possible. Tight fit to the legs, as well as body heat, create additional obstacles for heat dissipation.
Do not leave your MacBook in direct sunlight.
It is best to use the laptop on a desk or other hard surface with free space around it to allow fresh air to enter.
It is possible to use special stands, but this is a rather controversial solution, which can lead to sensor errors.

What should I do if my MacBook is overheating?

It must be understood that even if all the rules are followed, a laptop can overheat if it is dirty inside. Over time, dust and dirt accumulate on the surface of the parts, preventing effective cooling. The same thing happens if the thermal paste under the radiator is outdated and has lost its properties. Therefore, I recommend that you periodically clean your MacBook from dust and replace the thermal paste.

How to choose body armor? Ukrainian levels

9 May 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Technology

Now there is a war in Ukraine, so an important issue for both the military and civilians is personal safety. The most common element that protects critical organs of the human body is body armor. At the moment, there are a huge number of types of bulletproof vests in the world, and it is not so easy for a beginner to understand them. I will try to talk in simple terms about the main types, their features and applications. I must say right away that I am not a military expert, I just cite available information from open sources. However, this will be enough to gain basic knowledge.

Read about the types of troops in the armed forces

Types of bulletproof vest

There is no exact classification of this type of protection, as there are various combined and specific options. But in general, all body armor can be divided into the following categories:

Soft, lightweight body armor. Basically, these include bulletproof vests for concealed wear, although there are external tactical ones. These are body armor equipped with a flexible protective structure made of special ballistic materials (fabrics), for example, Kevlar, UHMWPE, polyurethane. Among other things, bulletproof vests of this type are often used by the police.
Semi-rigid combined body armor. By their design, they are similar to soft vests, but are additionally equipped with solid protective elements in the most important places, or niches for their quick installation.
Solid bulletproof vests (plate carriers). It is these “armours” that provide the highest level of protection and are mainly used by the armed forces. Steel, titanium or ceramic plates act as protective elements.

I can add another classification according to the shape and area of body coverage:

Lightweight, basic body armor. As a rule, it consists of the cover itself (plate carrier) and armor plates in front and behind on the back. The cover may contain pockets, niches, a system for attaching additional Molle accessories or another type.
Heavy, full body armor. In addition to the main protective elements on the chest and back, they have additional parts to protect the shoulders, groin, collar zone. The weight of such vests is higher, they somewhat restrict movement, although they offer a better level of protection.

So, soft body armor is mainly used in everyday life for personal protection, as well as by police units. They provide protection against pistol bullets, stab attacks (depending on the class) which is sufficient for civilian use. Semi-rigid vests are less common, they provide somewhat better protection, but are of little use in combat conditions. And finally, hard bulletproof vests equipped with protective plates are used mainly in the army.

Bulletproof vest material and ergonomics

An equally important factor in the choice of “armor” are the design features and materials of the cover. The fact is that with frequent and long wearing, the fabric of the cover is subjected to an increased load, friction, direct sunlight, water, and dirt. Therefore, if the material is of poor quality, it will quickly be damaged, stretched, and lose its shape. In addition, a good bulletproof vest should resist burning. In expensive cases, as a rule, CORDURA or Oxford fabric is used, in cheaper cases: nylon, polyester, etc.

Another parameter is the thoughtfulness of the design and ergonomics. Body armor (plate carrier) should be comfortable and quick to put on, have good ventilation, shock-absorbing inserts. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the possibility of adjusting the vest according to the figure, the presence of additional fasteners, pockets.

Bulletproof vest protection levels (plate carriers)

Depending on the region, the name of the protection classes differ. For example, in Ukraine they have one designation, in Europe and the USA others. When choosing a level, you must be guided by the rule that the higher the class, the better the protection. Below I am attaching an image with a general description of the protection classes according to GOST Ukraine.

Conclusions: what body armor to choose?

To choose the right bulletproof vest, you should be based on the following criteria:

Protection class. In other words, in what conditions is it planned to use the armor. Remember that vests of low classes are unsuitable for military use.
Body armor type. The convenience of wearing it directly depends on this. Let me remind you that there are soft concealed vests, lightweight options for plate carriers, and heavy armor with additional elements of protection for body parts.
Manufacturing quality. This category includes both case materials, its design, and types of protective elements (steel, titanium, ceramic plates). It is very good when such plates are pre-tested for penetration, the so-called shooting is carried out.

By the way, I would recommend paying attention to the dimensions of the plates, if in the future you want to replace them (increase the protection class), it will be good if they correspond to the standard shape and size.

What is artillery and what kind of artillery weapons are there?

7 May 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Technology

In an article published earlier, we examined the types of troops, branches of the armies of the world (including Ukraine and Russia). For most of the armed forces of various states, the main and most numerous are the ground forces. Such formations also include artillery, as one of the most effective defensive and offensive means. Today you will find out what artillery weapons exist and how they differ.

Artillery – “gods of war”

That is what this type of troops is called. It is artillery that causes the main damage to the enemy in battles, and in the presence of various types of weapons, it can solve a wide variety of tactical tasks. The analogy with the “gods” was also born because the shells tend to “appear out of nowhere”, falling on the heads of the enemy at given coordinates. At the same time, not everyone understands the types of artillery pieces. Let’s look at the main ones.

Military cannon

This is a long-barreled artillery gun with various calibers, which is fired along a gentle trajectory. In other words, a cannon is often fired at visible targets, including moving ones. Thus, the cannon is more of a defensive weapon.

Howitzer

Artillery gun with a shorter barrel, which is fired along a hinged (steep) trajectory. This is the main difference from the cannon, the howitzer has the ability to hit targets outside the direct line of sight, including behind enemy lines. This makes the howitzer an excellent offensive weapon.

Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)

Such weapons are sometimes referred to as “rocket artillery”. This is a complex of multiply charged rocket weapons, consisting of: a launcher, rockets, a transport base. Advantage in rate of fire, mobility, range of destruction.

Mortar

This type of weapon, in various designs, can refer to both artillery and infantry weapons. It differs from cannons and howitzers in a simpler recoilless design, smaller caliber. It fires mines and is designed for mounted shelling of hidden targets at short distances.

Anti-aircraft gun

This is an artillery mount on a carriage or chassis, with the possibility of all-round fire at a high upward angle. Anti-aircraft guns, in the first place, are designed to combat aircraft. Although there are many examples of other uses of weapons, for example, to destroy tanks or other ground targets. They differ mainly in the size of the caliber, from small to large. Modern anti-aircraft installations can operate in automatic mode. Portable anti-aircraft systems can be included in a separate category.

In addition to the above, anti-tank guided missiles, recoilless rifles and other specific weapons are less common.

What are the types of troops?

4 May 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Technology

Now the world is at war, I’m talking about the war in Ukraine. Therefore, I decided to create a series of articles where we will deal with the structure of the army, types of weapons and ammunition, and the nuances of combat. Today’s material is devoted to an overview of the types of troops in the army of most countries.

Read about International Humanitarian Law

What is a branch of the military?

You need to know that the composition of the army in different countries and regions can vary significantly. First of all, this is due to the geographical location, climate, relief features, etc. But in general, the classic layout is characteristic of most armies in the world.

Types of troops are parts of the military forces of states that have their own structure and weapons (as well as tactics of warfare). In some cases, individual branches of the military may not be part of the official armed forces of the country.

Types of armed forces

Let’s look at the traditional types of troops that make up the armies of many states.

Ground troops

infantry;
artillery;
tank forces;
air defense troops;
cavalry (in some countries).

Naval Forces

surface forces (fleet);
Marines;
submarine forces;
naval aviation;
coastal rocket and artillery troops.

Air Force

attack aircraft;
bomber aircraft;
fighter aviation;
reconnaissance aviation;
military transport aviation;
landing operation (may have a different status);
special aviation (fire, etc.).

Special Troops

engineering;
Signal Corps;
road troops;
railway troops;
chemical troops;
automobile troops.

I have listed the classic types of troops, but, in addition, depending on the state, there may be other specific types: air defense, anti-aircraft, strategic (missile, nuclear) and others.

Finally, I note that each type of troops has its own insignia, ranks, emblems, shoulder straps. In the following articles, we will consider the structure, quantity, types of weapons of specific military formations.

What is a visual novel game? How to play?

2 May 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Software

The category of computer and mobile games offers many genres and their subspecies. The genre of “visual novel” is considered quite new and promising. Despite the seeming simplicity of the gameplay, these games have many advantages over others. This is an interesting plot, unique dialogues, bright characters with their own personalities and behaviors. In this article, I will talk in detail about this type of games.

The visual novel is…

This genre appeared in the early 1990s and is popular primarily in Japan. At the moment, such games are widely used all over the world, including in Russia, Ukraine and other countries.

A visual novel is an illustrated story that is served through the display of text, backgrounds, characters (sprites), game items. Interactivity in such games is implemented through options for choosing the development of the plot, answers in dialogues and other actions.

In simpler terms, a visual novel can be described as an animated book or comic book. You consistently “live” the life of the hero and his interaction with other characters, participate in the development of the plot and the whole story. There is a subspecies of a kinetic game in which the plot is linear, that is, it takes place without the participation of the player. But the most commonly used style is “Adventure”, when you become a full participant, independently decide how the story will develop and what its logical conclusion will be.

Why should you play a visual novel?

For experienced “gamers”, this genre of games may not seem interactive enough. In fact, a good visual novel is a very interesting and not boring game that can give more impressions than classic genres. I will give just a few arguments in favor of this type:

Complex and interesting scenario. It is as if you are reading a book with deep meanings, which, among other things, is animated and illustrated. The story in quality visual novels is always exciting, with unexpected twists and endings that depend on your decision.
Amazing heroes and characters. The visual novel format allows you to fully reveal the character, temperament, beliefs and worldview of the hero.
Immersion depth. Unlike conventional games, where the gameplay is more important than its meaning, in a visual novel, the opposite is true. You have the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the story, love or hate the characters, take part in their history.
Good way to relax. Playing through a visual novel is a thoughtful, calm process, akin to reading an interesting book. No need to rush anywhere and make rash decisions.
A real gift for fans. Often, visual novels are created by fans of books, movies, and other popular games. You can re-acquaint yourself with your favorite characters, walk the path with them, get inspired and get a dose of pleasure.
Lots of free visual novels. On the Internet you can find many games that you do not need to buy, you can download to your computer, phone or play directly in your browser.

How are visual novels developed?

The process of creating a visual novel is very different from developing another genre of games. The main thing is a high-quality, interesting text, and only then the visual part. In other words, first of all, a talented writer or screenwriter can create a cool game. And already illustrations, interactive, music and general gameplay elements are selected for its text. For the development of visual novels, engines are mainly used: Unity, Ren’Py, NScripter and others.

Apple Studio Display. Monitor Specifications

1 May 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Technics

In March 2022, Apple introduced a new display. Let me remind you that this is the first update of this type of devices since 2019, when Pro Display XDR was released. However, it is impossible to call the new product a replacement for Pro Display XDR – its technical characteristics are much lower. Although the cost of 1599 dollars can hardly be called cheap either. In general, impressions of the model are quite contradictory. I offer a brief overview of the monitor.

Here’s an overview of the new Mac Studio

Screen Specifications and Design

The monitor has a diagonal of 27 inches with a resolution of 5K (5120×2880 at 218 pixels per inch). The body is made from recycled aluminum and looks very similar to the larger iPad Pro. The thin edges around the screen are 12mm thick. The brightness is quite low – 600 nits, although it is quite enough for normal use. It supports over a billion colors, P3 color space, True Tone technology.

In the basic version, Studio Display has a regular stand with an angle adjustment function. Additionally, for $400, you can purchase a height-adjustable stand, or a VESA-type mount. You can also optionally order a version with a nanotexture coating ($300), which reduces glare in the image.

Sound, camera, ports

The real advantage of the display is the six built-in speakers. Its sound quality is really high, supported by Dolby Atmos technology and spatial audio. There are also three microphones in the base. But about the camera – the conclusions are less positive. Although it has a resolution of 12 megapixels and is powered by an A13 processor, the image quality is not very good. Many reviewers noticed the grainy, low brightness built-in camera. Of course, its capabilities are sufficient for video communication, but in such an expensive device, we would like to have a better camera. There are four ports in the base: 3 regular USB-C, and 1 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C). The latter has a power of 96W, which makes it possible to charge some MacBooks and all iPad models.

Studio Display Compatibility

Совместимые устройства для Studio Display

Interestingly, the monitor only supports macOS Monterey or later and iPadOS 15.4 and later. It can be used with the following devices:

Mac Studio (2022);
16-inch MacBook Pro (2019 or later);
14-inch MacBook Pro (2021);
13-inch MacBook Pro (2016 or later);
15-inch MacBook Pro (2016 or later);
MacBook Air (2018 or later);
Mac mini (2018 or later);
Mac Pro (2019 or later);
24-inch iMac (2021);
27-inch iMac (2017 or later);
21.5-inch iMac (2017 or later);
iMac Pro (2017);
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later);
iPad Pro 11-inch;
iPad Air (5th generation).

Conclusions about the Apple Studio Display

Преимущества и недостатки Studio Display

I wrote about the main technical characteristics of the new display. In general, the monitor is of sufficient quality, but does not cause much admiration. For home or office use, it is almost ideal, although it has a high cost. But professionals still have a number of questions about the product. For example, it does not support a refresh rate of 120 Hz (only 60 Hz), and the matrix is made using outdated IPS technology, although today there are more modern ones, such as OLED. In addition, it does not support HDR mode, and the brightness of 600 nits is a very modest indicator. But, users also note undoubted advantages, for example, excellent cooling of the monitor, sound quality, design.

Review of the Mac Studio, what is it?

30 April 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Technics

The war in Ukraine and the resulting global upheavals distracted the attention of Apple fans from the new products introduced by the company in March 2022 (which is not surprising). However, I took the time to give a brief overview of a really interesting product – the new Mac Studio compact computer. The device is so ambiguous that it is worth examining it more closely.

What does Mac Studio look like?

Many users have already noticed the external similarity of the new computer with the Mac mini. Indeed, the design of the novelty is very similar to the already familiar “mini” of the latest generations. The width and length remained the same, but it grew in height. The Mac Studio is like two Mac Minis stacked on top of each other. The design remained laconic: silver color, on the upper part of the case “apple”. By the way, like the latest models of Apple technology, it is made of recycled aluminum.

Ports and connectors of Mac Studio

For a powerful and compact computer, it is important to have different types of ports and connectors. The new model boasts the following set:

Thunderbolt 4 (до 40Gb/s);
DisplayPort USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s);
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s);
Две USB-A порты (вверх до 5Gb/s);
HDMI port 10Gb Ethernet;
3.5 mm headphone jack;
SDXC card slot (UHS-II).

At the same time, the model with the M1 Max chip has two USB-C ports (up to 10Gb/s), and the M1 Ultra has two Thunderbolt 4 ports (up to 40Gb/s). I think this number of connectors is enough to connect a variety of devices..

Features of Mac Studio

The new computer turned out to be really powerful and fast. For example, the M1 Ultra scored the highest among previous models in the multi-threading test through Geekbench 5 and Cinebench R23. Another interesting thing to note is that the premium version is equipped with an M1 Ultra processor, which is nothing more than two combined M1 Max chips (using UltraFusion technology). In addition, the computer is very quiet. The base version options look like this:

Mac Studio M1 Max

Processor: Apple M1 Max:

10-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores

24-core GPU

16-core Neural Engine

400GB/s memory bandwidth

Memory: 32 GB

Storage: 512 GB

Mac Studio M1 Ultra

Processor: Apple M1 Ultra:

20-core CPU with 16 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores

48-core GPU

32-core Neural Engine

800GB/s memory bandwidth

Memory: 64 GB

Storage: 1 TB

In the maximum configurations, Apple offers versions with more memory and storage, as well as more powerful processors.

Keyboard, mouse, display

The box with the Mac Studio only has a power cable, so everything else needs to be purchased separately. Regarding the keyboard, mouse or trackpad – you can connect almost any device to your liking. But to reveal all the possibilities of the image, you need a high-quality display. By default, four Pro Display XDR monitors are supported. And Apple itself suggests using the device in tandem with the new Studio Display.

How to replace the keyboard on a MacBook?

26 April 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Technics

In many cases, you will need to repair or replace an Apple laptop keyboard. Most often, liquid gets into it, and this causes corrosion, sticky keys, short circuits, etc. In other cases, the keyboard may be damaged after a strong impact, pressure, or if there is a lot of debris and dirt inside.

I note that on new models of MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, it is better to order a complete topcase: the keyboard with the top cover and battery. This is due to the fact that the battery is firmly glued to the keyboard, in addition, as a rule, at the time of repair, the battery also needs to be replaced. That is, you can install a new keyboard, and after a while the battery will fail. However, previous models with a removable battery can be replaced individually. Today I will tell you how this work is done.

Mac keyboard replacement procedure

I describe a step-by-step work plan, as it is done in professional service centers.

Diagnostics. First of all, the specialist inspects the damage. As I wrote, the keyboard rarely breaks for no reason, usually it is preceded by water ingress or physical damage. In case of moisture: disassembly, drying and cleaning of the laptop will be required.
Macbook teardown. Along the perimeter of the bottom cover, we unscrew all the screws and remove it. We turn off the battery, disconnect all cables and some other components to get full access to the keyboard.
Peeling off the keyboard lining. The lower part of the keyboard block is covered with a special film. To remove, you need to unscrew a few screws and carefully peel off.
Removing the keyboard. Now we can remove the keyboard unit, for this we need to unscrew a lot of small screw fasteners. The work takes some time, it must be done very carefully. After that, we take out the damaged keyboard.
Cleaning and preparation for replacement. We carefully clean the inside of the topcase and the keyholes from the remnants of liquid, dirt and dust.
Installing a new keyboard. We install the new original component in the reverse order. When assembling, we carefully check all the fastening screws, because they are of different lengths, an error can damage the case. After mounting the keyboard, re-glue the substrate, connect the display and all cables.
Testing. The final stage of work is the test of a new part. We check the performance of each key, the operation of the backlight. Treat this procedure as carefully as possible, because if you do not notice the error in time, this will lead to re-disassembly and its elimination.

Read more useful instructions in the Technique section!

The best code editors for Apple Mac

25 April 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Software

I recently wrote about which MacBook to choose as a programmer. In the article, I gave a comparative description of conventional PCs and Apple computers, talked about all the advantages and disadvantages. Separately, it should be said that not all programs designed for Windows support macOS. Including the popular editor Notepad++. Today I will talk about the best substitutes for this program, which are in many ways more functional.

Top Programming Software for macOS

So, I have chosen three main Notepad++ alternatives for Mac. These are powerful code editors that are great for coding. Although there are professional programs, such as Adobe Dreamweaver with a visual editor, they often do not need to be installed.

BBEdit for Mac

Probably the most common and popular program for working with code. In addition, it is one of the oldest, because it began to be developed back in 1992. The free version has all the necessary tools for editing, searching, organizing.

Sublime Text Mac

A powerful code editor that supports almost all existing programming languages. It has been produced since 2007, so it has a large user community and good support. In general, the program is free, but if you do not buy a license, a message will constantly appear asking you to buy it. In addition to basic operations, the software features a wide range of options for customizing the interface, easy navigation, support for templates, etc.

Simple code editor TextWrangler

The same studio Bare Bones Software that has been producing BBEdit since 2005 also offers a light version of the program called TextWrangler. In fact, this is a direct and free analogue of Notepad ++, very similar in both interface and logic of actions. Learning how to work with it is not difficult, everything is intuitive and simple. Only now the official site does not offer downloading the latest version, but it is easy to find it on other resources. But note that the program only supports 32-bit systems, that is, it does not work with macOS Catalina. But it is perfect for users of “age” computers and old systems.

This is just a small list of software; others include Brackets, Atom, Visual Studio Code.

MacBook Pro Display Cable Break (Flexgate)

23 April 2022

Олег Желябин

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Categories: Technics

Apple has always taken the reliability and functionality of its products seriously. The corporation has entire research and design bureaus whose task is to develop truly technological and high-quality equipment. But even Apple engineers make mistakes (and often). You can recall the infamous miscalculation with the “butterfly” keyboard, the weak tightness of the iMac screen unit and other cases. Today I will talk about another problem that the 2016-2018 MacBook Pro suffer from. As well as some 12″ MacBooks.

MacBook Pro display backlight issues

полосы, розовый цвет на изображении Макбук

For the first time, users learned about this malfunction in 2016. Some MacBook Pro owners have noticed that over time, the laptop display stops working correctly. This manifests itself in such signs:

the appearance of illuminated areas at the bottom of the screen;
ripples, streaks in the image, color fill (usually pink);
wide dark bands appear on the display;
screen blackout or artifacts when opened more than 40 degrees.

The problem can manifest itself in other ways, but in general it can be described as the appearance of problems with the image for no apparent reason. This malfunction even got its own name – Flexgate. As it turned out later, the developers made a mistake by making the backlight cable too short. When you open the top cover, it stretches and frays over time. Also, small debris and grains of sand often fall under it, which damage the cable cores.

Solving the Flexgate problem

If you have this breakdown, the only solution is to replace the MacBook Pro display. Unfortunately, it is impossible to replace the defective screen flex cable separately, as it is built into the non-separable module of the laptop’s top cover. Apple partially acknowledged the problem and launched a replacement program, which, however, only affects certain versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Therefore, not all users can participate in it.

I advise you to contact any good Apple service center to replace the screen on your MacBook Pro 2016-2018. Usually, the services are supplying new components and your defective display will be replaced with a new one with an improved cable. You may also qualify for Apple’s screen replacement program.