Giving mechanical keyboards a try.

After a couple of months, I decided to get a mechanical keyboard for my home office. The laptop I use at home for media consumption, and some light Internet browsing, has given me some trouble with keys getting stuck since new, so I got an entry level wireless mechanical keyboard to see if all the hype I've heard about them is something I could get into.

So, I decided to go with a Machenike K500-B51W with brown switches. It is a 60% keyboard, and although for a keyboard for a more professional use I'd rather use bigger one with a number pad, for the intended use I've of it has been proven to be quite a nice fit.

The main reasons I choose the K500-B51W are its size, that Machenike has proven to me that it makes good products with the L16A laptop I use as my daily driver, that is relatively cheap, and that it is a wireless keyboard. My first impressions of it, are pretty good. I still need to get used on to it, but so far it has been quite a great experience.

To be honest, I had my reservations about mechanical keyboards. But after listening good thing about them, and now having some first hand experience on one, I must admit that mechanical keyboards have won me over for use on my home and work offices. They are not something that I would bring with me when I'm on the go, but I use them when are the office.

I'd still go for a 90% keyboard with a numpad as my main keyboard for use with my main laptop. I just prefer my keyboards that way, since my user case just works better that way.

I've tried to use smaller keyboards, but I simple dislike them. I can just use them for short times, or in specific use cases. Like using the when browsing YouTube, or other streaming sites, where I don't have much use for the numpad, and the smaller size is a benefit.

Time will tell if I choose to get a bigger keyboard to use with my main laptop at work, so far it seems that there are some high chances I will do just that.

Thunderbird email client arrives on Android as a beta tester app.

I've been an avid user of Mozilla Thunderbird email client on my laptops, for about a decade now. Specially after I started using several emails, which make managing them through a webmail impractical.

A few years ago I started to check my emails though my smartphone more often, and the email apps I settled on while usable didn't actually measured with I came to expect using Thunderbird. I knew that team behind Thunderbird was on their way to create an app for iOS and Android, but it was a work on progress.

Until this week, when the app was release as a beta for testers on the Play Store. After digging around a bit, I found that it was stable enough to give a try. So far, it has been quite a great app for me. It just works, while there are some features missing.

The main one I'm looking forward, is being able to sync it with my desktop app. I do that with Firefox, and find it useful for my user case. Being able to both apps seamlessly is quite useful for me, since I can use the device I have at hand.

Being able to have a more granular controls on how to theme the smartphone app, is something I don't need to have, but it would be nice to have.

While I still have to use the app for more time to better understand it, and how it fits my needs, so far it has been the best email client I've used on an smartphone. With new updates, I hope it keeps making it better and it becomes my go to email client app on Android.

Android 15 beta: keeping me on the Android camp.

After reading that the current beta of Android 15 has no major bugs, and is quite stable, and could be used on for a daily driver I decided to install it on my Google Pixel 7a.

So far, it has been working really well. The main difference I see, is on the setting page. Which I like better than the one on Android 14. Ever since I got the Nothing Phone 1, I've been able to upgrade to each new version of Android since Android 12, and Android has been getting better for me with each release. While with for me there hasn't been any mayor upgrade in the user side side of things, Android keeps making quite solid upgrades each time.

While the Nothing Phone 1, and the Pixel 7a, are mid-range Android devices each new version of the OS makes the whole user experience better each time. That's why I prefer Android devices over the iPhone, because it gives me the user experience I want without having to pay full flagship device prices.

It even temps me to move to a flagship device, like the Google Pixel or the Samsung Galaxy S. While the move would be out more of just wanting to see what is using an Android flagship than needing to, that Android 15 temps me to make the jump speaks how much of a solid release it is for me.

Does this means I wouldn't make the jump to the iPhone? No, just that Apple needs to offer a lot something that makes me to want to make that jump.

Curious about the iPhone user experience.

Even though I'm looking forward to the Android 15 on my Google Pixel 7a, I still see the iPhone and wonder how would be using it as a daily driver.

While the iPhone 16 is due to come up soon, I'd rather go to with the iPhone 15 or the iPhone SE. Mainly because the iPhone 15, or the SE, would be a great fit for my needs and a cheaper way to try the iPhone user experience without breaking the bank.

Until now, the iPhone hasn't had what it take away from Android. It is basically more of curiosity of what it would be using an iPhone instead of an Android device. To be honest, if given the chance to jump to the iPhone 16 or to the Pixel 9, I'd choose the Pixel 9 in a hearth beat. Specially since I'm really happy how the Pixel 7a has been so far, so moving to the Pixel 9 feels like a more natural upgrade for me.

Ever since I stared using Android, with the 4.4 version, there I've no reason to move the the iPhone, specially since with each newer version of Android I've used it has been a great user experience for me. So much so, that I look get a smartphone which I know for sure that will update to the next Android version at least.

Personally, I just need the guarantee I get at least two Android upgrades when getting a new smartphone since two years is the least amount of time I use my smartphones. That's why the Pixel and Nothing Phones have become my go to brands for Android smartphones. These brands are the one that best fit my needs.

While I would love to have the latest, and greatest, Android devices in the market, the mid range Pixels and the Nothing Phone are the best value for my money, and fit, for my lifestyle and what I use my smartphone for.

Yet, with all what I hear about the user experience that the iPhone gives, I'd like to give it a try if it can give me a reason to at least try it out.

Machenike and Linux Mint: quite a nice combo.

I've been using a Machenike L16A with Linux Mint as my daily driver for four months now, and I must admit that I'm impressed with how good the experience has been so far.

The Machenike was recommended to me by a close friend about six months ago, since I told him that I was looking for a new laptop. He had bought one a while ago, and said that it was a solid machine. Not only that, Machenike laptops were quite a great value for the money since they are significantly cheaper than comparable laptops from the competitions. And to be honest, when I got my laptop i expected to be so, but not to the extent it has been so far.

After four months, my laptop feels really snappy and the performance is just great. And since I upgraded to Linux Mint 22 Wilma, it only has gotten better. One of the areas where I see most improvement, in on the Bluetooth connectivity. It connects more consistently with the three Bluetooth headphone I use, and now I can see how much battery the headphones I'm using just by hovering the cursor over the Bluetooth icon on the system tray.

The only downside so far, is that when I try to print something from Microsoft Edge, the printer just spits out blank pages at work. Other than that, Linux Mint has made a great job with the new OS release and Machenike has a solid laptop with the L16A laptop.

So much so, that if Machenike offered an option with Linux Mint preinstalled it would be my go to laptop brand in the future. I can even recommend Machenike laptops for those who just want to run Windows.

Until now, I've only used laptops using Intel CPUs. I've been somewhat weary to make the jump to AMD CPUs, yet with the experience I've had with the AMD Ryzen 7 CPU my laptop has, AMD CPUs have become a real option for my use case.

It also made me realize that I prefer laptops with screens of 15.6 or 16 inches. Smaller screens feel to crowed for me, and larger screens are nor mobile enough. It also made me realize that a 120Hz refresh rate is quite a nice thing to have.

The battery life is decent, in my experience it give me around five hours of use. Which is more than enough for my use case, though seeing improvements would make the whole user experience better though is not something that is that urgent.

At the end of the day, it has become the best laptop I ever owned.

Feelings, opinions, and beliefs aren't the same than scientific fact.

One thing that irks me in social media, is people trying to debate scientific fact as if it is just a matter of opinion. I've come to learn, that they don't care about what the facts are about what they are talking about.

Those people just want to equate their opinions to facts, and have other people to do so to just to make them feel comfortable. Facts are not about making you feel comfortable, or agreeing with your opinions. And how you feel, or believe, doesn't disprove science.

If you want to disprove science, you need to make sure that science actually disproves what you want to be be disproven. If you can't, then your opinions, feelings, and beliefs are just that.

Most importantly, if you want to learn about something talk to the experts in the subjects you are interested in. If you talk to people who aren't experts, you won't learn much about whatever subject you are interested in.

Linux Mint 22 Wilma, a great upgrade.

I made the upgrade to Linux Mint 22 Wilma, an while it isn't a revolutionary upgrade it has been quite a good upgrade. To be honest, is the kind of upgrade that I've come to expect from the Linux Mint team, they bring those upgrades that will continue to give the best user experience without braking the system.

The update I notice the most, is the blueman-manager for Bluetooth devices. It connects to my Bluetooth headphones a lot faster and effectively. It is simply way better, and something I do notice since I do use Bluetooth headphone with my laptop on daily basis, specially at work when I want to concentrate on my job.

With each Linux Mint release, the more I'm convinced that Linux can be used by people that just want an computer that just work for them. While not Linux is not for everyone, it has come a long way to be useful to a larger set of users. Not only that, it has become a lot more user friendly that most people believe.

A user that just wants to browse the Internet and watch YouTube or Netflix, can use Linux Mint without much trouble.; even Spotify runs well on Linux. 

With time, the apps that don't run on Linux have been decreasing. And the reason why they don't run on Linux have more to do with not enough people using Linux than technical reasons. Which means, that if enough people ask for Linux version, software developer will make it available for Linux at some point.

With Linux distros like Linux Mint becoming more user friendly, and with longer support times, means that more users and businesses can use it without more trouble than making sure that the apps they use are supported.

The fact that each Linux Mint major release is supported for four years, is something that make the transition for businesses is a lot easier. I make the upgrade every two years, yet the fact that businesses can wait up to four years is a plus.

I've been using Linux for the better part of two decades, and I've seen getting better with time. Specially in the user experience front, with distros like Linux Mint and Ubuntu. Linux Mint and Ubuntu are distros that are easy to use, and make it easy for people with no Linux experience to make the jump from other operating systems. Specially because most of what can be done on Windows can be done on Linux Mint or Ubuntu without much trouble.

Now it has come to specific software that targets either Windows, or macOS, and has no direct replacement on Linux that make it hard to make the jump. Other than that, there is no reason for not being able to make the jump.

To be honest, I'm glad that I'm witness to how much improvement Linux has made on the user experience with time.

Google Pixel: my favorite smartphones.

I've been using the Pixel 7a for about 5 months now, and it has really surpassed my expectations. From how it just works really great for me, to getting monthly security updates, it has been one of the best Android devices I've used.

So much so, that while I usually prefer mid-range devices because they give the best value for my money, I'd be willing to to move upward when the time comes to change my smartphone. It might be Pixel 11, or 12, when I choose to upgrade but the Pixel devises have proven to be the best fit for me.

The only other Android smartphone I'd consider would be a Nothing device, since my experience with the Nothing Phone (1) also really great. I just prefer the Pixel lineup because of personal preferences.

Mainly because Pixel and Nothing devices are why I prefer to use Android devices. They work out of the box for me, and I can set them up as I want them software wise. On the hardware side of things, I can choose the specs that more closely fit my needs at the price point I'm willing, or my budget allows, to pay for.

What I like most about the Pixel devices, is that I've a choice for mid-range, or premium, smartphone that I now know fits my needs and wants. To be honest, I've been wanting a Pixel device for a while now, but the chance to get one didn't come up until this year.

I use it in the Movistar network here in Mexico, and it works like a charm. I can even get 5G access. While Movistar's 5G network still need to expand a bit, it has quite a good coverage to begin with.

All changes with time, but for now Movistar and the Pixel phone are my go to combination.

Linux Mint 22 Wilma is close.

With the beta of Linux Mint 22 Wilma released for testing, I'm looking forward to upgrading to it when it possible.

The new features that Linux Mint 22 Wilma might not be ground breaking, but they are nice improvements to an already solid OS. To be honest, the fact that Linux Mint upgrades bring whats needed and not just the latest software to say they are bleeding edge, is why it has become my go-to OS.

While being at the bleeding edge might be cool, it isn't something that I prioritize or need on my everyday laptop. What it need is an OS that has update software that just works and doesn't get in the way. Linux Mint does this, in quite an elegant way, without having to worry about an upgrade breaking things.

The Linux Mint developers tend to add new technologies when they are mature, or they have no other option, which makes for quite an stable OS with predictable upgrades. That means that I can focus on using my laptop the way I like while just keeping an eye on updates so nothing breaks on my system.

To be honest, Linux Mint is an example that Linux is user-friendly enough to go mainstream. Any one who can use a Windows or a Mac computer, can use a computer using Linux Mint, POP! OS or Ubuntu to give some examples.

Life is good to be a Linux user, and it keeps getting better.

Linux Mint: from freedom came elegance.

I've been using Linux Mint constantly since about 2019, on three different laptops, and with each new version of Linux Mint it has been getting better. Mainly with little quality of living details, with a few changes that have meant a difference on how I use my laptop.

Yet, even those change have made my experience using the OS better. And one the things I've come to appreciate about Linux Mint since moving to only releasing long-term support releases, is that I'm not in a hurry to get the latest release. Each point release brings more then enough upgrades to keep the Linux Mint current.

Not only that, since each upgrade it the hardware requirements don't jump up that much, it means that my laptop has a longer life expectancy. I don't need to change it that often, mainly if it starts having problems with hardware that can't be changed easily or cheaply.

I used to prefer Ubuntu, but with Cinnamon becoming a mature desktop environment Linux Mint has become my go to Linux distro. Cinnamon just works better for me than GNOME, giving me all what I need and want, and then some more.

And I find Linux Mint to be all that much more of an elegant OS, that just works for me. Simple, yet it can be configured to work as you want it to work while looking like you want it to look. What I love, is that you don't need to much technical know-how to do so, while if you have technical proficiency you can do much do so much more.

Linux Mint just works, and can be actually a good way to get into using Linux of beginner and a great option for those who already use Linux that want a distro that is just easy to use and doesn't get in the way. It is truly one of those distros that prove that Linux is no longer the realm of computer experts.

Machenike L16A: a great value for the money.

I recently got a Machenike L16A to replace the HP laptop I've been using for about 4 years now, and it has been quite a good upgrade.

The value for the price has been excellent, it has really felt like an upgrade. Specially going from 8Gb of RAM to 16Gb. I specially notice the better performance when at work, since I use a remote desktop. I simply don't see as much slowdowns on the same use.

Most of the time, at work I've the remote desktop app, Firefox, Thunderbird, Spotify, or sometimes Rhythmbox, open at the same time and having 16Gb of RAM gives the performance I need since at time around 6-7Gb are used.

I also feel the AMD Ryzen CPU has been quite an upgrade, since it has more cores and threads than the Intel CPU my HP laptop has. That makes for a better user experience.

But, where I see the better user experience is on the keyboard, and display side of things. The keyboard keys got stuck often, making the track pad unusable and characters to repeat themselves. While the Machenike keyboard is not perfect, is far more usable and I find it to be quite nice to use.

On the display play side of things, that the panel is a 2.5k display makes it quite an upgrade. Not to mention that is an 16 inch over the 15.6 inch of the HP laptop. It isn't that bigger, but personally it make quite the difference.

Now I know that my favorite display size for laptops ranges from 15.6 to 16 inches. It has become my sweet spot for me, with the right compromise of size and portability.

And to top it up, Linux Mint works like a charm on the Machenike L16A. I just had to adjust the display resolution to my liking, other than that Linux Mint just works on the laptop. To be honest, I didn't have high expectations about the system when I got it, but after using it I most admit that can recommend it to most users that want a mid range laptop.