Betas 1-3 worked beautifully

Then came Beta 4. My computer, after an hour or two, would start to slow down. I would get warnings about Windows resource issues. Memory usage would go up. The computer would come to a crawl and I would be forced to reboot.

Reported the issue to Apple early on. Hope it would have been fixed in Beta 5. Seems like it is not.

Anyone else having this issue?

I am sure I can use a Google spreadsheet for this, but an app is so much easier if it's not too expensive or comes with a subscription.

I am looking for a simple app that, while I am traveling, I can quickly log in my expenses. Categoreis would include: Lodging, Food, Transporation, Gas, Groceries, etc.

It would give me a quick look at how much I am spending by the moment, in each category and in total.

I am sure there is nothing free that does this, but I wouldn't mind paying a small fee for for such an app.

I owned an Oral-B Pro Series 700 for many years until recently switching over to an iO Series 9.

When I used the Pro Series, I relied on the premium floss brush heads. They seemed to clean exceptionally well, even though they felt stiff and harsh against my gums. At the time, I believed that a harsh brushing sensation was necessary for a truly deep clean.

The equivalent iO brush, on the other hand, is anything but harsh. It's soft and gentle. You don't have to put much pressure on it. Yet, after two minutes of brushing, my teeth feel cleaner than ever -- moreso than the Pro series.

What is it about the iO series brush heads or mechanics that seem to give a better brushing over the Pro series?

And, yes, I am aware of all the issues with iO series. While I haven't had any mold issues (I thoroughly clean my brush head and handle after every use), I do think this thing is terribly messy, spitting out toothpaste all over the place. Still, I'd rather have the iO series than the Pro series.

I'm sharing some thoughts I posted a few weeks ago to offer a new angle on what I'm considering and to get your fresh perspective.

Will be going out to Zion/Bryce/Capitol Reef/Monument Valley/Grand Canyon in November where there is no cell service.

I plan to place the Starlink Mini on the dashboard of a rental vehicle.

Going to order a Starlink Mini directly from Starlink shortly. If I order it now, I should have it by mid-October.

HERE IS WHAT I DECIDED ON:

Starlink Mini directly from Starlink
Will start $55 100GB plan when I activate the service in November

Will buy a protective sleeve for the Starlink Mini to place in my backpack

https://www.amazon.com/XTAR-Starlink-Satellite-Outdoor-Travel/dp/B0DDWYSTXL/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1QW3W1IJPIXQL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rIaoofNZ1xfHU_vjtJ9auwtsSQ_YJNRkLjes7eZ4dvoroTare3G0kTVISJkDz8tCcuF8wqX_V9kp6sppShZGaYU9doBDR2rbUpvKKWZI_kEt5G8sy9mLNKpBz1D9YFPb_nZGQfotxTmY7PRTx3u-5AXey7ebbAP9JOJclIhs434AI3leNk1tZGBKIG2lndwPN8XJvCra7sbrl9hPJsvfrcI43n3qSlYIvwJWNR4NakE.p3SERiy7jo0dvTMA3FXz0V0DpGHIeStSHZn6vw7oUsw&dib_tag=se&keywords=starlink%2Bmini%2Btravel%2Bsleeve&qid=1784472849&sprefix=starlink%2Bmini%2Btravel%2Bsleeve%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-2&th=1

I was going to buy a silicone sleeve, but I read those are prone to overheating.

WHAT I NEED ADVICE ON:

OPTION A:

I was going to buy a USB-C to barrel cable directly from Starlink. The ones sold on Amazon get conflicting reviews on reliability. Was going to buy this UGREEN car charger to use with the cable:

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Charger-Cigarette-Lighter-Compatible/dp/B0B3D9XW8X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1V1NCXF78JXRW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IXPK9ZTYTM72N9LQV0WimhexQcDAc2pnWPw3LM4IKfF2m5L4HnNRzxu654TJEU9aoqsB2XraxUzPHqdSROTeRUzhM7UcuIzXKnJCq2ggM3JFmaIhiPSsGRqpC_m7hXRtD8Nv-ik4VTlnWU2X1z4oYUKqCRy4zp2e8xdc0rPWDn2YAavypjVz__iErTZBs6LQEjcoXpW1YLEGgAralxmFF9ZLjlX45k1XV-Pfv_kHBb8.9mDDoqm9iqieOpJfrzceib99hz0VXNsBkeI6CERWK3U&dib_tag=se&keywords=ugreen+car+adapter&qid=1784832731&sprefix=ugreen+car+adapter%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1

The problem is, I can't find a way to order the USB-C to barrel cable directly from Starlink. There is no link to do so.

OPTION B:

In theory, this sounds like a better option.

Use the cable that comes with the Starlink Mini and buy this car adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/STARGEAR-Starlink-Converter-Cigarette-Supports/dp/B0H3KDXZ7Z/ref=sr_1_3?crid=PDHT42VHZQ8N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WjsKCuO7pcovL2GbQXB1pt-t8l-mKDVErA6PeztkCG-iJpgXGTe7zYA6Pvx-RRbzDzxwY20rC8qXaRugkazWd8w96R0AO9ys8GllAx5sbAU12kYmdvQ-C3YSkcJFQoBhoe-4t3pJn_BRpzvZMen7OR1G5sxuVKGLZuE-JOG-7Vg19cGs8lh2XOWWLzRNhhmsDQtOj3gKZBFaQbourd898wuNquIpBlZ-wXGObrbGIcE.rgluhQ7BYliyvN36ZCd8xrtWRIIrWzd53o7lcGJn71Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=12+volt+to+30+volt+booster&qid=1785499391&sprefix=12+volt+to+30+volt+booster%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-3

I like that the cable also allows you to plug in a USB-C iphone cable to charge your phone while in use.

I was going to buy an external battery to keep the Starlink Mini powered when the vehicle is off, but I can live with waiting to power up the vehicle and use the Mini while traveling in order to save the cost on buying an external battery.

Which option looks better? A or B? Anything else I should consider?

I have Apple One, Premier Family. Have at least 4 other family members on my plan.

Apple recently, with version 26.4, allows family members to add their own credit card so that I am not responsible for their purchases.

Having a hard time setting this up with my brother over the phone. He is out of state so I can't be there to guide him.

I have told him to go into Settings > Account > Family Sharing and add his credit card. He has done that.

The thing is, from what I remember, you should be able to press and hold that credit card and drag it to the top of the queue, above my credit card. It then becomes the default card of payment.

For some reason, he can't do that on his iPad.

Can someone provide me with instructions on how he can make his credit card the default so that I am not dinged for his purchases under the family sharing plan?

Definitely want the Aer Travel Pack after considering the Osprey Transporter 26+6. The Aer seems to have a better harness system.

Will be traveling with a MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. Will be used mostly for air travel, filling bag with clothing, shoes, and tech.

I love the deep front pocket and admin panel of the Aer Travel Pack 3. However, not fond of the water bottle pocket. I have a large, 32-ounce Hydroflask that I don't think will fit.

The Aer Travel Pack 4, on the other hand, has a more forgiving stretchable mesh water bottle pocket, but shrinks the admin panel and deep front storage pocket.

Any thoughts on which would be the better choice? And I suspect it will be better to get the fabric over the X-Pac? That seems to be what people are recommending.

Considering purchasing a Starlink Mini for my upcoming road trip to Nevada and Utah.

Will be bringing the Starlink Mini in my suitcase or backpack

I need to decide the best way to mount the Starlink Mini in my rental vehicle

The easiest would be on the dashboard. Amazon sells suction mounts for about $30.

I would also consider a roof mount. The mount would have to be compact enough to fit in my suitcase or backpack. It would have to be strong enough to hold the Starlink Mini in place at highway speeds. Finally, it would have to be gentle enough not to damage the roof of a rental car.

If someone has the ideal roof or dash mount in mind, please recommend. Most rental cars don't have a roof window. I know that is usually the most ideal place to mount a Starlink Mini.

Here is another question:

Being that the Starlink Mini creates a hotspot for my computer and phone, wouldn't that hotspot signal be stronger if the Mini were inside the rental car rather than outside?

Thanks for your help

Considering purchasing a Starlink Mini for my upcoming road trip to Nevada and Utah.

Will be bringing the Starlink Mini in my suitcase or backpack

I need to decide the best way to mount the Starlink Mini in my rental vehicle

The easiest would be on the dashboard. Amazon sells suction mounts for about $30.

I would also consider a roof mount. The mount would have to be compact enough to fit in my suitcase or backpack. It would have to be strong enough to hold the Starlink Mini in place at highway speeds. Finally, it would have to be gentle enough not to damage the roof of a rental car.

If someone has the ideal roof or dash mount in mind, please recommend. Most rental cars don't have a roof window. I know that is usually the most ideal place to mount a Starlink Mini.

Here is another question:

Being that the Starlink Mini creates a hotspot for my computer and phone, wouldn't that hotspot signal be stronger if the Mini were inside the rental car rather than outside?

Thanks for your help

Hi everyone!

Going to be out west in November for a week, as a car passenger touring the national parks in Nevada and Utah.

I will need access to a reliable internet connection for my computer and phone while sightseeing.

Yes, not optimal while on vacation, but I am self-employed and need the access.

Considering buying a Starlink Mini with 300GB of data for the week. The cost would be a little over $300 with the car adapter.

That's a lot of money to shell out for a week, with the possibility of not using it much thereafter, but it seems to be the only option for internet access where there is no cell service.

Some questions:

1. If I throw the Starlink Mini in the backseat of the car, facing the window, will it work?
2. I take it the Starlink Mini creates a hotspot for my computer and phone, or is there a cable connection? I take it I can use it when losing Carplay map access on the phone due to no cellular signal.
3. With the 300GB of initial data I will be purchasing, I take it I can use it up anytime or is there an expiration date?
4. Is there a reliable vehicle mount for a moving vehicle that will not harm a rental car?
5. Most importantly, is this a good long-term purchase? Though I will only be using it for the week-long trip, I'd like to hope that it will still be relevant for the next few years should I take other trips where there is no cell service.
6. Any must-have accessories I should purchase with this?

Thank you for your help!

I currently own the Oral-B 7000, which is still going strong, though the battery life has always been really bad, so I have to put it back on the charger after every use. I believe the toothbrush is 5 years old at this point.

Looking to up my game to the iO series though it comes with drawbacks including more expensive replacement heads that allegedly shoot out water all over the place.

I was going to get the iO7, which is the "sweet spot" in the series, I think.

However, what I like best about my current 7000 is that it comes with a portable "SmartGuide" device that mounts on the wall and shows you how well you are brushing. No need to use a phone app.

The iO10 has similar functionality built into the charger. This includes lights that indicate whether you are brushing too hard.

Of course, at nearly $400, buying the iO10 is a bit of an investment I am not willing to make.

However, price history has shown the 10 series has dropped to $229 at least once on Amazon. Right now, the Series 9 is $249.

Should I wait for a price drop on the 10 series or go headfirst into the 9 series?

I was very excited to see that Verizon is getting rid of upgrade and activation fees.

As someone who upgrades my iPhone often, I'm tired of having to fight them to waive the upgrade fee (which I can most often).

Someone posted on another forum that they talked to a Verizon rep who said the offer is exclusive to Simplicity customers, not those on the legacy plans.

Can anyone confirm this?

I will be going to Zion National Park in November where morning temperatures will be in the 40s and possibly as high as the 60s during the day.

The Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket was recommended as the perfect jacket for our morning bike ride to the hiking trail. It's supposed to keep out the wind and keep you warm at this temperature.

Love the fact it can be compressed into a small travel bag and thrown in a backpack.

Not happy about the price of over $200. I often see off-colors selling for just over $100, so I will keep looking out for a deal. I can get a red jacket cheaply, but it looks too vibrant for me.

I wanted to post and ask if everyone is satisfied with their jackets. I’m wondering if this is the best option I can buy or if there’s a better and cheaper alternative.

I was looking at the Columbia Powder Lite Jacket, but it's heavier and does not compress like the Patagonia.

Also, I wanted to ask about sizing. Is the Patagonia medium a true medium, or do these jackets run tight, where I would have to move up to a large?

Thanks, in advance, for your help