I am currently running FWS 44 on my 2017 mbp 14,1. I was looking to upgrade to a new machine and was originally looking at thinkpads, but I just love this MBP's feel. I can actually get a 32gb MBP from 2020, an intel one. I wanted to check with anyone here currently running a similar machine, and whether the CPU's limitations are showing already regardless of the RAM.

I do light coding, emails, work stuff, stream, etc. No heavy rendering or media editing.

Over the last year and a half, I began getting into IT without putting much thought about what I was doing; I started a basic homelab so I could just cancel all of my streaming services. I've learned patching, linux/scripts, firewalls, set up a VPN, got comfortable with Docker, ran VMs, set up a mesh network, and eventually a reverse proxy. I understand that this is maybe 10% of the scope of IT, but this has been more fun than I can describe. I simply love computers.

I already have an unrelated bachelor's and master's, and work in a separate sector. I make a comfortable living. But after some time of doing this, I cannot shake the feeling that maybe this is what I should've done with my career.

I guess my question is whether I would need to go back to school and get an actual IT/CIS degree, or if I could just work on the certs on my own? I know the market is tough right now, and maybe I should just separate this from my career as a hobby I can just do on my own, but I just wanted to see what others had to say.

I have a 2017 MacBook Pro, 14,1. It's one of those i5 ones without the touchbar. It has 8 GB of RAM and is currently running Fedora 44.

I have been playing with the idea of replacing this machine, but I still feel like it has a lot left to give. I use it to manage my home server, download and index ROMs, watch videos, write, etc. I am getting a doctorate right now, and this thing handles Zoom and school just fine. I also just love how this computer feels, from day one. I have rocked some newer MBPs and Airs for work, and the form factor of this one + the butterfly keyboard is just what hits for me.

Since this thing isn't upgradeable, I wanted to see what some folks with machines 10+ years old had to say. I think I can probably squeeze 2 more years out of this thing before 8 GB just isn't enough, but who knows.

I’ve been considering getting a used office PC - something like a super small HP elitedesk G4 - for $80-$100 and just running batocera on it. The idea is to just leave it plugged in in my living room and just come to it whenever I wanna play something. Plug and play, basically.

However, I do want to play GC games (realistic ceiling). I am seeing mixed opinions as to what my limitations are here (the specific one I’m looking at has a Ryzen 5 pro 2400GE and 16gb of RAM). I am also open to a cheaper build with older parts ($200-$300 budget max?).

I wanted to know:

1. Is this a good machine for my goals?
2. If not, what is my realistic ceiling with this machine?
3. Is there something that could be more cost effective?
4. What is the ideal bang for your buck here?

I’ve been considering getting a used office PC - something like a super small HP elitedesk G4 - for $80-$100 and just running batocera on it. The idea is to just leave it plugged in in my living room and just come to it whenever I wanna play something. Plug and play, basically. I don’t think Raspberry Pi meets all of my goals.

However, I do want to play GC games (realistic ceiling). I am seeing mixed opinions as to what my limitations are here (the specific one I’m looking at has a Ryzen 5 pro 2400GE and 16gb of RAM).

I wanted to know:

1. Is this a good machine for my goals?
2. If not, what is my realistic ceiling with this machine?
3. Is there something that could be more cost effective?
4. What is the ideal bang for your buck build for something that is capable of running everything

I’ve been considering getting a used office PC - something like a super small HP elitedesk G4 - for $80-$100 and just running batocera on it. The idea is to just leave it plugged in in my living room and just come to it whenever I wanna play something. Plug and play, basically.

However, I do want to play GC games (realistic ceiling). I am seeing mixed opinions as to what my limitations are here (the specific one I’m looking at has a Ryzen 5 pro 2400GE and 16gb of RAM). I am also open to a cheaper build with older parts ($200-$300 budget max?).

I wanted to know:

1. Is this a good machine for my goals?
2. If not, what is my realistic ceiling with this machine?
3. Is there something that could be more cost effective?
4. What is the ideal bang for your buck build for something that is capable of running everything?

I was able to get this fixed back when I switched to Fedora 44 from Ubuntu with a script, but it is no longer working. Anyone experiencing the same? I am assuming it's an issue with the new kernel?

Weird day today: ran out of protein powder for my morning shake, so I had to bite the bullet and just stop at a gas station for a filtered shake (muscle milk, basically).

For lunch I had two 6in turkey breast subway sandwiches (a footlong? It was a BOGO). Mayo, pepper jack, mustard, pretty much every veggie.

I got home from work, went on a run, and stopped at the grocery store. Made two giant chicken sausages with steamed vegetables and a cup of brown rice. Had a little bag of Funyuns on my way out the door again.

Hung out with some buds, came home starving, had a cup of popcorn, a meat stick, and a built puff bar.

Calorie count is north of 2100 or so. I’m a little under so considering making a snack but unsure yet bc I am honestly stuffed.

It seems that once or twice a week, I come across a post or comment dismissing or outright criticizing people who mention exercise as integral to weight loss. The lack of nuance is truly outstanding.

No, you do not need to exercise regularly to lose weight, but it will make the process a whole lot more sustainable. Yes, like 80% comes down to diet/CICO, but you'd be foolish to think that the other 20% isn't substantial.

I had been yo-yoing for over a decade, and every time I managed to lose 30+ lbs, I'd be guaranteed to gain them back within a year of peak loss. Each time, I'd go on a different deficit before it got harder to lose at the rate I wanted due to inactivity, older age, etc. It wasn't until I decided to start moving that things really started clicking. For me personally, regular exercise is the difference between a 1800 calorie or a 2400-calorie day. It literally ensures I can eat a little bit more, so as not to lose my mind, feel guilty about (careful) treating myself, and overall just stick with a deficit.

By the way, it seems that whenever exercise is mentioned, people are under the impression that you have to run 5 miles a day or lift weights like a maniac. You can literally just walk, if need be.

Most of the people here who have successfully maintained for more than a couple of years move their bodies. That is one of the few common denominators I identified when reassessing how I was going to go about losing weight again. And if you do not care for exercise and moving, that's fine, but don't discredit the fact that most people who have adopted it as a long-term auxiliary tool have succeeded.

I usually run in the late mornings/early afternoons, slightly fasted (no big meals). Last night, I ran on maybe 4-5 hours of sleep and 45m after a big chicken burrito. I noticed that my HR, which is usually 138-159 for moderate, long runs, was 150 avg for the first mile and 161 for the second one. I also ran at a pace that should've otherwise been Z2 for me (10:00-10:30) knowing that I should not push it because I was so exhausted.

I am trying to weigh whether these factors (night run, sleep deprived, after a huge meal) had something to do with it. I had also gone on a short hike that afternoon (maybe a mile and a half).

I am aware this may be a silly question, but just wanted to see if anyone here has experienced the same.

What was your peak pace/distance? How has your training volume changed? Any concerns?

I got into running at 31 after decades of inactivity. I feel great, but I often wonder about the future and the things I should consider as I get older.