u/seeker1938

Basically the problem I - and others - face is that we have iMac’s with an Intel processor and glorious 27” 5K screens that are rendered - almost - useless if we want to update to the newest macOS. 

I went poking around online and want to share this possible solution with others facing this same problem and get their take on this solution.

The cheapest fix was - until their demand and prices and availability recently skyrocketed - a Mac Mini, coupled with a “dongle” called a Luna.  Plug the Luna into the MacMini, connect your Mac Mini and your iMac via ethernet cable and enjoy the glory of your 27” 5K screen.

One can hope that supply will increase, prices will come down, and this will once again be a viable option.

So, then I thought, how about getting an inexpensive Apple Neo?  It has a small screen, but who cares as you would connect it to the iMac’s monitir and be using that 27” monitor.  I discovered that this will not work.

Next I searched for which laptop would this work with and found that the inexpensive 13”, MacBook Air would be perfect.  Who cares about the small screen when you are going to ignore it and use the 27” monitor anyway?

My final conclusions on this subject:

MacBook Air models with the M5 chip support up to two external displays simultaneously in addition to the built-in display. This is a significant and relatively recent capability — before the M4, every MacBook Air required either closing the lid or installing third-party DisplayLink software to get dual displays working. M4 and M5 support two external monitors natively with the lid open, plus the built-in display — three screens total, no workarounds.

This matters for one's setup because it means the MacBook Air M5 could drive:

- Its own 13" or 15" built-in display

- My 2020 iMac's 27" screen via Luna Display over Ethernet

- And still have a Thunderbolt port free for a wired connection if needed

The M5 Air can handle an iMac's 5K panel. With a single external display, it supports up to 5K at 120Hz or 4K at 240Hz. With two external displays simultaneously, it supports up to 6K at 60Hz each. So there's no resolution ceiling that would compromise the iMac's display quality when used with Luna Display.

The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 starts at $1,099, and the 15-inch starts at $1,299 — both with 512GB storage as standard. The 15-inch has been on sale at Amazon for $1,149, so discounts are already appearing.

Given that the iMac's 27" screen will serve as your primary large display, the 13-inch MacBook Air M5 at $1,099 is the more logical choice. One would rarely be working on the laptop's own small screen at one's desk — it would mostly be closed or pushed aside while you use the iMac display. Paying $200 more for a 15" laptop screen you won't be looking at much is hard to justify.

The MacBook Air M5 at $1,099 is actually not far from the current Mac Mini pricing (which has drifted up to $799+ with supply constraints, and higher configurations much more). And crucially, the MacBook Air M5 gives one something the Mac Mini cannot: portability. You get a fully capable machine you can take anywhere, and when you're at your desk, plug in and use the iMac's 27" screen via Luna Display over Ethernet exactly as you would with the Mac Mini.

The MacBook Air M5 looks to be the best solution - at present - for this problem — capable enough for serious work, natively supports the display configuration you need, runs macOS 27 Golden Gate, and gives you the flexibility of a laptop that the Mac Mini can't offer.

And there you have it.  If anyone sees any faults/holes/etc. in this line of reasoning, please fire away.

Bob

I forget who recommended this stone. I bought one of these for about $30 and wanted to report back on how pleased I am with it. I read a statement that ceramic doesn't wear down like softer stones, the grit stays consistent longer BUT, this also means they cut slower.

Darned if this #320 cuts slower than my #400 diamond plate. I have a batch of the thin, inexpensive diamond stones from China that work fine for my purposes, but none of them provide the feedback and are as pleasant to use as is this ceramic one. Thing weighs a ton compared to similarly-sized stones which is nice because I sit it on a large slab of wood which I fix in a vice and I put a piece of kitchen-drawer, non-slip liners between the stone and the slab...and stone sits there rock solid!

I am a senior helping other seniors less comfortable with computing. Several times now, with different people, when during a screen-sharing session we went to the App Store to d/l something, when they clicked on Get a small alert opened and the only choice was Cancel. I tried researching this using AI and got these suggestions, none of which has worked. I'm desperate for a suggestion that might work.

Try these fixes in order

1. Force‑quit the App Store

• On Mac: App Store → App Store menu → Quit App Store or press ⌘‑Option‑Esc → App Store → Force Quit
• Reopen the App Store and try Get again.

This alone often resets the stuck authentication sheet.

2. Sign out and back into your Apple ID (App Store only)

This refreshes the App Store token without affecting iCloud.

App Store → Store menu → Sign Out Then sign back in and try again.

3. Check for a hidden password field

Sometimes the sheet is scrolled or clipped.

Try:

• Clicking anywhere inside the pop‑up
• Pressing Tab a few times
• Pressing Return (if a password field is focused but invisible, it will submit)

If nothing happens, move on.

4. Restart the device

A simple restart clears the stuck App Store authentication daemon.

5. Check Screen Time restrictions

If “Installing Apps” is restricted, the sheet shows only Cancel.

System Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases → Installing Apps → Allow

6. Check if you have a required payment method

Even for free apps, Apple sometimes requires a valid payment method if:

• You’ve never downloaded anything before
• There’s a billing issue
• Family Sharing restrictions apply

System Settings → Apple ID → Payment & Shipping

7. If you’re on a Mac: reset App Store caches

This is safe and often fixes broken authentication sheets.

1. Quit App Store
2. In Finder: Go → Go to Folder…
3. Enter:~/Library/Caches/com.apple.appstore
4. ~/Library/Caches/storeaccount
5. ~/Library/Caches/storeassets
6. ~/Library/Caches/storedownload
7. Delete the contents of each folder
8. Reopen App Store

🛠️ Try these steps in order

1. Quit any cursor‑highlighting or pointer tools

This is the #1 cause.

If you use anything like:

• Big colorful cursor
• Mouse locator rings
• Cursor highlighter
• Floating magnifier lens
• “Find my cursor” utilities

Quit it completely, then try the App Stor

I have a two-year old Brompton C. When I fold it, I use a velcro strap to keep the rear road wheel attached to the "top tube" so I can leave the seatpost up and roll the bike. With the small roller wheels, this is less than optimum experience. I would rather not spend the $$ for a rear rack as I have no need for one but I would like to improve the bike's ability to roll. If I simply install a set of the larger Easy Wheels, would this work?