Update files size for the Delta (via Software Update) is 1.21GB while the Full update version is 11.49GB, and System Firmware version still same at 8422.141.2
I haven’t noticed anything other than taking 15mins from download, verify, reboot, install, reboot, more install, then reboot.
Well, thanks to a new Apple Card, I was able to finance a 2023 M2 Mac Studio Pro (Max, not the Ultra). I didn’t go crazy and with a educational discount, all said came to $2600 + Tax. This mac has 64 GB of Unified memory and 2TB of SSD storage, along with the SD card reader and up to 10Gb networking. When I priced a M2 Mac Mini (Pro), it was $300 less but didn’t have card reader or 10Gb interface. Sure, a CalDigit T4 dock would take care of more ports and card reader and yet, would be same price as the Studio.
For now, I migrated, and I did find some issues:
Intel apps didn’t come over or if they did, no longer work (Quickbooks, VMware Fusion, …)
I migrated from a mac to 2012 Mac Mini to this 2023 M2 studio and there is much junk files, prefs, linger apps and legacy extension that will no longer work or take up space.
My VMware ISOs, turns out, were totalling 200GB…It wasn’t until I migrated that I found out… THAT is why I didn’t go with a 1TB SSD but 2TB for the growth. I can’t run those VM’s anymore. 🙁
– was able to get a Parallels to download (see 9to5Mac How to install Win11 ARM ) Win11 ARM and then use a version of Fusion (13.x) trial that let me make a Win11 VM. I really only need this for Intuit Quickbooks but trying to figure how to get my QBfile to this new Mac… glad I still have the MacMini and might sneakernet the file over…once I get Quickbooks up on the Win11ARM if there is a version for ARM..
.
All in all, the M2 Mac Studio was worth it. Now, I still need to get FinalCutPro and video cam/DLSR to create videos. I am using a Thunderbolt OWC Thunderbay 4-DRIVE for storage and every so often, a HDD will spin up like something is looking for it. Internet is NOT happy with OWC and the Thunderbay so I may spend $$$$ in the future for a NAS and move my files there. But I need a Thunderbolt array for edit/storage so…that is another article to blog about.
My only fistpump at Apple is the ram upgrade price greed… from 32GB to 64GB is a $200 jump. Same with storage from 1TB to 2TB is massive cost increase. Lesson learned: get what you think you’ll need, not what you have now, because with Apple, you can’t upgrade later…unless your replace with new computer (cha-ching!).
I don’t just do macs, I do Windows. And moving to Windows 11, I needed to replace my Intel 7th generation logicboard. I decided to go with ROG ASUSROG-Strix-X670E-E-Gaming Logicboard for AMD, having a previous ASRock TaiChi that was only 4 years old…but unsupporting Window 11.
Reading ASUS forums on the webs, and watching some youtubers, I found that ASUS has a clunky, annoying Updating application called Armory Crate. Logic says to avoid it, but one will need to visit Asus for drivers and updates to perform manually. Since my MLB (main logicboard) is a ROG (republic of gamers) STRIX X670E-E, I am linking to the support page.
Wouldn’t you know it, that on 2nd update to the BIOS (version 1602, 8/18/2023, 9/24MB). I received “selected file is not a UEFI Bios”. WTF? It IS TOO! After researching, aka googling/duckduckgo, I found that the best option that worked for me was to make a USB flash drive formatted in FAT32, then extract the file with 7-ZIP since others noted better success than Windows Extract. That file would be a long name with a .CAP extension. Along with that file is a BIOSRenamer app. Run that app as Administrator in the same folder the files were extracted to, and it will rename it to a short nnnnnn.CAB file. (nnnnnn will be a name of the board e.g. SX670EE where my StrixX670E-E is the model).
Boot into Bios (F2 or Del key at restart as ROG logo appears, select Advanced in the lower right (yes, the cursor is WONKY) and then Tools. Select the Asus Bios Utility, navigate to the USB flash drive (remember its size incase you have more than one volume) and select the .CAP file. It will prompt about making sure Bitlocker is disabled. IF you aren’t sure, exit out to restart and check your Windows setting of Bitlocker. For my gaming home machine, I don’t have it bitlockered. If Bitlocker didn’t matter to you, as it didn’t to me, proceed with the BIOS update. Mine took about 10 minutes and then a restart. Then to a bios “do not power off” screen … good practice is to have your PC on a UPS. Once done, it restarted to ASUS bios updated, press F1. Then it takes you into BIOS. Don’t exit just yet! Every UEFI BIOS, ASUS turns on Armory Crate download to ENABLED. Find that in Advanced/Tools and set to DISABLE. Then Save and Exit. On that, another restart and I was in to the Windows 11 login. SUCCESS!
Thanks to others for this tip. Hope it helps!
( I recommend a 16-32GB USB 3.0 flash drive, formatted to FAT32 for ASUS bios updates.)
