THE 2024 PHOTO BLOG

AN EMPTY PLINTH AND ITS STORY – LOCATED IN THE PEOPLE’S FLOWER GARDEN

November 1, 2024 by infomatique

A PARK WITHIN PHOENIX PARK

In the heart of the People’s Flower Garden, a solitary plinth stands as a silent witness to a bygone era. This classically-styled pedestal once supported a bronze statue of George William Frederick Howard, the 7th Earl of Carlisle. Erected around 1870, the statue was the work of renowned Irish sculptor, John Henry Foley, whose other notable works include the statue of Prince Albert at the Albert Memorial in London and the Daniel O’Connell Monument in Dublin.

The Earl of Carlisle was a prominent figure in 19th-century Irish politics, serving as Chief Secretary and twice as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He played a key role in the creation of the People’s Garden, envisioning it as a place for the “recreation and instruction of the poor of Dublin”. In a time when monuments in Irish municipal parks were rare, the Carlisle Monument held a unique position as the sole statue in the People’s Garden.

However, the monument’s story took a dramatic turn in 1956 when a bomb dislodged the bronze statue from its pedestal. The statue was subsequently relocated to Castle Howard in Yorkshire, England, the Earl’s ancestral home. The plinth, however, remained in Dublin, a poignant reminder of the Earl’s legacy and a testament to the changing tides of history.

Today, the plinth stands as a central focus in a grassy area at the southwest edge of the gardens near Chesterfield Avenue. Its inscriptions provide a glimpse into the life of the Earl of Carlisle:

North face: “Erected by public subscription 1870”
South face: “George Wm. Frederick, seventh Earl of Carlisle, K.G / Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1835 to 1841 / Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1855-1858 and 1859 to 1864 / Born 1802. Died 1864.”
Surrounded by low-level planting, the plinth serves as a quiet place for reflection, inviting visitors to contemplate the complexities of history and the enduring power of public spaces.

RICHMOND HOSPITAL NORTH BRUNSWICK STREET

October 31, 2024 by infomatique

PHOTOGRAPHED 10 OCTOBER 2024

The Richmond Hospital, located on North Brunswick Street in Dublin, has a long and fascinating history. It began as a convent in 1688, founded by the Benedictine Nuns. In the 18th century, the site was transformed into a complex of hospitals, including the Hardwicke Fever Hospital (1803), the Richmond Surgical Hospital (1811), and the Whitworth Medical Hospital (1817).

In 1901, the Richmond Surgical Hospital was rebuilt in a grand red brick and terracotta style, designed by the renowned architects Carroll and Batchelor. It quickly became known for its excellent surgical care and its reputation for innovation. The hospital served as a leading medical facility for over 80 years.

In 1987, the Richmond Hospital closed its doors as a hospital. The building was later repurposed as a courthouse, serving as a base for the District Court Service for many years. In 2018, the building was acquired by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and transformed into the Richmond Education and Event Centre.

Today, the Richmond building stands as a testament to its rich history and architectural significance. It serves as a vibrant hub for education, training, and events, while also preserving its heritage as a former hospital.

I WAS PLANNING TO PURCHASE A MAC STUDIO BEFORE CHRISTMAS

October 31, 2024 by infomatique

BUT I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND

I have hit on a key point of confusion in the current Mac lineup! With the impressive performance of the M4 Mac mini, it does make one wonder why someone would opt for the more expensive Mac Studio.

Here’s a breakdown of the remaining reasons to consider a Mac Studio in 2024, along with some rumours about future updates:

Why Choose Mac Studio in 2024?

M2 Ultra Chip: The Mac Studio offers the M2 Ultra chip, which is currently the most powerful chip in Apple’s lineup. While the M4 Pro in the Mac mini is incredibly capable, the M2 Ultra still holds the edge for the most demanding workflows, like high-end video editing, 3D rendering, and complex simulations.

Expanded Connectivity: The Mac Studio provides more ports than the Mac mini, including 10Gb Ethernet, more Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an SD card slot on the front. This can be crucial for professionals who need to connect a wide array of peripherals.

Upgradability (sort of): While the Mac Studio’s RAM isn’t user-upgradable, it can be configured with up to 192GB of unified memory at the time of purchase. This provides headroom for future-proofing, especially for memory-intensive tasks.

Form Factor: Some users might prefer the larger, more expandable form factor of the Mac Studio. It offers more flexibility for placing it on a desk and connecting peripherals.
Rumors of Future Mac Studio Updates:

M4 Ultra and M4 Max: Rumors suggest that Apple is working on an updated Mac Studio featuring the M4 Max and a yet-to-be-announced M4 Ultra chip. These chips are expected to deliver a significant performance boost over the current M2 generation.

Release Timeline: Speculation points to a potential release of the M4 Mac Studio sometime in 2025, possibly around mid-year or later.

I WILL PURCHASE A NEW M4 MAC MINI IN 2025

October 31, 2024 by infomatique

RATHER THAN THE MAC STUDIO

Apple recently unleashed a wave of new Macs, and while the colourful iMacs and powerful MacBooks grabbed headlines, the humble Mac mini quietly underwent a transformation that might just redefine desktop computing. Packing the groundbreaking M4 and M4 Pro chips, this tiny titan delivers performance that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, the much larger and pricier Mac Studio.

David vs. Goliath: M4 Performance that Stuns

The new Mac mini, especially with the M4 Pro chip, offers astonishing performance. Early benchmarks show significant gains in both CPU and GPU performance compared to previous models, even challenging the Mac Studio in certain tasks. This incredible power, packed into a compact and affordable package, makes the Mac mini a compelling choice for a wide range of users, from creative professionals to everyday users.

Versatility and Connectivity: A Mini with Maximum Options

The Mac mini’s compact design doesn’t mean compromising on connectivity. The M4 Pro model boasts Thunderbolt 5, offering blazing-fast data transfer speeds and support for high-resolution displays. This opens up a world of possibilities for connecting external drives, displays, and other peripherals, making the Mac mini a true desktop powerhouse.

Affordability that Makes Sense

Starting at just €719.00 for the M4 model, the Mac mini offers incredible value for money. Compared to the Mac Studio, which starts at €2329.00, the Mac mini provides a more accessible entry point for those seeking powerful performance without breaking the bank.

Mac Studio Feeling the Heat?

With the impressive performance and affordability of the M4 Mac mini, one has to wonder about the future of the Mac Studio. Rumors suggest that a refresh might not arrive until Q2/Q3 of next year. This leaves the Mac mini in a sweet spot, offering comparable performance at a significantly lower price.

The MacBook Pro Conundrum

While the Mac mini offers incredible value, the top-end MacBook Pro (€8,154.00) presents a compelling alternative. It boasts even more powerful configurations and doesn’t require a separate monitor. However, the significant price difference and lack of modularity might make the Mac mini a more sensible choice for many.

The Display Dilemma: To Studio Display or Not?

While the Studio Display is a beautiful 5K monitor, the M4 Pro Mac mini’s ability to drive an 8K display makes the Studio Display seem a bit underwhelming. With advancements in display technology happening rapidly, it might be wise to wait for a potential Studio Display update or explore alternative high-resolution displays from third-party manufacturers.

The new Mac mini is a game-changer, offering a compelling blend of performance, versatility, and affordability. Whether you’re a creative professional, a student, or an everyday user, the Mac mini with M4 delivers an exceptional computing experience that punches far above its weight. It’s a tiny titan that might just make you rethink your desktop setup.

THE NEW M4 iMAC IS A GREAT UPGRADE BUT WHERE IS THE BIG SCREEN

October 30, 2024 by infomatique

MONDAY 28 OCTOBER 2024

The New M4 iMac: A Great Upgrade, But Where’s the Big Screen?

Apple’s latest iMacs, powered by the impressive M4 chip, have arrived, bringing a significant performance boost and a splash of fresh color. But the excitement is tinged with disappointment for many who were hoping for a larger screen option. Let’s dive into the details of the new iMac, explore the available configurations, and discuss why the lack of a 27-inch or larger model has left some feeling let down.

M4 Powerhouse in a Compact Package

The 24-inch iMac with M4 offers a compelling blend of performance, design, and value. The M4 chip delivers a noticeable speed improvement over its predecessor, making everyday tasks and demanding workflows feel incredibly smooth. Whether you’re browsing the web, editing photos, or diving into a casual game, the M4 iMac handles it all with ease.

Configuration Choices: Picking the Right iMac for You

Apple offers several configurations of the 24-inch iMac, allowing you to tailor it to your needs and budget. Here’s a breakdown of the key choices:

M4 Chip: You can choose between an 8-core or 10-core CPU and GPU. The 10-core option provides a significant performance boost for those who engage in more demanding tasks like video editing or 3D rendering.
Memory: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of unified memory. More memory allows for smoother multitasking and better performance with memory-intensive applications.
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD. With the speed and efficiency of SSD storage, opting for more space is a wise choice, especially if you work with large files or have a growing media library.
Connectivity: The base models come with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the higher-end configurations offer two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two additional USB-C ports. Crucially, none of the new iMacs feature Thunderbolt 5, which is a surprising omission considering its inclusion in the new Mac mini. Thunderbolt 5 offers significant advantages, including a massive increase in bandwidth (up to 120 Gbps) and the ability to drive more displays at higher resolutions. This limitation might be a deal-breaker for some, especially those looking for a future-proof machine.
The Missing Larger Screen: A Source of Frustration

While the 24-inch iMac is a fantastic machine, many users, including professionals and creatives, were hoping for a larger screen option. A 27-inch or even a 30/32-inch iMac would offer a more immersive experience and increased screen real estate for multitasking. The lack of a larger model is a puzzling decision by Apple, especially considering the growing demand for larger displays in the professional space.

Why Upgrade Now?

If you’re still using an older Intel-based iMac, now is an excellent time to consider upgrading to the M4 model. Here’s why:

Performance Boost:
The M4 chip offers a significant performance leap over older Intel processors, resulting in a smoother and more responsive computing experience.
Improved Efficiency: The M4 chip is incredibly power efficient, leading to longer battery life (if you have an iMac Pro) and a cooler, quieter machine.
Future-Proofing (with caveats): While the lack of Thunderbolt 5 is a drawback, the M4 iMac is still a powerful and capable machine that will serve you well for years to come. Plus, the 10-core GPU configuration can support a single 8K external display at 60Hz, offering an incredible level of detail and screen real estate.
In conclusion, the new M4 iMac is a fantastic all-in-one computer that offers a compelling blend of performance, design, and value. However, the lack of a larger screen option is a disappointment for many. If you’re in the market for a new iMac and can live with the 24-inch display, the M4 model is an excellent choice. But if you need a larger screen, you might have to look elsewhere or wait and see if Apple addresses this omission in future releases.

Let’s delve deeper into the M4 chip and explore some alternatives for those needing a larger display. I’m also happy to help you with your future blog posts about the new Mac mini and MacBook Pro.

Under the Hood: The M4 Chip

The Apple M4 chip is a system on a chip (SoC) that integrates the CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, and other components into a single unit. This unified design allows for incredible performance and efficiency. Here are some key technical specifications:

CPU: 8-core or 10-core CPU with a mix of high-performance and high-efficiency cores. This allows the M4 to excel at both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks.
GPU: 8-core or 10-core GPU, delivering a significant boost in graphics performance compared to the previous generation.
Neural Engine: 16-core Neural Engine, capable of 11 trillion operations per second. This powers machine learning tasks and enhances features like voice recognition and image processing.
Unified Memory: Up to 32GB of unified memory, shared between the CPU, GPU, and other components. This allows for faster data transfer and improved overall performance.
Media Engine: Dedicated hardware for video encoding and decoding, accelerating video workflows and improving video playback quality.
This powerful combination of features makes the M4 chip a formidable performer, capable of handling everything from everyday tasks to demanding creative workflows.

Looking Beyond the 24-inch iMac: Alternative Displays

If you’re craving a larger display, there are several excellent alternatives to consider:

Apple Studio Display: This 27-inch 5K Retina display offers stunning visuals and excellent colour accuracy. It pairs seamlessly with the Mac mini or MacBook Pro, providing a larger canvas for your work.

Third-Party Displays: Numerous third-party manufacturers offer high-quality displays in various sizes and resolutions. Some popular options include Dell UltraSharp, LG UltraFine, and Samsung Odyssey monitors.

iPad Pro as a Secondary Display: With features like Universal Control and Sidecar, you can use an iPad Pro as a secondary display for your Mac, expanding your workspace and adding touchscreen functionality.