As a CPA I can attest Excel is really useful for financial data analysis and problem solving. It takes time to learn, and there are limitations to manage, but when you know what you’re doing it really gets out of your way so you can focus your attention on the work product instead of the tool.

On how I got efficient, when I started my career I tried to optimize any task I had to perform repetitively, and after 3 years everything was pretty fast. After that I tried to optimize one process every month, and now I have a pool of ideas to pull from when problem solving.

I’ve been playing on my 7840U (integrated graphics) laptop, 1440x900 low settings and FSR averaged around 30fps in early game, so not great but playable

Yes and no, I couldn’t get stable frame rates on ps3 and it wasn’t enjoyable. Like my steam deck but it’s not the “end all be all”

I’d look at ryzen 7840U laptops, which should have similar gaming performance to the ROG Ally without paying a lot extra for a graphics card that may push you out of budget

I’ve been a CPA for a decade and don’t use a numpad, though I have to give credit to World of Warcraft for my ability to hit any number with ease. I’ve found you will be most efficient when you never have to leave home row with either hand, so learning to use a trackpoint also helps.

framework said they’re not working on a trackpoint so I feel like my hands are tied, Virgo sounds intriguing but isn’t available

Formal testing no, I could tell the case plate would get hot and my understanding is when the thermal mass stabilizes at a temp the fan would run as normal, so this adds a bit more mass but in a way that’s easier for the heat to passively dissipate

Nothing noticeable the heatsink weighs 15.5 grams

To me calls are more about efficiency, I prefer to have a call and talk through a complex issue for 15 min instead of needing 5+ back and forth emails over an afternoon to get everyone on the same page.

There’s a thermal tape layer that came on the heatsink, stuck to the aluminum sheet that makes contact with the main board. It’s not as efficient as the LTT custom one I got the idea from but it does work! And no, it doesn’t fit in the case anymore

The “front page” experience of seeing general news I should be aware of is getting better but it’s harder to find active niche communities as expected, and I wish there was combined or less fracturing with communities, like having to choose whether to follow [email protected] or @lemmy.world since I would assume they’re somewhat redundant

The heat sink stays cooler than just the case plate since the fins dissipate better and the fin area has less contact surface when you do, can leave my fingers on it for 10-15 seconds vs the plate at 3-5 seconds, but with that said I have to purposefully reach for it, my hand never makes contact with it on accident