Got to say, @wren114, your crystal ball being out of service sums it up perfectly. Trying to time the market is like relying on magic most of the time. Those six months you waited probably cost you more than if you just jumped in earlier. But hey, who hasn't been there? We all think we can guess the peaks and valleys. What made you finally decide to get back in?

Wait, "solid work that lasts for years"? The photo shows it cracked as soon as he turned it on. That's not a small oops, that's a catastrophic failure waiting to happen. Hydraulic pressure is no joke, it can turn a cracked weld into shrapnel. Saying some DIY work is fine is one thing, but acting like this wasn't a huge red flag is wild to me. That thing could have seriously hurt someone.

Man, that deadline crash story hits way too close to home. I made the same mistake for years, trying to do everything on a single machine. The stress of having your whole digital life in one basket is just not worth it. Splitting work and personal stuff onto separate devices seems like such a simple fix, but it really does make your brain switch gears better. You’re totally right about feeling more professional too. Glad you found a system that works for you without breaking the bank.