Hardware Archives

Loyal readers will know that I'm very interested in automating my home. In July 2018 I wrote Automating a House with Alexa Devices about how I was automating my home in Loreto, Mexico. I wrote more about the topic in Smart Wall Outlets Provide Another Option for...

About three years ago I wrote Switching Our Phone Service to Ooma and Connecting to Alexa. We're still using the same system described in that post. But the folks at Ooma have updated their hardware since then and I thought it was time to look at the new offerings...

I admit that I'm an Intel guy and almost always choose their processors for my computers. That may not always be the best choice, just the choice I've made. So today I'm going to share one of the latest AMD processors to give you an alternative choice if you so...

I've never really been a germaphobe. As with most everything in 2020, that has changed a bit. No, I haven't gone overboard with it. I'm just more cautious than I've been in the past. What item gets really dirty? Your phone! Today we'll look at a way to clean your...

If you have WiFi in your home or office, you likely have some dead spots that drive you crazy. Some will have it worse than others depending on what materials are involved. Today I'm going to talk about a potential solution. Yes, there will be an Amazon link that...

Loyal readers will know that I love the Alexa family of products and use them extensively. A few days ago Amazon announced a list of updated products and I wanted to cover those here. Yes, there are links to purchase the products and I do get a very small...

There are never even power outlets when you need one and there are never enough USB ports either. Today we'll talk about an adapter that can be a big help in solving the problem. I will provide you with an Amazon link to purchase and I do get a tiny commission from...

I've always loved a good set of headphones. Long ago I lost count of how many I've had throughout my life. My only purpose used to be for music, though now they can be just as useful for the latest Zoom meeting. Today I'll discuss a really good one that also has an...

I got my first Amazon Fire tablet something like seven years ago. Even though it is pretty darned old, I still use it from time to time. Why not more often? Because I've gotten a new tablet since then that I use most of the time. Today we'll look at a tablet that...

As time passes, we have more and more data we want to store. The files we need to edit grow ever larger. So that we can handle all that data quickly, we need an SSD drive. Today I'll tell you about one such drive that is available in three sizes. Yes, there will be...

Two years ago I wrote Prices of 43″ 4K Monitors Dropping, LG Has Great Option and it wasn't long before I purchased that LG monitor. Having that monitor on my desk has helped me to be more productive and it was well worth the investment. While I'm not looking for a...

It was about a year ago that I built my most recent computer. Loyal readers may remember that it didn't go as planned. Once I got past the initial issues, the computer has been working very well for me. When I built the computer, I installed 32 GB of RAM. Recently...

I last bought a new computer case more than a decade ago. Each time I've upgraded my computer, I've swapped out the guts of the computer and put them into the same old case. Why? In short, I chose a great case that I really like. I'm not planning on replacing the...

Remember the days when we had to wait and wait to see our photos after they were taken? Then we ended up with prints and often double prints of all the images. Nowadays you have to work a little harder to get prints of your photos. I'll share info on a printer...

Recently I've watched some blockbuster movies on a TV with no external speakers. While I enjoyed the movies, something was lacking without the big sound. I'm all for a nice surround sound stereo system connected to a TV to get that big sound, though I realize it...

Every time I think about moving large amounts of data around, I go back to the days of SyQuest drives that held a whopping 44 MB of data. Then I look at the 64 GB USB key plugged into my computer right now. We've come a long way. Today I'm going to look at some...

Last week I talked about the Intel Core i9-10900K processor. If you missed it, read Intel Core i9-10900K Desktop Processor – 10 Cores up to 5.3 GHz. This week I'll pair it up with a powerful motherboard. Yes, there will be an Amazon purchase link that can earn me a...

The CPU in your computer determines many of the features you enjoy and it can be one of the main sources for speed. Of course new processors are regularly released and each year the speed increases. Today we'll look at one of the latest and greatest. Yes, I'll...

I've never been a fan of plastic water bottles and I routinely drink tap water. It tastes fine to me, though I realize it may not be as healthy as something more filtered. Today I'm going to share the system I'm going to install to provide better water. Yes, there...

More people are working from home. Even TV interviews are conducted via an online platform from homes. We get to see the bookshelves, living rooms and basements of personalities. But to get the best picture, it is important to have a good Webcam. Today we'll...

As laptops continue to get smaller, the connectors provided become even more limited. Today I'll provide a quick list of adapters that can expand your connections. Yes, there will be Amazon links that can earn me a very small commission. No, I didn't get any free...

I've had my Samsung Galaxy Watch for over a year and a half and I'm (Still) Loving My Samsung Galaxy Watch. Samsung has released some newer watches as have other companies. Today we're going to look at the latest from Garmin as it might just be the best fitness...

I admit that writing about hard drives is pretty boring. Yet most of us need them to store data for us. SSD drives are a lot faster, but they are also much more expensive. I'll include links to buy the drives listed from Amazon and I do earn a very small...