Hardware Archives

I get email from loyal readers asking me about a product covered in earlier blog posts. There are a number of ways to find those old posts and a new one has been added. First and foremost, I have to use the exact methods described here to answer the question when...

With much of the world being told to stay at home, the demand for streaming TV has increased dramatically in the past month. I'm going to revisit two devices I've discussed at length in the past as they provide a way for you to stream all of your favorites, or at...

WiFi in the past has been extremely confusion with a mish-mash of letters and numbers. Thankfully the powers that be have simplified the system with a version number. So what was once known as 802.11ax is now know as WiFi 6 and it brings stronger and faster...

When looking at printers for an office, the price of the printer is certainly important. So is the quality of the output. But the sometimes hidden cost comes with replacing the ink. Today we'll look at a printer that is perfect for a small office. While the initial...

Loyal readers know how much I love and use my Alexa-powered devices. For those who need a refresher, read Automating a House with Alexa Devices from less than two years ago as it describes just some of what I've done. Today we'll look at a way to get an Echo device...

When shopping for computer parts, there is always a tough decision between power and price. Buying the most powerful part is typically also expensive. Below that top end are lots of options and today we'll look at a graphics card in that realm. Yes, there is an...

It seems as if I'm always suggesting yet another electronic gadget in my posts. Today I'm going to write about something that can help protect you from the negative effects of those gadgets. Both of the products discussed sit in my house and they were purchased at...

I've had my Samsung Galaxy Watch for nearly a year and a half and I still love it. Why? I covered it in I’m Loving My Samsung Galaxy Watch. That doesn't mean I'm not looking at the new smartwatches to see how they compare. As usual, I'll include an Amazon purchase...

I will be one of the last holdouts to get a new phone if they remove the real headphone jack. Sadly more and more phones are going wireless only for headphones. For many of you, this could mean you'll be in the market for new headphones and you won't want to spend...

Keyboards are really important to me and I've been recommending (and using) the same one for around the last ten years. Most recently I wrote New Keyboard Same as the Old Keyboard about the Microsoft Natural Ergo Keypad 4000. Heck, I've even written about What...

Thinking back many years ago to when having a SyQuest drive was a must-have as it allowed 44 MB of data per cartridge. That was huge and provided a convenient way to move data between computers. Not long after that came the Zip drive and it held even more in a...

I've been a big fan of smart locks on my doors for years. Currently I have a keypad lock that was installed nearly seven years ago. It has some smarts, but not a lot. Two doors codes are supported and there are controls on the inside of the house to set those...

A client runs an FBO operation at a Utah airport and wants to add a live Webcam to his Web site so that pilots can see current weather conditions. For those unfamiliar, an FBO is a small terminal where private planes park, fuel and more. Yes, that includes fancy...

I have a WiFi problem in my house. All walls and floors are solid concrete filled with rebar. That means getting WiFi to the whole house is extremely difficult. I'll include links to Amazon for my solution and I do get a tiny commission if you buy using my links. I...

I look back into the days when I first carried a laptop around the world with me. It was big and it has plenty of ways to connect. The whole back of the laptop was full of ports and often there were two rows of connectors. Now it is less back breaking to carry a...

You're sitting in a public place like an airport and your phone is running out of juice. Looking around, you see a USB port to plug in and juice up. But is it safe to do that? I've share an inexpensive tool to protect your devices and that will include an Amazon...

The first time I traveled with a laptop was in 1993. Since then, I've gone through a variety of bags to bring my laptop and other gear along with me on trips. Heck, it is also useful for quick a trip through the neighborhood. For the last few years, my "gear" bag...

I don't know you about you, but I feel like I have an endless supply of devices to charge via USB. Loyal readers know I write often about various products for charging those devices. Today I'm going to share one that has more options than any I've shared before....

It was just about a year ago when I wrote a lengthy post about how much I enjoyed my Samsung Galaxy Watch. Samsung has tweaked their offerings and the latest is smaller overall with the same size screen. Let's go over some of the updates. Yes, there is an Amazon...

Ever wanted to build a computer? Want something that doesn't cost much? Better yet, something really small you can put most anywhere? That's exactly what the Raspberry Pi 4 offers. While you can buy the parts separately, you'll probably want to get a kit as it...

Ever since the Internet became an important part of our daily lives, I've lived in a place where service options were limited and generally not so fast. So when I saw trucks outside my neighborhood laying fiber optic cable, I got really excited. I don't don't when...

I have a little garden at my home and I'm doing my best to grow a few herbs. When the house was built over a decade ago, a controller was installed for managing the sprinkler system in the garden. It worked, though I didn't have the faintest idea how to make...

My fiancé is preparing to do some online teaching and she asked me for some recommendations. Each of the products I reference will include an Amazon link. Yes, I get a commission if you buy something. While I have not purchased these products, she has purchased...

Yesterday I shared some of the many problems I had building my new computer in the Building A Computer Is Normally Easy But Not Always post. One very small detail I didn't talk about was some new cables so I'll cover them today. Yes, I'll provide links to buy them...