Category: Hardware

  • Mac location changes, Google SEO truthiness, security summary, lesser known hardware specs

    You can automate Mac settings based on your location by using the free app Control Plane. When you have a Mac laptop, there are times you actually go to different locations, with different printers, sound muting needs, file sharing changes, maybe even turning on password prompting. With Control Plan you can set up different contexts…

  • File encryption, controlling social media sucking time, trello.com

    File encryption tools exist to keep your work private if someone gets hold of your computer. With files or even your entire hard drive encrypted with a key passphrase only you know, you can protect sensitive financial, medical, or other personal data. The Pro versions of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 have built-in encryption, as…

  • Killer Speed

    For killer speed improvement move to a solid state drive. I just finished upgrading from a regular hard drive to a solid state drive (SSD) and I feel that my computer is faster than when I bought it over two years ago. The usual advice for upgrading computers before having to buy a new one…

  • Cleaning computers and alternatives

    Chromebooks are an alternative to Windows or Mac laptops and tablets. They are laptops that use Google’s Chrome operating system, often with a solid-state drive, decent battery life, and 11 to 14 inch screens. Having a keyboard, they don’t force you to tap-type on a screen and, of course, integrate with all of Google’s services…

  • Gleanings

    When you are looking at Apple hardware, always remember to look at Apple’s refurbished store too. When you are in the online Apple store, look for the link to the Refurbished & Clearance section down at the bottom of the store page. Apple checks all items and offers their same one-year warranty. If you find…

  • Cricking your neck with your portables

    With more and more of our daily computing going portable with laptops, tablets and smartphones, we are paying less attention to the ergonomics of these devices. That is, we don’t paying any attention to how our arms and hands, neck and eyes, back and hips, are oriented as we use these portable devices. And, here…