I was trying to make a list of tech that got me excited AND concerned in 2025, and I couldn’t finish a proper script on it. No matter what I wrote though, Windows was the “winner” for the tech THING that left me the most conflicted this year.
There was some really good stuff to get excited about, but then a LOT of stuff that irked me.
What was your top “high/low” for 2025? Continue reading “Was Windows 11 The Most CONFLICTING Tech of 2025?”
RuggON Sol 7 Windows Tablet: Rugged is Fun!
RuggOn Sol7 Review!
It’s a crazy rugged Windows tablet! Billed as the first rugged tablet with Intel Arrow Lake and on device AI, I’m not sure how important that NPU will be. However, it’s NICE having some sturdy hardware for traditional compute situations!
Let’s take a look! Continue reading “RuggON Sol 7 Windows Tablet: Rugged is Fun!”
Dear Microsoft: Keeping My Subscription is NOT Canceling My Plan. Shame on You.
Microsoft is trying to justify their incredible investment in data centers (and the billions of dollars needed to subsidize the failing OpenAI’s flailing business model) by adding CoPilot features to Microsoft Office apps. I’ve spent the last week toying with CoPilot in Word and Excel.
No specific hot take here. They provide almost no value to me or my workflow. Your mileage may vary.
Of course, getting these AMAZING New features “included” means Microsoft will be increasing the cost of a 365 Family plan from $99.99 a year to $129.99 a year. As I need Office document support for the work I do, and I have a couple family members on this plan for cloud storage, I still feel the Family plan (without AI) is a decent value.
However, for “AI” features that I’m not interested in using or keeping, a cost increase of 30% isn’t something I want to pay for.
Thankfully, on Microsoft’s on blog, they detail there will be a “Classic” plan that users can switch to and keep their older perks and pricing. A handy little link is included that takes you to a Microsoft support page.
I want that. Let’s do that.
It’s when we scroll down to the instructions that things get ugly. Continue reading “Dear Microsoft: Keeping My Subscription is NOT Canceling My Plan. Shame on You.”
Snapdragon DESTROYS Intel and AMD Laptops!!!
Or maybe it doesn’t?
Maybe performance is more nuanced than a bargraph?
Reacting to the Snapdragon Summit Keynote, I had some performance tests to share on my Surface Laptop. Maybe it’s just nice to have choices in the market?
Continue reading “Snapdragon DESTROYS Intel and AMD Laptops!!!”
Asus NUC 14 Pro Review: A Better Built Mini PC?
I love a good Mini PC, and the NUC has been one of my favorite series of systems for years! Now owned by Asus, has the line improved? Is it still well supported?
Let’s take a look at powerful little computer! Continue reading “Asus NUC 14 Pro Review: A Better Built Mini PC?”
Windows on ARM TERRIBLE Software Support (Except for ALL These AMAZING Apps)!
AKA “What’s on my Surface Laptop 7!”
We keep hearing it. ARM PC’s are AWFUL for software support, and NOTHING works!
Except, many people have been using them for years, and we seem to be pretty productive on them.
Here’s a quick rundown on what I have on my Surface Laptop 7, and maybe we can chat about the VAST MAJORITY of programs that are working well on ARM PCs? Continue reading “Windows on ARM TERRIBLE Software Support (Except for ALL These AMAZING Apps)!”
Surface Laptop 7 Review: Don’t Buy it for the AI…
Surface Laptop 7 Review!
The AI is the LEAST interesting part of all these new PC’s. Spending a month with the Surface Laptop, it’s been refreshingly well behaved. Taking it on an international trip, and then using it while recovering from Covid, it’s maybe the best Windows laptop I’ve ever used. It delivers on some key promises that I think a LOT of consumers will appreciate. There are precious few compromises asked of the user for switching to an ARM architecture.
So why all the gnashing of teeth? Why are so many tech bros trying to find deal breakers?
When will AMD and Intel launch actual competitors for X Elite? Continue reading “Surface Laptop 7 Review: Don’t Buy it for the AI…”
Geekom XT13 Pro Review: A Tiny PC that Packs a Core i9 Punch!
Geekom is back with another MIGHTY MOUSE PC!
We recently looked at the A8 which had an AMD Ryzen 9. Similar form factor, but there are a lot more differences than I was expecting.
We’re seeing a run on current gen Intel and AMD hardware, with some awesome sales. Who’s the right fit for Intel’s most powerful laptop CPU in a tiny box? Let’s take a look! Continue reading “Geekom XT13 Pro Review: A Tiny PC that Packs a Core i9 Punch!”