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.”

Retro Features Make it a Great Laptop! Panasonic Let’s Note FV4 Review

Panasonic FV4 Laptop Review!

It looks kinda old. It’s a laptop with a REMOVABLE BATTERY. It has kind of a weird touch-pad.
But it all kinda works for me.

Panasonic’s new laptop is not labeled a TOUGHBOOK, and I think business users and travelers will appreciate that. I just wish it was easier to buy… Continue reading “Retro Features Make it a Great Laptop! Panasonic Let’s Note FV4 Review”

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?”

AOC AM16 Mini-PC Review: Is AceMagic Still Up to Their Old Tricks?

At least nothing is outright flagging as malware…

AOC is releasing a mini-PC in collaboration with Ace Magic. A nice little bucket of compute power, packed in a plastic shell. It’s solid performance, IF you can score one on a good sale.
But what about that software… Continue reading “AOC AM16 Mini-PC Review: Is AceMagic Still Up to Their Old Tricks?”

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!”

Do you Want CoPilot+ PC? Revisiting the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Acer Swift Go 14)!

Do you NEED a CoPilot+ PC? Before I start tearing into Snapdragon X Elite Laptops, I wanted to quickly revisit the current gen of Intel powered notebooks. The Acer Swift Go 14 is a VERY cost effective way to get a powerful portable computer, especially now that these PC’s are starting to go on sale… Continue reading “Do you Want CoPilot+ PC? Revisiting the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (Acer Swift Go 14)!”

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