Let's Talk Tech
Geekom Mini Air12 Disassembled! It’s a cute mini PC, and it’s NOT going to hurt your wallet! The folks at Geekom are sponsoring this video to take a closer look at build quality. Even for a low power PC, is it worth spending a little more to get better build quality?
Let’s take a peak inside this mini PC! Continue reading “Geekom Mini Air12 PC Teardown: Is it worth spending more on build quality?”
Geekom A5 2025 review!
Geekom is back in the gadget lab with a “new” mini PC that looks suspiciously like a computer we’ve already reviewed. It’s a refresh on the original A5, with a newer AMD chip! Should we call this a refresh though? It seems like a different product than before…
Let’s take a look!
Continue reading “Geekom A5 Mini PC NEW for 2025! Is it a Refresh or a Downgrade?”
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.”
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”
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!!!”
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?”
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!
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…”