Something I stumbled across a while ago was this awesome power strip which allows you to selectively switch off certain outlets. As with standard power strips, you can shut off power to the whole device, but this only gives the flexibility to just turn off selected outlets with a similar switch. I started using this recently on my computer stuff at home,...

Years ago it was really easy to tell the difference from one Intel processor to the next. For example, you knew that a 386 was better and faster than the 286. You also knew a Pentium 4 3.0GHz was faster and better than a Pentium 4 1.6GHz. It was decidedly easy to tell the differences. Well, that’s not the case at present. Intel in a way is "pulling a...

If you use a laptop a lot, you might have a USB mouse which you use instead of the built in touchpad. Personally, when I use a laptop I find the touchpad quite annoying because I tend to tap it when typing which causes the mouse to move around an text being inadvertently typed where I didn’t want it. If this is the case for you, an option you might want to...

This is a call for all of you out there to post a comment telling us what you’re running right now for a computer. It doesn’t matter if it’s old or new, pre-built or custom, fast or slow, laptop or desktop, etc. Post your specs. If you have multiple computers in the home, go ahead and name them all. What I’m looking for here is a simple...

I don’t know how this one slipped by me, so apologies that I’m late to the party on reporting this one, but better late than never. The Xcore86 is an amazing little board because the entire computer is embedded within it. And one of the best features it’s that since it only uses 1.2 watts, it can run without fans. Even better is that a netbook...

I bought a refurbished Dell Dimension 4400 back when Windows XP was brand new in 2001. It was $625 shipped. The only thing I ever did to it was upgrade the processor from 1.6GHz to a 2.4GHz and bumped the RAM from 256MB to 512MB. Other than that, everything in it is original. I used it for a few years then gave it to my father who has been using it ever...

While not as popular as the PC vs. Mac or Windows vs. Linux debates are today, the argument for either leaving your computer on all the time or turning it off at night has certainly had it’s fair share of discussion. So to revisit this subject, I thought I would pass along a few articles which address this very subject:Q/A on HowStuffWorks – This...

If you have cable or satellite television, this doesn’t concern you. But if you receive television over-the-air via a DTV box, it does. Today is the day where analog television transmissions cease and they’re all supposed to be available via your DTV box now. (In case you don’t have a box, one can be purchased from your local department store...

On the PCMech Live show I am asked at least once each broadcast what I use for a headset and why it sounds so good. The answer is simple: It’s a USB-based headset with microphone. Specifically, the Logitech ClearChat Comfort USB (wired, not wireless). The cost for one of these at the time of this writing is between $25 to $35 depending on where you...

It’s an ever-increasing mobile world, and with it comes all the tech stuff we need to get things done. Being mobile means your tech will run off a battery or two. However there are certain items when you should care and other times when you don’t have to. Point-And-Shoot Digital Cameras Should you care? Yes. I won’t buy a point-and-shoot...