Brian Fagioli

Microsoft has been getting more and more friendly with both the Open Source and Linux communities in recent years. For instance, the Windows 11-maker offers its some of its popular software for Linux-based operating systems these days, such as Windows Calculator and the Chromium-based Edge web browser. No to mention, Linux is essentially integrated into Microsoft's desktop operating system thanks to the Windows Subsystem for Linux.

To show just how close-knit Microsoft and the Linux community are, today, something fairly shocking is announced. You see, Ubuntu-maker Canonical is a 2021 Microsoft Partner of the Year finalist. Wow.

Continue reading →

With Windows 11 on the horizon, many consumers will find themselves unable to upgrade due to the crazy system requirements the operating system has. And so, some of those people will look for alternatives, such as Linux distributions. While Ubuntu is a wise choice for those interested in switching to Linux, it isn't the best choice. Actually, Windows-switchers should instead give Linux Mint (which is based on Ubuntu) a try.

Wouldn't you know it, today, the all-new Linux Mint 20.2 becomes available for download. Named "Uma," it can be had with your choice of three great desktop environments -- Cinnamon 5.0, MATE 1.24, and Xfce 4.16. Mint 20.2 is based on Ubuntu 20.04 and uses Linux kernel 5.4.

Continue reading →

USB-A ports used to be ubiquitous, but nowadays, they are becoming less common. Make no mistake, USB-A isn't disappearing anytime soon, but fewer laptops are coming with the ports. Instead, many notebooks come with USB-C only these days. And if a laptop does come with USB-A, it may only be one or two ports at most.

Thankfully, one of the best things about USB is the ability to utilize hubs -- you can turn one USB port into several. Today, Plugable launches its latest powered hub, and it is designed for both data and charging. Called "USBC-HUB7BC," it can convert either a USB-A or USB-C port into seven USB-A ports. If you need more than seven USB 3.0 5Gbps ports, you can use more than one USBC-HUB7BC with one PC -- they are designed to be neatly stacked on top of each other.

Continue reading →

Many laptops don't have HDMI outputs anymore, instead only offering USB-C ports. So this means you can't connect the computer to your TV or monitor, right? Wrong! Many USB-C ports (not all) will also output video, allowing you to connect to HDMI by using an adapter or dongle.

Of course, not all cables are created equally. While Amazon is littered with many USB-C to HDMI cables, a lot of them are of poor quality. If you don't want headaches, you should stick with a reputable brand, such as the much-respected StarTech.com. Today, that company launches a new such cable adapter, and it even features HDR10 support. The cable is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux-based operating systems (including Chrome OS and Android).

Continue reading →

With cloud storage continuing to gain in popularity, flash drives have largely fallen out of favor with consumers. Maybe that's not such a bad thing, as USB flash drives are easy to lose and are susceptible to failure -- the cloud is arguably more safe and secure. With that said, there will always be a need for local storage, as sometimes you can't trust certain documents, such as company secrets, to the cloud.

It is hard to get excited about USB flash drives though, right? I mean, aren't they all the same? Actually, no! They can vary on things like build quality and performance. That's why the a trio of new USB flash drives from respected company TEAMGROUP has piqued my interest. All three drives are distinct in their designs. The speedy C212 uses a slide to protect the USB-A connector, while the M211 has a unique foldable hinge that reveals both USB-A and USB-C. The C211 is the least interesting of the bunch, as it uses an easy-to-lose cap.

Continue reading →

I have wanted a Nintendo Switch for a while now. I had one years ago, but sold it as I didn't have time to play it. I justified the sale by telling myself I'd just buy another when I did have time. Then the pandemic hit, leading to scarcity. Not to mention, there have been countless rumors about a mythical "Pro" Switch that was coming any day. And so I, like many other consumers, delayed the purchase to wait for the new model.

Well, folks, the new model is official, but it is not a Pro model, sadly. Called "Nintendo Switch OLED Model," it is exactly what it sounds like -- the same console with a better OLED display. Not only is it better, but bigger as well -- 7 inches compared to 6.2. The resolution remains the same, however. Internal storage gets doubled to 64GB, while the integrated stand gets bigger and sturdier with a better range of motion. Nintendo promises enhanced audio too. Even the included dock gets a small upgrade -- it now has a wired LAN port.

Continue reading →

The solid state drive market is evolving very fast lately. Not only do we now have an external drive with a huge 16TB storage capacity, but PCIe 4.0-capable motherboards are becoming more prevalent. Why is PCIe 4.0 so important? Bandwidth, baby. Compared to PCIe 3.0, the new 4.0 has double the bandwidth. From a storage perspective, this means PCIe 4.0 solid state drives will provide insanely fast speeds.

Today, MSI unveils a trio of new PCIe NVMe M.2 solid state drives under its new "SPATIUM" branding. Called "M370," "M470," and "M480," one drive uses PCle 3.0, while the other two utilize the faster PCle 4.0. In other words, the company is providing options, allowing consumers to choose the speed that best meets their needs (and budgets).

Continue reading →

For many home consumers, when they need to access files from their camera's memory card, they just insert it into the reader on their computer. This is typically an SD card reader, although many newer computers are doing away with card readers entirely. Instead, you are expected to purchase a USB reader -- they are plentiful on sites like Amazon and very inexpensive too.

But what if you are a professional photographer? Well, then -- you might not be using SD card at all. Instead, you could be using CFexpress. Popular company Lexar has a new CFexpress Type B card reader that is sure to excite professional photographers. The all-new Professional CFexpress Type B USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Reader connects using USB-C, but it also comes with a USB-A cable in the box. Best of all, it is quite fast -- it can read cards at speeds up to 1,700MB/s.

Continue reading →

It was 20 years ago today that BitTorrent helped the pirates play! Yes, folks, it was July 2, 2001 when the BitTorrent protocol was officially released to the world.

For the past two decades, this genius protocol has allowed people all over the world to more easily download pirated content, such as software (warez), music, and movies. It was a real game-changer. Heck, it is how many people recently downloaded the leaked version of Windows 11. In other words, yes, BitTorrent is still relevant in 2021.

Continue reading →

Windows 11 looks quite beautiful, but let's be honest... it is pretty much just Windows 10 with a fresh coat of paint. Sadly, Microsoft is requiring some pretty strict hardware requirements for the upcoming operating system, meaning many people could find themselves unable to upgrade. Even worse, the company has provided confusing communications regarding TPM requirements.

Thankfully, even if Microsoft thinks your perfectly fine computer is obsolete, the Linux community doesn't think that. In other words, if your computer is incompatible with Windows 11 due to a lack of a TPM chip or other hardware issue, it can still run a modern Linux distro just fine. Case in point, one of the prettiest Linux distributions, deepin, just reached version 20.2.2 and it is the perfect option for those that are unable to upgrade to Microsoft's next desktop OS. It even supports Android apps like Windows 11!

Continue reading →

Just yesterday I went to the Verizon store to investigate upgrading my aging iPhone 8 Plus. The company was offering a promotion where I could get an iPhone 12 Pro for free if I switch. While finally having a 5G iPhone excited me, Verizon's service was insanely expensive, so I passed on the "deal." While getting a $1,000 phone for free was tempting, it got me wondering why anyone would actually spend so much out of pocket on a smartphone.

And now, today, T-Mobile launches a new 5G smartphone for only $199.99. Believe it or not, that is the retail price without any promotions. Called "REVVL V+," it is a 5G phone running Android 11 for less than $200. In other words, you could buy five of these phones for the same price as just one iPhone 12 Pro!

Continue reading →

Apple Silicon -- better known as the company's own "M1" processor -- is a game-changer. The new Mac computers (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini) powered by this new ARM-based processor have been very well received by critics and consumers alike.

I was personally fascinated by this new CPU, so I purchased my own 2020 Mac mini. Guess what, folks? The hype is real. The performance is exceptional while the fan almost never kicks in. It is a silent and powerful computing experience. It is a highly recommended computer.

Continue reading →

Yeah, COVID-19 changed the world -- we all know this. But nothing changed more than office work environments. Even as the pandemic slowly fades away, many employees are still working from home, with no plans to ever return to a physical office. And so, videoconferencing is more crucial than ever before.

With all of that said, if your webcam is of poor quality, it can reflect on you negatively. Look, it may not be your fault, but a grainy video feed is akin to going into an in-person meeting with a big stain on your shirt. In other words, investing in a high-quality camera can be very impactful on your perceived job performance -- it could literally have an affect on other peoples' perception of you.

Continue reading →

Hardware that is designed for gamers can be expensive. This is because gaming gear is often built to higher standards. Of course, it can also be artificial price increases, as manufacturers know gamers aren't afraid of disposing of their income.

Thankfully, not all companies are intent on taking advantage of gamers. Logitech, for instance, offers quality products at various price points, allowing gamers to have good gear without breaking the bank. Today, Logitech launches its latest wired gaming headset, and it is designed to be affordable. Called "G335," it is compatible with PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile.

Continue reading →

The TCL 10 series of phones are some of my personal favorites. The company managed to break into the smartphone market with devices that were premium despite being very aggressively priced. In other words, TCL proved that even consumers on a budget can have a high-quality handset. Heck, the TCL 10 5G UW in particular was cutting-edge while being priced under $400.

And now, the follow-up to the TCL 10 series is coming to America. Yes, the TCL 20 series of smartphones are on their way to the USA market, and like its predecessors, they too are priced affordably. There is a trio of new smartphones -- TCL 20 Pro 5G, TCL 20S and TCL 20 SE.

Continue reading →