Another annual article by PC World – advice for setting up a new PC. • PC World > “How to set up your new computer” by Brad Chacos, Executive editor (Dec 24, 2021) – Set up antivirus, clear out bloatware, and perform other tasks to keep your PC humming well into the future. Summary: Run… Continue reading Setting up a new PC – 2021
Category: Notebook
Posts about Apple MacBook computers and Windows-based notebook PCs
TV streaming services – visual preview like a set-top box?
This TechHive article (below) is a useful roundup of OTT services. One thing that’s predictable is price increases (not discussed in article). The typical monthly cost stands near $70, which reminds me of my cable bill years ago (and paying for so many channels that I’m not interested in or dropping channels that I do… Continue reading TV streaming services – visual preview like a set-top box?
Setting up a new PC
PC World’s annual advice on setting up a new PC. • PC World > “How to set up your new computer” by Brad Chacos, Senior Editor (Dec 25, 2020) … a new PC isn’t like a new car; you can’t just turn a key and put the pedal to the metal. Okay, maybe you can—but… Continue reading Setting up a new PC
Multiple monitors for work-at-home
What with stay-at-home and work-from-home, I found this PC World article interesting. I talked with a friend over the weekend about using an external monitor with his notebook PC. He’d brought a 27″ monitor home from his employer’s office, and wanted to place multiple Office documents on separate screens. Note that the article considers 2K… Continue reading Multiple monitors for work-at-home
The chips that power your personal computer – Intel’s overview
Holy electron beams, Batman! Chips on a reel, eh. Ever wonder about how computer chips (microprocessors) that power your personal computer are made? Well, if you’re curious for a high level overview, this PC World article includes a YouTube video by Intel (below) and some additional manufacturing videos for other products. PC World > “This… Continue reading The chips that power your personal computer – Intel’s overview
Is Windows 10’s built-in security all the free you need?
Here’s an update to a topic discussed in my January 31, 2019, post “Best PC anti-virus — free or not” and whether Microsoft Windows 10’s built-in Windows Defender is adequate for many PC users. PC World > “Windows Security review: There are better options, but not for the ‘price’” – Windows Security (nee Windows Defender)… Continue reading Is Windows 10’s built-in security all the free you need?
Best antivirus protection for Windows 10
UPDATE OCTOBER 19, 2019: “The best antivirus protection of 2019 for Windows 10 – Your PC needs protection against malware, and free antivirus software may be enough. Here’s the best antivirus protection to get for Windows 10, and what’s worth paying extra for” by Clifford Colby (October 19, 2019). CNET’s “best” recommendations stand from last… Continue reading Best antivirus protection for Windows 10
Best PC anti-virus — free or not
I’ve written previously about PC anti-virus / PC security programs. Annual PC World reports. Both free and paid (subscription) products. The best? Well, this recent PC World article “Recent antivirus tests are bad news for paid security suites” (January 30, 2019) has an interesting take on the question and the status of free options. Paid… Continue reading Best PC anti-virus — free or not
Lookalike web page addresses
Ever mistype a Web page address? Mistype the URL? Like typing “Gogle” instead of “Google.” Ever click a result from a Google search that looked like the site you wanted but took you to something else? With maybe some scary ads? Well, these two articles (links below) are a reminder about this common way criminals… Continue reading Lookalike web page addresses
macOS 10.14 — mountains to the desert — High Sierra to Mojave
Today Apple officially released a new version of its macOS. The name of the new system — “Mojave” — celebrates the desert rather than the mountains of the High Sierra, and updates to version 10.14 from 10.13.6. Available on your Mac from the Apple Menu > App Store > Featured > Mac App Store, Apple… Continue reading macOS 10.14 — mountains to the desert — High Sierra to Mojave
Best PC anti-virus program?
An annual review by PC World: “Best antivirus: Keep your Windows PC safe from spyware, Trojans, malware, and more” (updated August 27, 2018): Antivirus software is nearly as crucial as a PC’s operating system. Even if you’re well aware of potential threats and practice extreme caution, some threats just can’t be prevented without the extra… Continue reading Best PC anti-virus program?
Charging your smartphone battery — best practices
I’ve followed this topic for years: When and how often to charge your smartphone’s battery. What to do and not — in order to prolong the usable life of that battery (and so not worry about replacing the battery before you’re ready to get a new smartphone, eh). For many of us, charging the battery… Continue reading Charging your smartphone battery — best practices
Phishing attacks — fake “Apple” emails
I’ve noticed these types of scams for awhile: email messages (supposedly) from Apple purportedly about a payment or Apple ID or login from another device (which in fact you may not own). More and more email apps (especially on mobile devices) do not permit examination of the raw message text, which often permits detection of… Continue reading Phishing attacks — fake “Apple” emails
Best TV streaming service?
PC World, January 31, 2018: “Best TV streaming service: SlingTV vs Hulu vs PlayStation Vue, and all the rest.” Which streaming TV bundle is the best deal for cord cutters? Our head-to-head reviews hash it out. When you “cut the [cable TV) cord]” and keep your high-speed Internet service, whether you also switch to over-the-air… Continue reading Best TV streaming service?
Meltdown and Spectre — Intel vs AMD status
If you have a computer powered by an AMD processor, is your risk profile any different from someone with an Intel-powered PC? This Ars Technica article (January 18, 2018) summarizes the situation: “Meltdown and Spectre: Good news for AMD users, (more) bad news for Intel.” Windows patches are fixed, but microcode updates are causing even… Continue reading Meltdown and Spectre — Intel vs AMD status
Spectre and Meltdown — phones, tablets, and computers, oh my!
Much in the media this week about an industry-wide problem with all devices using Intel processors — CPU chips, and perhaps those from other manufacturers as well. A security vulnerability: Meltdown and Spectre. It’s like Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow walking through the dark forest in the 1939 classic The Wizard of OZ and… Continue reading Spectre and Meltdown — phones, tablets, and computers, oh my!
macOS High Sierra — to upgrade or not
Starting today, the latest upgrade for macOS — High Sierra — is available. As always, the question is whether to upgrade or not; or, when to upgrade. This CNET article “7 things to know before upgrading to MacOS High Sierra 10.13” discusses this question: “Yes, if you answer any of these affirmatively: You’re paranoid about… Continue reading macOS High Sierra — to upgrade or not
macOS Sierra — Apple’s latest Mac upgrade
No more “big cat” names. Since October 2013, there’s been Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, … and last week Sierra, the latest (free) upgrade to the operating system (system software) for Apple’s Mac desktop and notebook computers. Now called macOS vs Mac OS X. As noted on Wikipedia: macOS 10.12 Sierra was released on September 20,… Continue reading macOS Sierra — Apple’s latest Mac upgrade