Hardware - Make Tech Easier

The 8 Xbox Accessories You Can’t Live Without

Natalie dela Vega — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 21:25:00 +0000

It’s tough to choose the best Xbox accessories, as there are many peripherals and accessories that are compatible with your Xbox. You can choose from various headsets, gaming monitors, hard drive, and more to make your console gaming experience better. If you’re looking for the best Xbox accessories, this list covers a variety of options to help you choose.

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1. Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
2. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for Xbox
3. Asus ROG Strix Xbox Edition Gaming Monitor XG43UQ 43”
4. Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB
5. Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand for Xbox
6. Xbox Live Gold Subscription
7. Turtle Beach Battle Buds In-Ear Gaming Headset
8. Logitech G920 Driving Force Racing Wheel for Xbox One
Frequently Asked Questions

1.... Read more

9 Charging Stands for Your Apple Watch

Natalie dela Vega — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Are you in the market for a docking station or charging stand for your Apple Watch? We came up with a list of options, at various price points, for you to choose from. We’ll tell you what each docking station can do for your Apple Watch and the rest of your (compatible) Apple devices.

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What Is a Docking Station and When Do You Need One?
1. Lamicall Apple Watch Charging Stand
2. Conido Charging Stand
3. JackCube Design Wooden Charging Stand
4. OLEBR 3-in-1 Charging Station
5. WAITIEE 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station
6. Belkin Boost Charge Pro Portable Fast Charger
7. Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock
8. MagSafe Duo Charger
9. Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafe
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Stream Deck and Should a Non-Gamer Buy One

Amy Yoder — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:25:00 +0000

If you’ve ever tuned into a Twitch stream, you might have wondered how a person manages all of the stuff going on in the stream while also playing a video game. The thing is, most of them are using a stream deck, and while they’re great for gamers, they’ve got lots of benefits for non-gamers, too.

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What Is a Stream Deck?
What Are Stream Decks Actually Good For?
Why Would a Non-gamer Need One?
Stream Decks Alternatives for Non-Gamers
Best Stream Decks Available
What to Look Out for When Choosing a Streaming Deck
What About Macropads and Apps?
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Stream Deck?

A stream deck is piece of hardware that boasts a set of physical keys that can be customized to perform various... Read more

SSD vs. SSHD: Are Hybrid Drives Worth It in 2022?

Sayak Boral — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 00:25:00 +0000

In only a few years, the solid state disks (SSD) have nearly replaced magnetic hard disks (HDD) as the default storage option in laptops and PCs. However, there is also now an option of a solid state hybrid drive (SSHD), offering the best of SSD and HDD. So which one is better? The only way to find out is through a head-to-head comparison as shown here.

Differences Between SSD and SSHD

SSD is flash storage similar to a USB drive but is much... Read more

What Is a Mini PC and Should You Buy One?

Amy Yoder — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 15:25:00 +0000

If you’re in the market for a new computer, you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed when contemplating all the options available on the market. But before you rush out and purchase another laptop, stop and consider if a mini PC would be better suited to your needs. In a work-from-home environment, these miniature versions of powerful PCs could be the answer for a lot of folks.

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What Are Mini PCs
Use Cases for Mini PCs
Choosing a Mini PC
Ready-to-Go Mini PCs
Barebones Mini PCs
Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Mini PCs

Mini PCs are exactly that: scaled-down versions of desktop computers. They come in a variety of sizes and offer unique advantages, as well as some drawbacks.

What Is the Headphones Driver and How Does It Affect Audio Quality?

Alexandra Arici — Sat, 04 Jun 2022 00:25:00 +0000

If you’re on the hunt for quality headphones, you’ll be surprised at the many different brands and styles available on the market today. This may make it harder for you to choose the right ones. Headphones specs are complex and very technical and can easily get you confused if you’re looking just at them. In this post we cut through the jargon to shed more light on one of the common headphone components, the headphones driver, and how it affects audio quality.

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Understanding Headphones Driver
The Impact of Driver Size on the Audio Quality
Does Having Multiple Drivers Equate With Better Sound Quality?
Different Types of Headphones Driver Units Explained
1. Dynamic (Moving Coil) Drivers
2. Planar Magnetic Drivers
3. Balanced Armature Drivers
4. Electrostatic Drivers
5. Piezoelectric Drivers
6. Bone Conduction Drivers
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Turn Your Raspberry Pi into a Video Conferencing Station

Phil South — Sat, 28 May 2022 00:25:00 +0000

Post-lockdown, with working and schooling from home as a matter of routine, more people are turning toward video conferencing as a way to keep in touch and get things done. Tools like Google Meet, Skype and Zoom mean we can keep in touch with people outside the confines of our home, across cities, time zones, and even countries, making the world smaller and allowing for remote collaboration. If you’re looking for another great Raspberry Pi project, I urge you to try this one. This tutorial shows you how to turn your Raspberry PI into a video conferencing station.

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Gathering Supplies
Setting Up Your Pi
Zoom
Google Meet
Skype
Jitsi
Hardware Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions

Gathering Supplies

Here’s what you will need:

What Is a MUX Switch and Why Should Your Next Gaming Laptop Have One?

Julian van der Merwe — Wed, 25 May 2022 05:25:00 +0000

Modern gaming laptops are so good that eking every last drop of performance out of the hardware isn’t always necessary. Even so, gamers can take things even further with the MUX switch. This is now a fairly common piece of tech that could easily boost your gaming laptop’s performance by 10-15% in most cases. Stay tuned to find out how it works and why your next gaming laptop should have one.

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Graphics Processing in Gaming Laptops
What Is a MUX Switch?
Is the MUX Switch Better than Switchable Graphics?
Are There Disadvantages to a MUX Switch?
Who Should Buy a Laptop With a MUX Switch?
What Games Benefit the Most From a MUX Switch?
How Do I Check If My Laptop has a MUX Switch?
Laptops With the MUX Switch
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Make Your Windows Gaming Laptop Play Longer on Battery

Sydney Butler — Tue, 24 May 2022 05:25:00 +0000

Gaming laptops are finally powerful and affordable enough to be viable systems for gaming enthusiasts. The thing is, they’re notoriously hard on battery life while gaming. While you’re not likely to get much game time playing the same way you do while plugged into the wall, there are some things you can do to make gaming, when you don’t have an outlet handy, last longer than 15 minutes.

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Change Windows' Power Mode
Limit Frame Rates
Turn on Vsync
Turn Off HDR and Crank the Brightness Down
Turn Off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RGB
Use Headphones or Turn Down the Volume
Kill All Background Applications
Dial Down In-game Settings
Play Less Demanding Games on the Go
Use a Power Bank (If You Can)
Buy an Extra Battery

How to Install Windows 11 on a Raspberry Pi 4

Richard Kanyoro — Thu, 19 May 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Are you looking to install Windows 11 on your Raspberry Pi 4? Not only is this a fun project to try, but it also opens up a world of possibilities if you need a pocket-sized PC.

With our guide, you’ll learn how to bypass Microsoft’s stringent requirements and install Windows 11 on your Raspberry Pi 4. The best part is that you can do the installation from a Raspberry Pi or a PC without too many commands or technical skills.

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Requirements for Installing Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi
Update Your Raspberry Pi to the Latest Firmware
Install Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi
Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements for Installing Windows 11 on Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi 4 – Both the 4GB and 8GB Pi versions will work. But for a smoother experience... Read more

6 of the Best Super Portable USB Flash Drives

Ryan Lynch — Sat, 14 May 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Are you looking for a USB flash drive that you can bring around with you? There are a number of super small, ultra portable USB flash drives available. Read on to explore our choices of six of the best portable USB drives.

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1. Transcend JetFlash 710
2. SanDisk Cruzer Fit
3. SanDisk UltraFit
4. Samsung Fit Plus
5. Silicon Power Jewel J50
6. PNY Elite-X Fit
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Transcend JetFlash 710

The JetFlash 710 by Transcend is a USB 3.1 compatible flash drive that weighs in at a mere 3.3 grams. It’s so small, that it barely protrudes from your computer’s USB port. This minimizes the chance someone may bump into it and break it on a desktop PC. Furthermore, it means you can leave it plugged into your laptop without having to worry about stowing it away when moving from place to place.

Furthermore, the drive is housed in a sturdy metallic... Read more

9 of the Best Alternatives to Apple’s Magic Keyboard

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 13 May 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Do you need to replace your Mac’s Magic keyboard but don’t really want to pay the “Apple tax”? Or what about that hated default Butterfly keyboard that leads you to use an external keyboard instead? You’re in luck. We’ve assembled a list of some great alternatives that maintain the functionality and mimic the aesthetics of Apple’s Magic keyboard. Furthermore, we’ve organized the list from lowest to highest list price (USD) so that you can find a Magic Keyboard alternative that fits your budget.

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Under $20: iHome Full Size Mac Keyboard
$30 All-Rounder: OMOTON Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac
$30-60: Macally Ultra-Slim USB Wired Keyboard/Macally Slim USB Wired Compact Mini Keyboard
$80: Satechi Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard
$80 Mechanical Keyboard: Keychron K8
$100: Logitech K750 Wireless Solar Keyboard

Under $20: iHome Full Size Mac Keyboard

iHome has been making Apple-compatible peripherals for years, so... Read more

How to Troubleshoot MiFi Connection Issues

Sayak Boral — Wed, 04 May 2022 00:25:00 +0000

To connect multiple devices to the Internet, MiFi networks are a great alternative to WLAN routers and mobile hotspots. A pocket-sized MiFi device creates an ad hoc network wherever you go, provided it’s within your carrier coverage area. On rare occasions, your MiFi may fail to connect, even though the hardware isn’t damaged. If you’re facing this issue, follow the steps below to troubleshoot MiFi connection problems and reset your Internet access.

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What is a MiFi Device?
Why Is My MiFi Showing No Internet?
1. Check Your Account Status for Any Service Discontinuity
2. Make Sure You've Correctly Configured Your MiFi Device
3. Check Your MiFi Connectivity Status
4. Check MiFi LED Indicator Status
5. Remove and Reinsert the SIM card
6. Do a MiFi Factory Reset
Frequently Asked Questions

Is an eGPU Worth Buying in 2022?

Robert Zak — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 15:25:00 +0000

eGPUs have been around for a while yet haven’t really taken off yet. Are eGPU really worth buying in 2022? Here we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about eGPUs, eGPU brackets and eGPU boxes.

Let’s explore the state of eGPUs in 2022 and whether they’re worth your money or not.

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What Is an eGPU?
What Are eGPUs Like in 2022?
How Much Is an eGPU?
Is an eGPU Worth Buying in 2022?

What Is an eGPU?

An eGPU stands for an “external graphics processing unit.” You’ve probably heard of a GPU before: they’re the graphics cards that help render games and movies on our PC. An external GPU, therefore, works outside of the system to render media. To clarify: there is no... Read more

Which Parts Should You Salvage from a Laptop?

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:25:00 +0000

Most of us have an old laptop sitting around somewhere. While it’s always a good idea to recycle your old electronics, before you do so, you may want to spend some time stripping it for parts. Whether you’re looking for a DIY project or want to earn a little extra cash, there could be some useful parts inside. Read on to learn which parts you can salvage from your unused laptop.

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Issues with Newer Laptops
M.2 Solid State Drive
RAM Modules
2.5" Storage Drive
CD/DVD/BluRay Drive
Power Supply
LCD Screen
Recycle Whatever You Don't Use
Frequently Asked Questions

Issues with Newer Laptops

If you have a relatively modern laptop that has bit the dust, there may be some parts on the inside that you can salvage. Unfortunately, newer laptops tend to be much... Read more

What Is a GaN Charger? 5 of the Best GaN Chargers You Can Buy

Ojash Yadav — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 21:25:00 +0000

Are you sick of lugging around multiple chargers for all of your devices and hate the fact that the giant batteries inside your phone and laptop seem to take forever to charge? If you answered yes, then you’re in for a treat.

Say goodbye to the heavy, cumbersome charging brick and hello to the svelte, powerful GaN charger. Gallium Nitride chargers are the next step in charging technology. They are more efficient at converting power, which means there is less wasted energy.

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What Does GaN Mean?
What's Wrong With Silicon Semiconductors?
How Do GaN Chargers Work?
What Is the Advantage of GaN Chargers?
Are GaN Chargers Compatible With Multiple Devices?
GaN Charger Recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions

What Does GaN Mean?

How to Choose the Right CPU Cooler

Natalie dela Vega — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 21:25:00 +0000

The CPU is the brain of your computer. While the component is built to withstand high temperatures, running it constantly on high temperatures isn’t ideal. Not only you’ll shorten the lifespan of your processor, you’ll also get less processing power because of thermal throttling.

One of the easiest ways to tackle heating issues is getting a good CPU cooler. This post looks at the different types of coolers out there and helps you select the right one for your CPU.

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Types of CPU Coolers
1. Air Coolers
2. Liquid Coolers
3. Custom Water Cooling Loops
4. Submerged Cooling Systems
Frequently Asked Questions

Types of CPU Coolers

There are a few types of CPU coolers out there. You can find models ranging... Read more

How to Build a New PC For Linux

Ramces Red — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Oftentimes you will receive a recommendation to install Linux on an older PC. Doing that can certainly revive those old computers and make them usable today. However, Linux also works extremely well on new and modern hardware.

Knowing that, this article aims to walk you through the process of building a new PC for Linux. This includes all you need to know about hardware support and the different distributions that you can install. Further, this article also aims to provide an all-purpose setup that you can build now and use with Linux.

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Let's Talk Hardware
Let's Talk Linux Distributions
Build a New PC for Linux
Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s Talk Hardware

For the most part, Linux has excellent hardware compatibility. However, just... Read more

Android Tablet vs. Fire Tablet: Which One’s for You?

Crystal Crowder — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 00:25:00 +0000

If you’re in the market for a brand new tablet, you’ve undoubtedly come across two of the many options available: the Android tablet and Fire tablet. Amazon actually has both Fire and Kindle tablets now, both of which have different purposes and feature sets. With the Android tablet and Fire tablet looking similar and appearing to do the same things, this article examines which is most worth your time and money.

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The Main Difference - Operating Systems
More Choices with Android Tablets
Limited Choices with Fire Tablets
Fire Tablets Aren't Kindle E-Readers
Choosing Your Apps
The Choice Between Google and Amazon
Picking the Right Tablet
The Winner Is ...
Frequently Asked Questions

The Main Difference – Operating Systems

The main difference between Android tablets and Fire tablets... Read more

How to Use AirPods on Android and Windows

Natalie dela Vega — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Do you have a pair of AirPods you want to use on your Android and Windows devices? Learn how to pair your Apple AirPods with your non-Apple devices in these step-by-step tutorials for Android and Windows.

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How to Pair AirPods with an Android Device
How to Connect AirPods to a Windows PC
AirPods Features You Can't Use on Android and Windows
Third-Party Apps to Restore Missing Features
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Pair AirPods with an Android Device

Go to “Settings” on your Android device.
Tap “Bluetooth.”

Toggle “Bluetooth” on to set your device to pairing mode.