Laptop or desktop computers and any components within.
Hardware
One Week with the 2018 MacBook Pro
Episode 1507
Leo has had the new MacBook Pro for a few days. He got a six core i9 processor, and frankly, it's not much different from the previous model. Apple didn't really change it much, except for a redesigned keyboard that has a silicone shield that can keep crumbs and dust out, which could render the keyboard inoperable. The downside is that it will be very difficult to repair, a $700 fix without Apple Care. Leo does say that the silicone barrier also makes the keys quieter and cushier.
How can I record video secretly?
Episode 1506
Carrie from
Carrie wants to know if there's a camera that can secretly record a meeting. Leo says there is, and the trade name is "lipstick camera", but they're even smaller than that now. She can buy a camera smaller than a pinky finger! They can even record HD, and with a very wide angle. There are dozens of them on Amazon and they're around $10. She should search for "mini cam" or "micro cam". There's even one that fits in a pen. There's also one that looks like a USB plug.
How can I control my TV and cable box with my voice?
Episode 1506
Brian from
Brian is blind and wants to know what he can do to access the TV easier. Leo says that the Amazon Fire TV Cube is a good option, but the Echo can sometimes misunderstand. It's a good idea to keep it away from TV speakers. He can connect it to his home theater and control everything with his voice. That's a great feature.
Dick DeBartolo, The Giz Wiz
Episode 1505
Watermelon Smash is the latest new twist on the water roulette game. It challenges each player to press the watermelon against their head as many times as the number on the spinner. It's a suspenseful game because you never know when the watermelon will fully crack open. (You'll see my surprise when I tried playing the game and got drenched. The link is at the Giz Wiz Video below.) If it cracks on your turn, you either get covered with water or plastic watermelon seeds and you are out of the game. Be the last player left to avoid having the watermelon crack open and you win.
Can you turn your old Fire tablet into an Echo Show?
Episode 1505
Lillian (Doctor Mom) from
Lillian says that you can use your old Fire tablet as an Echo Show now thanks to a new Pogo dock by Amazon. Leo says it sounds like just a charging dock and with an software update, it would turn it into an Echo Show. But the dock doesn't have any speakers, and the screen isn't all that great. So it's an interesting device if you have a surplus Fire tablet lying around, and for $35 it's not too bad.
Apple Refreshes MacBook Pro Line
Episode 1505
Apple announced a 13" and 15" refresh of the MacBook Pro, starting at $1799 and $2399. Leo says that all the Macs released in the last few years have been aimed at professionals, and he believes that the consumer grade Mac is on the way out. Apple really wants consumers to buy iPads, rather than laptops of iMacs. So in the near future, you may have to pay thousands to get that MacBook or iMac. You can get them with an i9 processor and up to 4TB hard drive. So expect to pay around $7,000 to be able to edit your film on your laptop.
How can I figure out what's wrong with my PC monitor?
Episode 1504
Steve from
The monitor of Steve's Dell Inspiron has finally bit the dust. Leo says it's probably the cable that has gone bad or worked its way loose. He should try to change the monitor cable. If that doesn't fix it, he should swap out the monitor and see if that's it. Once he has eliminated the easy stuff, then he can look inside the computer. These days, the video card is wired into the motherboard, so that means either replacing the motherboard or getting a new computer. But he should try the easiest stuff first.
Can I run a Wyze Cam from my desktop?
Episode 1504
Ed from
Ed bought a Wyze Cam, but he doesn't have a smartphone to control it. Leo says that he would need to get a cell phone or at least a tablet for it to work. eBay is a good place to get one for cheap. Can he run it from a computer using BSD? Leo says probably not. BSD is a good OS, but it's not used by very many people. Also, Wyze hasn't created a desktop app yet.
He could use an Android emulator like Bluestacks, but he may need Windows or Linux to run it.
Can I use my phone data plan with my laptop?
Episode 1503
Brett from
Brett needs to connect his laptop to his phone and use it as a hotspot. Leo says that the iPhone does have a hotspot mode, but some carriers will want to charge him for the privilege. He can enable it in the phone's cellular settings. Then he can connect his laptop to his phone via Wi-Fi. This will be impacting his data plan though, so he should keep that in mind. But if his connection keeps dropping, that sounds like an issue with the laptop.
Dick DeBartolo, The Giz Wiz
Episode 1503
The small Wi-Fi Eye-Temp device monitors temperature and time on any item (stove, candle, iron, etc.) that is paired through one of their devices and connected to their mobile app. They say it's the first smart device that can monitor ANY item individually. You'll receive an alert when an item is left on for too long. This is specific to the item being monitored. When you set up Eyetemp, you will choose the type of item you are monitoring when you pair the device. If a rapid and drastic temperature change is noted, there is an alert that will be sent to notify you.
