Laptop or desktop computers and any components within.
Hardware
Which Laptop Should I Buy My Wife?
Episode 1679
Gary fromGary's wife is a teacher working at home and he wants to know what to get to make her job easier. First off, Leo says to get a more comfortable chair for her. He also needs a computer for her. Leo says a laptop would be good and Apple's new MacBook Air is about as close to the ideal laptop as you can get. Great screen. Faster. Yet light. And since Gary's wife uses a Mac at school, the MacBook Air is perfect. And she could get an educational discount. The only negative on the MacAir is that it doesn't have any ports other than a single USB-C connector.
Apple Announces MacBook Air and iPad Pros
Episode 1679
Apple announced a new iPad Pro and MacBook Air this week. And Leo says that the iPad Pro costs as much, or more, than a fully equipped MacBook Air. Also, there isn't much difference between the previous iPad Pro and the new model, so Leo isn't sure it's worth upgrading to, and if you're looking at it for a new purchase, the MacBook Air will have more workable apps, vs. the tablet based iOS apps.
Can I replace the battery in my Samsung watch?
Episode 1678
Ron fromRon needs to change the battery on his Samsung Gear 3. But nobody will do it. Leo says that's because it's not considered replaceable. But iFixIt.com has videos and tools for doing it yourself, and Leo says while it says it's moderately difficult, he thinks it's doable.
Why is my thinkpad screen so dim?
Episode 1678
Gary fromGary uses a Lenovo Thinkpad and the latest 7th generation laptop doesn't seem as bright as an older 6th gen model. Is that normal? Does going 4K sacrifice brightness or is something wrong? Leo says that due to battery life, laptops never go to full brightness by default. You can look in the BIOS settings for brightness and see if it's set lower. Leo found his set at half. Press F12 on boot to access. Also check the Thinkpad SubReddit. That's a good place to ask.
How can I easily tag hundreds of my scanned photos?
Episode 1678
Joe fromJoe recently renovated his house and put in cat6 ethernet while he had the walls bare.
Can I watch over the air TV on my Chromebook?
Episode 1678
Jeff fromJeff wants to know if a Chromebook can be used to watch TV. Leo says you can, but you need internet access to do it via streaming. Can he connect an antenna and watch? Leo says no. That doesn't work. A Chromebook needs internet access to work, and it doesn't have a tuner. So to add all that will cost a lot. But with decent internet access, you can then subscribe to YouTubeTV and enjoy it. You're better off going over to tvfool.com, RadioLabs.com, or AntennaWeb.org and finding an antenna for your TV. It'll even show you which way to point it.
Will there be new iPads soon?
Episode 1678
Lucas fromWith schools closing and kids staying home, Lucas wants to have a way to set screen time on computers and iPad. Leo says that you can do that. What iPad should he get that supports pencil and keyboard? Leo says that the least expensive iPad doesn't support the Apple Pencil and keyboard. But there will be new iPad Pros coming really soon, perhaps as soon as tomorrow. But Apple has closed all stores due to the Coronavirus outbreak, but you can buy them online. But supplies may be limited due to shortages in manufacturing. Pencil 1 is better because it offers more pressure sensitivity.
Sam Abuelsamid and Flatless Tire
Episode 1678
Goodyear has invented an airless tire that promises not to get ever get flat. There are spokes going out of the hub of the wheel, and it extrudes material that acts as your tire. It's based on how spiders weave their webs with silk. When your wheels run out of material, you simply reload the capsule. You can also pop in a different blend for cold weather or warm weather. It probably won't see the road until the late 2020s, but it's still pretty cool.
What Laptop Should I Get?
Episode 1677
Joseph fromJoseph needs a good laptop for browsing, email, and syncing to his phone. Leo says that he's recommending Chromebooks now. They are the most secure because they work with just the Chrome browser. Data is stored in the cloud. Samsung makes a great one. The only hiccup is the photo browser. But Leo recommends using Google Photos on the phone and let it back it up to a Google account. If he has to have a Windows laptop, look at Dell, HP, and Lenovo. An iPad is another option.
What's the Best Way to Stream?
Episode 1677
Frank fromDick is thinking about getting YouTube TV. Good buy? Leo says it's the best way to go for cutting the cable and streaming online. It comes with all the local channels. Is there a DVR that supports it? Leo says it has a DVR built into it for up to six people. The only thing it doesn't do is skip commercials. Dick is also a pastor who wants to stream his church services. The ATEM Mini from Blackmagic offers up to four HDMI inputs for streaming different cameras.
