Laptop or desktop computers and any components within.
Hardware
How Can I Digitize My Old Albums?
Episode 1759
John fromJohn wants to digitize a record album of his mother's appearance on the old game show Queen for a Day. Is there a turntable that he can get, which can convert it to an mp3? Leo says that Crossley makes a turntable with a USB connection. There is also Victrola and ION. They make them as well. And you can get them as little as $100, and it also includes a CD burner. Just do a search on Amazon for a USB Turntable.
The Giz Wiz and the Flex Brew
Episode 1758
The first gadget of the new year from the Giz Wiz is the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew, which offers 3 ways to brew coffee. You can make up to 12 cups with ground coffee on the carafe side or use a dual-purpose single-serving K Cup pod or ground coffee on the other. The included pod holder and single-serve grounds basket handle both options.
Apple's New High End AirPod Headphones
Episode 1758
Leo says that Apple's new $550 Airpod Max Headphones are too cheap for high-end headphones, and too expensive for just about everything else. But he says that while these fit into a gray area that's going to use computational audio driven by 10 core processors. So customers have a supercomputer in each ear. It will support things like surround sound and will take an imperfect stream of audio and make it better. But Leo will never buy them, even though while they are pricey status symbols now, they may end up being worth the price down the line as the technology improves.
What's a Good Portable Speaker to Connect to My Laptop?
Episode 1758
Elizabeth fromElizabeth wants to be able to listen to music from room to room that can plug into her laptop. Leo likes Ultimate Ears UE Speakers. Leo likes the UE MegaBoom.
How Can I Restore My RAID Backup to a New Hard Drive?
Episode 1758
Spencer fromSpencer removed a hard drive from his RAID array and now he's having issues. Leo says some of the data needed from the reboot was on the missing hard drive. Can he just repartition the RAID? Leo says that the safest thing to do is copy off the data and then reinstall Windows. Then restore. That should copy the master boot record and get it all back to normal.
How Can I Run Windows on My New m1 Mac MiniM
Episode 1756
Myra fromMyra recently got an M1 Mac Mini to replace her old Windows machine. How can she run her Windows teaching programs with her new Mac? She hears that Parallels isn't perfect for running Windows virtually.
Leo says that the M1 doesn't use BootCamp anymore, so it is virtually the only option now. Leo says that VMWare Fusion is the other virtual option. But both VMWare and Parallels have yet to release an M1 version. However, Parallels has released a technical preview version that you could try. But there is another challenge. You need a special version of Windows.
Should I Wait for the M1 Apple Imacs?
Episode 1756
Vernon fromVernon is thinking about upgrading to the new M1 Macbook Pro. But he would really like a desktop. Leo says to wait until the new M1 iMacs come out. No need to get another Intel machine at this point. Leo suspects that next Spring will bring a bevy of new desktops coming with not only the M1 chip but an even more powerful model with more RAM.
What about a NAS? Leo says you can take that old Desktop and convert it into a homebrew NAS using FreeNAS and multiple drives, but Leo says a five-bay Synology NAS is a better option.
Where Can I Get a Digital Tuner Converter That Doesn't Burn Out?
Episode 1756
Adam fromAdam has an older Mitsubishi HD TV that he really loves. It still works fine, but he needs an over the air converter that won't burn out over time and has component out. Leo says that Silicon Dust's HD Home Run or Channel Master's DVR are his best options. But Adam may have to get an HDMI to a Component converter for the video out. But using one of those will open up other digital tuners as well. The nice thing about the HD HomeRun though, is that he can watch TV anywhere in the house by connecting a Roku device and using the HD HomeRun app.
Sam Abuelsamid and the Electric "Mustang."
Episode 1756
The embargo is over and Sam can finally give us a review of the new Mustang Mach E. This new electric "Mustang" is very impressive, according to Sam. Many people haven't considered the Mach E a legitimate Mustang, but Sam says that it's sporty and fits the Mustang DNA, even though you're sitting a bit higher. It's not as quick as a Tesla, though it can do 0-60 in about five seconds. And much of the features seem like a Tesla, including a 15" touch screen in the center of the dashboard. Sam says it's one of the best UI's on a car touch screen he's seen to date.
The Giz Wiz ... Universally speaking
Episode 1755
If you're a gadget freak, chances are you have a drawer, a box, or crates full of AC adapters. Then trying to use the right one can be a challenge. That's where the ProTech Trader 30w Universal Power Supply Reversible Polarity 3v-12 Volt DC 30 watt 2.5 amp with USB Port & 8 Adapter Tips comes in handy. A multi-volt 30 Watts (30w 2.5 amp) replacement switching power adapter supply compatible with 1000s of small electronic devices using requiring 3 volts, 4.5 volts, 5 volts, 6 volts, 9 volts, or 12 volts up to 2.5a or 30 watts.
