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Old laptops are destined for recycling facilities, but they often still have a lot of potential uses. I've been working with a couple of older models myself. I have no interest in using them on the go, so I take a few steps to get them ready for use in dedicated setups. Let's take a look.  Watch the full video on YouTube: Safety first with the battery. One of the first things to consider with an old laptop, especially if you plan on using it in a stationary setting, is the battery. Older batteries can sometimes be a bit unpredictable or even pose a safety risk over time so I prefer to take them out.   Removing the internal battery from an older Acer laptop. In my opinion, if the laptop is just going to sit plugged into AC power, it's often a good idea to take the battery out. I do this with the laptops I repurpose for stationary tasks. It just simplifies things and removes one potential point of failure or risk. I store the removed batteries in "fireproof" bags. B...

Today I'm taking a look at these Ainope 6.6 foot USB 3.0 extension cables that come in a two-pack. I've got a few different devices handy to see how well they perform for both power delivery and data transfer. Check out the full video on YouTube for more information:  The Ainope USB 3.0 Extension Cable packaging. Opening it up, the first thing I noticed is that each cable comes neatly organized with a hook and loop strap, which is always handy for cable management. The cable itself is braided, which usually adds durability, and it has gold-plated (or at least yellow colored) connectors on both the male and female ends. Holding the braided Ainope USB extension cable. There's also some decent stress relief where the cable meets the connector housing. This looks pretty robust and should help prevent damage over time. The cable has a bit of stiffness; it doesn't just flop down limply, and it holds its shape somewhat if you bend it, which can be useful sometimes. Close-up s...

Today I'm taking a look at the ACEELE USB 3 USB-C Hub. The main benefit that caught my eye is that it has individual switches for each port. So, if you want to use a specific device plugged into it, you just toggle the switch for that port, and you're good to go. This saves on power and disables things like cameras connected to it when you don't want to use them. Before that I was manually plugging and unplugging devices when I do live streaming.  Check out the full video on YouTube for more information:  Pressing the individual power switches on the ACEELE USB Hub. It feels decent in the hand; it doesn't feel super cheap or anything. It also comes with a hook-and-loop tie on the cable, which is handy for cable management. Holding the ACEELE hub and showing the attached cable with its tie. This device has a 3.3 ft cable length. In my case, this isn't ideal. I really wish it was quite a bit longer. For setting things up, 3.3 feet isn't always enough, especially ...

Today I'm taking a look at the NICEHCK Yuandao earphones. I've been using a pair of Sony MDR-E9LP earphones for a long time, and while they're alright, I wanted to see what other options of a similar form factor and price might be out there.  Check out the video on YouTube for more information and audio samples:  The NICEHCK earphones up close. The NICEHCK packaging is pretty simple, not much to it, though it does have some information printed on the back. Inside, you get the earphones and some standard foam ear covers. Included foam ear covers for the earphones. Both the NICEHCK and the Sony use a standard TRS connection point. One difference I noticed right away is the connector style. The NICEHCK ones have a straight connector, while the Sony pair I have uses an angled one. For my specific use case, plugging into my computer, the straight style on the NICEHCK is actually preferable. Comparing the straight TRS connector of the NICEHCK (top) to the angled connector of the...

Today, we're checking out the Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 RAM, specifically a 64GB kit spread across two sticks. This is more of a simple, lower-cost kit, but it comes with features and functionality that make it straightforward and easy to use.  Watch the video on YouTube for more information and details:  The Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 64GB kit box. While this RAM should work fine with Intel 12th gen or later with DDR5 based motherboards, or older AMD AM5 setups like the 7000 series CPUs, my focus here is primarily on using it with AMD 9000 Series CPUs and the configuration related to that platform on an X670E motherboard.  An AMD Ryzen 9900x CPU box. Installation Considerations Before you install any RAM, it's a good idea to look at your motherboard manual. Make sure you know which slots should be populated first for your specific motherboard. Putting the sticks in the right slots allows them to function correctly in dual-channel mode. For AM5 AMD 7000 and 9000 series CPUs...