On Computers

My sister says her co-workers spend their whole lunch hour scrolling on their phones. Kids also do that from what I’ve heard. A smart watch could be the answer. A Lyft driver told me he bought T-Mobile’s SyncUp Kids Watch for his 10-year-old daughter on their $10-a-month plan so she won’t become a tech zombie. She can call, text and play a few games, but is not on social media. Plus, he gets real-time location tracking and text alerts if she ventures beyond his limits. The watch costs $174, but is free for those who sign up for the service. It comes in pink or blue or you can add your own watchband. But that’s just one of many smart […]

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Filed under: AI, video, word processing | Comments Off on SMART WATCHES TACKLE PHONE ADDICTION

I love my new, lightweight HP laptop 14, $289 from Amazon. But at first, I wasn’t so sure. I bought it quickly, seduced by the number of five- and four-star reviews and because I like HP. But I hadn’t thought to check the speed of its “Celeron N” processor. Later I read:  “Celerons are extremely weak. They operate better in Chrome or other resource-light operating systems than in Windows.” Fortunately, my HP 14 came with “Windows 11 S mode.” It speeds up performance, mimicking a Chromebook. It also prevents non-verified programs from being installed, or sensitive documents from being examined. Before I realized all that, however, I considered returning it. My techy friend suggested the “HP 15-fc0047nr,” which is just […]

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Filed under: AI, Amazon, computers, security | Comments Off on GETTING A NEW COMPUTER

A reader’s seven year-old iMac refused to power on. Apple couldn’t fix it. “They first tried the power fix, which didn’t work, then tried replacing the logic board,” she said, “which also didn’t work.” To repair it would have cost $900. “I am extremely disgusted,” she said. “I paid more than a thousand dollars for it. I think it should last longer than that. But it is what it is. Now I need a new computer.” Unfortunately, a computer that lasts seven years is par for the course. On average, they last three to eight years. But desktops last longer than laptops because they get better airflow, which reduces heat, the enemy of electronic components. It’s also easier to swap […]

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Filed under: books, business, computers, discounts, Internuts, Mac, TV | Comments Off on REFURBISHED APPLE PRODUCTS FOR LESS

A reader told me he can’t invite all loved ones to his neighbor’s memorial service because he can only find the guy’s Facebook friends. He wishes every senior would provide good contact information before they pass away. “We neighbors had been caring for him and making arrangements for his last days, which we knew would be soon,” he wrote. “However, he left no address book. He burned out on technology and had not used his cellphone in years.” At least Facebook was helpful. In fact, Facebook is so helpful, I’m tempted to let my late husband’s account go on forever. But this means his old friends will continue to get birthday reminders every year, and his name will still show […]

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Filed under: Amazon, facebook, Google, Internuts, photos, social networks | Comments Off on MEMORIALIZING A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

I felt guilty returning a pair of black pants to Amazon. They will probably be dumped, shredded or both. There’s a name for this: “DIF” or “destroy in field.” Defective gadgets, luxury goods and cheap clothing are all candidates for the shredder. An Amazon spokesman told the New Yorker that nothing goes back on sale after the seal is broken or the wrap is torn. Returning stuff is part of a growing trend. A century ago, only two percent of stuff was returned to J.C. Penney’s department stores. Today, 40 percent of clothing on average goes back to US retailers. Returns are about to get even easier no matter where you do your shopping. A company called “Pollen Returns,” run […]

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Filed under: Amazon, business, cheap calls, environment, notes | Comments Off on BETTER RETURNS