The Tech Guy Blog

Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack Is Not Worth $99

Apple recently released their $99 MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhones. If you have an iPhone 12, you can place the battery pack on the back of your phone and it will magnetize/charge. If you're the kind of person to run out of battery while on the road and away from wall outlets, you may want to consider something like this product....but possibly from another company (Anker). The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is just too overpriced.

Don't Create Multiple Apple IDs for Each New Device

Your Apple ID is an account used to unify your obtained media/apps/content amongst your Apple devices. You do not need to create a new one for each new Apple machine you buy. Ideally, you'll keep one personal Apple ID for life. If you accidentally made a new ID, despite having all of your purchased content on an old ID, just don't use the new one. Log out in System Preferences, then log into your more fully-loaded Apple ID. 

Assign Trusted Contacts for Facebook Recovery

If you have a Facebook and are taking precautions in case you get hacked (and used to post/click on things that you wouldn't do), you should assign at least one trusted contact. Friends or family you trust can help you recover your account by sending you a special URL via recovery code. Go to Security & Login Settings, scroll to "Choose 3 to 5 friends to contact if you get locked out", and edit which friends you want to assign. You can also change or remove those chosen friends later for whatever reason.

If You Want Windows 11, Consider Replacing Your Old PC

Although Microsoft never really said that Windows 10 was the final version of Windows (explicitly), some people are confused that Windows 11 was recently announced. Regardless, the new operating system will presumably not run on many older computers due to certain requirements. You may even be able to run it virtually through a Mac! But if your current machine is over 5 years old, it's probably time to upgrade to a more modern device that can get along with Microsoft's fresh OS.

Put Most Programs on the C: Drive

When you see a C: drive and a D: drive on your new Windows PC, you should put most programs/apps on the C: drive. It's the faster drive (especially if it's an SSD), and you will probably be loading and unloading with frequency. The second reason is that Windows often expects to find applications on the same disk as Windows. Reserve your less speed-critical "Data" for the D: drive, which might be a slower, spinning drive. 

Try Not to Call The Tech Guy While Driving

Driving and phone-calling can be quite dangerous. So making a call to the Tech Guy while steering the wheel is not the most comfortable situation for your brain to process (often complex) answers from the other end. Always wait to pull over or get home before you dial Leo for a tech question. Nobody wants a car wreck/accident that can be easily avoided by simply waiting a bit to get off the road!

AirPods Max Aren't Worth the $549 Price

Beware of the Apple AirPods Max, especially if you're tempted to get them! They just are NOT worth the expensive $549 price tag for the average consumer. The main issue is the audio quality, as lossless audio doesn't seem to be supported even when the product is plugged in with a Lightning-to-3.5mm cable. The headphones should've supported an option for Airplay. The noise-canceling is pretty good thanks to the processors in both ears, so the AirPods Max makes sense for plane travel. But there are simply cheaper, competent alternatives out there.

Remove Unwanted Login/Startup Items on a Mac

Apple makes removing startup items a more complicated process than it likely needs to be. But if you have some annoying windows popping up on your Mac when you log on, you may need to look in your (often hidden) Library folders. Launch Agents, Launch Daemons, and StartupItems can cause your device to automatically load items every time. Just be careful to not change System files that keep your Mac running properly. Alternatively, check under System Preferences -> Users & Groups -> Login Items tab. You may see apps, files, or folders that open when the associated user logs on.

Have a Super Strong Machine Before Buying Flight Simulator 2020

If you are trying to play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, you are going to need a very powerful gaming machine to run it. The classic flight sim, now updated for the current age, is one of the most demanding computer games out there, and most laptops are not going to cut it. Be prepared to put down lots of cash for a laptop or (better yet) desktop that can bring out those beautiful photorealistic visuals. You may not want to purchase the game without first owning a PC strong enough for it. But you can also wait until the Xbox Series X/S release in Summer 2021.

Choose the Highest Affordable RAM Option

If you're going to be multitasking with your laptop or desktop, it is best to boost RAM as high as you can afford. If you can, upgrade the random-access memory on your existing machine or choose the highest sensible option when buying a new computer. With more memory, you can have more tabs open while browsing, you can edit larger files, etc. 4GB is the minimum for Windows 10, but it will probably result in frustration eventually. Linux actually runs better with a small amount of RAM, alternatively. Also, don't forget to replace a spinning drive with an SSD.