Tag: review

This 32GB AMD R9700 GPU Generates AI Text, Images & Video

The search for a 32-gigabyte GPU that does not require a second mortgage has led me to the ASUS Turbo Radeon AI Pro R9700. While this card sits at a higher price point than some entry-level options, currently retailing for approximately $2,000 (compensated affiliate link), it remains a “relatively” obtainable choice for those prioritizing local AI performance.

The card features an AMD R9700 GPU and 32 GB of onboard memory, a capacity that has emerged as a practical baseline for running local language models, video generation, and image diffusion.

See it in action in my latest review!

ASUS recommends a 750-watt power supply for this hardware. The unit features a single power connector, which required an adapter for my specific setup. Its memory bandwidth is rated at around 640 gigabytes per second, putting it behind more expensive Nvidia cards but is “good enough” for fast local token generation.

To test the accessibility of this card, I installed it in a Lenovo Legion 7 Tower from roughly 2021. This system uses DDR4 memory and PCIe 3.0, representing the type of older hardware many users might already own. The goal was to see if the 32 GB of VRAM could compensate for an older motherboard and processor. By loading models entirely into the GPU memory, the performance drop-off typically associated with older systems was largely mitigated.

Testing began with the Qwen 3.8-27B model using approximately 98,000 tokens of context. With Multi-Token Prediction (MTP) enabled, the card generated text at a rate of 42.5 tokens per second in a real-world example. In a more intensive analytical task, I processed a 69-page FCC filing totaling about 50,000 tokens. The prefill process took just over 90 seconds, and the model subsequently provided answers at a rate of 55 tokens per second.

Beyond text, the card was tested for image and video generation with ComfyUI. Using the Minimax H3 model, a five-second video at 480p resolution was generated in approximately three and a half minutes. For image generation, the Flux 2 Klein 9B model produced a 1024×1024 image in about 90 seconds on the first pass, with subsequent generations taking approximately 20 seconds once the model was fully loaded in memory.

The hardware also serves as a capable gaming GPU. In No Man’s Sky at 4K resolution with ultra settings, the card maintained frame rates between 70 and 75 frames per second. On the 3D Mark Time Spy benchmark, it achieved a score of 23,554, outperforming the RTX 3080 that shipped with the test PC.

This card represents a middle ground for users who need significant VRAM but cannot justify the close to five-figure investment required for professional-grade Nvidia silicon. It offers enough headroom to handle maturing AI models that require specific hardware optimizations while remaining compatible with older PC builds. Finding a balance between cost, memory capacity, and speed is the central challenge of building a local AI workstation, and this hardware provides a functional path forward for those working within a $2,000 budget.

Be sure to check out more of my local AI series and see some more affordable options!

Oupes UPS 1200 Review with Lithium Batteries

I have several uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units around the house, and replacing their lead-acid batteries has become a recurring maintenance task that significantly adds to the cost of ownership over time. Sometimes you don’t know a battery is bad until the power goes out!

In my latest video, I take a look at a UPS system with a more reliable LiFePO4 battery that its manufacturer claims is good for at least ten years. LiFePO4 batteries are much safer than lithium ion batteries.

You can find the Ouepes UPS here on Amazon, and my coupon code LONUPS1200 should get you an additional discount.

While I can’t test a decade of longevity of a new product, I was able to see how this device compares to the tried and true lead acide battery systems where it counts: keeping my keep my equipment running when the power goes out.

It supports loads of up to 1,200 watts and has a battery rated at 368 watt-hours. Running near the maximum load will leave less time available to run on battery, and the available capacity will decrease as the battery ages.

My own backup-power needs are fairly specific. I have a standby generator, so I generally need a UPS to keep things running for roughly for about a minute or so until the generator takes over. For that setup, maintaining power through the transition matters more to me than operating a gaming computer for an extended outage.

The UPS has two operating modes. The default economy mode works like a conventional UPS, with a stated transfer time of about eight to ten milliseconds when utility power fails. The other option, called online mode, continuously converts incoming AC power to DC and then back to AC through the inverter. Because the connected equipment is already running through that inverter, this mode is intended to eliminate the transfer gap when incoming power disappears.

That continuous conversion comes with tradeoffs. Online mode uses more electricity, produces more heat, and runs the internal cooling fan harder. It provides an option for equipment that needs an uninterrupted supply, but I wanted to see whether my computers would stay running in the default mode first.

There are eight AC outlets on top, and all eight have battery backup. That differs from units that divide their outlets between battery backup and surge protection. The UPS is specified to provide pure sine wave output in both operating modes. Two front USB charging ports offer approximately 36 watts and 18 watts, allowing a phone or another compatible device to draw from the battery during an outage. A front display shows operating information and can be reactivated with a button push after it goes dark.

For the initial test, I connected a gaming desktop, a gaming laptop, and my overhead lights. With both computers running gaming benchmarks, the UPS showed a load of about 650 watts. I cut the incoming power using a smart switch. The lights briefly flickered, everything continued running. The laptop stayed on as well, although it had its own battery, so the desktop was the more useful indication of the UPS’s performance.

I then increased the load to approximately 1000 watts and repeated the power cut. The UPS again switched to battery power while the desktop continued operating. When I restored utility power, it waited a second or two before switching back. The display estimated about half an hour of battery time during the earlier 650-watt test and 21 minutes at the higher load. Those were the UPS’s estimates; I did not run the battery down to verify them. Switching to online mode demonstrated the same results.

Ouepe’s companion app connects through either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so connecting the UPS to a home network is optional. I could see the current power draw, battery activity, USB output, and an event log. The app also let me switch operating modes and adjust some alarm settings. Not every alarm can be disabled, but there are controls over certain alerts and their duration. A separate USB connection on the rear is intended to allow a connected computer or other supported device to shut down automatically while the UPS is operating on battery power.

The battery’s longevity remains the unresolved part of the ownership calculation. Oupes markets a ten-year battery life, but the warranty is three years. Those are different commitments, and the brief testing in this review cannot establish how much capacity the battery will retain over time. The battery also did not appear to be user-replaceable. That matters when comparing it with the lead-acid units I already own, where replacing a worn battery allows me to keep using the product. But if the battery does last as long as advertised, the cost of ownership might be lower vs. a lead acid model despite its higher price tag.

I plan to put it in my server room and monitor it over time and will report back with any issues.

Disclosure: Ouepes provided the UPS free of charge. No other compensation was received and they did not review or approve my review prior to publication.

Alexa Tablet 11 Review – Amazon’s New Google Tablets?

Amazon has recently updated its tablet lineup with a new entry that represents a significant shift in its hardware strategy. I purchased the Amazon Alexa tablet 11 to see how this device bridges the gap between Amazon’s traditional ecosystem and the broader world of Android. Unlike the previous Fire tablets, this model now includes Google services, making it a hybrid device that functions as both an Amazon product and a Google-integrated tablet.

Check it out in my latest video!

This 11-inch model occupies the middle of the current lineup. It sits between an 8-inch version that costs a little bit less and a 12-inch Pro version that sells for a lot more (compensated affiliate link).

Consistent with Amazon’s previous marketing strategies, the base price includes advertisements on the lock screen, though these can be removed for an additional fee. While the inclusion of the Google Play Store means users no longer need to sideload apps, there is a caveat for long-time users: apps previously purchased through the Amazon App Store will not transfer to this device.

The experience of using the tablet feels like navigating two different worlds. During the initial setup, I had to agree to separate terms of service for both Amazon and Google. I encountered several hurdles during the first hour of use, including mandatory updates for the Silk browser and multiple permission requests for the Alexa app to function. This results in a setup process that is less streamlined than previous generations, requiring more patience to get the device fully operational.

On the hardware side, the build quality is sturdy with an all-metal chassis and a high-quality glass front. It weighs approximately 16.4 ounces, making it feel substantial but portable. The 11-inch 2.5K display is a strong point, offering 276 pixels per inch, which provides clear detail for reading and viewing photographs. Amazon has also implemented a 90 Hz refresh rate, intended to smooth out movement on the screen. However, I noticed that the internal processor occasionally struggles to keep pace with the interface, leading to moments where the experience does not feel as fluid as the display specs suggest.

The internal specifications include a MediaTek Kompanio 540 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of built-in storage. There is no microSD card slot for expansion, so users requiring more space for media will need to opt for the 128 GB model at the time of purchase. Connectivity is limited to a single USB-C 2.0 port which handles charging and data but does not support video output. There is also no headphone jack, though a fingerprint reader is integrated into the side button for quick access.

In practical use, I found the web browsing experience to be snappy, whether using the Silk browser or Google Chrome. However, the tablet lacks sophisticated palm rejection. If my thumb rested even slightly over the bezel while holding the device, the screen often became unresponsive to scrolling or triggered unintended menus. This is an area where other modern tablets have generally seen more refinement. For multitasking, the device handles split-screen mode well, allowing for simultaneous browsing and video playback.

When it comes to gaming, the performance is mixed. Popular titles like Roblox run adequately, though lag is noticeable in more complex environments. Benchmark testing puts the performance of this tablet roughly in line with Amazon’s 11-inch offerings from two or three years ago, trailing behind competitors like the entry-level iPad (compensated affiliate link) or more powerful offerings from brands like Walmart’s Onn line. One bright spot for Prime members is the inclusion of Amazon Luna, which allows for cloud streaming of high-end PC games. Using a Wi-Fi 6 connection, I was able to stream titles at 1080p with manageable latency, provided the internet connection remained stable.

One notable omission in this new model is the “Show Mode.” Prior Fire tablets could function as an Echo Show when docked or locked, displaying visual information and smart home controls. This device lacks that visual interface when locked; it will respond to voice commands, but it does not provide the full visual dashboard found on older models. This may be a side effect of the transition to a more standard Google-based operating system. When the device is unlocked visual responses appear inside of the Alexa widget that pops up over the interface.

The choice here depends largely on how much one values the integration of Google and Amazon services in a single piece of hardware. While the display and build quality remain competitive, the stagnant processor performance and the loss of specific Amazon features like Show Mode suggest a device that is still finding its footing. Given that you can get the more powerful iPad and Onn tablet for around the same price, this one is a tough sell.

Googlebook Review – An Overview of Google’s Newest OS

Google has introduced a new class of laptops known as Googlebooks, and I have spent the last week working with an HP Googlebook 14 (compensated affiliate link) powered by a Snapdragon processor. This device is positioned for the premium segment of the market, placing it in direct competition with hardware like the MacBook Air or Dell XPS. While the form factor is familiar, the internal experience represents a shift from the traditional Chrome OS.

See how Googlebook OS works in my review video!

The foundation of the Googlebook is Android – the same OS that powers phones and tablets from Google and other makers. Unlike previous efforts where Android apps felt like a bolt-on, this environment is integrated from the ground up. In my time with the device, the interface felt like a proper desktop computer, avoiding the awkwardness of earlier Android-based laptops.

When browsing the Play Store, the best experience comes from apps optimized for the desktop, which allow for free-form window resizing rather than being locked into phone or tablet dimensions. It is worth noting, however, that the Android versions of productivity software like Excel are often less feature-rich than their full desktop counterparts on Windows or macOS.

Multimedia performance has seen some specific improvements. On older Chromebooks, the web browser was often the only way to get a high-quality streaming experience. On the Google Book, the Netflix Android app now supports high-definition video and offline downloads, resolving previous digital rights management issues that capped resolution at 480p.

The integration between the laptop and other Android hardware is one of the more prominent features. Using a Pixel 8a, I found that the laptop could recognize active browser tabs on the phone and allow me to resume that work instantly on the larger screen. There is also a system for casting apps directly from the phone to the laptop. This allows for updating data or checking mobile-only apps without having to pick up the physical phone. The file system also recognizes the connected phone as a storage location, facilitating easier file transfers.

Artificial intelligence via Google’s Gemini service is central to the experience. The device includes a year of Gemini AI Pro and five terabytes of cloud storage. One utility, called the magic pointer, allows the user to highlight information on the screen—such as a list of meetings in a PDF—and have the AI do something with that information like create calendar entries. Another tool, a dictation feature called the rambler, attempts to understand the context of speech. Rather than providing a literal transcript, it removes filler words and self-corrections to produce a clean draft. Some other AI features, such as a custom widget maker, proved less consistent in my testing, often providing links to websites rather than functional desktop widgets.

There are areas where the Googlebooks currently fall short of a traditional PC. Gaming is a primary concern; many popular titles like Fortnite or Call of Duty Mobile either do not install or refuse to run due to anti-cheat software not recognizing the device. This is a notable omission given the capable hardware found in both the ARM and Intel versions of these machines.

Power users may find the Linux implementation more restrictive than it was on Chrome OS. While I was able to install Linux GUI applications, they do not integrate into the main app menu and must be run inside the terminal window using a minimal interface.

For developers, the system includes an AI coding application called Anti Gravity. I used this tool to have the AI write and compile a functional RSS reader Android app entirely on the device. While this demonstrates a path for on-device development, the overall environment is still not as robust as the tools available on more established operating systems.

The Google Book succeeds in providing a natural, desktop-style interface for those already comfortable within the Google ecosystem. It offers a familiar environment with a minimal learning curve and serves as a capable upgrade for the standard Chromebook user. The value proposition ultimately depends on whether the user’s workflow fits within these limited parameters or requires the broader flexibility of a traditional laptop.

Is the Base Model M6 Mac Mini All You Need?

I recently purchased the entry-level M6 edition of the Mac Mini (compensated affiliate link) to see how the base model, equipped with 16GB of RAM, handles a modern workload. While many reviews focus on higher-end specifications, this new Mini has a notable price increase from previous generations, though it remains a competitive option in the current market given its performance and included software suite.

See it in action in my latest review!

The entry price is just the starting point, as costs scale quickly with hardware upgrades. Moving to 32GB of RAM adds $400, and increasing storage to 512GB brings the price toward $1,500. There are also versions available with the M5 Pro chip for those requiring more power for higher end video editing or local AI tasks that can stretch close to $3,000 territory. For casual or intermediate users performing standard computing tasks, schoolwork, or light video editing, the base 16GB model remains functional and generally outperforms Windows-based computers at a similar price point.

The industrial design is compact and features an internal power supply. It includes a quiet cooling system that remains inaudible even under load. The power button is located on the bottom of the chassis, requiring the unit to be lifted to turn it on, and the base lacks rubber feet, making it somewhat prone to sliding on a desk. Connectivity includes two 10Gbps USB-C ports and a headphone jack on the front. The rear features Thunderbolt 4 ports on this M6 model, while the M5 Pro versions offer Thunderbolt 5. These ports support up to three simultaneous displays—two via Thunderbolt and one via HDMI—and the machine now includes 2.5 gigabit Ethernet as standard.

In terms of daily performance, the machine is highly efficient. It idles at approximately 2.7 watts and handles web-based applications with significant speed. On the Speedometer benchmark, it recorded a score of 69.3, which is the highest result I have seen from a PC. This efficiency extends to creative tasks as well. In Final Cut Pro, a 4K, 60 fps project proved responsive with the 16GB of RAM. Effects were applied and previewed in near real-time, a task that often causes lag on Windows-based mini PCs with integrated processors.

Gaming performance on the entry-level hardware is also notable. No Man’s Sky, which is optimized for Apple Silicon, runs at 1080p on ultra settings at 45 to 50 frames per second. The 3D Mark Wildlife benchmark score of 15,644 puts it in a similar performance bracket to systems using external GPUs. But note the library of native Mac games is smaller than what is available on Windows,

Macs include a great productivity suite of applications including Keynote, Numbers, and Pages (a great Microsoft Office alternative), along with creative tools like iMovie, GarageBand, and Apple Photos. These applications integrate seamlessly with iCloud for users already using iPhones. While Apple does attempt to upsell users on premium themes and AI features within these apps, the core functionality remains free. For those needing to run legacy software, the machine can host Windows or Linux in virtual machines using the free UTM application or commercial VMs like Parallels. While the 16GB of RAM limits how much memory can be allocated to a virtual machine, the ARM-based Windows performance is stable.

Local AI was also useable on the M6 Mini. I ran LM Studio and the dense Bonsai 27B model, and saw the machine generate text at 17 tokens per second. This is largely due to the unified memory, which operates faster than standard desktop RAM. Users can also access the built-in Apple Foundation model through applications like Locally faster, system-managed AI tasks.

There are some limitations to the entry-level hardware, specifically regarding storage. The 256GB internal drive fills up quickly; after installing everything I tested in this video, I had roughly 45GB of space remaining. Additionally, the drive performance on this base model is slower during sustained sequential writes as the drive fills up, dropping to well under 1GB/s once the cache is full. Read speeds remain stable at around 3GB/s. Networking performance is more consistent, with Wi-Fi 7 providing speeds between 700 and 800 Mbps in my testing and its built in 2.5 gigabit ethernet performing as expected.

The thermal management of the M6 chip is effective. During a full stress test of the CPU and GPU, the system consumed a maximum of 37-39 watts and maintained a 99.55% stability score on a 3DMark stress test. The unit remained cool to the touch and the fan remained silent throughout the process.

For users seeking a high-performance desktop under $1,000, the base Mac Mini provides a capable experience for most general and creative tasks, provided the user can manage the limited internal storage.

The Cheapest 32GB Nvidia GPU You Can Buy for Local AI (Nvidia Tesla V100)

For the past couple of months, I have been exploring the practicalities of locally hosted AI models and applications. My primary objective to see what we can do with things we already own, or find cost-effective alternatives to a $5,000 Nvidia GPU.

In my latest video, I take a look at a relatively affordable 32GB GPU solution : an Nvidia V100 GPU pulled from a datacenter!

In an earlier video, I looked at a new Intel GPU with 32GB that retailed for $1,300. One of these pulled GPUs costs about half that. I got mine from Server Parts Deals who is also selling these cards on Amazon (compensated affiliate link).

Although the V100 lacks some of the specialized features found in modern RTX cards that newer models will begin to depend on, for now it provides ample performance from popular large language models (LLMs) like Qwen 3.8 27B.

Integrating a data center card into a consumer environment requires several specific modifications. These cards are designed for server racks where external fans force air through the chassis, meaning the card itself lacks active cooling. To address this, I sourced a specialized blower fan (compensated affiliate link) from an online marketplace to attach to the rear of the unit. Because I do not currently have a dedicated desktop for this project, I opted to use a small form factor PC with the GPU connected via an OcuLink interface.

The power requirements added a layer of complexity to the assembly. Data center cards use different power pin configurations than standard consumer hardware, necessitating a specific adapter cable (compensated affiliate link). Furthermore, because the external enclosure needs to power both the GPU and the high-draw blower fan, multiple power leads and adapters were required to ensure the cooling system remained operational at a constant speed. While some enthusiasts have developed variable-speed cooling solutions, I focused on the minimum requirements necessary to maintain stable operating temperatures under load.

The software installation process presented its own set of challenges. Initial attempts to configure the V100 on Windows 11 were unsuccessful; despite installing the correct data center drivers, the system consistently returned a hardware error, likely due to the OCuLink connection or BIOS issues. Consequently, I shifted the project to a Linux environment running Ubuntu 26.04. To streamline the configuration and driver installation, I utilized ChatGPT’s command-line Codex application to manage the technical hurdles and document the installation for future reference. This approach allowed for a more efficient setup of the necessary dependencies and libraries.

Once operational, I tested the system using the llama.cpp web interface, starting with the Qwen 3.8 27B dense model. When tasked with summarizing a few PDF documents, the V100 achieved a pre-fill speed of 50 tokens per second and a generation speed of 45 tokens per second. The 32GB of VRAM allowed for a large context window of over 96,000 tokens, enabling the model to process a 70-page document without exceeding the hardware’s limits. Even as the context window filled to 80% capacity, the generation speed remained a functional 24 to 30 tokens per second while drawing approximately 270 watts of power.

Performance shifted significantly when testing a “mixture of experts” model, such as Gemma 4 26B-A4B. Because these models only activate a fraction of their parameters for any given task, the processing speeds were much higher. The system reached pre-fill speeds of 1,100 tokens per second and output generation at over 90 tokens per second. These results indicate that for text-based local AI tasks, this older data center hardware remains competitive with much more expensive modern alternatives.

Beyond text, I tested the card’s ability to generate images and video using ComfyUI. While the V100 can run modern models like Flux for images LTX 2.5 for video, the process is considerably slower than on contemporary hardware. Generating a single 1024×1024 image took approximately one minute, while a five-second video clip at 720p required three and a half minutes of processing. By comparison my Intel card could do the same job in under a minute and a half. Long videos were much slower vs. the newer Intel card in my testing.

Newer cards from Intel and Nvidia have specific optimizations for these workflows that the V100 lacks, as it was originally released in 2017. For example, the exceptional MiniMax H3 model was too slow to be usable on the V100.

There are clear trade-offs when using a decade-old data center GPU. Many emerging AI features expect hardware capabilities that simply did not exist when this card was engineered. While it handles current language models with ease, it may not support the next generation of multimodal AI tools as effectively. However, for those specifically seeking a large context window and high VRAM capacity for local text processing on a budget, these secondary-market cards offer a viable path forward.

GMKTEC M3 Pro Review – DDR4 and an Older Intel Chip Make it Somewhat Affordable

I have been searching for lower-cost options in the mini PC market recently and found another candidate that meets the criteria : the GMKTec M3 Pro. This device is powered by an Intel i5-13500H processor and DDR 4 RAM. This is older technology, but at this point older is the only way to reach affordability in the current environment.

Check it out in my latest Mini PC review!

The unit is priced at $329 for a barebones configuration, which excludes RAM and storage. For those preferring a pre-configured system, Amazon has some options preconfigured with RAM and storage (compensated affiliate links).

The M3 Pro features a compact design with a build that utilizes metal on the sides and plastic for the top and bottom panels. On the front of the device, there are two 10 gigabit per second USB-A ports. The rear houses two additional USB-A ports, though these are limited to 5 gigabits per second. For display connectivity, there are two HDMI outputs capable of 4K resolution at 60Hz. A USB Type-C port is also present and supports a third 4K 60Hz display. However, it is important to note that this is not a Thunderbolt or USB4 port. Due to the older chipset, the Type-C port is limited to USB 3.2 specifications, meaning data transfers are capped at 10 gigabits per second.

The M3 Pro includes a 2.5 GB Ethernet port that performed to its rated specifications during my testing, maintaining full potential on both downstream and upstream traffic. The Wi-Fi 6 performance was less consistent, reaching about half a gigabit per second on the downstream and approximately 350 megabits per second on the upstream. Internally, the system is upgradeable. Removing the bottom panel reveals two RAM slots supporting up to 64 GB of DDR4 memory. Because these Intel chipsets favor dual-channel memory, it is advisable to install RAM in pairs. Storage is handled by two NVMe slots: one 2280 slot and a secondary 2242 slot for shorter drives.

In terms of performance, the M3 Pro handles specific workflows with varying degrees of efficiency. When testing local AI using the Gemma 26B-A4B mixture of experts model, the system generated approximately 12 tokens per second. This is usable but noticeably slower than modern AMD-based systems equipped with faster DDR5 memory, which can exceed 20 tokens per second. Video editing in DaVinci Resolve is manageable for basic 4K 60Hz tasks, such as simple transitions or stringing clips together. However, more complex projects involving heavy effects cause the system to slow significantly. The lack of a Thunderbolt port also precludes the use of an external GPU to bolster this performance.

General computing is where the machine feels most responsive. Web browsing is nearly instantaneous, and the device handled high-bitrate 4K 60Hz YouTube playback without dropping frames. It achieved a score of 29.6 on the Speedometer benchmark, which is consistent with other systems in this category with current generation chipsets.

Gaming performance is comparable to a Steam Deck. Running Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p on the lowest settings resulted in about 20-25 frames per second, though lowering the resolution to 720p would likely push the frame rate above 30. It serves as a capable box for 8-bit and 16-bit emulation and can handle some GameCube titles. In the 3DMark Time Spy test, it scored 1,644, which aligns with expectations for this processor generation.

Thermal management can be adjusted through a high-performance mode in the BIOS. In this mode, the fan is more aggressive, and the system passed a 3DMark stress test without significant thermal throttling, maintaining a temperature of roughly 69 degrees Celsius under sustained load. While the fan is audible during heavy tasks, it is not particularly loud compared to other mini PCs, and it remains largely silent performing basic computing tasks. Power consumption sits at 10 to 11 watts at idle and reaches about 75 watts under a full load.

Linux compatibility is a strong point for this hardware, likely due to the maturity of the older chipset. Running Ubuntu 26.04, the experience was snappy and all hardware components—including video, audio, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth—were detected without manual configuration.

While the M3 Pro lacks the hardware required for demanding local AI or high-end video production, it remains a functional choice for general office work, home server duties, or use as a dedicated Linux desktop. The trade-offs in port speeds and memory technology are reflected in the lower entry price, making it a utilitarian option for users with standard computing needs.

A 32GB GPU for a Third of the Price? Intel’s B70 for Local AI

Local AI has made tremendous strides over the last few months and I’ve been looking at the most affordable ways to implement it, like using an old Mac, or pairing two GPUs together to maximize memory. In my latest video, I sought out the lowest cost 32GB GPU solution I could find and landed on the Intel B70 (compensated affiliate link).

See it in action here!

While prices have fluctuated recently—this GPU cost a few hundred dollars less just a few weeks ago—it remains a practical alternative to higher-end Nvidia options for those operating on a more modest budget. It won’t be as fast but it’s fast enough for most workflows.

The primary advantage of the 32-gigabyte capacity is the ability to run dense models, such as the 27-billion-parameter Qwen 3.8, entirely on the GPU. This prevents the system from having to offload data to slower system RAM or the CPU. In my testing, the setup generates approximately 25 tokens per second, rarely dropping below 20 even when the context window is heavily loaded. For example, I used the model to summarize a complex appeals court ruling regarding DJI litigation and the result was every bit as good as what you might get from ChatGPT or Gemini. The system processed the legal text and generated a structured summary and a chart without relying on cloud resources.

The hardware configuration I demoed involves an Oculink connection to a MinisForum Mini PC equipped with an AMD Strix processor. While a mini PC of this caliber might be more power than necessary when the GPU is doing the heavy lifting, it served as a convenient platform for the project. The operating system is Ubuntu 26.04, which has proven stable for these applications.

Normally I’d do a how-to in a video like this to get things working. But these days, it’s easier to just let AI do most of the heavy lifting especially given how frequently things are changing in this space. For this project I had ChatGPT’s CODEX command line interface verify the hardware install and find the appropriate drivers. This approach has allowed me to resolve configuration issues that might otherwise be time-consuming, resulting in a more efficient setup.

Practical applications for this local setup extend into coding and data management. I developed a tool called “The Gadget Tracker,” which filters RSS feeds from technology publications. The Qwen model analyzes article text to determine if they pertain to hardware gadgets rather than general industry news or software algorithms. Valid entries are then stored in a local SQLite database for review in a to-do list format. I also demoed Qwen 2.8 modifying the application’s user interface, adding social media images to the display cards and adjusting UI elements. The model’s reasoning process is perhaps a little more methodical than a frontier model with more resources; it often takes time to contemplate its plan before executing code, which helps minimize errors in the final output.

Another test involved extracting data that is difficult to capture through traditional copy-and-paste methods. I tasked the model with gathering names and email addresses for the New York City Council from their official website. Because the emails were embedded within the site’s source code rather than displayed directly on the page, a simple scrape wouldn’t work. The local model used a curl command to pull the HTML, identified the relevant strings, and formatted the data into a CSV file in under two minutes.

There are trade-offs to this local approach, particularly regarding power and acoustics. The GPU fan is audible even when the system is idle, and the card consumes about 55 watts just sitting with a model loaded. Under a full processing load, that consumption rises to over 320 watts.

Despite the power demands, the ability to process 96,000 tokens of context locally provides a level of privacy and unlimited usage that cloud services cannot match. The technology in this space is moving quickly, with software updates frequently unlocking better performance from existing hardware. This specific configuration has reached a point where it handles the majority of the tasks I previously delegated to proprietary models, proving that local hardware is increasingly capable of meeting professional demands. My focus now shifts to optimizing the power draw while continuing to test how these dense models handle more complex, long-term projects.

ModRetro’s M64 is a Nintendo 64 FPGA Console for the Millennial Masses

This has been a good year for fans of the Nintendo 64 with two new consoles replicating the original console in 4k. First we had the Analogue 3D which continues to get improvements via firmware updates, and now we have the new ModRetro M64 which costs a bit less.

In my latest video we take ModRetro’s new console out for a spin.

This new device, like Analogue’s console, utilizes a field programmable gate array (FPGA) processor, allowing it to replicate original hardware behavior with a high degree of accuracy.

For many, the primary appeal of a device like this is the ability to connect to a modern television without the signal degradation or connectivity issues common with original hardware. While the output is technically 4K, the image remains faithful to the original source. It is not doing much to enhance the graphics beyond a simple upscale, so the visual limitations of the 1990s remain apparent.

The console is priced at $229 and is available in several colors, with transparent plastic that mirrors the aesthetic of the late nineties. While it competes with other FPGA devices like the Analogue 3D, it is significantly less expensive – approximately $85 less when factoring shipping costs.

The M64 does not ship with a controller, but it is compatible with original peripherals or new options. Mod Retro offers a $90 “pro” controller (compensated affiliate link) featuring a metal backing and a rechargeable battery. This controller feels remarkably sturdy with its metal construction, though some early units like mine have minor friction issues near the edges of the analog stick gate. Users can also opt for more affordable wired alternatives from 8bitdo, Retrofighters and Hyperkin. There’s a list of compatible controllers on ModRetro’s website.

The console design includes a few thoughtful touches. There is a dedicated eject button that allows for one-handed cartridge removal. When powered on, an internal light illuminates the installed cartridge, and front-facing LEDs indicate which controller ports are active. A physical dial on the console allows users to navigate an on-screen control panel even if a controller is not immediately reachable.

On the back of the unit, there is a USB-C port for power, an HDMI output, and two currently unused USB-C ports. A micro SD slot with an included 16GB card handles the operating system and updates, though it does not currently support running ROM files directly. For those who still prefer a tube television, an optional $90 adapter is planned that will provide high-quality analog output, including RGB and S-video, which provides a superior experience vs. what the stock hardware can do without modification.

Testing various titles reveals a clean and crisp audio-visual experience. Classic titles like Mario 64 run as expected, though the limitations of the original 240p resolution are very visible on a 4K screen. The system handles 480i interlaced content, such as ReVolt, with reasonable success, though finer details in some games can still appear jagged. Currently, the built-in scanline filters and CRT modes tend to darken the image significantly and obscure detail, suggesting that further firmware refinement is needed in that area. I prefer the clean mode which looks pretty good.

Compatibility is high but not universal. Currently, about 16 games, including heavy hitters like Donkey Kong 64 and Starcraft 64, have known issues. Flash cartridge support is also mixed; while the Summer Kart 64 functions well for standard titles, older Everdrive models don’t seem to work, and virtual 64DD support through the Summercart is not yet functional. Because the system uses an open-source core derived from the MiSTer project, there is an expectation that these compatibility gaps will close as the community and the manufacturer continue to issue updates.

The software interface offers several customization options, including integer scaling to fill the screen and the ability to overclock the system to smooth out games that originally suffered from frame rate drops. Updates can be performed over Wi-Fi, though the system does collect some telemetry data for debugging when connected to WiFi. Some features, such as wireless rumble and the built-in controller save pack, are still awaiting activation in future firmware releases.

While the Analogue 3D may currently offer more flexibility and graphical quality for enthusiasts, the Mod Retro M64 is a less expensive and capable entry point that will likely be easier to find in stock in the long run. Ultimately though, Nintendo 64 games were designed for the specific limitations of analog televisions, which masked many graphical imperfections. While playing in 4K is convenient, the true potential of this hardware may be best realized when the analog adapter arrives, allowing the system to interface with the CRT monitors these games were originally built for.

Disclosure: I paid for the system and controller with my own funds.

Dell XPS 13 Review – A Great Affordable* MacBook Neo Alternative ! (*by 2026 standards)

It’s been hard finding new affordable laptops so far this year. But there are still a few value packed devices out there, and in my latest video I take a look at the new Dell XPS 13, a laptop positioned to compete directly with the MacBook Neo.

Check it out in my latest video!

At its entry-level price of $699—or $599 for students (compensated affiliate link)—it occupies a competitive space in the current market for portable electronics.

The model I tested features 16 GB of RAM, an upgrade that adds $200 to the base price. While an 8 GB version is available, the additional memory provides a more stable experience for multitasking and moderate workloads. The construction is entirely metal, weighing approximately 2.2 pounds. The 13-inch IPS display offers a resolution of 2560×1600 and includes a matte touch surface. Notably, it supports a variable refresh rate from 30 to 120 Hz, which assists with power efficiency when the screen is static while providing smoother movement during active use.

Under the hood, the device runs on an Intel Core 5-320 processor, part of the series designed for power efficiency at a lower cost. While the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, the 512 GB SSD is user-upgradeable. The keyboard offers more travel than many thin laptops and includes backlighting. The trackpad is mechanical rather than haptic, though it remains responsive. For security, the laptop utilizes facial recognition via the 1080p webcam, as there is no fingerprint reader. The webcam performance is functional for standard video calls, though the image quality can appear grainy even in well-lit environments.

The audio performance is a notable feature for a device of this size, offering more depth and volume than typical for ultraportables. Port selection is limited to two 10 Gbps USB-C ports, one on each side. Both support video output and charging, though they lack Thunderbolt support found in higher-tier models. Connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 7, which delivered consistent speeds around 800 Mbps in my testing environment.

In terms of daily performance, the XPS 13 handles web browsing and 4K video playback without significant lag. In benchmark tests, it scored 30.9 on Speedometer, trailing slightly behind the MacBook Neo but remaining competitive with other Intel-based devices. Battery life reached between 10 and 12 hours for light productivity tasks, provided the brightness was moderated and the variable refresh rate was active. Heavy tasks like video editing or gaming will reduce this duration significantly.

While the integrated GPU is not designed for professional creative work or high-end gaming, it managed casual gaming reasonably well. Cyberpunk 2077 ran at 25 to 30 frames per second at 1080p on low settings. Thermal management appeared effective during stress testing; the internal fan remained quiet, and the processor temperature stabilized at 53 degrees Celsius or 127.4 degrees fahrenheit.

For those interested in alternative operating systems, I tested the device with Ubuntu. While it successfully booted and the touch display functioned, drivers for audio and Wi-Fi were not yet operational. This is a common occurrence with new hardware and typically resolves as driver and kernel updates are released.

Current market conditions have seen a rise in the cost of components, and there are indications that the pricing for this model may increase in the future. Given the current hardware package and build quality, the device represents a specific value proposition for those seeking a portable Windows machine. My time with the unit suggests it is a functional option for students and professionals focusing on general productivity.

See more laptop reviews here!

Disclosure: This unit was provided on loan by Dell for evaluation purposes. This was not a sponsored review nor did the company review or influence my findings.

The Beelink Eqi 304 is an Interesting Intel Wildcat Lake Mini PC

My latest Mini PC review is of the Beelink EQI304, the first I’ve looked at powered by Intel’s new Wildcat Lake architecture. The new chipset offers some great new IO options including dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 10 gigabit ethernet port. These are up for pre-order at Beelink’s site (compensated affiliate link) and should be available on Amazon post release.

Check it out in my full review!

The Wildcat Lake architecture in this model features five cores—one performance core and four efficiency cores. It is designed for low power consumption, which I observed during my testing. At idle, the system draws approximately 5.4 watts, and even under full load, it typically stays around 30 watts, peaking briefly at 40. Despite this low power draw, the performance is a measurable step up from previous low-end Intel chips like the N300.

One of the more unusual aspects of this device is the memory and storage configuration. The model I tested came with 24GB of RAM, which is upgradable, whereas the 16GB entry-level model features non-upgradable memory. Inside, I found a single stick of Crucial memory, though users should note that since Micron has discontinued its consumer Crucial brand, internal components may vary in future batches.

For storage, Beelink has integrated 512GB of UFS 3.1 memory directly onto the motherboard. While this is slower than standard NVMe storage—recording write speeds around 800 to 900 MB/s—the system includes two empty NVMe slots for expansion, one of which is hidden beneath the top of its NVME heatsink and the other underneath the heatsync.

The connectivity options are quite robust for a machine of this size. The rear panel includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, both of which performed to specification in my data transfer tests, though I did encounter a system lock-up when connecting an older Thunderbolt 3 drive.

More notably for those interested in networking, the device features a 10-gigabit Ethernet port alongside a secondary 2.5-gigabit port. In my testing, both ports reached their expected throughput, making this a potentially useful piece of hardware for those looking to run a small home server.

Thermal management and noise levels are where this unit is particularly refined. The power supply is integrated into the chassis, eliminating the need for an external brick, yet the system remains cool. During a 3DMark stress test, the internal temperature stabilized at 39 degrees Celsius. The fan was barely audible throughout the process, even when the processor was fully engaged.

In terms of real-world use, the EQI304 handles daily tasks like web browsing and 4K video playback without much effort. Gaming is possible on a casual level; I was able to run older titles like Grand Theft Auto V at 1080p with low settings, achieving frame rates between 45 and 50 per second. PlayStation 2 emulation also ran at full speed during my trials. However, it remains well behind older Ryzen-based mini PCs in terms of raw graphical power, so it is better suited for office work or server tasks than for heavy video editing or modern gaming.

I also tested the system with Linux, specifically Ubuntu 26.04. The operating system recognized all hardware components, including both Ethernet ports and the Wi-Fi 6 card, suggesting that driver support is already maturing for this newer architecture. Older versions of Ubuntu did not have driver support.

The current market volatility for computer components has pushed the price of this unit to $659 for the 24GB configuration. While this is higher than the entry-level pricing seen in previous years, the combination of low power consumption, silent operation, and high-speed networking makes it a versatile option. It serves as a clear indicator of where Intel’s low-end efficiency chips are heading, prioritizing connectivity and thermal stability for users who do not require the overhead of a high-wattage desktop.

Disclosure: Beelink provided the Mini PC to the channel free of charge. However no other compensation was received and they did not review or approve this video prior to uploading.

Take Back Your Android /Google TV Buttons!

If you own an Android or Google TV device, your remote control likely features several branded buttons dedicated to specific streaming services. Manufacturers monetize this hardware real estate by selling priority access to platforms like Netflix or YouTube. For users who do not utilize these specific services, these buttons remain dormant. While hardware manufacturers lock these inputs by default, third-party software offers a workaround. I recently purchased an application called TVQuickActions Pro to see if it could successfully reclaim these unused buttons.

Check it out in my latest video!

TvQuickActions Pro costs approximately five dollars, which positions it as a more affordable alternative to similar software like ButtonMapper.

Getting the software to intercept a button press before the Android operating system responds requires adjusting system permissions. Specifically, you must enable accessibility permissions for its core button-remapping functionality. Once configured, the software allows for granular control over individual buttons.

Instead of a standard single action, you can assign distinct commands to a single press, a double press, and a long press. During my testing, I successfully remapped Onn’s “Free TV” button to launch Plex with a single press and the RetroArch emulator with a double tap.

The application also supports visual overlays. By mapping a button to the action menu feature, you can generate an on-screen directional pad. This allows you to assign different applications to the up, down, left, and right inputs. Additionally, a dock feature can summon a customizable, horizontal menu of applications that can be navigated without returning to the primary Android home screen.

For users willing to modify deeper system settings, the tvQuickActions Pro integrates with Android’s developer (ADB) tools. By enabling Developer Options and USB Debugging in the device settings—and granting the corresponding ADB permissions within the app—you can execute system-level commands from the remote. In one example I configured a long press to force-stop the foreground application, providing a physical override to clear a suspended or problematic app from memory without digging through menus. Another developer-level feature transforms the remote into a virtual mouse, placing a cursor on the screen that can be navigated using the directional pad for applications that require point-and-click input.

The software also supports webhook transmissions, meaning a single button press could be configured to trigger external network commands, such as toggling networked room lights.

Reclaiming these locked remote control buttons provides a functional method for bypassing pre-programmed manufacturer constraints, giving you the flexibility to operate your home media setup exactly how you prefer!

Valve’s New 5 Minute One-Click SteamOS Install !

Valve’s newest SteamOS release, 3.8, no longer locks the gaming operating system to specific hardware. This means SteamOS can be installed on any PC – provided it’s running with AMD graphics hardware.

In my latest video, I install SteamOS on a Minisforum AI X1 Pro 370 Mini PC (compensated affiliate link) as a test case to see how close to an official “Steam Machine” users can get with their own hardware.

Check it out here!

Getting started was straightforward. Valve provides a SteamOS installation and repair page with the files and instructions needed to prepare a bootable external drive. On this particular PC, I had to disable Secure Boot in the BIOS before the installer would launch, but after that the process moved along without much friction.

One important limitation became clear immediately. SteamOS currently wipes the primary boot drive during installation, and it does not appear to offer a simple graphical option for choosing a different target disk. In this case, even with another drive installed, the installer defaulted to the main Windows drive. Anyone trying this should assume the main system disk will be erased unless they have taken steps to avoid that outcome.

The operating system installed in well under five minutes, and after a short post-install update and some basic setup steps for networking, display scaling, and audio output, I was at the login screen. The overall setup felt closer to bringing up a console than configuring a conventional desktop operating system.

After logging in, the interface looked very familiar. SteamOS on this PC presents the same lean-back environment that Steam Deck users already know. I moved into the display settings to confirm that a 4K panel was being detected correctly, and the system allowed me to force 3840 by 2160 output along with appropriate screen scaling without trouble. That does not mean this class of hardware is suited to modern games at 4K, but 4k is an option for lighter or older titles.

I started by downloading a game over Ethernet, where the system appeared to make full use of the PC’s 2.5 gigabit connection. From there, I loaded No Man’s Sky and began testing performance. At 1080p with the lowest settings, the game ran at a solid 60 frames per second, which is roughly where I would expect this hardware to land. Raising the resolution to 4K dropped performance to around 20 frames per second, which confirmed that 4K gaming is not realistic here for a title like this. Returning to 1080p and increasing visual quality from standard to enhanced brought performance into the 50 to 55 frame per second range, still in line with expectations.

What stood out was that the drivers appeared to load correctly, the game rendered properly, and the hardware behaved about as it does under Windows. In Cyberpunk 2077, running the built-in benchmark at 1080p on low settings, performance again matched what I usually see from this processor, with some moments looking marginally faster. There were no obvious driver issues or instability during testing.

I also wanted to see whether SteamOS on a mini PC could go beyond native PC gaming and serve as a broader living-room system. For that, I switched into desktop mode and installed EmuDeck, the software package that automates emulator setup on Steam Deck and similar systems. The process on SteamOS looked identical to the one on Valve’s handheld. After downloading the installer, dragging it to the desktop, and stepping through the setup, I had a full emulation environment in place with little manual configuration.

To test that side of the system, I loaded Burnout Revenge through Emulation Station using a PlayStation 2 emulator configured for 1080p. The result was stable 60 frames per second performance with no visible slowdowns. Controller setup was handled automatically, which is part of the appeal of EmuDeck in the first place. Users can also push emulated games directly into the Steam interface, though I tend to prefer keeping them grouped inside Emulation Station.

The final part of the test involved an external GPU. I connected a GMK eGPU equipped with an RX 7600M XT through the mini PC’s Oculink port. SteamOS recognized it immediately, and the system booted without any special configuration. I was not able to get the same unit working over Thunderbolt in this setup, although there are reports from other users of success with USB4 and Thunderbolt-connected GPUs under SteamOS.

With the Oculink-connected eGPU in place, No Man’s Sky at 4K with enhanced settings ran at about 60 frames per second. That was a meaningful step up from the integrated graphics result at 1080p, and it delivered similar to what this GPU achieves in Windows. In practical terms, the combination turned this mini PC into a living-room gaming system that boots directly into Steam’s controller-friendly interface while also handling emulation and external graphics expansion.

What emerged from this test was not a perfect universal installer, but a clear sign of where Valve seems to be heading. On compatible AMD hardware, SteamOS is already simple enough that setting up a console-style PC with an OS optimized for gaming no longer feels experimental. The main caveat is still the installer’s handling of storage, which remains blunt and potentially destructive if a user is not careful.

For anyone with spare AMD GPU hardware, or a Ryzen-based mini PC gathering dust, SteamOS now looks like a practical weekend project rather than a niche experiment. It still has clear boundaries, especially around Nvidia support and drive selection, but in day-to-day use it already feels less like a workaround and more like the early shape of a broader PC gaming platform.

GMKTec G11 Mini PC Review – A Budget (by 2026 standards) Offering

The landscape for budget mini PCs has shifted recently. Not long ago, a well-equipped unit could be found for under $200, but those options have become increasingly scarce.

My latest Mini PC review takes a look at the GMKTec G11, a machine that attempts to balance affordability with a modern feature set. Powered by an AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514 processor, the unit I tested includes 16GB of RAM and Windows 11 Pro for a fairly reasonable price. For those who prefer to provide their own components, a barebones version is available for about $169 (compensated affiliate links).

The hardware design is functional, offering a variety of connectivity options. On the front, there are three 10Gbps USB 3 ports, including one Type-C port that supports 4K video output at 60Hz. It is worth noting that this port does not support power delivery, so the included external power supply is still required. The back of the device features dual 2.5 gigabit Ethernet ports, which performed to standard in my testing, and two additional HDMI ports that can each deliver 4k 60 independently. For wireless connectivity, the G11 uses a MediaTek Wi-Fi 6E radio. In my environment, it reached speeds of 600Mbps downstream and nearly a gigabit upstream.

Inside the chassis, the G11 shows some improvements over previous entry-level models from this manufacturer. It now features two NVMe slots rather than one running with the older mSATA standard, allowing for dual-drive configurations. The RAM is also user-upgradeable, with two DDR4 slots supporting up to 32GB.

Cooling is handled by an internal fan that remains relatively quiet during standard operations. Users can toggle between three performance modes in the BIOS; switching from the default 20-watt “standard” mode to the 25-watt “performance” mode provides a measurable boost in benchmarks, though it does cause the fan to engage more frequently.

My initial experience with the software was less straightforward. Unlike previous GMKTec machines I have reviewed, which arrived with a clean installation of Windows, this unit included several pre-installed applications. One, called “GMKTec Claw,” appears to be a version of an AI application that requires a login I did not have. Another, titled Herdsman, is apparently a Local AI client that was entirely in Chinese. Given the low-level system access these types of AI tools often require, I would suggest that users consider a fresh installation of Windows or a move to a Linux distribution upon receiving the device.

In terms of daily performance, the G11 handles standard productivity tasks, such as web browsing and office applications, without difficulty. However, I encountered some limitations during specialized testing. While streaming 4K video at 60fps on YouTube, the system dropped a noticeable number of frames, suggesting that the drivers for this specific Ryzen processor may still require optimization. The Browserbench.org Speedometer benchmark placed the R2514 in the same performance bracket as Intel’s N300 and N150 processors, which are common in this price range.

Graphical performance is modest but better than its low-end Intel competitors. During a test of No Man’s Sky at 720p on the lowest settings, frame rates stayed consistently below 30fps. Similarly, PS2 emulation struggled to reach full speed at native resolutions.

For those interested in media serving, the AMD architecture presents some challenges with Plex. While I managed to get some hardware transcoding working in Windows, higher-bitrate 4K HDR files caused the CPU usage to spike and the video to buffer. This is an area where an Intel Mini PC generally maintains an advantage.

But the G11 proved to be a stable platform for Linux. I booted the latest version of Ubuntu and found that the hardware was recognized immediately, including the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. The operating system felt responsive, and for users looking to run Docker containers or a basic home server, this hardware offers a capable foundation. The system draws about 11 to 12 watts at idle and peaks at 48 watts under heavy load, keeping temperatures around 60°C while running sustained heavy workloads.

The G11 represents the current entry point for the mini PC market. While it no longer carries the sub-$200 price tag of years past for a full configuration, it provides a functional set of ports and upgradeable internals that suit basic desktop needs or lightweight server duties.

Amazon Tech Haul 16! Prime Day 2026 Edition

It’s time for another gadget tech haul! This time I have a collection of seven new items that I found of interest ahead of Amazon’s 2026 Prime Day(s)! Check out the video here!

You can find a compensated affiliate link to the complete list here. Many of the items are on sale for Amazon’s big summer promotion. With the exception of the Logitech Mouse below, all of these items came in free of charge from their manufacturers. All links below are compensated affiliate links.

The first device is the Aurzen D1R Air portable projector. It operates on the Roku TV platform and weighs approximately 2.6 pounds. The unit projects a 300-lumen image, which is optimized for an 80-inch display in darkened environments. It supports standard streaming applications and wireless display casting from computers, though the integrated speaker is basic and the input lag makes it less suitable for fast-paced video games. The device features automatic keystoning and focusing, and it can be powered via a traditional wall outlet with its included power cable or a 65-watt USB-C power supply (not included). The manufacturer also provided me with an optional tripod accessory equipped with an internal battery capable of powering the projector for roughly two and a half hours.

The Logitech Mobi Fold is a full sized bluetooth mouse that is optimized for travel thanks to its foldable design. It features standard left and right buttons, a capacitive scroll area, and forward/back navigation controls built into the center scroll surface. It charges via USB-C, pairs with up to three separate devices, and includes a user-replaceable battery.

Anker’s Soundcore Work is a meeting recorder that has server-based AI features for transcription and summarization. The hardware features a detachable, wireless microphone that magnetically clips to clothing, with the base unit able to attach to phones via Magsafe. Users receive 300 free minutes of transcription per month, after which a subscription fee applies. The device can be used without a subscription, but audio extraction is currently limited to the manufacturer’s proprietary app only.

In the diagnostic category, Treedix sent along their awesome USB Cable Tester. This tool identifies the specifications of connected cables, such as USB 4 or Lightning, by reading pinouts and e-marker data. It can also conduct a resistance test. It operates on a single AAA battery or direct USB-C power.

The Zima Board 2 is a fanless mini PC/server equipped with an Intel N150 processor, 8 gigabytes of non-upgradeable RAM, and 32 gigabytes of eMMC storage. It features a PCIe slot on the side for adding expansion cards (even GPUs), along with two powered SATA connectors for attaching external storage. It utilizes a custom operating system designed to simplify Docker container installations and does so more effectively that many competing NAS devices. However, the software defaults to older versions of these applications, requiring manual intervention to secure the latest updates. It’s priced higher than other comparably spec’ed Mini PCs that have more upgrade paths. But I found its headless design and Zima OS to be interesting enough to include in this lineup as there is potential here.

For portable power, Sharge sent over their Shargeek 170 power bank. It features a transparent casing that exposes its circuitry and battery cells, a 24,000 milliamp-hour capacity, and can deliver a maximum output of 170 watts. The built-in display provides real-time data on wattage and remaining runtime. In testing, it successfully powered the Aurzen projector and charged a dead mobile phone simultaneously while accepting an incoming charge. Plus it looks super cool.

The last items on the list is the ClonerAlliance Box Pro Pocket, a standalone video capture device. It records up to 1080p video at 60 frames per second via HDMI, but its standout feature lies with its analog inputs for RCA, component, and VGA connections. In the video I demonstrated capturing the VGA output from my 29 year old college laptop along with a VHS capture and upscale to 1080p. The device features an integrated screen and saves video directly to external storage (USB or SD card), providing a straightforward method for digitizing legacy media formats.

If you liked this lineup I have over a dozen more similar hauls I’ve done over the last couple of years! Check them out here.

Lenovo Idea Tab Plus 2026 Review – Budget Android Tablet

With technology prices rising due to memory shortages, finding a capable tablet that remains affordable has become more of a challenge. I recently reviewed the Lenovo Idea Tab Plus, a 12.1-inch device that is currently bundled with a case and pen at a great price over at Amazon (compensated affiliate link).

Click here to see my video review!

The tablet features a metal back and a glass display, weighing in at 1.17 pounds. While it supports accessories like a stylus and a keyboard case via pogo pins, these are not included in the base configuration which is what Lenovo sent to me for review.

The 12.1-inch screen offers a resolution of 2560 by 1600 and reaches a brightness of 600 nits. With a 90Hz refresh rate and 96% DCI-P3 color coverage, the interface feels responsive and the color accuracy is sufficient for general media consumption and light photo editing.

Under the hood, the device runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 eight-core processor paired with 8GB of RAM. For storage, it provides 128GB internally, though an SD card slot allows for expansion up to 2TB. The physical ports are limited to a single USB-C 2.0 port used for charging and data; notably, it does not support wired video output.

During my daily use, the battery life consistently lasted between 10 and 12 hours for standard tasks like web browsing and email. The audio experience is supported by a quad-speaker system that automatically adjusts its stereo orientation when switching between landscape and portrait modes. While the 13-megapixel rear camera lacks stabilization, it produces sharper still images than many other budget tablets I have tested. The 8-megapixel front camera is adequate for video conferencing and supports facial recognition for unlocking the device, which is necessary as there is no fingerprint reader.

Performance is steady for multitasking. I found that I could run a YouTube video alongside a web browser without significant lag. The tablet also supports HD playback on streaming services like Netflix, which utilizes the 2K display effectively. For gaming, the hardware is capable of handling standard Android titles and some Gamecube emulation through the Dolphin emulator, though it does not match the benchmarks of more expensive models like the entry-level iPad or even some recent high-end budget competitor from Walmart’s Onn brand.

Two software features stood out during my time with the device. The first is a “PC mode” that allows apps to run in resizable windows, mimicking a desktop environment. This is particularly useful if the tablet is paired with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. The second is an integrated GPS radio that functions without an internet connection, a feature increasingly absent from other tablets in this price range.

On the software side, the device ships with Android 16. Lenovo has committed to two operating system updates and four years of security patches. However, the initial setup experience is somewhat hindered by a significant amount of pre-installed bloatware and prompts to download additional sponsored applications. Once these are cleared and the initial system updates are finished, the performance levels out.

While it lacks the high-end power found in flagship devices, this tablet occupies a practical middle ground. It offers a solid build and a high-resolution display for users who prioritize media and productivity over heavy gaming.

Disclosure: Lenovo provided the tablet for review on loan. No other compensation was received and they have not reviewed or approved this content prior to publication.

See more tablet reviews here!

This Retail GPU Works Great for Local AI !

I recently began exploring the practical applications of local AI by integrating a new GPU into my hardware configuration. I purchased an Asus card equipped with 16 gigabytes of video memory (compensated affiliate link) that by today’s standards is at a fairly “budget” price.

Check out what it can do in my latest video!

16 gigabytes is enough RAM to house the Gemma 4 26-billion parameter mixture of experts model. This specific model provides a balance of performance and efficiency that mirrors what many users expect from cloud-based subscriptions, but without the need for external data processing and costs.

My current setup involves an external GPU configuration using an Oculink Thunderbolt dock connected to a GMKTec mini PC. While the computer itself contains 64 gigabytes of system RAM, running these models exclusively on a GPU is necessary for maintaining acceptable speeds. For the software interface, I am using LM Studio, a free cross-platform application that allows for fine-tuning performance settings. One useful feature of this software is the ability to offload portions of a model to system memory if the GPU’s capacity is exceeded, though this results in a significant reduction in processing speed.

During initial testing, the Gemma model generated text at a rate of approximately 45 tokens per second generating a short fiction story. While the system consumes about 200 watts of power under a full load, it idles at 36 watts. Beyond simple text generation, the setup is capable of visual analysis. In one test, I provided the model with a photograph of some friends and I in front of Space Shuttle Atlantis. It accurately identified the shuttle and the attributes of the individuals in the frame, correctly processing the visual data without external assistance.

I also tested the model’s ability to handle complex document analysis. I combined a 24-page FCC proposal regarding prepaid smartphones with a transcript of a video I had previously recorded on the topic. Because LM Studio does not currently support PDF files, I converted the information into a single text document. After increasing the context length to its maximum setting to ensure the AI could “see” the entire file, I asked it to draft testimony for the FCC based on my specific concerns raised in the video and attributing those concerns to a specific portion of the FCC’s draft proposal. The model successfully identified my points regarding the privacy of whistleblowers and reporters and was mostly correct in its attributions.

The model demonstrated further utility in coding tasks. It managed to write a functional browser-based Space Invaders clone in a single attempt, including basic game logic and sound effects. Later, I used it to generate a Python script designed to scrape education statutes from a state website. When the first version of the script returned an error, the AI analyzed the problem and provided a corrected version that successfully consolidated numerous legal chapters into one searchable document.

For datasets too large for a standard chat interface, I utilized an application called Anything LLM to perform retrieval augmented generation, or RAG. This process involves indexing and embedding documents locally so the AI can query them efficiently. I uploaded five megabytes of state statutes and asked the model to calculate a specific school grant amount based on a complex formula. The model performed the necessary math and returned the correct figure of $2.2 million. I found that while the local model sometimes requires more specific prompting than cloud-based alternatives like Google’s Notebook LM, it is capable of providing high-fidelity results.

Running larger models, such as those with 31 billion parameters, reduces performance to about five tokens per second when the GPU memory is exceeded. However, the flexibility to swap between various models from Google, Qwen, or other developers allows for a customized approach to different tasks. These tools have reached a point where they are functional for data analysis and automated workflows while keeping all information on a local server. For anyone with a modern video card and a sufficient amount of VRAM, these local models offer a viable way to experiment with AI without relying on the cloud.

Local AI is Finally Usable! Real-World Workflows on a 5-Year-Old Mac with Google Gemma

For the past few years, I have been downloading local AI models to determine if they could handle practical automation tasks or summarize long-form content. Historically, these experiments have been unsuccessful, with the models typically failing to provide comprehensive results or losing track of the original context. However, recent developments in model optimization, specifically on Apple hardware, have changed the baseline for what is possible on a personal computer.

In my latest video, I demo running Google’s latest Gemma 4 model, a 26-billion parameter “mixture of experts” model optimized for the Mac using the MLX framework on my 2021 Macbook Pro with an M1 Max and 32GB of RAM.

Check it out here!

I observed the model generating approximately 50 tokens per second. While this is slower than a high-end cloud-based system, it represents a very usuable generation speed for a local setup. The unified memory architecture of the Mac allows the GPU to access data efficiently, which is why these older machines remain relevant for AI tasks that would otherwise require significant cloud computing resources.

During my testing, I provided the model with a transcript from a recent video to see if it could produce a coherent summary. Unlike previous local models that often provided incomplete or erratic responses, this model maintained a consistent narrative and adhered strictly to the provided text. I also tested it with a dense legal document from an FCC docket. After processing a large amount of extracted text, the model was able to delineate the key arguments of the filing and, upon further prompting, condensed the information into a concise executive summary.

I also examined the model’s vision capabilities using a tool called MLX studio, which supports image analysis. I uploaded a photograph with some friends and I in front of a space shuttle and asked the model to describe the scene. While it misidentified the vehicle as a Dreamchaser—a different type of spacecraft—the level of detail was a step forward from earlier local models that often provided much less accurate descriptions. This functionality is particularly useful for my ongoing project to index a large archive of digital photos dating back to 1997. Using a local model for this type of organization could potentially eliminate the costs and privacy issues associated with the thousands of API calls required for cloud-based indexing.

To test the model’s utility in a production environment, I integrated it into my N8N automation server. I currently use a cloud-based AI with my N8N server to scan news feeds and identify relevant stories for my daily work. I ran a portion of this same workflow using the local Gemma model to see if it could replicate the results. It took approximately three minutes to process the news briefing. Although the results were not quite as polished as those from the cloud, the model successfully identified unique stories and avoided duplicated stories about Apple’s WWDC event that were being published at the time.

Google appears to be prioritizing the development of effective local models more than some of its competitors, providing a way for users to utilize AI without incurring expenses beyond the electricity required to run their own hardware. Seeing a 26-billion parameter model function with this level of stability on a five-year-old laptop has caused me to rethink my existing workflows. I am now looking at which of my daily tasks can be moved away from the cloud and managed entirely on my own hardware.

See more videos like this here!

SuperStation One With Dock MiSTer Review : Lots of Analog TV Options!

After months of waiting, I finally got my Superstation One, a new “consoleized” MiSTer device developed by hardware maker Taki Udon. For those who follow the MiSTer open-source project, the Superstation One represents a shift toward a more consumer-friendly form factor that does not require stacking a bunch of circuit boards together.

See it in action in my latest MiSTer review!

For those not familiar, a MiSTer runs classic computers and video games (both console and arcade) using FPGA technology. The FPGA chip replicates the logic of the original chips found on these devices which makes it incredibly accurate to the original. While the Superstation One looks a lot like the original Playstation, complete with controller and memory card slots, it is compatible with the full MiSTer library of old computers and gaming platforms.

The Playstation ports utilize an integrated “SNAC” interface to connect the peripherals directly to the PS1’s FPGA core, which reduces input latency compared to standard USB. While the base unit is limited to PlayStation controllers, adding the dock provides a universal SNAC port for other adapters, such as those for NES Zapper light guns as I demoed in the video.

The base console retails for $210, and I paired mine with the $45 docking station. The dock includes an optical drive intended to eventually boot physical media for systems like the Sega CD and TurboGrafx-16. However, at this stage of development, the CD drive is not functional within the software. The dock does provide other useful features, such as an NVME slot for high-capacity SSD storage, several additional USB ports, USB interfaces for development and a “SNAC” port for attaching original controllers and light guns.

The variety of video outputs sets this apart from other MiSTer clones I have used. It includes a standard HDMI output found on most modern devices, but it also integrates a wide range of analog video options: VGA (including the option to break VGA out to component RGB), a Sega Saturn-style DIN connector (for special DIN RGB cables), a dedicated component video output, S-video, and composite RCA. This is currently the only MiSTer that incorporates all of these video options directly on the hardware.

In my testing, I was able to run an RCA composite signal to a 40-year-old Hitachi television while simultaneously outputting an HDMI signal to a modern monitor. This allows for playing on a period-accurate zero latency CRT display while capturing high-definition footage for a stream or recording. The video signals were clean, and the composite and S-video options worked without requiring additional configuration (for most cores) or external dongles.

I tested several demanding cores, including the PlayStation, Saturn, Neo Geo, and Sega 32X. Everything performed the same as other MiSTer hardware I have tested.

The software environment, however, feels unpolished. Because this hardware is offering video output features beyond what is typically found on a stock MiSTer, I encountered some cores that required specific dip-switch adjustments to output color correctly over certain analog connections. Taki Udon is developing a custom, console-style menu system that is currently in a beta state that is just barely usable. Eventually that interface will be able to access the optical drive but for now it’s mostly a proof of concept.

The build quality is generally solid, though there are minor points of concern. The plastic doors on the unit can detach easily, and the system runs noticeably warm during operation. While my unit remained stable during extended memory tests without a cooling fan, the developer now offers an active cooling solution for those concerned about heat.

But all in, this hardware offers a more accessible entry point for users who want a turnkey solution rather than a DIY assembly. It consolidates features that usually require multiple add-on boards into a single footprint. As Taki now focuses in on the software aspects fo the device and the optical drive becomes functional, the utility of the Superstation One will expand.

Walmart Onn Pro 13.2″ Tablet Review

I recently purchased the new Onn Pro 13.2-inch Android tablet from Walmart for $288 (compensated affiliate link) to see how it compares to other devices in the budget-conscious market.

In my latest video review, I take the tablet out for a spin and check out all of its features – some of which aren’t even advertised.

The tablet runs on Android 16 and features a 13.2-inch display, which is a significant size for a device at this price point. It feels substantial, weighing approximately two pounds, with a metal design and a glass display that feels thick and durable, though it lacks an anti-fingerprint coating and tends to collect dust and smudges.

The hardware includes a MediaTek 8775V processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a micro SD card slot. It carries an IP54 rating, meaning it is resistant to dust and splashes but should not be submerged.

The display has a 2400 by 1600 resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio. While the specifications do not list a high refresh rate, I found that the settings allow for 90Hz or 120Hz, providing a more fluid visual experience than the standard 60Hz found on most entry-level tablets. However, the included pen does not function when the screen is set to 120Hz. The brightness appears to be between 400 and 450 nits, which is more than adequate for indoor use but lower than higher-end iPads.

A notable feature is the USB-C port’s ability to function as a video input. When I connected the tablet to my Mac, it prompted me to use the device as an extended display. While this worked, the tablet currently struggles with aspect ratio mapping, resulting in a squished image that distorts the desktop. There is some minor latency, but the feature shows potential as a portable monitor if future firmware updates address the scaling issues. It is important to note that the port only supports video input, not output, so the tablet cannot be mirrored onto a larger television or monitor via cable.

The tablet comes with a basic protective case and a USI 2.0 compatible pen. The pen attaches magnetically to the top of the tablet, though it does not charge there; it requires a separate USB-C connection for power. Because it follows the USI 2.0 standard, users can swap it for other compatible third-party pens. In my testing, the writing experience felt functional for note-taking or basic sketching, though there was some noticeable lag and occasional issues with palm rejection when the pen was lifted too far from the screen.

In terms of daily performance, the device handles web browsing and multitasking efficiently. I was able to run split-screen applications, such as YouTube alongside a browser, without any significant slowdown. The software environment is relatively clean, with the Walmart app being the only pre-installed software beyond standard Google services. For media consumption, the tablet supports Widevine L1, allowing for full HD playback on streaming services like Netflix. The stereo speakers are clear, though they lack deep bass, and there is no dedicated headphone jack.

Gaming performance is respectable for this hardware class. During my time with Fortnite at native resolution and low settings, I averaged between 45 and 50 frames per second. I also tested emulation; some GameCube titles ran at full speed, while PlayStation 2 emulation stayed just under full speed at around 50 frames per second depending on the game. The 3DMark Wildlife benchmark returned a score of 3,270, placing it in a similar performance bracket to the Nvidia Shield TV.

Battery life is advertised at 15 hours, which seems accurate for light tasks like reading or emailing at moderate brightness and 60Hz. Intensive tasks like gaming will reduce that runtime significantly but still provides multiple hours. It is worth noting that while a charging cable is included in the box, a power adapter is not. Additionally, this model lacks a GPS radio, which may be a consideration for users who rely on offline navigation.

Walmart typically maintains these devices on the market for about two years, and while it carries a one-year warranty, there is no formal commitment regarding future Android OS or security updates. This tablet represents a specific segment of the market where hardware value is prioritized over long-term software support.

For those looking for a large-screen Android experience without a high price tag, the Onn Pro provides a functional set of features that generally exceed the typical expectations for the budget category. It will be interesting to see if the video input functionality is refined over time, as that remains one of the more unique additions to an otherwise straightforward hardware package.