Newsletter Archives

• Thunderbolt

  Posted on October 2, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Ed Tittel • Comment in the Forums

  HARDWARE

  

  By Ed Tittel

  Not many people know this, but Thunderbolt originated as an optical networking technology. Apple and Intel worked on its initial design.

  Known as Light Peak, it was based upon optical components and fiber-optic cables at Intel’s Silicon Photonics lab. When it turned out that copper cables could deliver the same 10 Gbps bandwidth as the more expensive and finicky optical elements, the cheaper, less demanding technology won.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.40.0, 2023-10-02).

  Hardware Docking stations, Newsletters, NVMe, Performance, Thunderbolt, USB, USB Implementers Forum

• Creative uses for external drives

  Posted on July 10, 2023 at 02:44 CDT by Peter Deegan • Comment in the Forums

  HARDWARE

  

  By Peter Deegan

  Despite the availability of cloud storage over fast Internet connections and the ever-increasing size of storage built into all devices, external storage devices have many uses.

  And even though the very term “external drive” conjures up images of desktop “bricks” containing rotating hard drives, external storage can consist of any storage device that can be connected to a desktop, laptop, or phone and appears to that computer as a disk drive. As we’ll see, external drives can connect in many ways, serve many purposes, and be as tiny as a thumbnail.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.28.0, 2023-07-10).

  Hardware Backup, Docking stations, File Transfer, HDD, Newsletters, SD Cards, SSD, USB Flash Drives

• Docking stations: Combining the best of laptops and desktops

  Posted on August 23, 2020 at 21:00 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  HARDWARE

  By Lincoln Spector

  Do you know anyone who uses a desktop PC anymore? Not sure I do. Laptops have plenty of power, and you can take them anywhere.

  But they also have limitations. For example, most portables’ keyboards still feel somewhat cramped and slow, compared to a good standalone model — especially for anyone with large hands. Moreover, laptop screens are relatively small and there’s only one. Many newer portables no longer include an Ethernet port — always a faster and more reliable network connection than Wi-Fi. In fact, most of today’s ultra-portable machines have just one or two ports.

  The solution? Buy a multi-port docking station.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.33.0 (2020-08-24).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Hardware AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Docking stations, Notebook ports, Portable docking stations