Newsletter Archives

• Thunderbolt is not just for monitors

  Posted on March 10, 2025 at 02:44 CDT by Ben Myers • Comment in the Forums

  BEN’S WORKSHOP

  

  By Ben Myers

  When will Windows computer makers embrace Thunderbolt?

  This is not an idle question, but the answers are quite complicated, involving three different evolving industry standards: Thunderbolt, USB, and DisplayPort. Today’s Thunderbolt 5 offers the possibility of simplified and very fast connections for all manner of devices, not just monitors.

  The Thunderbolt 5 aggregate data transfer rate is up to 120 gigabits per second in both directions, providing single data channels faster than USB and in the ballpark of the speeds inside a computer.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.10.0, 2025-03-10).

  Ben's Workshop Apple, DisplayPort, HDMI, Intel, Newsletters, Thunderbolt, USB, USB 3, USB 4, USB Implementers Forum, USB-C, USB-IF, VESA, Windows

• Apple 2030

  Posted on September 18, 2023 at 02:45 CDT by Will Fastie • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.38 • 2023-09-18

  APPLE NEWS

  

  By Will Fastie

  Mother Nature deems Apple’s ambitious clean-energy goals worthy, albeit surprising.

  Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, in her starring role as Mother Nature in Apple’s fall event, stole the show. Apple goes Hollywood all the time in these events, but this was different.

  In a nicely done surprise skit, Mother Nature has come to Apple to audit its progress on meeting its green goals, specifically carbon neutrality. This alone was funny because all companies seem to have stated goals, but it’s hard to know whether any are being achieved. Mother Nature was skeptical to the point of assuming Apple was just blowing smoke, so to speak.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.38.0, 2023-09-18).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Apple Apple News, Apple Watch, iPhone, iPhone 15, Newsletters, Photography, USB-C

• Working with USB 3 and 4 in Windows

  Posted on August 21, 2023 at 02:43 CDT by Ed Tittel • Comment in the Forums

  HARDWARE

  

  By Ed Tittel

  The Universal Serial Bus, most commonly known as USB, has been a basic staple of computing since it first arrived on the scene in 1996.

  It’s a widely used computing-industry bus standard that’s overseen by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), an industry consortium that publishes and maintains standards for USB4, USB 3.2, USB 2.0, USB ports, cables, connectors, and more. I haven’t seen a PC that didn’t include multiple USB ports since the early 2000s.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.34.0, 2023-08-21).

  Hardware Newsletters, storage, USB, USB 2, USB 3, USB Flash Drives, USB-C, USB4, Windows

• Versatile gadget gifts for stuffing stockings large and small

  Posted on December 6, 2020 at 21:00 CST by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  BEST HARDWARE

  By Michael Lasky

  Christmas stocking stuffers are usually thought of as small, whimsical, and not necessarily practical.

  But relatively inexpensive tech gadgets can be both useful and appealing to your favorite digital denizen. You might even secretly covet them for yourself.

  If your holiday list is still missing something, and you’re down to last-minute shopping, consider picking up one or more of the following devices.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.48.0 (2020-12-07).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Hardware AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Device chargers, Digital gifts, Earbuds, Fingerprint readers, Portable docks, Rechargeable batteries, USB-C