Monthly Archives: January 2023

In the past, the Thunderbolt and USB standards were entirely separate, leading to confusion and ultimately frustration over ports, plugs, and cables. “Can I use this cable to charge this laptop? What about plugging in my phone?”

Thankfully, with the creation of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 technology, the two are now largely interchangeable. While there are some key differences between Thunderbolt and USB-C, there’s mostly good news on this front. USB-C cables are now entirely compatible with Thunderbolt ports, and USB-C ports are compatible with Thunderbolt cables.

This makes it easier than ever for computer users to use the best cable they have available. And in many instances, either standard is fine. However, it’s important to understand the differences between Thunderbolt and USB-C so that you can make the right purchasing decision for your needs.

Your computer’s BIOS, short for Basic Input/Output System, is a critical part of how your hardware operates from its first day of use to the last. BIOS helps manage the various components that add up to a modern computer, providing a stable and consistent way for devices to start up.

When you turn your computer on, your BIOS essentially tests and activates everything it needs to start running. Once it finishes testing components, it sends a signal to your operating system to activate and then hands over responsibility for program operation to the CPU. With modern computers, the term BIOS and UEFI (short for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) are often used interchangeably to avoid confusion. The systems are comparable in purpose but differ in how they achieve the desired effect.

There are three primary ways to reset your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings.

Ink is one of the main considerations for consumers when choosing an inkjet printer for their home or office. In addition to the assurance of print quality, buyers want to know that replacement cartridges will be affordable for the entire life of their printer. If you do a lot of printing, the ink costs can really add up. If you’re in the market for a new printer or just trying to save ink when printing with your current printer, here are some of the easiest ways to reduce what you spend without giving up high-quality, colorful print results.

In the world of audio/video ports, two connectors reign supreme: DisplayPort and HDMI. While they’re both used to connect a PC to an external monitor or device, the nitty-gritty details are what make them suitable for very different purposes.

If you feel limited by the size of your computer display, consider getting a second monitor and setting up a dual monitor display. A dual-monitor setup is a great way to expand your computer display and speed up your workflow. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a dual-monitor setup includes two computer monitors. One functions as either an expansion or duplication of the other monitor. We’ll get to the specifics of setting up your dual monitors in a second.

When you plan to grow your company, a small business tower server can be a necessary addition to your technology setup. Whether you’re onboarding new employees or handling new clients, you may need a small business tower server in order to handle your company’s most frequently used software and applications. However, it can be difficult to determine if you should build a server or simply purchase one. Your decision can depend on how you see your business growing in the future, what kind of data you use, and how much you want to spend.

If you’ve used a PC, chances are you’ve experienced a spike in central processing unit (CPU) temperature at some point. Sometimes, it’s the result of aging hardware. But it can also happen during periods of heavy use. Either way, having your computer overheat is a relatively common problem. Unfortunately it can have significant implications, often foreshadowing later issues or a decline in peak performance. That’s why we should all try to keep tabs on CPU temperature and know exactly how to check for it. Luckily, there are several different ways to do so, including a DIY method and a variety of software tools to consider.

Whether you work from home every day or for just part of the week, older and unsecured devices serve as a backdoor for bad actors who want your personal and professional data. HP intends to place a firm lock on that entryway with HP Wolf Security. It’s the new face of HP Security and boasts upgraded security features that help fortify a new generation of printers and PCs.