Rick's Daily Tips

Rick’s Daily Pick: AceMagic K5 Mini PC

Posted on November 14, 2026

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

My “Pick” for today is this fantastic AceMagic K5 Mini PC.

I’ve been using nothing but Mini PCs in my home office for several years now and I don’t believe I’ll ever go back to using a traditional mini-tower desktop machine.

I love how they have managed to put full desktop power into a case that’s about the size of a hardback book. This little gem from AceMagic comes equipped with a very capable Intel Core 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, 512 GB of super-fast SSD storage and Windows 11 Pro.

Click here to check out the AceMagic K5 Mini PC at Amazon.

Did you miss (or want to revisit) one of my earlier picks? You might find it right here.

Picture of the Day: “Chesapeake Sunset”

Posted on November 14, 2026

Today’s POTD features a very colorful sunset over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and waters of the Chesapeake Bay. I hope you like it.

Are you interested in trying your hand at landscape photography? Well, this is a great camera to get hit the ground running with! (#ad)

Enjoy these Pictures of the Day? Sign up for my free Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter and you’ll never miss one (or any of my tech tips either)!

Monthly Tech Giveaway – November 2026

Posted on October 31, 2026

Note: The links on this page are affiliate links.

November’s winner will receive a fantastic SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Large Safe with Digital Keypad.

Your computer backup drive(s), your important documents, your expensive jewelry and your other valuables are worth protecting. This is an excellent way to do it.

All subscribers to the Standard edition of my Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter have an equal chance to win.

Premium subscribers have two chances to win (their email addresses are added to the “pot” twice).

Not a subscriber? Just enter your email address in the sign-up form on this page.

Once subscribed you’ll be eligible to win each month’s drawing – starting with this month. Better yet, opt for a Premium subscription for double the chance to win!

The drawing for this month’s prize will be held on November 30 and the winner will be notified by email. The winner will be selected at random.

Good luck!

Q&A: Aren’t smartphones really just tiny computers?

Posted on November 14, 2026

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Question from Kevin: Can you settle an argument between me an my cousin?

I told him that smart phones are really just small computers that are designed to make phone calls.

He said that since you can’t install programs on them or hook them to printers and stuff they can’t really be considered computers.

I think I’m right, but so does he. In your opinion, which one of us is right? [Read more…]

Why ‘bigger is better’ when shopping for a smartphone

Posted on November 13, 2026

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

When it comes to shopping for a smartphone, many folks simply accept as fact that they have to choose between size and convenience. But is that actually true? I really don’t think so.

While it’s true that larger phones are a bit more difficult to carry around and use when making a voice call, I believe that for most people that’s a sensible trade-off to make.

Why? Read on and I’ll explain…

[Read more…]

Charge your USB devices by plugging them directly into a wall outlet

Posted on November 12, 2026

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Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Do you ever wish you could charge your cell phone, tablet or other USB device simply by plugging it directly into a wall outlet without having to mess with a bulky wall charger?

Well, you can. All you have to do is replace one or more of your standard electrical outlets with a nifty USB Wall Charging Outlet.

You can purchase one of these inexpensive charging outlets, then hire an electrician or handy neighbor to install them for you. Actually, you can simply install them yourself if you possess basic electrical skills. [Read more…]