Rick's Daily Tips

Rick’s Daily Pick: Philips New 24 inch Frameless Full HD 100Hz Monitor

Posted on March 26, 2026

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

My “Pick” for today is this really good, but very affordable Philips New 24 inch Frameless Full HD 100Hz Monitor.

Are you looking to replace an aging monitor on a strict budget, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality just to save a few bucks? If so, this could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Click here to check out the Philips New 24 inch Frameless Full HD 100Hz Monitor at Amazon.

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

Picture of the Day: “After the Storm”

Posted on March 26, 2026

Today’s POTD shows the aftermath of a sudden, and very powerful thunderstorm that swept over a farm in rural Washington County, Virginia. I hope you like it.

Have lots of treasured photos of your own that you’d love to display in your home but you have limited wall space? A digital picture frame (#ad) is an excellent solution. Check them out!

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 – March 2026

Posted on February 28, 2026

Note: The links on this page are affiliate links.

March’s winner will receive a fantastic Samsung 27” Odyssey OLED G5 Gaming Monitor.

Whether you’re a gamer looking to up your gaming experience or a regular user who is just looking for a great monitor to replace the one you have now, this is a fantastic option.

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 March 31 and the winner will be notified by email. The winner will be selected at random.

Good luck!

Your Apple device might qualify for a free replacement battery

Posted on March 26, 2026

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If you happen to have an Apple device that’s covered by an AppleCare Protection Plan, it might already qualify to receive a new battery at no charge under the plan.

In years past, Apple would make you wait until a covered device’s battery degraded to the point where it would only retain 50% or less of its rated maximum charge before they would replace the battery under AppleCare. But they have since upped that threshold to 80%.

The 80% threshold applies to the batteries in all AppleCare covered Macs, regardless of how old the machine happens to be. Apple mobile devices purchased after April 10, 2015 qualify as well.

Bottom line: If you own an AppleCare covered Mac, you should check to see if its battery will retain at least 80% of its maximum charge.

If it won’t, I recommend that you request a free replacement battery under AppleCare. You should also do the same for any other covered Apple devices.

Bottom line: New batteries are wonderful things because they allow you to use your devices longer between battery charges.

If you can get a new one installed in your device for free under AppleCare, why not do it now and reap the benefits of that expensive AppleCare Protection Plan?

Bonus tip: This post explains how to quickly determine the warranty status of your Mac, iPhone, iPad or any other Apple device.

Scam alert: Beware fake ads for concert and event tickets

Posted on March 25, 2026

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As you probably know, ticket prices for concerts, professional sporting events, theme parks and a wide variety of other public events are astronomical these days.

Never ones to miss an opportunity, scammers are now running fake ads for deeply discounted tickets on social media sites and sending fraudulent emails hawking them to millions of email inboxes.

As usual, taking the bait and responding to these fake ads or fraudulent emails can have a number of detrimental effects, including all the following, and more: [Read more…]

Baby and Pet-Friendly Pest Control: Safe Tips for a Healthy Home

Posted on March 25, 2026

Pests can be a serious nuisance in any household. From ants marching across your kitchen counters to spiders hiding in corners, unwanted intruders not only create discomfort but can also pose health risks.

For homes with babies and pets, pest control becomes even more critical because traditional pesticides and chemicals can be harmful to children and animals.

Fortunately, there are safe, effective strategies that protect your home without putting your loved ones at risk. Here’s a comprehensive guide to baby- and pet-friendly pest control.

[Read more…]