Reviews Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Review: iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit

Posted on April 4, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Back in the golden age of technology, you really didn’t need all that many tools in order to build, upgrade or repair computers and many other tech items.

If you owned a couple of screwdrivers, an anti-static wrist strap and a nut driver or two you could work on most any tech item. But today, things are a lot more complicated.

The way modern computers, monitors and mobile devices are constructed makes it virtually impossible to work on some items without specialized tools that can “crack open” a case or extract a part without causing physical damage to the item.

As you probably know, finding a kit with all the tools required to safely and efficiently work on a piece of tech hardware is pretty difficult without spending a small fortune.

I’m always on the lookout for the latest and greatest in tech tools and equipment at affordable prices, so when I saw an advertisement for the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit I decided to check it out. [Read more…]

Review: Anker PowerCore 15600mAh Portable Charger

Posted on March 31, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Modern technology and the abundance of mobile devices we have at our disposal are great, but keeping all of our gadgets charged up and ready for use when we need them can be a challenge.

But that challenge is a lot easier to meet with a powerful USB charger and external battery pack combo.

I’m always eager to test and review new portable charging devices, and I recently had the opportunity to put a true powerhouse to the test. [Read more…]

Review: Dell Inspiron 3470 Desktop PC

Posted on March 15, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

These days laptops and mobile devices are outselling desktop computers by a wide margin, but there are still plenty of folks who prefer using a desktop machine for various reasons (myself included).

That’s why I still choose to check out and review desktops in addition to those more portable devices.

I recently had the opportunity to check out the new Dell Inspiron 3470 Desktop PC and I came away quite impressed.

[Read more…]

Review: SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security System

Posted on March 5, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

It’s no secret that we live in a dangerous world. Sadly, burglaries and home invasions have become commonplace in recent years, and the problem seems to be getting worse instead of better.

Several major companies have been providing homeowners with home security hardware and monitoring services for decades, but the solutions they offer tend to be on the expensive side.

What’s more, most of them require professional installation.

A while back I started seeing advertisements for SimpliSafe, a “Do-It-Yourself” security system that doesn’t require professional installation. I decided to check them out, and for the most part I was quite impressed. This is what I learned… [Read more…]

Review: Bertech 2’x3′ Anti-Static Mat Kit with Wrist Strap and Grounding Cord

Posted on February 20, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

If you work on computers or other electronic items, you really need a high-quality anti-static mat to protect your gear’s sensitive electronic components from static electricity.

I’ve used a number of different anti-static mats over the years. Some of them were good, some of them not so good.

I’m always eager to try new out ones, and I recently received one of the best I’ve ever used for review: the Bertech 2’x3′ Anti-Static Mat Kit with Wrist Strap and Grounding Cord. [Read more…]