Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Why can’t I get Netflix to stream in 4K?

Posted on August 14, 2020

Question from Perry: I recently bought a high-end Windows PC from Best Buy.

Here’s a link to it so you can check the specs.

I asked the salesman what I would need in order to watch Netflix in 4K with that machine and he said a broadband Internet connection and some type of 4K compatible streaming device.

I told him I had a DSL connection and he said that’s fine. He then recommended that I buy a Chromecast Ultra, so I did.

He told me my new computer and the Chromecast Ultra would let me watch Netflix in 4K if I used the Edge browser.

However, no matter what I try I can never get Netflix to stream at anything faster than 1080p.

I went back to Best Buy and asked what else I need to do (or buy) to get Netflix in 4K and three different people insisted that I have everything I need.

Do you have any idea what could be the problem?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Check out Apple’s fantastic free mini-course for taking better photos with your iPhone

Posted on August 12, 2020

It’s no secret that the cameras built into Apple’s most recent iPhones are capable of producing outstanding images that rival those taken by many DSLR cameras.

In fact, a simple Google search for “best iphone photos” returns page after page featuring some of the most incredible images you will ever see.

While most any pro photographer can use virtually any camera to take pro-quality photos, the folks at Apple are on a mission to help us casual photographers use our iPhones to create the very best images possible. [Read more…]

8 Tips for buying open-box and demo tech items

Posted on August 8, 2020

Have you ever walked through your local electronics retailer’s showroom and seen open-box computers, smart phones and other tech items on sale at greatly reduced prices?

I have, and I’m guessing that you have too.

You really can save some serious money by buying open-box and demo tech products, but there are a few things you need to consider before laying out your hard-earned money for one of them.

With that in mind, here are 8 tips for getting a truly good deal on open-box and demo tech products: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I replace a bad power supply with one from another computer?

Posted on August 7, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Larry G:. Rick, I have a two Gateway Desktop computers, neither of which are operational.

One has a bad motherboard and the other has a bad power supply.

Can I replace the bad power supply with the one in the computer that has the bad motherboard? If I can I won’t have to go buy one.

The power supplies look exactly the same and have the same cables and connectors, but the working power supply is rated at 400 watts and the bad one is only 350 watts.

I read your post about replacing Windows with Linux and I’d really like to get one of these machines working so I can install Linux Mint on it.

What I need to know is will replacing a power supply with a more powerful one damage a computer?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]