Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Will a USB 3.0 external hard drive work with a USB 2.0 hub?

Posted on August 21, 2020

Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Melissa S.: Hi Rick. I just bought this 4TB external hard drive to back up the hard drive in my new Dell desktop PC (which only has USB 3.0 ports).

I really like this drive because it will store a LOT of photos (I’m a photographer).

Due to the arrangement of my cramped desk, the external hard drive will have to sit on a nearby shelf and connect to the computer through a USB hub.

My question is can I use the hub I already have or will I need to buy a new one?

The one I have is several years old but it still works great. The thing is it’s a USB 2.0 model.

I’m afraid to plug either the computer or the hard drive into this hub until I hear from you because I don’t want to burn something up.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Review: Anker Astro Mini 3350mAh Portable External Battery Charger

Posted on August 18, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

One of the biggest challenges we have when it comes to using your mobile devices is keeping them charged up and ready for use when you need them.

Sure, you can always plug them in and top off their batteries when you’re are at home, at the office, or in your car, but what if you’re in a place where there’s no electrical outlet for an extended period of time?

In all likelihood, the battery is going to die before you can get to a place where you can plug it in and charge it.

I’ve written several posts explaining how to maximize the battery life of our mobile devices, but the simplest method I know of is to keep a cordless external battery charging device on hand. [Read more…]

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…]