Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: MacBook Air or MacBook Pro – Which is better for a college student?

Posted on October 29, 2014

Question from Alveda F.: Hi Rick. My daughter is a college freshman. Her laptop was stolen a few days ago during a visit to the library and she needs to replace it.

Price is an issue, but it’s important to me that she get the best computer for her needs even if it costs a little more.

I know they are more expensive than Windows laptops, but her friends have convinced her that she needs to buy a MacBook. That’s fine with me, but she’s confused about which model to get.

Her choice is basically between a MacBook Air (#ad) and a MacBook Pro. (#ad)

Which do you think would be better for her? She’s a History major if that makes any difference.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Review: PC Matic

Posted on October 28, 2014

It seems that you can’t turn on your TV these days without seeing a commercial for PC Matic, especially the one in which the company’s founder and CEO touts the software’s “superior” virus protection.

And of course there’s the ever-present pitch aimed at users of the now-abandoned Windows XP.

Upon the request of several of this blog’s readers, I decided to put PC Matic to the test. [Read more…]

Do you have cable Internet? Save big by buying your own cable modem!

Posted on October 28, 2014

If you get your Internet service through Comcast, Charter or some other cable TV company, you are probably paying a hefty monthly rental fee for your cable modem. But you can save that rental fee by buying a modem of your own.

For example, if you have Comcast cable Internet, you’re probably paying $7 per month just to rent their modem. That’s $84 per year!

A better alternative in my opinion is to tell your cable company to keep their modem and buy your own!

The modem that I use and recommend is the Motorola SURFboard SBG6580 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem and Wi-Fi N Router. (#ad)

This is an exceptional cable modem/wireless router combo that’s currently selling on Amazon for about $100. [Read more…]

83 of my top Facebook tips, tricks and answers – all on one page!

Posted on October 28, 2014

I’ve posted a ton of Facebook tips and tricks on this blog, and answered quite a few Facebook questions as well. The problem is they are all scattered out across the blog, making them difficult for readers to find in a hurry.

This post will serve as sort of a hub for all things Facebook. If I’ve written a post that’s in any way related to Facebook, you’ll probably find a link to it on this page. With that in mind, here we go… [Read more…]

Quickly find out how much a used PC, smart phone or other gadget is really worth

Posted on October 26, 2014

worthmonkey Do you have a used computer, cell phone, tablet or other device that you’re wanting to sell? Or perhaps you looking to buy one?

The most difficult part of buying or selling a used electronic item is making sure you negotiate a fair price. But I recently discovered a nifty website that makes it quite easy by giving you a fairly accurate estimate of most any gadget’s true resale value. [Read more…]