What's your latest tech purchase?

[Super Firm Tofu]

I just wanna say those of us snapping up the x3D chips got our moneys worth

*Sips delicious 0.1% low tea*

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Which game my tea sipping mollusk ?

 

[SN2716057]

This MX500 2TB to replace the WD Blue 6TB . Less storage but quiet.

 

[lexluthermiester]

This MX500 2TB to replace the WD Blue 6TB . Less storage but quiet.

Put your WD6TB in an external USB enclosure. Generally dampens sound and you still have the extra space.

 

[AusWolf]

Put your WD6TB in an external USB enclosure. Generally dampens sound and you still have the extra space.

And you don't have to run it 24/7, just plug it in when you need it, and enjoy the silence when you don't.

 

[SN2716057]

Put your WD6TB in an external USB enclosure. Generally dampens sound and you still have the extra space.

And you don't have to run it 24/7, just plug it in when you need it, and enjoy the silence when you don't.

cool cool, ty. What external enclosures do you guys recommend?

 

[AusWolf]

cool cool, ty. What external enclosures do you guys recommend?

Personally, I just use a simple adapter cable like this:

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/akasa-ak-au3-07bk-usb-31-gen1-adapter-cable-for-25-ssd-or-hdd-sata-usb-5gb-s-20cm-black

It has the same functionality as an enclosure, but it's cheaper, has better airflow (it's not closed), and you can swap hard drives and SSDs more easily. If you prefer an enclosure, I would just go for any cheap SATA - USB one, as internally, they're pretty much the same.

 

[Valantar]

Personally, I just use a simple adapter cable like this:

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/akasa-ak-au3-07bk-usb-31-gen1-adapter-cable-for-25-ssd-or-hdd-sata-usb-5gb-s-20cm-black

That won't work for a 3.5" drive though, with no 12V power delivery to run the drive. That's the annoyingpart of external enclosures, requiring an external 12V brick.

 

[AusWolf]

That won't work for a 3.5" drive though, with no 12V power delivery to run the drive. That's the annoyingpart of external enclosures, requiring an external 12V brick.

That is true, I shouldn't have missed this.

@SN2716057 Disregard my last post. If you want an enclosure for a 3.5" drive, buy one with an external power brick. 2.5" drives are usually fine with the adapter cable.

 

[SN2716057]

Thanks @AusWolf & @Valantar

 

[lexluthermiester]

What external enclosures do you guys recommend?

I'll show you a few since I'm not sure where you are in the world.

This one is a full enclosure meant to be a more permanent fit. Has a USB-C option.

https://www.amazon.com/ORICO-Toolfree-External-Enclosure-Support/dp/B00GAML7OK

This one is modular and has a cooling fan, though if siltent is what you're looking for, this might not be the best choice. It does provide the best flexibility.

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Lay-Flat-Docking-EC-DFFN/dp/B013WODZH0

This one is more of a permanent kit as well, but is easy to open up.

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-External-Enclosure-Housing-Adapter/dp/B076WQHK2G

This is one I personally own. It's solid and the metal case acts like a heat sink keeping the drive cool.

https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Aluminum-Enclosure-Support-FE3001/dp/B00UAA4J6G

 

[SN2716057]

I'll show you a few since I'm not sure where you are in the world.

This one is a full enclosure meant to be a more permanent fit. Has a USB-C option.

https://www.amazon.com/ORICO-Toolfree-External-Enclosure-Support/dp/B00GAML7OK

This one is modular and has a cooling fan, though if siltent is what you're looking for, this might not be the best choice. It does provide the best flexibility.

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Lay-Flat-Docking-EC-DFFN/dp/B013WODZH0

This one is more of a permanent kit as well, but is easy to open up.

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-External-Enclosure-Housing-Adapter/dp/B076WQHK2G

This is one I personally own. It's solid and the metal case acts like a heat sink keeping the drive cool.

https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Aluminum-Enclosure-Support-FE3001/dp/B00UAA4J6G

Thank you, lex

 

[sam_86314]

Here's a random toy I got for myself directly from China...

A "Sugar A100" smartphone.

So a while ago, I found a smaller YouTube channel called SMOOREZ which does long-form videos on random phones. I saw his video on this, and it actually looked like a decent little device.

It only cost about $50 total, shipped from China, and it took 11 days to arrive.

It has cutesy designs on the back because it's intended for kids. I think the retail box (which I didn't get) describes it as some sort of translation device for kids. I got it because it looked interesting.

It runs Android 8.1.0, has a MediaTek MT6739WW (4C 1.5GHz ARMV8-a), 2GB LPDDR3, 16GB internal storage with a MicroSD slot, and a 3.5" 480x320 display. It's basically stock Android from what I can tell, but I installed Aurora Store so I don't have to log into my Google account.

Performance-wise, it's definitely not fast, but it's also nowhere near as bad as you'd expect from a $50 Android device. It's perfectly usable.

YouTube (via LibreTube) runs perfectly fine at the native resolution (I should hope so). The black thing on the bottom is a front-facing speaker, which sounds okay and gets very loud. SMOOREZ does a teardown in his video and it turns out to be a 30mm laptop-style speaker. The built-in camera is alright. The screen is tiny and low resolution, but the colors and viewing angles are decent.

Size comparison to a Google Pixel 3.

I'm sure I'll mess around with it and try to get it rooted. Being a MediaTek device from around 2018, it should be vulnerable to mtk-su. The bootloader is also already unlocked, so that's pretty cool. It's really a neat little device for only $50.

EDIT 1: Just installed Inware to look at the specs, and it says that root is detected. I'm going to install Magisk and see what happens.

EDIT 2: It's not rooted by default, but mtk-su does work.

Of course, mtk-su doesn't persist on reboot, so you need to run it again. So now I'm trying to figure out how to back up the boot partitions before I try making it permanent.

EDIT 3: Turns out that rooting MediaTek devices sometimes wipes the IMEIs, and that happened here. I had no plans to use it as a phone anyway, but it's something to note.

EDIT 4: Magisk Direct Install doesn't work, so I don't think permanent root is possible for the time being.

 

[mechtech]

Maybe, it triggered the power circuit and had no power until I took the plug out and turned the circuit breaker back on.
I had it since 2016 , so it wasn't that new anymore....

hmmm my parents had an old electric kenmore range, it was probably 25 years old when they got rid of it and it was still working.

Seems they don't make things like they used to

 

[P4-630]

hmmm my parents had an old electric kenmore range, it was probably 25 years old when they got rid of it and it was still working.

Seems they don't make things like they used to

Hmm.. Did they already had "Induction" cooking 25 years ago?

 

[Super Firm Tofu]

Hmm.. Did they already had "Induction" cooking 25 years ago?

Since the early 70's in the US.

 

[P4-630]

Since the early 70's in the US.

Weird that they use it there, because the US only has 110V..?

The 4 induction cooking zones require 2x220V (2 phase perilex) here in my country.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Weird that they use it there, because the US only has 110V..?

The 4 induction cooking zones require 2x220V (2 phase perilex) here in my country.

US uses 220v, but it is split and the individual circuits are bonded to neutral. Major appliances such as cooktops are 220v and on dedicated circuits - often hardwired in.

 

[Super Firm Tofu]

Weird that they use it there, because the US only has 110V..?

The 4 induction cooking zones require 2x220V (2 phase perilex) here in my country.

The portable models here use 110/120v

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-1800W-Portable-Induction-Cooktop/dp/B07S2628R9/

But the full size, either free standing oven/cooktop, or built in cook tops use 220/240v. The majority of the outlets in a home are 120v and at the location for large appliances (clothes dryers, stoves) have 240v outlets. Other items (water heaters, hvac) are hard wired 240v.

 

[sam_86314]

Weird that they use it there, because the US only has 110V..?

The 4 induction cooking zones require 2x220V (2 phase perilex) here in my country.

Here's a great video that goes over the weirdness of the US electrical system.

Basically, we use split-phase power, so we have two lines with 110V 180 degrees out of phase. Connecting across both lines gives you 220V, and connecting across one line and neutral gives you 110V.

 

[Shrek]

Worse still if the neutral tie should ever fail then devices on one side can get more than 120V

(1) Power surge due to an open neutral wire. - Bing video

 

[JATownes]

So it has been another year and my family still loves me. Wife got me the new Das Keyboard 6 Pro. I have wanted a Das Keyboard since back in '09, so I am super stoked. Types amazing and the white backlight is just right.

My son snagged me the new Gamers Nexus Mod Mat and got one signed by Steve. Super cool gift, and a great birthday all around!

 

[mechtech]

Weird that they use it there, because the US only has 110V..?

The 4 induction cooking zones require 2x220V (2 phase perilex) here in my country.

It wasn't and induction cook top, it was a full electric resistant range.
something like this, but all analog

Kenmore 92562 5.3 cu. ft. Self-Clean Electric Coil Range - White | Kenmore

This product has no description

www.kenmore.com

As for power here in North America it's typically 120V/240V single phase for residential........often and incorrectly assumed 110V/220V (at least in the northern parts not sure about the south)

 

[P4-630]

It wasn't and induction cook top, it was a full electric resistant range.
something like this, but all analog

Kenmore 92562 5.3 cu. ft. Self-Clean Electric Coil Range - White | Kenmore

This product has no description

www.kenmore.com

As for power here in North America it's typically 120V/240V single phase for residential........often and incorrectly assumed 110V/220V (at least in the northern parts not sure about the south)
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I remember those things, they smell nasty when they get hot....
My induction doesn't have a smell when hot, only smell the food haha...

 

[jormungand]

Hunting gunpla cheapy cheapu cheeep
Glorious japanese engineering and tech, cuz its TECH alright
Hobby Lobby stores 40% off on Box/model kits and i nailed these 2 real grade gundams
Exia and Wing Zero, $46 both.

Sony XR48A90K , move the Samsung 48" JS9000 to the bedroom. I chose it over the LG C2 because gaming is not it's primary duty and the feature set is more in line for movies and media use. I am still tweaking but it is performing most excellently . 4K @120hz and super smooth motion. I will swap in some better pics after the desk is cleaned up , you know how it is , clean everything while its being updated!

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The Man, The Myth, The Legend.... Babayaga

 

[onemanhitsquad]

stupidly deleted original post:

Sony XR48A90K , moved the Samsung 48" JS9000 to the bedroom. I chose it over the LG C2 because gaming is not it's primary duty and the feature set is more in line for movies and media use. I am still tweaking but it is performing most excellently . 4K @120hz and super smooth motion.