Tech FAQ

Table of Contents

• General time-saving tips
• I think I have a virus
• My internet stinks
• Do I need a new computer?
• Laptop recommendations
• Printer recommendations

General time-saving tips

Passkeys are a way to verify your identity using biometrics like Face ID on your phone or fingerprint readers. Way easier than a book of passwords and syncs across your devices.

Mail applications like the Mail app on your Apple device or the new Outlook on Windows can be annoying to set up for the first time, but will save you a lot of time and frustration waiting for web interfaces to load for each separate account.

I think I have a virus

Take a look at Malwarebytes Free and run a scan.

If you want what’s called “real-time protection,” where it checks your computer in the background, you can get the Premium subscription, frequently on sale.

My internet stinks

If it’s good in some areas of your house but not others, it’s probably related to your Wi-Fi coverage. Check with speedtest.net

My go-to recommendation is a set of used eeros for around $50

Warning

Although these have been a great solution for some people, since they are sold through eBay, it is a good idea to:

1. Make sure they include power adapters
2. Look for a listing where seller offers returns
3. Pay with PayPal for a better chance of disputing if there is a problem

When setting up eeros, it’s best to connect as many as possible to ethernet, but if this isn’t possible, try to place the satellites (the eeros without wired ethernet connection) a maximum of one wall away from the gateway (the one with a wired ethernet connection).

If it’s unreliable, working some days but not others, and you have Spectrum, it might be best to look into switching to Verizon.

Do I need a new computer?

If your computer:

• is using a version of Windows older than Windows 10
• is an Intel Mac (pre-2020) with stuck keys or a broken screen

it’s probably best to get a new one.

If you’re running Windows 10, use this app to see if your computer can be upgraded to Windows 11, since Windows 10 will stop receiving updates this October.

If budget is a concern, take a look at Ubuntu on YouTube and see if it could work for you. Installing it is a little tricky, but it runs much faster than Windows on older computers.

Laptop recommendations

Note

As of December 2024

• If your eyesight is a concern, go with 15“ or larger (trust me!)
• If you want the best reliability and good battery life, I recommend the MacBook Air M2 with 16GB of RAM
• As a rule of thumb, if you aren’t sure of the differences between the MacBook Air and the Pro, you probably don’t need to spend more for the Pro

Printer recommendations

In general, Brother laser printers are the most reliable and work the best with cheaper third-party toner cartridges.

If you print a lot of documents (black and white), the black and white printers are a lot cheaper to operate and it might be worth it to skip the color functionality.

If you print a lot, the Brother Inkvestment line seems to be a good option, but they do clog up if you go a while without printing.

If you print mainly photos… (researching this one!)