The housing of a laptop, netbook, or tablet is also considered a case, but since they aren’t purchased separately or very replaceable, the computer case tends to refer to the one that’s part of a traditional desktop PC. Some popular computer case manufacturers include Xoxide, NZXT, and Antec. Important Computer Case Facts Motherboards, computer cases, and power supplies all come in different sizes called form factors. All three must be compatible to work properly together....

Keyboard Definition The keyboard is the piece of computer hardware used to input text, characters, and other commands into a computer or similar device. A keyboard is an external peripheral device in a desktop system (it sits outside the main computer housing), or is “virtual” in a tablet PC, it is an essential part of the complete computer system. Typical Keyboard Description Modern computer keyboards were modeled after, and are still very similar to, classic typewriter keyboards....

How Trickle Chargers Work Many battery chargers put out a variety of amperages, the idea being to charge a battery slowly or quickly depending on the need. Some are also designed to be left connected long-term without overcharging. So when you hear people talk about trickle chargers, that’s typically what they’re referring to. For general use, any battery charger, or trickle charger, that puts out between about 1 and 3 amps will do, and you don’t really need one with float mode monitoring unless you want to be able to leave it connected for some reason....

People always want the most immersive experience possible, especially when it comes to entertainment. It’s the reason why Renaissance Fairs are located away from highways so the only sounds you hear are the steady clop of hooves and the clash of swords. It’s the reason why movie theaters turn off the lights so you can only see the screen. According to Wikipedia, an immersive experience (and in turn, immersion) is “the perception of being physically present in a non-physical world....

What Is the FAT File System? FAT was the primary file system used in all of Microsoft’s consumer operating systems from MS-DOS through Windows ME. Even though FAT is still a supported option on Microsoft’s newer operating systems, NTFS is the primary file system used these days. The File Allocation Table file system has seen advancements over time, primarily due to the need to support larger hard disk drives and larger file sizes....

Besides propagation delays, latency may also involve transmission delays (properties of the physical medium) and processing delays (such as passing through proxy servers or making network hops on the internet). Latency and Network Speed Though the perception of network speed and performance is usually understood as bandwidth, latency is the other key element. The average person is more familiar with the concept of bandwidth because that’s the metric that manufacturers of network equipment typically advertise....

What Is Overclocking? To put it in its simplest terms, overclocking is taking a computer component such as a processor and running at a specification higher than rated by the manufacturer. In other words, you can run your computer harder and faster than it was designed to run if you overclock it. Companies such as Intel and AMD rate every part they produce for specific speeds. They test the capabilities of each one and certify it for that given speed....

Why Should You Use RAW Images? If you’re new to photography, you may not understand all the fuss about RAW images. What makes them so great? The short answer is because a RAW image maintains all the data captured by the image sensor of your camera. But a longer explanation may be better. When you take a picture with your DSLR camera, the image sensor captures light, shadow, and tones of colors for the length of time your shutter is open....

It’s the primary file system used in Microsoft’s Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows NT operating systems. The Windows Server line of operating systems also primarily use NTFS. It’s supported in other OSes, too, like Linux and BSD. macOS offers read-only support for NTFS. How to See If a Drive Is Formatted as NTFS There are a few ways to check if a hard drive has been formatted with NTFS, or if it’s using a different file system....

Getting Started with the Samsung TV Web Browser Depending on the TV model year or series, the browser may be accessible on the smart hub home screen as a pre-installed app on the My Apps page. If it isn’t pre-installed, it can be downloaded from the Samsung TV app store. Once you find or install it, you can launch the web browser from your remote control or other available options. You can navigate the web browser by pressing and holding the TV remote’s cursor controls (it functions as a mouse) in combination with a provided onscreen virtual keyboard....

What Is USSD? The USSD messaging protocol is part of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) digital cellular standard. Like SMS and MMS, USSD facilitates communication without the need for a dedicated app. Unlike SMS, which is used for back-and-forth text messaging between two phones, USSD establishes a real-time connection between your phone and a mobile network or a server. That way, you can do things like add time to your phone plan, check your bank account, and more without having to download or install any apps on your device....

The OnePlus is broadly similar to the iPhone and the Galaxy, with an OLED screen, Qi charging, the latest processor, and equivalent storage options. If you compare the specs, then on paper, the OnePlus and the Galaxy look very similar. But there’s one standout feature: a collaboration with iconic Swedish camera maker Hasselblad. “OnePlus’ connection to Hasselblad is a massive boost to the OnePlus 9 Pro being a credible contender against any phone, including the iPhone 13,” event photographer Orlando Sydney told Lifewire via email....

What’s Happening: Activation Lock A user iPhone that can’t be activated is usually caused by a feature of Apple’s Find My iPhone service called Activation Lock. Activation Lock is a security measure that Apple added to deal with iPhone thefts. Before Activation Lock, if someone managed to steal an iPhone and not get caught, they could simply erase it, resell it, and get away with the crime. Activation Lock changed that....

The rumors of new Apple-designed monitors are solidifying, and even Apple rumormonger supreme Mark Gurman says he “strongly believes” Apple will launch one. Currently, the only external display in Apple’s lineup is the $5,000 ($6,000 if you want it with a stand) Pro Display XDR. The last affordable monitor for normal people was the Apple Thunderbolt Display, sold from 2011-2016. So, a new monitor in 2022? It’s about time. “Apple has demonstrated the ability to make gorgeous displays in just about any form factor over the years, and their standalone monitors are no different in that regard....

E-readers like the Kindle and Kobo are niche products. They’re designed for reading black text on a white background, and little else. But they’re so good at what they do and offer such great perks in exchange for a lack of fancy features that users tend to love them. “E-readers are much like running shoes in the sense that they are designed for a specific use case,” e-reader fan and gift blogger Vance Targa told Lifewire via email....

Spatial Audio is Apple’s take on surround sound. It only works with AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, and only on iPhones or iPads running iOS 14. And yet, it’s not only Netflix that is adding support. HBO Max. Disney+, and Peacock also support Apple’s so far mobile-only take on immersive audio. So what are the advantages to you and me, and why are these companies so happy to jump on board?...

For Flash lovers, the good news is you can still tax your computer, and hammer its battery, simply by installing Google’s Chrome browser. For Flash haters, the decline has taken so long—begun with the iPhone in 2007—that it seems churlish to celebrate at this point. Flash was officially abandoned by Adobe in 2015, and on December 31, 2020, it died. But why did it last so long? Was there anything good about it?...

Google already announced that it would be bringing its first proper Google-made smartphones to the market with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Both smartphones will include a Google-made system-on-a-chip (SOC), instead of using those from Qualcomm and other SOC creators. Now, though, reports that Google is working on not one, but two foldables have begun to appear, and it could mark an exciting time for Android fans who also love what Google is doing with Chrome OS....

The Fujifilm XF 27mm ƒ2.8 R WR is a tiny ‘pancake’ lens, so-called because it barely pokes out from the camera it’s mounted on. This is Fujifilm’s second version. Internally, it’s the same. Externally, you get weather- and dust-proofing, and an aperture ring (the original required using the camera’s menus or dials to change the aperture). This old design is slow to focus, noisy while it does it, and the ƒ2....

According to the Commission’s statement, this proposal aims to reduce e-waste and minimize user inconvenience. If successful, USB-C will become the new universal charging port for electronic devices, and companies will be required to provide charging performance information. New electronic devices also would stop bundling chargers in the package by default. These steps would likely cut down on outdated charging cable refuse over time, help consumers avoid wasting money on the wrong accessory, and prevent extra cable piles from forming....