hardware

USB Cheat Sheet

Fabien Sanglard created a detailed USB cheat sheet summarizing various USB versions, their signal speeds, wire counts, cable lengths, and charging capabilities to clarify common USB terminology and specifications. The sheet includes information on marketing names, encoding methods, real-life throughput, connector types, and power delivery standards up to USB4 and USB-C PD 3.1, aiming to help avoid confusion and aid better understanding of USB technologies.

https://fabiensanglard.net/usbcheat/index.html

RetinaDisplays.com

RetinaDisplays.com offers a comprehensive explorer for high-resolution retina monitors, showcasing 50 models across various brands like Apple, LG, Samsung, ASUS, Dell, and more. The site provides detailed specs including size, resolution, pixel density, display technology, refresh rates, MSRP, and purchasing links for popular monitors such as Apple's Studio Display, LG UltraFine, and ASUS ProArt series. This resource highlights options ranging from 4K to 8K displays, covering both discontinued and upcoming models for professionals and enthusiasts seeking premium visual clarity.

https://retinadisplays.com/

Hold on to Your Hardware

The article warns of a structural shift in the consumer hardware market driven by soaring demand from data centers and AI companies, causing long-term shortages and sharply rising prices for RAM, SSDs, and other components. As major manufacturers prioritize large enterprise clients over consumers, hardware affordability and availability are declining, threatening technological independence and signaling a future where owning and upgrading personal computers may become increasingly difficult or impractical.

https://xn--gckvb8fzb.com/hold-on-to-your-hardware/

Open Hardware Directory

The Open Hardware Directory is a platform showcasing 781 devices that can be flashed with custom firmware, enabling users to build personalized hardware solutions without needing an electrical engineering degree. It features a variety of open hardware devices including single-board computers, development boards, IoT gateways, and modules with diverse functionalities such as WiFi, Bluetooth, LoRa, LTE, AI processing, and more, designed for applications in IoT, industrial automation, environmental monitoring, smart homes, and gaming. The directory provides detailed specifications, use cases, and pricing for each device, making it a valuable resource for hobbyists and developers.

https://openhardware.directory/

MacBook Neo Is Kickin’ PC Ass and Taking Names… All the Names

Apple’s new $599 MacBook Neo, powered by the A18 Pro chip, outperforms mobile processors from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm in single-core benchmarks, placing it ahead of many budget laptops from Acer, Asus, HP, and Lenovo. Notebook Check highlights that the MacBook Neo's strong single-core performance makes it well-suited for everyday applications, potentially shaking up the budget laptop market.

https://www.macworld.com/article/3088299/macbook-neo-kicks-pc-ass-and-takes-names-all-the-names.html

The RAM Shortage Is Coming for Everything You Care About

RAM shortages are causing significant price increases and product availability issues across multiple tech sectors, including smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles. This crisis, referred to as “RAMageddon,” is exacerbated by high demand from AI companies. Anticipated price hikes may reach 8% for smartphones, with fewer models being available. The situation is unlikely to improve until 2028, with major manufacturers prioritizing profits, leading to higher consumer costs across all devices.

https://www.theverge.com/tech/880812/ramageddon-ram-shortage-memory-crisis-price-2026-phones-laptops

A Beginner’s Guide to Split Keyboards

Extreme TLDR: A Beginner's Guide to Split Keyboards
Overview of split keyboards, emphasizing ergonomic benefits like natural hand positioning. Discusses types (row-staggered, column-staggered, ortholinear), time commitment for learning new layouts, and options for those short on time. Two paths: easy-to-learn layouts and more customizable options for higher ergonomics. Covers features, geometry, tenting, pointing devices, wired vs wireless, and keymap customization. Encourages breaks and professional help for pain.

https://www.justinmklam.com/posts/2026/02/beginners-guide-split-keyboards/

Best Printer 2025: Just Buy a Brother Laser Printer, the Winner Is Clear, Middle Finger in the Air

Brother laser printers are recommended as the best choice in 2025 due to their reliability and low long-term costs, avoiding the troubles of inkjet printers. They use toner, which doesn’t dry out and lasts longer per cartridge, making them easier to use without complicated subscriptions or firmware issues. For basic black-and-white printing tasks, Brother monochrome laser printers are practical, straightforward, and efficient.

https://www.theverge.com/tech/641940/best-printer-2025-just-buy-a-brother-laser-printer-middle-finger-in-the-air

DRAM Prices Are Spiking, but I Don’t Trust the Industry’s Reasons Why

DRAM prices surged globally in 2025, more than doubling due to demand from AI data centers, with contract prices rising 171.8% year-over-year. Retail prices saw dramatic increases, and shortages persist, with major manufacturers slow to ramp up production, citing previous market volatility. Skepticism surrounds the industry's claims of supply-demand imbalance, given their history of price-fixing and profit-focused strategies. The situation is complex, combining genuine demand with potential artificial inflation of prices. The outlook suggests high prices could continue into 2026 or longer, unless the AI demand declines or production capacity increases.

https://www.xda-developers.com/dram-prices-spiking-dont-trust-industry-reasons/

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