The macOS Storage Speed Myth, Part 2: Unpacking Sequential vs. Random Access in the Age of Flash
In this installment of SSD explainers, we will crack the myth between sequential and random access.
Michael's Tinkerings
Thoughts, stories and ideas about tech.
The macOS Storage Speed Myth, Part 1: Decoding SSD Benchmarks and Real-World File Operations
Mac storage upgrades cost a fortune but promise blazing speeds. Don’t be fooled—benchmarks like 6300 MB/s is something you will probably never see in real life.
Lekuo M.2 NVMe USB4 Enclosure Review: Unbeatable Price for the Performance
The Lekuo M.2 NVMe USB4 enclosure delivers exceptional performance at an unbeatable $57.99 price. Outperforming pricier Thunderbolt 3/4 enclosures, its superior cooling ensures sustained speeds, making it ideal for Mac and PC users seeking high-speed, budget-friendly storage.
AceMagic Kron Mini K1 7430U Review - The Choice of Budget Office PC with WiFi 6E
Preface In my review of the Kamrui E3B, I considered it one of the top choices for a budget office PC. Its performance and quietness excel in a workplace setting. At $279, it’s a solid choice. But is there a better fit for the modern office at an even
Building a Power Monitoring System with ESP32 and PZEM-004T: A Pull-Based Approach
Frustrated with unreliable smart plugs, I built a power monitoring system using an ESP32 and PZEM-004T v3. It measures voltage, current, power, and energy, storing data in InfluxDB with a React frontend, with plans for Home Assistant.
Kamrui E3B Review: A Machine Designed to Become An Office Staple
The Kamrui E3B, powered by AMD’s Zen 3 Ryzen 7 5825U, is a cost-effective, quiet mini PC for office tasks under $300. With strong single-threaded performance and versatile ports, it excels in business settings but is hindered by a slow SATA SSD and single-channel RAM, limiting graphical capabilities
AceMagic W1 Review - A Rough Diamond
Preface Mini PCs have come a long way from quirky desk ornaments to serious workhorses—can the AceMagic W1 prove it’s a cut above? My last deep dive into this category was with the AceMagic AM08 Pro, a Ryzen 7 7735HS-powered beast with Radeon 680M graphics. That little champ
The Curse of Intel 12th Gen C-States
Discover why Intel’s 12th-14th gen CPUs, like the i3-12100, falter in homelab power efficiency, idling at 30W+ with PCIe devices due to a C-state flaw. Meanwhile, the older i9-10850K shines, dropping to 20W at idle.
Aim Small, Miss Small: A Deep Dive into the Aoostar N1 Pro Mini PC
If you're searching for a compact and affordable PC with dual 2.5GbE Ethernet ports, the Aoostar N1 Pro is worth considering. Our review thoroughly explores its networking prowess, powered by the Intel N150 processor, and analyzes its overall value for money.
AceMagic V1 Vista: Your Tiny Power Efficient Proxmox Server for Frigate NVR and Beyond
Unlock the full potential of your AceMagic V150! Learn how to install Proxmox and Frigate NVR for local, AI-driven security camera monitoring with object detection. This step-by-step guide covers iGPU SR-IOV, Docker LXC setup, and configuration, all while keeping power consumption under 8W!
Sipeed NanoKVM Review - Out-of-Band Management on a Budget?
The Sipeed NanoKVM might just be the poor man's IPMI. This budget-friendly device unlocks remote BIOS access and power control without breaking the bank. Ventoy ISO booting? Absolutely possible. But be warned: input lag and occasional freak-outs come with the territory.
How to Update MINI PC BIOS with EFI Shell: A Surprisingly Pain-Free Guide
Learn how to safely update your BIOS using EFI shell when Windows isn't available. This step-by-step guide walks you through creating a bootable USB drive, gathering the necessary AMI tools, and performing a BIOS update without requiring a Windows installation.