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Episode 486 – Poutine, Power and Two Screens – One Laptop!

The crew is back together for Episode 486 of TechtalkRadio, with Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd and Justin Lemme catching up on a whirlwind few weeks of technology, travel, severe weather and some very interesting new gear.

Segment One – Severe Weather, Gen Con & Backup Power

Shawn has been on the move, including a vendor trip to Canada that had him flying private while severe storms were moving through Indiana. The guys talk about the powerful storms and tornado warnings back home and share some of the weather resources they use, including Weather.gov, Zoom.Earth and RadarOmega.

Shawn also recaps his trip to Gen Con in Indianapolis, where — fittingly — another tornado warning became part of the adventure. He shares some of what he experienced at the massive gaming convention, including playing Daggerheart, before talking about his trip to an ESPN conference and the technology work underway at Notre Dame.

The conversation then turns to emergency power. Shawn has added an Anker SOLIX home battery backup system along with portable solar panels. Unlike his existing inverter generator, the battery system can provide 240-volt power, allowing him to run essentials including his well pump. He shares his real-world experience using the system at home and while camping, including how much power he was able to generate from the portable solar panels.

Segment Two – ASUS Zenbook Duo, PC Prices & Getting Prepared

Andy shows Shawn and Justin the latest ASUS Zenbook Duo, a unique productivity laptop featuring two 14-inch 3K OLED displays. Remove the Bluetooth keyboard and a second full display is revealed underneath, creating a portable dual-monitor workstation. With an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, stylus support and ASUS’ Ceraluminum finish, Andy explains why he sees the Duo as a powerful “grown-up back-to-school laptop.”

That leads to a discussion about the rising cost and availability of RAM, storage and other PC components. The crew talks about why building your own PC may not offer the savings it once did and why buying a prebuilt system can sometimes make more financial sense.

Justin then introduces another topic he’s been researching: basic emergency preparedness. Rather than taking an extreme approach to “prepping,” he’s slowly putting together practical supplies such as bottled water, shelf-stable food, solar lanterns, flashlights and first-aid supplies.

Segment Three – Bugging In, Listener Questions & Giving an Old PC New Life

Shawn continues the preparedness discussion with an important point: emergencies don’t always mean leaving home. In many situations, “bugging in” may be more practical than bugging out. The guys discuss maintaining emergency supplies, rotating food and water and keeping a go bag available for situations where evacuation really is necessary.

Then it’s time for listener questions. Diana in Sahuarita inherited an older Windows 10 laptop covered with desktop icons and programs. Should she simply clean it up? Shawn and Justin have another idea: wipe the machine and start fresh. And if the computer isn’t a good candidate for Windows 11, the guys suggest Linux Mint as a free and increasingly user-friendly alternative.

Andy also shares a recent troubleshooting job involving a laptop that couldn’t reliably open browsers or save files. The culprit? The 250GB SSD had only nine megabytes of free space remaining. After freeing roughly 100GB, the discussion turns to whether upgrading an older laptop’s SSD makes sense — or whether the money would be better spent toward a new computer.

Segment Four – A Mouse That Folds…and Dippin’ Dots?

Andy wraps up the tech with a look at the Logitech MobiFold, a portable Bluetooth mouse that actually folds flat for travel. It can switch between three Bluetooth devices, replaces the traditional scroll wheel with a touch-sensitive scrolling surface and offers impressive battery life — including up to 22 hours of use from a one-minute quick charge.

And because it’s TechtalkRadio, things don’t stay completely technical for long. Justin reveals what happens when the kids return to school at the water park where he works and the full-time staff have to step in. For the IT manager, that recently meant trading technology for hot dogs and Dippin’ Dots — leaving him very ready to get back behind a computer.

It’s another episode filled with technology, practical advice, new gadgets and plenty of laughs with Andy, Shawn and Justin on TechtalkRadio Episode 486.

Please give it a listen or view and Subscribe via YouTube, Spotify or Spreaker! Also Available in the iHeart App and PodBean!

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KMSB Video Segment : The Apple MacBook Neo and the EZQuest Hub That Expands Its Capabilities

For years, Apple laptops have been known for premium performance—and premium prices. But during this week’s Talking Tech segment on KMSB Fox 11, Andy Taylor showcased a new option designed to make the Mac experience more affordable: the MacBook Neo.

Starting at just $699, the MacBook Neo is aimed at students, families, first-time Mac users, and anyone considering making the switch from Windows. Featuring a bright 13-inch Retina display, lightweight design, up to 16 hours of battery life, and Apple’s efficient A18 processor, the Neo delivers plenty of performance for everyday computing tasks including web browsing, email, office work, social media, streaming, and light content creation.

Andy also highlighted one of Apple’s biggest strengths—its seamless integration with the iPhone. Users can access Messages, share files effortlessly, and enjoy the growing capabilities of Apple Intelligence and Siri, creating a connected ecosystem that works together right out of the box.

While the MacBook Neo includes two USB-C ports, modern laptops often require adapters for legacy accessories and additional peripherals. That’s where the EZQuest USB-C Hub comes in. The compact hub dramatically expands the laptop’s connectivity, allowing users to connect USB devices, external storage, monitors, SD cards, wired networking, and even external optical drives through a single connection. It’s an ideal companion for students, professionals, photographers, and anyone who regularly works with multiple devices. The Below Video is our Segment from The TechtalkRadio Show featuring the MacBook Neo – Pricing did increase after Airtime but this gives you an overview of the Neo and EZQuest Hubs.

Andy noted that while power users editing large video projects may still prefer stepping up to a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, the MacBook Neo offers an impressive balance of portability, battery life, and affordability. Combined with the versatility of the EZQuest hub, it becomes a capable everyday workstation that can grow with your needs.

Whether you’re returning to the Mac platform, buying your first Apple computer, or simply looking for a reliable laptop without spending well over a thousand dollars, the MacBook Neo proves that Apple computing is becoming more accessible than ever. Check out the Full Show at TechtalkRadio.com

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NEW – From Polaroid’s to Playstation – Episode 485

For this Week’s TechtalkRadio Show, it opens with a look back at the Fourth of July before diving into the growing role of AI in photography and digital preservation. Andy and Shawn discuss the pros and cons of using AI tools like Gemini to restore old family photos versus manually enhancing them in Photoshop. They also share practical advice on scanning decades of photographs, preserving handwritten notes on the backs of prints, cleaning aging photos safely, and choosing the right equipment—including Epson’s FastFoto scanner and Super 8 film digitizers. Shawn also shares his surprise at the comeback of analog photography, disposable cameras, and traditional film.

Sony’s decision to end physical PlayStation game discs has Andy and Shawn examine the growing trend toward digital-only ownership and the concerns surrounding games, movies, and other media that can disappear without warning. They explore the backlash from gamers, the future of downloadable content, and what this shift could mean for consumers who value true ownership. Andy shares a story he found on the web, the story behind Builder.ai—a billion-dollar startup that claimed to use artificial intelligence but was ultimately revealed to rely on hundreds of human programmers instead.

The TechtalkRadio mailbag returns with a couple of listener questions and one Andy saw on Threads. According to Rebecca’s IT Guy, We may have shared the wrong advice about building your own! Should you still build your own computer, or are pre-built systems now the better value? Andy and Shawn explain how rising memory and storage prices have shifted that recommendation. On Threads, somebody had asked about cleaning the inside of the computer out and while Justin might say “Hit it with the Hose..” (Don’t Do That) Shawn and Andy share maintenance tips for safely cleaning dust from inside a computer, discuss compressed air versus electric air blowers, and explain why regular maintenance can extend hardware life. Larry in Tucson wants to know about VPN’s. Shawn provides an easy-to-understand look at VPNs, including when software-based VPNs make sense, how they improve privacy, and whether hardware VPN routers are worth the investment.

The show closes with an early look at the rumored Insta360 X6 camera. Based on industry leaks and FCC filings, the next-generation 360° camera is expected to feature 8K recording, improved HDR, faster frame rates, larger image sensors, and enhanced low-light performance. Shawn explains why higher resolution is especially important for immersive 360-degree video and how creators use these cameras to produce dynamic action footage.

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TechtalkRadio Episode 484 | Do You Really Own It? Japan, AI & The Digital Dilemma

This week on TechtalkRadio, Andy Taylor, Shawn DeWeerd, and Justin Lemme reunite after Justin’s unforgettable trip to Japan, where technology bargains, innovative gadgets, and breathtaking photography took center stage. From exploring Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima to shopping eight-story electronics stores and testing cutting-edge portable cooling devices, Justin shares how favorable exchange rates and Japan’s technology culture made for one incredible adventure.

The conversation then shifts to a topic that affects every digital consumer: Do you really own the content you purchase? The team discusses Sony’s decision to remove hundreds of previously purchased movies from customer libraries due to licensing changes, raising important questions about digital ownership versus physical media. They also examine the gaming industry’s move toward digital-only releases, subscriptions, and downloadable licenses, asking whether consumers are slowly losing control over the products they buy.

Artificial intelligence remains a major focus as the hosts react to Adobe’s acquisition of Topaz Labs and what it could mean for photographers, videographers, and creative professionals. Will AI-powered editing become more powerful—or simply more expensive?

In a special interview, music publisher Rex Strother joins the show to discuss the growing legal battle surrounding AI-generated music. The conversation explores how platforms like Suno have sparked controversy over copyrighted songs being used to train AI models without permission, and what that could mean for musicians, publishers, and the future of original creativity.

The episode also answers listener questions, including whether eBay or Facebook Marketplace is the better option for selling unwanted items safely, along with practical advice for avoiding common online selling scams.

From travel technology and photography to AI ethics, digital ownership, gaming, and online marketplaces, Episode 484 delivers another engaging mix of real-world technology news, expert opinions, and practical advice for everyday users.

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The Epson WorkForce ES-590W | Fast Wireless Scanner with AI OCR

Fast, Smart, and Paper-Free: Taking a Look at the Epson WorkForce ES-590W Scanner

Going paperless has never been easier thanks to the Epson WorkForce ES-590W, a high-speed document scanner designed for home offices, small businesses, and anyone looking to organize years of paperwork.

On this week’s Talking Tech with Andy Taylor on KMSB Fox 11, Andy demonstrated just how far scanning technology has come. Unlike the slow, single-page scanners of the past, the ES-590W features a 100-sheet Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) capable of scanning up to 45 pages per minute, making quick work of everything from tax records and contracts to family documents and receipts.

One of the scanner’s standout features is its wireless flexibility. Documents can be scanned directly to a computer, USB flash drive, cloud storage, or even a smartphone—without requiring a PC for every scan. The intuitive color touchscreen makes selecting a destination fast and simple.

The ES-590W also shines with Epson’s intelligent document software. Built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) allows scanned documents to become searchable and editable, while AI-powered organization helps categorize receipts, extract text from business cards, and simplify document management. Whether you’re digitizing office paperwork, organizing financial records, or preserving important family documents, the scanner helps eliminate the clutter while making information easier to find.

Priced around $499, the Epson WorkForce ES-590W delivers professional-level performance in a compact desktop design. For anyone looking to transition from filing cabinets to digital organization, it’s an impressive solution that combines speed, accuracy, and smart document management into one easy-to-use device.