It is Always fun to share the Latest Cutting edge Technology and for this Mornings Segment, We give you a first hand look at a product released less then two weeks ago that has been created with the Gamer and Heavy Computer User in Mind.
The product is not a Desktop PC, Not a Laptop but a combination Tablet and High End Gaming Notebook, The Asus ROG Flow Z13. This Powerhouse of a Tablet/Notebook features an AMD Ryzen Max Ai Processor 390 or 395 Processor and can be configured at 32GB of Memory and can also be purchased with 128GB! 1TB of M2 for your Storage and Radeon 8060S Integrated Graphics. This Can help the user play even the latest video game titles without worrying about Lag, again all of it on a 2 in 1.
The Graphics look sharp and flow great on a 2.5k ROG Nebula 13.4 inch Touch Screen and feature a bevy of Connection options such as dual USB-C ports, both of which support USB4, DisplayPort™ 1.4 output and sports a dedicated HDMI 2.1 port, a USB Type-A port, a microSD card reader, and an audio combo jack. We also love the Aura RGB Effects for the lighting of the Keys and back of the screen which shows the inner componants.
The 2 in 1 has one of the sturdiest feels I have had in a Mobile device protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection and its design for Cooling and Airflow helps with speed as well as the power features in most cases delivering up to 10 hours of use under a charge. It weighs about 3.5 pounds with the foldable/removable keyboard.
Depending on the Configuration Pricing Starts at about 1999 and can go to about 2799. More info at https://www.asus.com/us/
For this Weeks TechtalkRadio Show, Matt shares his experience with pets adjusting to the time change, recounting how his cat protested the new schedule by realizing how shoving his metal bowl at night will get him some food. Shawn has continued his process of digitizing family photos using the Epson FastPhoto 680W scanner and is sharing how he was able to also scan in 8mm Movie Film using the Wolverine Data film scanner. He has completed scanning about 2,800 photos from his grandparents’ collection and is now working on digitizing 8mm and Super 8 films from the late 1940s to 1980s. Shawn explains the time-consuming process of cleaning and scanning the films, emphasizing the importance of preserving family memories. The group also discusses the challenges of using older film equipment and the value of digitizing these historical records.
A recent discussion with a filmmaker has Andy wondering about the use of Davinci Resolve, a video editing software. Shawn recommended Davinci Resolve as a top three video editing software, alongside Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere. He explained that the free version of Davinci Resolve is sufficient for most needs, and the studio version, which costs around $300, offers additional features like advanced noise reduction and higher resolutions and amazing color correction.
A Listener Question asked about the Disk Defragmenter. Matt explains that defragmentation is no longer necessary for modern solid-state drives (SSDs). He describes how defragmentation was used on older hard disk drives to reorganize fragmented data, which could take hours or days. For SSDs, a process called trimming is now automatically performed by the operating system. Matt warns against manually defragmenting SSDs as it can significantly reduce their lifespan. He advises that users with SSDs don’t need to worry about defragmentation, as the system handles optimization automatically.
Another listener question wondered about the challenges of switching to the Apple platform, particularly for those unfamiliar with Mac OS. Shawn highlighted the learning curve and potential frustration for those new to the system. Matt offered up a great suggestion as well, Apple stores may offer free classes to help users adapt and recommends checking into those while Andy recommended exploring local user groups and libraries for additional support.
The hosts discuss the upcoming segment about the World Video Game Hall of Fame finalists for 2025, as announced by the Museum of Play. They reminisce about playing Goldeneye in 1998, particularly the popular “slappers only” mode and the controversial character Odd Job. The segment will cover the list of nominees and discuss which games the hosts believe should be inducted, with only three games set to be selected for the Hall of Fame. They debated which games should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, with Goldeneye 007, Quake, Angry Birds, Tamagotchi, and Frogger being top contenders. The team also discussed the influence of games like Age of Empires and Call of Duty on the gaming industry. They agreed that these games had a significant impact on gaming culture and should be considered for induction.
The hosts discuss their favorite and most influential video games. Matt mentions Legend of Dragoon and Final Fantasy 8, praising Legend of Dragoon for its innovative combat system and storytelling. Shawn highlights Suikoden as his favorite JRPG, mentioning its recent remaster. Andy recalls Eamon Adventure, a text-based game on Apple II, as his first computer game. They also reminisce about arcade games, with Shawn mentioning the 4-player X-Men game and Matt recalling Battletoads. The conversation ends with a brief discussion about the rarity of Legend of Dragoon and anticipation for a new Doom game.
For this Week’s Episode of TechtalkRadio, Andy and Shawn discussed the recent announcement from DJI about the New Osmo Mobile 7, a handheld device that stabilizes video footage in three axes. Andy ask Shawn to explain to the listeners the purpose of a Gimble Arm and what it can accomplish. Shawn explained that it’s designed for mobile devices, providing smooth footage even in challenging terrains. The device is priced at $89 for the standard version and $149 for the pro version, which includes additional features such as a wireless receiver for DJI mics, an 8-inch telescoping arm, gesture control, and a built-in light. Shawn expected the announcement to be a different product and after recording we discovered it is the DJI RS 4 Mini which we will discuss next week.
The action camera market is still providing some great solutions for videographers and storytellers and the guys focus on major players like DJI, GoPro, and Insta360. They noted that GoPro has been in the business for a long time and has been successful in the market. Shawn shared his experience with various GoPro models, particularly the Hero 3 Plus, which he considers his favorite. Shawn then listed five companies that attempted to enter the action camera market including Nikon, Kodak, Contour, Garmin, and Sony.
Shawn and Andy welcome to the show Author Chase Roberts, Founder of Baby Step Books to discuss his fun books “Computer Engineering for Babies” and “Computer Engineering for Big Babies”. Chase discussed the development of a book that introduces basic computer concepts to young children. Chase shared his inspiration, which came from his child’s fascination with light switches and decided to create a book that would deliver on the promise of the title, introducing concepts like gates and circuits in a way that a child could understand. Chase faced numerous challenges in the production process, including issues with circuit board design and soldering. His wife’s encouragement helped him persevere and eventually launch a successful Kickstarter campaign, which exceeded his expectations. He shared his experience of creating the first book, which was a success, and then working on a second book that added switches and LEDs. Chase mentioned that the second book took two years to complete, highlighting the challenges he faced, particularly with designing the switch placements.
A Listener Question sent in from Martha in La Quinta inquired about using a Windows XP Computer to play old favorite games however she was told by a friend to not power up the XP System because it could get a Virus? Andy and Shawn let Martha know while connecting to the internet is not recommended playing the local games on the system should be fine. This Gave Shawn and Andy a chance to discuss their experiences with old games and computers. Andy mentioned his fondness for playing old games like Joint Ops and Castle Wolfenstein, while Shawn reminisced about playing Diablo 2 and other classic games. A question from Chad had Andy looking for some input on Starlink and its reputation for service in the Southern Arizona Area, Shawn tells us about the different connect options.
Tune in for all this and more on TechtalkRadio!
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In this week’s TechtalkRadio show, Andy and Shawn revisit the USB hub Andy purchased from a discount store—and this time, they crack it open! They discuss their experiences with USB hubs and the potential dangers of using unverified or suspicious USB devices. They emphasize the importance of purchasing from reputable vendors and being cautious when using public USB ports.
Thinking about getting a new laptop? Shawn shares his recent purchase of a Lenovo ThinkPad T17 for his in-laws, explaining how it met their budget and needs. He walks through some of the challenges they faced while setting up the new computer, particularly issues with transferring settings and favorites—most of which revolved around Microsoft’s OneDrive. After some configuring, the laptop was set up to their liking, and Shawn details a few of the key steps he took.
Andy is joined by Micki and Steve, showrunners and producers of the upcoming Vintage Computer Festival SoCal, taking place in Orange, California, on February 15th and 16th, 2025. The event, expected to draw over a thousand attendees, stems from the organizers’ passion for vintage computing and their goal of fostering a community for enthusiasts. Inspired by similar events nationwide, they have been working on this festival for about four years. Attendees can expect to see a variety of vintage computers and related memorabilia while sharing their experiences and memories of their first computers. The organizers also run a YouTube channel, VintNerd, where they share their interests and conduct fascinating interviews. Check them out at www.youtube.com/@TheVintNerd and on their website at https://thevintnerd.com/index.html.
Andy and Shawn return to discuss their love for electronics and tinkering. Andy shares his experience with Elenco Snap Circuits, including the Top Secret Spy Kit and the Snap Circuits Jr. Explorer Kit. These STEM-focused kits allow users ages 7 to 107 to experiment with circuits—no soldering required! Andy demonstrates one of the projects he built with the Spy Kit: a motion detector, which turned out to be a fun and rewarding project.
Shawn also shares some exciting news—he will be attending the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas for the first time! He looks forward to networking and learning about the latest in broadcasting technology.
Finally, Andy and Shawn discuss a book called Computer Engineering for Babies and its educational value in teaching young children the basics of computer functions in an engaging and accessible way.
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In this week’s episode, Andy, Justin, and Matt eagerly tune in as Shawn finally reveals the conclusion to last week’s DJI cliffhanger! The new DJI Flip—a compact take on the DJI Spark—boasts similar flight times and camera resolutions, with pricing at $439 for the drone and controller, or $639 for the full bundle with a screen. Shawn also stresses the importance of responsible drone usage, reminding listeners to respect privacy and airspace laws.
The conversation takes off with the latest GPU story, as the newly launched RTX 5090 and 5080 have gamers camping outside stores in a frenzy to get one. The guys wonder if the buyers are snagging them for personal use, or is this just another scalping fiasco? The team draws parallels to console shortages and even Pokémon card restrictions, debating how retailers are handling high-demand products.
Shifting gears to AI, the crew discusses DeepSeek and the growing role of AI in content creation. Matt highlights a wild case of a writer using ChatGPT to generate five movie scripts with only three edits needed. But is Hollywood doomed? Justin argues that most audiences don’t care who’s behind the script—as long as the story and actors deliver. The debate even touches on actors’ likeness rights, with throwbacks to Crispin Glover’s legal battle over Back to the Future 2 which was settled out of court and Robin Williams’ famous Disney dispute after Aladdin.
A listener emails in with a classic dilemma: One big monitor or two smaller ones? Matt breaks it down—if color accuracy matters, go with a high-quality monitor. If not, a large-screen TV might do the trick. The team discusses setups, from Andy’s 39-inch curved LG to Shawn and Justin’s multi-monitor rigs, even bringing up Samsung’s Odyssey Ark 55-inch ultra-wide as a crazy alternative which can even display as 4 monitor screens!
Finally, Andy goes bargain hunting, scoring a $5 USB hub from a discount store. The catch? It’s from an unknown brand, made in Thailand, and has potential security risks. Shawn, Matt, and Justin voice concerns, recalling an FBI case where hacked cables were found stealing data. Will Andy’s find be a deal or a disaster? He promises to crack it open and report back next week!
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