Articles by Joel McLaughlin

Lenovo Flex 5 14" 2-in-1

Reviews

Lenovo Flex 5 14″ 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop (ITL05) Review: All-Day, Flexible Computing in a Svelte Package

Some of my favorite laptops have been from Lenovo over the years. I’ve had many Thinkpads and laptops, and I currently own a Yoga 710. When they offered to send me the 2021 version of the Lenovo Flex 5 14″ 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop (ITL05) on loan, I had to check it out. Will the 11th generation Core i5, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage in this svelte frame impress, or will it disappoint?  Let’s take a look.

Can the M1 iPad Pro Be Your Only Computer?

Editorials

Could the M1 iPad Pro Function As Your Only Computer?

When Apple announced that the latest iPad Pro has the same M1 chip as the Macbook Air and Macbook Pro, I had some thoughts about that, and I figured the rest of the Gear Diary team might too. Is the iPad Pro finally ready to be a stand-alone computer or perhaps function as your only computer?

Buyer Beware: Amazon Reprints Some Books Poorly and Without Disclosure

Editorials

Buyer Beware: Amazon Reprints Some Books Poorly and Without Disclosure

I’ve always liked is Star Trek: The Next Generation. I like the show so much that in 1991 when Pocket Books brought out the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, I had to have it.  I bought it and thumbed through it so often that I eventually wore it out. I recently ordered a replacement copy from Amazon. However, what I got was different than what I expected; it wasn’t the original book or even a proper reprint. Evidently, Amazon reprints older books themselves, and it’s not the quality you might be led to expect.

Hinge Health Knee Program Review

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Hinge Health Knee Program Review

As you get older, various body parts may stop working as well as they used to, thanks to injuries, joints deteriorating, or in my case — from carrying too much weight. My employer has a benefit that helps me with this, that is called, ironically enough, Hinge Health. Does it help? Let’s find out.

Livongo Glucose Monitoring Program Makes Living with Diabetes Easier

Health and Fitness, Reviews

Livongo Glucose Monitoring Program Makes Living with Diabetes Easier

Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. My disease is controlled only with medication at this point, and I am heading in the right direction. However, I decided I needed to take the next step in monitoring my blood glucose levels even though my doctor hasn’t said I need to yet. That’s where Livongo came in, thanks to my employer. Will it help me keep track of what I need to keep my diabetes in control? Let’s find out.

Preview of iPad OS Beta: Are the Changes Big Enough to Matter?

News

Preview of iPad OS Beta: Are the Changes Big Enough to Matter?

At WWDC 2019, Apple announced the new iPad OS. Before I go too far, I want to caution you about loading this beta. If you use your iPad for anything mission critical, then it’s best to wait until the full release. With that said here are my thoughts on the biggest update to the iPad in years.

Harry's New Body Washes Are Fab

Reviews

Harry’s New Body Washes Are Fab

I love my Harry’s bi-monthly shipments.  Even better is Harry’s has been available at Target and I saw it at a couple Walmart stores as well. Finally, Harry’s is adding other products to help keep your man smell great with their new body wash and bar soap in Shiso, Fig, and Stone scents!

DJI Mavic Pro Review

Reviews

DJI Mavic Pro Review

DJI is the top drone maker for many reasons. One is the software and infrastructure they built for previous drones make each new one want to watch. It’s for their dedication to this market is the reason why I bought the Mavic Pro over anything else.  There is no contest. DJI is the best.

Thinium Recharge[+]2.0 Review: A Wall Charger and Battery Pack in One

Reviews

Thinium Recharge[+]2.0 Review: A Wall Charger and Battery Pack in One

Even the latest phones don’t usually have enough battery to go through the entire day if you are a heavy phone user like myself. Even if you aren’t a heavy user, you likely still carry a battery and cable just in case you need to top off. Does the Thinium Recharge [+]2.0 fit the bill of convenience? Let’s find out.

Google Home or Amazon Echo: Which Is better?

News

Google Home or Amazon Echo: Which Is better?

I’ve had a couple Amazon Echo Dots for about a year now. I thought they were great. Then this past Christmas, I picked up a couple Google Home Minis just because I wanted to check them out. Now Amazon’s Echo Dot has been pushed to a backup system as I think the Google Home system is so much better.

Adobe's New Lightroom CC Cloud-Based Editor Review

Reviews

Adobe’s New Lightroom CC Cloud-Based Editor Review

I’ve been a Creative Cloud subscriber for a couple of years now.  Adobe has always been adding apps on the mobile side but it’s always been a bit disjointed. That has now ended now with their new Lightroom CC, however, they’ve added to the confusion by continuing the previous desktop oriented Lightroom and calling it Lightroom CC Classic. I’m not sure if this will work for them.

OnePlus Upgraded Mic Arm Stand Review

Reviews

OnePlus Upgraded Mic Arm Stand Review

I have had a Blue Yeti of some sort for years, and while the mic comes with its own stand, it’s one designed to only work on your desk. I’ve often found there doesn’t really seem to be a good place for the mic with its stock stand.  This changed when I received the OnePlus Upgraded Mic Arm Stand.

Verizon Moto Z and Z Force Now Getting Android 7.1.1 Update

News

Verizon Moto Z and Z Force Now Getting Android 7.1.1 Update

It’s been rumored that the Android 7.1.1 update was hitting Moto Z and Z Force handsets in Brazil and elsewhere for the last few weeks, but imagine my surprise that when I checked today and found that Verizon and Lenovo have released the update to the masses on Verizon as of today!

Dayton Hamvention 2017: New Tech, New Location, and Old Friends

Events

Dayton Hamvention 2017: New Tech, New Location, and Old Friends

The location change had to be on the minds of most Dayton Hamvention goers this year. When you were in a location as long as Hamvention was, a location change is big for everyone. I am happy to say that the Dayton Amateur Radio Association, the group responsible for the show, was successful beyond any imagination.

Amateur Radio Operators: Dayton Hamvention 2017 Preview

Events

Amateur Radio Operators: Dayton Hamvention 2017 Preview

Not quite as exciting as an Apple or Google Keynote, the Dayton Hamvention is this week, and I’ll be making the trek to the show this year in its first new location since I started attending, the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio. Hamvention is like CES, but for Amateur Radio operators like myself, and it’s a lot of fun.