Vanishing Screen Bezels: Hype or Innovation?

The Curious Case of Bezels: Why Do We Obsess Over Thin Frames?

The “bezels” of a monitor or TV are the frame around the part of the screen that shows a visible image.Over the years the desire for thinner and thinner bezels has reached a sometimes unreasonable level, and the push to eliminate them altogether hasn’t abated.

But, why do we care so much about how much frame is around our screens? There are some pretty reasonable reasons, but in other cases it’s perhaps just a little silly.

A Brief History of Bezels

Home televisions and later computer monitors used CRT or Cathode Ray Tube technology to create images. The main part of a CRT display is a large and heavy glass and lead vacuum tube, making these displays heavy and fragile. So it’s not surprise that these TVs needed thick and sturdy cases, resulting in big bezels.

This is my late 90s to early 2000s Sony Trinitron 34-inch TV, and while the screen-to-bezel ratio is pretty decent, that’s still a pretty chunky frame.

Why Your Old Tech is About to Become a Collector’s item (and Could Be Worth Money)

For years, we’ve been told to upgrade.Faster processors, bigger screens, more storage – the tech world thrives on planned obsolescence.But what happens to all the “old” tech we discard? Increasingly, it’s becoming… valuable.

That dusty CRT television in the basement? The box of floppy disks you haven’t touched in decades? The vintage game consoles gathering dust? They might be worth more than you think.A surprising wave of nostalgia, coupled with the unique characteristics of older technology, is driving up prices in the collector’s market.

Why the sudden Interest?

Several factors are at play:

nostalgia: Millennials and Gen Z are rediscovering the technology of their childhoods. There’s a genuine fondness for the aesthetics and experiences that modern tech simply can’t replicate.
Unique qualities: Older tech often possesses qualities lost in modern devices. CRT televisions, for example, offer a distinct picture quality that manny prefer for retro gaming. The tactile feel of mechanical keyboards is another draw.
Scarcity: As older devices become rarer, their value increases. Many were simply discarded, making surviving examples more sought after.
The Retro Gaming Boom: The popularity of retro gaming is a huge driver. Original consoles, games, and accessories are in high demand.
A Reaction to Modern Tech: Some collectors are actively seeking alternatives to the constant updates and data collection inherent in modern technology. Older devices offer a sense of ownership and control.

CRT Televisions & Monitors: Especially those in good condition with low hours.
Vintage Game Consoles: Nintendo (NES, SNES, Game Boy), Sega (Genesis, Dreamcast), and Atari systems are particularly popular. Retro Games: Rare or complete-in-box games can fetch high prices.
Floppy Disks & Early Computer Hardware: Items related to the early days of personal computing are gaining traction.
Walkmans & Cassette Players: The resurgence of cassette tapes is fueling demand.
Polaroid Cameras & Film: Instant photography is back in style.
vintage Computers: Apple Macintosh, Commodore 64, and IBM PCs are all collectible.

Where to sell Your Old Tech

eBay: A classic platform for reaching a wide audience.
Facebook Marketplace: Good for local sales and avoiding shipping costs.
Retro Gaming Stores: Specialty stores often offer cash or trade-in options.
Online Forums & Communities: Dedicated forums can connect you with serious collectors.
* Auction Houses: for particularly rare or valuable items.

Before you toss that “junk” in the trash, do a little research. You might be surprised at what it’s worth. A swift search on eBay or a dedicated collector’s forum can give you an excellent idea of the current market value. That old tech could be your ticket to a little extra cash – or a satisfying connection to the past.

Breathe New Life Into Old Tech: How to Connect Modern Devices to CRT Monitors

For years, CRTs (Cathode Ray Tube) were the dominant display technology. now largely replaced by LCDs and OLEDs, these bulky, frequently enough beige, monitors might seem like relics of the past. But don’t be so quick to discard them! A growing community is rediscovering the unique aesthetic and, surprisingly, the gaming benefits of CRTs. If you’ve got an old CRT gathering dust, you might be pleased to know you can connect modern devices like PCs, consoles, and even handheld gaming PCs to them. Here’s how.

Why Connect to a CRT?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s quickly cover the “why.” CRTs offer several advantages, particularly for retro gaming:

Input Lag: CRTs generally have very low input lag, making them ideal for fast-paced games where responsiveness is crucial.
Motion Clarity: the way crts display images results in excellent motion clarity, reducing blur.
Aesthetic: let’s be honest, the scanlines and unique look of a CRT are appealing to many.
Cost: You might already have one!

Understanding CRT connections

The first step is identifying the ports on your CRT. Common connections include:

VGA (D-Sub): The most common analog connection for pcs. Often blue,with 15 pins.
Composite Video (RCA): Yellow connector, typically used for older consoles. Offers the lowest quality.
S-Video: Round connector with 4 pins. A step up in quality from composite.
Component Video (YPbPr): Three RCA connectors (green, blue, red). Provides a good quality analog signal.

Connecting Your Devices

Now, let’s look at connecting specific devices:

1. Connecting a PC

VGA is Your Friend: If your CRT has a VGA port, this is the easiest method. Simply connect a VGA cable from your PC’s graphics card to the CRT.
Adapters for HDMI/DisplayPort: If your PC only has HDMI or DisplayPort,you’ll need an adapter. Look for an active HDMI/DisplayPort to VGA converter. Passive adapters won’t work.Be aware that these adapters introduce some signal processing, which can add a small amount of input lag, though good quality adapters minimize this.
Resolution & Refresh Rate: You’ll likely need to adjust your PC’s resolution and refresh rate to match what the CRT supports. Common resolutions include 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768.Refresh rates of 60Hz or 75Hz are typical.

Older Consoles (NES,SNES,Genesis): These typically use composite or S-Video. Use the appropriate cable for your console and the CRT’s available port.
playstation 2/Xbox: These consoles can output composite, S-Video, or component video. Component video will provide the best quality.
Modern Consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S): These consoles output HDMI. You’ll need an HDMI to component or HDMI to VGA converter (again, active converters are essential).Expect some potential input lag with conversion.

3. Connecting a Handheld Gaming PC (Like the Legion Go)

USB-C to VGA/HDMI: Many handhelds, like the Legion Go, output video via USB-C. You can use a USB-C to VGA or USB-C to HDMI adapter, then connect to the CRT as described above. prioritize active adapters for the best results.
Resolution Scaling: Handhelds frequently enough have high native resolutions. You may need to scale down the resolution in the handheld’s settings to match the CRT’s capabilities.

Troubleshooting

No Signal: Double-check all connections. Ensure the CRT is powered on and set to the correct input. Try different resolutions and refresh rates on your source device.
Image Distortion: This can be caused by incorrect resolution, refresh rate, or a poor-quality adapter. Experiment with settings. Some CRTs have physical knobs for adjusting geometry (horizontal/vertical size and position).
Colour Issues: Check the color settings on both your source device and the CRT.

Important Safety Note: CRTs contain high voltages. never* open a CRT monitor unless you are a qualified technician. They can hold a charge even when unplugged.

Connecting modern devices to CRTs can be a rewarding experience, offering a unique visual experience and a nostalgic trip down memory lane. With the right adapters and a little experimentation, you can breathe new life into these classic displays.Not that I mind, because moving this monitor around, it feels rock-solid, and the same goes for my 150-pound TV, which is a three-person job at best to move.

things got a lot better with flat-panel displays, but even so the bezels on my first 19-inch LCD monitor were not slim by any means.The bezels on my 34-inch ultrawide daily-driver work monitor are there, but most of the screen is in fact viewable.

The MX Ergo S: A Pleasant and Customizable Trackball Mouse

The Logitech MX Ergo S is a trackball mouse designed for comfort and productivity. Unlike conventional mice that require wrist movement, the MX Ergo S uses a trackball that you control with your thumb, reducing strain and promoting a more ergonomic posture.

This mouse boasts a sculpted shape that supports your hand and wrist, minimizing muscle fatigue during long work sessions. The adjustable tilt angle (0, 15, and 25 degrees) allows you to find the most natural and comfortable position for your hand.

Key Features:

Trackball control: The precision trackball offers smooth and accurate cursor control with minimal movement.
ergonomic Design: Sculpted shape and adjustable tilt angle promote a comfortable and natural hand position. Customization: Logitech Options+ software allows you to customize button assignments and trackball sensitivity.
Flow Technology: Seamlessly switch between up to three computers with a single mouse.
Long Battery Life: Enjoy up to 80 days on a full charge, and a quick one-minute charge provides up to three hours of use.
Premium Build Quality: The MX Ergo S feels solid and well-built, ensuring durability.

Who is it for?

The MX Ergo S is ideal for:

Users experiencing wrist pain or carpal tunnel syndrome: The trackball design reduces strain on the wrist.
Professionals who spend long hours at the computer: The ergonomic design and customization options enhance comfort and productivity.
* Those looking for a unique and efficient mouse experience: The trackball offers a different way to control your cursor.

While the price point is higher than traditional mice, the MX Ergo S offers a compelling combination of comfort, customization, and productivity features that make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking an ergonomic and efficient mouse solution.

The Disappearing Bezels: Why laptop borders Are Shrinking

For years, laptop screens were surrounded by thick, noticeable borders – bezels. These weren’t just aesthetic choices; they were often necessary to house the technology within the device. But as technology has advanced, those bezels have steadily shrunk, and on devices like my M4 MacBook Pro, they are practically gone. The only reason the top bezel remains more ample is to accommodate the built-in webcam.Image of a modern laptop with very thin bezels
“sydney Louw Butler / How-To Geek”

Apple Silicon Macs Can Now Run Windows games Surprisingly Well

For years, Mac gamers have faced a frustrating reality: many Windows-exclusive titles simply weren’t available on macOS. While Apple’s recent gaming push with initiatives like Apple Arcade and MetalFX Upscaling is promising, it hasn’t solved the problem of wanting to play the latest AAA games designed for Windows. Now, thanks to the ongoing development of virtualization software, that’s starting to change – and the results are surprisingly good.Specifically, Parallels Desktop has made meaningful strides in allowing Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, and M3 chips) to run Windows games with performance that’s often comparable to, and sometimes even better than, lower-end Windows PCs. This isn’t about running Windows in a clunky, emulated habitat. Parallels leverages the power of Apple’s chips to virtualize Windows, allowing it to run alongside macOS without a massive performance hit.

How Does It Work?

Traditionally, running Windows on a Mac required Boot Camp, which involved partitioning your drive and rebooting into a separate Windows installation.Parallels Desktop, however, allows you to run Windows within macOS. Recent updates have focused on optimizing this virtualization for gaming.

Key improvements include:

DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 support: Parallels now offers improved support for these crucial graphics APIs, which are used by the vast majority of Windows games.
Game Mode: This feature automatically optimizes your Mac for gaming when a Windows game is detected, allocating more resources to the virtual machine.
MetalFX Upscaling: Apple’s MetalFX upscaling technology can be used within Windows games running through Parallels, boosting performance and visual fidelity.
Improved Graphics Performance: Ongoing optimizations to the virtualization engine itself have resulted in significant gains in graphics performance.

What Kind of Performance Can You Expect?

The performance varies depending on your Mac’s configuration and the game you’re trying to run. However, reports are flooding in from users who are able to play demanding titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elden Ring at playable frame rates, often at 1080p or even 1440p resolution.

Here’s a general idea of what you can expect (based on various tests and user reports):

M1 Macs: Capable of running many games at 1080p with medium to high settings. M2 Macs: A noticeable performance boost over M1, allowing for higher settings and resolutions in many games.
* M3 Macs: the latest M3 chips offer the best performance,with some configurations rivaling entry-level gaming PCs.The M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, in particular, deliver impressive results.

It’s important to note that you won’t get the same performance as a dedicated gaming PC with a high-end graphics card. Though, for many gamers, the convenience of being able to play Windows games on their Mac without dual-booting or needing a separate machine is a huge win.

Is It Worth It?

If you’re a Mac user who’s been longing to play Windows-exclusive games, Parallels Desktop is definitely worth considering. It’s a paid software (subscriptions start around $80/year), but the ability to access a vast libary of games that were previously unavailable on macOS is a compelling benefit.

The ongoing improvements to Parallels, combined with Apple’s continued focus on gaming, suggest that the future of gaming on Macs is looking brighter than ever. It’s no longer a pipe dream to enjoy your favorite Windows games on your sleek Apple Silicon Mac.

Stop Letting Your Router Pick Your DNS Servers: Here’s why and How to Change Them

Your router is a vital piece of your home network, handling traffic and connecting you to the internet.But it often makes one decision for you that you might want to control: your DNS servers. These servers translate website names (like howtogeek.com) into IP addresses (like 104.21.23.45) that computers use to communicate.While your internet service provider (ISP) automatically assigns DNS servers to your router, they aren’t always the fastest or most private options. Switching to different DNS servers can improve your browsing speed, enhance your security, and even bypass certain restrictions. Here’s why you should consider changing them and how to do it.

Why Change Your DNS Servers?

Speed: ISP-provided DNS servers aren’t always optimized for speed. Public DNS servers like Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) are often faster,resulting in quicker website loading times. Reliability: Public DNS servers typically have more redundancy, meaning they’re less likely to experience outages.
Security: Some DNS servers offer built-in malware and phishing protection by blocking access to malicious websites.
Privacy: Your ISP can track your DNS requests,potentially building a profile of your browsing habits. Using a privacy-focused DNS provider can definitely help mitigate this.
Bypass Restrictions: In certain specific cases, changing DNS servers can allow you to access websites that are blocked by your ISP or government.

Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
Quad9: 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112

Windows: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the command ipconfig /flushdns.
macOS: Open Terminal and run the command sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
Linux: The command varies depending on your distribution. Try sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches or sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart.

Testing Your new DNS Servers

To verify that your new DNS servers are working, you can use online DNS leak test tools. These tools will show you which DNS servers your computer is using. A simple search for “DNS leak test” will provide several options.

Changing your DNS servers is a simple yet effective way to improve your internet experience. By taking control of this frequently enough-overlooked setting, you can enjoy faster speeds, enhanced security, and greater privacy.## Why Do Monitors Obsess Over Thin Bezels?

Tim Rattray / How-To Geek

The first reason I can think of has to do with value for money. If I buy a 17-inch monitor but only 15 of those diagonal inches are viewable, that feels a little like being cheated. This is why,with monitors and TVs over the years,the specs quote both the total measurement and the viewable area.

While flat panels on, such as, laptop computers may have stayed the same size, the effective viewable size of the screen has increased without the size of the device getting bigger. That’s a better deal by itself, not counting how the actual picture quality has improved.

But bezels don’t just take up physical space-they can also change how we perceive the image. Thin bezels offer a more immersive experience, because we don’t see the frame around the image. It’s the same reason people prefer borderless windows or edge-to-edge photos: our brains interpret them as more expansive and modern.

It also seems like people associate thinner bezels and more minimalism with more advanced and premium technology. It’s like you can just look at the “chin” of a phone and instantly know if it’s a cheap entry-level model, or a flagship.

## When Bezels Actually…

the iPad Pro M4’s Front Camera Just Got a Huge Upgrade, and It’s Not Just about Megapixels

Apple’s new iPad Pro M4 is packed with impressive specs, but one upgrade that’s flying a bit under the radar is the front-facing camera. It’s no longer relegated to just video calls; it’s a serious tool for content creators.

For years, iPads have made do with a relatively basic 12MP ultra Wide front camera. The M4 models ditch that in favor of a 14.3MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage. But the megapixel bump isn’t the whole story.

The biggest change is the move to a landscape orientation. Previously, the front camera was positioned for portrait mode, forcing you to rotate your iPad for landscape video recording and live streams. This meant the image quality was effectively reduced as the camera was using a smaller portion of the sensor.

Now, with the camera positioned on the longer edge, you get the full 14.3MP resolution when recording in landscape. This translates to sharper, more detailed video, especially critically important for professional-looking content.

Apple also highlights improved dynamic range and low-light performance. Combined with the new computational video features coming to iPadOS 17.4, like ProRes video recording directly to external storage, the iPad Pro M4 is shaping up to be a surprisingly powerful video conferencing and content creation device.It’s a subtle change, but one that will make a big difference for anyone who regularly uses their iPad for video calls, live streaming, or creating video content. It’s a clear signal that Apple is taking the front camera seriously, and recognizing the growing importance of video in our digital lives.