Category Archives: Reviews

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Overblown UGREEN Nexode 300W vs. No-Name Garbage “700W” USB PSUs

  By Scott • 2025-07-13 , ,
Overblown UGREEN Nexode 300W vs. No-Name Garbage 700W USB PSUs - YouTube Cover

I needed a USB PSU capable of supplying about 85W @ 20V on three separate ports simultaneously (so 255W total). The UGREEN Nexode 300W GaN “Charger” seemed like a good option, as it would have a decent amount of headroom and has a port labeled “140W”, and two “100W”. However, IMO it’s pure marketing nonsense. First of all, it’s very particular as to what loads you can place on which ports in combination. The only way it can output its rated 300W is if one of those loads is @ 28V. That’s fine, I guess. They can spec it however they want. However, in my testing while loading it with 250W across 4 ports, it started thermally throttling after about … Continue reading

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You Don’t Need a PYXIS Monitor, and You Can Have WiFi (Micro Studio Camera 4K G2)

  By Scott • 2025-07-05 ,
PYXIS Monitor - Alternative and WiFi for Micro Studio Camera 4K G2 - YouTube Cover

REUPLOAD – In the previous version I made the erroneous claim that the PYXIS Monitor couldn’t be used with the BMMSC 4K G2 and a USB hub to allow simultaneous monitoring and recording. The issue was that the monitor uses HDMI over USB-C, not USB-C data. So it will only work with hubs that support USB-C HDMI alt mode, none of which I had. Apologies if this misled anyone; It was definitely not my intent, as I very much wanted the monitor + SSD to be usable! Though a bit embarrassed, ultimately I’m glad I was wrong about it. Here’s the USB-C hub from the intro that *does* work with an SSD + PYXIS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRG9K3BJ (Not affiliated nor sponsored.) The … Continue reading

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Clicks “Precision Typing Instrument” for Motorola Razr and Pixel 9 (and Teardown)

  By Scott • 2025-06-29 ,
Clicks Keyboard Phone Case - YouTube Cover Image

I take a look at the Clicks Keyboard phone case (or, as they call it, the “Precision Typing Instrument”) with a Pixel 9 Pro and a Motorola Razr 2024. It’s a well-made product, and works without the need to install an app (and the app that is available does *not* require you to create an account for no reason). However, it’s not something I’ll be using, both because I don’t want to switch to a Razr but also because I’m probably overly sentimental about a tactile keyboard. Also, the form factor is cumbersome on a slab phone like the Pixel (and I’d have the same issue when paired with an iPhone). Note: As usual, this video is not sponsored nor … Continue reading

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Sandisk Pro-Dock 4: Too Well-Made for My Purposes

  By Scott • 2025-05-29 , ,
Sandisk Pro-Dock 4 - Teardown and Review - YT Cover

I got this Sandisk Pro-Dock 4 card reader holder and laptop dock a while back for a bargain, hoping it would be somewhat slapdash in its electronics such that I could “convert” it to be used as a simple USB 3 card reader apparatus. Turns out, it’s so Thunderbolt that Zeus himself is scared. The engineers at Sandisk (and/or Western Digital) did an absolutely masterful job with this hardware, though the product appears to have been let down by poor software/driver support. It seems to be discontinued now, which is a shame. In this video, I tear down the thing and check out its components. Relatively high-res photos of the two internal circuit boards:

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SlimQ Easy Bake 330W Laptop & USB-C Power Supply

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  By Scott • 2025-04-19 ,

If you’re looking for a high-power charger/power supply that can also make toast and confections, the SlimQ 330W laptop power supply might be for you! I actually purchased this to use with a Starlink Mini and a USB-C laptop, and it should suffice for that. It seems like a really high quality unit, except that they’re trying to dissipate about 22W of power from this relatively small plastic case (at full load). Though it is around 93% efficient, that extra 7% has to go somewhere.

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Upgrading Cameras in the Studio (Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K G2)

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  By Scott • 2024-11-16 , ,

I laboriously go through the process of unboxing and testing the new-ish Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K G2, or BMMSC G2 as it’s slightly more easily said. It’s kinda a combo of the old BMMSC G1 and the Micro Cinema Camera. Also got two Mini Converters to apply LUTs to both cameras over SDI, also from Blackmagic Design, of course.

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PCIe Bifurcation Frustration with Icy Dock ToughArmor NVMe and 3 PCs

  By Scott • 2024-07-28 , ,
Icy Dock ToughArmor Review and PCIe Bifurcation Thumbnail Image

In this video I try to test out the Icy Dock ToughArmor M.2 NVMe Mobile Rack for PCIe slots. It supports 2 removable NVMe drives placed in the included sleds, and (almost) fits an x8 or x16 lane PCIe slot that supports bifurcation to get 4 juicy lanes to each of the SSDs. I test it out with Samsung 990 Pro and Western Digital SN850X 4TB drives. That being said, it turns out that not all bifurcation implementations are created equal, nor are all PCIe slots. Hence the frustrating aspect. Buy it with a generous return policy in place, if you buy it at all. Just to be 100% clear: This is not sponsored in any way. If you couldn’t … Continue reading