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16 or 32 GB RAM?

8GB today is the minimum for "just" office work, IMO. For inexplicable reasons, our standard configuration is a base model Latitude E5XXX or E7XXX, which means 4 or 8GB of memory, respectively. Performance is tolerable only due to SSDs, although the 4GB setups become painful quite quickly...
- dawza
- Post #16
- Dec 3, 2016
- Forum: Laptops
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Heat Gun Power?

I've used a Craftsman 34830 for many years now. From basically warm air (120 F/~49 C) all the way up to 1060 F/~570C . I've not found a scenario that it can't adapt to, between the full-range temperature control + air flow adjustment. It is on the pricier side, but it's likely the only heatgun...
- dawza
- Post #2
- Oct 17, 2016
- Forum: Computer Building
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My Lenovo t450s experience (review)

Having used my T450s for some weeks now, I echo Hulk's comment about just how much I've been using the notebook to the exclusion of my desktop, even though the latter has dual 2560x1600 displays and much more horsepower. The exceptional keyboard and trackpoint have a lot to do with it-- I can't...
- dawza
- Post #57
- Jul 15, 2015
- Forum: Laptops
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HP elitebook 2530p SSD upgrade?

You can also use a standard 2.5" SSD if you are willing to sacrifice the optical drive. You'll need the caddy adapter, like so: http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Caddy-EliteBook-2530P-Series/dp/B00LYN3ISI That's the route I went years ago.
- dawza
- Post #3
- Jul 10, 2015
- Forum: Laptops
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Help me find a "near" ultrabook

Another vote for the T450S. Only one RAM slot but soldered 4 GB + 8 GB is plenty for most purposes, and the system is compatible with the 16 GB DDR3 SODIMM Intelligent Memory manufactures. Got mine directly from Lenovo new a little over a month ago. Took about a week to get it, although I...
- dawza
- Post #17
- Jul 5, 2015
- Forum: Laptops
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Help Selecting a Rack-mount Switch With Link Aggregation

I like azazel1024's suggestion to go 24 port semi-managed + 16 port (or 24 if you can swing the budget) unmanaged. On the semi-managed front, the Procurve 1800-24g (or 1810-24g) is generally available (with rack ears) for ~$100 used (with lifetime warranty) on eBay. I think the 1810 does...
- dawza
- Post #5
- Jan 14, 2015
- Forum: Networking
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KVM switch recommendations

Connectpro KVMs and their DDM tech really do work, speaking from personal experience. Probably your best chance for maintaining connected device functionality, although at a bit of a price premium. I also don't know if they have DP switches yet-- you may be in for an adventure with DP--DVI...
- dawza
- Post #3
- Dec 25, 2014
- Forum: Displays
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Internet Speeds Capped with Router

Imagine two 1" diameter pipes connected by a 0.5" diameter pipe. The narrower interconnect is your router WAN NIC. It joins your WAN (internet) pipe to your LAN (local, including the N600 WLAN) pipe. Traffic between WAN and LAN will be bottlenecked by this narrower interconnect.
- dawza
- Post #10
- Dec 19, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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Mini-Itx NAS Considerations

RAID definitely makes for some case selection challenges. You could get something like the Chenbro SR30169 that has four 3.5" hot-swap bays and room for 2x 2.5" drives: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1371-page1.html Or a Lian-Li PC-Q18: http://www.silentpcreview.com/Lian_Li_PC-Q18...
- dawza
- Post #6
- Dec 18, 2014
- Forum: Computer Building
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Mini-Itx NAS Considerations

I can provide perspective from someone who has never done any real IT administration, but has built (and currently using) an ITX NAS that comes close to your requirements. Running 6 HDDs (no RAID) in a Chenbro server case with a SuperMicro Atom D525 ITX board. One OS drive, three storage drives...
- dawza
- Post #3
- Dec 17, 2014
- Forum: Computer Building
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Where do you buy SLC SSDs from?

SLC generally is tapped for mission critical equipment, often under harsh environmental (e.g. temperature, vibration) conditions. The write endurance is still a factor, although perhaps a bit less than it was a few years ago, before controller technology and over-provisioning technology were as...
- dawza
- Post #11
- Dec 15, 2014
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Where do you buy SLC SSDs from?

Enterprise and specialty markets mainly; vendors that provide solutions for industrial/commercial/niche applications (like Logic Supply) still carry SLC SSDs. Expect to pay in the $5/GB range. The Fujitsu FSXtreme could be an interesting candidate when it makes it way to the US, at an...
- dawza
- Post #5
- Dec 10, 2014
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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Bluetooth headphone

The LG linked to above is great for general lifting, as you can tuck them under your shirt to keep the unit from dropping while lying down, and they're unobtrusive for most non-power movements in other positions. If not tucked under a compression shirt with a high neck, they tend to fly around...
- dawza
- Post #3
- Dec 5, 2014
- Forum: Mobile Devices
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Gaming Chairs

The Aeron and comparable offerings from other manufacturers are high quality executive chairs. Perhaps one could upgrade the trimmings and add a headrest? I'm assuming from your comment that you have lower priced models in mind that are labeled as executive, because my idea of an executive chair...
- dawza
- Post #7
- Nov 13, 2014
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Building a new house - need network advice

I tend to agree on having open shelves for space efficiency and ease of access. I have a 9U rack only because we didn't have a dedicated network closet space previously, and a rack provided centralization and cleaned up/organized the cable mess. It's great, but adjustable shelving would be much...
- dawza
- Post #11
- Nov 10, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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Scanner advice

Table saw was about what I had in mind when it came to cutting books apart. I'm sure others have tackled this kind of thing in the past and a quick search would turn up options. But yes, once you have loose pages the rest is easy-- just keep things in order and stay within the ADF page limit...
- dawza
- Post #8
- Nov 5, 2014
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Scanner advice

That's a great deal on the Fujitsu, especially if you don't need Acrobat/already have a license/can get an academic license. As far as document scanners go, Fujitsu's offerings are probably the go-to gold standard. Keep in mind most of their models are not TWAIN-compliant, although this is...
- dawza
- Post #6
- Nov 3, 2014
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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Does a 13" 1080p IPS DVI monitor exist?

I don't know of such a display available for purchase. The closest I've seen are smaller, but also lower resolution standalone monitors: https://www.adafruit.com/search?q=HDMI+display&b=1 I have one of the 7" 1280x800 IPS monitors--PID 1033. It's very cute and surprisingly useful for...
- dawza
- Post #4
- Oct 23, 2014
- Forum: Displays
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Poor 5GHz range on Asus AC68 Suggest an Extender/Repeater?

I actually think people generally don't mess with defaults, which seem to be 2.4 mixed mode on consumer gear I've seen-- and I'm guessing more expensive dual radio devices are the exception rather than the rule. Most SSIDs seem to be from ISP-provided devices, in my experience. I have been...
- dawza
- Post #8
- Oct 20, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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Help in setting up a Home Network/Media Solution

Generally, the most typical setup for your outlined scenario is a single source to multiple sinks; in other words, a centralized repository that feeds any number of clients. The first decision, then, is what hardware and software solution would be ideal for your source (centralized...
- dawza
- Post #4
- Oct 19, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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What was your most awesome video card purchase ever ?

Still fondly remember my 6600 GT, since that was my first real, dedicated card back in the day (although not as far way back as some, clearly). The performance improvement of Morrowind on that card was absolutely massive compared to the integrated graphics I was accustomed to.
- dawza
- Post #132
- Oct 16, 2014
- Forum: Graphics Cards
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Network cable "explodes" - At total loss how it keeps happening

Do you have a UV/black light?
- dawza
- Post #14
- Oct 11, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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KVM help / question

You should be able to use adapters with a DVI KVM. Make sure you know what kind of DP --> DVI adapter you need, though. We have a T420 hooked up to a DVI KVM using a mini-DP --> DVI (passive adapter, which is all the T420 needs) and it works flawlessly. The other computer is hooked up straight...
- dawza
- Post #2
- Oct 6, 2014
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
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If you moved on from 5760 x 1080, where would you go?

Also running 3760x1600, although have done 4960x1600 before (2560x1600 and 2 flanking 1200x1600). About to receive a second 2560x1600, so will see how 2x 2560x1600 is in comparison. For work, I haven't been able to go back to less than 1600 vertical pixels. As far as configurations, I do like...
- dawza
- Post #6
- Oct 2, 2014
- Forum: Displays
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SATA and power outside of PC case for easy backup?

Something like this: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10421&cs_id=1042102&p_id=2371&seq=1&format=2 And then just get the appropriate cables to hook up to your bare HDD? Or, if you have an open slot on the front of your case, a simple hot-swap rack would be much more...
- dawza
- Post #5
- Sep 30, 2014
- Forum: Computer Building
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Are Intel 330 Series and Samsung 830 Series dinosaurs?

No. Just no. OP, this poster aside, I echo the others' advice. You'll be hard-pressed to notice a performance difference. I'm running a 320 in my main workstation and a 520 in my main notebook. Both rock-solid and I can't remember a single instance where I was bottlenecked by SSD I/O...
- dawza
- Post #5
- Sep 28, 2014
- Forum: Memory and Storage
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VLAN on a layer 2 device?

By no means am I a networking professional, so apologies in advance if I improperly utilize terminology. I have a Procurve 1800 (predecessor to the 1810) with three VLANs configured, running to my pfsense box that handles inter-VLAN communication. Our place is wired for ethernet in each...
- dawza
- Post #13
- Sep 25, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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Which Office Chair Do You Use?

Steelcase Leap. Wife has an Aeron with all the options, minus the headrest. I prefer the Leap armrests (adjustable in every way imaginable) and unique recline resistance (friction rather than spring), although I could be quite happy using either.
- dawza
- Post #4
- Sep 17, 2014
- Forum: Computer Building
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Need a low end fanless PC

Another possibility would be something like the Shuttle DS 437, which you can find for <$210 shipped, e.g: http://www.provantage.com/shuttle-ds437~7SHCO0JP.htm You'd still need memory and an HDD/SSD + OS, but you get core components designed for 24/7 fanless operation and quite decent CPU...
- dawza
- Post #16
- Sep 4, 2014
- Forum: Laptops
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Bay Trail based "Router"?

It's not so much that the chances of something breaking are higher. It's the fact that if something breaks, hardware or software, multiple core network functions are liable to go down. Best practice is to have a NAS just do its thing and not run as a service on a box performing routing, for...
- dawza
- Post #7
- Feb 15, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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Bay Trail based "Router"?

JackMDS' post perfectly answers point 4. Multifunction devices tend to be better on paper than in practice. More expensive, probably. Harder to configure, no. And definitely much easier troubleshoot.
- dawza
- Post #5
- Feb 15, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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Bay Trail based "Router"?

Do you absolutely need to consolidate NAS, routing, and AP functionality in a single device? A significant factor in future-proofing is segregating hardware by function, and generally, you'd want a dedicated router, cable modem, switch, AP, and NAS/home server. At minimum, I'd keep routing...
- dawza
- Post #2
- Feb 15, 2014
- Forum: Networking
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Your preferred mechanical keyboard switch?

Buckling springs all the way, except I can't use them any longer due to the insanely loud racket they make-->highly disruptive while on the phone (which is often at home office). Cherry browns took some time to get used to, but I find they're the ideal compromise between noise and tactility...
- dawza
- Post #22
- Jan 3, 2014
- Forum: Keyboards
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How do you select a PDU?

The 2970 spec sheet lists 190W max power draw (from the wall, which in the US would be 120V, so <2 amps @120V). The amperage you are listing/concerned about is DC amps, which is @12V in this case. The chances of you ever seeing that full power draw for any sustained period of time are quite...
- dawza
- Post #4
- Jan 2, 2014
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
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Cheap LED bulbs: TCP 60W Soft white 2700k 3 pack

We have six of these in our kitchen 6" recessed cans: http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/62248/LED-LP15566FL4D.html Well, technically two of those 15W and four of the 10W versions. We've been through more brands, color temperatures, and styles of LED bulbs than I care to recall, and I'm...
- dawza
- Post #20
- Jan 1, 2014
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
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On-Q LeGrand Home Network -- Need Help Please!!

No argument here...definitely a bit overboard, although the defining moment was definitely the rack purchase. Once that was in hand, the temptation to fill all those empty slots with gear was too much to resist. @New Girl-- I like both APs, although if I had to choose one or the other (and...
- dawza
- Post #32
- Dec 17, 2013
- Forum: Networking
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On-Q LeGrand Home Network -- Need Help Please!!

Rack on bottom, server on top: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2541694/WP_20131216_001.jpg From bottom to top: UPS, PDU, cord organizer, 24-port switch, 2U shelf with cable modem on left, pfsense box on right, and Obi100 adapter in back (not seen: the power bricks and cords out of...
- dawza
- Post #29
- Dec 16, 2013
- Forum: Networking
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On-Q LeGrand Home Network -- Need Help Please!!

@ ch33zw1z: Thank you, sir. You flatter me :) @ NewGirl: Yes, to everything you just said. We got lucky in having power in that closet, which allowed me to centralize everything into a corner. But what you propose with your cable modem is perfectly fine as well. As far as wireless APs go...
- dawza
- Post #27
- Dec 16, 2013
- Forum: Networking
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On-Q LeGrand Home Network -- Need Help Please!!

Agreed-- although it's good to have a professional in the thread; I had pros do the work, and wouldn't have known the first thing about rewiring and terminating our connections! As far as equipment, it really depends on your needs and home layout. I have a Cisco WAP321 for 5 GHz wireless-N...
- dawza
- Post #24
- Dec 16, 2013
- Forum: Networking
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On-Q LeGrand Home Network -- Need Help Please!!

I think I understand the question, although I'm unclear on the rationale. It sounds like you want to go from unterminated wire --> switch? I feel like there may be a slight gap in understanding here. You have unterminated Cat5e bundled in your On-Q box. You have 8 runs of this cable; one end...
- dawza
- Post #21
- Dec 16, 2013
- Forum: Networking

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