Spare Room Tech

12/01/2024

Notion is a great note taking app, but I have two major concerns about it's security and privacy. So, I've switched to another tool entirely. As much as I love Notion and still do recommend it for non-confidential notes, it's not a tool that I think I'll use for myself for the time being.

Don't get me wrong. I do love Notion and what the team behind it has accomplished, but unless or until they address my concerns (which seems unlikely) I feel more comfortable with a different tool.

But I do definitely miss some features of Notion, and maybe soon I'll create a video talking about what I miss.

0:00 Intro
0:15 First concern
1:55 Second concern
3:30 What I’m using instead
4:43 Wrap up

What do you think? Are these security concerns enough to make you consider using something else, or will you stick with Notion?

As always, thanks for watching and let me know in the comments if you have any questions or feedback.

Music: do Whatever you like (instrumental version) by Hallman, licensed via Epidemic Sound

10/01/2024

If you're in the market for a new laptop, I'd like to give you a few reasons why you might want to consider getting a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air over something else. There are plenty of great laptops on the market, so I don't want this to sound like I'm an Apple-onlyist. I'm not. I have, like, use and recommend both macOS and Windows machines, and there are lots of reasons to go with each.

But here, let's look at some reasons why a MacBook is a great option - even if you've never used macOS.

0:00 Intro
0:23 Excellent battery life
1:32 Full while unplugged
2:37 Great screen quality
4:22 Much less fan noise
6:19 Years of support
8:08 Wrap up

Now, of course, I understand that there are those who don't like Apple and are completely against EVER buying a Mac. I get that, and if that's you, then no worries. But if you're open to considering a Mac, here are a few reasons why.

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound.

09/01/2024

Back in August of 2022, I bought a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip, 1TB of storage and 16GB of memory. It's my first Apple silicon Mac, and I have to say... wow. I'm impressed.

This Apple silicon MacBook Pro has surprised me in several key areas. In this video, I'll explain some ways I've been impressed by my M1 Pro MacBook Pro, and then we'll discuss whether or not you should buy one now that the newer versions are available.

I'll also talk a bit about how my MacBook Pro compares to my Dell XPS 17 laptop, which I also like. But the Dell has a few drawbacks over the Mac.

Apple has done a great job with this laptop, and I'm very impressed. The MacBook Pro may literally be the best laptop I’ve ever used. and that’s saying something.

That said, there are a few great reasons to NOT buy a MacBook Pro (or a Mac at all, for that matter). I'll cover a few of those reasons in another video.

Do you have an Apple silicon Mac? What do you think?

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound.

08/01/2024

For the past ten months or so, I've been using the Logitech MX Keys Mini keyboard as my main keyboard - especially while at my desk. I like it a lot. It has a lot going for it. But, would I buy it again? And more importantly, should you?

Who exactly is this keyboard for?

In this video, I cover a few things I really like about this keyboard from Logitech and also a couple of things I don't like and hope to see changed in a future version of the MX Keys Mini.

You'll also see the MX Keys Mini alongside the full size MX Keys keyboard, and I'll discuss why I choose the Mini over the full size option.

Music: Catch the Wave (Instrumental Version) by Velvet Moon. Licensed through Epidemic Sound.

05/01/2024

Framework has been around as a company for a while. Up to this point, they've had the 13-inch Framework Laptop - a small but extremely upgradeable and customizable laptop that's meant to last for a very long time and reduce e-waste.

The Framework Laptop 16, however, is a game changer. The Framework Laptop 13 is great but doesn't have dedicated graphics - which could be a bummer for gamers, content creators, or anyone who needs strong GPU performance. The Framework Laptop 16, however, does have a dedicated GPU option - making it a viable option for power users.

I'm looking forward to learning more about the Framework Laptop 16 and seeing which GPU options we get.

But for now, we do know that it will sport a 16-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio, 2560x1600px, 100% DCI-P3, up to 165Hz refresh rate, 1500:1 contrast ratio, 500 nit brightness display - making it a powerful contender for those who want bright, color accurate displays.

I'm not sponsored by Framework, but I strongly believe in their mission, and I would love to see companies like Framework succeed. This is a company that obviously cares about our rights to repair our own products and want to ensure products last a very long time.

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound.

04/01/2024

Whether you're setting up a brand new Mac or just reinstalling macOS to get a fresh start, here are the Mac apps that I recommend you install to get started on the right foot.

I've talked about some of these apps on this channel previously. But I think they're worth mentioning again. They're good enough that I'll always install them on any new Mac I get - and every time I install or reinstall macOS.

0:00 Intro
0:09 A different web browser
1:17 An office suite
2:51 Notion
4:02 AppCleaner
4:41 OnyX
5:33 Macs Fan Control
6:39 KeepingYouAwake
7:34 Magnet & Rectangle

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound.

03/01/2024

Setapp is a popular subscription service that gives you access to a library of Mac apps - and iOS apps too, depending on the level of subscription you choose. But is Setapp actually worth it, or is it a waste of money?

This video is NOT sponsored by Setapp, so you're getting my honest thoughts and opinions. Overall, I like what Setapp offers. There are some excellent Mac apps in the subscription. In fact, some of my favorite macOS apps of all time are available in the app library. But it still might not be a good fit for some people.

If you're looking for paid apps for your Mac but don't want to spend a bunch of money, Setapp is a great option. But, make sure that you're getting enough value out of it to actually justify paying a monthly subscription.

Are the apps in Setapp enough to convince you to get a monthly subscription? Or not? What do you think?

Music:
Dominion by Blue Steel - licensed via Epidemic Sound.
Fractured Paintings by Trevor Kowalski - licensed via Epidemic Sound.

02/01/2024

In this video I take a look at the Rode Videomic Go II microphone. This microphone is a great option for someone who is looking for a relatively inexpensive way to level up their audio production. It's very easy to set up and sounds decent - despite the fact that the room I'm recording in in NOT sound treated at all.

I would recommend the Rode Videomic Go II mic to anyone who wants a microphone to pair with a mirrorless camera or DSLR with a 3.5mm input or with an iPhone or Android. Overall, I'm very impressed!

What do you think?

0:00 Intro
0:38 What's in the box?
2:03 Audio test
3:48 Who is this mic for?
4:36 Wrap up

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound.

02/01/2024

Rumble and Odysee both have a lot of potential, but they need more tech content creators. Maybe they will in time.

02/01/2024

SpareRoomTech.com is now up and running. It’ll serve as a newsletter / blog for tech focused content and tips. Go check it out!

Tech tips, news, insights and snark. Not necessarily in that order. Click to read Spare Room Tech, by Michael Swengel, a Substack publication. Launched 8 months ago.

01/01/2024

The Rode Wireless Go II wireless microphone system promises to be a nice, portable audio solution for cameras, smartphones, tablets, and even computers. In this video, I explain why I'm trying out the Rode Wireless Go II and unbox it, taking a look at what's in the package. You'll also get a sample of the audio quality of the Wireless Go II setup from my Sony A7C as well as some final thoughts about this wireless setup vs my Deity VO-7U microphone which I've been using and like a lot.

I'd also love to hear from you guys! Have you tried any Rode products? If so, which ones do you like?

0:00 Intro
1:00 Unboxing
3:31 Explanation of parts
7:08 Audio test
8:44 Wrap up and final thoughts

If you like this video, please click that like button and follow. I would really appreciate it!

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound.

29/12/2023

It never ceases to amaze me how many awesome free Mac utilities there are. In a previous video, I covered five utilities that are so good that they could easily be paid apps. Here are five more free Mac utilities to add to that list. Every one of these free Mac apps adds very useful and powerful functionality to the Mac experience, and I highly recommend each one.

0:00 Intro
0:06 Macs Fan Control
2:17 KeepingYouAwake
3:54 Keka
5:35 Rectangle
7:07 Shottr
9:09 Wrap up

If you like this video, please "like" it and hit that follow button, and I'll see you in the next one!

Thanks for watching!

28/12/2023

If you don't want your Mac to go to sleep, macOS doesn't give you much control - outside of using the Terminal. Fortunately, this free Mac utility adds a great GUI way to keep your Mac from sleeping.

If your Mac goes to sleep, it can interrupt certain processes - like uploads and downloads, and that can be extremely frustrating. This free Mac app is designed to keep your Mac out of sleep mode as long as you need - even indefinitely. You can choose to have your Mac stay awake for 5 minutes, 5 hours, or for another interval you choose.

There are other apps out there that will do the same thing, but I like this one a lot because it's completely free and open source.

0:00 Intro
0:21 KeepingYouAwake
2:36 Wrap up

If you like this video, please "like" it and hit that follow button! It helps me grow this page, and I would really appreciate it!

27/12/2023

Bartender is a great paid Mac app for hiding unwanted menu bar icons and keeping your Mac's menu bar nice and neat, but in this video, I'll show you a free alternative to Bartender that does much the same thing. This free Mac utility is available on the Mac App Store for free (which is a great price) and can hide app icons from your menu bar, keeping the menu clean and less messy.

This is one of many awesome free Mac apps and utilities, and I hope to cover plenty more in the future.

Check out Hidden Bar on the Mac App Store.

And, of course, Bartender is a great app too!

00:00 Intro
00:05 The problem
01:05 Demo of Hidden Bar
03:25 Wrap-up

Music licensed via Epidemic Sound

26/12/2023

Over the past decade, our devices have become more and more unrepairable. Components are soldered in, making repairs or aftermarket upgrades impossible. Component replacements are often prevented by software or "non-genuine" messages. I think that needs to change. That's why the right to repair is so important. The right to repair movement seeks to get manufacturers to create devices with repair in mind and also to ensure that parts and schematics are available so that individuals and independent repair shops can make repairs as needed.

This movement wants to make repair possible and accessible to everyone who wants to be able to repair his own device. Now maybe you're someone who doesn't want to repair or upgrade his own device. The right to repair is still important for you because this would give you the ability to go anywhere you choose for a repair rather than, often times, having to depend on the original manufacturer.

The Right to Repair movement wants to ensure that parts are made available for repairs as well. Currently, you can go to eBay, Amazon, and other online retailers and find some parts, but you might not be able to find exactly what you need. This movement wants to encourage manufacturers to have parts available for purchase.

0:00 What is the Right to Repair?
1:42 Environmental considerations
3:45 Economic considerations
5:54 Preventing software restrictions
7:38 Wrap up

I think the right to repair movement is one of the most important movements in the technology space right now. This is something for which has been fighting so diligently, and I think we all need to get behind this movement and ask our legislators and governments to support it.

22/12/2023

If you've ever run out of space on your Mac - or close to it - you know how frustrating it can be to not know for sure what's taking up all your storage. And sometimes that "system data" or "other" can be tens of gigabytes in size, taking up precious storage space that you might not want to give up.

In this video, I'll show you how to find out how much space you have left and also how to determine what's taking up your storage so you can delete only the items you need to to recover as much space as you can from your Mac's storage.

I'll show you several different Mac utilities which make it very easy to know precisely where all of your space has gone and to delete the biggest items so you can free up space on your Mac quickly.

21/12/2023

🎥 THESE Are the SetApp Apps I Actually Use - Are They Worth the Price? ⁉️

In this video, I want to show you the Mac apps from the SetApp subscription I actually use. Each one of these SetApp apps provides value in its own way. Is that enough to justify spending the money for a SetApp membership for your Mac or iOS device? Maybe. Maybe not. (This isn't sponsored, so you can make up your own mind on that. Just saying.)

It *might* be worth it to you to buy these SetApp apps individually if you like any of them, rather than paying for the membership. But SetApp does give the benefit of being able to use a wide variety of Mac and iPhone apps without having to buy them individually. But, on the other hand, if you only like a few of the apps, is it really worth paying for a monthly subscription?

Let's talk about that.

0:00 Intro
0:50 iStat Menus
4:19 Disk Drill
8:22 Gifox
9:57 CleanMyMac X
14:12 Xnapper
17:23 Wrap up

20/12/2023

MacOS has SO many apps available - both from the App Store and independent sources. Here are 5 FREE Mac utilities that I love and can't believe they're actually free Mac apps. These are Mac apps that their developers seriously could charge for, but for whatever reason they've decided to make these Mac utilities available at no charge - which is awesome!

0:00 Intro
0:15 Onyx
7:02 NightOwl
8:58 The Unarchiver
10:32 ImageOptim
12:09 AppCleaner
14:40 Wrap up

If you like this video, please "like" it and hit that follow button, and I'll see you in the next one!

19/12/2023

The Logitech MX Keys and MX Keys Mini are both fantastic keyboards. But before you rush out and buy one, let's take a look at the tradeoffs you'll find with each and see which one might be a better fit for you. The Logitech MX Keys is a full size desktop keyboard from Logitech's MX line. The MX Keys Mini is its smaller counterpart that feels the same to type on but does come with some important tradeoffs to note.

Both of these Logitech Bluetooth keyboards are excellent choices for content creators, writers, and office users. However, depending on your needs and preferences, you might prefer the MX Keys over the MX Keys Mini OR the MX Keys Mini over the MX Keys.

Do you have one of these keyboards? What do you think of it? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

19/12/2023

I've just joined Odysee too, and am looking forward to creating more content for that platform. Come check out the channel if you have a few.

19/12/2023

This will be interesting. Definitely bad timing for Apple, right before Christmas sales.

Unless President Biden steps in.

18/12/2023

Sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will banned this week?

Welp. That’s awkward for Apple.

18/12/2023

In this video, I'll show you a way to get a GREAT Mac - complete with an Apple warranty - for a LOT less than you'd be spending otherwise.

A Mac is an expensive investment, and you want to make sure to find a good balance between what you can afford and the power that you'll need for your projects or work or school. You can get a great machine for a lot less money than you might think.

16/12/2023

Over the next few weeks I’ll be uploading more video content from my YouTube channel directly to Facebook. Stay tuned!

16/12/2023

Ok, ok. I buy too many keyboards. I know. But is the MX Keys Mini from Logitech a good option for you? With so many different keyboard options on the market, it can be hard to know which is right for you.

In this video, I'll talk about the MX Keys Mini, why I bought it and my overall impressions of it after using it and traveling with it for several months.

11/12/2023

After a long break from uploading videos, a new one is finally up on the channel!

This time, we're talking Notion.

Notion is a great note taking app, but I have two major concerns about it's security and privacy. So, I've switched to another tool entirely. As much as I lo...

05/08/2023

🚨New video just posted!

I’ve been a bit inconsistent with posting videos recently, and I’m working on refining my workflow so I can be more efficient going forward.

But in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you. What kinds of topics would you like to see covered?

⬇️⬇️⬇️

12/07/2023

The next time you start having a bad day, remember: there are people out there who pronounce GIF wrong.

29/06/2023

‼️ New video posted finally!

I’ve been using the MX Keys Mini keyboard from Logitech for about 10 months, and I have some thoughts. 👇

12/06/2023

New video just posted (finally! 😅)

If you’re setting up a new Mac or just reinstalling macOS to get a clean start, these are the apps I recommend installing first.

Whether you're setting up a brand new Mac or just reinstalling macOS to get a fresh start, here are the Mac apps that I recommend you install to get started ...