All Questions
3,361
questions
61
votes
5answers
8k views
Keyboard for programmers?
I'd like to invest in a new keyboard - I've been typing on a MacBook Pro keyboard forever and, while I love it, it's time for something new and slightly more ergonomic.
Requirements:
Must play nice ...
38
votes
7answers
1k views
What's a good non-iPhone smartphone that's reasonably priced and specced?
I'm looking at getting a new smartphone, as my old one (a Sony Xperia E) has reached the end of its life. There are a few things it has to have:
not an iPhone - I have a personal hatred for the ...
37
votes
4answers
70k views
Are there ANY USB-C 'splitters' (hubs with multiple USB-C ports) in existence?
While hubs can be found that adapt USB-C to many USB 3.0 ports, or to mDP etc., it seems there is no product out there that simply turns a single USB-C into two or more USB-C ports? Is there a ...
34
votes
6answers
717 views
What's the cheapest reliable method of backing up my data?
In the event of a catastrophe, it's always good to have a backup of your data. I'm looking for a good hardware solution (i.e. not a cloud or other online-type backup—a physical backup that I can keep ...
34
votes
2answers
3k views
Parts for a gaming PC from 2005
I'm currently writing a story where in 2005 a guy built a time machine out of a old Ford Mustang, a Casio ClassPad 300 calculator, some scrap, and a gaming PC, but the problem I'm facing is that I ...
31
votes
3answers
6k views
GPU for deep learning
I have a budget of ~10 kUSD to buy GPUs for neural network applications, mostly using Theano, Torch, TensorFlow and Caffe. Most programs I plan to run are for natural language processing. Computations ...
30
votes
7answers
737 views
Smartphones under $100 for Android Development
I am looking for a smartphone that I can use for testing and developing my Android app on. Any Android version above 2.3 is okay and any screen size is good. I currently have a Nexus 7 and want ...
29
votes
7answers
28k views
Flat keyboard with the shortest travel distance and lowest actuation force possible
I am looking for a qwerty, flat keyboard with the shortest travel distance and lowest actuation force possible. In other words, a keyboard that requires as little force as possible to type. The ...
27
votes
6answers
4k views
Laptop for front-end development
I am enrolled in a Front End Developer course that starts in January. I need a laptop for the class. I am trying to decide between a Windows machine or a MacBook Pro. The class info says that either ...
27
votes
2answers
581 views
Recommendations for a mechanical or traditional keyboard? Which is better? [closed]
I'm wondering what the advantages of using mechanical keyboards vs. traditional keyboards (i.e. membrane keyboards) are.
My primary uses will be coding, productivity, and avoiding getting RSI.
26
votes
6answers
67 views
Can someone help me identify the specifications of a UPS for a 20-core high-performance computer?
Firstly, I am a software developer that has been delegated the task of finding a UPS for my team's 20-core test-suite machine. It is powered by a 1kW-rated Corsair RM1000X power unit. I live in South ...
25
votes
3answers
459 views
Good, cheap microphone for speech / voice recording?
I'm looking for a good microphone for recording speech (eg. for podcasts, although it might be used for other things too), ideally for under $30.
I'm looking for something that:
Has minimal hiss ...
24
votes
1answer
209 views
Wi-Fi extenders
My primary wireless router is whatever is built in to my ISP's gateway device, which is subject to somewhat frequent change.
I want to extend this network signal over a larger residential lot. So I'...
23
votes
3answers
468 views
Motherboard for a new college desktop computer
I am going to be building a computer for a college student. He is going into general engineering while he figures out exactly what he wants to do. The budget for this computer is about $1500 USD (just ...
23
votes
3answers
5k views
How can I evaluate processor performance when comparing processors? [closed]
My second to last laptop was a Core2Duo 2.4 GHz processor. I have recently purchased a new laptop, which has 2.5 GHz i7 processors (the new model Macbook Pro).
It it fairly obvious that a 5-year ...
23
votes
2answers
3k views
VR headset as huge resolution monitor?
I've currently got 4 monitors on my workstation, but I still want more desktop space. Is there a head-tracking VR headset (either augmented reality or such that a keyboard can still be seen/used ...
23
votes
5answers
525 views
What netbook runs GNU/Linux?
I'm looking for a small laptop with a 10.1 to 11.6 inch screen and an x86 or x86-64 CPU that runs GNU/Linux without hardware incompatibility. Are there any good ones? Or how should I go about finding ...
23
votes
2answers
1k views
What is a good Smartcard for home use?
I'm always looking for ways to improve my security in the internet. As I'm also a programmer and somewhat active on InfoSec and Crypto I decided that a smart card is the way to go.
I'm thereby ...
23
votes
2answers
307 views
High-power wireless network adapter?
I'm looking for a high-power wireless network adapter like Alfa products but more powerful. The Alfa AWUS036H is said to be the most powerful one, though its TX power is a little less than Alfa's ...
22
votes
4answers
2k views
Picking VM server hardware for development
I am an experienced programmer with very little hardware experience, and completely overwhelmed with the unlimited number of choices available. Since technology changes so rapidly, it's very ...
21
votes
1answer
4k views
Which would make a greater difference? Extra CPU or RAM?
I am building a PC specifically for programming. I mainly use Android Studio and Eclipse which are both quite heavy programs. This is why I would like to get a better CPU / more RAM. Which of the ...
21
votes
2answers
581 views
Smartphone that ships without pre-installed proprietary software?
I want a smartphone. At this point I don’t care about hardware specifications, features, design, price etc.
The only requirement is that the smartphone ships without proprietary software.
But I read ...
20
votes
3answers
294 views
Is there a monitor or converter I can use to watch 4 video outputs on one screen?
I have many video outputs that I would like to simultaneously overview with a control monitor, but I don't want to buy a monitor for each video output itself. So I'm looking for a similar solution ...
20
votes
1answer
193 views
Long term car surveillance
I am looking to equip my car with some cameras and a recorder. The specs might sound a little James Bond when you read it, but I would like to get it running without Q from the MI6, or needing their ...
19
votes
4answers
2k views
What is a durable laptop targeting a 10 year lifetime?
It seems these days people (and thus laptop manufacturers) don't care about how long a laptop lasts for, since I guess they don't care how wasteful it is to buy a new one every year or two.
Well, I ...
19
votes
1answer
13k views
E-ink monitor / display panel?
Is there a PC monitor (HDMI or DVI or VGA or USB) which has e-ink matrix?
My main goal is to get e-paper as standard display for work. For work with text, it is sufficient and it poses less stress on ...
19
votes
2answers
932 views
Wi-Fi repeater recommendation
Can someone recommend a cheap (up to $15-$20) device that can receive a wireless signal from my main router and transfer it to a classic network wired switch?
I have found bunch of cheap repeaters on ...
19
votes
2answers
375 views
Monitor stand that supports 3 monitors
I currently have 3 Asus VH236H monitors. They are spread across my desk and can be hard to work with. I am looking for a stand or mount to bring my monitors closer together. My monitors have the VESA ...
19
votes
2answers
750 views
Low-cost NAS with easy OS installation
I'm looking for a NAS device for the purpose of running backups of several other machines. My current setup for this is a consumer PC with extra drives plugged in, but this is non-optimal for several ...
19
votes
3answers
208 views
Computer (of any type) without screen, for bed-ridden blind person
I want to buy a computer/laptop/tablet/whatever-computing-device for a blind user who’ll operate it while lying in bed. It will primarily be used for plain text notes, emails, browsing the Web, and ...
19
votes
1answer
429 views
Tablet that comes with 100% FLOSS
I’m looking for a tablet that ships with FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software) only.
For the FLOSS smartphone (which I‘m also looking for), I was willing to accept the compromise that firmware/...
18
votes
2answers
3k views
Small developer laptop with 32GB memory
I'm looking for a new laptop (for a Java developer who runs multiple virtual machines and some heavyweight server applications too) with these musthaves:
Small and lightweight, 14" or smaller, no ...
18
votes
4answers
382 views
A good monitor as the main one of a two-monitor setup
I'm searching for a good monitor for my PC. I currently own a 21,5" ASUS monitor, which is fine; I'm planning on using the one I currently own as a second monitor and get a new one as my main monitor. ...
18
votes
1answer
1k views
Simple-to-use API-controllable LED light(s)?
I'd like to have a simple LED light that I can control from my computer (2012 MacBook Pro). I've heard of Kickstarter projects like blink(1), but I don't want to have it stuck right up against my ...
18
votes
1answer
656 views
Graphics card that works well with Linux open source drivers
I am looking for a graphics card that works well (i.e. has good performance) with the open source drivers that are part of the Linux kernel (version 4.2). I don't need monster performance (not ...
18
votes
3answers
2k views
Deep learning machine with largest number of gpu and xeon cpu sockets
I am planning to build a very high end deep learning machine with as many Xeon or i7 CPU cores and as many Titan X GPU cards as possible on a single motherboard. So what is the maximum limit for this? ...
18
votes
1answer
2k views
Hardware capable of running SATA over Ethernet
I have a standard SATA drive which I want to access over the network. I have an available 1Gbit/s port on a switch.
What is the minimum hardware which will allow me to connect this SATA drive to the ...
17
votes
3answers
270 views
What should I look for besides pixel density/count when choosing a smartphone with a good camera? [closed]
I have read in many places online that a good smartphone camera doesn't solely depend on the amount of pixels. So, what else should I look in order to choose a good camera in a smartphone?
Sorry, to ...
17
votes
1answer
229 views
Cheap USB 3.0 hub
I'm looking for an external USB 3.0 hub for under $50 USD.
Requirements:
USB 3.0
At least 5 ports (More the better)
Works on Windows 10
External
Looks nice mounted in one place (I won't be moving it,...
17
votes
3answers
281 views
Looking for a desktop NAS to be the primary storage for pictures and music
Background: I am looking to upgrade our home's laptop and would like the next one to have an SSD. Due to the prices of SSDs, I don't expect to store all of our pictures and movies on the internal ...
17
votes
1answer
154 views
Advanced KVM operation?
I have a rather advanced use-case that I need a KVM-type device for, and I was wondering whether such a thing even existed. I want a 3-PC setup; 2 desktops (PC1 and PC2) and 1 laptop dock (DOCK1). I ...
17
votes
1answer
100 views
Recommendation for prosumer 3D Printer
I'm looking for a prosumer FDM 3D printer. I have the following requirements, in order of importance:
2+ printing nozzles
<= 40 micron layer height.
Capable of printing in all commonly available ...
17
votes
1answer
11k views
USB to Ethernet adapter supporting multiple virtual LANs
Several unresolved questions have been made in various online forums looking for any options that may exist for a USB to Ethernet adapter that supports multiple VLANs.
Past questions have often been ...
17
votes
1answer
180 views
Android ebook reader
I am looking for a new Android e-book reader. The primary requirements:
OS: Officially supports Android v6.
Weight: < 300gr, preferably < 250gr
Price: < $250
Dimensions: not large (roughly ...
16
votes
16answers
474 views
Good and inexpensive mouse
I noticed that my mouse sometimes interrupts clicking and holding of the left mouse button, and sometimes sends a double click even if I didn't. Now it's probably the right time to buy a new mouse.
...
16
votes
3answers
185 views
What's a good life-proof Android phone?
I'm quite a clumsy person and so for me phone durability is one the most important aspects for choosing a phone.
Functionally the phone should be a standard high-end phone:
Decent photos
Responsive ...
16
votes
1answer
179 views
Touchscreen technologies for outdoor use
First of all - I must say that I am not a hardware expert, I am just a simple programmer, and I also not sure this is the right place for this question (but title of site suggest it might be).
I ...
16
votes
3answers
235 views
Small but performant phone, rootable to latest Android
I dropped my Nexus 5 because it was so large, it was perilous to handle with one hand (whenever a notification comes, swiping from the top is a pain).
I am looking for a phone with these strong ...
15
votes
4answers
213 views
USB headset with good headphone quality and comfort?
I am on a headset for work several hours each day. I also listen to music extensively at work.
I currently listen to Sennheiser HD 380 headphones. My headset is pretty low quality comparatively.
...
15
votes
6answers
11k views
NUC class system with dual ethernet ports
At some point in the future, I'd like to replace my home router with a x86 box running pfsense. I'm rather fond of the NUC form factor for things like this but finding a suitable one has been tricky. ...