Archive for the ‘Info’ Category
The price and availability of DDR5 memory have increased again and very limited in stock. SSD drives also have increased in price. I will unfortunately have to increase my prices on my Desktop systems. What is currently listed will change soon. Laptops seem to be OK for what my suppliers have in stock but I am sure will increase when they change over inventory.
I just got in standard i5 CPUs. DDR5 memory has gone up in price hence PC prices have gone up a bit. CPUs and Memory are still limited in stock from my suppliers but I do have them in stock
I use to be a Firefox user. I felt it’s more secure then Edge of Chrome and less spying that Chrome (Google) is doing. It started to have issues with certain websites so I switched to Brave
Things that I feel make Brave a better browser then any other I have used:
- Blocks ads and trackers be default.
- More secure then the other browsers.
- Brave search does not spy on you like Google. Google’s search engine is a money making machine for Google selling your search history. Brave search does not sell and their AI search is really good along with the search results. Good as Google and better than Bing. Microsoft makes money on Bing just like Google’s search
- Bookmark sync between PCs/Laptops is secure with changing key and is not tide in with a Google or MS account.
- Extensions are compatible with Chrome Extensions
- Chromium engine is compatible with anything Chrome is
I really suggest anyone who wants to browse securely and is not tracked to switch to Brave
Here is a comparison between Brave and Chrome
Currently there is a Intel i5 CPU shortage as well memory. Both DDR4 and DDR5. DDR4 they are not producing any more and DDR5 are in shortage and likely will increase in price.
Intel is starting to push the new Ultra CPU (15th gen). Issue is they are more expensive along with the new motherboards that change to the LGA1851 socket.
Since DDR5 memory is becoming the normal DDR4 is more expensive since they are not producing as much. DDR5 memory supply seems low as well.
MICROSOFT 365
Replacing Skype
By Peter Deegan • Comment about this article
In late February, Microsoft announced that Skype would be retired on May 5, 2025. What can you use instead? It’s a lot more complicated than Microsoft makes out.
Originally developed by Skype Technologies and released in 2003, Skype went through several owners before being acquired in 2011 by Microsoft. Among other things, Redmond replaced Windows Live Messenger (aka MSN Messenger) with Skype and created a new tier, Skype for Business.
The seemingly firm date is only partially true. If you’re using Skype as a stand-alone, you’ve got just over a month left. Microsoft 365 users have a bit more time for making phone calls — until March 2026.
Let’s talk about replacements for this two-decades-old product.
There’s no direct replacement for all Skype’s features for computer-to-computer connections and calls to regular phones (POTS, or Plain Old Telephone Service). There are several alternatives to the main computer-to-computer call feature of Skype, plus other options that can replace the computer-to-POTS service for cheaper overseas calls.
First, let’s look at some of the options for device-to-device communications, audio or video calls, text messaging, photo/file transfer, and possibly screen sharing.
Teams (free)
Microsoft’s recommendation to replace Skype is — wait for it — Microsoft Teams (please try to contain your surprise). But Teams free can’t call phone numbers, so it’s not a complete replacement. This is a fact that Microsoft skips over.
Teams (free) comes with Windows and is also available for Mac, Apple devices, and Android. There’s also a Web browser version, which is enough for occasional use. A Microsoft account is required for login.
Free Teams allows unlimited chat with individuals (Microsoft says “friends and family”) and group calls for up to 100 people — with a one-hour limit. Those with Microsoft 365 plans (Personal and Family) can handle groups of up to 300 participants and 30 hours.
To get started, launch Teams and look under the Chat button. Contacts are displayed, and at the bottom is the Invite to Teams option (see Figure 1) that creates a unique Web link to send to the people with whom you want to communicate.
Have 14th gen i5’s now in stock. i7’s 14th gen on BO till April
Now that Nvidia has introduced the 5000 series there seems to be a shortage of high end video cards. It may take a month or more before my suppliers have stock. 14th gen CPUs are also on a shortage
Halnor Computers will be closed between Christmas and New Years December 25th to January 1st. Store will be open January 3rd. Will be available for calls January 2nd.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
