Lenovo T15

 

After reading many reviews and putting lots of time into researching, a decision was finally made.

The Lenovo T15 Thinkpad Laptop was going to be the new addition to the office.

With so many options available, having an idea of what one is looking for in a new computer is a must.

I have been using a Lenovo G500s laptop for the last seven years, so I knew what a reliable, well put together machine that Lenovo makes

I also have been using a Dell desktop for the past nine years, and that has also been a workhorse of a machine.

The operating system hasn't changed much over this time, but the innards certainly have.

The processors are much faster which make this machine fly.

The hard drive is big enough, and the 32 GB of RAM should take us well into the future as technology grows and is always needing more.

It's very lightweight with a slim build, and the 15 inch screen is perfectly sized for viewing and portability.

But when you think about using a computer, the most important thing for the user is the amount of time spent looking at the screen.

And that's where this one shines.

It has 4K resolution.

The crispness and color of the display are just amazing.

No pixelization, no blurriness, no dullness, just sharp, vibrant, precise viewing of reports, photos, videos, and everything the internet has to offer.

It took five weeks for this machine to be built before it was shipped, but it has been certainly worth the wait.

It has a 4.8 out of 5 rating by hundreds of users, and it is easy to see why.

This little beauty will serve our home office quite well and the joy of using it is an added benefit.

 

To HTTPS or Not

In the last couple of years, secure, encrypted websites are being pushed as the norm.

This isn't a bad thing for any website that uses or collects any personal, confidential, or financial information from the visitor.

It's a layer of security that is needed on the internet today.

Most browsers will indicate if a website is encrypted by a green or red warning in the URL.

In a recent study, it was found that 28% of internet users regularly look to see if they are visiting a secure website.

I picked this habit up many years ago by looking at each web address to see if it started with HTTPS.

I knew it was an encrypted site, and most likely a safe place to visit.

I just recently changed my blogger blogs over to HTTPS.

Not that it really matters on my blogs - there is no pertinent information that my visitors need to log in with or give to me.

I think it will become more of an issue with all websites as time goes on, so I'm just as glad to have it taken care of now.

Most self hosted websites, blogs, and e-commerce sites will have to have it added as an extra option - and it can get expensive to add an SSL certificate to the site.

I am seeing this on my one self hosted wordpress blog.

But since it is only a blog, I will not worry about it at this time.

 I am just appreciative that Google includes the HTTPS option on their blog hosting platforms.

It helps the website owners and their visitors to feel a bit safer.

No Contract for Now

For years we have kept the same provider for our cell phone service.

Every two years, a new phone and a new contract.

This time around, we are making a different decision.

The phones, especially my iPhone, are in great shape, and they both still work as if they are brand new.

And with all the different ways they are offering cell phone service these days, we are taking the non-commitment path.

And we are saving quite a bit of money while getting more minutes, texts, and data.

 And because we don't need the new phones - they're making it cheaper.

This fits the bill for us at this time in our lives.

I am glad that two years ago, I went with a good phone.

I really don't see the need to upgrade to the next one - mine does all it needs to for us.

Since it is a month to month plan, we will stick with it for a bit.

If things don't change, and if we don't need to change, it should be perfect for quite a while.

Amazing 3D Printers

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Makism for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

Just when you think you have seen the best that technology has to offer, something new comes along that is even more awesome.

The 3D printers have been around for a while now, and it is pretty amazing to see what they can do.

But for the ordinary user, setting one up and getting everything to work has been quite an undertaking to say the least.

But that is all about to change with the Makism 3D Printers.

The Makism 3D Products come ready to use right out of the box.

And they are just as easy to set up and use as the inkjet printers that we all currently use now.

They can be connected to the computer by a USB cord or by wifi - it doesn't get any easier than that.

These 3D Wideboy printers from the Makism 3D Corp are also a sleek, elegant addition to any home office.

When I first saw it, I was reminded of a microwave oven - it looked very unlike the printers we are all used to.

 

 

But what it can produce is simply astounding.

There are several different materials that can be used to make the required item.

The possibilities are endless to the creations that can be made with these printers.

I can see where they will get to the point that homes that use computers regularly will have one of these printers too.

The cost of them isn't too bad either - these Wideboys range from $1500 to $4000.

As awesome as these guys are now, I can only imagine what the future holds for them as the technology improves.

Check out the Makism website to see these out of this world printers for yourself.

And don't forget to share what you learned with your friends too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logitech Mouse

I love my new laptop.

And I love the touch pad mouse.

Even though I do find it a bit too sensitive at times, and that was after setting it up with my preferences.

The biggest job I use the laptop for is for processing my images with photoshop.

After using only the touch mouse for a couple of months, I plugged in an old wired mouse to see the difference.

Of course I had much more precise control with the hand held device than the touchpad - and photoshop needs precision.

So I was off to search for a decent, comfortable mouse for this laptop.

I tried many in the store, and finally decided on a Logitech M510.

It is very comfortable in the hand - that is one of the most important features since it will be held for long periods of time.

The wheel is smooth, and there are two buttons on the side for programming - which is a must for me too.

This mouse can be used on any surface - a handy feature for sure.

It is a wireless device with a little dongle that stays securely in the USB port on the side.

It can also be stored on the bottom of the mouse in the battery compartment.

The single battery will last for months as the mouse can be turned off when not in use.

 I like the choice of this mouse and I would recommend it if you are looking for an affordable, comfortable, and precise wireless mouse.

Landline Connecting to Cell Phone

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Advanced American Telephones for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Yes, we still have a landline - the same one we hooked up to over thirty years ago when we first moved into our home.

The phones have changed - from corded ones to cordless ones and built-in answering machines and caller id too.

We have tried all types of them through the years.

And we were ready to purchase a new one again as the lifespan of our current one was nearing it's end.

The AT&T CLP99383 3 Handset Connect to Cell Answering System has just entered our lives.

And once again, technology has us amazed with what this handy system can do.

It uses our landline phone to connect to our cell phones by using Bluetooth technology that is in all of the devices.

It sounded really confusing at first, but following the directions to set up this system was quite easy and straight forward.

The base unit contains a digital answering system for the landline that can be accessed by each of the handsets.

The cell phones can be accessed by any of the handsets also.

Two cell phones are allowed to be set up through the Bluetooth, and each of them plus the landline can all be used at the same time.

I was able to download all the contacts in my cell phone into the phone base directory through the bluetooth.

That was a huge timesaver.

So when one of my contacts calls my cell phone, this phone system announces who it is that is calling.

And I can tell it is a cell phone call instead of a land line call because my cell ring tone comes over the speakers in this system.

Depending on which type of call coming through, there is a light that blinks on the handset so you know which one to answer, and push the appropriate flashing light to connect.

We always use the speaker phone on our cells, and these handsets also allow us to continue using that feature that we love.

The base of the phone has a built-in USB dock so we can charge our cell phones from the unit - a pretty handy feature.

I haven't set up the mobile notifications feature yet, but this system will also let you know when your cell phone receives a text, email, or social media update as well as calendar reminders.

I find this multi-line system to be quite easy to use, and if I had an office with several people using the phones, I can see where this system would be a great asset - I love it in my home!

Check out the CLP99383 at AT&T to see how it can simplify and organize your life too!

 

Phone Maps

I have to admit that I am very challenged when it comes to following a map.

I can read it and get a good idea where I am supposed to go, but when actually applying it to the road, it just doesn't look the same.

Unless the map is very detailed, which most aren't, then I have a hard time with them.

After being the co-pilot and not happily the navigator with the map, I resorted to my phone.

The map app on my iPhone to the rescue!

It can be easily read.

The details are astounding and I don't need my glasses to see it.

And I never get lost.

As long as I know my destination, I can get there with my phone leading the way.

And when I get there, just turning off the app is all that is needed.

No more trying to figure out how to fold those crazy maps to get them back in their folders.

Being the navigator is something I look forward to now!