Best of Hardware — 2024

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Article
David Heinemeier Hansson·2y
Living with Linux and Android after two decades of Apple
Switching from Apple to Linux and Android offers a refreshing change and new opportunities. Embracing an open-source operating system can provide greater flexibility, customization, and a renewed sense of discovery in both software and hardware. This transition can lead to exploring tools like Neovim, Framework laptops, and customizable Android launchers, enriching the user experience beyond the Apple ecosystem.
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Article
freeCodeCamp·2y
How to Create Linux Device Drivers
Linux device drivers facilitate communication between the operating system and hardware. A new hands-on course by freeCodeCamp teaches how to develop these drivers, covering topics from the Linux kernel and system calls to file operations and kernel module management. The course includes practical steps for setting up a development environment and writing a loadable module.
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Video
Fireship·2y
Intel chips can’t possibly be this bad… 100% crash rate?
Intel's 13th and 14th generation CPUs, also known as Raptor Lake, are experiencing high failure rates, causing frequent crashes in gaming and other high-demand applications. Initial blame was placed on Nvidia drivers, but later investigations pointed to issues within Intel's microcode algorithm. Many users and developers are calling for a recall of these CPUs due to their instability. Intel has acknowledged the problem but has yet to offer a definitive solution.
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Article
Lobsters·2y
How I Computer in 2024
The post details how the author uses their computer setup in 2024, covering their custom-built desktop, home server, Lenovo laptop, and iPhone. It emphasizes the importance of a solid audio-visual setup for remote work, the use of Tailscale for connectivity, and reliance on tools like Obsidian for note-taking and Todoist for task management. The author explains their preference for NixOS and highlights their productivity applications and development tools.
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Article
Community Picks·1y
The Best Keyboards For Programming👨‍💻 in 2024✨
Selecting the right keyboard is crucial for programmers due to the extensive hours spent typing. This guide provides an overview of the best keyboards for programming in 2024. Factors like comfort, reliability, and responsiveness are emphasized. The post contrasts mechanical and membrane keyboards, highlights the importance of key switches, and explores ergonomic designs. Additionally, it compares features of both programming and gaming keyboards. Detailed reviews of top keyboards such as the Das Keyboard 4, Keychron K2, Microsoft Sculpt, Logitech MX Keys, and others are included to help programmers make an informed choice.
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Article
InfoWorld·2y
I switched to a vertical mouse and I’m never looking back. Here’s why.
Vertical mice are designed to keep hands in a more natural 'handshake' position, reducing wrist and arm strain. They may take some time to get used to, but can significantly improve comfort and reduce repetitive stress injuries compared to conventional mice. With many options available at different price points, switching to a vertical mouse might be a worthwhile investment for those who spend long hours using a computer.
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Article
Community Picks·2y
How to build your first home lab
Building a home lab allows you to experiment with different operating systems, self-host a variety of services, and learn about networking and virtual machines. Key components include CPUs with multiple cores, ECC memory, and potentially budget Xeon systems. Software options like Proxmox, XCP-ng, and Docker provide flexible environments for your projects. Keep an eye on budget and power consumption as it's easy to go overboard with additional peripherals.
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Video
Two Minute Papers·2y
NVIDIA’s New AI: Game Changer!
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Article
Awesome Go·2y
Building BLE Applications with BleuIO and Go
This tutorial provides step-by-step guidance on building Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) applications using the BleuIO USB dongle and the Go programming language. It covers setting up the development environment, installing required packages, and writing a Go program to interact with the BLE dongle. Key features of BleuIO, including its easy-to-use AT Commands and cross-platform support, are also highlighted.
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Article
omg! ubuntu!·2y
This $60 Intel SBC is Cheaper & Faster than a Raspberry Pi 5
The Radxa X4 is a small, single-board computer (SBC) powered by an Intel N100 processor with Intel UHD graphics, offering better CPU and GPU performance than a Raspberry Pi 5. Available in 4GB, 8GB, and soon 16GB RAM versions, the board supports Ubuntu and Windows operating systems. It comes with multiple connectivity options, significant networking prowess, and options for M.2 NVMe SSD storage. Prices range from $60 to $89, with an official heatsink/fan cooler recommended due to higher power consumption and heat generation. Availability may be limited given high demand.
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Article
The Register·2y
Torvalds patch improves Linux performance by 2.6%
A small but significant code change by Linus Torvalds has improved Linux's multithreaded performance by 2.6%. The patch addresses security vulnerabilities linked to Meltdown and Spectre by avoiding the barrier_nospec() API, which prevents speculative execution. Instead, it uses pointer masking for enhanced performance without compromising security. This tweak demonstrates Torvalds's deep technical expertise and ongoing contribution to Linux development.
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Hacker News·2y
Cost Of Self Hosting Llama-3 8B-Instruct
The cost of self-hosting the Llama-3 8B-Instruct model is about $17 per 1M tokens when using EKS, compared to $1 per 1M tokens with ChatGPT. Self-hosting the hardware can reduce the cost to less than $0.01 per 1M tokens, but it takes about 5.5 years to break even.
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Article
nicole@web·1y
Evolving my ergonomic setup (or, my laptop with extra steps)
The post details the evolution of the author's ergonomic laptop setup through multiple prototypes, addressing issues of weight, portability, and comfort. It describes the latest iteration, which is lighter, more ergonomic, and easier to travel with. The author also shares insights from their workshop experience, emphasizing the benefits of having a dedicated space for creating such projects.
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Article
Lobsters·2y
Kindle + Python = e-Ink Dashboard (part 1)
Explore how to repurpose an old Kindle Paperwhite 3 into a low-power e-Ink dashboard by installing Python. The process involves jailbreaking the Kindle to allow custom software installations, setting up a launcher, and preparing scripts for the dashboard functionality. Detailed instructions for both software and serial/hardware jailbreak methods are provided, along with configuring essential files for a functioning KUAL extension.
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Hacker News·2y
The Linux Kernel Module Programming Guide
The Linux Kernel Module Programming Guide outlines the method for creating, compiling, and loading dynamic modules in the Linux kernel. Kernel modules enhance the kernel's capabilities without requiring system reboots. Basic tasks include setting up a development environment, writing a 'hello world' module, and understanding kernel functions and logging. Key steps include using the modprobe, insmod, and depmod commands, and handling kernel headers. SecureBoot and kernel versioning challenges are also discussed.
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Article
omg! ubuntu!·1y
Flexbar Brings Apple’s Touch Bar Back from the Dead
Flexbar is a crowdfunding project aiming to resurrect Apple's discontinued MacBook Pro Touch Bar as a standalone device compatible with Windows, macOS, and potentially Linux. Developed by ENIAC, the Flexbar will support major desktop software and offer customization through a JavaScript-based tool and a future plugin marketplace. Despite its novelty, the project raises concerns due to a low funding goal and potential manufacturing challenges.
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Article
GamesIndustry.biz·2y
Valve rejects "yearly cadence" of Steam Deck updates to be "fair" to gamers
Valve designers confirmed in an interview that the company will not be releasing yearly updates for the Steam Deck. Instead, Valve will wait for significant generational improvements in performance and battery life before launching a new version, ensuring that updates are meaningful for customers.
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Article
Javarevisited·2y
10 Things Software Developers Should Buy on Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2024
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2024 offers a fantastic opportunity for software developers to upgrade their tools at a discount. Key recommendations include standing desks, essential books like 'Clean Code', high-resolution monitors, mechanical keyboards, ergonomic chairs, noise-canceling headphones, external SSDs, high-quality wireless mice, smart home devices, and portable monitors. These items can significantly enhance productivity and comfort in your workspace.
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InfoQ·2y
What Can You Learn From the Fastest Code in the World?
Explore various optimization techniques to enhance code speed, especially in networking scenarios where processing packets efficiently is critical. Techniques covered include inline functions, compiler optimizations, advanced data structures like Swiss Tables, interleaved processing to reduce cache misses, and loop unrolling. Practical examples are used to demonstrate how these methods can reduce processing time from 1000 clocks per packet to just 65 clocks. The importance of benchmarking and understanding trade-offs in optimizations is also highlighted.
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Article
Phoronix·2y
Windows 11 vs. Ubuntu Linux Performance For The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 Review
A performance comparison between Windows 11 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS on an ASUS Zenbook S16 equipped with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 SoC. Tests were conducted using pre-loaded Windows 11 with all updates and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with an upgraded Linux 6.10 kernel and other necessary firmware updates. No power monitoring results are included.
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Jason Fried·2y
The Teenage Engineering TP-7
The Teenage Engineering TP-7 is a charming, high-quality portable recorder, reminiscent of vintage high-precision Sony products but offering modern, tactile joys. Despite its higher price, its design, usability, and the inspiration it provides make it a valuable tool for capturing ideas and enhancing creative workflows.
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Article
Jeff Geerling·2y
Why Raspberry Pi for an SBC guy
The author expresses frustration with the time-consuming process of getting an ArmSoM Sige7 single-board computer to boot and become usable, compared to the ease of use and reliability they experience with Raspberry Pi. They highlight issues such as finding compatible OS images and setting up user accounts, which hinder their ability to start projects efficiently with new SBCs.
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Lobsters·2y
Unboxing and First Impressions
The MNT Pocket Reform is a small, open-platform laptop designed for durability, modification, and longevity. It features a solid build with visible screws, a metal case, and sturdy screen hinges. The device includes a mechanical keyboard, an integrated trackball, and runs on Linux with options for Wayland environments. Initial impressions highlight its customizable firmware, excellent manual, and solid performance, although some issues with WiFi connectivity and charger compatibility were noted.
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Article
Jeff Geerling·2y
New 2GB Pi 5 has 33% smaller die, 30% idle power savings
Raspberry Pi released a 2GB Pi 5 for $50, featuring a new BCM2712 D0 chip stepping which is 33% smaller and offers around 30% better idle power efficiency compared to older versions. Despite having less RAM, the new model shows significant improvements in chip size and power consumption. Overclocking tests reveal stability issues above 3.5 GHz, and direct die cooling presents marginal gains. Ultimately, the 2GB variant is a budget-friendly option as long as your applications don't require extensive memory.
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Article
Lobsters·2y
Perfect NAS Solution
The post explores an efficient and low-power NAS solution using a combination of different hardware, including the Silent Fanless Dell Wyse 3030 LT, HP EliteDesk 705 G4, and the GenMachine model Ren5000 with AMD Ryzen CPUs. The author emphasizes the importance of the price/performance ratio and details a backup strategy using the '4.1 - 2 - 1 - 1' rule, combining local, offsite, online, and offline backups to ensure data redundancy. Power management optimizations and the inclusion of an EATON 3S Mini UPS are also discussed.
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