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I got my hands on a small TV box, but this one isn't based on the usual Amlogic chip. Instead, it uses a Rockchip, which has become less common lately. I came across it by chance and hadn't originally planned to review it, but since I have it, I decided to give you a quick rundown. A look around, tests, teardown, conclusions—same as always.

Not long ago, mini PCs based on the new Intel Pentium N4200 system-on-chip (SoC), built around the Apollo Lake core, were announced. The “first swallow” has landed in my hands. I’d been waiting for it for a while, since I was eager to get my hands on the new hardware :) Let’s test it, take it apart, and compare it with other mini PCs.

And now a mini PC based on the new and yet already familiar x5-Z8350 SoC has landed in my hands. It’s new because it was released relatively recently, and already familiar because processors based on this core have been in production for almost a year and a half. I’ll say right away that this computer had a few surprises in store. But let’s take it one step at a time: we’ll inspect it, test it, open it up, and see if we can improve it.

Yes, it's another smartphone, this time a new model called CHEETAH 2 from Cubot. As always, the phone has its own quirks and nuances, but I'll take it apart and test it just like all the others.

This TV box is much like its siblings under the hood, but looks quite different. That’s why I decided to buy one and give it a try. As always, below the fold: a look around, a teardown, and a few tests.

Since I’ve reviewed quite a few batteries and also mentioned rebuilding cordless power tools, I often get private messages asking about various details of these conversions. People ask all sorts of questions, and they’re often much the same, so I decided to put together a short overview and answer some common questions about choosing components and rebuilding batteries.

I get asked about various video surveillance systems in private messages quite often. The questions vary, but I’ve noticed that most of them boil down to explaining the basics. People also ask for help choosing an inexpensive, simple system for a summer house, a private home, or a small shop. For this review, I picked a basic kit and will use it to explain what’s what and what you need it for.

Not long ago, I reviewed a small computer, and commenters said it would have been better with passive rather than active cooling. I didn't mention at the time that I'd just bought a small computer with passive cooling and similar specs. So today I'm reviewing that computer. We'll test it, heat it up, and take it apart.

Continuing my series of reviews of various tools, I’d like to tell you about a drill from STANLEY, one of the best-known tool manufacturers. This won’t be a very long review, but I’ll still do my best to tell you as much as I can about this tool.

Today I'm reviewing a smartphone that stands out a little from the crowd of devices made in China. It has a lot in common with phones I've reviewed before, but while preparing this review I came across some interesting features.

In my previous review, I mentioned that I’d also review a second set-top box based on Amlogic’s new S912 processor. Performance is almost identical, but the design and software are different, so today I’m reviewing the second TV box. Teardown, tests, and conclusions are all below.

Around the end of last year, two new processors (SoCs) for TV boxes were announced. They were made by Amlogic. The weakest model, the S905, came out first, followed by the S912—but its release was heavily delayed, and TV boxes with this chip have only started appearing now, almost 10 months later. So today I'm reviewing a TV box based on the new S912 SoC. Inspection, tests, teardown—the usual.

Some time ago, I reviewed the Netac N5M SSD. I really liked it, but my plans changed and I needed it for another computer, so I had to buy another one, this time with 120GB. As usual, there are tests and conclusions.

This won’t be the first review of this phone on the site, and I don’t think it’ll be the last, since the phone has its pros—as well as its cons, of course. Either way, it certainly draws attention. Inspection, teardown, tests, conclusions.

About six months ago, I reviewed a small but interesting TV box called the Mini M8S. Not long ago, an updated version of this device was released, featuring an S905X processor. I was curious to see how it differed, so I bought one, took a look, and took it apart. Details under the spoiler :)

It’s no secret that a cordless screwdriver is a useful tool around the house, so I decided to test—and, more interestingly, compare—these two tools from a Chinese brand with the rather odd name LOM YUM. This review covers everything: an inspection, teardown, tests, a comparison, and a small bonus.

A short review of another smartphone. I’d like to say it’s another small one, but in my opinion, 5 inches still doesn’t qualify as “small”—though who knows what tomorrow will bring. As always: inspection, teardown, tests, and conclusions.

There are lots of phone models, and new ones keep coming out all the time: big and small, fast and slow, good and not so good. But I always want to see how Chinese engineers have put together the latest mobile companion, so that's what I'll be doing in this review. If you're interested, come on in.