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Beelink decided to release an “upgraded” version of the GT1, called Ultimate. In essence, the difference from the previous version isn’t that great, and that’s exactly what I wanted to talk about in today’s review. Let’s see whether it’s worth it, or if they should have just “left well enough alone.”

A year ago, I reviewed a Chinese soldering station with T12 tips and an STC controller. I planned to buy a hot air gun to go with it, but as often happens, my plans changed while I was comparing options and looking around. Browsing the selection at the KSGER T12 Store, where I was shopping for a hot air gun, I came across a versatile 2-in-1 soldering station built around an STM32 controller. Today, I’m pleased to bring you a review of it. Shipping and packaging

Quite recently, I reviewed a TV box based on the relatively new Amlogic S905W SoC, which was intended as a budget alternative to the S905X. Back then, I complained about a few issues with the new processor, so today I'm giving it a second try, so to speak, for comparison. As usual, I'll take a look, take it apart, test it, and add it to the comparison table at the end—especially since there's a new entry in it.

Not long ago, I reviewed a USB tester with a certain “feature.” The comments on both the review and the video sparked quite a heated discussion, and today I’ll try to explain what was going on. So, scandals, intrigue, investigations.

I was gradually running out of free disk space, so I decided to expand my “living space.” I also remembered that I had an M.2 SSD lying around since spring, along with an adapter that, as it turned out, I’d bought by mistake. After browsing AliExpress, I found a suitable option—or, more precisely, the cheapest suitable one—and ordered it. So today, here’s a mini-review of a simple little thing: an mSATA-to-M.2 adapter.

Not long ago, someone asked me in the comments about TV boxes based on ZTE Microelectronics’ new ZX296716 SoC. It caught my interest because it’s not the familiar Amlogic or Rockchip, or even the relatively uncommon Realtek. Since I had the chance, I ordered one for review.

At first, I wanted to title this review something like “yet another smartwatch,” but that doesn’t quite fit what I’m reviewing here. “Fitness tracker” doesn’t seem quite right either. That’s because this watch isn’t really “smart” yet, but it’s clearly more than just a fitness tracker. So today’s review is about a fitness watch from WeLoop.

A few power banks for 8 18650 cells crossed my path. I ended up bringing one home to my workbench “for testing,” which is what I’ll be talking about in today’s mini-review. I should probably warn you right away that this power bank has basically just one notable feature: it can hold a large number of batteries. Otherwise, it’s pretty basic and doesn’t really do much.

Not long ago, I published a review of the interesting Thor Plus from Vernee. After reading it, one of my readers became interested in the phone and also asked about another very similar model, the Lenovo P2. After reading up on this smartphone, I was surprised by two things: how I had managed to overlook it before, and how closely its main advertised features matched those of the Vernee. So I ordered one, and after testing it, I never once regretted taking a closer look.

A little over a year ago, I bought PIPO's new mini PC, the PIPO X10. I liked almost everything about it: a large screen, a built-in battery, and an external antenna. But almost immediately, a problem became apparent: it wouldn't work properly. And it wasn't just me—this was a widespread issue. I played around with it for a while, then eventually put it on the shelf. One of my readers has now suggested a way to bring this computer back to life, so today I'll explain how to revive the PIPO.

Another review, another computer, another Intel-based machine. This one is a little unusual, but interesting in its own way. It has its drawbacks, but is still a perfectly viable option. I'll take a look at it, take it apart, test it, make a few tweaks, and test it some more.

Last month I posted a review of a TV box from Vorke, and even then I suspected it looked a lot like one of Tanix's TV box models. No, today's review isn't of its twin; it just so happens that even in this form, the model I'm reviewing has a lot in common with the Vorke. And on top of that, it's built around Amlogic's new S905W SoC. Let's take a look, take it apart, test it, and see how the new SoC compares with the previous versions.

Some time ago, I posted a review of the inexpensive Escam pan-and-tilt camera. Today, I'm reviewing another pan-and-tilt camera, but one in a higher class. To get straight to the point, I think there are at least two main differences: resolution and build quality, though in fact there are more. For those who want the details, this review includes an inspection, a description of the software, some tests, and, of course, a complete teardown “down to the last screw.”

I've already posted at least three reviews of electronic loads: fully DIY designs, kits assembled from parts, and factory-made units. In this case, both options are more like kits, since they aren't complete, self-contained products. They can work on their own, but at the very least they need a power supply. I spotted them almost a year ago and was interested, so I finally decided to buy them—and see what it's like to shop on Taobao. Anyway, if you're interested in this topic, I think you'll find plenty of interesting things here.

This is already my fourth review of LED panels for building displays. This review wasn’t originally part of my plans, and neither was buying these panels. In my previous review, I wrote that a seller’s mistake had left me with a controller, so I ordered another batch of LED panels for it. Since I had a specific display size in mind, I had to order panels with a resolution of 64×32 pixels. So, this is a brief review, a little theory, and answers to some of the questions I was asked after publishing the previous installments.

Looking at photos of these two cameras, you’ll probably first say, “They’re different.” But in fact, they have more in common than you might think at first glance. That’s what today’s comparative review is about. I wouldn’t say there’ll be a lot of testing, but there will definitely be a teardown and comparison.

I’ve already reviewed two Vorke mini PCs. I really liked the first one, and the second was interesting in its own way, although it did have some drawbacks. This time, though, I was curious about an Android TV box from the same manufacturer. The previous devices were built pretty well and, more importantly, worked reliably, so I wanted to see how the Vorke Z6 would fare. Inspection, teardown, tests, conclusions.

Phones, tablets, smartwatches and fitness trackers, sports watches, e-readers, headsets and speakers, power banks, and plenty more all need a free USB port from time to time. At home, and especially at the office, there often aren't enough outlets to plug in all the chargers you need. I'd been planning to buy a charger with several USB ports for a long time, but never got around to looking through the options. What finally prompted me to buy one was a colleague asking me to help choose a model. Writing this review took quite a while—you'll see why later—and in the meantime, my opinion of the Aukey brand changed dramatically.