Beelink BT7, a small computer based on the Atom X7-Z8700
8-07-2016, 10:25
Computers based on the Atom Z8x00 have been on the market for almost a year. Somehow, though, most of the devices I’ve had for review were based on the Atom Z8300, with one based on the Atom Z8500. I still hadn’t tested a device with the top-of-the-line (if you can call it that) Atom X7-Z8700. Today, I’m going to fill that gap in my testing: on my operating table is the Beelink BT7, one of the very few computers equipped with the Atom X7-Z8700. A look around, some tests, and the usual teardown and modifications.
Netac N5M mSATA: a brief review of a small SSD
2-07-2016, 14:52
Back in May, I reviewed a small computer that I’m planning to use to replace my old one. To increase the available storage, I decided to buy a 240 GB SSD. So, here’s a brief review of a small SSD.
FR9888 or a synchronous step-down converter IC
28-06-2016, 19:26
This review continues my experiments with step-down voltage converters. Along the way, I’ll also explain a little about what a synchronous rectifier converter is.
Vensmile i10, a small but interesting computer based on the Celeron 3755U
25-06-2016, 09:13
As part of the “move” project, which I started in these two reviews — 1, 2 — I bought a small computer. The computer itself is basic, but it has a few rather nice features. They won’t be useful to many people, but I’m sure some will appreciate them.
NEXBOX MXQ PRO, an inexpensive TV box based on Amlogic S905
23-06-2016, 07:29
A friend asked me to buy him an inexpensive TV box. It was no trouble, and I was also interested in tinkering with one for the sake of the stats. So here’s another short review, this time of a TV box built around the already familiar S905 SoC.
GJ-8018LCD: a basic hot air gun and a brief comparison
20-06-2016, 14:07
I use a soldering station with a hot air gun quite often. But since the station is rather bulky, and lately I’ve only been using its hot air gun, I decided to replace it with a standalone hot air gun, so to speak. Inspection, teardown, comparison—as usual.
FLUKE - 15B+, reliable, high-quality, expensive
16-06-2016, 08:02
After buying an expensive multimeter, I thought I might move on from reviewing this kind of measuring instrument. But apparently, my fascination with tools got the better of me, and when I saw an instrument from the well-known Fluke brand, I decided to get it for a review.
DOOGEE X5 MAX, an affordable smartphone with Android 6
11-06-2016, 22:50
Last time, most of the information about using the phone came from someone else’s perspective. This time, all my impressions of the new DOOGEE X5 MAX will be entirely my own. I’m not exactly spoiled by modern phones—in fact, this is the first smartphone I’ve carried around as my main phone. So, I’ll show it, take it apart, and share my impressions.
Flexible Shaft and Holder for a Rotary Tool
7-06-2016, 18:40
About a year ago, I reviewed a small rotary tool. Though why small? If anything, it was actually a large one :) It served me perfectly well for almost a year, but while working with it I found that it wasn't always convenient to use in certain situations. I mentioned the problem to an acquaintance, and he suggested a couple of accessories that fit my rotary tool. So today I'll be showing you both of them in my review.
Vernee Thor: Impressions After Almost a Month of Use
6-06-2016, 08:09
It all started about six months ago, when my daughter's Samsung Galaxy battery started dying again. Since the phone was outdated both in terms of hardware and software, we started looking for a replacement. Around April, I spotted the Vernee Thor among the new releases, and it really caught my eye. I asked if I could get one to review, and they sent it over. As always, I'll take a look, take it apart, run some tests, and share my impressions after a month of use.
TRI1461, another tiny chip for building a DC-DC converter
31-05-2016, 02:40
Last month I reviewed the MP2359DJ chip for building a DC-DC converter, and in the comments people suggested a few other similar chips. A little while later, I ordered a couple of different ones for my “assortment,” and recently I received and tested another one.
Bakon BK950D, a compact soldering station with a T12 soldering iron
29-05-2016, 15:46
I'm often asked to recommend a soldering iron that's reasonably priced, offers decent quality, and has temperature control. Recently, I ordered a mini soldering station that might well fit the bill. There are already a couple of reviews of this station on the site, so mine is more of a short addendum to the existing ones.
Several different, yet identical, camera batteries
24-05-2016, 20:40
Some time ago, I posted a review of several types of batteries. This review is a short follow-up, since a couple of the batteries appear in both reviews, although they came from different sellers.
Miniature multifunction meter for all kinds of DIY projects
19-05-2016, 15:54
Around March, readers sent me a link to a rather interesting product. And since it’s right up my alley, I ordered one for a review—to try it out myself and show it to everyone else, as they say.
HYSTOU FMP03, a mini PC with a Core-I3-5010U processor
16-05-2016, 16:46
Some time ago, I posted a review of a mini PC based on the Celeron J1900. In that review, I mentioned its more powerful “siblings” based on I3 and I5 processors, which had a few design “quirks” of their own. After keeping an eye on how the Onda M2 performed, I finally decided to replace my old computer with something more compact and more powerful. In this review, I’ll try to show why I chose this particular option and what it’s all about.
Server PCI network card with two Gigabit Ethernet ports
12-05-2016, 14:19
Some time ago—or, to be more precise, at the end of February—a seller from one of the AliExpress stores contacted me and asked me to write about his product. Writing about it wasn’t particularly difficult, and the device caught my interest in its own right. At least, at the time I had an idea for how I might use it. Anyway, if you’re interested in reading about a fairly well-known piece of hardware, read on :)
Uni-T UT181A, professional multimeter and data logger
11-05-2016, 01:02
The idea of finding that perfect multimeter has been on my mind for quite a while. I've already reviewed several multimeters, and I'll link to those reviews here. One of them will also feature in this review. But I wanted something good, accurate, and relatively inexpensive. In this review, I'll show you the multimeter I liked and compare it with its smaller sibling.
850 Evo or a 250 GB Samsung solid-state drive
6-05-2016, 23:06
It all started when I decided to make a major move from my old computer to a new one, and I decided to start with the drive. Since this is expected to be a major overhaul, there won't actually be a direct replacement; the old drives will most likely be moved somewhere else entirely. So this will just be an inspection, some tests, and, as always, a teardown.


















