Current laptops

There are currently three classes of laptops: Atom, Celeron/Pentium and Ultrabooks.

Atom laptops:

Like this ASUS X205, they usually use the Intel Bay Trail Z3735 CPU with 2GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB solid storage. Yes, they are powerful enough for your daily work and entertainment and they are fanless, I have been using one (the Lenovo Miix) for a year now as my only computer. You can easily add more storage with a 64GB SD card for about $25. This ASUS looks and feels very good - thin and light, and unlike all other ugly ASUS, the frame is elegantly thin and matte. While the screen is sharp, clear, bright and contrasty, the up/down view angle is narrow (the left/right is wide) and color is cold (dark-blueish). These two things, narrow view angle and cold color, are pretty much the only imperfections about this perfect laptop ever.

There is a fast version of Atom, the Z3775, which is used in the ASUS T100. It is clocked higher to be as fast as Celeron and Pentium.

Celeron and Pentium laptops (2-in-1):

They are basically Bay Trail clocked at higher frequencies for increased speed. Celerons (such as N2830) are dual core while Pentiums (such as N2930, N3530) are quad core. Not all of them feature the Intel Quick Sync technology found in Atom Bay Trail for real-time superb video compression. This is a very good thing to have if you ever need to convert a video from one format to another or to reduce its size for sharing. Usually N##20 (e.g. N3520) do not have it while N##30 (e.g. N2930, N3530) have it.

For example, this Lenovo 2-in-1 selling in BestBuy has an old N3520 CPU and therefore you'd better not buy it due to lack of QuickSync:

The Toshiba Radius found in BestBuy and the Dell 3000 found in CostCo and everywhere are very similar to the Lenovo 2-in-1 but both have QuickSync. The Toshiba has a Celeron N2830 while the Dell may come with either a Celeron N2930 or Pentium N3530.

These Celeron and Pentium 2-in-1 laptops usually come with 4GB RAM and 500GB HDD, adequate for everyone. You may add more RAM. You may also replace the slow HDD with a SSD for much better performance for very little money. They run 64 bit Windows which is far more reliable than the 32 bit on Atom laptops/tablets, due to absolute enforcement on driver signature.

Ultrabooks:

All the sales men in stores will push these expensive craps to you. They are rip off without any premium stuff in and out, stay away from them unless you see one below $500. If you are willing to pay a premium, then get the Apple Macbook Pro 13" with retina screen. The touchpad alone is worth the money. Yes, Apple touchpad is that good, go give it a try in BestBuy with your two fingers scrolling down and up within a web browser.  If you need Windows, then install Windows on it. The cheapest configuration is enough for everybody, any higher options are totally more rip off. It is thin and light, no longer need to bother with any Macbook Air.

If you need 13" and do not want to spend a thousand on a common tool, then take a look at the HP Stream 13.

A $1 tripod mount for smartphones

This article is still in progress.

Ever want to mount your phone on a tripod and don't want to spend $30 on a Joby GripTight? Now you can do that for just one dollar. Extremely easy too, all you need to do is drill a 1/4" hole on a piece of thin plastic, every one can do it, no any special tool required.

Dual-SIM Phones

This article is still in progress.

Some comments first:

• I won't buy a dual-sim phone for more than $300. Actually one hundred something is the comfortable amount. Most of us use a dual-sim phone to save money; it does not make sense to spend too much money to save money, does it?
• Moto G XT1033 is the only one that has 3G support on both SIM slots. Not at the same time, of course, no device can do that. All others can have 3G on SIM1 only. This is not a big deal though - just use a dual-SIM adapter.
• They all can dual standby. For example, you can use data on SIM1 while still able to receive calls on SIM2.
• They all can do voice calls and use 2G data in all countries.
• If you need 3G on other countries such as China etc., you need at least 2100. If you need AT&T 3G, you need 850/1900.  If you need T-Mobile 3G, you'd better get 1700 (some locations now adopt 1900 as well).
• Lenovo K910 is the only one that has both 1700 and 2100 (it has CDMA/EVDO too!).  This means: if you need full coverage on T-Mobile and meanwhile need to use 3G in China and other countries, this is your only option.

I did a search in Amazon and these were interesting to me for their 3G coverage:

The followings work on 3G on AT&T, T-Mobile and in other countries

Lenovo Vibe Z K910
850/900/1700/1900/2100 CDMA/EVDO
5.5"
$272

The followings work on 3G on AT&T, T-Mobile (1900 area only) and in other countries

Galaxy S4 Mini Duos GT-i9192
850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100-LTE
4.3"
$250

Lg G Pro Lite Dual D686
850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
5.5"
$200

LG OPTIMUS L7 II DUAL P715
900 / 1900 / 2100
4.3"
$160

BLU Life One L120
850, 1900, 2100
5.0"
$180

Motorola MOTO G XT1033
850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4.5"
$220

iRulu Newest V1 Phone
850/1900/2100
5.5"
$135

Samsung Galaxy S Duos 2 S7582L
850/900 / 2100
4.0"
$142

The followings work on 3G on AT&T and T-Mobile (all area)

Posh Mobile Titan HD E500
850/1700/1900
5.0"
$180

BLU Studio 5.0 II
850/1700/1900
5.0"
$112

BLU Studio 5.0C
850/1700/1900
5.0"
$108

Dual SIM Adapter

This article is still in progress.

Simply put, as long as you can manage to put this adapter into your phone, then it is super convenient to change your SIM cards without physical swapping and rebooting. Works for both voice and data (2G/3G/4G/LTE). No it cannot dual standby, that's what a dual-sim phone does and you do can use this adapter in a dual-sim phone.

I bought the adapter from Newegg for less than $6, other similar adapters should work as well. I have tested it in my LG F6 and BLU NEO 4.5, work like a charm. To use it in my LG G2, which has a SIM door like iPhone, I have to leave the adapter outside and hold it by using a phone case (I usually don't use cases).

LG F6

This article is in progress.

Root is very easy with TowelRoot_v1.apk. Just download, install and open the app, then click on the button. Then install eu.chainfire.supersu.apk immediately.

Installing recovery is also extremely simple, just download, install and open LG-F6-TWRP-V3.apk. But this is optional.

You may also install stericson.busybox.apk. Again, this is optional for some apps that require some Linux system commands in addition to SU.

You may use FolderMount to link/move some folders (e.g. DCIM, iGO, Tencent) from the internal storage to an external SD card.

If you still need more storage for installing more apps after the following blotware removal, then you may use App2SD or Link2SD etc.

List of removable blotware:

AAT.apk
ApplicationManagerbin.apk
ApplicationManagerbin.odex
Books.apk
Books.odex
CABLService.apk
CABLService.odex
ChromeBookmarksSyncAdapter.apk
ChromeBookmarksSyncAdapter.odex
ChromeWithBrowser.apk
ChromeWithBrowser.odex
DmfAdmin.apk
DmfAdmin.odex
EasySettings.apk
EasySettings.odex
ECID-release.apk
ECID-release.odex
GoogleBackupTransport.apk
GoogleBackupTransport.odex
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.odex
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.odex
GoogleDrive.apk
GoogleDrive.odex
GoogleFeedback.apk
GoogleFeedback.odex
Hangouts.apk
Hangouts.odex
LGBackupbin.apk
LGBackupbin.odex
LGBrowser_JB.apk
LGBrowser_JB.odex
LGEIMEbin.apk
LGEIMEbin.odex
LGEmailbin.apk
LGEmailbin.odex
LGQRemote.apk
LGQRemote.odex
LGSearchWidgetProvider.apk
LGSearchWidgetProvider.odex
LGSetupWizard_JB.apk
LGSetupWizard_JB.odex
LGSetupWizardApp.apk
LGSetupWizardApp.odex
Magazines.apk
Magazines.odex
Memobin.apk
Memobin.odex
MemoWidgetbin.apk
MemoWidgetbin.odex
MLT.apk
MLT.odex
MusicWidgetbin.apk
MusicWidgetbin.odex
MyMetro.apk
MyMetro.odex
Phonesky.apk
Phonesky.odex
PhotoAlbumWidgetbin.apk
PhotoAlbumWidgetbin.odex
PlayGames.apk
PlayGames.odex
PlusOne.apk
PlusOne.odex
QMemobin.apk
QMemobin.odex
QuickSet.apk
QuickSet.odex
QuicksetSDK.apk
QuicksetSDK.odex
SetupWizard.apk
SetupWizard.odex
SmartShare.apk
SmartShare.odex
SmartShareProvider.apk
SmartShareProvider.odex
StreamingPlayerbin.apk
StreamingPlayerbin.odex
Street.apk
Street.odex
TagGoogle.apk
TagGoogle.odex
talkback.apk
talkback.odex
Upsell.apk
Upsell.odex
Velvet.apk
Velvet.odex
Videos.apk
Videos.odex
VoiceDialer_JB.apk
VoiceDialer_JB.odex
VoiceSearchStub.apk
VoiceSearchStub.odex
VuTalkbin.apk
VuTalkbin.odex
WeatherMultiCPbin.apk
WeatherMultiCPbin.odex
WeatherThemebin.apk
WeatherThemebin.odex
WifiCall.apk
WifiCall.odex
WiseScreen.apk
WiseScreen.odex

LG G2, overall the best phone

First thing first, this is the only phone with a headphone jack at the bottom instead of top or sides. If you ever use your phone for music, you know what I mean. Sound is good. Other good points:

• Large 3000mAh battery vs. usual 2000 - 2500mAh, offering the longest run time in its class.
• Very thin side frames.
• Loudspeaker on side. Most phones' are on the back, being easily blocked.
• Much less heavy weight UI than the stupid TouchWiz of Samsung.
• Double tap to wake up, no longer need to press the power button.
• No button on sides and front.
• Camera almost never produce fuzzy photos, unlike Samsung.
• Easy to root and unlock the bootloader. Samsung has been crazy on (re)lock up their phones.
• Wireless storage works very well and very convenient for files transfer over WiFi with PC.
• Notification light blinks about every 1-2 seconds unlike Samsung's pointless every 5 seconds.

After years of using Samsung, this LG feels like a Samsung tweaked right.

It is better downgrade to 4.2.2 (actually 4.3, 12B), because no more text wrapping since 4.4, rendering Boat, the best browser, useless. All other browsers use too much CPU, even while idle doing nothing. UC browser is the only usable browser for 4.4 for its text wrapping and minimum CPU usage (although still more than Boat). Many other things are broken too in 4.4.X, for example, browsers can no longer remember passwords. Android 4.3 is and will be the best Android forever, like Windows 2000/XP for PC.

[update] The LG Video player had been crashing and making the phone reboot by itself. I downloaded the LGVideos.apk from here and all fine ever since.

How to get rid of some annoying pops

A minimalist - stock - ROM

LG VS840 VS920可精简应用列表

My list of blotware for 4.4.2 and 4.2.2:

4.4.2 (/system/app)

AAT.apk
AmazonAudible.apk
AmazonIMDb.apk
AmazonKindle.apk
AmazonMobile.apk
AmazonMP3.apk
AmazonWidget.apk
BaSyncClient.apk
BaSyncClient.odex
bloat.txt
Books.apk
Books.odex
Chrome.apk
Chrome.odex
CloudPrint.apk
CloudPrint.odex
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.odex
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.odex
GoogleDrive.apk
GoogleDrive.odex
Hangouts.apk
Hangouts.odex
HotspotProvision.apk
HotspotProvision.odex
LGCarHome.apk
LGCarHome.odex
LGCMAS.apk
LGCMAS.odex
LGEasySettings.apk
LGEasySettings.odex
LGFOTA.apk
LGFOTA.odex
LGLIA.apk
LGLIA.odex
LGLifeStream.apk
LGLifeStream.odex
LGLW_Feather.apk
LGLW_Feather.odex
LGLW_PolarBear.apk
LGLW_PolarBear.odex
LGLW_Prince.apk
LGLW_Prince.odex
LGMemoWidget.apk
LGMemoWidget.odex
LGMobilePrint.apk
LGMobilePrint.odex
LGNotebook.apk
LGNotebook.odex
LGQRemote.apk
LGQRemote.odex
LGQTranslator.apk
LGQTranslator.odex
LGSearchWidgetProvider.apk
LGSearchWidgetProvider.odex
LGTangibleIO.apk
LGTangibleIO.odex
LGTaskManager.apk
LGTaskManager.odex
LGTextLink.apk
LGTextLink.odex
LGTextLinkAgent.apk
LGTextLinkAgent.odex
LGTextLinkEngine.apk
LGTextLinkEngine.odex
LGTextTranslator.apk
LGTextTranslator.odex
LGVZWAppSetupWizard_JB.apk
LGVZWAppSetupWizard_JB.odex
LGVZWHelp.apk
LGVZWHelp.odex
LGVZWSetupWizard_JB.apk
LGVZWSetupWizard_JB.odex
LGWeather.apk
LGWeather.odex
LGWeatherTheme.apk
LGWeatherTheme.odex
LGWorldClockWidget.apk
LGWorldClockWidget.odex
Magazines.apk
Magazines.odex
PlayGames.apk
PlayGames.odex
PlusOne.apk
PlusOne.odex
PrintSpooler.apk
PrintSpooler.odex
QuicksetSDK.apk
SmartShare.apk
SmartShare.odex
SmartShareProvider.apk
SmartShareProvider.odex
Street.apk
Street.odex
TagGoogle.apk
TagGoogle.odex
talkback.apk
talkback.odex
Videos.apk
Videos.odex
VMwareReady.apk
VMwareReady.odex
VpnClient_2.6.1_LG.apk
VpnClient_2.6.1_LG.odex

4.4.2 (/system/priv-app)

AmazonAppstore.apk
BaSyncService.apk
BaSyncService.odex
blotp.txt
com.gotv.nflgamecenter.us.lite.apk
GamePortal.apk
ISISWallet.apk
LGClockWidget.apk
LGClockWidget.odex
LGConnectionWizard.apk
LGConnectionWizard.odex
LGEmail.apk
LGEmail.odex
LGFavoriteContactsWidget.apk
LGFavoriteContactsWidget.odex
LGGestureAnswering.apk
LGGestureAnswering.odex
LGLifeStreamLogManager.apk
LGLifeStreamLogManager.odex
LGLW_MultiPhoto.apk
LGLW_MultiPhoto.odex
LGMediaInOne.apk
LGMediaInOne.odex
LGMemo.apk
LGMemo.odex
LGMusicWidget.apk
LGMusicWidget.odex
LGQMemo.apk
LGQMemo.odex
LGQVoice.apk
LGQVoice.odex
LGSlideAside.apk
LGSlideAside.odex
LGVoiceCommand.apk
LGVoiceCommand.odex
LGVoiceCommandService.apk
LGVoiceCommandService.odex
LGVuTalk.apk
LocationAgent.apk
Maluuba_QVoice.apk
Maluuba_QVoice.odex
MyInfozone.apk
MyVerizon.apk
SetupWizard.apk
SetupWizard.odex
SlackerRadio.apk
SmartShareBeam.apk
SmartShareBeam.odex
SSO_P3.apk
Velvet.apk
Velvet.odex
VZAccessories.apk
VZCloud.apk
VZMobileSecurity.apk
VZNavigator.apk
VZTones.apk
WapService.apk
WapService.odex

4.2.2

AAT.apk
AmazonAppstore.apk
AmazonAudible.apk
AmazonIMDb.apk
AmazonKindle.apk
AmazonMobile.apk
AmazonMP3.apk
AmazonWidget.apk
BaSyncClient.apk
BaSyncClient.odex
BaSyncService.apk
BaSyncService.odex
Books.apk
Books.odex
CABLService.apk
CABLService.odex
Chrome.apk
Chrome.odex
com.gotv.nflgamecenter.us.lite.apk
CompatibilityMode.apk
CompatibilityMode.odex
DirectBeam.apk
DirectBeam.odex
DmfAdmin.apk
DmfAdmin.odex
ECID.apk
ELTTest.apk
ELTTest.odex
GamePortal.apk
GoogleBackupTransport.apk
GoogleBackupTransport.odex
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.odex
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk
GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.odex
GoogleFeedback.apk
GoogleFeedback.odex
Hangouts.apk
Hangouts.odex
HotspotProvision.apk
HotspotProvision.odex
LGCarHome.apk
LGCarHome.odex
LGClockWidget.apk
LGClockWidget.odex
LGConnectionWizard.apk
LGConnectionWizard.odex
LGEasySettings.apk
LGEasySettings.odex
LGEIME.apk
LGEIME.odex
LGEIME_THEME_BLACK.apk
LGEIME_THEME_BLACK.odex
LGEIME_THEME_LOVELY.apk
LGEIME_THEME_LOVELY.odex
LGEIME_THEME_NATURAL.apk
LGEIME_THEME_NATURAL.odex
LGEmail.apk
LGEmail.odex
LGFavoriteContactsWidget.apk
LGFavoriteContactsWidget.odex
LGFOTA.apk
LGFOTA.odex
LGGestureAnswering.apk
LGGestureAnswering.odex
LGLIA.apk
LGLIA.odex
LGLifeStream.apk
LGLifeStream.odex
LGLifeStreamLogManager.apk
LGLifeStreamLogManager.odex
LGLiveWallpapersPicker.apk
LGLiveWallpapersPicker.odex
LGLW_Feather.apk
LGLW_Feather.odex
LGLW_MultiPhoto.apk
LGLW_MultiPhoto.odex
LGLW_PolarBear.apk
LGLW_PolarBear.odex
LGLW_Prince.apk
LGLW_Prince.odex
LGMediaInOne.apk
LGMediaInOne.odex
LGMemo.apk
LGMemo.odex
LGMemoWidget.apk
LGMemoWidget.odex
LGMobilePrint.apk
LGMobilePrint.odex
LGMusicWidget.apk
LGMusicWidget.odex
LGNLPService.apk
LGNLPService.odex
LGNotebook.apk
LGNotebook.odex
LGPhotoAlbumWidget.apk
LGPhotoAlbumWidget.odex
LGQMemo.apk
LGQMemo.odex
LGQRemote.apk
LGQRemote.odex
LGQTranslator.apk
LGQTranslator.odex
LGQVoice.apk
LGQVoice.odex
LGSearchWidgetProvider.apk
LGSearchWidgetProvider.odex
LGSlideAside.apk
LGSlideAside.odex
LGStreamingPlayer.apk
LGStreamingPlayer.odex
LGTangibleIO.apk
LGTangibleIO.odex
LGTaskManager.apk
LGTaskManager.odex
LGTextLink.apk
LGTextLink.odex
LGTextLinkEngine.apk
LGTextLinkEngine.odex
LGTextTranslator.apk
LGTextTranslator.odex
LGVuTalk.apk
LGVuTalk.odex
LGVZWAppSetupWizard_JB.apk
LGVZWAppSetupWizard_JB.odex
LGVZWHelpCenter.apk
LGVZWHelpCenter.odex
LGVZWSetupWizard_JB.apk
LGVZWSetupWizard_JB.odex
LGWeather.apk
LGWeather.odex
LGWeatherTheme.apk
LGWeatherTheme.odex
LGWorldClockWidget.apk
LGWorldClockWidget.odex
LocationAgent.apk
Magazines.apk
Magazines.odex
Maluuba_QVoice.apk
Maluuba_QVoice.odex
MLT.apk
MLT.odex
MobileUpdateClient.apk
MobileUpdateClient.odex
MyInfozone.apk
MyVerizon.apk
Phonesky.apk
Phonesky.odex
PlayGames.apk
PlayGames.odex
PlusOne.apk
PlusOne.odex
QuicksetSDK.apk
SetupWizard.apk
SetupWizard.odex
SlackerRadio.apk
SmartShare.apk
SmartShare.odex
SmartShareBeam.apk
SmartShareBeam.odex
SmartShareProvider.apk
SmartShareProvider.odex
SSO_P3.apk
Street.apk
Street.odex
TagGoogle.apk
TagGoogle.odex
talkback.apk
talkback.odex
Velvet.apk
Velvet.odex
Videos.apk
Videos.odex
VMwareReady.apk
VMwareReady.odex
VoiceDialer_JB.apk
VoiceDialer_JB.odex
VoiceSearchStub.apk
VoiceSearchStub.odex
VVM.apk
VVM.odex
VZAccessories.apk
VZCloud.apk
VZMobileSecurity.apk
VZNavigator.apk
VZTones.apk
WiseScreen.apk
WiseScreen.odex