#hardware-engineering
120 episodes · Page 4 of 5
#2268: The Universal Power Cord's Quiet Masterpiece
A deep dive into the humble IEC power cable—the C13 and C14 connectors. We explore the history, physics, and surprising engineering that makes this...
#2256: The One-Charger Dream: Specs, Trade-offs, and Reality
Drowning in chargers? We break down the specs for a single, powerful desktop charging station that can handle laptops, phones, and more—and where t...
#2193: Running Claude in Your Apartment (The Physics Says No)
Building a local AI inference server to rival Claude Code sounds great until you do the math on heat, noise, and neighbor relations.
#2106: The Hidden Language of Circuit Boards
AI is hoarding all the chips, and your smart toaster is stuck in line. Here’s why the hardware supply chain is breaking down.
#2091: Solving Problems That Don't Exist
From a $400 juicer that can't run without Wi-Fi to a toaster with more computing power than Apollo 11, we explore absurd gadgets.
#2041: The "MPEG Moment" for AI: Llamafile & Native Models
Why are we squeezing massive cloud models onto desktops? Meet the "native" AI revolution.
#1988: The Eternal Storage That Can't Escape the Lab
Quartz glass promises 10,000-year data storage, but can it scale before 180 zettabytes make it obsolete?
#1904: The Hidden Math Behind Your Blocky Photos
Why are blocky sky artifacts still haunting your photos in 2026? We break down the math behind JPEG, WebP, AVIF, and the new JPEG XL.
#1868: The $100 Pen vs. The Disposable Pen
Why a $100 pen is cheaper than a $0.50 pen. We break down the physics of pressurized ink and machined metal.
#1847: The Home Lab Blackout: Fixing Servers From a Beach
Your server is down and you're miles away. Learn the three simple checks that keep your home lab alive and how to get back in when the front door i...
#1821: The Quantum Computer That Doesn't Compute
Crack open a quantum computer and you won't find a CPU—just a gold-plated chandelier inside a giant white thermos.
#1806: Why Mac Minis Are Eating AI's Hardware Race
Apple Silicon's unified memory is crushing traditional GPUs for local LLMs. Here's why the M4 Mac Mini is the new king of affordable AI hardware.
#1797: Why the Cloud Runs on Cassette Tapes
The cloud isn't just hard drives—it's millions of robotic cassette tapes holding petabytes of data for Google and NASA.
#1695: Why Your Raspberry Pi Can’t Stream Netflix in 4K
Netflix streams 4K on your Fire Stick but only 480p on a Raspberry Pi. Here’s the hidden hardware tax blocking your media center.
#1539: Escaping the Cloud Dictation Trap
Stop shouting at your phone. Discover how dedicated hardware and local AI are making instant, private voice-to-text a reality.
#1363: How Shenzhen Clones Your Tech Before the Keynote Ends
Discover the "AliExpress Paradox" where $12 earbuds rival $200 flagships, and the high-speed ecosystem turning global IP law on its head.
#1317: The First Second: Why Your PC Still Needs a BIOS
Explore the high-stakes drama of the BIOS, the "Root of Trust" that teaches your computer how to be a computer every time you hit the power button.
#1095: Rooting in 2026: Is the Power User Era Over?
Is rooting your Android still worth the risk? We explore Play Integrity, Shizuku, and the trade-offs of modern power-using in 2026.
#1079: When Thin Walls Betray Your Voice
How do you keep your voice private when walls are thin? Explore the high-tech muzzles and throat mics designed for the remote work era.
#1062: Why Silicon Won the Chip Wars
Why did silicon win the chip wars? Explore the "modern magic" that turns ordinary sand into the world's most powerful processors.
#999: The $13 Billion Paradox: Life on the USS Gerald R. Ford
Explore the gap between the world's most advanced warship and the grueling human reality of a nine-month deployment at sea.
#910: Beyond the $100 Trap: Building the Ultimate 4K Media Center
Stop settling for stuttering video. Herman and Corn break down how to build or buy a future-proof 4K media center that actually works.
#896: The Hidden Trap of Power Allocation
Stop settling for slow charging. Learn how GaN 6 and high-wattage hubs are redefining bedside power and reliability for 2026.
#885: Networking in a Faraday Cage
Learn how to build a high-range, battery-powered Wi-Fi kit capable of punching through concrete walls during an emergency or power outage.