Hartland Computer Services

03/25/2026

If you're confused by the new Foreign Wi-Fi Router Ban, you should be, it's weird. My guess is it was developed by a committee that doesn't understand the router market or desktop security, it's the only thing that would make sense.

My advice is to do nothing until this gets modified or reversed. These companies have deep pockets, they'll pony up.

If you own your own router, not supplied by Spectrum, Metronet or Widstream, do make sure the login isn't Admin/Admin or whatever default it came with. If you don't know how to do that, don't sweat it, this will increase your computer security by the same amount as asking your spouse if they locked the front door before going to bed.

To say this another way, routers may indeed be vulnerable, but this is not how residential users "get hacked".

EXCEPTION: If you own a business and are using a consumer type router in your office(s), you may want to take this opportunity to review your security.

: Unfortunately, there aren't many options unless you're Starlink

03/13/2026

Apple just released the MacBook Neo at $599 — their cheapest laptop ever — and it's genuinely worth a look if you're a Windows user in the market for a new computer. I haven't had one on my bench yet (but I will), so take this as informed first impressions rather than a personal recommendation. For everyday tasks like email, web browsing, video calls, and light document work, it looks like a strong machine at a price that used to be impossible for Apple.

That said, the main compromise is memory — it ships with 8GB RAM and there's no option to add more. That's fine for casual use but worth knowing upfront, especially if you tend to keep a lot of browser tabs open or multitask heavily. If you know you need more RAM, the MacBook Air is still available and can be configured with plenty — just at a higher price point. The $700 model adds Touch ID and doubles the storage, which is probably worth the extra $100 if this is your main machine.

The bigger consideration for most of my customers is the platform switch itself. Moving from Windows to macOS isn't just a learning curve — it's a different way of thinking about how your computer works. File management, software compatibility, and even basic shortcuts all behave differently. Most people adapt fine, but it takes time, and some software you rely on may not have a Mac version. If you're open to that transition and mostly use your computer for everyday tasks, the Neo is a genuinely compelling option.

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11/30/2025

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵

Six weeks after the “end” of Windows 10 in October, we are still daily fielding questions about it so I’ve decided to describe what I’m personally doing in my house about it.

𝗗𝗮𝗱
I have 4 computers assigned to me: a Windows desktop (also used for work), a Windows laptop, an Apple MacBook Air, and a Linux desktop (mostly used for work). Here’s my plan:

• 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗸𝘁𝗼𝗽 – Stay on Windows 10 until October 2026, enrol in Microsoft Extended Update Program for Windows 10
• 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗽 – Ditto
• 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 – Move most of my personal computing to this platform
• 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘅 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗸𝘁𝗼𝗽 – Stay the course, use for special projects only

𝗠𝗼𝗺
Mom has a really nice Lenovo ThinkPad that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11; this machine will go on the Extended Update Program and probably remain in service until October 2026 running Windows 10.

However, Mom does the books. For reasons that I suspect are a result of conspiracy rather than technical or security issues, TurboTax, Quicken, and QuickBooks will no longer support Windows 10. It’s not clear how this will play out, but Mom probably needs access to Windows 11 to install TurboTax for the coming tax season. My original plan was to upgrade Mom to a new computer with Windows 11 on it, but that means I would have to support this ridiculously unstable, insecure, and moving-in-the-wrong-direction OS. So instead, I’ve decided to roll out a temporary Windows 11 computer on which we’ll install Windows 11 and TurboTax, with the expectation of wiping the whole thing later.

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿
No change. This is MacBook Air.

𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿
No change. Hand-me-down MacBook.

I think with AI entering the chat, we are moving into a space where it’s going to become impossible to know what’s happening on your computer, what data is private (probably none), and just what and how information is being exfiltrated. I believe that the big IT companies are currently foisting retrograde encryption and VPNs on us because these give us the appearance of security while still leaving all our data and behaviors available for them to harvest.

The good news is that it’s probably too late to do anything about this and any effort now is just closing the barn door after the cows get out. But St. Jude and I have always had a close relationship, so I’ll keep trying.

08/04/2025

If, like us, you are sending your daughter or son off to school with a new Apple Mac laptop, we strongly advise opting for the Apple Care+ option. Every year in the back-to-school season we get calls from parents asking if we can fix a Mac that has had water, coffee or some other unidentified liquid spilt into it. Apple has made their current computer nearly unrepairable.

07/28/2025

As we have mentioned on Facebook, we are not fans of Windows 11 and its always-on Recall feature. This is the feature the Microsoft introduced that essentially records everything you do on your computer and the internet and feeds keeps it on your computer as well as feeding it to its AI engine (apparently). It's a spectacular invasion of privacy and it will change your relationship with your computer. The solution we have chosen is to switch to Apple Mac computers.

Apple is not a realistic alternative for everyone. For those on Windows 11 who would like a more private experience, the Brave browser appears to be a good alternative. Here at Chaos Manor South, Crystal has been a Brave user for years and it comes highly recommended.

Mind your business, Microsoft.

06/03/2025

🖥️ Windows Support Changes Are Coming — Consider Alternatives 🖥️

This October, Microsoft will begin phasing-in changes that affect older PCs, particularly those that can't meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. If you're running an older Windows machine, especially anything pre-2018, it's worth checking whether your system will remain supported.

Given ongoing concerns about Windows 11’s reliability, forced updates, and increased hardware restrictions, we think this is a good moment to consider switching to macOS, as both Crystal and I have for our main personal computer.

🔍 What to look for in a Mac

Used Intel-based Macs (2019 or newer) are still viable, especially for users who need Intel compatibility.

But for most users, we recommend Apple Silicon Macs—released in late 2020 and after. These use Apple’s own M-series chips (M1, M2, M3), which are faster, more power-efficient, and run cooler than Intel equivalents. They’re also expected to receive OS support for much longer.

📉 Prices on used and even new Apple Silicon models are currently lower than usual, making this a relatively affordable time to upgrade.

If you're unsure whether your current system will be affected, or if you're considering switching platforms, feel free to reach out. We're happy help.

05/05/2025

We haven't tested this but we will. This Recall feature, in our opinion, makes Windows 11 highly insecure. Again, insecure enough to strongly consider switching to Apple (we have).

We do disagree with the author's support of Bitlocker encryption. It's our opinion that this is second only to Recall as a security PROBLEM rather than solution. Our recommendation is to turn OFF Bitlocker. Microsoft turns it on my default now on all Windows 11 and many Windows 10 installations.

No thanks.

04/11/2025

If you know someone affected by the recent Kentucky floods—please pass this on.

We’re offering free computer repair or replacement at cost for flood victims. No service charges, no catch—just trying to help our neighbors get back on their feet.

Please share or tag someone who might need this.

10/31/2024

At $599 we think this is a very good replacement for an old Windows computer that needs upgrading. Your software won't move over and there is some adaptation to the MacOS from Windows so it might not be for everybody, but it is definitely worth considering.

The new, smaller Mac mini with the M4 or M4 Pro chip. Built for Apple Intelligence. Now with front and back ports. And the first carbon neutral Mac.

10/30/2024

09/30/2024

Encryption is not your friend. Remember this. Today, another of our customers lost all their data and programs to this faux security function. For most users, encryption is much more likely to cause you to lose your data than protect it.

"BitLocker" is Microsoft's name for encryption. It is our advice, for most users, to not use it. Now, in Windows 10 and Windows 11, Microsoft is starting to turn on BitLocker without notifying the user. We suggest you check to make sure it's off on your computer. Here are some instructions that will work on all brands of computer.

Windows BitLocker has become a solution for Windows users to encrypt and secure their data. The following is how to enable and disable BitLocker using the standard methods. This article does not discuss the utilization of a USB as a TPM replacement and does not discuss Group Policy changes for advan...

09/28/2024

Some smart information here, we agree with most of it. If you think your passwords or accounts have been compromised, first go to your email and change the password, then to your Apple or Microsoft account, then your Amazon or other big retail accounts, then call your bank if you feel it's necessary.

Many websites require password habits that actually don’t keep you safer. Neither special characters nor frequent password resets really help security.