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Refresh Computers Tech Talk

Refresh Computers Tech Talk

By: David Leavitt
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Audio files of our weekly radio show on WDBO where we talk about your electronic life.
Help and advice are given on a range of technical issues from computers to everything internet-related.© 2026 Refresh Computers Tech Talk
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Episodes
  • How To Maximize Florida’s Tax-Free Computer Holiday
    Jul 18 2026

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    One price tag can be the difference between paying zero sales tax and paying all of it. We break down Florida’s sales tax holiday in plain English, including the $1,500 per-item rule, what qualifies (desktops, laptops, monitors, accessories, components, Wi-Fi gear), and the gotchas that surprise people every year, like business-name purchases, location exclusions, and why cell phones and video game consoles are not part of the deal. If you’re shopping for school, a home office upgrade, or simply trying to stop overpaying, this is the timing and the checklist you want before you swipe your card.

    From there, we shift into how to get help without driving anywhere. We explain how our remote support works, why a one-time code matters for security, what you should expect to see during a session, and when our free tech support hotline is enough to solve the problem. We also talk about the real-world risk of using an outdated Windows 10 machine online, and why upgrading strategically during a tax-free window can be a smart cybersecurity move when hardware prices are climbing.

    Then we hit “new phone season”: Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked, the next Google Pixel, and Apple’s fall iPhone cycle, plus why analysts expect price increases as AI demand squeezes memory and components. We share practical buying tactics, including when to keep your current phone, when to buy last year’s model, and how trade-ins can beat those mall kiosks. We wrap with a quick win: using the built-in scanner on iPhone and Android to turn paperwork into clean PDFs without downloading another app.

    Subscribe for more practical tech advice, share this with someone shopping for a computer, and leave a review with the one tech topic you want us to tackle next.

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    41 mins
  • EVs And The New Cost Of Driving
    Jul 12 2026

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    Gas prices rise, Florida heat hits triple digits, and somehow your car and your laptop are dealing with the same enemy: heat and cost. We’re Greg Rhodes and Adam Littlefield from the Refresh Computer Superstore, and we walk through what’s changing right now in the electric vehicle market and what it means for everyday drivers who just want a reliable commute and fewer surprise expenses.

    We talk EV tax credits in plain language, including what changed with the federal incentive for new EVs and why the used EV tax credit can still be a real deal if you qualify. Adam shares how EV ownership can translate into measurable fuel savings, why leasing can be a smart “test drive” for the lifestyle, and how modern EVs behave like computers on wheels with over-the-air updates that can improve capability long after you buy.

    Then we switch gears to a practical summer tech checkup for Central Florida: dust-packed fans, laptops shutting down from thermal events, and swollen “spicy pillow” batteries that can become a safety issue. We cover common heat mistakes like leaving phones, power banks, and battery tire inflators in a parked car, plus better habits like optimized charging and checking battery health. To close, Adam gives a simple Windows tip that helps your PC clean up after itself: enabling Storage Sense to clear temp files, manage the Recycle Bin, and keep storage from quietly disappearing (with a quick Mac cleanup path too).

    Subscribe for more real-world tech advice, share this with a friend who keeps gadgets in the glove box, and leave a review so more listeners can find Tech Talk.

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    41 mins
  • A Cheap Charger Can Kill A Laptop
    Jul 11 2026

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    A “deal” can be a discount, a distraction, or a straight up illusion and the only way to know which one you’re looking at is to check the receipts of the internet: price history, seller behavior, and review quality. We walk through the most common online pricing tricks that show up around major sales events, including sudden pre sale price increases that make a markdown look dramatic. If you’ve ever wondered why an item seems “on sale” every week, we give you the mindset and the tools to confirm what’s real before you click Buy.

    We also share our favorite practical defenses for smarter online shopping. We talk about CamelCamelCamel and Keepa for Amazon price tracking, why wishlists and price alerts can beat impulse buying, and how to spot AI generated reviews that read like marketing copy. From there, we get into renewed and refurbished listings and why third party refurb standards can be all over the map, especially when the seller vanishes after the purchase.

    Then we hit one of the most expensive “cheap” mistakes we see: mystery chargers. A no name laptop charger can damage charging ports, kill batteries, or even take out a whole device, which is why we explain when OEM chargers matter and what risks counterfeits introduce. We also tackle digital legacy planning with clear, step by step guidance on Apple Legacy Contact, Google Inactive Account Manager, and how to think about memorializing or deleting social accounts. We wrap with Google Lens tips you can use today for visual search, translation, and copying text from paper into your phone.

    Subscribe for more practical tech advice, share this with someone who loves a bargain, and leave a review with the online shopping mistake you want us to cover next.

    Support the show

    Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/

    Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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    40 mins
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