Erik Eckel

Aimed at small business professionals requiring a capable and reliable desktop PC, the Vostro 410 boasts plenty of capacity and includes little to no bloatware. Reasonably priced, Vostro 410 desktops are highly customizable and are backed by Dell’s limited hardware warranty.

The debate over antivirus programs often becomes heated. Everyone, from novices to experts, has opinions. In this TechRepublic gallery, IT consultant Erik Eckel explores why he believes Norton Antivirus 2009 With Antispyware is the Right Tool for combatting viruses, spyware and other malware.

The world of IT certification has changed considerably over the past several years, as the demands of the IT industry and the market for tech talent have shifted. IT consultant and exam veteran Erik Eckel offers an update to his list of top 10 certification Web sites.

Never underestimate a simple 5- or 8-port network switch. Small businesses depend upon these simple desktop switches for LAN connectivity, e-mail, Internet access, supplier and client communications and more. Erik Eckel cracks open a popular Linksys model to see just what’s inside.

Fuji packed 5.1 megapixels inside its FinePix Z1, which was among the first capable digital cameras approximately the size of a deck of cards. Erik Eckel cracks one open to see what’s inside the Super CCD HR camera.

What’s inside an Apple G3 iBook, one of the popular Mac laptops that invigorated Apple’s notebook sales (and helped introduce white and translucent product designs for its consumer computer line)? Plenty, as this comprehensive Crack It Open gallery reveals.

Cobalt Networks’ RaQ servers made a splash with ISPs, which often used the trademark black-and-blue 1U servers to power virtual domains, host Web sites and power e-mail services. Take a look inside the Cobalt Networks RaQ 3i in this exclusive TechRepublic gallery.

HP desktop laser jet printers are everywhere. When Erik Eckel had a client that was replacing a tried-and-true workhorse–the HP LaserJet 1300–he jumped at the chance to Crack It Open. Here’s what he found.

Yes, many technicians use the words hub and switch interchangeably, but the two are certainly different. Erik Eckel goes old school in cracking open a Netgear DS104 hub.

USB hard disk adapters are among the most useful tools a computer technician can pack in a toolkit. Just what’s inside one of these powerful adapters, which enable you to quickly connect IDE and SATA disks (2.5-, 3.5- and 5.25-inch) to other workstations? Erik Eckel opens a Coolmax model to find out.

The Compaq Presario is among the most-common model of laptop. Historically one of the best-selling computer brands, the Presario appears in businesses, homes and organizations everywhere. Just what’s under the hood of one of these ubiquitous laptops? Erik Eckel cracks one open to find out.

When a client’s Linksys SR224G 1U Rackmount Switch failed, small business consultant Erik Eckel used the opportunity to crack the unit open. Here’s what he found inside.