The Tech Thread

[Shirtie]

I bought the Lego Gameboy set, and it's making me want to buy and play all the games from my teenage years again. But the prices of original GB are bloody expensive.

Can anyone recommend me a system I can play those games on that cheaper? I've seen handheld gaming devices on Amazon but have no clue which are worth buying or legal! 

[Merzbow]

6 minutes ago, Shirtie said:

legal! 

Yeah, none of them them are really. The Analogue Pocket is likely the best legit way of playing GB games but I think they're fully out of stock.

The R36S or G350 are the best absolute budget but "illegal" entrypoints in to playing GB and other games though, the latter being better built and only costing a fraction more.

[DavidB6937]

Best legal alternative will be the stuff online for Switch but obviously that's just a limited collection, and not so cheap if you don't have a Switch.

[Tamura]

I'm visiting Seattle next year for a week, and was looking into phone options as I don't want to be trying to find a free wifi connection point in order to order an Uber or Lyft, as my phone company charges something stupid like £5/MB for data in the USA. My phone isn't eSIM compatible and although I've got my eye on a phone that is for £159 that is compatible I'm not really sold on buying a new phone right now as I only got my current one in June. I was looking at worldsim which seems a sensible enough option, unless anyone has any better advice?

[BigJag]

Hi. Would anyone have recommendations for coding type gifts for a 9 year old girl? She likes playing fashion/dress up games on her tablet. I'd like to get her something that could marry the two elements. She's able to use both Android and IOS devices.

[Weezenal]

 

On 12/22/2025 at 5:24 PM, Tamura said:

I'm visiting Seattle next year for a week, and was looking into phone options as I don't want to be trying to find a free wifi connection point in order to order an Uber or Lyft, as my phone company charges something stupid like £5/MB for data in the USA. My phone isn't eSIM compatible and although I've got my eye on a phone that is for £159 that is compatible I'm not really sold on buying a new phone right now as I only got my current one in June. I was looking at worldsim which seems a sensible enough option, unless anyone has any better advice?

When I’ve been to the US I’ve got a Three sim with a £10 data pack. I’ve actually switched it to an eSIM so I can use their Three+ deals all the time, but you should be able to get a SIM off Amazon.

[Chest Rockwell]

Hey all. My TV is a bit old and the apps aren't well updated and have started fucking about recently. Looking to get a streaming stick for my TV. Looking for recommendations. One that can support Plex is a must. Ideally one that has a way to block ads on YouTube (either by installing a separate loader or other means, not fussed).

 

Edited February 24 by Chest Rockwell

[DavidB6937]

Apps on a TV are always a last resort. They seem easy at first but it all becomes very slow and outdated very quickly.

I use the apps on my Sky stream now which work well, but historically I've only ever gone with Roku or Amazon sticks. Both worked really well but obviously Amazon has its own infrastructure which can be a bit overwhelming.

[Lorne Malvo]

Roku does the job for me. I find I need to get a new one every 3-4 years but when they're only between £30-£50 I don't mind.

Just as a point of comparison, Prime Video and Disney+ are awful on my PS4, constantly shuddering or dropping to blurry 240p quality, but I never have this issue with my Roku stick. 

[Chest Rockwell]

Why do you keep having to buy new ones? Do they just stop working?

[Lorne Malvo]

2 minutes ago, Chest Rockwell said:

Why do you keep having to buy new ones? Do they just stop working?

I may have overstated it sorry - thinking about it I've been using Roku for about 10 years and in that time have had to buy a new one once, so it's more like 5+ years use.

But yeah the first one I had just packed up one day and refused to come on. But like I say, 5 years daily service out of a £30 stick isn't too bad!

[SuperBacon]

1 hour ago, Chest Rockwell said:

Hey all. My TV is a bit old and the apps aren't well updated and have started fucking about recently. Looking to get a streaming stick for my TV. Looking for recommendations. One that can support Plex is a must. Ideally one that has a way to block ads on YouTube (either by installing a separate loader or other means, not fussed).

 

I have a firestick and loading it with the downloader app was fine, but I did read somewhere that Amazon are clamping down on this on their newer sticks. Mines around 2 years old I reckon.

Quite a few handy reddit subs r/firestick r/firetvstick for updates etc. Might be best asking on there.

[Wretch]

+1 for a Roku. Got mine for our bedroom over four years ago and it's still going strong. Will have no qualms about picking up another once it starts lagging or just switches off altogether one day. 

[Onyx2]

I've always been a Windows guy but I want some Apple advice please. 

I want to get a drawing tablet for the youngest. I'm aware iPad + Apple Pencil + Procreate is the way to go, but there are now so many models of iPad it's hard to know what I need without completely over speccing it. 

I've run it past my AI agent of choice but I wouldn't mind some humanesque opinions. 

[Lorne Malvo]

I tried to watch a film on the PS4 last night from my USB stick but the file format wasn't correct - it was MP4 which PS4 plays, but apparently the wrong codec (this is all a foreign language to me so bare with me).

Is there a free to use converter which will convert the file from 'MP4 which doesn’t work' to 'MP4 which does work'? 

Thanks in advance!