Patrick Campanale-Senior Author

Patrick Campanale

Senior Author

Contributor Since November, 2023
Expertise
PC Gaming, Homelab, Smart Home
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  • 88
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How-To Geek logo Profile
https://patrickcampanale.com https://createdworkshop.com https://thelaserworkshop.com

About Patrick Campanale

Patrick Campanale has been in the tech space for well over a decade, specializing in PC/gaming news and reviews, as well as maker-focused products to build small businesses.

With a start in technology back in 2010 surrounding the Palm/webOS ecosystem, Patrick spent his formative years developing mobile applications as well as blogging for various publications, eventually leading to starting his own website in 2014. After running a technology blog for a few years, he stepped out of that role and into the world of high-end custom PC manufacturing and building, with a focus on YouTube video production and overclocking. Then, in 2017, Patrick joined the 9to5Toys team as an editor/writer/reviewer with over 14,000 articles being published during his time there, ranging from deals and roundups to in-depth reviews on the latest technology, video games, 3D printers, and more.

In his free time, Patrick loves to create projects from wood using various robots and methods, including leveraging the technologies of CNCs and lasers. If Patrick isn't working on a computer or playing video games, he's likely in his 2-car garage workshop creating something unique. In addition to all this, Patrick is also the media director at his local church where he feels God has called him to serve, and he loves every minute of it.

Latest

A DIY home server made of an old laptop that's been disassembled and heatsinks were added to its existing cooling system.
Before you turn an old laptop into a NAS, check these 3 BIOS settings first
Homelab

A few setup choices can make a spare laptop easier to run as a server.

A 3D printed lens cap with an AirTag inside it mounted on a Sony A7III camera.
After losing my camera on a bus, I made this hidden AirTag mount for $0.51 so it couldn't happen again
Photography

The tracker hides in an accessory I already carry.

Close up of the Hyper HyperJuice 240W Silicone USB-C to USB-C Cable.
Don’t judge a USB-C cable by its wattage alone—here's what to look for instead
USB-C

Fast charging and fast file transfers are separate capabilities.

3
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 2 Gen2+ two-bay NAS front three-quarter view.
Four NVMe slots and 14 simultaneous transcodes make this NAS hard to ignore

Strong streaming performance meets business-grade complexity.

Settlers of Catan 3D printed board game.
Your favorite hobby is a lot cheaper with a 3D printer
DIY

Custom mounts, inserts, jigs, and scenery can cost less when you make them at home.

Illustration of the Docker logo, featuring a stylized whale carrying containers and a NAS server.
The one tool that makes every homelab easier to manage
Homelab

Docker runs my world.

Close up of a 3D-printed lens adapter.
Your next Sony camera upgrade could should from a 3D printer
DIY

Another lens won’t organize your batteries or improve your camera’s grip.

Bambu Lab R1 open work area with 55W CO2 laser toolhead.
The Bambu Lab R1 solved the CO2 laser annoyance I’ve hated for years
Hobbies

Bambu Lab’s first dedicated laser removes traditional setup headaches, although its software needs refinement.

NZXT internal USB hub with motherboard headers and two USB-A ports.
Running out of USB ports? Here are four ways to add more to your desktop PC
USB

Some extra USB ports may already be hiding in your setup.

1
Kubuntu Focus Ar Gen 1 display showing Focus branded startup screen.
A Copilot key on this Linux laptop was only my first disappointment

Kubuntu Focus Ar Gen 1 proves that pre-installed Linux isn't enough to justify the price

Seagate Exos X22 20TB recertified SATA hard drive held in hand.
I let AI handle my Plex transcode and saved 8.5TB without lifting a finger

A five-node Tdarr setup processed thousands of files while preserving the content I actually watch.

18
Person using a Ryobi 40V leaf blower in their yard.
5 Ryobi electric yard tools that belong in every garage
DIY

Trade gasoline, extension cords, and aching hands for these battery-powered alternatives.

Thingiverse 3D prints with Benchy whistle octopus headphone stand and self-watering planter.
I 3D-printed some of the top models on Thingiverse—here's how I rank them

Practical accessories and playful models share the spotlight.

Plex Live TV channel guide showing custom Tunarr channels on living room TV.
This Plex add-on brought back the best part of old television
Applications

My Plex library now offers the slower, simpler television experience I remembered.

4
Homelab office workstation with dual monitors, Flashforge Creator 5 Pro, and Bambu Lab P2S.
I've run hundreds of Docker containers, but these 5 have never needed fixing
Applications

These 5 Docker containers are the least demanding part of my homelab

A 32GB microSD card halfway inserted into a Raspberry Pi 4b.
Stop running Raspberry Pi projects that don't matter—here are 3 that actually do (September 18 - 20)
Raspberry Pi

Give your Raspberry Pi three useful jobs beyond tinkering this weekend.

2
Bambu Lab X2D dual-nozzle hotends and toolhead camera exposed front view.
You don't need CAD skills to customize 3D models anymore

Your browser might be all the modeling software you need.

1
The AmpliFi Alien router next to the Dream Router 7 and AT&T Wi-Fi 6 router.
I ditched AT&T's router for UniFi using one setting they don't advertise
Wi-Fi Routers

One AT&T gateway setting let me take control of my home network

3
SHARGE Disk Pro 2 attached to phone with card inserted.
The Sharge Disk Pro 2 is the swappable storage solution my phone has been waiting for
Android

The Disk Pro 2 combines portable storage, display output, card readers, and charging in one small device.

A hand holding a Sandisk USB flash thumb drive.
Please stop using these 5 storage drives in 2026
PC Optimization

Some things are better left in the past.

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