How-To Geek

Patrick Campanale-Senior Author

Patrick Campanale

Senior Author

Contributor Since November, 2023
Expertise
PC Gaming, Homelab, Smart Home
  • 213
    articles
  • 61
    Features
  • 29
    Lists
  • 78
    Guides
  • 45
    Reviews
How-To Geek logo Profile

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, six years ago, Patrick joined the 9to5Toys team as an editor/writer/reviewer with over 14,000 articles being published there 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 a youth pastor at his local church where he feels God has called him to serve, and he loves every minute of it.

Latest

The front of the Dell R720xd storage server with hard drive bays.
10 Tools Every Homelabber Should Try at Least Once
Linux

I bet you haven't used at least one of these homelab tools.

A woman standing and holding an Apple MacBook Pro laptop computer.
9 Things I Refuse to Do on My Mac
MacBook Pro

Sometimes a Mac just isn't the best tool for the job.

3
The Samsung 9100 PRO NVMe SSD installed in a motherboard with other M.2 drives.
5 Reasons Why Your NAS Needs an SSD Cache
Hobbies

Stop wasting time with slow data transfers and just get a SSD already.

2
The Unifi Flex Mini 2.5G Ethernet switch with Ethernet cables plugged in being held in a hand.
This Is the Best $49 I've Spent on My Homelab
Hobbies

Who knew small upgrades could have such a big impact?

9
Close-up of a Raspberry Pi 5 on a laptop keyboard.
7 Projects That Turn Your Raspberry Pi Into the Perfect Travel Companion
Raspberry Pi

Who knew the Raspberry Pi could be so useful when traveling?

An open book with a tablet above it and a bookshelf with several books in the background.
Why Self-Hosting an eBook Server Is Harder Than It Should Be
Hobbies

It shouldn't be this hard to host my own eBook server.

13
Isometric illustration of a laptop with a server beside it, various icons around, and email icons crossed out.
I'm a Homelab Enthusiast, but I Refuse to Self Host These 5 Services
Linux

Some things aren't worth the hassle.

14
A-3D-printed-retro-style-mini-ITX-PC-case-sitting-on-a-desk-with-a-monitor-above-it-and-mouse-beside-it.
5 Nostalgic 3D-Printed Projects Inspired By Retro Computing
Hobbies

Who knew squirting plastic out of a nozzle could be so nostalgic?

The Chromebook Plus logo on the lid of the HP Chromebook Plus x360 14b.
9 Chromebook Power User Tricks You Should Be Using
Laptops

Are you ready to become a Chromebook pro?

An Acer Chromebook sitting on a table with someone typing on it.
9 Great Linux Apps to Try on Your Chromebook
Linux

Your Chromebook is actually an awesome Linux laptop.

2
Plex logo.
7 Things Nobody Tells You About Hosting a Plex Media Server
Linux

Are you prepared to properly start a Plex server?

32
A 3D printed MagSafe charger holder mounted to a Walnut desk shelf.
Upgrade Your iPhone's MagSafe Charger With These 3D-Printable Stands
Apple iPhone

A little plastic here, a MagSafe charger there, and you have a great iPhone stand.

The front of the Dell R720xd storage server with hard drive bays.
7 Self-Hosted Apps I Run 24/7
Linux

Uptime is king.

4
Four hard drivers sticking out of a rack-mount server that's being used as a NAS.
Why I Stopped Using RAID on My Plex Media Server
Linux

Parity > RAID.

34
Isometric illustration of a laptop with a server beside it, various icons around, and email icons crossed out.
Why I Self-Host Everything Except Email
Linux

Some self-hosting journeys just aren't worth taking.

2
Several Raspberry Pi devices side by side with the logo in the center.
7 Raspberry Pi Projects to Try This Weekend
Raspberry Pi

I really should build a Raspberry Pi-powered weather station, shouldn't I?

Illustration of a laptop with internet and security icons around it and 'www.' in front of the screen.
Buying Your First Domain? These Are the Best Registrars
Web Hosting

Save yourself a headache and just choose Cloudflare.

Roku logo surrounded by multiple ADS icons.
Roku's Intrusive Ads Prove I Made the Right Choice With Apple TV
Roku

Apple TV might cost a premium, but it makes up for it with a stellar ad-free experience.

Plex logo with some screenshots beside it.
This App Took My Plex Experience to the Next Level
Streaming

Keep track of what users watch on Plex with ease.

11
A UPS on a desk with a blurred background, overlaid with a lightning bolt icon and a green battery on the right side.
Here's How I Upgraded My UPS Battery For Longer Uptime
DIY

Replacing my UPS battery was easier than replacing my car battery. Who'd have thunk it?

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