How-To Geek

Patrick Campanale-Senior Author

Patrick Campanale

Senior Author

Contributor Since November, 2023
Expertise
PC Gaming, Homelab, Smart Home
  • 225
    articles
  • 64
    Features
  • 34
    Lists
  • 80
    Guides
  • 45
    Reviews
  • 2
    Deals
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

Illustration of the Docker logo, featuring a stylized whale carrying containers and a NAS server.
This Is the First Docker Container I Deploy on Any NAS
Linux

Managing Docker is the most important part.

An iPhone mounted in Standby Mode on a 3D printed MagSafe charger mount that is clamped to a walnut desk shelf.
This 3D Printed iPhone Mount Finally Made StandBy Mode Useful
Apple iPhone

I didn't have much use for StandBy... but 3D printing changed that.

An HP educational edition chromebook.
5 Awesome ChromeOS Flags That Are Now Built In
Chrome OS

ChromeOS has really matured over the years.

A gaming PC with LED lighting.
Stop Wasting Money on the Wrong PC Gear—These Are the Upgrades That Matter
PC Gaming

PC gaming can be expensive, so you should spend your money where it matters most.

4
The UGREEN NASYNC DXP2800 with a partially removed drive bay.
This Heavily Discounted Seagate HDD Is a Great Starting Point for a NAS
Linux

Prime Day savings make starting your NAS build even easier.

1
Plex logo with some screenshots beside it.
5 Mistakes I Made When Hosting My First Plex Media Server
Linux

Don't make your own mistakes, learn from mine instead.

6
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 MagSafe charger with an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods charging.
The Belkin 3-in-1 Charger I Use Every Night Is at Its Best Price of the Year
Apple iPhone

Three devices, one cable.

Isometric illustration of a laptop displaying the Unraid dashboard in front of several server towers, with graphs and data bars surrounding the scene.
4 Reasons to Run Your Homelab Storage on Unraid (and 4 Reasons Not To)
Linux

Storage freedom > RAID.

The SteelSeries Aerox 9 wireless MMO gaming mouse between two keyboard halves top down.
5 PC Upgrades That Actually Changed How I Game
PC Gaming

Not all PC upgrades are created equal.

1
Plex logo surrounded by some movies and several screens in the background.
Why I Prefer Watching Plex Over My Physical Media Collection
Linux

I love looking at and collecting SteelBooks, but Plex makes things so much easier.

9
An iPhone with the Apple Home app opened showing automations being held next to a Lockly Visage smart lock.
How I Tricked My Apple HomeKit Lock Into Unlocking Automatically
Smart Home

Apple can't prevent me from bending HomeKit's rules to my will.

Illustration of a laptop screen displaying a blogging interface, surrounded by logos of WordPress, Ghost, and GitHub Pages, along with icons representing charts, documents, and communication tools, all set against.
Looking to Self-Host a Blog? Here's How WordPress, Ghost, and GitHub Pages Compare
Linux

WordPress might run over 40% of the internet, but it's not always the best choice.

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.

3
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.

4
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.

6
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?

14
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.

17
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?

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