Spring is in the air here in the Lowcountry, and the tech world is buzzing like a magnolia tree full of honeybees! Apple had its biggest product week in years, dropping new iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and a surprise budget laptop. Meanwhile, there's a major warning out for anyone thinking about buying a new computer, phone, or TV — AI is quietly making all of those things more expensive, and the experts are saying act now before prices get worse. Plus, we've got some handy free software tools and Windows tips to make your digital life a little easier this week. Let's dig in!
📰 News For The Week:
1. 🍎 Apple Drops a Budget MacBook Nobody Saw Coming — Starting at Just $599
Full Article Link: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/04/iphone-17e-macbook-neo-preorders/
Apple had a truly spectacular week, and the surprise of the whole thing was a brand-new laptop called the MacBook Neo that Apple accidentally revealed before it was supposed to — through a regulatory document that briefly appeared on their own website before someone hit the delete button. By then, the internet had already seen it! Apple made it official today, March 4th. The MacBook Neo starts at just $599, making it the most affordable Mac laptop Apple has ever made. It comes in four fun colors — Silver, Indigo, Blush (a soft pink), and Citrus (a warm yellow) — and is powered by the same chip Apple uses in the iPhone 16 Pro. It ships on March 11th, and you can pre-order one starting today.
Apple also announced the iPhone 17e — a budget-friendly iPhone at $599 that now comes with double the storage of last year's model at the same price, plus MagSafe wireless charging for the first time on an entry-level iPhone. And for anyone eyeing a new iPad, there's an updated iPad Air M4 as well. It has been a very busy week at Apple headquarters! If you've been on the fence about switching to a Mac or picking up a new Apple device, this is genuinely one of the most exciting lineups Apple has put out in years. Holy City Computer Services is happy to help you figure out which device makes the most sense for your needs and budget — no pressure, just honest advice. Give us a call at 843-670-4153.
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2. 💰 AI Is Making Your Next Computer, Phone, and TV More Expensive — Here's Why
Full Article Link: https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/laptops-chromebooks/ai-data-centers-buying-up-ram-and-raising-laptop-prices-a3637558313/
Here is a story that affects every single person who plans to buy any kind of technology this year — and it's one the average news channel isn't talking about enough. To power all of those AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and others, tech companies are building enormous data centers packed with servers. Those servers need massive amounts of computer memory (called RAM). The problem? The three companies that make almost all of the world's RAM — Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron — have shifted most of their factories away from making everyday consumer RAM toward the specialized, high-profit kind used in AI servers. The result is a global RAM shortage for the rest of us.
One writer for Consumer Reports described it perfectly: he tried to build a simple living room gaming PC and needed a standard 32GB RAM kit. In September 2025, it cost him $90. By November, the same kit had jumped to $270. By the time he checked again, it was nearly $350 — and still climbing. Experts at research firms like TrendForce and IDC say RAM prices have already risen 90% in just the first quarter of 2026, and major laptop makers like Dell, HP, and Lenovo have warned of 15–20% price hikes coming in the second half of this year. The same squeeze is hitting SSDs, TVs, tablets, smartphones — basically anything that uses memory. One industry expert summed it up bluntly: "I keep telling everybody — if you want a device, buy it now." No relief is expected until at least 2028. If you've been putting off buying a new computer or phone, now really is the time to act. Call Holy City Computer Services at 843-670-4153 and we'll help you find the right device at today's prices before the next round of increases hits.
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3. 💻 Windows 11 Gets a Fun March Update — Built-In Speed Test, New Emojis, and More
Full Article Link: https://pureinfotech.com/kb5077241-windows-11-march-2026-update/
Good news for Windows 11 users! Microsoft is rolling out its March 2026 update (officially called KB5077241) beginning March 10th, and this one has some genuinely handy additions that everyday users will actually notice and appreciate. The biggest quality-of-life improvement: a built-in internet speed test right in your taskbar. No more opening a browser and going to a speed test website to check if your internet is running slow — Microsoft is baking it right into Windows. Just click the little network icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen and the speed test will be right there. Another welcome addition is Emoji 16.0, bringing a fresh batch of fun new icons to use in your messages and documents.
File Explorer — the window you use to browse your files and folders — also gets a handy upgrade: a new "Extract All" button appears right in the toolbar whenever you're looking at a ZIP file, so you no longer have to right-click and hunt through menus just to unzip something. Microsoft is also improving the Lock screen experience and Nearby Sharing (for wirelessly sending files between nearby Windows computers). The update rolls out gradually, so not everyone gets it the moment it drops on March 10th — Windows delivers updates in waves, like a careful rolling tide. To check whether it's available for your PC, go to Start → Settings → Windows Update → Check for Updates. Not sure if your version of Windows 11 is eligible? Holy City Computer Services is happy to take a look and make sure your computer is current and running its best.
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4. 🌐 Chrome Gets an Emergency Security Fix — Update Your Browser Right Now
Full Article Link: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/google-patches-first-chrome-zero-day-exploited-in-attacks-this-year/
If you use Google Chrome — and the odds are very high that you do — this is a "stop what you're doing and spend 30 seconds on this right now" kind of moment. Google just released an emergency update to fix a serious security flaw in Chrome that hackers were already using against people before Google even knew about it. The good news: the fix is out. The bad news: Chrome only applies the fix after you restart the browser, and a lot of people leave Chrome open for days or even weeks without ever closing it. That means millions of people may still have an unprotected version of Chrome even though the update is technically sitting on their computer, ready to go.
Fixing this takes about 30 seconds: Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of Chrome → click Help → click About Google Chrome. Chrome will check for updates and install anything available. Then click the Relaunch button. That's it! You're protected. You're looking for version 145.0.7632.75 or higher. If you see that number or anything higher, you're all set. This is also a great reminder to get in the habit of fully closing Chrome every couple of days — not just minimizing it, but actually closing it — so updates can take effect on their own. Holy City Computer Services can help make sure all the software on your business or home computers stays updated and protected automatically. Call us at 843-670-4153 to learn about our managed care plans.
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5. 📱 The "Shrinkflation" Squeeze: Your New Phone May Have Less for the Same Price
Full Article Link: https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/01/14/why-the-cost-of-a-new-laptop-might-go-up-this-year
You've probably heard of "shrinkflation" at the grocery store — where a bag of chips gets smaller but costs the same. The same sneaky trick is now hitting the tech world. Because RAM memory has gotten so expensive (thanks to AI data centers gobbling it all up, as we covered above), many phone and laptop makers are quietly reducing how much memory and storage comes in their devices — or swapping in cheaper screens and cameras — just to keep the price tag from jumping. Research firm Counterpoint put it bluntly: "In some models, we are seeing downgrades of components like camera modules, displays, and audio components." So that shiny new $400 Android phone next to a similar-looking last year's model? It may actually be worse under the hood, even though it looks the same on the box.
The practical advice from the experts at NPR, Consumer Reports, and Marketplace is consistent and unanimous: if you've been thinking about getting a new phone, laptop, or tablet — don't wait. Buy now, at today's specs and prices, rather than paying more for something lesser down the road. Budget phones are getting harder to find as manufacturers quietly drop their lower-end models to cut costs. If you rely on an older device for work or personal life and it's showing its age, this may genuinely be the best possible time to upgrade. Holy City Computer Services can help you evaluate what you have, what you need, and point you toward the best value option available right now. Give us a call at 843-670-4153 or visit https://www.holycityit.com and let us help you make a smart decision.
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6. 🛠️ Microsoft To Do: The Free App That Will Finally Organize Your Life
Full Article Link: https://toolfinder.co/best/productivity-apps-windows
This week let's spotlight a free app that's been sitting right under the noses of most Windows 11 users: Microsoft To Do. It comes pre-installed on Windows 11 (and is free to download on iPhone and Android too), and it's one of the most underappreciated tools available to everyday users and small business owners alike. Think of it as a super-powered, cloud-connected to-do list that syncs across every device you own. You can create lists for different areas of your life — groceries, work tasks, home projects, follow-up calls — and check things off from your phone, your laptop, or your desktop. It also has a feature called "My Day" that lets you pick your top tasks each morning so you always know where to focus.
What makes Microsoft To Do stand out from a simple notepad? It connects with Microsoft Outlook (great for business users), lets you set reminders and due dates, and lets you share lists with family members or coworkers. Need your spouse to see the grocery list in real time? Done. Want to assign tasks to your team and track who's done what? It handles that too. Best of all, it's completely free — no subscription needed. Tech experts consistently rate it as one of the top productivity tools for Windows users who want something simple and reliable without a learning curve. To try it, just click Start, search for "Microsoft To Do," and open it. If it's not there, download it free from the Microsoft Store. Holy City Computer Services loves recommending simple tools that make your digital life easier without costing you a dime. If you want help setting up a system that actually works for your business, give us a ring at 843-670-4153.
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7. 📷 Google Photos vs. iCloud vs. Amazon Photos: Which One Should You Trust With Your Memories?
Full Article Link: https://leadadvisors.com/blog/free-apps-for-productivity/
One question Holy City Computer Services gets asked constantly — especially after someone's phone dies or gets lost — is: "Are my photos backed up?" In 2026, the three most popular free photo backup services are Google Photos, Apple iCloud, and Amazon Photos. Each works differently, and knowing which one is right for you can save a lot of heartache. Google Photos gives you 15GB free (shared with Gmail and Google Drive) and offers excellent automatic organization, face recognition, and search. It works on Android and iPhone. Apple iCloud gives iPhone users 5GB free and seamlessly backs up your camera roll in the background — but you'll likely need to pay for more storage ($0.99/month for 50GB) once your photo library grows. Amazon Photos is the hidden gem: if you're an Amazon Prime member, you get unlimited free photo backup — no storage cap at all. Prime members should be using this!
The most important takeaway is this: everyone should have automatic photo backup turned on. Phones get lost, dropped in water, run over by cars, and stolen every single day — and the photos on them are often irreplaceable. Setting up automatic backup takes about five minutes and requires nothing more than an internet connection. Which service is best for you depends on what devices you use and whether you have Amazon Prime. Not sure which is right for your situation? Holy City Computer Services can walk you through the setup during any service appointment — it's one of the most valuable five minutes we spend with our clients. Call us at 843-670-4153 or email support@holycityit.com and we'll get your memories safely backed up.
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8. 📺 Yes, Even Your Next TV May Cost More — The AI Memory Crunch Hits Everything
Full Article Link: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ram/data-centers-will-consume-70-percent-of-memory-chips-made-in-2026-supply-shortfall-will-cause-the-chip-shortage-to-spread-to-other-segments
We've talked about computers and phones, but the RAM shortage story gets bigger than that. According to Tom's Hardware and the Wall Street Journal, the memory crunch is expected to push up the prices of televisions, Bluetooth speakers, smart home devices, gaming consoles, and even some home appliances that use memory chips — which, in 2026, is almost everything that has a screen or a speaker. Industry analysts are comparing the scope of this disruption to the chip shortage during COVID, when you couldn't find a PS5, a graphics card, or even a new car without waiting months. Tom's Hardware put it plainly: data centers are expected to consume 70% of all high-end memory chips produced in the world in 2026, leaving the rest of us to fight over the remaining 30%.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has already seen its RAM costs rise by more than 40%. Sony and Microsoft are watching their console manufacturing costs climb. Game consoles, which already have razor-thin margins, may see price bumps if the shortage continues. Smart TV manufacturers, whose profit margins on inexpensive models are nearly nothing, face an especially tough choice: raise prices or quietly reduce the quality of the display or built-in processing. For consumers, the bottom line is the same as above: if a new TV, gaming console, or smart home device is on your shopping list for 2026, sooner is better than later. Holy City Computer Services focuses on computers and technology services, but we're always happy to chat through any tech purchase decision with our clients. We're your neighbors here in Charleston — call us at 843-670-4153 anytime!
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9. 🎙️ Vishing: The Phone Scam That's Fooling Even Big Companies — And How to Spot It
Full Article Link: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ad-tech-firm-optimizely-confirms-data-breach-after-vishing-attack/
Here's a story about a scam that's worth knowing about — not because it's full of scary tech jargon, but because it's a trick so simple that it fooled a major New York company and their employees: vishing, which just means getting scammed over the phone. Hackers called employees at a large technology company, pretended to be from the IT department, and convinced workers to hand over their login credentials and security codes over the phone. With that, the hackers got into the company's systems — no fancy hacking required. Just a convincing phone call. The same group used this trick on over 100 organizations in 2025 and 2026, including Canada Goose, the dating apps Tinder and Hinge, and music streaming site SoundCloud.
Here's why this matters to regular folks and small business owners: the same trick works on individuals, not just corporations. You might get a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, your bank, your internet provider, or even your own IT company. The caller may know your name, your company name, or other details that make them sound legitimate. The golden rule is simple: no legitimate company will ever call you out of the blue and ask you to read them a password, a verification code, or your account number over the phone. Ever. If you get that call, hang up and call the company back using the number on their official website. Teach this rule to your kids, your parents, and your employees — it's one of the most important things anyone can know in 2026. Holy City Computer Services is always here to help if you're unsure about a suspicious call or message. Reach us at 843-670-4153 or support@holycityit.com.
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10. ☁️ Notion: The Free Digital Notebook That Does Almost Everything
Full Article Link: https://leadadvisors.com/blog/free-apps-for-productivity/
In this week's "free tool you probably haven't tried yet" spotlight: Notion (www.notion.so). Think of it as a cross between a notebook, a planner, a filing cabinet, and a whiteboard — all rolled into one free app that works on your phone, tablet, or computer. The free version is genuinely powerful and handles everything from writing grocery lists and jotting down ideas to organizing business projects, tracking client notes, creating simple websites, and even building a basic database of contacts or inventory. It's become wildly popular with small business owners, freelancers, students, and everyday users who want one organized place for all their notes and plans.
What makes Notion stand out from just using a Word document or a notepad is that everything is searchable, linkable, and sharable. You can share a specific page with a family member or coworker without giving them access to everything else. You can link related notes together. You can create a simple table of your clients and notes about each one. You can build a content calendar for your social media posts. Or you can just use it to keep your grocery list and personal journal, which is perfectly fine too. There's no right or wrong way to use it. The learning curve is gentle — most people are comfortable within a day or two of playing around. Download it free at notion.so or search for it in the App Store or Google Play. As always, if you want a hand getting started with any new tech tool, Holy City Computer Services is just a phone call away at 843-670-4153 or a click away at https://www.holycityit.com.
💡 Windows Tips For The Week:
Tip 1 — Run Windows Update This Week: Microsoft's March 2026 update starts rolling out on March 10th with some genuinely useful improvements, including that built-in internet speed test we mentioned above. Get ahead of it by going to Start → Settings → Windows Update → Check for Updates right now and installing anything pending. Keeping Windows current is one of the single best things you can do for the health and security of your computer.
Tip 2 — Close Chrome Every Day or Two: Chrome updates itself in the background, but those updates don't take effect until you fully close and reopen the browser. A lot of people leave Chrome running for days at a time, which means they're running an outdated version without knowing it. Make a habit of fully closing Chrome at least every couple of days. On Windows, this means right-clicking the Chrome icon in the taskbar and choosing "Exit," not just clicking the X on the window.
Tip 3 — Try "Snap Layouts" to Organize Your Screen: Windows 11 has a hidden gem most people never discover. Hover your mouse over the little square icon in the top-right corner of any window (between the minus and X buttons) and a small menu pops up showing different layout options — side-by-side, three columns, quadrants, and more. Click one and Windows automatically arranges your open windows into that layout. It is fantastic for working with two documents at the same time or keeping your email open on one side while you work on the other. No extra software needed!
Tip 4 — Back Up Your Stuff Before the March Update: Before any major Windows update, it's always smart to make sure your important files are backed up somewhere safe — whether that's an external hard drive, OneDrive, Google Drive, or another cloud service. Updates almost always go smoothly, but having a backup is like wearing a seatbelt: you hope you never need it, but you'll be glad it's there if something goes sideways. Not sure if your files are safely backed up? Holy City Computer Services offers backup setup and verification as part of our routine service visits.
🤖 AI Prompt Ideas:
Useful Prompt — Write Your Weekly Grocery List the Smart Way: Try pasting this into ChatGPT or any AI assistant and fill in the blanks:
"I need to make dinners for [number] people for the next [X] days. We like [list a few favorite meals or cuisines]. Please create a grocery list organized by section (produce, meat, dairy, pantry staples) and include everything I'll need. Keep it practical and budget-friendly."
It'll organize your entire shopping list by store section so you're not running back and forth across the store. You can even tell it "We already have pasta and olive oil" and it will skip those!
Fun Prompt — Let AI Help You Plan Your Garden for Spring: "I live in Charleston, South Carolina (USDA Zone 8b). Help me plan a simple spring vegetable or flower garden for a [small backyard / raised bed / sunny porch]. I am a [beginner / casual gardener]. Tell me what to plant in March and April, when to plant it, and how to care for it. Keep the advice practical and simple."
Spring is the perfect time to get your hands in some Lowcountry dirt, and this prompt will give you a personalized planting guide tailored right to our local climate!
What a week it has been! From Apple's surprise budget laptop to a quiet warning about rising tech prices that every shopper should know about — there's a lot to keep up with. The good news is, you don't have to navigate all of it alone. Holy City Computer Services is your local, friendly technology partner right here in the Charleston area. Whether you need help picking a new computer before prices climb, setting up a photo backup system, getting your Windows updates in order, or just want someone to explain what all this AI fuss is actually about — we are here for you. Give us a call at 843-670-4153, send us an email at support@holycityit.com, or visit us online at https://www.holycityit.com. We look forward to hearing from you!