I really appreciate how Jeff Geerling documents his channel here, so I decided to do something similar. I'm hoping this will be fairly easy to maintain and update regularly, but feel free to create an issue to point out anything I've missed!
Email: info@hardwarehaven.media
Typically, the best way to reach me is through email.
- If you're a viewer, feel free to ask questions; I'll try to respond to them as soon as I can. Just know that I don't really do consulting for individuals.
- If you're a company interested in working together, please avoid copy/paste templates, AI-generated "I loved your last video about [insert summary], etc — I basically just ignore any of those.
If you're already watching my content, thanks! I'm honored and appreciate you taking the time to do so. If you would like to support me even more though, the best way is through a RAID membership. You can sign up as a RAID member either on YouTube or through Patreon; there isn't a significant difference between the two. Currently, I have three tiers available:
| Tier | $/month |
|---|---|
| RAID 1 | $1 |
| RAID 5 | $5 |
| RAID 10 | $10 |
I started the Hardware Haven YouTube channel back in December of 2021 because I wanted to make a couple of videos just for fun. At the time, I had come across some computers that were being thrown away and had a few days off work, so I figured it would be fun to film myself fixing them up and repurposing them. Fast forward a few years, and now I do YouTube full-time.
I still primarily focus on used or older computers and ways to continue making good use of them—often centered around self-hosting or home-labbing—but my channel isn't dedicated exclusively to any single topic. I love checking out various PCs, servers, and really just any hardware that sparks my interest. Additionally, I like diving into software solutions, taking on new projects, and exploring fresh topics and ideas.
I don't consider myself an expert in tech. In fact, I don't have any professional background in IT, tech, or video production, so I'm largely just winging it. That said, I'm having a ton of fun along the way, and I like to think that the people who watch my channel enjoy being part of the journey as well.
Ever since I switched to doing YouTube full-time, I've aimed to release a video every week. Recently though, I've decided to focus a bit more on acheiving the quality of video that I desire rather than the quantity that I felt was needed to be sustainable. So, as of right now(March, 2025), I'm aiming to produce 3 videos per month.
How I produce videos varies drastically between different types of content. For example, with a project like my HP MicroServer Overhaul, I had no idea how things would turn out so very little scripting was done before hand. For other videos like my Framework Laptop Review, I script the entire thing before ever setting up a camera. For the most part though, my process goes as follows:
I come up with ideas in a variety of ways: suggestions from viewers, inspiration from other channels, looking at videos that have performed well in the past, and often times I just come across something interesting on eBay. Oddly, I would guess that at least 30-40% of my best ideas have come either while mowing the lawn or taking a shower. I don't know why...
Once I have an idea that I like, I sometimes try to decide if I can come up with a good title and thumbnail idea—that's the smart way to do things as a YouTuber. Often times though, especially if I just think it will be fun, I recklessly plow ahead having no idea how the video will turn out or what the title might be. Sometimes that works out! Sometimes it does not.
This is pretty straight forward. If it's a topic I'm unfamiliar with, I'll usually spend a fair amount of time reading up on it or watching videos from my much smarter colleagues. If it's a piece of hardware I haven't tested before, sometimes I'll look up some specs to get an idea of what I might be able to do with it. A lot of times though, I like to intentionally keep myself in the dark so that it's more fun when I get to tinker and try things out. This makes sense for making YouTube videos, but isn't recommended otherwise.
Below is a list of the equipment and software I use to make videos. Some links are affiliate links that give me a kickback and help support the channel. If you notice anything is missing, either create an issue or shoot me an email!
Cameras: Lumix S5 Mark IIx Lumix GH6
Lenses:
GH6:
Lumix G X VARIO II 12-35mm F2.8 (for GH6)
S5iix:
Lumix S 50mm F1.8
Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6
Sigma L 24mm F2
Lights: Amaran 200d Amaran 100xs Amaran 60xS Amaran F21X
Light Accessories: Godox FW95 37in Octagon Softbox Godox S120T 47.2" Softbox Aputure Light Dome Mini III Simple C Stands
Tripods: SmallRig CT180 K&F Concept 67 Inch
Capture Cards: EVGA XR1 Elgato Cam Link 4K
Mics: Sennheiser MKE600 Shure SMB7 Rode Wireless Go II
Audio Interface Presonus Quantum ES4
Macros Elgato Stream Deck XL
Editing Software Davinci Resolve Studio