Rockbound Computer

04/21/2026

We've had some phone trouble today. Hopefully have it mostly working tomorrow!

03/28/2026

What's the deal on the new consumer router ban?

Last year there was talk of banning the TP-link brand; a very good quality basic consumer wifi router maker on security concerns. They actually have fewer security problems than other popular brands and picking on one company isn't effective governing when an industry or idea is the risk. The new rule banning foreign made consumer wifi routers for security concerns follows the same path successfully used to ban foreign drones recently. Since both drones and wifi routers have radio equipment, they must get FCC approval when introduced to the US market.

Why consumer routers rather than business routers? It would seem businesses would be a more serious security target? Quite a few small businesses use normal consumer routers for simple needs. Other business needs use wifi equipment that is separate from the router. A router with no built in wifi is not subject to FCC regulation.

We actually do quite a bit of this; rackmount or wall mount routers located in a wiring closet, and wifi equipment spread out around a building or property wherever wifi coverage is most important as a system. We do not anticipate this sort of system to be affected by the new FCC rule.

I anticipate it will cause a major problem for ISPs (the business I was first in). ISPs supply wifi routers to customers and they need a steady supply for upgrades, replacement, & growth. ISPs don't change routers without a massive amount of testing, support training, monitoring system integration, etc... ISPs need consumer routers that are inexpensive and reasonably secure and reliable and it takes time to prove those characteristics.

Rockbound does sell some consumer wifi routers; we like the TP-link brand. We will sell the current models as long as available. We will also have available separate router and wifi hardware just like we do for businesses. In many cases this is preferable anyways; Wifi can be installed exactly where it covers best, which is rarely where the router is located.

03/09/2026

Rockbound has a storage space for rent. This is a 20x8 almost new shipping container at Holmes Street Rockland. $150/mo. Clean, dry, rodent-free storage for business/personal uses. Very convenient location for Rockland/Owls Head customers. We can leave the shelves and doormat in for your use, or empty it out. email [email protected] or call 596-7803. For a business, it's cheaper than renting normal commercial real estate to store documents and inventory. For personal use, move junk here to reclaim your garage or airbnb your house for the summer.

02/25/2026

A customer who we've been helping a bit lately brought us some homemade cookies. Yes, they are big cookies and they are good. They make the snowy day a bit warmer.

02/23/2026

We are closing at 12:30pm today due to the weather. Thanks!

01/25/2026

We will be closed Monday 1/26/2026 due to the snow storm. Stay off the roads if you can! Back to normal operations Tuesday morning.

12/26/2025

Desktop Computer Lineup: Left is a full size case; once a normal sized computer. These are reserved for custom higher end computers needing full sized power supplies, graphics cards, etc... Think gaming, CAD, creative work, light up cooling fans, glass side. Next is the normal new Rockbound business desktops. Simple black case, normal size premium new parts inside; easy to add a drive, memory, network cards, etc... Third is a refurb small-form-factor Lenovo desktop. Same benefits and general size as the Rockbound business desktop, just not new and priced accordingly. On the far right is the tiny-form-factor Lenovo desktop. These still beat laptop performance and have room for only moderate memory or drive upgrades, though most people just enjoy them in the state we have upgraded them to at the time of sale. Any of these will do multiple monitors, Internet and normal office work for years to come. Check them out in person, chat and discuss your needs if it's time for another computer.

12/05/2025

We put some fun keyboards out for sale! Your computer keyboard does not need to be boring. Large print keyboards for poor eyesight and sharp minds, stylish fun keyboards, and lighted keyboards for long winter nights.

11/25/2025

We're closed on Thanksgiving day and Black Friday. Get this week's business done with us tomorrow (Wednesday). Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving and long weekend. I love to sell things and help customers, but I think Black Friday is better for leftovers, hikes, and home projects.

10/15/2025

We've been busy helping customers move from Win10 to Win11 with the security updates ending for most Win10 users about now. It has not been easy to procure and prepare these, but we have plenty of refurbished high quality Lenovo Thinkpad, HP laptop, Rockbound and Lenovo desktop that meet and exceed the requirements for Windows 11. The end of support for Windows 10 isn't really about tech support, it's about security updates; the cat and mouse game of security research/hackers and Microsoft is over for Win10. At some point something bad will happen for Windows operating system security and Microsoft will be able to say "we told you so" instead of "we'll fix it with an automatic update".

09/18/2025

For our Owls Head, Thomaston, South Thomaston friends!

This Saturday