For whatever reason, Google left out ChromeOS and Chromebooks entirely from its keynote at Google I/O, which included AI-powered search enhancements and some rather interesting AI tweaks to Gmail. But in the ongoing debate over whether to buy a laptop or a Chromebook, factoring in the most recent advances to Chromebooks matter. This week, Google executives offered up a sneak peek of the cooler new Google technologies coming in the future.
Google calls this Game Controls. The technology was first shown off in 2022 on a limited set of titles, according to Emilie Roberts, developer relations engineer for Google. But it's been revamped with a better editor, and broader coverage across all of the apps in the Play Store. Game Controls is being tested in ChromeOS m125, currently in beta, and will be released to the stable channel "soon," she said.
Why you should trust us: It's in our name. PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We've been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who've applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We're also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Looking for sweet discounts? Check out our regularly updated roundup of the best laptop deals available right now.
Updated May 8, 2024: We've updated our list of recent laptop reviews, found below our top picks.
Given the restrictions that services such as Netflix put in place against VPNs, you need to choose a service that has active compatibility with that streaming site. It's also a good idea to choose a VPN with generous overall server spread so that if one server is down in the country you are trying to access, there are other options available. The PCWorld staff have thoroughly tested the top VPNs on the market to see how they fare at unblocking the top streaming sites and we've curated our favorites in the list below.
Why you should trust us: Here at PCWorld we've been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. We're continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services in order to curate a list of the very best VPNs across a variety of categories. For a more in-depth guide, you can check out our article on how we test VPN services at PCWorld. Below you'll find our favorite VPNs, and below those, helpful advice about what to look for when choosing a VPN on your own.
We highly recommend that you use a VPN not only to access location-restricted content, but also to provide one of the best possible upgrades to your online security. So, if you're looking to use your VPN for more than streaming, be sure to check out our comprehensive roundup of the
Since the latest space-saving update, PC Manager has also been searching for very specific optimization requirements on Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers. If PC Manager recognizes that you've preset Google or another non-Microsoft search engine on Windows 11's native Edge browser, it recommends switching to Microsoft's Bing search engine, as Windowslatest reports.
The big culprit is the company's huge AI investments. It takes huge amounts of energy to train and use AI models. The International Energy Agency expects energy consumption for data centers worldwide to increase from 460 TWh in 2022 to between 620 and 1,050 TWh by 2026, due to AI and cryptocurrency use. For context, Sweden's total energy consumption in 2022 was approximately 508 TWh.
As Nvidia says on its blog post, RTX Video combines both algorithm-powered upscaling (boosting the resolution of each video frame by dynamically filling in the intervening space) and translating standard dynamic range frames into high dynamic range with intelligently-boosted color vibrancy and contrast. Your videos should look better even if you don't have an HDR-compatible screen to show them. As we said when we tested the feature at its launch: Nvidia's RTX Video Super Resolution is like going from VHS to Blu-ray.
RTX Video is available on any desktop or laptop with an RTX 30-series card or newer, and you can
Zafro's portable AC is well-suited for rooms up to 450 square feet, offering rapid cooling capabilities that can lower indoor temperatures to a refreshing 61?. This feature is particularly beneficial during heat waves, providing a much-needed respite from the oppressive temperatures outside.
I personally tried a similar model when working from my semi-closed-in patio and I can honestly say I couldn't have survived without it in mid-July. It would have worked even better in an actually insulated room, of course, but even so, the difference was major.
The air conditioner also boasts four operational modes—Cool, Dehumidifier, Fan, and Sleep. Since it has a high-efficiency compressor, the noise level is kept below 45dB. Whether you want to use the Zafro during the night or when working, this low noise feature guarantees a quiet environment.
Installation and operation are straightforward thanks to its portable design with wheels. The unit can be easily moved to any room with a hung or sliding window, where it can be quickly set up with the included hose and window adapter. Even if you have casement windows, there are ways to make this work with a little bit of DIY.
The air conditioner also incorporates a removable and washable double-layer filter, enhancing the indoor air quality by p
Intel hasn't formally launched Lunar Lake yet, but Shenzhen Weibu Information Inc. has published details of what it calls the GP10: an 11-inch handheld gaming PC with an "Intel Lunar Lake chip inside. Weibu will show off the handheld PC at the Computex show in Taiwan that begins the first week of June.
Unlike more well-known handheld PC vendors like Lenovo, MSI, Logitech, Asus ROG, and others, Weibu isn't a big name in the handheld gaming space — in fact, this might be its first handheld gaming PC. Weibu provides OEM/ODM services, meaning that it makes products under contract for its customers to brand and sell.
What's more interesting is that it has what's claimed to be a full-fledged Lunar Lake chip inside. That's unusual; the Lenovo Legion Go 8.8, for example, uses an AMD Ryzen Z1, specifically designed for the handheld gaming market. But MSI debuted the Claw A1M in January at CES, with a Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 in either of the two models, the first major handheld vendor to do so.
The Dell G16 has a heart of gold - and by that I mean a potent Intel Core i9-13900HX processor. That's a last gen CPU, sure, but the newer 14900HX model isn't that much of an improvement, so you can expect top-notch gaming performance. With a whopping 36 MB cache, 24 cores, and 32 threads, the Dell G16 can turbo boost up to 5.40GHz. This means it can handle even the most demanding games and applications with ease. It's a practical choice for gamers who value performance over the latest model hype.
Oh, and that's not all. The Dell G16 has a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, with 8 GB GDDR6, providing outstanding visuals no matter what flavor gaming you're into. Coupled with a 16-inch, 2560×1600 display that boasts a 240Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and Nvidia G-Sync DDS technology, the Dell G16 will transport you right into your favorite gaming world.
Memory and storage are well catered for, with 16GB of DDR5 memory and a 1TB SSD, offering ample space and speed for all your games and programs. Sure, we'd have loved to see more RAM in there so you can load up on all the Skyrim mods, but 16GB is perfectly adequate. You can also easily pop in another 16GB memory stick since the max is 32GB and there are two slots to fill in.
While not the absolute lowest price we've seen—the speaker has dipped to $44.95 previously—this offer still presents a significant saving for those looking to enhance their summer activities with quality sound.
This compact speaker delivers surprisingly big audio and punchy bass for its small size. You can definitely rock out to your favorite tracks, dance away through the garden when tending to the flowers or trimming the grass, or do whatever else you want to do. Heck, it's going to be perfect for barbecues, too, since it's not loud enough for the whole neighborhood to dance to your 90s hits Spotify playlist - what, just me? Ok then.
The JBL Clip 4 is also ideal for beach trips or lounging by the pool since it has an IP67 water resistance rating. One of the standout features of the JBL Clip 4 is its integrated carabiner. Simply hook it up to your backpack and you're good to go wherever you want (although please, please don't use this on public transport).
The battery life on the Clip 4 is also pretty awesome with up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge, making it perfect for a whole day spent in the sunshine.
The JBL Clip 4 at $49.95 is definitely a good bargain. You'll end up with a speaker that provides high-quality sound, plus it's durable and super portable.
Unfortunately, in this modern world, the webcam is more important than ever. Chances are you're all too familiar with the terms, "Zoom" and "Teams" which now mean something totally different than they did 15 years ago. More people are working from home, and even those in the office are still attending remote meetings. And if you're a professional, you want to look good. So why does your laptop's webcam make you look terrible, and what can you do about it?
Normally, this suite — our favorite antivirus software — costs $120 for a 12-month subscription. First-time subscribers can get it for $50, but that only lasts for the first year.
Norton 360 Deluxe is one of the best antivirus suites if you're looking for an all-in-one package. It bundles together antivirus and firewall protection with a password manager, VPN service, dark web monitoring, parental controls, and cloud storage in a centralized interface. And its ability to block malware and other online threats is stronger than Windows'.
These deals will work for existing subscribers to Norton 360, though you'll need to wait until your current subscription term to end. (Make sure auto renewal is turned off.) Afterward, you can redeem the code in your account.
For the full rundown on Norton 360 Deluxe (including everything you get), check out our review for all the details. But don't wait too long to grab this deal—it won't last forever.
Microsoft Project has earned 4.4/5 stars from Capterra and GetApp because it's an easy-to-use tool to manage everything from small tasks to large, complex projects. It gives you timelines, budgets, resources, and pre-built templates to help you keep your projects on the right track. You can leverage automated tools for scheduling and reporting to reduce inefficiencies, draw better insights, and stay organized throughout your projects. It's an all-in-one tool to simplify all kinds of projects.
Become a better project manager with Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for Windows. From 5/13 through 11:59 pm PT on 5/22, you can get it for just $19.97 (reg. $249).
Shenzhen Weibu Information Inc. has published details of what it calls the GP10: an 11-inch handheld gaming PC with an Intel "Lunar Lake" chip inside. Weibu will show off the handheld PC at the Computex show in Taiwan that begins the first week of June.
Unlike more well-known handheld PC vendors like Lenovo, MSI, Logitech, Asus ROG, and others, Weibu isn't a big name in the handheld gaming space — in fact, this might be its first handheld gaming PC. Weibu provides OEM/ODM services, meaning that it makes products under contract for its customers to brand and sell.
What's more interesting is that it has what's claimed to be a full-fledged Lunar Lake chip inside. That's unusual; the Lenovo Legion Go 8.8, for example, uses an AMD Ryzen Z1, specifically designed for the handheld gaming market. But MSI debuted the Claw A1M in January at CES, with a Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 in either of the two models, the first major handheld vendor to do so.
To date, the Claw A1M is basically the only Intel Core-based handheld PC. Which le
The adjustable tablet stand moves 180º, is adjustable for your posture, and is foldable for easy storage when not in use. It comes equipped with eight ports to extend the capabilities of your tablet. You can connect to multiple peripherals at once via three USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, an SD/microSD slot, a 3.5mm audio port, and a PD/100W charging port. It's a simple way to set up your perfect working situation, no matter where you are.
Upgrade your hybrid work abilities with this 8-in-1 Tablet Docking Stand. Right now, you can get it for 21% off $69 at just $54.99.
If you still prefer Windows laptops, you'll definitely want to check out PCWorld's roundup of the best laptops available today.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been going strong since 1983, back in the days when print magazines were more common. Now that we've made the leap to digital, we've been reviewing more than 70 laptops every year. Every laptop that passes through our doors goes through an arduous testing process, in which we evaluate everything from processor performance to display quality. We're committed to reviewing laptops in every price range too.
Update May 15, 2024: We updated our list of recently reviewed laptops below our best picks. Also note that Google Photos' best AI editing tools are coming to Chromebooks, but not Windows PCs.
But actually buying one can be a daunting experience. There are hundreds of options out there with a staggering array of features and price points — and that's just the ones from the major brands. Which is where this guide comes in. We've tested the latest, greatest, and not-so-great gaming keyboards on the market, so you can find the best one for you and your battlestation.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been the go-to name for personal computer news and reviews for over 40 years. And as the writer of this roundup, and the reviewer of most of the keyboards on this list, I can assure you our picks have been thoroughly tested by people who are absolutely obsessed with keyboards.
Every single keyboard on this list has been used by an expert, put through its paces for features and reliability, and carefully considered against the alternatives. We've tested every facet of the boards, even programming and complete disassembly for those that support it. And there are plenty that don't make the cut, like the pleasingly yellow but unfortunately pedestrian Ducky One III SF.
For a more in-depth look at how we test keyboards of every kind, check out our dedicated article covering our keyboard review process.
There's just one catch to this deal: it's a refurb. And frankly since this Alienware-branded monster was just released back in January (to an Editor's Choice review from our monitor expert Matt Smith, no less!), that's still a pretty darn good deal. Also note that this is a 32-inch, 4K OLED monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It's not to be confused with the very similar Alienware 34-inch ultrawide OLED, 21:9 and lower resolution, which also sells for $800 on a regular basis.
In addition to a subtle curve and that massive 3840×2160 resolution, the AW3225QF has a super-fast 240Hz refresh rate, Nvidia G-Sync capability, DolbyVision, and a bunch of other stuff that basically means it looks freakin' awesome. Ports include DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.1, a second HDMI port with e
Microsoft also said that the mouse-and-keyboard experience will also be accessible via the Microsoft Xbox app for Windows later this month.
Mouse and keyboard support has existed for years on the Xbox, though only on titles that supported them. On the PC, you'll need to have either the Google Chrome or the Microsoft Edge browser installed, plus, of course, a mouse and keyboard. Even then, there will only (?) be 26 titles that Microsoft will support with a mouse and keyboard:
ARK Survival Evolved
Atomic Heart
Cities: Skylines - Mayor's Edition
Cities: Skylines - Remastered
Deep Rock Galactic
Doom 64
Fortnite (browser only)
Gears Tactics
Grounded
Halo Infinite
High on Life
House Flipper
Inkulinati (Game Preview)
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Norco
Pentiment
Quake
Quake 2
Sea of Thieves
Slime Rancher 2
Sniper Elite 5
State of Decay 2
Terraria
The Sims 4
Valheim (Game Preview)
Many SSDs come in a 2.5-inch form factor and connect to your PC via the same SATA port used by a traditional hard drive. But tiny NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) "gumstick" SSDs that fit in an M.2 connection on a modern motherboard are becoming increasingly common, along with blazing-fast PCIe 4.0 (and now 5.0) solid-state drives for compatible PCs; you'll even find SSDs that sit on a PCIe adapter and slot into your motherboard like a graphics card or sound card. No, picking the perfect SSD isn't as simple as it used to be.
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But wait, isn't "web search" what you're supposed to get with a standard Google query, without any need to click on a secondary tab? Yes and no. Google's official SearchLiason Twitter account explains that the Web tab filters results so that only text-based results will be returned, stripping out images, videos, shopping products, maps, and all the other allegedly helpful modern additions to Google. It's practically a time machine to when searching the web really did focus on text, without a huge amount of additional context and add-ons.
Crucially, this is also going to strip out a lot of the extras that Google has been building into search in the "All" tab, for reasons both customer-facing and profit-driven. In addition to standard advertising, Google has been sticking more and more modules into search, crowding out conventional text-driven web results. This is only going to get more visible with the new Gemini-driven AI additions Google showed off yesterday at Google I/O.
And standard users aren't the only ones who are complaining. The adulteration of "pure" text search with auto-generated results keeps Goo
Thunderbolt Share is a new Intel specification that connects two PCs via a cable, one to each Thunderbolt port. Alternatively, you can connect it to a Thunderbolt dock instead. Thunderbolt Share offers several options, all at blazing 40Gbps or higher speeds: control another PC, transfer files, sync them, or even migrate one PC to another. Is it a killer sneakernet replacement? Sure seems like it for local networks.
The idea? You or your family own more than one PC. If they're Thunderbolt-capable, Share will unlock a number of handy additional sharing capabilities without needing to set up a workgroup, a network switch, or any other solution. Dock makers, too, will see an advantage: suddenly, Thunderbolt hubs like the Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt Hub (USB4-HUB3A), part of our list of the best Thunderbolt docking stations, won't just be designed primarily for external displays with Thunderbolt ports.
There's just one thing. Intel didn't take the simple route and just make Thunderbolt Share part of the Thunderbolt spec. Instead, Thunderbolt Share will be a software app Intel will license to PC and dock makers. And it won't work for legacy Thunderbolt 3 or USB devices either — not officially, anyway. In short, you'll have to keep track of which devices are Thunderbolt Share-capable, because without one, Thunderbolt Share won't work. A special logo, however, will help.
A leaked internal slideshow and spec list shows Dell's own testing for laptops based on Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon X architecture. These laptops are coming later this year from a variety of vendors. Crucially, this info includes Dell's battery life estimates meant to be shared among its own employees — not the usual battery life estimates shared with promotional material, which is often generous as best.
According to the leaked info posted to VideoCardz.com, which has a strong track record for PC industry leaks, a laptop designed with Qualcomm's SC8380XP system-on-a-chip and a typical HD screen and a 55-watt hour battery managed 20.4 hours of Netflix video streaming. An identical design with Intel parts (the only major difference being the CPU and wireless radio) managed 12.63 hours on the same test.
A dead-simple, wonderfully nifty test offers a quick and reliable way to check the actual charge state of a battery, keeping you from rashly discarding good batteries or buying new ones unnecessarily.
Battery full or flat? This simple test reveals it
All you need for this test is the battery you want to check. If available, have a new, fully charged battery ready to compare the results. This is how it works:
Make sure you have a flat and firm surface, such as a table, in front of you.
Drop the battery vertically onto the surface from a height of about 20 centimeters (roughly 8 inches).
Pay close attention to how the battery hits the surface and how it behaves afterwards: A fully charged battery usually tips over and stays put. An empty battery, on the other hand, often bounces back a little and bounces up a few centimeters.
Why? Alkaline batteries contain a gel-like substance that absorbs the impact when fully charged. When the battery is flat, this substance dries out and hardens, making the battery more likely to bounce back.
Extend battery life with these 4 tips
Switch off devices correctly: Make sure you switch devices off completely when
The Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd gen is a massive 55-inch behemoth with a 1000R curved display. Whether you're playing some World of Warcraft with your guildies or shooting up zombies, you'll be sucked right into that world thanks to the stunning 4K visuals. They're made even more luscious thanks to the inclusion of quantum mini-LED backlighting, an OLED alternative, and the HDR10 support that technology unlocks.
Gamers will also appreciate the blistering 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which translate into buttery smooth visuals. Plus, the AMD FreeSync Premium Pro promises tear-free and stutter-free gameplay.
Of course, the Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd gen isn't just for gaming. You can connect up to four different devices at the same time, switching between them as needed. Frankly, that's ideal for all those gaming sessions you squeeze in between work meetings (it's not just me who does that, right?). Thanks to the Multi View feature, you can keep an eye on your work chat while playing.
One super cool thing is that the Ark has a built-in KVM switch, which enables you to control multiple PCs with a single mouse and keyboard, efficiently simplifying your workflow. Simply brilliant.
In my basement office, I listened to what Google presented at Google I/O. I heard executives talk about search, Android, and Project Astra: a future multimodal "universal agent" that can understand audio and video, built around versions of Gemini both large and small. One million tokens is a big deal, right?
I guess. But to whom?
What I heard at Google I/O was a future that…is still in the future, for a price that most people can't afford, and with features that were developed by Google employees for Google employees. It's a Google that, more and more, seems to have lost the plot.
Everything's not here yet
For the most part, what Google presented at Google I/O was science fiction. Instead of showing us what the future is, now, Google showed us what it might bring, tomorrow. It's a future hidden behind jargon, inside developer previews and experiments within Google.Labs — and even then, those experiments aren't scheduled to actually begin until sometime in the future. Remember, this is a company with a well-established penchant for development ADD, where products go to die when their developers lose interest. Do I think that Google doesn't believe in AI? Of course not. But I'm not convinced that anything Google showed Tuesday will make its way into the real world, either.
(Remember Google's ultra-realistic videoconferencing tool, Project Starline? It debuted at Google I/O 2021.
Yes, I understand that the price you see on the product page may be different. However, when you apply the promotional code CD3N56TO at checkout, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see an additional 10 percent discount. This means that the $129.99 power bank is now available for just $62.98. It's like magic! It's also the best price this power bank has seen thus far.
What makes the Baseus Blade special? So many things. The Blade boasts a 20000mAh battery that supports 100W fast charging, allowing you to recharge a third of your laptop's battery in just half an hour.
I personally use the Blade 2, which has a 12000mAh battery and 60W charging, and I can't help but wish I had the first model instead.
The original Baseus Blade also has more ports. It features two USB-C ports that support 100W output and 65W input, so you can plug in pretty much any device you own. There are also two fast-charging USB-A ports for those who like a more traditional approach.
One of the things I enjoy the most about the Blade, however (and I'm sure you will too), is that it's super slim and light. This power bank looks like it's been on a diet its entire "life" since it's only 0.7 inches thick. It will fit in nicely in the same sleeve as your laptop does. It's also just
Don't be fooled by its compact size; the Bluetti EB3A is a true powerhouse. With a robust 600W AC inverter and a 268Wh battery pack, it's more than capable of breathing life into your gadgets. If you plug in one of those mini-fridges, it will even keep your… "juice" cold for a few hours.
Plus, it's so lightweight and compact that you can easily carry it around in one hand, making it the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures.
The coolest part about the Bluetti EB3A is that it features nine outlets, allowing you to charge all sorts of devices. There are two AC outlets, two USB-A, one Type-C port, and even a wireless charger, so you can use the power station as a table for your phone and have it ready for your next doom-scrolling session in no time.
Those who love going off the grid can get the Bluetti EB3A and pair it with a solar panel. In fact, there's a bundle that's almost $200 off right now, pairing the EB3A with a 120W solar panel that is super easy to carry anywhere.
Of course, this setup is also excellent for home use, especially when there are power outages, and you need to keep your devices alive un
How to change the color of the Windows taskbar
Open the Windows Settings via the Start menu and click on Personalization and then Colors. In the menu next to Select Mode, set the option Custom and change Select Default Windows mode to Dark-you can only select the color of the taskbar yourself in dark mode.
The good news for iPhone 15 chargers (unlike Samsung Galaxy owners) is you don't need to take a night-class in chargers to figure it out.
Just buy this charger for the iPhone 15
In fact, I'll break it down in the easiest possible way for those who want the elevator pitch: Just buy this $15 Anker 511 GAN charger that's tiny and can charge your phone at its maximum rate.
I'm a big fan of the Anker 511 Nano 3 and have personally purchased at least four of them for personal use and "loans" to family members, who I have realized follow the book rule—you never lend books to people (because you never get them back).
Rated 4.5/5 stars by purchasers, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac come with each of these except Publisher and Access.
It's all the programs you need to work efficiently on just about any project, from Word documents and number crunching to presentations and communication. Whether you're in marketing, analysis, sales, HR, or virtually any other position, you'll have the tools you need to do your job better.
This adapter comes with a USB cable but can connect to most modern cars by Bluetooth (and its dual-connect tech allows it to pair with a second device the same way). It's pre-loaded with media apps like Netflix and YouTube, so all you have to do is sign in on your phone to get started. It has 16GB of storage for pre-loaded videos and you can expand that memory with a TF card (not included).
Get this Auto Wireless Car Adapter for $99.99 (reg. $149.99).
Microsoft's latest release for May 2024 (KB5037771 or OS builds 22621.3593 and 22631.3593) has just one highlight: "This update addresses a known issue that might cause your VPN connection to fail," it says. "This occurs after you install the update dated April 9, 2024, or later."
A similar update patches Windows 10, too. The update will automatically update via Windows Update, although you can check the update history to see if your PC has downloaded it.
Microsoft said earlier this month that its April update to Windows 10 and 11 could unexpectedly break VPNs, and that there was no patch available at the time. Microsoft said then that it was working to resolve the issue, and to explain why the bug occurred.
Microsoft said this week that the most recent Windows security update for Windows 10 and Windows 11 may break VPN connections.
According to Microsoft (via Bleeping Computer), "Windows devices might face VPN connection failures after installing the April 2024 security update, or KB5036893."
Microsoft has no fix at the current time, the company said. "We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release," the company said.
Unfortunately, the list of affected clients is rather lengthy: Windows 11 (23H2, 22H2, and 21H2) as well as Windows 10 (22H2 and 21H2). If you're a consumer and run into this issue, Microsoft advises that you first launch the Windows "Get Help" app to inform Microsoft of the problem and possibly work through a solution.
It's an important evolution, one that recognizes that the reason Gmail became so popular is because email is intrinsically complex, with questions and replies and attachments all over the place. Google is using its Gemini AI search to help make sense of it all.
But — and this is a big but — this isn't here yet. It will roll out in Google's Labs workspace this fall. And even then, consumers will have to pay a whopping $19.95 per user per month for the Google AI Premium plan that makes it all happen.
Gmail Q&A
In a demonstration, Aparna Pappu, Google's vice president of Workspace, explained how integrating Gemini could be used to quickly catch up on an email chain. In a demo, Pappu asked Gemini to sum up an exchange with a roofer, including what the proposed project would cost.
Gemini did so, but it went much further: it also was able to sum up competing quotes from other contractors and present them in a unified format. Gemini then proposed several replies, and let Pappu pick what response she would send back. It's a capability that Google will roll out this month as part of its Labs.Google beta program, while the contextual replies will be added (again, in Labs) in July.
What does that mean for regular users? More or less, it's all about smarter searching that pulls more and deeper information from more websites, and organizes it in smart ways. It all starts with "AI Overviews," the new, fancy version of the Rich Results you currently see before (and sometimes to the right of) standard text results. AI Overview will soon be graduating from the Search Labs walled-off area to standard users in the US, with Google hoping to expand it to "over a billion people by the end of the year."
These auto-generated results created from indexed and crawled websites will include the familiar "people also ask" queries, shopping results (which, of course, earn Google some ad revenue), and results for more complex questions phrased in natural language. The
There are a few things you'll want to consider when looking for a VPN: First, it should be able to keep your internet usage private and secure without leaks. Speed is another factor — privacy and security are crucial, but you don't want the service to cripple your internet speed either. And if you're concerned with anonymity, you should seek out a VPN with data collection policies that are clear and transparent. Finally, the number of available servers and country locations a VPN offers is worth bearing in mind if you're trying to get around region locks in specific countries.
Why you should trust us: Here at PCWorld we've been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. We're continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services in order to curate a list of the very best VPNs across a variety of categories. For a more in-depth guide, you can check out our article on how we test VPN services at PCWorld. Below you'll find our favorite VPNs and additional information about how we test these services as well as helpful advice about what to look for when choosing a VPN on your own.
The details of USB-C can be confusing, however, and pricing for USB-C monitors is often higher than that for monitors that lack the interface. See our buyers' guide below our recommendations to better understand the nuances.
For even more monitor recommendations, check out our roundups of the best monitors and the best monitors for a home office. And while you're at it, check out our list of best monitor arms so you can optimize the ergonomics and comfort of your desk setup while viewing that brand new monitor.
Updated May 14, 2024: Check out our review of the BenQ PD3225U, which offers the com
Once again Google is recommending that users immediately update their browsers to apply the fix, which went out yesterday. According to the Chrome release blog (spotted by Bleeping Computer), this is a high-priority fix for an out of bounds write error, and yes, it's being exploited in the deep, dark wilds of the web.
Of course it's better that security flaws be fixed than, well, not fixed, but there seem to be just a ton of high-profile issues popping up with Chrome as of late. Even so, it remains the number one browser on the planet on both mobile and desktop platforms by a wide margin. Don't wait too long to click that update button.
To patch Chrome immediately, head to Options Help About Google Chrome. Wait for the update to download and reset your browser when instructed.
For more notebook options, check out PCWorld's roundup of the best laptops available right now. We've got can't-miss picks for every use case and budget, putting our thousands of hours of hands-on testing to work for you.
Best laptop deals (at a glance)
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, $329
A dead-simple, wonderfully nifty test offers a quick and reliable way to check the actual charge state of a battery, keeping you from rashly discarding good batteries or buying new ones unnecessarily.
Battery full or flat? This simple test reveals it
All you need for this test is the battery you want to check. If available, have a new, fully charged battery ready to compare the results. This is how it works:
Make sure you have a flat and firm surface, such as a table, in front of you.
Drop the battery vertically onto the surface from a height of about 20 centimeters (roughly 8 inches).
Pay close attention to how the battery hits the surface and how it behaves afterwards: A fully charged battery usually tips over and stays put. An empty battery, on the other hand, often bounces back a little and bounces up a few centimeters.
Why? Alkaline batteries contain a gel-like substance that absorbs the impact when fully charged. When the battery is flat, this substance dries out and hardens, making the battery more likely to bounce back.
Extend battery life with these 4 tips
Switch off devices correctly: Make sure you switch devices off completely when they are not in use. Even in standby mode, some devices can continue to consume energy, which puts unnecessary strain on the batteries.
Remove batteries: If you are not using an appliance for an extended pe
As we wait for all the legal issues to resolve, now is a good time to stay two steps ahead, and ponder a fundamental question: If the ban does go into effect, could a VPN help you get around the new restrictions?
Much of the answer keys into the specific nature of the ban—namely, that app stores in the U.S. would ostensibly be forced to remove the TikTok app from their marketplaces. If that's how the ban plays out, then theoretically a VPN should put you back in business, with the caveat that you'll already need to have the TikTok app installed prior to the ban.
There's a lot to unpack here, including what the law would require of TikTok, and how technically savvy users could respond. Read on for details. And if you're looking for a VPN to make your digital life more more secure—or, who knows, preserve TikTok access—check out my rankings of the best VPNs.
How would a TikTok ban likely play out?
The short but frustrating answer is that no one knows exactly how a TikTok ban would be implemented. While the law was passed and signed by president Biden, the actual details are still being worked o
While I'm a ride-or-die fan of Windows on my PCs and Android on my phones, I have to begrudgingly admit that Apple rules the roost when it comes to tablets. That's why there's a 4th-gen iPad Air on my desk right now. Don't tell any of my colleagues over at Macworld, they'll never let me hear the end of it.
The one Amazon has on sale gets a much speedier M1 processor, the same one that went into its first-gen Arm Macbooks, though to be honest you won't even need that power unless you're running the tablet version of Photoshop (which is an option). The fingerprint reader for login is a nice touch, but personally I'm just glad it uses a USB-C cable so I don't have to buy new Lightning chargers.
Amazon is selling the 64GB blue and purple models for $399, an impressive 33 percent off the $600 retail price. Other versions are also discounted: you can get pink, grey, or "starlight" (read: kinda gold-ish) for $449, or take smaller discounts on upgraded models with 256GB of storage and/or a 5G cellular connection.
Nine models are on sale at the moment. If you need one for as little scratch as possible, then the Asus Chromebook CM14 should be your first port of call. This 14-inch model is powered by a MediaTek Arm processor with just 4GB of memory, so it might chug a bit if you throw dozens of tabs at it. But with a 1080p screen and a power-sipping setup, it should let you browse for the better part of a day at least. And at $149 flat, a full 50 percent off the sticker price, it's an undeniable bargain.
If you're looking for something a little more flexible, then the
You and I just don't have enough money for them. However, for a multitude of mom-and-pop scammers, we do.
That point became clear during the 2024 RSA Conference in San Francisco, where members of Microsoft's security teams spoke with the press on cybersecurity topics, including the most current threats to everyday people. While you could still get caught up in a ransomware campaign, the main targets nowadays are companies big enough to pay multimillions but too small to have robust IT security teams.
Instead, Sherrod DeGrippo, director of threat intelligence strategy at Microsoft, says you should watch most for seemingly innocuous tricks that play on your emotions: romance schemes, influencer scams, banking hoaxes, and other such deviousness.
Romance scams, for example, involve gaining someone's trust and affection, and then using the relationship to start asking for money.
Influencer scams twist people's legitimate desire to earn a living into fronting money for opportunities that never pan out — and potentially expose the victims to identity theft if tax identification numbers and other personal details are shared.
If you're buying a laptop, you'll get the most value from focusing on sales. Let's say you have $1200 to spend on a gaming laptop. The best gaming laptop for your dollar might not be a $1200 laptop at all — it might be a $1600 laptop that's currently $500 off.
In fact, the best value may be snatching up last year's laptop on a clearance sale. Laptop hardware isn't advancing very quickly year over year. A laptop from last year might be roughly as good as one from this year — and half off, too.
Using Resso.ai, you can create resumes and cover letters that highlight exactly the skills and qualifications you need for a specific job type. The service can also tweak your LinkedIn profile to attract your preferred employers, and you can even practice for that important interview by fielding questions from an AI interlocutor. It's especially helpful for new graduates just entering the workforce (as its 100,000 student users can attest), but it can give a leg up to anyone who wants to increase their hireability.
Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to the Resso Professional Plan for $79.99 (reg. $540).
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Compatible with: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 & macOS 10.13 or later
Editor's opinion: This recorder is suitable for those users who want to record Discord for as long as they want with an easy and comprehensive recorder.
EaseUS RecExperts is the most recommended Discord audio recorder for computer users. It is compatible with Windows and Mac. It is capable of recording streaming platforms. For instance, it can record Discord, Netflix, and record YouTube audio etc.
It also offers a noise-reduction function to record Discord audio clearly. There's no time limitation on your recordings. After recording, you can save and export it in MP3, AAC, WAV, e
This special bundle includes 15 coding courses from some of the web's top instructors. You'll delve into languages like Python, Java, Ruby on Rails, and C , as well as project-based courses to build databases, design games, work with automation, and much more. Plus, you'll get a lifetime subscription to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022, Microsoft's top-rated 64-bit development environment that can streamline your workflows and simplify the most complex coding projects.
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OpenAI will accompany the launch of the GPT-4o model with a new Mac app that will showcase the capabilities of the new model, which can now "see" the world around it. A Windows app will debut later on. The GPT-4o model can now "see," as well, via vision capabilities that include desktop screenshots as well as the ability to upload video and screenshots from a mobile app — again, just an iPhone app for now.
Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the new ChatGPT app with GPT-4o, however, is that the model now seems far more human in both tone and intonation. For one thing, the model is "real time," which means that you don't have to wait for it to complete its statement before you can jump in and cut it off. The speech synthesis can even harmonize its voices, as well as provide what we could consider to be "normal" conversational interactions, translations, and more. Normal conversations will now have GPT-4 levels of sophistication across the board.
Consider this GPT-4o demonstration, which now incorporates teenager-level sarcasm on demand, below. Consider this a demonstration, however: GPT-4o's new audio and video capabilities are coming in the future, OpenAI said. (You can still "talk" to ChatGPT via the mic app on the Web version of ChatGPT.)
We've tested several PCIe 4.0 SSDs and the best one to cross our labs thus far is the Solidgm P44 Pro in a field of tough contenders thanks to ferociously fast speeds only rivaled by next-gen PCIe 5.0 SSDs.
Read on to learn more, including what to look for in PCIe 4.0 SSD.
Why you should trust us: We're not called PCWorld for nothing. Our reviewers have been testing PC hardware for decades. Our storage evaluations are exhaustive, testing the limits of every product — from performance benchmarks to the practicalities of regular use. As PC users ourselves, we know what makes a killer product stand out. Only the best SSDs make this list. For more about our testing process, scroll to the bottom of this article.
Updated May 13, 2024: If you're looking ahead to the next generation of cutting-edge storage, check out our recent review of the PCIe 5.0 Teamgroup Z540 SSD. It's not the fastest PCIe 5.0 drive we've tested, but it comes in second, and comes at up to 4TB capacity.
You'll probably immediately know if you or your team might be using Places, given that you're already familiar with your company's attitude towards remote work. It's clear that some companies would like to convince their workers to return to the office, while some workers would rather avoid the stress and expense of a commute and work from home.
Places is designed to balance that tension, Microsoft said. First off, the app can be used as a standalone indicator of who will be in the office, and when. But it will also be integrated into both Outlook and Copilot, so you can visually see which team members will be where, or just ask Copilot to sum it all up. Copilot integration will take place during the second half of 2024, Microsoft said.
Microsoft outlined its Places plans in a blog post, with a surprising amount of graphics describing what Places will look like. We've reproduced a few here. Here's what Places will offer:
Location plans: You can set you location for a given period, and check to see whether your coworkers (or your boss) will be in too. A "peek card" sums your plans up.
We've spent hours and hours using each model, banging away on our reviews, surfing the web, and keeping up on social media to bring you a list of the very best wireless keyboards around. For example, the Logitech Wave Keys isn't our pick for the best wireless ergonomic keyboard, even though it's a fairly good option and a great value.
While there's no one-size-fits-all keyboard, our recommendations aim to help you make an informed decision based on your own personal needs. After you've perused our best picks, be sure to check out our buying advice at the end to help you learn what to look for when shopping for a wireless keyboard.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been the go-to name for personal computer news and reviews for over 40 years. And as the writer of this roundup, and the reviewer of most of the keyboards on this list, I can assure you they've been thoroughly tested by people who are absolutely obsessed with keyboards.
Every single keyboard on this list has been used by an expert, put through its paces for features and reliability, and carefully considered against the alternatives. We've tested every facet of the boards, even programming and complete disassembly for those that support it.
For a more in-depth look at how we test keyboards of every kind, c
I love this thing, and I've got it attached to my desk for easy access. The meat of the kit is the iFixit all-metal, magnetic driver, which comes in a box with 64 of the most common bits necessary for repairing PCs, electronics, and pretty much anything smaller than a car. We're talking eleven different Phillips and flathead bits, another dozen Torx bits, another dozen for hex screws and bolts, and exotic square, gamebit, and tri-point bits for weird proprietary stuff like Nintendo controllers and consoles.
The magnetic top is great for organizing screws while you're working. On top of all that, you get a bit extender tool for those hard-to-reach spots and a cloth roll that holds bigger tools, including precision tweezers, pry tools, a suction cup, and even an anti-static wrist strap. It's everything you'll need to get a smartphone open and replace the screen. Except, well, a replacement screen.
It's a compact package full of high-quality gear, and barely a week goes by when I haven't reached for it for some kind of repair or tinkering. Go grab one for yourself, and maybe an extra for dad (Father's Day is a month away).
Nikkei Asia reports that Arm is currently setting up an AI division and seeking partners for mass chip production, with a prototype AI chip planned for early 2025 and full-scale manufacturing penciled in for the fall of that year. It's all part of SoftBank's 10-trillion-yen ($64 billion USD) investment in the AI space, combined with plans to build data centers around the world and seek out new mergers and acquisitions. Notably, Nvidia failed to buy Arm from SoftBank in 2022 after the US Federal Trade Commission threatened to block the deal.
Arm-based chips are usually seen in smartphones and other mobile devices, but more recently they've been on the rise in Mac laptops and a big push for Windows machines. Arm's architecture is also gaining steam in servers, where they're generally less powerful but far more efficient than the x86 and x64 designs data centers usually rely on, still evo
I should point out that this is the Odyssey G95NA, which uses a QLED VA panel instead of the more vibrant, contrast-heavy OLED model (which also sees some massive-but-not-quite-as-deep discounts). This monitor is just as big with the same 5120×1440 resolution (basically two QHD screens smooshed together) and speedy 240Hz refresh rate, which will bring your gaming PC to its knees on any recent AAA title. The QLED tech is a bit older, but does beat OLED in terms of brightness with 1000 nits and has a more dramatic 1000R curve.
The screen is built for gaming, but has some more button-down features as well, including a side-by-side mode for connecting multiple PCs or consoles, a built-in USB hub, and HDR10 compatibility. Inputs include DisplayPort and dual HDMI, but sadly no USB-C video. The monitor is compatible with standard VESA mounts, but at 26.2 pounds without the stand, you may need a more beefy monitor arm than usual.
When I reviewed the Retro keyboard, I praised 8BitDo for nailing all the basics while also delivering on its Nintendo-inspired aesthetics. The keyboard has Bluetooth and dongle-based wireless, PBT keycaps, and even an add-on section with two massive NES-inspired macro buttons. Said buttons, and the rest of the keyboard, can be programmed with the 8BitDo Windows app.
Best of all it's packing hot-swap switch sockets, my must-have feature for mechanical keyboards. Yes, even the big extra buttons are hot-swap. So if you're not a fan of the noisy Kailh Box White switches, you can sub in any MX-compatible switch you like.
At its $100 retail price the 8BitDo is already a darn good deal. But right now Woot is offering it for $69.99, a 30 percent discount. And unlike many Woot listings, this one is good for multiple days — more than two weeks, at the time of writing — and it's a new keyboard, not refurbished.
Both colors are offered, the grey and red based on the American NES and the more
We do recommend a variety of premium antivirus software, password managers, VPN services, and Windows backup tools. But you don't need any paid offerings to stay safe online — you can get all the security you need for free.
Protect your PC with a free antivirus
Antivirus software is an essential security tool on any PC. Even if you're careful, applications you trust could have security flaws that open your PC to attack. Malware could get onto your PC due to a flaw in your web browser or even a developer's account falling prey to criminals on a platform like Steam.
If you're using a modern Windows PC running Windows 10 or Windows 11, good news: You already have an antivirus program installed, even if you've never thought about it. It's called Microsoft Defender and is part of the Windows Security suite of software. It works well as baseline protection, but it's not p
Rated 5/5 stars on the PCWorld Shop, Microsoft Visio is an intuitive tool that gives you dozens of pre-made templates and more than 250,000 shapes to create all kinds of visualizations. From flowcharts and org charts to floor plans and brainstorms, Visio makes it easy to turn the chaotic swirling of information in your brain into clear, concise charts and visuals. The intuitive program can draw data from Excel, Exchange, or Entra ID, consolidating your workflow, and it gives you all the tools you need to manage charts with ease.
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We've also included some helpful answers to common questions about buying a computer at the bottom of this article. If you're considering a laptop instead, be sure to check out our best laptop deals, updated daily.
Note: Tech deals come and go quickly, so it's possible some of these computer discounts will have expired before this article's next update.
Best gaming desktop computer deals
Alienware Aurora R15, Ryzen 9/RX 7900 XTX/64GB RAM/1TB SSD, $2,099.99 (30% off on Dell)
Allow us to remove some of the questioning and doubt. Below are the best mechanical keyboards we've reviewed, in a variety of categories—best overall, on a budget, for gaming, wireless, et cetera. Not everything makes the list — for example, though G.Skill's KM250 is a shockingly good deal, we can't say the same for the larger and very different KM360 design. Though they excel in different areas, each mechanical keyboard pick is absolutely the best in its class, and well worth both your attention and your hard-earned dough.
Be sure to check out some of our most recent reviews, like the Happy Hacking HHKB Studio and the Razer Huntsman V3.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been the go-to name for personal computer news and reviews for over 40 years. And as the writer of this roundup, and the reviewer of most of the keyboards on this list, I can assure you they've been thoroughly tested by people who are absolutely obsessed with keyboards.
When determining the best VPNs for Android, we consider several criteria. First, it's crucial that it's a top performer on the OS. Also, since Wi-Fi can be inconsistent at times, we test these apps over multiple days to look at speed and consistency of service. Finally, we considered the Android app itself and its ease of use, as well as other things such as pricing and the number of simultaneous devices allowed per account. All of these factors help us determine the very best Android VPNs presented below.
Why you should trust us: Here at PCWorld we've been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. We're continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services in order to curate a list of the very best VPNs across a variety of categories. For a more in-depth guide, you can check out our article on how we test VPN services at PCWorld. Below you'll find our favorite VPNs and additional information about how we test these services as well as helpful advice about what to look for when choosing a VPN for your Android device on your own.
For that, you get access to both the desktop app and a browser extension that can offer new layers of security.
With them in place, you won't just be able to surf in anonymity, unlocking geo-restricted sites and services as you go. You'll get unprecedented control over your cookies, OpenVPN configurations, and ad blocking that can make your online experience faster as well as safer.
From May 6 through 12, you can get a three-year subscription to the Windscribe VPN Pro Plan for $69.97 (reg. $207).
This bundle includes five training courses from IDUNOVA, a leading online IT services provider with more than 20 years of experience. You'll get study materials to help you pass certification exams from CompTIA, NIST, ISC, and more leading certifying bodies. From understanding how to perform risk assessment and identify vulnerabilities to determining how to patch those vulnerabilities, these courses will give you the skills you need to pass each of these five certification exams on your first try.
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And gaming keyboard makers have catered to the desire to go untethered. Though they generally carry a price premium, wireless gaming keyboards boast the latest features and capabilities, from fancy RGB lighting to cutting-edge adjustable actuation. Here are the best on the market.
For more tips about what to look for in a wireless gaming keyboard, scroll to the buying guide below this list of recommendations.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been the go-to name for personal computer news and reviews for over 40 years. And as the writer of this roundup, and the reviewer of most of the keyboards on this list, I can assure you that our picks have been thoroughly tested by people who are absolutely obsessed with keyboards.
Every single keyboard on this list has been used by an expert, put through its paces for features and reliability, and carefully considered against the alternatives. We've tested every facet of the boards, even programming and complete disassembly for those that support it. And there are plenty that we review that don't make the cut, like the expensive but underwhelming Asus ROG Azoth.
For a more in-depth look at how we test keyboards of every kind, check out our dedicated article covering our keyboard review process.
Why you should trust us: Hey, it's in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We've been covering PCs since 1983, and now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who've applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We're also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Looking for great laptop deals? Check out our regularly updated list of the best mainstream, gaming, and 2-in-1 laptop deals.
Updated May 9, 2024: We added the Acer TravelMate P6 and the HP Dragonfly G4 as alternative options underneath our Best Ultraportable pick. The Acer TravelMate P6 is physically lighter than our current pick and has a bigger battery, but it's more expensive and doesn't have an OLED display. The HP Dragonfly G4, which stands as a more high-end option, offers snappy performance as well as an LTE connection. We've also updated our list of recent laptop reviews and added a new "at a glance" section below.
This durable speaker is equipped with DualBass subwoofers and TWS technology, delivering immersive 360º HD sound even in the most wide-open environments. It's built for outdoor use, with an IPX6-rated waterproof design and shockproof protection — all while remaining portable enough to pack up easily. You can stream music via Bluetooth 5.0 or plug into the AUX port, giving you optimum versatility. Plus, with a 5,200mAh battery, you'll have up to 20 hours of playtime so you won't have to worry about it running out of battery in the middle of a beach day.
Bring your soundtrack anywhere this summer. Right now, you can get the TREBLAB HD77 O
For a one-time payment, you'll get lifetime access to Curiosity Stream, the Emmy-winning service that specializes in creating an avenue to discover new documentaries and docuseries. Founded by Discovery Communications visionary John Hendricks, Curiosity Stream offers thousands of hours of content from creators like Sir David Attenborough, Michio Kako, Stephen Hawking, and others. Whether you're interested in history, culture, astronomy, nature, or practically anything else, you'll find something interesting and the app will continue to recommend even more content that's right up your alley.
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That's the eyebrow-raising scenario that a new driver from Intel suggests. Phoronix, which has been monitoring Intel's development of a PCI Express driver for Linux, noted that the latest revision allows limiting the PCI Express link speed in case of thermal pressure. The key term is "bwctrl."
That suggests that even a properly-cooled GPU or SSD might not be able to access as much as data as it normally would because the PCI Express link itself would slow down. Even worse, there is a possibility that the drivers could shut down some of the PCIe lanes themselves if necessary, to keep everything running cool. In other words, a PCI Express x16 connection could throttle down to a slower speed, then start turning off lanes — turning it into a x8 connection, possibly.
The notice on kernel.org notes that the latter won't be possible until PCI Express 6.0, however — though that's not too far away.
"This series adds PCIe bandwidth controller (bwctrl) and associated PCIe cooling driver to the thermal core side for limiting PCIe Link Speed due to thermal
Why you should trust us: It's in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We've been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who've applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We're also committed to reviewing gaming laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Update May 10, 2024: We added the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 as an alternative option underneath our Best Connectivity Features pick. Not only does it offer great connectivity options and strong performance, but it also has a bigger screen. We've also updated our list of recent laptop reviews and added a new "at a glance" section below.
If you're a typical American, Eurovision seems like a fever dream. It's a bunch of largely European countries sending singers and artists to compete in a sort of Euro World Cup of odd, artsy performances. Will Farrell's Netflix hit Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga nailed the vibe, and Windows95man's No Rules feels very much in the spirit of it — the guy emerges from a giant egg, for crying out loud.
Since Eurovision is Europe only, there's always a bit of regionalism; Americans can't watch the finals live without a VPN. (Our list of best VPNs has you covered there!) But you can watch all of the performances that got them there, and there's really no difference from what I can see where Windows95man is concerned.
I like weird music. This is weird. But very, very fun. Give it a listen — and if you want even more, here's the list of all of the 37 Eurovision finals songs, from Albania to the United Kingdom.
While any of these would be a great reason to pick up an external drive, the advantages of having reliable backup is the number-one reason your setup isn't complete without one. Why? Chances are you have important data on your PC that you can't afford to lose. To protect that data you'll want to do two things: store it off-site on the cloud if possible and back it up to an external drive. This way you ensure your data is completely safe should anything go wrong with your computer.
While we highly recommend that you consider cloud storage as a backup option, restoring from local storage is generally far, far faster than pulling your data down from the cloud. Therefore, an external drive should be your primary hedge against disaster.
Why you should trust us: We're PCWorld. We've been putting computer hardware through its paces for decades. We've seen it all and we know how to root out a drive's strengths and weaknesses, using a combination of rigorous benchmark testing and real-world hands-on use. Below we offer our expert recommendations on the best external drives for everything from blazing-fast performance, to budget options, to portability, and more.
We're not suggesting that PC security software is fool-proof, but it does a great job of protecting your computer against harmful malware and ransomware. Most systems come with security software baked into the OS, but this is often the bare minimum you need. Choosing to purchase more robust antivirus software will provide you with features such as an advanced firewall, sandbox environments for suspicious programs, and multi-device protection, among other things.
How do you choose a good antivirus? We've tested a multitude of offerings, including all the big names, so you don't have to! When testing antivirus software, we look for products that strike a balance between excellent protection, a worthwhile selection of features, and minimal performance impact on your PC. For more information, you can read about how we test antivirus software below our picks.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been deep in the trenches of testing computer hardware, software, and services since 1983—including security suites. For antivirus apps, we continually evaluate popular or noteworthy software. We consider the user experience, strength of protection against threats (online and offline), and how well it addresses the ever-expanding types of attacks. Our guide on how we test antivirus software at PCWorld gives the f
As BleepingComputer reports, this is the fifth time in 2024 that Google has needed to issue an urgent update for Chrome, following no less than three zero-day exploits discovered at the Pwn2Own contest in March. For those of us without a compsci degree like yours truly, a zero-day exploit is a means of attacking software that takes advantage of an unknown flaw. Two of the other 2024 issues were also use after free errors, which occur when a program incorrectly uses dynamic memory after an operation is finished.
And just to make you a little more anxious, remember that these are the issues we know about and that Google has fixed. The very nature of zero-day exploits means that there are almost certainly more out there, which may or may not be known and in use. Google isn't sharing the full details of the latest one until a greater percentage of people are running the latest version.
That being said, Chrome is a huge priority for Google now
This isn't the kind of thing that can power my main desk on its own, but it's great for adding some extra power in a small space, like behind my TV. In addition to six standard AC outlets, you get two USB-A ports and a USB-C port, though at 2.1 amps total across the three they won't be powering any big laptops.
Note that this isn't just a cheap outlet extender, it's rated for 1800 joules of protection. That should be enough to protect your laptop and a bunch of mobile gear from anything up to a direct lightning strike on your house. It also has extra-wide spacing on the outlets, great for oddly-shaped plugs and "wall warts."
Normally $15.99, the gadget is on sale for a generous 38 percent off in a "limited time deal," bringing the sticker price down to just $9.99. You can click the check mark coupon on Amazon for an additional 5 percent off, bringing the final checkout price to $9.49. Grab a couple of them if you want…just don't use Amazon's 2-pack on the actual listing, which turns out to be more expensive.
In his review (which is the exact same configuration, hey neat), Robert Strohmeyer praised the Aspire 3's long battery life, decent performance, and surprisingly good webcam, while noting that you're not gonna get tons of gaming done with basic integrated graphics and a 128GB SSD. Ports are surprisingly generous with HDMI, USB-C, and double USB-A. You can read the full review here.
The biggest draw for the Aspire 3 is probably its 15-inch 1080p screen and keyboard with a full number pad — both are definite plusses if you're doing a lot of Excel work. The AMD Ryzen 7320U is a good pick for a budget model, but 8GB of RAM is the minimum you want for running Windows 11. And sadly that RAM is soldered into the motherboard, so there's no upgrading even if you crack this sucker open.
Even so, if you absolutely must have a laptop with a pretty sizable display and Windows, this is pretty much your only choice from a reliable brand at this price level. The upgraded model, with 16GB of memory and a much roomier 1TB SSD, is $500 with no discount.
After many years of complaints, Microsoft is finally listening to user feedback and changing the default behavior when pasting in Word. From now on, the source's formatting will no longer be automatically retained. Instead, "Merge formatting" will be the new default for everyone, as Microsoft explained in a blog post this week.
This means that after the update, newly pasted text will take on the font size, font type, and color of the text written in Word. However, special features such as lists or italicized elements will be retained. If you want these elements to be automatically adapted to the Word text, you must select the option "Keep text only".
How do I change the default behavior for pasting in Word?
To change the default behavior in Word, go to "File," then "Options," and finally "Advanced". There you go to the sub-item "Cut, copy, and paste" and find the option "Paste from other programs."
I haven't even beaten the game's final boss once (it'll take far more than that to actually get to the end, if the first game is any indication), but one of the other bosses completely blew me away. And here's where I warn you that reading any further will absolutely spoil parts of Hades II. Abandon hope (of being pleasantly surprised by a really cool bit in the game), all ye who enter here.
Spoilers for Hades II below! I warned you, dagnabbit!
So in Hades II, you're Melinoë, little-known Greek goddess, sister of Zagreus from the first game, and long-lost daughter of Persephone and the titular Hades. Your Titanic grandpa Chronos has busted into the underworld, kidnapped your family, and started a war with the Olympian gods. It's your job to break into the house of Hades (a nice inversion of breaking out of said house in the original), rescue your father, mother, b
What is vishing?
Vishing is a combination of the words "voice" and "phishing" and refers to fraudulent activities in telecommunications. The perpetrators pretend to be trustworthy persons or organizations in order to obtain sensitive data such as bank account information, credit card details, or passwords. Like many other scams, vishing falls under the heading of social engineering.
How to recognize vishing
Typical signs of vishing are calls requesting urgent action or contact from organizations that you do not normally interact with.
For example, the caller claims to be an employee of your bank and says that there's a problem with your account. You may be asked to provide your account information or credit card details in order to resolve the problem. The caller may also threaten you with consequences such as freezing your account or other penalties if you do not cooperate.
In other cases, fraudsters pretend to be Microsoft technicians after secretly infecting and locking the victim's computer via a malware link. The person called is
If you haven't worked on Windows 11 yet, you can expect the clean interface that Windows is known for, augmented by a time-saving AI assistant (Windows Copilot) and new security features like biometric login. And of course, Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows includes includes Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote.
Altogether, this bundle is rated an average of 5/5 stars by verified purchasers in the PCWorld Shop.
Trusted by IT experts, EaseUS Fixo has earned a 4.7/5-star rating on Trustpilot, and Macworld's Chris Wiles writes, "EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard… is packed with features and very configurable, though, and well worth having around just in case of accidents."
EaseUS Fixo is an all-in-one file repair toolkit that mends videos, photos, and files with a very high success rate. You can fix media from all kinds of storage devices, including cameras, dash cams, and smartphones. Videos, photos, and files in virtually any format can be repaired in a matter of minutes, giving you additional peace of mind and helping you recover irreplaceable memories and important documents.
Stop losing files to corruption. Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to EaseUS Fixo for a big discount.
Mercury Research issued its report after the market closed on Thursday, noting that this was the first "normal" quarter since the pandemic.
All segments in the market (client, server, mobile) saw decreased shipments for the first quarter, which is normal after what are usually seasonal highs during the fourth quarter. System-on-chip shipments decreased, primarily due to a slowdown in AMD SoC chips — which was itself caused by a slowdown in this generation of game consoles.
Intel did have a victory: It gained a percentage point of market share in mobile, as its Core Ultra shipments began ramping, Mercury said. (Shipments were hampered, though, by assembly problems in Intel's fabs.) Intel is also succeeding in selling the "Intel Processor" N100 and N200 entry-level CPUs, outpacing AMD. AMD's share dropped by the same amount in what is essentially a two-horse race, though it was still up by 3.1 percentage points compared to a year ago, at 19.3 percent. Intel owns 80.7 percent of the mobile PC processor market.
Comcast's NOW service is a new brand for the company. It's wired Internet, at affordable, all-inclusive rates: $30-45 per month, including taxes, fees, a router, and unlimited data. Is there a catch? The service maxes out at 200Mbps per month — which is still much faster than most people's basic connections, to be fair — but otherwise, not really. It's a seemingly customer-friendly service from a company that has never really been seen as customer-friendly for more than a decade.
You know the routine: You receive your bill. Your eyes pop, you gasp, your blood pressure rises. You book an hour or two on your schedule to call, complain, wheedle, yell — all part of the Comcast Xfinity negotiation we advised you to perform a decade ago. After threatening to leave, you end up on the cheaper promotional plan.
Now, Comcast NOW actually promises to change that. Two plans are available: a $30/mo NOW Internet plan that offers 100Mbps speeds, and the more expensive 200Mbps plan for $45 per month. Want TV on top of that? NOW TV offers a $20 package that includes "40 live channels, more than two dozen integrated FAST channels, and Peacock Premium," — all streaming, however, and on the Xf
When choosing the best dash cam for your needs you should first consider if you want a front, front/interior, or front/rear model. Additionally, you'll want to decide on how wide a viewing angle you'll need. Then there are special features to take into account, such as voice control or parking assist. Since there are a number of reasons to use a dash cam, we understand that there isn't a one-size-fits-all model. With that in mind, we've curated a list of the best dash cams of all types with various features and prices below.
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Dell is confirming a data breach that reportedly covers "49 million customer records," according to Bleeping Computer. While Dell is confirming that a breach occurred, the scope of the breach hasn't been confirmed. A hacker on the Dark Web is reportedly claiming that the breach involves the 49 million records, with information that dates back seven years ago to 2017.
What Dell is telling people, according to the report, is that name, address, and hardware, service, and order information was leaked. If you've purchased anything from Dell, or engaged with customer support for a service or warranty request, that information is likely available to whoever wants to buy the information.
So far, Dell is not saying that any financial information was breached, including credit cards or payment information, or even your telephone number or email address.
That's good, but as Bleeping Computer points out, it does leave you potentially vulnerable to a physical attack — i.e. someone sending a letter and using your Dell service history as "proof" that the contact is legitimate. Such a followup could include asking for financial information, however, or some other attack that tries to extract personal information.
Right now, Dell doesn't believe that there is "significant risk," and they're probably right if the initial scope of the breach is accurate. If you have purchased a Dell PC or peripheral, though, keep an eye open
If you're not up on the sim scene, Fanatec sells seriously pricey racing wheels, pedals, shifters, and even full racing chairs and "cockpits" for building a dedicated simulation rig. It's the kind of stuff you see in the office-slash-gaming den of someone who's poured multiple thousands of dollars into an amazing racing game setup. It fits in with Corsair's ambitions of delivering everything a high-end gamer wants, from monitors to mice to manual gearboxes.
Corsair made the announcement in a press release, quoting both its own CEO and the CEO of Endor, owner of the Fanatec brand. The deal is in "exclusive negotiations" at the moment, and not finalized, because Endor has 70 million euros (about $75 million USD) in debt that needs to be addressed. But that sh
The Xbox app, you'll recall, is Microsoft's attempt to unify your gaming interface across PC and consoles…assuming you only use Xbox as a console. (And based on sales data, that's a pretty small slice of the market. But I digress.) Microsoft introduced a "compact mode" for the app last year, which seems to be little more than a bit of menu shrinking based on my impressions.
