With Firefox 132 being released yesterday, it's close enough to count as a celebration — and the update fittingly brings some good news with it, including improved privacy with blocked third-party cookies, plus some other cool features worth updating for.
Mozilla plans to release Firefox 133 on November 26, 2024.
What's new in Firefox 132?
Firefox 132 is now ready for 4K video playback from major streaming services, but this feature is currently in a rollout phase. Through support for Microsoft PlayReady, Firefox will be able to play encrypted media at a baseline of 1080p with 4K support on top.
Initially only on selected websites, this feature should spread to more sites over time — and another big benefit of it is that you'll experience less battery drain and better performance while streaming video.
This update also sees improvements to data protection. If you've enabled "strict mode" in Firefox's Settings Privacy & security Improved protection against activity tracking, then Firefox 132 will now block all third-party cookies. The maximum lifetime of cookies is now limited to 400 days. If you use the "Copy link without website tracking" feature, Firefox can now filter out more tracking parameters, too.
If you use Firefox on more than one device, you can now synchronize bookmarks, open tabs, and passwords between devices. If the new sidebar for synchronized tabs is activated, yo
Right now, this 1TB portable SSD is only $62 on Amazon, which is a hefty 31 percent discount off its usual $90 price tag. It also happens to be the best price we've seen for this powerful storage drive.
When we reviewed the SK Hynix Tube T31, we gave it a 4.5-star rating and our Editors' Choice award, appreciating how fast it is and how small it is. "SK Hynix's Tube T31 looks like a standard Type-A USB thumb drive but performs more like the external SSD it actually is. Fast, portable, universally connectable. Nice," our expert concluded.
It's easy to see why we love this one so much when you learn that it delivers lightning-fast data transfers of up to 1,000MB/s, making it one of our favorite 10Gbps portable SSDs.
Even better, it's compatible with just about any device you want to hook it up to, be it your PlayStation, Windows computer, or MacBook. It's also plug-and-play and doesn't require any software to transfer files, so you're good to go in any situation.
Don't sleep on this deal and grab this 1TB portable SSD that looks like a flash drive for just $62 on Amazon while you still can!
The SK Hynix Tube T31 is down to its all-time best price
Well, it certainly happened with the Logitech G502 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse, the very same mouse that's on sale for $88 at Amazon, down from its original $150 price. (That's 41 percent off!)
Not only did this gaming mouse earn a perfect score in our review, but it also secured our Editors' Choice award. Our reviewing expert praised how comfortable it is to use and how lightweight it is. Plus, it has a battery life that lasts about 60 hours on a full charge.
This particular model is an upgrade to its previous wired version. But despite the fact that it went wireless, it hasn't gained much weight at all. In fact, it's even gained a few features, like PowerPlay, which allows for wireless charging if you have a compatible PowerPlay mousepad.
The G502 Lightspeed features 11 programmable buttons, so you can customize them to your specific needs in your various games, along with customizable RGB lighting for that true gamer vibe.
One of the best wireless gaming mice of all time at nearly half its original price? It's honestly a steal. Grab this Logitech G502 Lightspeed for $88 on Amazon while you still can! (We haven't seen a better price since the summer Prime Day event, and even then it was only $8 less.)
Save big on the legendary Logitech G502 Lightspeed mouse
And now's your chance to do that because right now this upgradeable Asus Vivobook 14 is on sale for just $210 at Best Buy. That's a whopping $220 off its original $430 price, a 51 percent discount.
The Vivobook X1404ZA is a pretty decent deal at this price, with a 12th-gen Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and an admittedly small 128GB SSD for storage. It's a good basic machine for browsing the web, watching video, and maybe playing very low-power games.
But the kicker here is that you can pop the laptop's bottom off and get access to a DDR4 RAM slot and a user-replaceable M.2 Gen 4 drive.
So if you combine this hot deal with this 16GB RAM upgrade for $22 and this 512GB SSD upgrade for $41, you can get a far more capable machine for under $300 total (before taxes). That's an absolute steal, and all you need is a screwdriver, some elbow grease, and a Windows re-install. You can do it. I believe in you.
Other high points of the design include a 1080p non-touch screen, 10 hours of battery life, plus triple USB-A, one USB-C, and one full-sized HDMI port. The only real downer for me is that you can't charge it via USB-C — it needs an old-fashioned barrel charger — but that might be an acceptable trade-off to get a laptop this chea
Fantastical has been repeatedly praised for its look, design, and natural language processing that makes it fast, productive, and easy to use. However, all of that comes at a steep cost: $57 per year. (If you're curious to try it, there's a free 14-day trial.)
The Verge notes that Fantastical is not yet Arm-native, so users who have one of Microsoft's new Copilot computers will have to run it emulated for now. However, Flexibits promises an Arm version soon.
In our review of the OLED G9, we gave it a 4.5-star rating and our Editors' Choice award. We felt the monitor delivers an incredible sense of gaming presence thanks to its ultrawide 5120×1440 resolution screen, while its fast refresh rate and response time made it ideal for high-octane action.
Our expert reviewer was referring, of course, to the OLED G9's 240Hz refresh rate and jaw-dropping 0.03ms response time: "Two 1440p OLED 16:9 screens this good probably cost the same or more. With better speakers and a proper USB-C laptop dock, and it would be a total winner," he wrote. And now that it's so heavily discounted, you might very well end up paying way more for two 1440p displays instead.
This monitor comes with Samsung's Gaming Hub, which allows you to stream games from various popular services without downloading them, while the Game Bar lets you easily make game setting adjustments.
You simply can't find an ultrawide monitor with an OLED display, at this size, at these specs, at this price. Grab the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 monitor for just $1,080 on Amazon while you still can!
Save $720 on this fast 49-inch OLED ultrawide monitor
Following some legal back-and-forth resulting from the restrictions of Russian media channels on YouTube, a Russian court has presented Google with a fine of 2 undecillion rubles. That's approximately 20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 US dollars.
As The Register points out, this is a ludicrous amount of money. It's about 200 trillion times the current estimated amount of "liquid" monetary value, in all currencies from all countries, currently in circulation on the planet. (I think I got that right. It's a lot of zeroes.) The total was apparently reached after accounting for 17 Russian TV channels that were removed from YouTube following US sanctions in 2020, which have only been expanded since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The fine starts as 100,000 rubles for each day that Google keeps said channels restricted, and doubles for every week of non-compliance. There is no upper limit on the fine, and even an elementary school student could see how this quickly gets out of hand.
According to a machine translation of the original news story on RBC.ru, Google's Russian subsidiary has been effectively bankrupt since 2022. While several billion rubles have been paid in fines for similar actions, Google's assets in Russia are already so far in the red that getting anything meaningfully valuable out of the company is near impossible.
Now you can quickly & easily bring up a chat to reference, or pick up a chat where you left off. pic.twitter.com/YVAOUpFvzJ
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) October 29, 2024
For a while now, you've been able to see a history of ChatGPT conversations you've had, organized by date, in the left-side navigation panel — conversations from Today, from Yesterday, from the Previous 7 days, and the Previous 30 days.
With this update, you'll be able to use the new search button at the top-left of the ChatGPT interface to open a pop-up modal that you can use to start a new chat or search through all previous conversations. It can be helpful for referencing a past message or continuing a particular chat.
In simple terms, the Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) is one way to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on a network. But after the 24H2 update, this process appears to be broken. The issue could also be that while the DHCP server properly assigns IP addresses to devices, the DHCP server itself has a problematic address.
In this article, we show you some tricks to solve the problem. If these tips don't work, you can try reverting to a previous Windows version.
Tip 1: Query the IP address again
Open a new command line session as administrator in Windows 11. (You can do this by right-clicking on the Start menu, then selecting Terminal (Admin) in the context menu.)
With the command line in focus, enter the following two commands to relinquish your current IP address and obtain a new one:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
The chances that this restores your internet connection are slim, but with a bit of luck it might work. But despite slim chances, it's a relatively simple solution so it's worth giving a try.
Tip 2: Set static DNS servers
As DHCP no longer works, you can instead manually set IP addresses to use for DNS resolution.
To do this, open the Start menu and search for View network connections,
With many free VPNs you'll encounter a lot of restrictions such as speed constraints, bandwidth caps, or a limited server network. These restrictions can add up, making a free VPN feel pointless. There is even a danger that an untrustworthy free VPN can put your privacy and security at risk. That's why it's important that you choose the right free VPN service.
While I advise that you opt for a premium VPN, such as those in our roundup of the best VPNs, I understand that sometimes you just don't want to pay for yet another service. Therefore I've curated a list of the best free VPNs around. I detail what restrictions they may impose and what activities they're best used fo
Google has tried various methods over the years to slim down its memory footprint, but the newest Performance Detection feature might finally make it a lot more effective.
According to a blog post, Performance Detection "proactively identifies potential performance issues and offers solutions." How, exactly? It'll tell you which tabs are hogging memory and processor cycles, then give you a one-click option to deactivate them. They won't disappear — they'll just stop actively loading. Simple but effective, I suppose.
Microsoft Project also makes tracking easy, allowing you to submit timesheets to capture time spent on both project and non-project work. And, with support for Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), it's
Su delivered the roadmap update during prepared remarks to analysts, describing the company's results during the third quarter of 2024.
Roughly half of AMD's revenue comes from its data-center products, so Wall Street analysts focused most of their attention on that part of the business. AMD's GPUs fall within its Gaming business, where revenue fell 69 percent to $462 million. That's because the segment also includes AMD's GPUs for gaming consoles, and Microsoft and Sony alike decreased the amount of inventory they had on hand.
PC graphics also declined, as card makers and PC vendors began holding off, as well, anticipating AMD's next-gen products. "In addition to a strong increase in gaming performance, RDNA 4 delivers significantly higher ray-tracing performance and adds new AI capabilities," Su said. "We are on-track to launch the first RDNA 4 GPUs in early 2025."
An AMD representative confirmed that this was the first time AMD had stated the early-2025 timetable for the new GPUs.
Although AMD hasn't confirmed it, reports indicate that the chip will be known as the RX 8000 GPU, otherwise known as Navi 48 or Navi 44. Instead of attacking the "top of the stack" in terms of performance, they'll likely be aimed at midrange price and performance points. Given that AMD is publicly confirming that they'll arrive in early 2025, however, we'd expect to see them at the CES 2025 show in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, AMD has already announced a launch date for its
This digital copy of Office Home works with Windows 10 or 11, or even macOS if that's your thing. The latest versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint pack in a ton of new features like a refined user interface, better support for OpenDocument Format, improved accessibility tools, and streamlined integration with mobile, like the ability to plop a photo into a document on your desktop right from your phone.
This standalone version of Office will be updated for functionality and security, but it won't be getting constant feature updates. And it doesn't include the full version of Outlook (though you can get one that does with a $20 discount). But at $120 for a "forever" license that never needs to be renewed, it's a much better deal than the Microsoft 365 system, which starts at a hefty $99.99 a year.
Again, this deal is only available for two more days, ending on Thursday, October 31. Spooky.
Now, the perennial browser underdog Opera is committing to support uBlock Origin and other older extensions, despite relying on Chromium's open-source codebase.
In a blog post earlier this month, the developers of Opera made it clear that they intend to keep supporting at least some Manifest V2 extensions. While Opera shifted to a Chromium engine years ago — Chromium remains the base for most popular browsers today, with one notable exception in Firefox — Opera's developers are making changes to the open-source code to support major extensions, with an explicit mention of uBlock Origin in the announcement.
"Opera is built on Chromium, the open-source code that also powers Chrome. This means that changes in Chromium usually affect Opera as well. It also means that we can still make our own modifications on top of this shared codebase," says the post. "You will be able to keep using extensions such as uBlock Origin uninterrupted, instead of switching to the more bare-bones version of uBlock Origin Lite."
That's a pretty huge commitment, as it's a major break from its reliance on Google's Chromium project. Keeping the extension component of the software maintained and functional will be a far greater task than some smaller customizations, the kind of tweaking that makes Chromium such a popular jumping-off point for other browsers.
But one modder combined the flexible hardware of the Framework Laptop and a 3D printer to create her own handheld system.
The "Beth Deck" is available on 3D printing enthusiast site Printables (spotted by Liliputing), and it's an impressive work of DIY engineering. Beth Le calls it "the future-proofed completely upgradeable handheld."
Her system uses a semi-standard 13-inch Framework motherboard (any of them should do, whether you prefer Intel or AMD), the battery from the same 13-inch Framework laptop, an 8-inch 1280×800 LCD touchscreen, various components from an Android mobile controller, and a 3D-printed plastic frame with supplementary screws, cable adapters, and standoffs.
For example, Nanoleaf's Elements panels are hexagonal smart lights that are simply gorgeous and versatile — and right now this 7-pack starter kit is on sale for $160 at Best Buy, a $90 savings on its $150 original price.
The great thing about hexagons isn't that they fit together perfectly, but that you can arrange them however you want. With a bit of creative flair, you can form whatever shape or layout appeals to you, and you can always expand later just by buying more panels.
This particular variant of the Nanoleaf Elements is especially classy because of its wood look, which lends to a more sophisticated vibe as it decorates your wall. They're eye-catching on and off.
But remember, these are smart lights. You control them with the Nanoleaf app on your phone, and you can do things like toggle on and off, change color and brightness and temperature, create animations, and put them on a schedule. These lights can also sync to the rhythm of music and sounds, plus they can glow dynamically when touched.
Setting up the Nanoleaf Elements is super easy to do and only requires the use of adhesive strips to get them mounted. You can put them in whatever design you want, then connect them in a daisy chain that ends up plugging into a wall outlet.
Snag this Nanoleaf Elements 7-pack starter kit for $160 at Best Buy while it's still on sale and class up your home this year!
In a lengthy blog post on Microsoft's official site, the company's deputy general counsel Rima Alaily accused Google of enticing smaller European cloud computing companies to create a lobbying group "directed and largely funded by Google for the purpose of attacking Microsoft's cloud computing business in the European Union and the United Kingdom." Or at least that's what Microsoft claims it was told by one company that was approached by Google but declined to join the group.
The Open Cloud Coalition (PDF) is the group in question, which Microsoft says is essentially a front for Google to attack its competition via regulatory lobbying. Citing the unnamed company that turned Google down, Microsoft accuses Google of essentially starting, funding, and recruiting for the Open Cloud Coalition, hiring third parties for lobbying and communication with the intent to present itself as a minor participating member.
The group's goal, Microsoft alleges, is to undermine Microsoft's cloud computing and cloud storage offerings in the EU and UK. The blog post stops short of accusing Google of paying other companies to join, but definitely hints at the possibility: "It remains to be seen what Google offered smaller companies to join, either in terms of cash or discounts."
I've tested a bunch of ultrawide monitors in order to name the best picks in various categories ranging from those optimized for gaming to those suited for professional use. Below you'll find a curated list of my favorites in each category. I describe my evaluation process for monitors at the bottom of this article, or for even more details, see the article on how we test monitors for PCWorld.
If you're still on the fence about whether an ultrawide is the right choice for you, see PCWorld's article on whether ultrawide monitors are worth it to have all your questions answered.
You can find even more monitor recommendations in our roundup of the best monitors.
Updated October 28, 2024 to include two new recommendations: The Xiaomi Curved Gaming Monitor G34WQi is our new pick for best budget ultrawide, and the MSI MPG 341CQPX?is our new pick for the best ultrawide for gaming. See our summaries below to learn what makes these two immersive displays stand o
A total of eight vulnerabilities are listed, all of them with a "High" severity rating. If you have an Nvidia GeForce GPU, you need to act now.
The scope of the security flaws
According to Nvidia, it's possible for attackers to gain access to your entire system by exploiting one of the vulnerabilities. With this kind of access, hackers can not only infiltrate and execute malicious code in your PC, but also read and steal personal data.
The vulnerabilities affect GeForce software, Nvidia RTX, Quadro, NVS, and Tesla, both under Windows and Linux.
Nvidia hasn't explicitly said whether any of these vulnerabilities are already being exploited in the wild. However, as all GeForce graphics cards are affected, it's probably a far-reaching problem.
Urgent steps for GeForce users
To address these security vulnerabilities, you'll need the latest Nvidia GeForce drivers with version 566.03 for Windows and versions 565.57.01, 550.127.05, and 535.216.01 for Linux. Nvidia also points out that some distributors also supply the necessary security updates as versions 565.92, 561.03, 556.35, and 553.05.
For Nvidia RTX, Quadro, and NVS, update versions 566.03, 553.24, and 538.95 will address the security issues.
The Amazon Fire Max 11 has a vivid 11-inch display that's perfect for streaming content, reading ebooks, and playing tablet games. The powerful octa-core processor delivers snappier performance that beats out all previous Fire models.
It stands out as one of the best tablets you can get in this price range — at least when it's on sale. Our biggest gripe with the Fire Max 11 is that it's normally priced a bit too high for what you get, but when it's cut down by this much, it's suddenly a pretty good bargain.
Our friends over at Tech Advisor reviewed the Fire Max 11 and gave it a 4-star rating, appreciating its screen quality, how great it is at recognizing handwriting, and its overall fast performance.
I'd also add in praise for its battery life. With a stated battery life of 14 hours, you can basically use it all day long on a single charge. Sure, it comes down to about 10 hours if you're watching video, but that's still pretty darn good for a $140 tablet.
Two minor caveats here. First, this model that's on sale only has 64GB of internal storage, which isn't great but adequate for most people (and you can boost it with a microSD if you ever need to). Second, this model has lockscreen ads, which aren't terrible… but ads are ads. If that bothers you, the Fire Max 11 without lockscreen ads is
And right now, one of our favorite large-capacity portable SSDs is on sale: the 2TB Samsung T9 is down to just $200 on Amazon, which is a hefty 33 percent discount off its original $300 price.
Our review of the Samsung T9 SSD gave it an almost-perfect 4.5 score and our Editors' Choice award, as our expert reviewer praised the drive's performance, ruggedness, and the fact that you can actually get a good grip on it thanks to its textured surface.
Our only real gripe with the T9 was its price, but that's not an issue when you can snag it on sale like this. "Once the price drops a bit, this high-quality, luxurious-feeling, good-performing, external 20Gbps USB SSD will no doubt be one of our favorites."
The super-fast transfer speeds of up to 2,000MB/s are what make this portable SSD ideal for storing and moving large files, while its versatile compatibility with a wide range of devices — from cameras to computers to gaming consoles — makes the T9 a must-have.
All of that is thanks to its USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity, which will be relevant for many years. It also doesn't hurt that the Samsung T9 is shock-resistant and fall-proof, so your important data won't be lost if you ever (God forbid) drop the drive.
Don't miss this chance to get this high-performance 2TB Samsung T9 portable SSD for $200 on Amaz
How Google Workspace and Gemini can help
Three of the most important elements of a small business are productivity, communication and security. If any of these three pillars fail, then it can spell disaster. Gemini for Google Workspace can help ensure that doesn't happen, with powerful features that will speed up work and improve its quality.
Productivity
Google recently announced that the standalone Gemini app is now part of all Google Workspace Business, Enterprise and Frontline plans. So, you can start experimenting with how this clever technology can make previously time-sapping jobs into ones that take only minutes. Gemini helps with creating task lists, researching subjects, generating images for your presentations, plus much more.
By default, these directories (aka libraries) are located as subfolders in the path C:\Users\[user name]. In some configurations, however, it's advisable to create these folders elsewhere. For example, if space on the C: drive is running out, you can move these folders to drive D:.
These PCs have access to NVIDIA's RTX AI acceleration, which supercharges AI applications and workflows you use every day.
The RDY Y60 005 is one of iBUYPOWER's top NVIDIA RTX-equipped models, and this performance PC is currently selling at a tasty $400 discount, $1,949 from its original $2,349 price.
It gets you a smart-looking enclosure with a transparent side wall, the incredibly powerful Intel Core i9-14900KF CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER graphics card with 12GB vRAM.
Where Microsoft's CoPilot Plus laptops promise "40 TOPs" of AI computing power, an RTX 4070 SUPER commands 836 TOPs thanks to AI-specialized Tensor cores designed for the job.
View iBuyPower PC with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs
PCs like these are AI powerhouses. But what can you actually do with all that power?
Clearer, smoother, sharper gaming
NVIDIA DLSS is one of our favorite applications of AI, ever. And it is proof there's much more to artificial intelligence than chatbots and image generation tools.
DLSS is an upscaling and frame generation engine that makes your games
Microsoft is doing its best to compete with its own Copilot AI chatbot, and both ChatGPT and Copilot are pretty good at providing answers, generating text and images, and holding conversations. Most importantly, they're both free to use.
But ChatGPT and Copilot both offer paid plans in the form of ChatGPT Plus and Copilot Pro, respectively. Why would you pay for them when they're freely available? Are the extra benefits worth it?
Well, if you're thinking about ponying up some cash on a premium AI chatbot and wondering which one is better for you, here's what you need to know about ChatGPT Plus versus Copilot Pro, based on what they offer and my own experience using each.
The benefits of Copilot Pro
Copilot Pro is a $20-per-month subscription that grants "priority access to [Copilot's] latest AI models, higher usage limits, and early access to new features." Basically, Copilot Pro is a more advanced and more capable version of the basic Copilot AI chatbot available for free.
Copilot Pro first launched in January 2024 and has been updated several
Looking to upgrade your PC without the hassle of subscriptions? This Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle is here to deliver serious productivity power. For a one-time purchase, you get lifetime licenses to four essential Microsoft products — designed to streamline everything from document creation to project management.
First up, Office 2019 Professional Plus gives you access to essential tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook you never have to worry about paying for again. With improved cloud connectivity and enhanced inking, you can create and collaborate with ease.
But it doesn't stop there. Next is Windows 11 Pro — the operating system that's as smooth as it is secure. With advanced security features like BitLocker encryp
If learning Excel has been sitting on your to-do list, now's the perfect time to dive in. This Microsoft Excel training bundle offers 16 full courses that walk you through everything from building your first spreadsheet to mastering financial forecasting. Whether you're a complete newbie or already comfortable with Excel, this bundle has something for everyone — hurry and grab it for $29.97 before this sale ends on October 27.
This bundle is packed with hundreds of video lessons and exercises that will make you an Excel whiz in no time. You'll learn how to use Excel for business analysis, create interactive dashboards, and even automate repetitive tasks with VBA macros. And if you're looking to get into more advanced functions, there are courses that cover
A few days ago, on October 24, the company released the optional KB5044384 patch for Windows 11, which was intended to fix many of the problems. But as Windows Latest reports, this rescue update is itself causing further problems as it crashes and can't even be installed.
Microsoft said Monday that it will begin testing a new Teams interface in November, optionally collapsing various channels, teams, and chat options into a single feed. Customers with access to the Teams public preview will be able to try out this new interface next month, Microsoft said today.
On the surface, the new chat interface appears similar to how PCWorld organizes our latest articles. What we call a "crawl" of articles progresses down the PCWorld home page, mixing in news, tips, how-tos, reviews, and more. If you want to see reviews and only reviews, you can visit our reviews page. Otherwise, everything is combined inside a single column of information.
The new Teams interface takes this approach, but also builds upon it further. While the new chat interface combines channels, teams, and private chats, you can opt into this new approach, or keep things the way they are. You can also treat particular categories as filters, so that you'll only see channel messages or "@" mentions in the main interface. You can also keep chats and channels in separate interfaces, too.
Today, Best Buy is offering this version with a Ryzen CPU and an RTX 4060 graphics card for $750. That's $250 off the retail price.
With an 8-core Ryzen 7 7435HS processor, a generous 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 512GB of SSD space, the Lenovo LOQ 15 is ready to tackle pretty much anything a regular user (or college student) could throw at it.
But it's also packing an RTX 4060 graphics card with 8GB of video memory. That's more than enough juice to get through most competitive games and max out the 1080p display with 144Hz of refresh. It can handle more visually intense single-player games, too, though you might have to dial down some of the visual extras.
That said, what the LOQ 15 lacks in longevity, it makes up in flexibility. For ports, you get USB-C with video-out and 140 watts of charging, plus four USB-A ports across the side and back, and full-sized HDMI and Ethernet. That makes this an excellent alternative to a desktop, especially if you crack it open to upgrade the RAM and storage. Unlike many smaller laptop designs, the LOQ 15 has both RAM slots and two M.2 slots exposed to the user, so you can make easy upgrades with a screwdriver.
Best Buy is offering this deal on its website, and there should be at least some stock in local stores if you wa
While we feel that our favorite monitor overall is an awesome choice for most people, we also have alternative options for budget shoppers, gamers, and those seeking the best HDR performance. After all, not everyone needs the same features from a monitor. (If you're looking specifically for a 4K monitor or gaming monitor, go check out our separate roundups highlighting your best options for those particular needs, as well.) You can find out more about how we evaluate monitors and what specs matter most below our list of recommendations.
Scroll below our recommendations to see other monitors we've reviewed recently, and to learn more about our monitor review process.
But with the growing number of issues affecting the Windows 11 24H2 update, we're seeing a surprising expansion in the breadth of these upgrade blocks. BleepingComputer has an excellent rundown of exactly what hardware and software might keep your system from the update.
Incompatibilities include some obvious things, like a few Asus laptops that are known to get blue screen crashes after the update, or integrated webcams and fingerprint sensors that might stop working.
But there are some more innocuous mentions, including:
Gameloft's Asphalt 8: Airborne, a free-to-play racing game ported from smartphones and featured on the official Windows store.
The Safe Exam Browser, an anti-cheating program required for many university students and industrial training systems.
Easy Anti-Cheat, a popular software tool for online multiplayer games. Updates for your game and/or Intel drivers might fix this.
Some wallpaper customization tools, which might break after the install. What a weird thing to hold up an allegedly vital update!
Intel Smart Sound Technology
According to a new report, the next major revision of the Gemini model has some grand ambitions, including the ability to completely control the Chrome browser. That's according to The Information, citing unconfirmed leaks from deep within Google.
The system is allegedly codenamed "Project Jarvis," a clear allusion to Tony Stark's fictional and semi-sentient artificial intelligence from the Iron Man movies. This upgraded version of Gemini can apparently control Google's Chrome browser with screenshots and virtualized mouse clicks, similar to what Anthropic recently unveiled with its Claude AI system.
According to the leaked info, the end goal is a system that's sophisticated and reliable enough to be used to order products from online stores or even arrange and pay for plane tickets. That would be a serious step up from the somewhat basic attempts at automation currently seen from Google and its competitors. But Google's deep hooks in the browser and search space would certainly make it possible, if not easy.
Google is expected to unveil an early preview of this capability in December, though that's allegedly subject to change. A small initial beta test to work out the kinks — and boy, there would be some concerning kinks in any system expected to autonomously spend regular users' money — would then follow.
We can't independently confirm The Information's, um, information.
If you're one of the many people who are struggling with a frustrating Windows 11 24H2 experience, here's a tip: you can uninstall the update and reset your Windows 11 system. Here's how.
Warning: Even though data normally isn't lost during this process, there's always a slight risk of things going wrong. We recommend backing up your important data — the stuff you seriously don't want to lose — to an external drive before reverting Windows 11. This isn't mandatory, but it does ensure that at least your data will remain on the off chance that you run into problems.
How to revert or reset Windows 11
To reset Windows 11, open Settings (using the Windows key I keyboard shortcut), Then navigate to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and select Recovery. Here you will find various options for repairing Windows or returning to a previous version:
AMD already confirmed that it was going to announce Ryzen 9000X3D chip variants on November 7, but there won't be much mystery left when that date finally rolls around. One model in particular was spotted pretty much everywhere this weekend: the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
The 9800X3D is probably the most anticipated chip in the upcoming series, as the last-gen 7800X3D is one of the most popular CPUs around for its mix of punchy performance and (relatively) affordable price.
According to specs posted by VideoCardz.com, taken from various retailer listings that seem to have been posted early, the 9800X3D uses an 8-core, 16-thread design with a base clock of 4.7GHz boosted up to 5.2GHz at a maximum. That's in line with last gen with some notable bumps, and it's faster than the 9700X and sucks down more juice at 120 watts of TDP. The L3 cache, which includes the "special sauce" 3D v-cache that can give a big boost to gaming performance, appears to be the same 32 64MB setup as the 7800X3D.
Notably, listings are showing that the 9800X3D has a free multiplier feature. That means that overclocking will probably be unlocked on the system level, something that was lacking in previous X3D variants. In fact, some early overclocking tests have already leaked — with
And wouldn't you know it, this 24.5-inch Asus ROG Strix gaming monitor that ticks all the boxes is on sale for $229 on Amazon! That's $70 (or 23 percent) off its original $299 price.
So, what makes this monitor stand out? It's clearly not the size because this isn't anywhere close to a gigantic screen that takes over your desk. It's also not a 4K monitor, putting out a 1080p resolution instead.
But the selling point here is its 310Hz refresh rate. That's bonkers fast, blowing past other monitors in this price range that only offer 120Hz, 144Hz, or 180Hz. The super-fast refresh rate ensures smooth and responsive gameplay, no matter what type of games you play.
Thanks to the Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync feature, this monitor also has no ghosting or tearing, so you'll have a great visual experience. It uses Fast IPS technology, mixing in the best of what an IPS panel display has to offer (especially color accuracy and great viewing angles) with an enhanced response time of 1ms for flawless gaming.
Snag this Asus monitor for $229 on Amazon while you still can because this deal won't last forever!
Save now on this blazing-fast 310Hz gaming monitor
Well, one of our favorite and most iconic portable SSDs is now on sale for the best price we've ever seen for it: the SK Hynix Beetle X31 is down to just $65 on Amazon, a superb 31 percent off its $94 MSRP.
Not only is the Beetle X31 at its best price, but it's one of our favorite portable SSDs in recent years. In our review of the SK Hynix Beetle X31, we gave it a near-perfect 4.5 rating and appreciated that it was one of the best 10Gbps performers we've tested. We also really love the design, although we do wish it came in different colors besides gold.
This tiny portable SSD fits in the palm of your hand and is made of durable aluminum that protects your data from bumps and falls:
You never see 10Gbps portable SSDs with 1TB capacity at this price, so this is an opportunity you don't want to miss out on. Hurry and grab this SK Hynix Beetle X31 for $65 on Amazon while you can!
Robot vacuums have become indispensable in our homes. From pet hair to daily dust, these devices keep floors clean with minimal hands-on help. But like any tool, a robot vacuum needs regular upkeep to keep running at peak performance—and to avoid early retirement.
Fortunately, the steps to extending your vacuum's lifespan are simple, and many are directly recommended by manufacturers. Here's what you need to know to get the most out of your robo-cleaner.
1. Clean it regularly, and it'll clean for longer
The brushes, rollers, and wheels are where dust and debris accumulate most, making them critical maintenance points. Built-up dirt and hair can reduce suction and potentially damage the motor. Most manufacturers suggest cleaning these components every week if you have pets or bi-weekly for homes without furry companions.
The brushes and rollers will likely see the most action and giving them a thorough clean will prevent tangles that can stop them from spinning properly. Just pull them out, untangle any hair, and wipe them down. The wheels can also accumulate gunk over time, so it's worth giving them a once-over with a cloth to make sure they keep rolling smoothly.
Modern routers, especially mesh routers, have thankfully made problems with poor Wi-Fi coverage fairly rare, but there are still many good reasons to review your network. It's not just about security, but also about getting the most out of your internet connection, minimizing lag in online games and protecting your and your family's privacy.
Why not settle for the operator's router?
Many internet service providers lend a Wi-Fi router to customers, while others offer it as an optional extra for a small fee. Of course, it's easy to make do with it, and it can be cheaper if it's included. But it might be a better idea to get a router yourself instead. For one thing, it means you can keep your router and don't have to redo all the settings if you switch operators.
Carrier routers are rarely the most powerful, so you can get faster wireless internet with your own. This is especially true if you have many devices and/or a large house or a home with solid walls that weaken the signal. With mesh systems, you can get as many access points as you need to provide a strong signal throughout your home.
Security can also be higher, as over the years there have been relatively frequent security flaws in operators' routers, which are not always fixed quickly. With so many customers using the same router model, such routers become more tempting prey for hackers.
I favor a very brutalist approach to PC hardware: I don't really care what it looks like as long as it performs well and cost-effectively. But my personal aesthetic has always been very organic, and the i500's genuine wood-paneled case plays into that perfectly.
On paper, the Corsair One i500 is an aggressive little machine. Inside is a Core i9-14900K processor and an Nvidia RTX 4080 Super, which is nearly the best of what you can buy today. All of that fits inside a compact little 22-liter chassis that's perfectly suited toward a bookshelf: cool, quiet, compact, and understated, all characteristics normally associated with a cut above.
You can certainly buy your own case and components, and assemble them; it will certainly save you money. With the One, Corsair makes a strong argument that paying (a lot) extra can bring both aesthetic and practical benefits that aren't immediately obvious.
Corsair One i500: The whole package argues for opening your wallet
My evaluation of the Corsair One i500 is a hybrid of formal review and a hands-on. We already have our hands full reviewing the dozens of laptops that come into our labs, and we normally write for the portion of our audience who buys and assembles their o
If you're still rocking an older version of Windows or just can't upgrade through Windows Update, here's your chance to jump into the future, on sale for $19.97 ending October 27.
Windows 11 Pro doesn't just give your PC a new look — it supercharges your productivity, gaming, and security, while adding some next-level AI with Copilot. Microsoft even calls it "The ultimate AI study buddy." Whether you're crushing it in the office or trying to ace that exam, this OS has your back.
Windows 11 Pro combines a sleek interface with AI-powered tools like Copilot to boost productivity and streamline multitasking. It offers enhanced security features like biometric login and TPM 2.0, while professional tools like Hyper-V and BitLocker support business needs. Gamers also benefit from improved performance with DirectX 12 Ultimate for sharper graphics.
October 27 is the last day to take advantage of this low price on a
Are you tired of juggling multiple AI tools to handle your creative tasks? With the 1minAI Pro Plan, you get permanent access to a powerful suite of AI functionalities designed to streamline your workflow and boost your creativity — all for a one-time fee of $39.99.
1minAI harnesses advanced AI models to assist with various tasks, from writing articles and editing images to manipulating PDFs and editing audio/video. This all-in-one solution simplifies your creative process, allowing you to generate content quickly and efficiently. While the AI excels at producing ideas and drafts, human oversight remains important for polishing and finalizing your work.
Unlike many AI platforms that charge monthly, 1minAI offers a lifetime subscription, meaning you pay once and enjoy the benefits for ye
With Office 2024, Microsoft promises improved performance, updated user interfaces, and more tools for analyzing data and embedding images in Excel, as well as support for new features over Office 2021. See all the new features in Office 2024 on this support page.
Office 2024 without Outlook
Microsoft Office Home 2024 is the base version that's meant for private users and students. It costs $149.99 and can be installed on a single Windows PC or Mac computer.
Microsoft Office Home 2024 is now available on AmazonBuy now for $149.99
Microsoft describes the difference between a Microsoft 365 subscription (which is the one that Microsoft prefers you use) and the locked-in-time Office 2024 suite as follows:
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 October 24, 2024: We added the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus ($699.99) as an alternative option underneath the Best High-End Chromebook pick. Not only is the AMOLED display a real beauty, but it's also one of the thinnest Chromebooks out there right now. We've also updated our list of recent laptop reviews, so be sure to check those out near the bottom of the page!
The only catch is the price. Most monitor arms worth buying will cost close to $200, and heavy-duty arms capable of holding two large displays are even pricier. The good news is that if you buy a good-quality monitor arm, you'll likely never need to replace it. That's why it's important to choose wisely with your first monitor arm purchase.
To help you with that, we've put several popular monitor arms through their paces to find the best of the bunch. Below you'll find our curated list of recommended monitor arms, with thorough explanations of what qualities made them stand out. And below that, we point out some arms that we weren't so keen on — to provide a point of comparison.
If you're still on the fence about whether a monitor arm is worth the money and the time it takes to set up, read our article that answers why a monitor arm is most definitely worth it.
The Samsung Odyssey G50D is a sleek monitor with 2560×1440 resolution, offering a nice bump in pixels over 1080p without going full fat to 4K and overtaxing mid-range gaming PCs or laptops. With a 180Hz refresh rate, it's plenty fast enough for smooth gameplay on both visually intense single-player games and fast-paced online multiplayer ones.
But that IPS panel is what drew my eye, if you'll pardon the pun. It's a richer and more color-accurate alternative to the VA panels you usually see on gaming monitors of this size and price, making this Samsung design great for a combined work-and-play desktop setup. (IPS panels are what I use in all my monitors, despite the speed hit, since I need color accuracy for Photoshop work.)
This monitor design is light on extras, though it does come with a beefy stand that supports vertical and horizontal layouts. You don't get any USB extras (one USB-A port is for support, it doesn't connect to your PC), just a headphone jack on top of one DisplayPort and one HDMI input. You can upgrade it with a VESA-standard monitor arm if you like, though.
All in all, it's a pretty sweet deal for a more-than-decent monitor. Snag the 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G50D for $280 on Amazon while this deal lasts because it's not going to stick around forever.
To unlock some extra features beyond what's in base Windows, you'll need to install an optional app called Microsoft PowerToys that offers plenty of cool capabilities that you'll certainly find useful.
Maybe you already know about PowerToys and its more popular features like Image Resize (for right-click resizing images), Keyboard Manager (for remapping certain keys as other keys), Text Extractor (for copying text from images), Peek (for previewing files in File Explorer), and Screen Ruler (for measuring pixels on screen).
Well, keep reading for some other PowerToys features that are just as useful but maybe not as well-known.
What is Microsoft PowerToys?
Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of utilities that enhance the base Windows experience, bringing you all sorts of shortcuts and powers that boost productivity and make things just a bit easier to deal with.
While Microsoft PowerToys used to only be accessible through a custom installer that you had to do
And it looks like Lenovo isn't letting the tepid response to its first model get it down. No less than three new versions of the Legion Go have been spotted in official testing by a regulator.
The Eurasian Economic Commission, a customs body that handles imports for Russia and several partner states, published documentation for the three models. NotebookCheck spotted the documentation, which mentions model numbers 8ARP1, 8AHP2, and 8ASP2. The original Legion Go that was released a year ago uses the designation 8APU1, so these look like significant departures.
We've already heard a few whispers about a "lite" version of the Legion Go, presumably slimming down the beefy 8-inch handheld's dimensions, so one of these three models could be that design (if it's still active). NotebookCheck makes an educated guess that the "SP2" and "HP2" in the model numbers might correspond to AMD Strix Point and AMD Hawk Point processors, respectively. That would mean APUs in the Ryzen AI 200 and Ryzen AI 300 families, probably sporting the "Z Extreme" branding seen on handhelds like the Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally.
For one, you're likely to be presented with a poorer picture quality than your subscription actually provides. There are multiple ways to avoid this, which we'll go over below.
Choose the right browser
A well-known problem with Netflix is that browsers such as Firefox or Chrome do not play content in the best quality even though they should. On both Windows PCs and Macs, the quality can suffer massively if you use the wrong browser.
Netflix runs best in Safari. According to the streaming platform, a resolution of up to 2160p (Ultra HD) is possible here. Edge should also have fewer problems with the playback of HD content. So, if you have the option, it's best to use one of these browsers for streaming.
Install a browser add-on
There are practical add-ons for all other browsers that virtually "force" playback in Full HD. In the case of Chrome, for example, there's "Netflix higher quality" or "Netflix 1080p." The latter is also available for Mozilla Firefox.
Intel confirmed testing by PCWorld and other reviewers that showed that performance dips if applications are run on Windows' default Balanced power mode. And TechSpot's review of Arrow Lake indicates that you'll see a decent performance improvement while gaming on older versions of Windows 11, versus the latest feature update.
Intel's Arrow Lake did not fare well in reviews by PCWorld and other sites, for two reasons. First, performance wasn't expected to be any higher than "parity" between Arrow Lake and the older 14th-gen Core desktop processors, as Intel admitted to in gaming scenarios even before the Core Ultra 200S Series launched. Intel's headline announcement was pitched as the real reason to buy Arrow Lake: dramatically lower power consumption, as much as half in specific cases.
Intel's glitch means you need to make an adjustment
Overall performance, though, is what many people care about, and where Intel apparently fell short as well. Reviewers were supplied Arrow Lake testing hardware pre-configured to the Windows' "Best Performance" configuration. That wasn't obvious, however.
This tiny memory card delivers up to 180MB/s read and 130MB/s write speeds, fast enough to capture 4K videos without stutter, whether with your phone, a drone, or a security camera. But the card would also work fine in, say, a Nintendo Switch for games and save files.
The Samsung Pro Plus comes with multiple protections: it's waterproof (up to 72 hours in seawater), temperature-proof (operating between -13 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit), safe against X-rays and magnets, and rugged enough to withstand extreme wear and tear.
And its 1TB capacity is plenty, able to hold up to 47 hours of 4K video content or 437,000 photos in 4K resolution. That's large enough to use in place of an SSD (but you may need to snag a microSD adapter if you don't have a microSD reader in your PC).
Don't miss out on this 1TB Samsung Pro Plus microSD card for just $100 on Amazon! If you don't need that much space and want to save money, the other sizes are also on sale: 512GB for $45 (41 percent off), 256GB for $27 (33 percent off), and 128GB for $21 (19 percent o
It's why most gamers are wowed when they see games like Forza Horizon 5. The fact that developers can make a game so life-like is quite extraordinary.
Hyper realism, then, is a technical achievement that most gamers will deservedly salute. But by no means does it guarantee a game will be fun and engrossing to play.
Hyper realism works for some games
Don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of hyper-realistic games. There's no denying that games like Crysis, Fallout 4, and Kingdom Come Deliverance have stunned and amazed me with their beautiful rendering and life-like mechanics.
In these games the high level of graphical realism has worked to engross me a little more than some other titles.
In Red Dead Redemption 2, looking down the main streets of towns with their old-world buildings is like starring into the past — it conjures the possibility of living out my own Wild West fantasies, of having my own virtual O.K. Corral showdown — a tantalizing prospect for this history buff.
The mechanics of some hyper-realistic games like RDR2 align nicely to make the fantasy more tangible too. The fact that I can do things like stable my horse, just like I could in real life (had I actually a horse to stable) lends c
This isn't your run-of-the-mill $600 laptop. It's quite good for the price, primarily because it features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card. Sure, it may not be the latest and greatest model, but you'll have fun with it — it's powerful enough to run your games on high settings.
And those graphics are going to look good on this laptop's 15.6-inch display at a resolution of 1920×1080 and a refresh rate of 144Hz. That's fast enough to get super smooth frame rates.
The rest of the config is more in line with what you'd expect at this price, including an Intel Core i5-13420H CPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. All together, the MSI Thin 15 is speedy enough to handle work, browsing, and multitasking of apps and browser tabs. It'll also boot up fast, load apps quickly, and provide ample storage.
Also, despite it being called an MSI Thin, just note that this isn't exactly the thinnest of laptops. But it measures 0.85 inches thick and weighs 4.1 pounds, so it's certainly portable enough to carry around.
Don't miss this chance to grab a solid gaming and work laptop that won't let you down: MSI Thin 15 for just $600 at Best Buy.
Right now, you can get this 24-pack of Homemory floating candles for just $13.56 on Amazon, a solid 55 percent discount off its $30 MSRP.
These candles are 6.5 inches long each, with LED bulbs that flicker with warm yellow light. They only need a bit of fishing wire to get them hanging from the air, creating a magical scene in any space. Don't care to make them float? You can use them like normal candlesticks, too.
These atmospheric lights are all the rage on Instagram and TikTok, and I was honestly surprised to learn how affordable they are.
There are a number of tools on the internet that can read and decrypt freely readable or encrypted passwords for Windows, Office programs, or certain file formats such as PDF from configuration files or the registry. But many of these were written for older software versions and no longer work today.
Microsoft has continued to strengthen the encryption strength of its passwords over the years and other manufacturers have followed suit. That said, it's still possible to extract stored passwords from some file types and applications. The programmer Nir Sofer offers a whole range of corresponding tools on his website www.nirsoft.net, all of which can be downloaded free of charge.
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
NXS Gaming PC Falcon, Ryzen 5 5600X/RTX 4060 Ti/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $877.00 (27% off on Amazon)
Alienware Aurora R16, Core i7-14700F/RTX 4070 Super/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,599.99 (16% off on Dell)
While auxiliary storage and transport are great reasons to buy an external drive — backup is the primary reason your setup isn't complete without one. To augment that, you'll also want to store important data off-site in the cloud if possible. This follows the rule of three: the original data, a copy, and a copy of the copy kept off-site. It's the best way to safeguard your data against both computer failure as well as local disasters such as fire, flood, etc.
Restoring from local storage is far, far faster than pulling down your data from the web, which is why we are so keen on backing up to an external drive. If your time is important to you, that is.
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.
And for that, this high-capacity Anker power station will do the trick just fine, serving as a power bank for all your devices AND as a light source for your camp. The best part? It's on sale for just $90 on Amazon, a solid 40 percent off its original $150 MSRP. (Clip the on-page coupon!)
This power bank has a massive 60,000mAh capacity, which is enough to completely recharge a MacBook Air nearly three times, or an iPhone 14 Pro Max over seven times. But despite its considerable power, this thing is neither too large nor too heavy, measuring 4.59 x 4.59 inches, standing just over 8 inches tall, and weighing 5 pounds.
It comes with two USB-C ports, with the main one capable of 60W charging and the other one capable of 27W charging, so you can fast-charge a laptop and a phone at the same time. There are two additional USB-A ports for extra charging if needed, and it has a solar input to connect a solar panel (not included).
It also has a built-in retractable LED lamp that comes out of the top, which features two brightness modes that are great for reading, relaxing, illuminating your campsite, and more. You can also press the SOS button to signal for help when you're in a bind.
Lastly, this power station features a digital display that shows you how much battery power remains, what that translates to in remaining charging time, and how much input/output is being used.
This is an amazing accessory to have on any camping trip, the kind you'll wish you had if you (God forbid) end up in an emergen
Unlike a lot of monitors featured on Woot, this LG 39GS95QE is a brand-new model, neither refurbished nor open-box. It has a semi-standard 3440×1440 ultrawide resolution, but its size is boosted by five extra inches to give you that much more oomph.
With a dramatic 800R curve, a speedy 240Hz refresh rate, and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, it also has a leg up on some other gaming monitors. A standard VESA mount makes adding a monitor arm easy, though the included base looks pretty nice all on its own.
Despite all that impressive tech, the connectivity is a bit underwhelming. You get two HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort, but no USB-C options, and only two USB-A ports for easy connection to other gadgets.
Even so, this is about the best deal you're going to see for an oversized OLED monitor. It's considerably cheaper than even most of the 27-inch OLED monitors on the market right now.
Woot is offering this rock-bottom price for another 10 days, and Amazon Prime members can get free standard shipping. But Woot deals with limited stock — once it's gone, you might not see it again, so definitely jump on this one fast if you're interested.
Save 52% on this 39-inch ultrawide OLED gaming monitor
If you're feeling totally lost, don't worry-we did the hard work for you. The laptops below have been personally tested and vetted by members of the PCWorld team, so you know you're getting a good machine. Just note that laptop prices can fluctuate, so our picks below may occasionally go over $1,000. For more recommendations on gaming laptops, see our roundup of the best gaming laptops across all prices, or take a look at our roundup of the best laptop deals.
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 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.
Updated October 24, 2024: We added the HP Victus 15 ($1,099.99) as an alternative opt
TCL says its newest manufacturing process will help alleviate some OLED pain points, including price, brightness, and power draw.
During the Omdia Korea Display Conference last week, TCL's Chief of the Technology Planning Center expounded on the company's new "inkjet-printed" OLED display tech. As reported by FlatPanelsHD.com, this manufacturing process can create display panels with a 50 percent reduction in light loss from internal reflections, lower energy usage, and a much longer lifespan — and all of that comes with a 20 percent reduction in manufacturing cost.
TCL showed off prototype versions of these new panels at the conference, including a conventional 8K OLED television, a 14-inch laptop screen, and a 31-inch "dome-shaped OLED" with 4K resolution. Company representatives said that it would be ready to begin limited production with this new technique by the end of this year, targeting "medium-sized OLED displays" for new products in 2025. (That means OLED laptop panels and monitors.)
While the presentation was certainly optimistic and self-serving, TCL isn't just blowing smoke. The inkjet printing technique, as opposed to the older evaporative stencil manufacturing system, has been in the news for the last year or so. The printing system is already used to deposit the encapsulation layer in most OLEDs right now, but expanding it into the emitters
For now, this means that if you buy an Arrow Lake chip, you won't be able to use it with some of the new AI enhancements found within Windows 11's 2024 Update, like generative AI and the controversial Recall function. Arrow Lake's optimized NPU 3 only provides 13 TOPS, while Microsoft set 40 TOPS as the bar for Copilot status. Intel still plans to ship more than 40 million AI PCs in 2024, using the vaguer "AI PC" definition that accompanied the launch of Meteor Lake.
Arrow Lake is the not the first desktop PC architecture to include an NPU for AI. Last January, AMD announced the Ryzen 8000 series of desktop processors with an NPU capable of 39 TOPS. However, the blink-or-you'll-miss-it Ryzen 8000 was quickly replaced by the Ryzen 9000 processor six months later in June — without an NPU, but ushering in Zen 5 with a potent 16 percent performance improvement over the prior generation. Neither the Ryzen 8000 nor Arrow Lake meets the threshold to be called a Copilot PC.
Arrow Lake, like Meteor Lake, is a disaggregated architecture — a fancy name for a modular design. Theoretically, couldn't Intel have just made more of the 45 TOPS NPU 4 found within Lunar Lake, and added it to the Arrow
Arrow Lake, also known as its Core Ultra 200S processor lineup, is Intel's first "disaggregated" desktop processor, built on tiles, meaning each part of the chip is individually fabricated on a different process. In a twist, Intel unveiled a deep dive into the architecture of Lunar Lake and the models, prices, and performance of the Core Ultra 200S processor. A key omission? Hyperthreading, which also was not part of Intel's Lunar Lake mobile processor.
The story of Arrow Lake is a simple one: More performance and yet substantially less power than the 14th-generation Core chips. And to get there, Intel executives said they applied the same thinking to both Lunar Lake and its next-gen desktop counterpart: Make its cores as efficient as possible, both for power and for space.
Today marks the launch of Arrow Lake, the company's latest architecture for desktop processors, formally sold as the Core Ultra 200S Series. According to Intel's claims, this batch of Core chips is faster and far more power efficient than last-gen Raptor Lake CPUs, while still beating out the competition.
However, Arrow Lake isn't notable just for what it does, but also for what it is. As the first set of desktop x86 processors shipped but not fabricated by Intel, TSMC's involvement in their production is but one new standout aspect. Intel has reworked its chip design, too—and the overhaul comes with some quirks, as we discovered during our testing.
Let's dig into the top ten things you should know about Intel's Core Ultra 200S CPUs, after extensive testing of the flagship Core Ultra 9 285K.
Truth is, it's hard to know whether a particular chunk of text is AI-generated or actually written by a human. Google is hoping to make it easier to spot by open-sourcing its new software tool.
Google calls it SynthID, a method that "watermarks and identifies AI-generated content." Previously limited to Google's own language and image generation systems, the company has announced that SynthID is being released as open-source code that can be applied to other AI text generation setups as well. (If you're more comp-sci literate than me, you can check out all the details in the prestigious Nature journal.)
But in layman's terms — at least to the degree that this layman can actually understand them — SynthID hides specific patterns in images and text that are generally too subtle for humans to spot, with a scheme to detect them when tested.
SynthID can "encode a watermark into AI-generated text in a way that helps you determine if text was generated from your LLM without affecting how the underlying LLM works or negatively impacting generation quality," according to a post on the open-source machine learning database Hugging Face.
The good news is that Google says these watermarks can be integrated with pretty much any AI text generation tool. The bad news is that actually detecting the watermarks still isn't something that can b
But there's always been a big problem with all rechargeable batteries: the fact that they lose capacity over time.
Sure, there are best practices you can use to prevent unnecessary degradation and thereby extend the lifespan of a rechargeable battery. For example, keeping a battery between 30 and 70 percent can prolong its longevity. There's even a dedicated feature that does this for you on modern iPhones and Android phones.
Even so, rechargeables still lose capacity despite best practices, and eventually they get so bad that you need to replace them. But we might now be one step closer to that being a problem of the past.
Restore battery capacity with a simple trick
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a method that can partially restore the capacity of silicon batteries. The findings were presented in an article in Science.
Silicon anodes wear out over time as individual particles split and can no longer be used for charging. However, a relatively simple trick can be used to ensure that those silicon particles
We've separated the recommendations below by best laptop deals under $500, best home use laptop deals, best gaming laptop deals, and best premium laptop deals, to make it easier to find a notebook that fits your budget and needs. For more options, check out PCWorld's roundup of the best laptops available right now.
Best laptop deals (at a glance)
Acer Aspire 3, $279.99 ($42 off at Amazon)
Lenovo Ideapad 1, $319.99 ($260 off at Best Buy)
But Microsoft says in a blog post that Windows 11 24H2 is worth installing because it "includes several improvements to how you install monthly updates" which lead to "reduced installation time, restart time, and central processing unit (CPU) usage for Windows monthly updates."
Further reading: 4 things to consider before buying a GPU
A typical graphics card contains a GPU die (chip) soldered onto the circuit board and surrounded by memory modules. This is built into a heat sink, cover, and fan, creating the actual graphics card.
Companies like AMD and Nvidia use multiple GPU dies in each generation to create different models and customize the specifications as needed. The GPU die designation often follows a system where a lower number on the spec sheet indicates a larger and more powerful die. For example, Nvidia's AD102 GPU utilizes the flagship RTX 4090 graphics card while the RTX 4080 and RTX 4080 Super use the AD103 GPU. Newer GPUs utilize smaller manufacturing processes to offer more performance in the same physical space.
What makes this deal so magical? Well, this laptop is powered by an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, one of the best graphics cards you can get for price-performance without shelling out an absolute fortune. This GPU is powerful enough to push high-quality settings in all but the most demanding of modern games.
And those games are going to look good on this laptop's 15.6-inch 1080p display with a refresh rate of 165Hz for smooth frame rates. The 3ms response time is fast enough for anything but top-level competitive esports, and it supports Nvidia G-Sync for zero screen tearing.
That's further bolstered by its AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU, the 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and the 512GB SSD on board. That's a strong configuration that can easily handle any task you throw its way, can quickly load all your apps and games, and can store all the documents, photos, and videos you need on hand. (You can later upgrade the RAM to 32GB, too.)
Grab this Dell G15 gaming laptop for $850 while you still can because this Dell.com deal isn't going to last forever.
And right now, you can grab a two-pack of Kasa Smart Plugs for just $13 on Amazon, which is 35 percent off its normal $20 price. If you don't want two, you can get the one-pack for just $8.
Imagine it's time to sleep, so you leave the living room and lay down in your bed, get comfy, and you're ready to drift off — when you suddenly remember that you didn't turn off the lamp. (Been there, done that, grumble grumble…) If that lamp is plugged into a smart plug, you can remotely disable the smart plug from your phone and call it a night.
The Kasa Smart Plugs also support voice commands, allowing you to exercise hands-free control over your home devices via Alexa or Google Home Assistant. (Kasa also has a variant that supports Apple HomeKit and Siri, and that one's on sale for $18 per two-pack.)
These smart plugs also have a nifty scheduling feature that lets you set up timers and routines that automatically turn your outlets on and off. That can be useful when you're on vacation and you want your lights to turn on at night so your home isn't an obvious target for burglars.
They're really easy to use, too. Each smart plug fits right into a single wall outlet and doesn't block space (so you could plug two into a single wall outlet if you wanted to). Simply connect them to your Wi-Fi network using the Kasa app, and each smart plug has a physical
However, such code names are also widespread in the IT industry, where projects and products are often given imaginary names during the development phase.
Here too, the purpose can be to keep important new developments secret from the competition and the public. However, if a certain term is used within the company, everyone involved knows exactly what it is all about.
But IT terms do not always remain within a closed circle of participants — or should not. After all, unambiguous terms are particularly helpful when searching the internet for information, products, drivers, firmware, and much more.
Here's an example: When Microsoft released the first of this year's two major feature updates for Windows 11 in the spring, it had a unique KB number like any other update.
If you wanted to know something about the feature update, you would have had to know the seven-digit KB number. The term "Moment 5" was much quicker. Although Microsoft itself never used it, it was clearly assigned to this update in the specialized press and on the internet.
Each Android version stands for a delicious dessert
Sure, you might be able to crack open that laptop and swap out the main drive for a bigger one, or even install a second drive alongside it for additional storage. And yes, you can definitely do that with a desktop PC.
But if you have zero affinity for computer tinkering, then it's just way more convenient to buy the right amount of storage from the get-go. Working on a computer with a too-small-for-your-needs SSD can be miserable, but you also don't want to overspend on unused capacity.
Here's everything you need to know about how much SSD storage space you should have in 2024, as well as how big you can reasonably go without wasting your hard-earned money.
64GB storage is too little
Officially, Microsoft's system requirements for Windows 11 say that 64GB of storage is the absolute minimum for the operating system.
Yet while you might be able to cram Windows 11 onto such a small drive, it won't be comfortable. You won't have much — if any — room to install third-party applications, download files, or manage PC games.
That said, a computer with a 64GB SSD can technically run Windows 11 as long as you're willing to forego lots of applications and store all of your files on the cloud, on an SD card, on a USB drive, or a separate SSD. If you do th
If you're tired of desk clutter and hunching over your laptop, the 8-in-1 tablet and laptop docking stand is here to elevate your setup for $49.97 (reg. $69). This multifunctional device offers an impressive range of ports, including HDMI, USB, SD/microSD, and audio, allowing you to connect various peripherals effortlessly.
Its adjustable design promotes better posture, reducing eye strain during extended use. The 100W PD port provides high-speed charging, eliminating the need for multiple chargers, while several USB ports let you charge multiple devices simultaneously.
With a flexible 180-degree adjustable tablet/laptop holder, you can find your perfect viewing angle. The foldable design ensures portability, making it easy to switch from a docking station to a portable stand.
Enjoy the best of both worlds and upgrade your productivity and security with this complete Microsoft bundle you can own for life — on sale for $52.97.
Microsoft Office Professional 2021 offers lifetime access to these essential tools: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, Access. These provide everything you need to create professional documents, manage data, a
Vivaldi has been one of the browsers I've used for several years, in part because of the exceptional flexibility the browser offers. Vivaldi is especially information-dense, placing visible access to a number of bookmarks, feeds, and emails all within a tight space. My colleague Michael Crider has his own reasons for switching from Chrome to Vivaldi, but both of us are sticking with the browser.
In one sense, the new Dashboard feels like some of the efforts at "new tab" pages that browsers have added, where you can take what is essentially a blank page and add customized information to it. The Dashboard, or Start page, allows you to place some of the information Vivaldi typically reserves for its sidebars — calendar, feeds, Instagram, email, and so on — and center them on the page.
In the video demo, researcher Sam Ringer shows Claude performing a bit of data entry "drudge work," with the AI model using screenshots of a Mac desktop to find relevant information and submit a form. It is indeed the kind of thing that employees all over the world do every day, though Ringer notes that this is a "representative example." Exactly how much of the video is edited isn't known.
But you don't need to take Anthropic's word for it. An early version of the Claude 3.5 Sonnet API is available to try out now, and Ethan Mollick, a professor studying AI at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, did just that. Mollick tested out the AI with Universal Paperclips, an online clicker game with some wonderfully subtle science fiction going on in its background.
PDFs get smart
The AI revolution is well underway, and the updated PDFelement brings AI-powered tools that are focussed on improving how users interact with PDF files. With these new abilities you can get work done in the least amount of time and with a minimum of fuss.
One such feature is Knowledge Cards. If you are rushing to write up a report for work or have an essay due, then this could be a godsend. PDFelement can take long PDF files, read them using the built-in AI technology, then generate summaries that highlight the key points in the document. No need to plough through pages and pages of text to find the necessary information, as the software can do it in seconds, providing you the data you need to finish your task in a fraction of the time.
Not only that. If you need more information or want terms and ideas in the document explained, then you can use the Chat feature to ask questions. This works across multiple PDFs and is a whole new way to interact with documents as you have an assistant to help you process and understand the content. The AI also has the ability to generate quizzes and answer sets so you can test yourself on your newly acquired knowledge.
In the Chrome Releases blog post, Daniel Yip lists the three eliminated security vulnerabilities, all of which were discovered by external security researchers and reported to Google.
Google categorizes all three vulnerabilities as high risk. Two of them involve "type confusion in the V8 JavaScript engine" while the third involves an "inappropriate implementation in extensions."
This security update comes on the heels of last week's Chrome 130 release, which patched 17 security vulnerabilities. Google plans to release Chrome 131 in mid-November.
Chrome usually updates itself automatically when a new version is available, but you can trigger a manual update check by going to Help About Google Chrome in the three-dot menu.
Other Chromium-based browsers
The companies behind other Chromium-based browsers should be releasing their own updates soon. Only Microsoft Edge and Brave have already switched to Chromium 130. Vivaldi is still finalizing its 7.0 browser release, which will be based on Chromium 130.
Unlike the rest, Opera is far from ready as Opera 114 is still on Chromium 138, Opera 115 based on Chromium 129 is still in testing, and Opera 116 lagging behind that.
According to the announcement post on RaspberryPi.com, you can now get officially branded NVMe drives along with the M.2 HAT upgrade board in a handy bundle. These come in two capacities (256GB and 512GB), both in the teeny-tiny 2230 size (30mm long) that fits in the HAT add-on board for the Pi 5. The drives cost $30 and $45, respectively, and you can add in the HAT module for an extra $10.
The drives should be available via Raspberry Pi's retail partners soon. Pre-order pages on PiShop.us are up for all four packages with a small surcharge. The smaller drive and bundle are "available to buy today," with the larger drive and bundle "shipping by the end of November." If you're feeling impatient, nothing's stopping you from buying the HAT on its own and installing your own 30mm or 42mm drive.
With Super Resolution, you'll be able to increase the resolution of a photo up to eight times its original size. It's a great way to clean up old pictures from outdated digital cameras and to upscale images for creative or editorial purposes. It's one of the more exciting features that have been planned as part of Microsoft's Windows 11 AI roadmap.
The most stunning thing about this HP Victus 16 is that features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card while coming in at under $1,000. We usually expect such laptops to be closer to $1,500 up to $2,000, and this is one of the best GPUs you can get without shelling out a fortune.
The RTX 4070 delivers superb graphics and allows you to max out most game settings to get the most immersive experience possible — and it's going to look great on the 16.1-inch display with its 1080p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate for buttery smooth frame rates.
Now that I've gushed about the GPU, let me touch on the rest of the also-solid configuration, which includes an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. That's more than enough power for performance-heavy software, fast loading of games and apps, and adequate storage for photos, videos, games, and more.
When we reviewed the HP Victus 16 gaming laptop, we rated it 4 stars and appreciated its good gaming performance, its excellent price-performance ratio, and its relatively lightweight body for a gaming laptop (weighing in at 5.15 pounds). For connectivity, it comes with one HDMI 2.1 port, one USB-C port, and three USB-A ports.
If you've been holding out for a powerful gaming laptop at an incredible p
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. By the way, since we're in the thick of back-to-school season, make sure you check out PCWorld's back-to-school coverage.
Updated October 23, 2024: We added the HP Victus 15 ($1,099.99) as an alternative option underneath the Best Budget Gaming Laptop pick. Not only is the design subtle yet sophisticated, but you can expect smooth gameplay thanks to the display's 144Hz refresh rate. We've also updated our list of recent laptop reviews, so be sure to check those
Why? Because some Windows 10 users have been complaining about printer problems in connection with USB cables. For some users, an unwanted network command text is printed when a USB connection is used. For others, scanner drivers fail to install via USB. This update aims to fix those USB-related issues.
With Office 2024, Microsoft promises improved performance, updated user interfaces, and more tools for analyzing data and embedding images in Excel, as well as support for new features over Office 2021. See all the new features in Office 2024 on this support page.
Office 2024 without Outlook
Microsoft Office Home 2024 is the base version that's meant for private users and students. It costs $149.99 and can be installed on a single Windows PC or Mac computer.
Microsoft Office Home 2024 is now available on AmazonBuy now for $149.99
Microsoft describes the difference between a Microsoft 365 subscription (which is the one that Microsoft prefers you use) and the locked-in-time Office 2024 suite as follows:
Once you're on the Dell rewards page, click Benefits in the middle, then "Join for free. Scroll down a bit and you'll see a 10 percent off option for Alienware monitors. Click Claim Off
If you sign up for Dell's rewards program, you can this 34-inch Alienware ultrawide OLED gaming monitor for as little as $612. That's nearly half off the original price and definitely worth jumping on.
You can read our review of the Alienware AW3423DWF here, where it earned a stunning 4.5-out-of-5-star rating and our PCWorld Editors' Choice award. But to summarize, the display is a fantastic OLED upgrade for pretty much any gaming desktop, only slightly let down by a lack of USB-C for easy laptop connections. Its ultrawide 3440×1440 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and brilliant colors are perfect for PC gamers.
Launched with a price of $1,100, we've seen this monitor dip as low as $700 before. And even at its new "regular" price of $900, it's a good deal. But a poster on the SlickDeals forum noticed an unbeatable combo of discounts: Not only is the monitor on sale for $679.99 at Dell's online store, but you can also sign up for Dell's customer rewards program to grab an extra 10 percent off, bringing the final price down to $612.
Once you're on the Dell rewards page, click Benefits in the middle, then "Join for free. Scroll down a bit and you'll see a 10 percent off option for Alienware monitors. Click Claim Off
While Apple's Time Machine provides users with an effective, set-it-and-forget-it recovery system, Microsoft users aren't so lucky. Instead, users are stuck deciding the best way to keep their data safe with a patchwork system of restore points, recovery discs, and file backups. Thankfully, there are a number of great third-party backup options for Windows.
Why you should trust us: It's in our name: PCWorld. Our reviewers have been testing PC hardware, software, and services for decades. Our backup evaluations are thorough and rigorous, testing the promises and limitations of every product — from performance to the practicalities of regular use. As PC users ourselves, we know what makes a product stand out. Only the best backup software makes this list. For more about our testing process, scroll to the bottom of this article.
Also, check out PCWorld's roundup of best external drives for recommendations on reliable storage options — an important component in a comprehensive backup strategy. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to keep your data on the cloud or need the flexibility of data storage for different operating systems, then check out our list of best online backup services.
If you spot violations of the new policy, you can report them directly to the FTC, for a maximum fine of $51,744.
The FTC's updated guidelines for online reviews outlaw six specific types of fakery: reviews from people who aren't real or use AI-generated text or images, no paid reviews (or other forms of compensation, like those sneaky $10 coupons thrown in with an Amazon shipment), no reviews from employees of the company offering the product or others with a financial relationship, no fake review sites designed to gum up search results, no suppression of negative reviews, and no buying or selling fake "followers" or other social influence.
FTC chairwoman Lina Khan announced the rule going into effect yesterday on the social media site formerly known as Twitter (and spotted by PCMag). She encourages Americans to report infractions at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
https://twitter.com/linakhanFTC/status/1848423333702078550
I think the new guidelines are great, and they should make companies like Amazon and Walmart take a much harder look at the increasing amount of review bots that ultimately make
Anker is one of the most reliable names in the power bank space, and right now their Zolo power bank is down to $23.03 on Amazon, which is a hefty 40 percent discount off its original $36 MSRP. (Make sure to clip the on-page 20 percent coupon to get this deal price!)
To start things off, let me just admire how small this power bank is despite packing this much charging power. High-capacity power banks usually look like bricks, but this one is about two-thirds the size of a modern phone. While it's a tad bulky, it's still quite portable for sure.
The sizable 20,000mAh capacity holds enough juice to recharge an iPhone 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 up to four times. And I'm talking full charges from 0 percent, not just "OMG, I have 30 percent battery left and need to panic-charge my device."
This power bank delivers 30W fast-charging, meaning you can get that very same iPhone 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 from 0 to over 50 percent in just half an hour. Use the same port to plug this power bank into a charging plug for 20W recharge speeds, and use the extra USB-A port on the side to simultaneously charge a second device.
But the unique thing about Anker's Zolo power bank is that it comes with a built-in USB-C cable. It measures just under 6 inches and it's super convenient as you don't have to carry around a separate charging cable that's inevitably going to get tangled up. (When not in use, the cable can be plugged into an adjacent slot to protect it from damage.)
