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Apr 19, 2024
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Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3500 (KB5036985) to the Beta Channel on Friday. That's a signal that these features will probably arrive on your PC before long. Even if you are signed up to use the Beta Channel, though, you'll need to toggle on the "Get the latest features as soon as they're available" to see them right away.
Windows 11 Pro
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Apr 19, 2024
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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 April 19, 2024: We added the Alienware m18 R2 as an alternative option in the Best Overall Gaming Laptop blurb and the Acer Chromebook 516 GE as the Best Gaming Chromebook. The Alienware m18 R2 offers good performance as well as a fantastic mechanical keyboard with Cherry switches and the Acer Chromebook 516 GE delivers fast everyday performance as well as smooth gameplay performance. We also updated our list of recent laptop reviews.
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Apr 19, 2024
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In these articles we've done the heavy lifting for you, sorting the wheat from the chaff so to speak, so that you can simply have a read and select the gaming headset that's right for you. But you might still want to know how our expert reviewers arrived at their decisions. Here, we've summarized our extensive reviewing process below.
How we evaluate gaming headsets based on sound quality
A headset's sound quality is critical to how you will experience your game's audio. When evaluating sound quality, nothing beats listening to them while gaming. We listen for two main things — any defects in the sound, and to see how good the headset's audio fidelity is.
Some signs of defects include any rising or falling in the amplitude, static or popping noises, and/or tinniness in the audio profile. Most gaming headsets have already been vetted by the manufacturers for these defects and it's rare to find one that exhibits these issues. Even so, we do occasionally find one and it's our duty to let you know.
On the other hand, we frequently find big differences in the audio fidelity and clarity of headsets. When analyzing audio fidelity, a scale from 1 to 5 is a useful
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Apr 19, 2024
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Turtle Beach is an American company that bought Roccat back in 2019. Generally the parent company has been known for gaming headsets for the last decade or so, especially those focused on the console market. Going forward all Roccat gear will be branded under the Turtle Beach name, with existing lines like the Vulcan keyboards keeping their names.
"No real change other than a name," a PR representative told PCWorld when showing off the company's latest designs in headsets, keyboards, and mice. "The same core team of innovative engineers and product managers are still developing PC peripheral greatness."
I'm no marketer, but I can't help but feel like this is a net loss, even with the advantages of consolidating a brand. Roccat's name and imagery were distinctive with its pro sports-style cat logo, and "Turtle Beach" just doesn't have the same bite to it.
Computer Accessories
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Apr 19, 2024
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Ars Technica reports that phishing scammers have expanded their operations to impersonate the password saving service LastPass. Calls alert users that their account has been accessed from a new location, and they need to press one or two to stop this presumably nefarious hacker. According to an alert from LastPass itself, follow-up calls from real, live humans will then instruct the user to give them their email address, where a phishing message will attempt to steal their real login info.
Once the phishers have the master LastPass password, they instantly lock the real user out and have access to whatever information is saved within. It's a motherlode of identity theft data, especially since the legitimate user is generally then unable to access the randomly generated passwords they've created for dozens or hundreds of sites, including banking and medical info.
LastPass appears to have enough
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Apr 19, 2024
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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 April 1, 2024: We replaced the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Gaming with the Acer Chromebook 516 GE and updated our list of recent laptop reviews. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a better performer than our former pick.
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Apr 19, 2024
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Credential stuffing involves plugging in usernames and passwords taken from data leaks and breaches into various websites. Hackers can do so quickly and efficiently through automation, as illustrated by the half-million accounts affected by this campaign. The attackers behind this Roku breach ultimately bought streaming service subscriptions and Roku hardware products through several hundred accounts with payment info on file.
In response, Roku has reversed those unauthorized charges—and also enabled its method of two-factor authentication on all accounts. Users must now click an emailed verification link to complete login.
These steps are all the right ones, except for one part—the fact that people reuse passwords, making this kind of hack possible and the subsequent remediations necessary. If more people had stored payment information in their Roku profiles, the damage could have been far more extensive, even if the 576,000 users caught up in this hack were just a fraction of Roku's 80 million active accounts.
Fact of the matter is, reusing passwords in today's environment is about as useful as a doorknob lock. They'll keep out casual lurkers, but not anyone with determination to get in. Weak pa
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Apr 19, 2024
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The LG 34WQ60C-B ultrawide offers 3440×1440 resolution, a pretty huge array of pixels that's basically a 27-inch QHD panel stretched out to the ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio. The gently-curved IPS panel is exactly the kind that I look for to ensure color accuracy when I'm editing in Photoshop. And with a built-in VESA mount, it's great for popping onto a monitor arm for a multi-screen setup.
The downside is that this is a rather basic design, with no extra ports beyond HDMI, DisplayPort, and a headphone jack. At 60Hz and 5ms of response time, it's also not ideal for fast-paced games (though of course you can still play whatever you want on it). But for a huge productivity boost on the cheap, this monitor hits the spot. Shipping is free to the US, direct from LG's online shop.
Get a 34-inch LG ultrawide IPS monitor for just $249.99
Monitors
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Apr 19, 2024
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Crack this baby open and you'll find a powerful Intel Core i7-1365U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, a 512GB SSD, and 16GB of RAM, so it's capable of zipping through day-to-day tasks as well as heavier loads. The 14-inch touch display has a resolution of 1920×1200 and a maximum brightness of 300 nits, meaning it's well-suited to office tasks and everyday use. Connectivity options include one Ethernet, one HDMI 2.1, one headphone/microphone combo jack, one USB 3.2 Gen 1, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On), and two Thunderbolt 4. That's a good selection for serious business.
Nabbing a lightweight ThinkPad at this big of a discount is a steal, plain and simple. Don't miss out on your chance to get a really good laptop.
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Apr 19, 2024
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This extra-long video shows off the guys building a full gaming PC, featuring parts from Asus' new "Back To Future" (BTF) system. Not only are the case (a TUF GT302 ARGB) and motherboard (Z790 BTF WiFi) designed to route power and data cables through the back chamber, the graphics card (ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB) can route its power right through the motherboard thanks to a semi-proprietary connector.
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Apr 19, 2024
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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 1, $249.99 ($170 off at Microcenter)
Asus Vivobook 14, $249.99 ($180 off at Best Buy)
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Apr 19, 2024
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In fact, you're so fed up with the performance of your old hardware you feel an overwhelming urge to just splurge on the most expensive hardware you can possibly find to totally max out your specs — 4K curved gaming monitor, Intel Core i9-14900KS with a whopping 6.2GHz max boost — whatever it takes.
There's just one problem: The new price makes your stomach squirm — A LOT. Sound familiar?
It's a scenario that every gamer faces from time to time, myself included. It's just that, the performance of my gaming hardware is probably the single most important factor in determining whether I shine on the leaderboards or just crash and burn on the dregs list.
But take it from me, you need to resist the temptation to always buy the best of the best hardware with all your mental fortitude — apply self-calming mantras, use meditation, heck, even ask your friends to intervene if you must, but just don't do it. Why? It's not worth it when all is said and done. Let me explain…
A balancing act
My reasons are twofold. The first point is that I'm not necessarily going to get better performance with the highest-spec gear than I would if I opted for the lower-spec gear. More times than not, I'll just end up spending more money — so it's about the value-for-money proposition. By the same logic, I don't want to be so cheap that I lose too much performance. So, making smart choices is the name of the game.
Take the Intel Core i9-14900K CPU, as an example. It may have Intel's Raptor Lake refresh "14" designation but it shares the same architecture as the previous generation
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Apr 19, 2024
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The CLIK S are comfortable, stylish earbuds designed for all-day wear. You can enjoy your music or take calls on the go with a 10-hour battery life (plus another 30 with the included charging case) and seamlessly switch between music and conversation mode with just a click. They're the perfect companion for world travelers this summer and, for a limited time, they're on sale.
Travel smarter this summer. Now through 11:59 pm PT on 4/21, you can get the Mymanu CLIK S: Award-Winning Translation Earbuds for more than $60 off at just $89.97.
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Apr 19, 2024
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I spent about three hours on various buses and subways to get from my home in Pennsylvania to the 2024 NYC Mechanical Keyboard Meetup. More than 150 people squeezed into a creaky old meeting place next to the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, most bringing at least one keyboard with them, eager to show off and share their mutual love of the bustling hobby.
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Apr 19, 2024
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Monitors meant for professional content creation can benefit from newfangled OLED and Mini-LED monitors, but many stick with the tried-and-true reliability and accuracy of an IPS panel—which, often, makes them less alluring in other situations. BenQ's PD3225U makes an effort to bridge that gap with an IPS Black panel that improves the monitor's depth and immersion, yet it retains the class-leading color performance that the most demanding creators require.
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Apr 19, 2024
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I spent about three hours on various buses and subways to get from my home in Pennsylvania to the 2024 NYC Mechanical Keyboard Meetup. More than 150 people squeezed into a creaky old meeting place next to the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, most bringing at least one keyboard with them, eager to show off and share their mutual love of the bustling hobby.
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Apr 19, 2024
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Microsoft Project has earned a 4.4/5-star rating from both Capterra and GetApp. The software comes loaded with pre-built templates to help you start and manage all kinds of projects. From managing staff with timesheets and scheduling tools to running what-if scenarios to play out hypotheticals and make the best decisions for your project, Microsoft Project gives you all kinds of tools to improve productivity and stay on task.
Simplify complex projects. From 4/18 through 11:59 pm PT on 4/22, you can get Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for Windows for just $19.97 (reg. $249).
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Apr 19, 2024
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Jott Pro is a text and audio processor that allows you to transform spoken words into written text with extreme accuracy by leveraging its neural AI technology. Likewise, you can also convert text to lifelike speech, or translate text into almost any language you want. Whether you need to transcribe meetings, adapt materials for an international audience, or glean information from infographics and other image-based assets, Jott can help.
Save time and scale your productivity.
Now through 11:59 pm PT on 4/21, you can get a lifetime license to the
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Apr 18, 2024
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There is a catch, however: Meta would really like to continue improving Meta.ai, and to do so it's only offering image generation if you sign into your Facebook account.
Meta joins other LLMS or AI chatbots like Google Gemini, Microsoft's various flavors of Copilot, Anthropic's Claude AI (used within Discord), and other sites offering AI solutions. Meta.ai feels like more of the same, though with some limitations: It can't accept uploaded documents, but it can summarize websites or web pages. Of course, it has creative purposes, too: It can also be used to write or rewrite text, as many other services can as well.
Technically, Meta is upgrading Meta AI as well as launching the site itself. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the addition of the Meta.ai site on Threads — which is also owned by Meta — as well as the upgrade to the LLaMA 3 model. Meta launched LLaMA in February 2023, and publicly re
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Apr 18, 2024
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That's completely understandable, but not always accurate. We at PCWorld have tested a ton of USB-C cables and can say with certainty not all of them are made the same. In fact, there can be huge performance differences among cables when it comes to both charging and transferring data.
Hands-on evaluation of numerous cables ranging from the biggest, most-recognizable brand-names to the cheapest of the cheap has revealed some clear winners, which I highlight below.
Why you should trust me: PCWorld has been testing hardware since the 1980s and I've been poking and prodding PC components since I cracked open my Commodore VIC-20 in junior high school to see why it stopped working (who uses aluminum-coated cardboard that frays as an RF shield? Commodore, that's who). I've also been a professional journalist for more than three decades and started my stint at PCWorld as an intern in 1993.
For my USB-C cable reviews, I don't rely on consumer reviews like some "reviewers" — I purchase the cables retail and personally test each one of them, examining the resistance, how they are physically wired, and query the embedded eMarker (if it has one), and then performance test them where appropriate for charge rates, transfer rates, and display support. My picks are separated into two groups to avoid any confusion: USB-C cables that are best for charging, and those best for both charging and fast data transfer.
For more information you can refer to our guide on how to buy a USB-C cable on Amazon without losi
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Apr 18, 2024
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In May, Microsoft will host its annual Build conference in Seattle. Microsoft will open that conference with a presentation from chief executive Satya Nadella to "share our AI vision across hardware and software," according to Microsoft. That presentation is expected to introduce the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 5 for consumers, both featuring Qualcomm's surprisingly powerful Snapdragon X Elite processor, based on the Arm architecture. Microsoft has already launched versions of both devices with Intel processors inside, for businesses.
But it's the "software" version of Microsoft's AI vision that's intriguing. Microsoft's last feature update of Windows 11 may have introduced AI PCs, but Microsoft is moving more aggressively to a future where AI is more tightly integrated into the operating system. Microsoft appears to have a more formal definition of an "AI PC" waiting in the wings, and we know that it includes a
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Apr 18, 2024
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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.
Looking for sweet discounts? Check out our regularly updated roundup of the best laptop deals available right now.
Updated April 18, 2024: We replaced the Best Content Creation Laptop, the Dell XPS 17 (2023), with the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra and added the Acer Chromebook 516 GE as the Best Gaming Chromebook. We also updated our list of recent laptop reviews.
The best laptops we've tested
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Apr 18, 2024
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Razer has made USB-connected, RGB-infused mousepads before, to the point that you can now find imitators on Amazon for just a few bucks. Generally they just embed a strip of lights around the edge of a cloth mousepad, like the original Firefly. The new Firefly V2 Pro replaces the cloth with a hard, frosted surface (presumably some kind of plastic), allowing the fifteen LEDs in the top to illuminate the whole thing.
Does it add any functionality? Of course not. Does it look cool? Yeah, I have to grudgingly admit that it does. I wouldn't be surprised to see it in some TV sci-fi sets, which love to stick Razer gear in a "hacker battlestation" to give it that futuristic touch.
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Apr 18, 2024
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404 Media reports on a site calling itself Spy Pet, run by a single anonymous creator who claims to be collecting data from 14,000 Discord servers and more than 600 million users, with just over four billion messages indexed so far. The system they've built scrapes the group messages inside the channels of Discord servers and makes note of which users are active across multiple servers.
The data is then sold to whoever wants it, paying anonymously in chunks of cryptocurrency worth as little as $5 USD. Customers can search the database to find a single Discord user's activity across a range of servers, see the messages they've posted in open channels, and see whatever usernames and nicknames (often aliases instead of real names) they're using across different servers, as well as accounts connected to their Discord user account on other sites. It can even show which users have been banned from a server, and allows its data to be downloaded in tables.
Spy Pet appears to be built off of Discord's standard API and developer tools, essentially scraping data that's used for less questionable purposes. That means that, while the service is definitely breaking Discord's ter
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Apr 18, 2024
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The Ecovacs Deebot U2SE has a runtime of up to 110 minutes, a 300mL water tank that covers 2,000 square feet, and a high efficiency air filter. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands and it will dutifully return to its charging dock when it gets low on power. The MAX Mode feature increases the suction power, too-which is perfect for stubborn debris and dirt.
But remember: It's on clearance. A deal this good doesn't stick around for long, especially when stock is limited.
Get the Ecovacs Deebot U2SE for $64.43 at Walmart
Smart Home
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Apr 18, 2024
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The Asus Vivobook 14 comes with an Intel Core i3-1215U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. While the memory and storage capacities are light, they're not a deal breaker for a $250 laptop, especially if you don't run too many applications at once. The 14-inch 1080p display can only reach up to 250 nits of brightness, according to Asus. Although we've seen much brighter screens, you may see better battery life with this model-high brightness displays tend to be a huge power suck.
Overall, this is a very well-spec'd laptop for such a low price. Don't miss out!
Get the Asus Vivobook 14 for $249.99 at Best Buy
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Apr 18, 2024
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Price When Reviewed5 devices: $89.99/yr
Best Prices Today: McAfee Total Protection
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Apr 18, 2024
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Technically you could get Windows 11 Home for $17.99, but since you're already saving more than $120 off the retail version of the operating system, why not throw a couple more dollars in and get extras like Microsoft Remote Desktop, BitLocker, and Hyper-V and virtual machine support?
Woot is an official subsidy of Amazon and is selling the codes directly, so you know this is a legit deal. Weirdly it might take a couple of days to get the email with your Microsoft redemption code, though.
Don't worry: if you have a PC building project that needs Windows right away, you can download the installation media from Microsoft, install the OS now, and redeem the code later. Unlike some of Woot's other sales, this isn't limited to one day — the page says you have two weeks or until the stock runs out.
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Apr 18, 2024
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The mysterious problem has vexed an unknown number of PC gamers for months now, with no seeming rhyme or reason as to the cause, but Falcon has some suggestions that may help some impacted users. The company posted the BIOS adjustments advice to its X.com account here.
"As you know Intel is investigating reports of 13th/14th gen CPUs causing crashes," said Falcon Northwest owner Kelt Reeves in an email sent to media outlets. "This is a real issue and Intel is aggressively working the problem, but it's complex and is taking longer than we hoped."
Intel previously confirmed with PCWorld it has been investigating the situation but as of this week, still had no insight to share as to what the root cause is.
The situation has been on a low-boil for months now after video game tool developer RAD published an advisory on Jan. 11 recommending that gamers under
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Apr 18, 2024
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I like features that don't take a lot of explanation, tutorials, or anything else. They should be intuitive and just work. And you know what? Generative Erase does just that — about as well as Photoshop does, too, and for free. Microsoft is rolling it out to Windows 11 right now, and Windows 10 users should see it, too.
get windows 11 pro for free
Windows 11 Pro
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Apr 18, 2024
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Price When Reviewed$1,999
Best Prices Today: Lenovo Yoga Book 9i
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Apr 18, 2024
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"Everyone" in this case includes pretty much every possible technology company. While OpenAI is at the center of this particular gold rush, and Nvidia is selling the shovels to digital forty-niners, more conventional players aren't resting on their haunches. As happens with buzzwords, it's quickly becoming diluted — every new PC is an "AI PC," which means very little for actual users.
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Apr 18, 2024
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This Nintendo Switch wireless controller is made with the same quality you expect from Nintendo. It has a 6-axis gyroscope and 360º joystick for precise control, a dual shock response for more immersive gameplay, and a non-slip ABS grip to remain comfortable while playing. The biggest difference is the cool RGB lights on the side that light up while you play.
Light up your Nintendo Switch time. Right now, you can get this Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch with RGB Lights for 27% off $42 at just $30.99.
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Apr 18, 2024
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Regal has over 450 theaters across 42 states. Whether you're meeting up with friends or taking your SO on a dinner and a movie date, this discount can help you save a little money — and there is no expiration or blackout dates.
Here's what you do:
Purchase the Regal Premiere Movie eTicket here.
Go to the Redemption Link and put in your Offer Code.
You will receive a confirmation email with access information for your ticket, which will include your barcode and a 15-digit code.
You can redeem the ticket in person at the self-service kiosk, concession stand, or guest service counter or online/in-app through the https://www.regmovies.com/ site or by logging into your Regal Crown Club account on the Regal a
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Apr 17, 2024
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For your convenience:
If you want to find professional video recording software to perform Windows 11 screen recording, tools like EaseUS RecExperts and OBS are good options. They can easily handle various recording tasks, but OBS is more suitable for professionals.
For those who simply want to record screens in Windows 11 without any software, built-in programs (Xbox Game Bar and Snipping Tool) can meet your needs.
Record Windows 11 screen and sound in high quality
Difficulty: Super easy - With the on-screen instructions and simple UI, this tool is easy to operate without any tech knowledge.
Effectiveness: High - It offers many advanced recording tools for various recording tasks, and exports high-quality recorded files. Plus, it provides free and pro versions for different users.
Limitations: Like most third-party applications, its free version only lets you save 1 minute of your recording. If you are a light user, that's enough.
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Apr 17, 2024
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Microsoft will no longer be supporting the following versions of Office
Office 2016 (introduced in September 2015), Office 2019 (introduced in September 2018): Access 2016, Access 2019, Excel 2016,
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Apr 17, 2024
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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.
PROMOTION
Grab the award-winning VPN with 85% off
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Apr 17, 2024
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As a dedicated gaming monitor, the Asus ROG Strix XG49WCR fits the bill, essentially working as two 27-inch 1440p curved panels shoved into one. It's also fast enough to make even the most powerful gaming PC sweat at its maximum 5120×1440 ultrawide resolution, with a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. If you want a monitor to show you as much of a game as possible, as fast as possible, this is it.
But the ultrawide monitor isn't limited to just gaming. It has a rich suite of connectivity options, with DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C covering video, plus 90 watts of USB power delivery for gaming laptops. The built-in USB hub can handle external gadgets, including a standard Ethernet port, and the monitor has side-by-side input modes as well as an integrated KVM switch. Oh, and two five-watt speakers as well, but seriously, just use headphones or real speakers instead.
The only real downside to the design is its VA panel, which is speedy, but far less accurate for fine colors than IPS. I wouldn't count on this monitor for editing work in Photoshop, for example. But that's a pretty fair trade-off for the retail price, and an absolute steal at this discount.
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Apr 17, 2024
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As a dedicated gaming monitor, the XG49WCR fits the bill, essentially working as two 27-inch 1440p curved panels shoved into one. It's also fast enough to make even the most powerful gaming PC sweat at its maximum 5120×1440 resolution, with a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. If you want a monitor to show you as much of a game as possible, as fast as possible, this is it.
But the screen isn't limited to just gaming. It has a rich suite of connectivity options, with DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C covering video, plus 90 watts of USB power delivery for gaming laptops. The built-in USB hub can handle external gadgets, including a standard Ethernet port, and the monitor has side-by-side input modes as well as an integrated KVM switch. Oh, and two five-watt speakers as well, but seriously, just use headphones or real speakers instead.
The only real downside to the design is its VA panel, which is speedy, but far less accurate for fine colors than IPS. I wouldn't count on this monitor for editing work in Photoshop, for example. But that's a pretty fair trade-off for the retail price, and an absolute steal at this discount.
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Apr 17, 2024
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The ThinkVision T24I-30 measures 23.8-inches, which is a good size for a dual monitor setup if you're into that (and at this rock-bottom price, it's worth considering). My own monitors (I've got a dual monitor setup) measure 22-inches and I've still got plenty of desk space to spare. Lenovo's ThinkVision also has a viewing angle of 178 degrees, a response time of 4ms, and a refresh rate of 60Hz.
Given the refresh rate and response time, it's a good monitor for office work and day-to-day activities as well as some solid gaming (though at just 60Hz, this isn't fast enough to qualify as a proper gaming monitor). For connectivity, there are four 3.2 Gen 1, one USB-B 3.2 Gen 1, one VGA, one HDMI, one DisplayPort 1.2, and one audio out — a versatile configuration for a work-centric monitor like this.
This is a great deal, especially for a day-to-day monitor. Don't miss out!
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Apr 17, 2024
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Price When Reviewed1TB: $150 I 2TB: $260 I 4TB: $470
Best Prices Today: Teamgroup Z540 PCIe 5 NVMe SSD
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Apr 17, 2024
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Price When Reviewed1TB: $150 I 2TB: $260 I 4TB: $470
Best Prices Today: Teamgroup Z540 PCIe 5 NVMe SSD
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Apr 17, 2024
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When a group of PCWorld editors were brainstorming new article ideas, I suddenly remembered NirSoft's BatteryInfoView, a freeware utility I hadn't honestly thought about since before the pandemic. A few years of working at home, plugged in, meant that I hadn't any need for a battery utility.
BatteryInfoView is about as basic as it comes. It was developed, according to the developer's web page, in 2011, and hasn't really been updated in the last three years. It's an alternative — and some might argue a better one — to the Battery Report feature within Windows 10 and 11 that most people use to check their laptop's battery. I use Battery Report regularly for battery rundown tests where I can set a task and walk away, discovering later how long the battery lasted.
BatteryInfoView will tell you right up front, however, how long you have before you need to plug in. As I said, it's a utilitarian interface, and some of the most useful features are tossed in among the rest: battery health, for example, will tell you the relative health of your battery. Over time, as you use your laptop and then plug in — over and over — your battery will wear down and it simply won't recharge back to its original state. BatteryInfoView will tell you this, as well as the number of charge and dis
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Apr 17, 2024
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This ultra-portable brick lets you seamlessly transition to playing on the TV with a 4K@60Hz HDMI output. You'll be able to fully immerse yourself in the game on the TV while the USB 3.1 Type-C fast charging port charges your Switch, so you never have to stop the game. Plus, this brick also works as a standalone charging adapter that you can use it for your phone, laptop, and other devices.
Get in the game and stay in the game. Right now, you can get this Portable 36W Switch Dock Charger Brick with 4K HDMI, USB-C PD, and USB 2.0 for 10% off $39 at just $35.99.
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Apr 17, 2024
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There's a core of truth to each one of the security practices I criticize below, but you shouldn't blindly follow these old tips. At best, you'll be wasting your time. At worst, you'll be putting yourself more at risk. Read on to learn more about the five outdated security practices you shouldn't use anymore.
Constantly changing your passwords
"You should change your passwords regularly" is one of those ancient bits of security advice that's still bouncing around. Many organizations still forcibly expire their employees' passwords and I've used online account systems from financial organizations that do the same. After the password is forcibly expired, you're asked to set a new password.
Regularly changing passwords is time-consuming. I use a password manager to remember my passwords, something I recommend to everyone, as it is really the only way to use a strong, unique password on each website unless you have a spacious photographic memory. But, even if you wouldn't have to remember each new password you set, you'd lose a lot of time if you were changing them all on a schedule.
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Apr 17, 2024
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Featured on The New York Times and Thrillist, Matt's Flights gives you a personal aviation concierge, scanning airline prices for mistakes and discounts. When there's a deal at your local airport, it's delivered straight to your inbox with instructions on how to book.
You can make custom search requests or stay flexible and jump on a deal to a destination you may not have considered. With a Premium Plan, you'll get five times as many deals as free members and get one-on-one flight and travel planning support through Matt himself.
One verified user saved $400 and wrote, "Just signed up for Matt's Flights premium service and was amazed at the deals he found for an upcoming trip I am contemplating. He is super-fast, friendly, and responsive. What a great service he provides!"
Travel on a budget this summer. Now through 11:59 pm PT on 4/21, you can get
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Apr 17, 2024
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Logitech plans to launch the Signature AI Edition Mouse in April in the United States and the United Kingdom for $49.99. Though it has a dedicated AI key — you do need a dedicated AI key on your mouse, right? — the button actually launches an app called the Logi AI Prompt Builder, powered by ChatGPT.
That app is part of Logi Options , the connective software that ties many of Logitech's MX, or "Master," series peripherals (plus its Studio Series, Ergo, and others) such as keyboards and mice. When a user presses the AI prompt button on the top of the AI Edition Mouse, they're actually launching the Prompt Builder within the Options app. Existing Logitech peripherals that lack a dedicated ChatGPT key can remap another key to trigger the same function.
Prompt Builder is designed to highlight, copy, and/or edit a portion of the text you're working on. It looks like a more sophisticated version of the suggested actions Microsoft has tested within Copilot, where users can highlight a block of text, right-click it, and ask for a summary — Copilot key or not.
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Apr 17, 2024
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Logitech plans to launch the Signature AI Edition Mouse in April in the United States and the United Kingdom for $49.99. Though it has a dedicated AI key — you do need a dedicated AI key on your mouse, right? — the button actually launches an app called the Logi AI Prompt Builder, powered by ChatGPT.
That app is part of Logi Options , the connective software that ties many of Logitech's MX, or "Master," series peripherals (plus its Studio Series, Ergo, and others) such as keyboards and mice. When a user presses the AI prompt button on the top of the AI Edition Mouse, they're actually launching the Prompt Builder within the Options app. Existing Logitech peripherals that lack a dedicated ChatGPT key can remap another key to trigger the same function.
Prompt Builder is designed to highlight, copy, and/or edit a portion of the text you're working on. It looks like a more sophisticated version of the suggested actions Microsoft has tested within Copilot, where users can highlight a block of text, right-click it, and ask for a summary — Copilot key or not.
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Apr 16, 2024
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Minisforum might be being a little grandiose in its description of the V3 — it's not as if it was ever impossible to use a Ryzen platform in a Surface form factor, it's just that no one saw a huge demand for it. But that being said, there's no doubt that this is some pretty impressive hardware on paper. The base model of the V3 tablet uses an 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 7 8840U processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. Again, that's the base configuration, with a detachable keyboard included.
The screen and body are considerably larger than the Surface, with a 14-inch 2K panel and a 165Hz refresh rate. Other hardware features include three USB-C ports (two USB-4, one with Vlink DP-in to use the tablet as a portable monitor), a full-sized SD car
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Apr 16, 2024
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But choosing an external SSD means sorting through a dizzying array of options, and making a poor choice can leave you feeling hard done by. Lucky for you, we've done the testing and can offer some sure-fire recommendations that are guaranteed to help, and not hinder, your gaming setup.
Why you should trust us: We are PCWorld. Our reviewers have been putting computer hardware through its paces for decades. Our external drive evaluations are thorough and rigorous, testing the limits of every product — from performance benchmarks to the practicalities of regular use. As consumers ourselves, we know what makes a product exceptional. For more about our testing process, scroll to the bottom of this article.
Updated April 13, 2024: See our new pick for the best portable 20Gbps drive, the Sabrent Rocket Nano V2. It offers a tempting combination of small size, handsome looks (including a tough-looking shock-absorbing jacket), and performance. Read more in our summary below.
Lexar SL600 Blaze
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Apr 16, 2024
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As for the hardware, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 is rocking an AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. That means it should be capable of blitzing through most triple-A titles on the higher graphics settings. The 16-inch 1200p display also has a 144Hz refresh rate, so visuals should be nice and smooth. The connectivity options are pretty diverse, too. You're getting one HDMI 2.1, two DisplayPort 1.4, two USB-A 3.2, two USB-C 3.2, and one Ethernet.
This is a killer deal, especially for a laptop with RTX 4060 graphics. Don't miss out.
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Apr 16, 2024
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AMD's launch arrives on the heels of Intel's 14th-gen vPro platform, which also offers desktop and mobile parts. The difference is that Intel launched its vPro refresh based upon the "Raptor Lake Refresh" architecture, which lacks AI; AMD's Ryzen Pro 8000 series is relatively consistent across both its mobile and desktop offerings. However, not every new Ryzen Pro 8000 mobile or desktop chip includes AI support.
If you've been following our coverage of AMD's Ryzen 8000 mobile CPUs and AMD's corresponding Ryzen 8000 desktop processors, AMD's latest chip lineups shouldn't be surprising. AMD's latest Ryzen Pro 8000 processors pretty much overlap its consumer offerings, with the Ryzen 9 Pro 8945HS (8 cores, 16 threads, boosting from 4.0GHz to 5.2GHz) on down. AMD's Ryzen Pro 8000 desktop processors are similar, with the Ryzen 8700G (8 cores, 16 threads, boosting from 4.2GHz to 5.1GHz) at the top of the stack. All of the new processors are 4nm parts, based on AMD's Zen 4 architecture.
What's new? Some of AMD's Ryzen Pro 8000 desktop chips now offer Ryzen AI, a competitive advantage that AMD is pushing hard. (AMD's existing Ryzen 8000 desktop lineup supports Ryzen AI.) The Ryzen Pro lineup now also offers "E" versions, which red
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Apr 16, 2024
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Can you use a TV as a monitor?
You've probably already got a big screen in your house, though—a TV. At the end of the day, isn't an HDTV just a giant, living-room-oriented computer monitor?
Not exactly. While you can use a TV as a computer monitor in most cases, that doesn't mean it's the best option. In fact, it's likely less attractive, convenient, and usable than you think (not to mention, probably not that cheap). There's a reason dirt-cheap 32-inch HDTVs aren't flying off the shelves to be used as budget-friendly jumbo screens.
You definitely can use an HDTV as your PC's display, though, and your television can also work in a pinch if you suddenly need a second screen. Here's everything you need to know about how to set up a TV as a computer monitor—and why you might not want to.
How to use a TV as a monitor
You can use a TV as a monitor, but it could take a little finagling. You may need a special cable, depending on your PC's outputs and your HDTV's inputs, and you'll need to check a couple of settings, but you shouldn't have too much trouble hooking most modern PCs up to most modern HDTVs.
Modern HDTVs have HDMI outputs. Some older HDTVs have DVI inputs, and some even have VGA inputs specifically designated
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Apr 16, 2024
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Microsoft had been denying Windows 10 computers with an 11th-generation Intel Core Processor and Intel SST driver version 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152 (the SST stands for "Smart Sound Technology") the upgrade to Windows 11 since November 2021. With this hardware driver combination, recurring blue screens of death could occur after installing Windows 11.
Get windows 11
Windows 11 Pro
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Apr 16, 2024
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Microsoft had been denying Windows 10 computers with an 11th-generation Intel Core Processor and Intel SST driver version 10.29.0.5152 or 10.30.0.5152 (the SST stands for "Smart Sound Technology") the upgrade to Windows 11 since November 2021. With this hardware driver combination, recurring blue screens of death could occur after installing Windows 11.
Get windows 11
Windows 11 Pro
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Apr 16, 2024
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This TCL tablet is powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 800T Octa-Core 5G chipset and has 4GB of RAM, supporting smooth multitasking and giving you access to the 5G network. It runs on Android 12, efficiently running apps and giving you an intuitive interface to work seamlessly on the 10.1" FHD NXTVISION display. Plus, with a powerful 8,000mAh battery with built-in Battery Saver mode, you can easily stay on all through your workday.
Stay connected and work efficiently from anywhere. For a limited time, you can get the TCL Tab 10 5G Android Tablet for 51% off $249 at just $119.99.
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Apr 16, 2024
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While I have no intention of actually watching them — oy, the embarrassment — I recently received the original tapes from my parents and felt like they were worth preserving in a more enduring form than VHS. I was able to do it for cheap thanks to my USB capture card, which I originally bought to take screenshots of streaming devices for my TechHive column on cord cutting but which continues to have all kinds of other neat uses.
Below, I'll walk through how to digitize your own VHS tapes or camcorder footage using the same methods, plus a few extra tricks that might make a USB capture card worth considering.
This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared's weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get free tech tips every Tuesday.
The hardware
The USB capture card is a thumb-sized device with an HDMI input on one side and a USB plug on the other. Connect the capture card to your computer's USB port, then hook up any device with HDMI output, and you can record that device's video using a free program called OBS (mor
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Apr 16, 2024
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Rated 4.7/5 stars on GetApp, Microsoft 365 helps everyone in the family can become more productive and better organized. Everyone will have Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote, so whether you're a real-life professional or a student, you'll have the tools you need to succeed. Plus, the deal includes 6TB of OneDrive storage space, with a personal accessible vault for each person.
Get the whole family working smarter with a Microsoft 365 Family
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Apr 15, 2024
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Here are the best gaming monitors of 2023 so far. If you aren't sold on a gaming monitor, check out our recommendations for the best monitors overall or our roundup of the best 4K monitors for additional options.
Updated April 15, 2024: Check out our review of the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM. It's another excellent 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor. It doesn't quite match the top Alienware displays in HDR, but it does excel in connectivity.
Alienware AW3423DW - Best gaming monitor overall
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Apr 15, 2024
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The new VPN, built entirely in-house by DuckDuckGo, promises not to log any user data and will run right in the DuckDuckGo browser — a standalone VPN app is not currently available. The VPN will allow for up to five simultaneous device connections, with 13 server locations in the U.S., Europe, and Canada. It will also exclusively use the open-source WireGuard protocol for all connections, which is a great choice as it's still the fastest and most secure protocol. DuckDuckGo plans to expand its VPN in the future adding more servers and country locations as well.
Subscribers to Privacy Pro can also take advantage of a personal data removal feature that will "scan dozens of these sites for your info and, if found, request its removal, even handling back-and-forth confirmation emails for you automatically behind the scenes." It will even continue this process, re-scanning websites regularly to help minimize the risk of your data reappearing. Users will be able to view the personal data that the service has already removed at any time from their browser.
To complete the trifecta of privacy features, Privacy Pro will include an ad
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Apr 15, 2024
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It's been about two years since Midjourney ushered in AI art, consisting of art generated entirely from scratch as well as "inpainting" and "outpainting." Outpainting attracted attention because AI art was being used to essentially extend the boundaries of photographs and paintings, creating a plausible addition to what wasn't there. Now Adobe is doing the same with Premiere Pro.
On Monday, Adobe showed off a video version of what it calls Generative Fill, the same technique that it uses for Adobe Photoshop and its Adobe Firefly generative AI art. "Crop" a photo outside of its boundaries and Photoshop will extend it. You can also remove or replace an element in a photo like swapping a crown for a baseball cap.
Generative AI within Premiere Pro will do the same thing, Adobe said. In the demonstration video shown below, Adobe is showing how Premiere will allow an editor to select (via its Magic Lasso) an object in a scene and remove it from the entire clip across multiple frames. Likewise, an editor will be able to use the AI-powered Generative Fill and "extend" the scene as well. In the demonstration, the extension applies to a calm, focused shot of a single individual and I would assume that it will be most effective in this use as well. Adding complex motion or transitions will be far more difficult. It's not clear whether Adobe has that capability as yet.
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Apr 15, 2024
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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.
Why you should trust us: It's in our name, PCWorld. Our reviewers have been testing PC hardware for decades. Our storage evaluations are thorough and rigorous, testing the limits of every product — from performance benchmarks to the practicalities of regular use. As PC users ourselves, we know what makes a product stand out. Only the best SSDs make this list. For more about our testing process, scroll to the bottom of this article
See also PCWorld's guide to the best external drives if you're strictly looking for a por
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Apr 15, 2024
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The MSI MEG 342C is comparable to other 34-inch OLED monitors from Dell and Samsung, with a standard 3440×1440 resolution and a subtle 1800R curve to its panel. With a 175Hz refresh rate and a lightning-fast .03ms response time, it's ready to tackle even the fastest multiplayer games with the perfect blacks and vibrant colors that OLED brings to the table.
Other highlights of the spec list include DisplayPort 1.4 and double HDMI 2.1, plus USB-C video and four extra USB-A ports for accessories. An integrated KVM switch can handle multiple machines in picture-by-picture or picture-in-picture mode. The screen supports AMD FreeSync and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 and, naturally, it includes a little RGB bling around the back.
MSI includes "OLED Care" features to prevent burn-in with pixel shifting, refreshing, and automatic dimming on static screens. It also comes with a three-year warranty that explicitly covers burn-in. The regular price is $999 and this "limited time offer" from MSI's US store doesn't have a specific expiration date, so get an order in quickly if you're ready to buy.
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Apr 15, 2024
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The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme X Ice is the base of this monument to excess. The motherboard is compatible with Intel 13th- and 14th-gen Core processors, naturally, but that's just the meat and potatoes here. Above the primary I/O panel is a tiny LCS screen, displaying temperatures and fan speeds by default.
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Apr 15, 2024
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The connector provides a 12-volt DC connection with at least one ampere to ensure that sufficient power is provided to the entire system to adequately cool the chip.
Despite the almost identical function, there are some differences between CPU OPT and CPU FAN. CPU OPT does not check whether a connection exists before the system is booted. In contrast, the system reports an error and refuses to boot completely if there is no connection to CPU FAN.
CPU OPT only supplies power to the connected device, while CPU FAN both supplies power and communicates with the motherboard's BIOS or UEFI system to provide statistical data.
You can connect multiple devices to CPU OPT by using a splitter or hub, while CPU FAN only requires one connection for the cooler itself.
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Apr 15, 2024
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This is the recent reality for many in the U.S. after certain states have passed age-verification laws for adult websites. In March of this year, the popular adult site PornHub went dark in Texas in order to protest new strict laws imposed by the state requiring just such verifications, following similar standoffs in other states.
Fortunately, getting around site-specific geographical restrictions is easy enough with the right VPN. Below you'll find more info about these new laws, how to use a VPN to access mature content, and why you should use a VPN no matter what websites you visit.
What are age-verification laws and why do they matter?
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Apr 15, 2024
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Synchronization ensures that content is always up to date wherever you are. Photos, screenshots, and other files can be backed up automatically, files can be shared, browser settings and passwords can be synchronized, as well as — at least with Microsoft OneDrive — system and app settings.
get windows 11 pro for cheap
Windows 11 Pro
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Apr 15, 2024
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Price When Reviewed$649.99
Best Prices Today: Acer Chromebook 516 GE
Retailer
Price
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Apr 15, 2024
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In this article, we will discuss how to use text recovery converter in Word 2013, 2016, 2019, and the newest 2021. We'll also offer a detailed alternative solution - apply the EaseUS file repair tool to solve the Word corruption. Read on to find repair tutorials in this passage!
What is the text recovery converter?
A text recovery converter in Microsoft Office Word is a built-in tool that helps recover lost or corrupted text files. With this Word text recovery converter, you may restore damaged or unreadable documents to a readable format by extracting the text from them.
This Word feature can be very helpful when a document becomes corrupted due to a system breakdown, power outage, or another technical problem.
After learning what the text recovery converter is, you should know that there are different ways to find this utility in different MS Word versions.
How to use text recovery converter Word to repair corrupted Word
If you have already confirmed that the
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Apr 15, 2024
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The C drive, also the system drive, is the main hard disk partition that contains the Windows Operating System, system-related files, settings, installed applications, logs, and other related data.
However, as it is used longer, the system disk (C drive) will store more data and gradually wear out. As your system drive is full and its storage reaches its limit, you must replace it with a new system disk to expand the capacity.
How to copy and transfer only C drive to a new SSD if you don't want to reins
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Apr 14, 2024
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With this bundle, you'll upgrade to the latest Windows operating system, complete with productivity and security enhancements for the hybrid working world. You'll improve your workflow with the Microsoft Office suite and have powerful visualization and project management tools at your disposal. It's a complete program suite that can help any professional level up their productivity and efficiency. And you don't have to pay any monthly fees.
Upgrade your workflows with the
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Apr 14, 2024
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This 15-course bundle is taught by IDUNOVA, an online training provider with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. From CompTIA IT Fundamentals (FC0-U61) and CompTIA A Core to Network , Cloud Essentials , Project , and many more, IDUNOVA gives you hands-on, practical training to help you pass a wide range of certification exams to minimize your number of atte\mpts.
Kickstart a career in IT with The Complete 2024 CompTIA Course Super Bundle by IDUNOVA. From 4/8 through 11:59 pm PT on 4/16, you can get this extensive bund
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Apr 14, 2024
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This three-part bundle includes non-expiring licenses to three powerful tools: PCmover Professional, DiskImage, and SafeErase. PCmover Professional is an intuitive PC-to-PC moving tool that allows you to safely transfer everything from one PC to the next. It works automatically, but if you ever need help, you can get free transfer assistance 24/7. DiskImage gives you extra peace of mind by making an exact replica of your hard drive so you can reproduce it later, while SafeErase allows you to safely delete any old files you don't want for good.
Migrate PCs like a pro. Through April 16th only, you can get this PC Transfer Kit Bu
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Apr 13, 2024
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Rated 4.9/5 stars by verified purchasers, Visio gives you tools to create flowcharts, diagrams, seating charts, org charts, brainstorms, floor plans, and much more. With more than 250,000 objects to choose from and myriad pre-made templates, it's a powerful tool to help you convey complicated information in a more visual manner. You don't need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use it and, this week only, you can get it for an unbeatable price.
Get Microsoft's top diagramming tool for a major discount. Now through 11:59 pm PT on 4/16, you can get Microsoft Visio Professional 2021 for Windows for just $23.99 (reg. $249) with promo code ENJOY20.
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Apr 13, 2024
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Rated 4.3/5 stars by verified purchasers, both of these versions of Office include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote, giving you a comprehensive suite of tools to accomplish everything from creating documents and crunching numbers to streamlining communications. With the Windows edition, you'll also get Publisher and Access, as well as the ribbon-based interface that allows you to access all tools and customizations with ease.
Give your workflows a boost with Microsoft Office. Now through 11:59 pm PT on April 16, you can get Microsoft Office in two editions for a great price:
Get
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Apr 12, 2024
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And now it's official, Microsoft added on Friday.
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Windows 11 Pro
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Apr 12, 2024
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WD is showing off the 4TB SanDisk Extreme PRO SDUC UHS-I memory card this week (with a bit more capacity than the image at the top of this story) at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show, which caters to broadcasters and content creators.
WD isn't saying that the new 4TB card will cost. Anandtech, which noticed the announcement, said that the card uses the UHS-I bus at Speed Class 10. WD's SD card is also rated to meet Video Speed Class V30, supporting a minimal sequential write speed of 30 MB/s, which is believed to be good enough for 8K video recording.
the best portable ssd for most people
Crucial X9 Pro
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Apr 12, 2024
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The first misconception to dispel is that chiplets are a new idea. In fact they've been around for decades — IBM was making them as far back as the '80s, albeit in six-figure hardware for industrial customers. The basic idea is that you can separate functions of a processor into different individual chips for better performance. "Like the McDLT," says Will, "so the hot stays hot and the cool stays cool."
Now chip makers like AMD and Intel are applying this idea to the CPU itself, isolating disparate components to different parts of the die, like the much-vaunted NPUs that are making everything an "AI PC" this year. The platonic ideal of this concept is an open standard, where you can have primary compute cores from one company with an integrated GPU from another company and a memory controller from another, all working harmoniously on a single standard.
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Apr 12, 2024
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Manufacturers go to great pains to design specialist devices that give players an edge, with enhancements like unique body sizes and shapes, customizable weight, and extra grips to increase speed and accuracy. On top of that, the best gaming mice have unique hardware enhancements like highly sensitive sensors and complex button configurations to keep up with fast-paced games.
Deciding on the right mouse is a highly personal decision that needs careful consideration. Factors like the size and shape of your hand, your preferred grip style, the types of games you play, and the number of buttons you need, are all factors in your quest for the best gaming mouse.
Why you should trust us? PCWorld has delivered in-depth product reviews and news going on 40 years now. Our reviewers aren't just peripheral geeks, they're also avid gamers on a mission to find the best gaming gear for themselves. Because of that they know the ins and outs of gaming gear, what's good and what's not.
Every mouse we review is put through a rigorous testing process by our expert reviewers. We appraise everything from the device's comfort, and reliability, to its performance in games. We also compare each product to competitors to sum up whether or not they represent value for money. See our article on how we test gaming mice for more details.
Updated April 4, 2024 to include the Alienware Pro Wireless
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Apr 12, 2024
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The Dragonfly Pro is HP's premiere consumer laptop design, boasting a sleek .72-inch-thin body made of aluminum and magnesium with a bright 14-inch IPS touchscreen standard. But it's also a surprisingly practical machine. While it's a bit heavier than other laptops in this category at 2.42 pounds, it's packing some serious tech thanks to a Ryzen 7 CPU, a roomy 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage.
HP didn't skimp on the trim, either. Reviewer Brendan Nystedt was impressed by the laptop's great speakers and solid battery life, and it has a 5-megapixel webcam with infrared sensors for Windows Hello face unlocking. If the laptop has a weakness, it's port selection: Three USB-C ports are flexible on their own, but a lack of USB-A, dedicated video-out, and a headphone jack mean you'll probably want to travel with a USB-C dongle in your bag.
B&H Photo's sale doesn't have an end date, which means that it's probably limited to a select number of units on-hand. This is a killer sale on a killer laptop, so if you're interested, grab it before this deal disappears.
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Apr 12, 2024
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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 April 12, 2024: We updated our list of recently reviewed laptops, which lives
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Apr 12, 2024
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Price When Reviewed$129.99
Best Prices Today: Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed
Retailer
Price
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Apr 12, 2024
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So sayeth an email that arrived in my inbox last night, informing me that Google One will be "phasing out two benefits." The service is no longer offering free shipping for photo prints — which admittedly I never even thought about using — and the One VPN that comes with my $1.99 a month 200GB storage plan. Google says it'll be gone sometime later this year, though precisely when wasn't shared.
Why? According to a Google representative speaking to 9to5Google, the company is shutting down the VPN because "people simply weren't using it." I'm not willing to take that statement on faith, though. I'd wager that there's a far more mercurial calculation going on behind the scenes, because the multi-device VPN perk that came with my $2 subscription is far less expensive than a lot of the competitors out there.
Google One VPN is the company's latest app or service to get the unceremonious axe. While it's true that most of the things Google offers to consumers are free, it still feels like you're dating someone with a heartbreaker reputation every time you try a new one. I had more than a dozen feeds in Google Podcasts, all wonderfully organized and auto-streaming…and
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Apr 12, 2024
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This particular model is nearly borderless, which means you're getting a good amount of screen. It also measures 22-inches-a good size if you plan on doubling up for a dual screen setup, something that's certainly achievable at this rock-bottom price. That's the size of my own monitors and I've still got plenty of desk space to spare.
The Samsung T350 has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a refresh rate of 75Hz. Sure, we've seen higher resolution displays, but 1080p is well-suited to day-to-day tasks as well as some gaming. Whether you're watching a video or playing a game, the 75Hz refresh rate should keep things looking nice and smooth. AMD's FreeSync technology is also built-in, which resolves stuttering issues by synchronizing the monitor's refresh rate with your PC's GPU. This is good news if you play faster-paced games.
Overall, this is a solid monitor, especially at this price. Don't miss out, folks.
Get the Samsung T350 monitor for $99.99 at Amazon
Monitors
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Apr 12, 2024
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A free VPN can be an attractive option for people seeking a no-cost solution to their anonymity and security concerns. But beyond the appeal of not having to pay for the service, free VPNs can come with serious drawbacks or even hazardous data collection practices.
To help you make the right decision with your VPN and keep you safe and secure online, I'll cover what you can expect to get with a free VPN, the pros and cons of free vs. paid, and what free options are worth considering.
What do you get with a free VPN?
Included features with free VPNs can vary widely. Some will impose myriad restrictions; only offering a laughably low data limit, one or two server options, or speed constraints. These are oftentimes free versions of popular paid services that want to draw in users and entice them to upgrade in the future. Other free VPNs will provide no such restrictions, but will hoover up user data and sell it in order to continually fund the service.
You'll almost always encount
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Apr 12, 2024
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PDF Reader Pro is an all-in-one PDF office, allowing you to edit, convert, annotate, manage, password protect, redact, and much more all in a single tool. You can edit texts and images without having to convert the document to a different file type, process PDFs in batches when you add watermarks, headers, and footers, encrypt PDFs, and so much more. Creating fillable forms or getting e-signatures is easy, while the OCR tech lets you extract text and convert scanned documents into editable, searchable PDF files.
Find out why PDF Reader Pro for Windows has earned 4.5/5-star ratings on Capterra, Software Advice, and Get App, and a 4.7/5-st
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Apr 12, 2024
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Here, I'm going to break down some of the key features you should be paying attention to when you're shopping for a new gaming laptop in 2024. The market has changed a lot, and making the right calls can make a big difference between getting a laptop that's still kicking years from now and winding up with one that won't even meet your demands today.
GPU is key
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Apr 12, 2024
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The advantage: You don't have to install anything and no changes are made to the Windows configuration — the live system therefore leaves no traces: If you remove the DVD or USB stick, your PC will boot the permanently installed operating system, such as Windows 10 or 11, after the restart.
If, on the other hand, you want to try out Linux Mint (or another operating system) properly and also install applications, then a virtual computer may be the better choice as a first step.
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Windows 11 Pro
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Apr 12, 2024
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This seven-course bundle is offered by Packt Publishing. You'll cover the very basics of Python so even if you're new to coding, you'll build a foundation from the start. From there, you'll delve into boot camps on using Python for software engineering, machine learning, and more through practical, hands-on projects that will help fortify your learning. Before you know it, you'll be coding like a pro.
Learn Python a practical, usable way. From 4/8 through 11:59 pm PT on 4/16, you can get The 2024 Python for Softwa
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Apr 12, 2024
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Microsoft Project Professional is Microsoft's leading project management software, loaded with tools and templates to help you successfully manage any project, no matter how complicated.
From timelines and what-if scenarios to payroll tracking, task assignments, and much more, Project Professional makes it easy to manage the broad strokes and minute details of any project. Plus, you can sync with Project Online, Project Server, and other Microsoft products like Office LTSC and Office 2021 to streamline operations across the organization.
Find out why Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for Windows has earned 4.4/5 stars on both GetApp
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Apr 11, 2024
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Reddit user Woopinah9 reported that Microsoft pushed a full-page advertisement for Windows 11 to his Windows 10 PC while he was working. The problem? Even the ad acknowledged that the PC was ineligible to upgrade. The implicit message was that the user needed to buy a new PC.
Here's the situation right now: Windows 10 will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumers will be offered extended support to allow them to go past that, but Microsoft hasn't said how much it will charge. Businesses will need to pay $61 per year. And the mess that was (and is) Windows 11's hardware requirements means that there will be a few users who will fall through the cracks, as the Reddit user obviously has.
So what are users supposed to do? A whole host of Reddit commenters noted the contradiction: Microsoft is encouraging them to upgrade to the latest cool thing, then telling them they can't have it. In some sense, this is the same message the PC industry delivers with each new gene
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Apr 11, 2024
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(Note: This trick was last confirmed as working on April 11, 2024. Also, codes for select countries will not stack any longer—see news update below.)
This deal isn't quite as good as before: Before July 6, 2023, you could lock up to three years at 63 percent off. When Xbox Game Pass Ultimate first launched, early adopters discovered that if you activated one month of Game Pass Ultimate on an account, it converted existing Xbox Live Gold and standard Xbox Game Pass subscriptions to Ultimate at a 1:1 rate. Any prepaid time up to the maximum of three years got the upgrade.
But things have changed. After Microsoft's price hike on Xbox Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate, the conversion rate got nerfed to a 3:2 ratio. You'll now pay about $8.20 per month using this conversion hack. Not as good as $5 per month (the old deal), but still much cheaper than list price for Ultimate ($17/month) or even PC Game Pass ($10/month
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Apr 11, 2024
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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 April 11, 2024: We replaced the Best Overall pick with the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and the Best OLED Display pick with the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus offers reliable performance as well as exceptional battery life while the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED features an attractive OLED display for under $1,000. We've also updated our list of recently reviewed laptops.
The best laptops for engineering students
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Apr 11, 2024
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The thing is, I'm not sure how long it will be as great as it is right now. So: Udio.com. Click on it. Start using it. It's free! For now, anyway.
Udio works like an AI art generator. You can either specify a prompt and let Udio do all the heavy lifting, from music to lyrics, or get as detailed as you want. Did I mention that there are lyrics? And vocals? Yes, Udio will even sing the lyrics for you, in voices that sound incredibly realistic and even emotional. Each "song" is generated as a 30-second clip, but you have the option of extending it with extra time, and even intros and outros. The maximum length of the song is short, though: about 90 seconds, Udio says.
Unlike some AI art generators, Udio seems at least vaguely aware of copyright; you can't ask it to sing Frank Sinatra's "My Way" (or any song, actually) in the vocals of Taylor Swift. But there doesn't seem to be any prohibition against taking the "My Way" lyrics and writing a drum-and-bass song around them, if you want.
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Apr 11, 2024
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But how do you decide on what's right for you specifically? The following guide will help. Here we give you a comprehensive rundown of how we test gaming mice at PCWorld. It's a thorough process, so buckle up!
What we test in gaming mice
The design and comfort
For the uninitiated, a gaming mouse is just that — a gaming mouse. But peripheral geeks know better. Gaming mice come in varying shapes and configurations and with different features. Those things dictate how you can hold them, which games they're good for, and even which hand you should use them in. We investigate all those things, but we also investigate how stylish the design is — whether or not the mouse has RGB lighting, logos, or an aesthetically pleasing look.
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Apr 11, 2024
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All the gear gets the Pip-Boy aesthetic treatment, which is to say, it looks like it's made out of rusty green steel and covered in retro-futurist branding. The Wave XLR is a particularly nice example, with tons of little touches that sell the Vault-Tec illusion. In addition to the branded hardware, buyers get access to free digital assets including game-accurate icons for the Stream Deck and a "Pip-Boy" voice modulator that makes it sound like you're broadcasting out over an irradiated hellscape.
All the items are the same price as their non-Fallout standard versions ($150 for the Stream Deck, $160 for the Wave XLR, $100 for the Wave DX mic, and $100 for th
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