TL;DR: Move to a new PC, back up your drive, and wipe the old one with the PC Transfer Kit, now only $35 for a lifetime subscription.
Getting a new PC is exciting right up until you have to migrate all your files, reinstall all your apps, and try to dig up your license keys for software you don't want to pay for twice. A simpler option is to use the PC Transfer Kit. This bundle gives you three Laplink tools to move all your files and apps to your new computer, back up your drive, and securely wipe your old machine. It also lasts for life for only $34.99 (reg. $129.85).
PCmover Professional does the transfer, moving your applications, files, settings, and user profiles from the old computer to the new one. Most programs install ready to use, so you rarely need old discs or serial numbers. Free transfer help from a migration expert is available any time, day or night.
TL;DR: New U.S. users can get lifetime access to all 14 Babbel languages for $159 (MSRP $299) with code LEARN from StackSocial, including 10,000 hours of lessons developed by more than 100 expert linguists.
There are plenty of apps willing to teach you how to say hello in another language. Babbel takes things a little more seriously: new U.S. users can get lifetime access to all 14 languages for $159 (MSRP $299) with the StackSocial code LEARN for a limited time.
One of Babbel's biggest differentiators is the people behind the lessons. The platform was developed by more than 100 expert linguists, using strategies proven by academics from top universities.
It focuses on practical language you might actually need, covering topics such as transportation, dining, shopping, directions, making friends, and business.
If you want a fast, low-maintenance machine that mostly lives in the browser, few options are as compelling as a Chromebook.
Chromebooks don't try to do everything, which is exactly why they're so appealing. For this roundup, we focused on models that stay fast under real use and makes it through a full day unplugged. Every pick here was tested hands-on.
If you'd rather step outside Google's ecosystem, PCWorld has a separate roundup of the best Windows laptops. And if you're curious where Chromebooks are headed next, check out this deep dive into the new AI-powered Googlebooks.
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.
Framework is a company that makes modular, repairable laptops. And there are a lot of reasons to like it. But in the begotten hellscape that is the PC market of 2026, I have a very particular reason for liking the brand: it's honest. Framework has put its every trial and tribulation on display during the RAM crisis, communicating directly to consumers why and how prices are going up.
It's bad news, obviously. Nobody likes to be told that they're paying more for the same thing — or as it might be, a lot more for considerably less. But as a small company that's trying to trade on trust with its customers, this is objectively the right call. Framework has been updating its customers (and the broader tech world, thanks!) every painful step of the way.
And Framework made another right call just recently, specifically for its flagship Framework 13 Pro laptop, which uses the very neat and tremendously expensive LPCAMM2 standard for its replaceable memory. Previousl
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If you've been perusing the market for a fantastic monitor, now's the time to grab one. This 32-inch LG UltraGear model is offering 4K OLED goodness for just $800. That's the best price we've seen for this model yet. That's a $600 discount, by the way.
This monitor comes with Dual Mode, which means you can use it in 4K at 240Hz (for those open-world adventures) or you can change it to Full HD at 480Hz
Over the past few years, USB-C has become the go-to connection for IT devices. Smartphones, external SSDs, cameras, and docking stations now rely almost exclusively on this standard. However, many older Windows PCs still have no USB-C ports, or just one. That doesn't mean you have to do without modern devices, though.
With a few simple steps, USB-C can be easily retrofitted to older systems. The quickest way is to use an existing USB-A port. All you need is a small USB-A-to-USB-C adapter. Simply plug this into a free USB-A port, and you can then connect a USB-C cable directly.
For individual devices such as smartphones, webcams, external drives, or chargers, this is an affordable and straightforward solution. Such adapters usually cost just a few dollars and work surprisingly reliably in practice. They are particularly suitable if you only connect a device occasionally and do not need any additional ports.
Many users regard the Bluetooth function as a notorious weak point in Windows 11, and even Microsoft clearly sees Bluetooth as a problem. With the latest Windows update, the Redmond-based company is now looking to tackle this Achilles' heel of its operating system.
The changelog for the Windows 11 Insider Release Preview Build 26100.9539/26200.9539 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 highlights, alongside various other improvements, places a particular focus on Windows 11's Bluetooth functionality. According to the changelog, Windows 11 is receiving these Bluetooth-related updates to improve its reliability and usability:
During voice calls, the Windows Shell pop-up window for volume control is now displayed when the volume of a Bluetooth Classic Audio accessory is adjusted using the volume controls on the device itself. This provides visual feedback on the new volume level.
This update improves the accuracy of the connection status displayed by Windows for accessories whose connection to the PC has been interrupted.
This update improves the stability of the ‘Bluetooth & devices' page in Settings when managing Bluetooth and audio devices.
This update resolves an issue where the Bluetooth wireless connection might have been disabled, but the toggle on the ‘Bluetooth & devices' page in Settings was shown as enabled.
This update improves the stability and compatibility of Bluetooth audio.
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The price floor for OLED monitors has been about $350 for most of the year. If you wanted something cheaper, you generally needed to look for a refurb model. Today AOC is offering its standard 27-inch, 1440p, 240Hz model for just $309.99 on Amazon. That's the best price you're likely to see outside of a major sale.
The Swedish furniture giant Ikea continues to venture into the world of gaming. A few weeks ago, they unveiled the new Yxstaby collection in collaboration with Microsoft's gaming division, Xbox, but the company has now brought its furniture into the gaming world in the form of an officially licensed mod for the hit game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
The ‘Kallax Storageborn' mod introduces Ikea's classic Kallax shelving unit as a companion in the game, designed to help you carry around all the junk you collect in Skyrim. Actor Matt Berry, known for his role in the TV series What We Do in the Shadows, among other things, provides the voice of the Kallax shelving unit in the game.
The developers at Kinggath Creations have also added "meatball helmets," an Allen key as a weapon, and an adventure that takes the player into two Ikea-inspired caves.
The "Kallax Storageborn" mod can be downloaded from the
At a glanceExpert's Rating
Pros
Secure lock/unlock with NFC
Small and light with an integrated belt clip
USB 3.2×2
Spare, pearlescent cover plate
Cons
Read speeds vary with amount of data
Runs out of juice on very long writes
Our Verdict
I love the style, NFC security, and integrated belt clip on the Adata Urban TapSafe, but its overall performance is underwhelming for 20Gbps.
Price When Reviewed
This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined
Best Pricing Today
Price When ReviewedAdata Urban Tapsafe USB/NFC SSD: 1TB: $228.99 I 2TB: $411.99
Adata Urban TapSafe 20Gbps SSD: $229 for 1TB, $412 for 2TB
The sport might have been football. But the real contest Friday night in Melbourne, Australia was how two teams dealt with the bane of business travelers: the bleary-eyed anti-productivity monster, jet lag.
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7, in a game that looked a lot further apart than it was. But the two teams took radically different approaches to how they approached the game, with the 49ers arriving a week early and the Rams showing up just 24 hours before.
If you've ever suffered from insomnia, you know badly jet lag can ruin your night and subsequent workdays. The Rams, though, thought they had figured it out: aside from a difference in the calendar day, a morning start in Melbourne corresponded to an afternoon game in California. Instead of flying across the world, the Rams were trying to convince their bodies that they had never actually left.
Did it work? It certainly didn't look like it, with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford missing a number of his early passes. Still, this was a potential Super Bowl for sleep scientists…and an opportunity to test whether overseas travelers would be better off landing a day or so early or simply try to sleep on the plane.
It all starts with the sun
Jet lag is considered a temporary sleep disorder, one tied primarily to the circadian rhythm. Your body is used to a routine, and tries to key itself to the day-night cycle of your particular time zone. Adjust it — when the cl
I have a PC cleanup routine that I've perfected over the years.
With a mix of regular driver updates, old file and app cleanouts, and physical cleaning, the little-and-often approach means I don't have to suffer a sluggish system every couple of years, nor do I have to troubleshoot driver problems because I'm woefully out of date. Better yet, it only takes half an hour or so each month to keep my computer running fast.
I won't pretend I'm religious with this routine. Sometimes it stretches to every six weeks or even longer.
But I do make a real point of regularly keeping on top of my system. It's where I work, play, and watch stupid YouTube videos, so of course it's worth maintaining properly. Here's what I do and what you might want to consider doing yourself.
Run all the updates
It's a pain in the neck dealing with all those notification reminders for updates, so if you at least make sure all your apps, drivers, and operating system are up to date, you can save yourself that hassle.
But it's not just about the inconvenience of reminders. Many game performance issues, weird black screen errors, random stalls and freezes, and general system instability can be traced back to outdated or problematic apps and driver
I've always thought of the Apple Watch as one of the friendliest and most helpful Apple devices, sitting on your wrist with a colorful watch face, telling the time, nudging you to get off your tush, gently tapping you (or not) with text alerts, and even sounding the alarm if it detects anything amiss with your heartbeat.
But a new Siri AI feature, announced earlier this week during Apple's fall hardware event, could land unsuspecting Apple Watch users who enable the option into the middle of a heated AI privacy debate, according to several experts I spoke with.
Welcome to another edition of Prompt Mode, your weekly AI newsletter.
I'm your host, Ben Patterson. Each week on Prompt Mode, I'll be serving up analysis of the AI trends that matter to everyday users like you and me. Stay tuned for practical AI tips, hands-on experiences with the latest AI tools, and-you guessed it-prompts to help you get the most out of your AI assistants.
Thanks for reading, and if you like what you see, just sign up right here.
If you're looking for an affordable Windows machine under $500, a blazing fast gaming beast for those intense matches, or a portable 2-in-1 for school or work, you've got plenty of great choices right now.
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 80 laptops every year. We're also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Best budget laptop deals under $500
…Then I tried it for myself this week. Now, I'm afraid I may be a reluctant believer.
Because while DLSS 5 is only officially supported in NBA 2K27 right now, entrepid modders have already ripped the DLSS files out of the game and made it fairly easy for anyone with an Nvidia GPU to start applying the new tech to whatever game(s) you like. And after throwing DLSS 5 on in the middle of my Star Wars Zero Company campaign, I'm not sure I'm ever going back.
Welcome to The Full Nerd newsletter—your weekly dose of hardware talk from the enthusiasts at PCWorld. Missed the surprising topics on our YouTube show or the latest news from across the web? You're in the right place.
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Modern games teach you the basics as you play, but older games took a slightly different approach. They either gave you nothing at all or made you buy a thick booklet and expected you to read it before pressing Start. If you miss those manuals—or threw yours away years ago—Video Game Manual is here to help.
The site hosts a huge collection of scanned manuals from older consoles such as the Atari 2600, Game Boy, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and PlayStation 2. Each manual comes as a PDF that you can read in your browser or download.
The archive is useful if you've picked up an old game without its original box. You can look up the controls, learn the rules, or figure out how saving works. Many manuals also contain maps, character profiles, item lists, story details, and hints that the games themselves never explain. I'm using it to finally beat Devil May Cry 3's Mission 19—younger me would be so proud.
But you don't need to be stuck in a game to enjoy the site. I remember back in the day reading all of the extra backstory and character bios in these manuals to psyche myself up before I even reached the title screen. Their colorful art, blocky screenshots, odd warnings, and tiny story sections bring back a part of gaming that digital downloads have mostly erased.
The site has a pre-Y2K look of its own, and admittedly it can be clunky on a phone. The console pages and A-to-Z links make browsing easier though. I've found that if a PDF shows o
TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro in one bundle for $32.97 through September 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT, down from the $418.99 MSRP. It's a simple way to cover two essential PC upgrades without adding another annual subscription.
If you're still relying on an older Windows setup or paying for Microsoft 365 year after year, upgrading both can get expensive fast. With Windows 10 support now ended (in 2025) and Microsoft 365 requiring a recurring subscription, this bundle offers a cheaper alternative: lifetime licenses for Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro for $32.97 (MSRP $418.99).
The first half of this bundle is the Microsoft Office Pro license. That gives you Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Ac
A few months ago, Google released the Gemini app for macOS as a one-stop shop for accessing Google content. It came and went. Now it's available for Windows too. Is it any better? Nope.
My colleague on the AI beat, Ben Patterson, characterized the Mac version of the Gemini app with a middling "meh," and that's where I am as well. As I sat down to write, the blog post announcing the Windows app didn't even include a link to download the free Gemini app for Windows itself.
The Gemini app for Windows is a front page of sorts to Gemini's generative content: the LLM chatbot itself, which is all that appears if you refuse to sign in to Google's services with a Google account. Once you do, that unlocks the ability to access stored chats, plus dedicated tabs for images, video, and a stored library of the same. Optionally connecting Gemini to your Workspace account (Gmail, Drive, and more) allows access to a "daily brief" of your most important emails.
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. Our reviews span PC laptops at every price point to meet the needs of any budget, from affordable everyday laptops to powerful gaming machines.
Let our extensive hands-on experience help you with your laptop purchasing decision. Because while shopping for a laptop can start out simple enough, it often ends with a dozen open tabs full of specs you don't really care about, or need. Graphics cards, display types, confusing processor names… it can get overwhelming, fast.
All of the picks below have been personally tested and selected by PCWorld's expert reviewers, who've applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards.
Updated September 2026 to reflect the latest prices and retailers, and to update our list of "other laptops we tested" below our top picks.
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We've been bullish on OLED monitor deals for the last year or so, but the floor for most of them seems to be around $350 for a 27-inch model. That's still a good chunk of change, and there are legit reasons to be anxious about OLED. If you'd rather go for an advanced mini-LED option, today you can pick one up for $249.99 at Amazon. That's $80 off the usual price and even cheaper than AOC's own store.
Windows 11 has tons of useful keyboard shortcuts worth using every day, whether for boosting productivity, doing repetitive tasks faster, accessing hidden panels, or keeping your laptop secure. But did you know there are still secret shortcuts that hardly anyone knows about?
Windows Latest recently uncovered one of them—and it's truly absurd. Instead of a useful function that'd improve daily workflows, this keyboard shortcut takes you straight to LinkedIn. You know, the professional networking platform that's now owned by Microsoft.
Here, try it out for yourself: simply press Ctrl Alt Shift Windows key L on your keyboard. A new tab will open in your default web browser and immediately load LinkedIn. (There will also be a parameter appended to the URL, which tells LinkedIn you arrived via this shortcut.)
Why does this LinkedIn shortcut exist?
It's unusual but not surprising that Microsoft has built this keyboard shortcut directly into Windows. According to Windows Latest, it's not just integra
Plus, many free PDF editors are browser based, which means you don't need to worry about about platform- or device-compatibility issues.
Of course, free products won't come with every feature of their premium counterparts. So, if you find that you need more advanced tools such as password protection, Bates numbering, or e-signatures, then you're probably better served by a premium PDF editor.
PROMOTION
EaseUS PDF Editor - Edit, Convert, Compress & Protect PDFs
EaseUS is a free PDF editor that offers options to read, create, edit and convert PDFs both in program and online. The streamlined interface allows you to edit or convert with ease for any formats like doc, excel, ppt, jpg, png or epub, even merge, split, compress, watermark e-sign or OCR PDF files.
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If Windows 11 is on the table for you, today is your lucky day because you can get Windows 11 licenses for super cheap on the PCWorld Software Store right now. Seriously, both Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro are currently priced at $14.97 each. That's down from $139 (89% off) and $199 (92% off), respectively. Huge savings!
Casual users who don't need all the fancy features of the Pro version can get away with Windows 11 Home, although given that they're on sale for the same price, you might consider getting Windows 11 Pro for the heck of it. Windows 11 Pro unlocks advanced features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop Server, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows Sandbox. (See our breakdown of Windows 11 Pro versus Home.)
Get Windows 11 for up to 92% off right nowBuy now via PCWorld Software Store
How to activate your Windows 11 license
After you've made your order, you'll have to check your email inbox for the license key. Once you have that and your chosen Windows 11 copy is installed, here's how to activate t
And by "you," I mean Adam, Mark, and Will, not me. Because I'm too far away from Arizona to see Intel's massive industrial fabrication center. And I'm not jealous at all, not even a little bit.
Sadly, because it's 1) a clean facility that's ten times as strict as an average surgical theater in terms of cleanliness and 2) stuffed floor-to-very-high-ceiling with proprietary technology and industrial secrets, the PCWorld team didn't get to take photos or video of the brand new Fab 52-18A facility, which is gearing up to produce Intel's next-generation Panther Lake chips for 2026.
The team did get to take notes and had a nice long chat in the Arizona sunshine about their experiences. For a deep dive on what has to be one of the most complex facilities on the planet, check out the full conversati
Those are just some of the things that Google's Gemini have been reporting in its Home Briefs—the summaries it can produce of the daily goings-on detected by Nest security cameras and other connected smart home devices—and some Gemini for Home users say they're getting thoroughly creeped out by the briefings, particularly with Halloween right around the corner.
"Throughout the morning, several instances of people in black cloaks or robes were observed standing in the yard," read a Home Brief screenshot posed by a Google Home user on Reddit. "The unusual presence of individuals in black cloaks or robes continued into the afternoon, with multiple sighting in the yard and approaching the driveway."
Talk about a spooky report, but the reality turned out to be pretty innocuous.
"It's hilarious, I got this summary today," the user said. "For the ‘black cloaks or robes,' I have Halloween decorations that the camera sees."
The user allowed that the creepy description was more or less "accurate," but that another event reported in the briefing ("a person was seen walking by the playset in the Backyard") didn't happen: "The person by the playset doesn't exist, the clip showed nobody."
In a similar occurrence, another Gemini for Home users posted a
The LG UltraGear 27GS60QC-B is a stunning 27-inch display that delivers exceptional performance you can rely on. It has a crisp "sweet spot" 2560×1440 native resolution, which is great whether you're gaming or streaming Netflix. Add in the fast 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time and you have a liquidy smooth visual experience that's lag-free even during the most action-packed scenes and games.
This monitor has a nice 1000R curvature that bends around your vision, easing eye fatigue and making for more comfortable sessions whether you're gaming, tackling work projects, or just mindlessly browsing the web and doomscrolling on social media. Other nice features include HDR10, AMD FreeSync, and a sleek "borderless" bezel. It also has both DisplayPort and double HDMI ports, plus a 3.5mm audio jack.
Right now, you can grab this 27-inch 1440p gaming monitor for just $169.99, and that's an excellent deal for an LG display with these specs, so don't wait and miss this opportunity.
That's a stellar deal for a curved 27-inch 1440p 180Hz monitorBuy this LG monitor on Amazon
We've actually tried out every laptop on this list ourselves, so they're real recommendations based on hands-on experience.
PROMOTION
PLAY TO DIFFER
Meet the GIGABYTE AERO X16, the one notebook that does it all. Powered by the latest AMD Ryzen processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 50 Series GPUs, this laptop is perfectly designed to game, create, or simply entertain on the go.
see it now
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 r
This tiny power adapter features three ports: two USB-C and one USB-A. The USB-C ports are faster, each delivering up to 70W of charging, which will juice up your phone in under an hour and is even fast enough to power many laptops, including MacBooks. That's only when the USB-C ports are used on their own, though. When multiple are being used, the 70W total gets split up. (The USB-A maxes out at 33W, by the way.)
Apart from being able to charge three devices at once, what I love about this wall plug is that it's compact with foldable prongs. It fits easily into pockets and bags, and you can take it with you while traveling without worrying that it'll get damaged or scuff up anything else. And don't forget that it comes with a free USB-C cable that's capable of handling the fast charging power of this power block.
This is a must-have for anyone, so don't miss out on this deal. Get this Anker Nano USB-C charger block with cable for $34.99 before this discount expires! It's the best price we've ever seen for it.
A fast 3-port USB-C charger with a cable for $34.99? That's a bargain!Buy this USB-C charger with cable on Ama
The 8-core, 16-thread 7800X3D was the sweet spot for gaming performance and price a couple of years ago, though it's been superseded by the Zen 5-based 9800X3D (which can be installed in the same AM5 motherboards). That said, the newer chip is $460 from various retailers right now and only about 5 percent faster in higher-end games.
That makes this deal on the older 7800X3D a no-brainer. Put that extra budget towards your GPU or a bigger SSD and your upcoming PC build will be a lot more capable. Oh, and remember that the X3D processors don't come with coolers—as AMD assumes you'll want something a little beefier—so make sure to include one in your PCPartPicker list.
Grab the Ryzen 7 7800X3D for $319.99 on Amazon while you still can. There's no indication of how long this particular deal will last, but Walmart is also selling it on sale, which you can snag if the Amazon deal runs out. (In fact, depending on where you are in relation to the nearest distribution center, you could get the
In the months ahead, the company will add AI-powered voice search for its smart TVs and streaming players. While Roku's existing voice search can find specific programs, actors, or genres, the upgrade will allow for more conversational queries, such as "What's the Barbie movie about?" or "How scary is The Shining." It will also support follow-up questions.
Other forthcoming Roku features include a "What do you like to watch?" feature to tweak Roku's home screen recommendations, live scores in the Sports section, and a search function in Roku's live TV guide. Roku is also updating its recently-launched Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus to support private listening through Bluetooth headphones and earbuds.
TV-focused AI
Unlike rivals Amazon and Google, Roku isn't trying to launch an all-purpose AI that also happens to work on TVs. Roku doesn't sell its own smart speakers, and users primarily interact with voice control through the mic button on Roku remotes. The new AI-powered assistant will only respond to entertainment-related queries, Roku says.
"Even in this case, with us evolving Roku voice to now answer entertainment Q&A, we are specializing in a TV-related solution only," Amit Desai, Roku's director of product and UX for voice and conversational AI, told reporters. He added that the feature will use a combination of in-house and commercial AI technology.
So, instead of talking up 2FA, today I'll let this cute parrot just show you instead:
Original video on Instagram
Your password is that first food cover. Two-factor authentication is the second. With just one cover, your meal gets eaten by the parrot. With two, your food is still yours to enjoy.
Setting up two-factor authentication can be as easy as dropping that second cover over the dish, by the way. You can use something you already own—your phone or tablet—to set up at least one 2FA method. I recommend using a dedicated app like Bitwarden Authenticator or Authy as the best balance between security and convenience.
That said, with a bird that cute, I'd probably share
‘A faster, more efficient, and more capable chip'
The M5, as you would expect, is a higher-performance chip than its M4 predecessor. Although it's still built using 3-nanometer technology (albeit 3rd-gen, compared to 2nd-gen on the M4), Apple claims substantial improvements in graphical speed in particular.
According to the announcement, the M5's 10-core GPU architecture, with a Neural Accelerator in each core, delivers "over 4x the peak GPU compute performance compared to M4" as well as "enhanced graphics capabilities and third-generation ray tracing." Overall, Apple claims, the new chip is capable of up to 45 percent higher graphics performance than the M4.
On the CPU side, what Apple describes as "the world's fastest performance core" promises a 15 percent bump in multithreaded performance compared to the M4. And unified memory bandwidth has been improved by almost 30 percent to 153GB/s.
All of which sounds good on paper, but what's all this theoretical power for? Apple makes this very clear: AI. Unlike the M4 announcement in May 2024, which referenced AI only twice in the first seven paragraphs, the M5's press release mentions the current tech obsession in the headline, the standfirst, the first subhead, the captions of the first two pictures, twice in the first paragraph, twice in the second paragraph, three times in the third paragraph…
So we can expect lots more discussion of Apple Intellige
Yeah, this is a strange one. In terms of form factor, the whole 2.1 unit is basically a boom box or perhaps an especially large speaker bar. That bottom section houses a pair of 52mm drivers and a 100mm woofer, a 60-watt amp, and a pair of passive radiators. Up top is a 2.8-inch screen over the area where a "CPU" would be if this was a PC (again, this is not a PC), and various blocks and LED-bedecked sections roughly mimic RAM DIMMs, SSDs, fans, and GPUs sitting on top of a motherboard. Those things that look like coolant lines are, allegedly, braided speaker cables.
This Geekom mini PC comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor and an impressive 32GB of DDR5 RAM. That's a solid combo that will not stumble over any task. There's also a speedy 1TB SSD on board, as well as Radeon 780M integrated graphics that can handle modest gaming with pretty good performance. It's seriously robust and will last you for many years as long as you aren't doing super-intensive stuff.
The Geekom AX8 is especially good for multitaskers because it supports a quadruple 4K setup. Between the two USB4 ports (up to 8K@30Hz) and two HDMI ports (up to 4K@60Hz), you can run several high-def displays for tons of screen real estate. It's the perfect solution whether you're reading dozens of documents, researching numerous browser tabs, streaming movies or playing music, meeting on Zoom, etc.
A laptop with these kinds of specs could easily cost you twice as much, so why waste the money? Get this Geekom AX8 mini PC for $499 while this limited-time Amazon deal is still around!
Save $250 on this Ryzen 7 mini PC with 32GB RAM and quad 4K support
Into this fractious and uncertain landscape lands the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld, and its more souped-up version, the ROG Xbox Ally X. Launching later this week at $600 and $1,000, respectively, these gadgets are some major firsts for Microsoft. They're the first Xbox portable devices, even if their claim to being "Xboxes" is mostly a matter of marketing. They're the first post-Steam Deck portable gaming PCs made explicitly in cooperation with Microsoft and Xbox, though Asus has made two generations before them. And they're the official debut of the Xbox Fullscreen Mode, Microsoft's answer to the Steam Deck user interface.
What are data brokers?
As we've already outlined, data brokers collect information from websites, services and other companies, then package it to be sold to the highest bidder. It's a legal practice, but not one that feels fair to consumers or in their best interests.
There are two main types - public and private. You may have seen public ones, as they come in the form of people search sites where you can look up a surprising amount of information about individuals - often including their address and contact details.
Then there are the private brokers. These collate the personal information of people and offer them to range of sectors, including marketing, risk-mitigation (for insurance companies, healthcare, etc.), recruitment (providing background information on candidates), and financial (data on whether you should be offered accounts, loans or other services).
So, is this just the price of using online services, or should you be worried about how this information could affect your life?
How does your personal data become available?
One of the main currencies of the internet is information. This means that when you join a new site or service, there's a good chance that elements of the data you provide could be sold to data brokers. These companies can then put together the information they glean from various sources to build a profile on you, which is then either made available on people search sites or sold to a range of interested customers.
What harm comes with having personal data online?
Not only does this have potential risks to your privacy and safety, as anyone could get access to things like your phone number, businesses you own, or other contact details. But it could also work against you in a number of ways.
Data brokers can sell your data to financial bodies such as banks and insurance companies, who might decide that you're too much of a risk for loans, credit cards or mortgages.
Recruitment consultants can go to brokers for background checks on potential employees, all without your consent.
Healthcare providers can also approach brokers as part
I actually like it in the center position, because it's easier to orientate my searches without having to drag my mouse pointer all the way to the side of the screen. That said, not everyone feels the same way. It bugs some long-time users of Windows 10 who are used to the far left-hand side placement. But fret not, because you can change it back to the left in just a few clicks.
What to do:
Right click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
Find the submenu "Taskbar behaviors" and click the dropdown arrow next to it.
Now next to "Taskbar alignment" change Center to Left. Close the window and watch your taskbar magically shift position.
The free VPN service will apparently complement the paid Mozilla VPN service that Mozilla already offers. Our tests, however, found Mozilla's paid VPN service somewhat wanting.
Integrating a VPN service into the browser has been a feature of niche browsers for years — including Mozilla. In 2019, Mozilla began testing the Firefox Private Network, a VPN-like service that obscured the user's IP address. The trial was part of a beta program, and the technology was never really commercialized. Opera, too, launched a more sophisticated integrated VPN service. In March, Vivaldi teamed up with Proton for an integrated VPN into the browser, as well.
In one 30-second clip, you've caught someone breaking the law-but you might also have broken one yourself.
Smart cameras are everywhere now—mounted on porches, tucked under eaves, perched on fences, and watching over driveways, garages, and balconies. They're cheaper, easier to install, and produce sharper video than ever. But with that convenience comes a degree of legal uncertainty. Can you record anything your camera sees? What about what it hears? Can a neighbor make you take it down? And what if you rent instead of own?
We'll break down what the law actually says about surveillance at home—what's legally allowable, where things get complicated, and how to protect your home without accidentally violating someone else's privacy.
It doesn't say so in as many words, of course. According to the Google Ads & Commerce Blog (spotted by PCMag), it's a move meant for "improving navigation and introducing a new control." The new look groups all of the text-based links that are paid for into a single "Sponsored results" section, which can be collapsed by clicking or pressing a button. The new look is coming to Search on desktop and mobile, "currently rolling out globally."
The fact that this was an update to the tool that immediately preceded the self-imposed deadline that Microsoft set for a Windows 11 upgrade is u
First, the news: In its announcement that the Brad Pitt blockbuster F1: The Movie will make its debut on Apple TV in December, Apple casually noted that as of now, Apple TV isn't Apple TV anymore.
"Apple TV is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity," Apple's press release reads. What's the new identity, you ask? Aside from a new and multicolor Apple TV logo, that's hard to say.
Those of us who follow the streaming industry greeted the news with furrowed brows. So Apple TV the streaming service is now on Apple TV, the streaming box? Isn't that kind of confusing? Yes, the Apple TV streaming player is officially known as "Apple TV 4K," but still.
Well, it's details like the " " and the "4K" that cause headaches when it comes to clear and consistent branding, and the truth is most folks haven't bothered with the "plus" for a long time. Severance, The Studio, The Morning Show, Ted Lasso—those are all Apple TV shows, according to everyday streamers.
Sometimes, simplicity and familiarity are best. Take HBO Max, which went through a three-year-old rebranding drama that saw the service renamed as "Max," a change that was mainly driven by the now-unraveling alliance between the former WarnerMedia and Discovery.
Warner Bros. Discovery likely spent a fortune trying to get the Max branding to stick, but most subscribers just kept calling it HBO Max. Finally, the entertainment giant stopped swimming against the ti
But if you haven't done anything about it yet, you probably should. Here's a quick summary of what you need to know and what to do about it.
Your options for Windows 10
You don't have to leave Windows 10 if you don't want to. Hundreds of millions of PCs (about half of them, in fact) won't stop working today just because of a specific date on the calendar. This is not a Y2K situation. Even Microsoft itself has backtracked on the ultimatum, offering regular users "free" ways to extend security support for another year, albeit with some distasteful strings attached.
A good monitor arm is one of the best home office upgrades you can make, and gas spring monitor arms offer easier and smoother adjustments than coil spring monitor arms. This one has a central pole plus a gas spring arm on either side, so tiny adjustments will be darn easy to make and you'll be able to position your displays exactly where you need them (with one centered in front of you).
This triple-monitor arm fits monitors between 17 to 32 inches and can hold monitors weighing between 4.4 to 17.6 pounds. Most modern monitors fall into those ranges, so nothing to worry about there. The arms are also compatible with both VESA 75×75 and 100×100 mounts, which are pretty standard for most VESA-compatible monitors. The arm itself can mount to your desk via C-clamp or grommet.
It ain't cheap, but it's certainly a deal with this discount—and there's no better way to run a triple-monitor setup than with a triple-monitor arm. Get this Huanuo triple monitor arm for $119.98 while you can!
A triple-mounting arm with gas springs for 20% off? Yes, please!Ge
What's not a given is paying full retail price. Yep, you can snag discounts on Windows 11. How much you'll save depends on your circumstances (and your stomach for hassle), but if you're lucky, you could technically get it for free. Legitimately for free, since installing Windows without ever activating it doesn't count as a full, sanctioned copy of the software. (Ahem.)
Here's how, in several different ways. These strategies often apply for Windows 10 licenses too, but that operating system got the axe on October 14. Your better bet will be Windows 11, as it'll get feature updates.
Simple upgrade: Trade up from Windows 10 to Windows 11
Conventional power strips suck because they have lined-up outlets, meaning your chunkier plugs and adapters get in the way of each other and sometimes even cover up neighboring outlets. But with this one, the six AC outlets are spaced out and oriented away from each so your plugs never collide or overlap. That's plenty for all your devices, monitors, PCs, accessories, and whatever else needs tethered power.
But what takes this power strip a step further is the inclusion of two USB-A and two USB-C ports along the bottom edge, allowing you to charge your phones, tablets, laptops, earbuds, etc. without taking up valuable AC outlet vacancies. (The USB-C ports deliver up to 20W and the USB-A ports up to 12W, so they aren't blazingly fast but fast enough.)
Other nice details include the 5-foot power cable so you can position this almost anywhere, the flat profile plug that easily reaches behind furniture, and a built-in 8-point safety system to protect your devices from surges, short circuits, excess heat, overloads, fires, and more.
This is a pretty crazy get for just $19.99, allowing you to streamline your charging station setup for years to come. Get this 10-in-1 Anker power strip on sale while you can before this deal expires!
However, experts—including former Microsoft employee David Plummer—recommend taking a further step: grab the Windows 10 ISO file before Microsoft removes it from the website.
What's a Windows 10 ISO file? And why do I need to download it?
An ISO file contains all the data, files, folders, and structures of a particular program. It's usually kept on hand for archiving purposes. It's essentially the digital equivalent of what you'd get if you bought a software CD, for example, Windows 10.
You can use the Windows 10 ISO file to completely reinstall Windows 10 if problems arise on your current system. If you burn the ISO file to a bootable CD or drive, you can use it at any time to run Windows.
If you think you'll ever want to run or install Windows 10 again, it's a good idea to download the Windows 10 ISO file ASAP. We don't know how much longer it'll be made available by Microsoft.
How to download the Windows 10 ISO file
There are two ways to obtain the Windows 10 ISO: either via Microsoft's download page or via the Media Creation Tool.
Most robots rely on simple LiDAR or front cameras for navigation. The Aqua10 Ultra Roller upgrades this with AstroVision™ obstacle intelligence, combining dual HD AI cameras with NVIDIA Isaac Sim training. The cameras capture depth to form 3D maps with 1mm precision, and reinforcement learning helps the robot recognize and adapt to dynamic environments.
In practice, this translates into fewer collisions and smoother routing around furniture. Dreame highlights support for 240 object categories, with features like Active Pet Avoidance and Chaos-Proof Routing—ideal in homes where toys, pet bowls, and clutter shift constantly.
The Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller MSRP is $1,599.99. From October 13 to October 31, U.S. and Canadian consumers can get an extra 5% off with code DMPWAQUANA on Amazon and the Dreame website.
But as some reviewers have noted, the boosts from DLSS aren't always as impressive in real life as they are in marketing materials. And it's often less powerful systems—like gaming laptops—that see the most modest benefits. So, I decided to test it out myself.
Here are my Nvidia DLSS 4 results on a gaming laptop. Keep reading for the exact laptop I used and the various gains (or lack thereof) I saw in a handful of different high-profile games.
The laptop I used for these tests
When Nvidia boasted about the awe-inspiring eight-fold improvement in Cyberpunk 2077 performance, those tests were done under ideal conditions. According to the fine print, it was achieved on a PC with an RTX 5090 at 4K resolutions with all the graphical bells and whistles turned on, and in DLSS performance mode.
But that's far from your typical gaming PC. Most modern gaming PCs are budget laptops—like the Lenovo LO
The Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed isn't just uber-fast with a 30K optical sensor, but it also comes with an insanely high number of programmable buttons. I'm talking a total of 19 buttons that you can set up to do whatever you need, with 12 of them being on the side of the mouse. Just imagine playing World of Warcraft and cycling through your action rotation without touching your keyboard. Fantastic!
The Naga V2 HyperSpeed also features Razer's HyperScroll technology, which allows you to quickly scroll through all the content you need at blazing speed, even entering free-spin mode. It's totally wireless—with both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth options—also has excellent battery life, with a single AA battery providing almost 400 hours of usage, which is pretty great because you won't be spending a fortune on batteries.
If you're into MMOs, you'll love the convenience of a button-loaded wireless mouse like this. Get the Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed for $62.49 while you still can and level up your MMO experience!
The Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed is a dream for all MMO gamersGet the Naga V2 mouse for 38% off
The question is: Is Windows 10 really better than 11? I myself switched to Windows 11 when it launched back in 2021. So to find out the difference, I pulled out my old Windows 10 computer and ran it for a week.
The test made me realize how much better Windows has actually become—and going back to Windows 10 was unexpectedly painful. Here are my key lessons learned.
Last month, the company published a "30-day reminder" that Windows 10 version 22H2 (including Enterprise and Education Editions) will reach the end of its support period on October 14th, 2025:
On October 14, 2025, Windows 10, version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions) will reach end of servicing. October 14, 2025 will also mark the end of support for Windows 10 2015 LTSB and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2015. The October 2025 monthly security update will be the last update available for these versions. After this date, devices running these versions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats.
However, Microsoft also wants Windows home users to know that there's the opportunity to receive extended support for another 12 months with Microsoft's Extended Security Update (ESU) program.
All in all, if you're still actively using Windows 10, the deadline is almost here. What should you do? Here are all your options:
Still running Windows 10 and pretending everything's fine? No shame — we've all hit "Remind me later" more times than we care to admit. However, if you're still running Windows 10, your Microsoft support just ended.
With this deal, you can finally make the jump to Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97. That's a full-fledged, professional-grade operating system for the price of two fancy lattes.
First of all, Windows 11 Pro is smooth. Like, way smoother than its predecessors. The redesigned interface is clean, centered, and customizable, which is great for focus and flow. Plus, it comes with features that make multitasking feel like second nature: snap layouts, virtual desktops, and lightning-fast search tools.
You get enterprise-grade features like BitLocker encryption, Windows Hello biometric login, and TPM 2.0 compatibility — all designed to protect your work, files, and peace of mind.
Broadcom actually announced four different designs — the BCM6718 for the residential access point market, the BCM43109 for mobile handsets, plus the BCM43840 and BCM43820 for enterprise APs — that it will sell as chips as well as license as intellectual property. The sampling process has already begun, Broadcom said.
Wi-Fi 7 is already well established in both PCs and handsets across the world. That Wi-Fi 7 technology, launched in 2023, is still being worked on: Intel's Panther Lake laptop processor, for example, includes Wi-Fi 7 Release 2 support, which works toward better communication between your PC and the access point to reduce latency and increase the overall performance.
That's the whole point behind Wi-Fi 8, which broke cover in late 2024 and is set to be formally adopted probably by late 2028. That's never stopped wireless chip vendors, however, which tend to put as much as they know of the specification into silicon as soon as they can to start landing design wins with customers just as soon as possible.
It's probably not a coincidence that the latest Wi-Fi 7 standards are transitioning into the overarching guidelines behind Wi-Fi 8: To improve the quality and reliability of Wi-Fi 8 wireless connections, rather than just improve performance. Wi-Fi 8 still
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.
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Note: Tech deals come and go quickly, so it's possible some of these computer discounts will have exp
These discounted Kindle Scribes are refurbished devices that were tested and certified to be in perfect working order. Quite honestly, it's likely that these are returned items from last week's sale since "like new" Amazon gear always pops up at a discount after major sale events.
The Kindle Scribe is a solid digital notebook option, enabling you to take notes, sketch, journal, and so on without the distractions you get from a tablet. Since the Scribe can turn your handwritten notes into text, it's even more useful as you can transfer those to other apps later on. You can even write on books, which is something we know you'd never do in real life (hopefully).
The Kindle Scribe features a 10.2-inch Paperwhite display that's quite larger than your regular e-reader, so there's plenty of space to write your notes.
So go ahead and get yourself a Kindle Scribe with 32GB of storage space and a Premium Pen for only $228 while this deal's still around.
Read and write on this super discounted Kindle ScribeBuy now at Amazon
Seriously, no brand is best in all situations! That's what we've seen throughout our laptop reviews. The best brand for you depends on what you're looking for, the type of laptop you're buying, and the prices you can afford — and the right laptop sale could change the whole calculus.
You'll find a mix of both Dell and HP laptops, plus laptops from many other manufacturers, on our best laptop list here at PCWorld. But there's a lot to be said for comparing these brands. So, let's take a closer look.
Dell vs. HP laptop product ranges
Both Dell and HP offer a wide range of different laptops for different needs, from budget picks to premium stunners.
Dell offers a variety of laptop lineups. Until recently, it was broken down as XPS laptops for the premium line, with Latitude and Inspiron laptops for business and consumer use, respectively. Starting in 2025, however, Dell scrapped that naming convention ostensibly to be more simplified, but you be the judge. Still, the same range of performance and prices remains.
Usually available for $1,370 at Best Buy, this $320-off laptop has everything you could need — a gorgeous display, a powerful CPU, plenty of storage space, and a top-notch graphics card. Frankly, you can't go wrong by getting this laptop.
For starters, the HP Victus has a 15.6-inch IPS display with a decent 1920×1080 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. This combo will deliver good visuals no matter if you're watching movies or playing games. That speedy refresh rate, however, is going to ensure you can't blame a slow screen on your lack of reaction time during boss fights.
Overall, this laptop was built for speed. With an Intel Core i7 and 16GB DDR5 RAM, this model is ready to tackle your daily workload, gaming, and keeping entirely too many tabs open in your browser. Throw in the RTX 5060 and you get a future-proof laptop — at least for a few years.
Frankly, when you see a laptop with these specs for $1,050 the only possible reaction is to add it to your cart because that's a purchase you won't regret.
That's a fantastic price for a great gaming laptop
With a $30 MSRP, this Iniu power bank has a 10,000mAh capacity, which means it has enough juice to recharge you phone about twice over, although that depends on what phone you have and if you're using the device while it's recharging or not.
The Iniu power bank has a cute strap you can use to carry it around town. The best part is that the strap is actually a short USB-C cable you can use to plug your phone in.
The power bank has a total of three ports, two of which are USB-C and one of which is USB-A, which means you can technically recharge multiple devices at once. With the 45W total output, charging speed would drop considerably if you plug in multiple gadgets.
Remember that in order to get the fabulous $11.21 price, you have to redeem the on-page coupon for the extra 40% discount that goes on top of the 38% off that's already available for the power bank. Stop wasting time because there's no way to know when this deal will expire.
Take this tiny power bank everywhere you goBuy now at Amazon
Even if its components are powerful enough for Windows 11, it may become electronic waste: This is because Microsoft has strict requirements for the hardware on which the new operating system can run — especially when it comes to the processor.
Most PCs and laptops that are more than eight years old are therefore excluded from the upgrade — even though they work without any problems under Windows 10 and would certainly do the same under Windows 11.
However, you can make your computer officially fit for Windows 11 with small hardware upgrades: Whether this is worthwhile, whether it is even possible, and how much it costs depends on the specific PC or laptop.
What your computer needs for Windows 11
The requirements that Microsoft places on a computer for Windows 11 look low at first glance:
Processor with 64-bit support, two cores and a clock speed of 1GHz
4GB RAM
64GB storage for the installation
Many old c
How can you be sure this mini PC is capable of handling your daily workload, streaming sessions, and everything in between? Well, because its specs are nothing to turn your nose at. Under the hood of this tiny little computer is an AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor and a sensible 32GB DDR4 RAM. That's a stellar combo that indicates your system will boot in no time and your apps will load in a blink. The Bosgame P4 also has plenty of storage space since there's a 1TB SSD on board.
We're pretty sure you'll also love that you can set up the Bosgame P4 with up to three monitors at once. The system supports 4K displays over the HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C ports, more than can be said about most laptops these days, which require hubs to make this possible. Of course, connectivity isn't going to be an issue with these mini PCs because there are plenty of USB-A ports for peripherals, an audio jack, as well as two LAN ports.
Frankly, that's quite a lot for a $320 computer and you'll certainly have quite a bit of fun using the Bosgame P4 for your daily tasks. So get one for 20% off at Amazon sooner rather than later.
First think about physical security
Your laptop should be a prized possession to look after. But what does that mean exactly? It means doing everything you can to prevent damage and/or theft. First off, you're going to need a drop resistant and waterproof laptop sleeve to prevent physical damage. The Voova Laptop Sleeve Case, for example, comes in various sizes and colors, and costs less than $20.
You should also always use a laptop lock if you're using your laptop out and about. It's not guaranteed protection, but it can be a big deterrent for thieves. Well-reviewed locks can also be found for as less than $20.
Eating and drinking near your laptop is risky business, especially drinking. All it takes is one spill to destroy a keyboard
We get it: you're trying to turn a profit, not blow your budget on business-level security software and an IT team to manage it. Norton Small Business is a competitively priced security suite for small businesses with up to 10 employees, and right now there is a 30% discount on the first year, making it phenomenal value for money and a no-brainer for any small business owner who is serious about their company's digital security.
Save 30% on Norton Small Business with code PCWNSBPView Special Deal
Norton Small Business comes with real-time antivirus, a firewall, and business support ready to assist you with virus removal. But it does so much more than helping protect your business devices from malware.
Norton Small Business can help you protect your business from financial fraud with Financial Monitoring, preventing the loss of your data due to ransomware, PC theft or hard drive failures with Cloud Backup for Windows, empower your employees to work more securely from anywhere, and enables increased productivity with a suite of Windows PC optimisation tools.
Could your small business fall victim to one of these threats?
In June, the Home Office released its Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 report, detailing the most common cyberattacks experienced by UK small businesses in H2 2024. Here are the most common ways hackers attempted to gain money or data from UK small businesses last year:
Phishing: 85% of businesses that reported cyberattacks identified phishing as a key threat. These scams trick employees into clicking on fake links - often via email - and inadvertently handing over sensitive data. Now powered by AI, phishing tactics are getting smarter than ever and more difficult to spot.
Employee impersonation: More than half (51%) of businesses said hackers had posed as company employees to deceive their ‘colleagues' into handing over information.
Malware on company devices: While AI-powered scams today grab the headlines, malware is still very much present and very m
How did this happen? Unbeknown to Carol, two days earlier her son Jack downloaded a free game infected with malware on her laptop. That was their way in and, once the cybercriminals had infiltrated Carol's device and her home network, Mike's unsecured business data became easy prey. While Carol is distraught over the situation, Mike's the one now facing small business ruin.
This is an illustrative example of just how easily remote workers can cripple your small business when you don't take adequate security precautions. Are you so sure that remote workers won't place your small business in peril?
Protect your business devices, data, finances and reputation with cyber security designed and built for small businessesSave 30% on Norton Small Business (code PCWNSBP)
What small businesses need to know about remote workin
Because of these limitations, I use ShareX instead for more complicated or precise screen captures. As well as capturing GIFs, ShareX offers significantly more advanced features, including precise capture with a magnifier, scrolling screenshot capture, and timed capture. ShareX even lets you add annotations like arrows, lines, and text bubbles to screenshots. And another great thing… it's totally free!
Here I'll show you how to use the highly coveted GIF recording function.
What to do:
Download, install, and run ShareX.
Type Ctrl Shift Print Screen. A crosshair will appear on your screen.
Now select the part of your screen you want to record a GIF with by moving the crosshair over it—it will automatically select the window or area surrounding your cursor. Click your mouse to begin recording.
To stop recording you can either type the shortcut again (Ctrl Shift Print Screen) or hit the stop button in the ShareX media control bar.
There's really only one problem: my laptop is too old for a Windows 11 update. On October 14th, 2025, Windows 10 will reach the end of its life period, which means no new features or security updates. The former is not a big problem. The latter will be a disaster.
I'm not alone in this situation. Over 50 percent of users are still running Windows 10, and this figure is gradually dropping. How many will have updated in six months' time is anyone's guess, but whatever the percentage, one thing is clear. A large proportion of the world's 1.6 billion Windows PCs will still be running Windows 10 on October 14th, 2025.
What makes this challenging is that Windows 11 is so technically demanding that it's not possible to update all fully functional computers. Sadly, my six-year-old laptop is one of them.
The testing official explained to Procolored that both Google Chrome and Microsoft Defender had triggered an alarm when the printer software was downloaded, and quarantined it.
Despite Procolored's protests, the tester persisted. He sent the software to the security company G Data, a manufacturer of antivirus programs.
Upon investigation, it turned out that the printer software actually contained a backdoor virus called Xred and a Trojan.
When G Data then confronted Procolored with the results, the company admitted that a virus had crept into its download area and provided a new version of its software.
Once upon a time, TikTok tried to convince us that Erewhon Market is the most luxurious place to get groceries, but we'd argue that Sam's Club takes the cake. It might not have ridiculously expensive berries, but you can get multiple errands done under one roof.
The only downside is that you have to be a member to get in. If you want that access just in time for holiday savings, you can save $35 with this Sam's Club membership offer and get one year for $15 (MSRP $50).
Sam's Club members can shop for everything from fresh and frozen groceries to electronics and furniture in one place. You won't have to hop between multiple stores (or as many) to get everything on your list anymore.
If your cart is full to the brim and the line looks long, there's no need to s
Some devices force you to choose between power and flexibility. The Surface Book 3 says, why not both? This like-new 2020 model is a triple threat — a high-performance laptop, a creative studio, and a lightweight tablet — all in one seriously premium design.
Inside, it's packing a 10th Gen Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, 32GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, so whether you're editing 4K videos, working on design projects, gaming on the go, or just juggling 37 browser tabs, this machine keeps up without breaking a proverbial sweat.
And with three distinct modes, it adapts to whatever you throw at it:
Owning Microsoft Office Pro 2021 is one thing. Actually knowing how to unlock its full potential? That's another story. Right now, you can get a lifetime license to Office Pro 2021 for Windows plus a complete Microsoft training bundle for just $39.97 (MSRP: $239.99).
Office Pro 2021 gives you lifetime access to the classics — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Publisher, Access, and OneNote. It's a one-time install for your home or office without any monthly fees.
But this offer also includes 25 hours of structured Microsoft training. That means instead of fumbling through Excel formulas or guessing your way through PowerPoint design, you'll actually know how to work faster and smarter.
The included training covers everything from beginner to advanced lessons in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. You'll even pick up in-demand tricks like VLO
If you're looking for a complete productivity suite that offers seamless updates, cloud storage, and advanced security, Microsoft 365 Personal has you covered.
For $74.97 (on sale through October 19), you'll get 15 months of Microsoft 365 with full access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Defender, OneDrive, Outlook, Editor, Clipchamp, and OneNote — all with the latest features at your disposal.
This plan is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to install apps on up to five devices at once, whether you're using Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android. So, you can easily switch between your phone, tablet, and computer without missing a beat.
If your current laptop is your "main character," this Lenovo Chromebook is the trusty sidekick. For just $74.99 (MSRP $475.99) with free shipping, this refurbished Lenovo 11.6? 2-in-1 Chromebook 300e 2nd Gen (2018) makes for a perfect backup device, travel companion, or light daily driver.
It's built to multitask. The touchscreen folds into four modes—laptop, tablet, tent, and stand—so you can type, swipe, binge, or present, depending on your needs. With 4GB RAM, 32GB of storage, and Chrome OS, it handles everyday tasks like st
Will's test PC is running an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, so it's just about the best hardware you can reasonably expect in the current PC gaming landscape. What we're looking for isn't necessarily high frame rates but smoothness. So what we don't want to see is big spikes in the frame rendering time, which normally oscillate between 5 and 12 milliseconds. And most of the standard campaign gameplay doesn't really have any of it, though some of the showpiece scripted sections (such as the beach landing) can hit it hard with effects like smoke.
Some Battlefield veterans might be a lot more concerned with multiplayer performance, where W
It should run CAD and simulations easily, but still be light enough to toss in your bag between classes. A keyboard that's comfortable to type on for hours on end, a screen that doesn't strain your eyes after an hour, and a battery that actually lasts—these are non-negotiable. And don't even get me started on hunting for an outlet when your laptop's gasping for life… ugh. No thanks.
These picks have been tested to cover those bases, with something for every budget.
Why you should trust PCWorld for laptop reviews and buying advice: 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.
Originally, Microsoft had made the Limited Edition Crocs available in October, timed with the company's 50th anniversary celebration. The "shoes" were originally made available as part of a Microsoft-sponsored sweepstakes. However, the footwear has now become a viral hit of sorts.
"Based on the incredible response and positive engagement across social media, we're thrilled to share that the Microsoft Limited Edition Crocs Bundle officially drops globally beginning today," the company said in an updated blog post.
The Crocs ship in a Windows XP-inspired theme. It's based upon the "Bliss" background, inspired by a photograph from Charles O'Rear taken just a few miles from my home. (Like Windows, the Sonoma, Calif. vista looks nothing like the original photograph.) They also include custom Jibbitz charms taken from Microsoft iconography, such as the mouse cursor. There's even a Bliss-themed drawstring backpack, perfect for carrying them to your next gala or shindig.
Where can you buy such wonders? At Microsoft's official merch site, where sizes are available from a women's 4/men's 2 all the way up to a women's 19/men's 17.
While I have actually purchased several Microsoft's
We've tested nearly three dozen PCIe 4.0 SSDs and our list includes the best of the bunch for various needs. Whether you want to upgrade, or add more storage to your PCIe 4.0 computer, there's an SSD for you. Read on to learn more, including what to look for in PCIe 4.0 SSD.
Why you should trust PCWorld for PCIe 4.0 SSD reviews and buying advice: We're not called PCWorld for nothing. Our reviewers have been testing PC hardware for decades. Our storage evaluations are exhaustive, testing the limits of every product — from performance benchmarks to the practicalities of regular use. As PC users ourselves, we know what makes a killer product stand out. Only the best SSDs have made our list of picks.
This past summer, we saw the launch of Windows Edit, a new version of MS-DOS Editor which runs in the command line and offers support for Unicode. The 300 KB file limit has been removed, which means you can now handle gigabyte-sized files with Edit if desired.
The latest news is that Edit will soon be the default text editor in the Windows 11 Command Prompt, as noted by Windows Latest. If you want to try Edit now, you can download the program via GitHub.
Edit is open source software and written in the Rust programming language. You don't have to be running Windows to use the text editor; it works just as well on macOS and Linux.
According to the Windows Insider Blog, the latest version of the Copilot app on Windows can now connect to Google personal services to scan their contents. A Google account connected can let Copilot search through and analyze (at least) Gmail, Drive, Calendar, and Contacts. You can also use this third-party connection to let it access other Microsoft accounts beyond your primary one, so it can get into OneDrive and Outlook on another account too.
The main idea here is natural language search and analysis. For example, you can ask, "What's the email address for Sarah," assuming you only know one Sarah and that Copilot understands the context. But if you're inclined to do that and you need information that's in your Google account and not your Microsoft account… why wouldn't you just use Gemini, which is Google's flavor of the same thing? It's available right in the browser, no extra legwork required.
Possibly more useful (and less alarming) is a new document creation tool. The Windows Copilot app can now adapt a conversation into a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint slide deck, or PDF, and export it. Both features are available via the Insider channel on the Microsoft Store, though they might not be turned on right away for all users.
Using Instagram without an account
Instagram only works in a web browser without registration. On the official iPhone or Android app, you'll be forced to sign up right away. If you try using a mobile browser, you won't get very far because Instagram will redirect you to the app.
The following functions are available in the web browser without an Instagram account:
Access public profiles: You can directly access Instagram pages of celebrities, companies, or influencers as long as they're not set to private. To do this, enter https://www.instagram.com/[profile name] in the address bar.
View posts and comments: Open a post by right clicking "Open in new tab." Initially, a login window will appear, but you can close it by clicking on the small X at the top. The prompt will then disappear, allowing you to read the post and comments as normal.
Retrieve stories (with a diversion): Instagram blocks Stories if you don't have an account, but you can view them anonymously through third-party websites or specialized viewers.
Not possible without an account:
CNCDan on YouTube (spotted by PCGamer) loves to dabble in hobby-style form factors like FPV drone piloting and racing simulators, both of which have a lot of overlap with headset and head-mounted displays. As it turns out, there are tons of semi-generic parts for this stuff on Aliexpress, including the crucial dual, high-resolution displays (one for each eye) that almost all VR headset designs use. Lenses, possibly adapted from the old Google Cardboard design, were easy to find.
The last complex element was the head tracking, which is complicated, but a problem that's already solved. CNCDan popped in an existing open source system called Relativty [sic] VR that uses an Arduino board and an IMU (inertial measurement unit) sensor. A super-basic PCB with a bit of soldering keeps those two parts connected.
But now there's a real threat. A new malware called Stealerium apparently knows when you're viewing pornographic material in your browser and automatically takes snapshots of what you're viewing and webcam photos of you in that moment. The malware then sends those recordings to cybercriminals who use them for blackmail.
Security researchers at Proofpoint have analyzed the malware and warn of a new escalation level in these so-called "sextortion attacks."
How Stealerium gets onto your PC
The Stealerium malware is spread via phishing emails that look deceptively genuine. The attackers disguise their emails as messages from reputable organizations (e.g., banks, streaming services, charities) and encourage recipients to open attachments or click on links.
These phishing emails take the usual scare tactics, generating a sense of urgency with subject lines "Payment Due," "Court Summons," and "Donation Invoice." When you open said emails, the hope is you're so alarmed that you've let down your guard, making it more likely that you'll download attachments and/or click malicious links and buttons.
What makes Stealerium even more worrying is that its source code has been freely available
This charging station features four three-prong AC outlets oriented in opposite directions so your bulky plugs don't get in the way of each other. And you know how all your USB power adapters take up so much room on your power strip? This solves that problem with built-in USB ports along the bottom edge—two USB-C, two USB-A—so those AC outlets can be reserved for importance stuff (like monitors).
As far as power, the main USB-C maxes out at 20W, the secondary USB-C at 15W, and the USB-A ports at 12W. When multiple ports are used at the same time, they typically max out around 15W shared (except for the USB-As, which max out at 12W shared). While that's far from "super fast" charging speeds, it's still plenty speedy for a budget-friendly charging station that's meant to be used while you're at home for a while.
I also love this charging station's flat profile—measuring 4.72 x 3.15 inches and only 0.71 inches thick—and the AC outlets recess when you aren't using them, so the whole thing takes up less space than your typical power strip and feels quite sleek. The power cord is 5 feet long so you can position it almost anywhere, and the end plug is flat and angled so you can easily reach it behind furniture hassle-free.
You can't go wrong with this, especially at this price. Get this 8-in-1 Anker
Sometimes you can notice the signs of a failing SSD. For instance, the once-quick transfer speed slows to crawl, there are frequent program or system crashes, or file system access errors or SMART errors occur. If you notice these things, especially in combination, there's a good chance your SSD is on its way out. In that case, it's time to prepare for the worst and do the following:
Back up critical files
It goes without saying that the first thing you'll want to do if you think your SSD is on the blink is to back up your critical data. Backups should be done regularly anyway, but even if you're doing that, you'll still want to make a new backup of your critical files at this point to have them ready to go should your SSD suddenly die.
See our roundups of the best Windows backup software and
These are full-blown 5th-gen Echo Dot smart speakers with limited-edition themed covers, meaning you can take them off once the holiday season is over and use these Echo Dots like normal. This isn't the first time we're seeing the Jack Skellington cover, but it is the first time we're seeing Sally! And she's looking just gorgeous.
Echo Dots have improved a lot over the years, and these are the latest model so you're getting crisp vocals, impressive bass, and overall great audio performance. Alexa integration makes it easy to play music, search the web, control other smart home devices, and more. (Learn more about why we recommend smart speakers as a first step for beginners!)
If you don't have a smart speaker yet, this is a great opportunity. Don't miss your chance to order the Jack Skellington Echo Dot or Sally Echo Dot bundles for just $64.98 each—or both for $129.96.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network is software that creates an encrypted ‘tunnel' through which your data flows when using the internet. This makes it very hard for hackers to track your activities online or steal your data.
