|
Sep 23, 2023
|
Chromebooks come in all sorts of varieties, so the PCWorld team has put together a list of the best Chromebook options on the market today, whatever your needs may be. Below our picks you can find helpful buying advice as well.
If you're still not sure whether a Chromebook is the right choice for you, take a look at our in-depth comparison of Chromebooks vs. Windows laptops to help you decide. And before you pull the trigger on a new computer, be sure to double-check our best laptop deals and our latest back to school deals while they last—both are updated daily. Finally, check out our complete guide to
|
Sep 23, 2023
|
Don't let that happen to you. With the Adam Elements Mag 3 Magnetic 3-in-1 Foldable Travel Charging Station, you'll always be able to get powered up, and it's on sale for our Travel Campaign, running through 9/24.
This folding station works for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once and packs up neatly into your bag. It even has a USB-C charging cable that supports up to 15W of power output to give your MacBook a little boost too, if needed. It supports both vertical and horizontal charging to work how you need it while you're traveling and is made with a solid metal construction that's sure to stand the test of time.
Gear up for your next adventure! Now through 11:59 pm on 9/24, you can get the Adam Elements Mag 3 Magnetic 3-in-1 Foldable Travel Charging Station for just $75.97 (reg. $109), no coupon needed.
|
Sep 23, 2023
|
With an aloSIM plan, all you have to do is add data to the app, and you'll be able to get on data networks. With this introductory offer, you'll get $50 worth of data for just $21.97 from now through 9/24. It's important to note that while the eSim never expires, the data plan does expire at the end of the length stated at purchase — i.e. a seven-day package expires after seven days.
Don't travel without access to the local network. Now through 9/24, you can get an aloSIM Mobile Data Traveler Lifetime eSim Plan for $21.97, no coupon needed.
|
Sep 22, 2023
|
You can find even more monitor recommendations in our roundup of the best monitors.
Updated 09/14/2023: We've added the Monoprice 35-inch Zero-G Ultrawide as our choice for best budget ultrawide monitor. Read our summary below for more info on this affordable new pick.
Alienware AW3423DWF - Best ultrawide monitor
|
Sep 22, 2023
|
We've spent hours and hours using each model, banging away on our reviews, surfing the web, and keeping up on social media to bring you a list of the very best wireless keyboards around. While there's no one-size-fits-all keyboard, our recommendations aim to help you make an informed decision based on your own personal needs. After you've perused our best picks, be sure to check out our buying advice at the end to help you learn what to look for when shopping for a wireless keyboard.
Logitech MX Keys S Wireless Keyboard - Best overall wireless desktop keyboard
|
Sep 22, 2023
|
That was shouted loud and clear during Microsoft's Surface event on Thursday, where the company spent the entire keynote talking about how AI will make Windows 11 smarter, make Office smarter, and make the Surface Laptop Studio 2 better.
But while software will determine the AI PC's future, it's just part of the equation. This week, Intel formally unveiled its radically reconstructed, AI-infused Core Ultra processors, built using the Meteor Lake architecture. These mix-and-match chips were built from the ground up with AI in mind, and Intel is also providing plenty of API and framework support for developers to create applications that leverage Core Ultra's hardware to unlock new AI possibilities right on your PC, not in the cloud.
PCWorld's Adam Patrick Murray attended Intel Innovation this week and got to go hands-on with several Core Ultra laptops running a variety of AI tasks with surprisingly practical results. Check it out in the video below.
|
Sep 22, 2023
|
MSI has a distinctive look to its shroud designs, placing the fans front and center on double- and triple-fan cooler designs. Lately they've gone for a distinct octagonal look, but if you go all the way back to the original GTX 260 design from 2008, you can see things were a lot simpler and more straightforward, with an elevated cooler, much smaller fans, and an all-aluminum shroud.
Moving through MSI's cooler and shroud designs, you can see it progress to larger fans, larger heatsinks, and just generally more robust designs all around. Eventually MSI moved away from the aluminum covers to the more ubiquitous plastics and red-and-black coloring into the 600 and 700 series cards. Moving into the 900 series you can see a lot of the elements that will be familiar if you've bought one within the last few years, particularly the "dragon" branding. The Ventus and Evoke lines ar
|
Sep 22, 2023
|
Graphics cards for less than $200
The following graphics cards are currently in the price range of $120 to $170:
AMD Radeon RX 6400
AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
Here, the choice should tend towards a Radeon RX 6000-series graphics card from AMD, as these are already a good deal better performing than Nvidia's Turing generation.
Gamers who want to invest within this price range must be aware that they can play esports titles such as Fortnite, CS:GO, and PUBG here in particular. Above all, you cannot play AAA games either
|
Sep 22, 2023
|
Just two days after Intel's Pat Gelsinger helped make the case for integrated AI on PCs with new AI-infused Core Ultra "Meteor Lake" processors, Microsoft unveiled new Surface hardware and its upcoming Windows 11 feature update at an event in New York. Windows 11's big fall 2023 update (which still doesn't have a formal name, yet), will be led by Copilot, formerly known as Windows Copilot. Now, everywhere that Microsoft has sprinkled AI inside Windows (from Windows to Edge and other places) will be known just as Copilot.
And AI is everywhere within Windows 11 and its apps now. Copilot. File Explorer intelligently recommends files. Paint now has background removal and layers, and soon a "Cocreator" image generation tool, too. Windows' Photos app is back with background blurring features. Snipping Tool will be able to
|
Sep 22, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed$369
Best Prices Today: Asustor Nimbustor 2 Gen2 (AS5402T)
Retailer
Price
|
Sep 22, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed$199.99
Best Prices Today: Corsair Virtuoso Pro
|
Sep 22, 2023
|
Headway puts the world's best ideas right at your fingertips, with nonfiction bestsellers summarized into 15-minute reads, allowing you to soar through a reading list in a fraction of the time. There are more than 1,500 summaries, with 30-50 new ones added every month, and thousands of actionable insights and tips to help you better understand the world, learn new skills, and much more.
12 million users have helped propel Headway to being an App of the Day in the US App Store four times in a row and a 4.4/5-star rating on the Google Play Store. Find out why when you get a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium as part of our Travel Campaign. Now through 11:59 pm on 10/2, it's an extra $10 off our normally discounted price at just $59.97 (reg. $299), no coupon needed.
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
Surface Laptop Go 3
The Surface Laptop Go 3 gets an extremely gentle update — in fact, it would be hard to tell at a glance that this is a new product at all, aside from some of the color choices. Underneath, the laptop is running a 12th-gen Intel Core processor, with the i5-1235U being the sole choice at launch. The base model will use 8GB of DDR5 RAM, more capacious and speedier than the 4GB DDR4 offering on the last generation, with a choice of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of SSD storage.
Michael Crider/Foundry
In the hand, the Laptop Go 3 feels much as it ever has, extremely light and well-finished with its aluminum body and soft-touch plastic base. The 12.4-inch touchscreen appears unchanged, complete with its somewhat disappointing 1536×1024 resolution and signature 3:
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
Intel Microsoft didn't reveal a starting price for the Surface Go 4 for Business, which it will sell via corporate channels. Businesses will also have the option of adding a massive Surface instead, as Microsoft announced the Surface Hub 3 as well, for conferences rooms. Again, no price was disclosed.
Microsoft updated three of its Surface laptops with new components at its fall event on Thursday, adding the Surface Laptop Studio 2, the Surface Laptop Go 3, and the Surface Go 4 for Business to fill various niches in its lineup.
The biggest change to the Surface Go 4 is the new Intel N200 processor. Because of its relatively low price, we assume that the Surface Go sells rather well. The problem is that the Surface Go 3, which our Surface Go 3 review felt was adequate, began with a $399 price tag for a model with 4GB of RAM. That eliminated it from our recommendations, and pushed the price up to the $629 tier with 8GB of RAM.
Now, Microsoft has at least done away with the 4GB option, still leaving the 10.5-inch tablet (1920×1280) virtually unchanged
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
The Surface Laptop Go 2 always struck us as a struggle for Microsoft to establish a budget laptop in a competitive market, but with the premium Surface name attached. The Surface Laptop Go 3 tries again, this time moving from a Core i5-1135G7 to a Core i5-1235U.
The trouble is that Microsoft is again trying to convince you that a sub-1080p screen (12.45-inch, 1536×1024 touchscreen) is satisfactory. And to be fair, it kind of is, at least in our earlier reviews. The trouble is that back-to-school laptop deals and just general laptop deals routinely offer discounts on laptops that are comparable, if not better. That's going to be a challenge for the Surface Laptop Go 3 on paper, right off the bat.
Essentially, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is the same as the Laptop Go 2 in all respects, except for 8GB or 16GB RAM options and 256GB of SSD storage for consumers. There is a 512GB option for business users, which a consumer could presumably buy as well. That option, with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, is reportedly priced at $1,199. We haven't been able to confirm that on Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go 3 for Business page, but it sounds a little r
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
Microsoft updated three of its Surface laptops with new components at its fall event on Thursday, adding the Surface Laptop Studio 2, the Surface Laptop Go 3, and the Surface Go 4 for Business to fill various niches in its lineup. Microsoft also quietly announced a Surface Hub 3 for businesses.
While none of the hardware updates are hugely noteworthy, some of the circumstances surrounding the event are. For one, the soul of the Surface brand, Panos Panay announced he would leave Microsoft just this week, days before Microsoft's Surface launch took place. And none of the new Surfaces will include Intel's Core Ultra or "Meteor Lake" chips: Intel's latest processor, but also one that leans heavily on the AI features that Microsoft will lean into with Windows 11 23H2 and beyond.
The Surface Laptop Studio 2 will range in price from $1,999 to a whopping $3,699, and is
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
But backup is the number-one reason your rig is not complete without one (or more). Why? Chances are you have important data on your PC that you don't want, or can't afford, to lose. To protect that data you'll of course want to store it off-site on the cloud if possible and back it up to an external drive for sure.
Restoring from local storage is generally far, far faster than pulling your data down from the cloud, hence an external drive should be your primary hedge against disaster.
Why you should trust us: We're PCWorld. We've been putting computer hardware through its paces for decades. We've seen it all and we know how to root out a drive's strengths and weaknesses, using a combination of rigorous benchmark testing and real-world hands-on use. Below we offer our expert recommendations on the best external drives for everything from blazing-fast performance, to budget options, to portability, and more.
Updated 9/21/2023: Check out our latest review of the Kingston XS1000 external drive. This small form-factor, inexpensiv
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
It's the closest thing to a theme that we've seen within a Windows 11 update in some time. AI will power Windows Copilot, of course, but also recommended files in File Explorer and Start as well as a designated AI-specific section within the Microsoft Store app. You should also expect various small improvements across Windows, both in terms of ease-of-use and functional updates, like the ability to restore apps from a backup.
Microsoft unveiled the 23H2 update during press event on Sept. 21 in New York City, showcasing some of these new features.
When can you expect Windows 11 23H2 to arrive on your PC? Microsoft said that Windows 11 23H2 will be released on Sept. 26 in preview form, before rolling out to all Windows 11 PCs later.
What will Windows 11 23H2 be known as? If history holds, it will be called the Windows 11 October 2023 Update.
How much will Microsoft charge for Windows 11 23H2? It will be a free update, and we have seen just a single small update feature that is reserved for the more expensive Windows 11 Pro.
How long will Windows 11 23H2 take to download and install? Though downloading Windows 11 23H2 can be done in the background, the installation/reboot process could take 20 minutes to a half hour, depending on how long Microsoft takes to apply the updates to your PC.
Microsoft will
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed$399.99
Best Prices Today: Vantrue N5 dash cam
Retailer
Price
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
If you're looking for an especially juicy deal, one of our writers' favorite super-tiny ThinkPad laptops is on sale for $600, a truly remarkable deal. We dig it so much that he wrote a post of its own about the sale, so be sure to check it out if you're on the hunt for powerful, portable, yet affordable laptop! If it fits your budget, this is truly an exceptional deal.
For even more notebook options, check out our roundup of the best laptops. 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.
The best laptop deals today
Acer Aspire 3
From: Best Buy
Was: $599.99
Now: $399.99 ($200 off)
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
On Tuesday, forums lit up with the idea that Mirage would be an Intel XeSS exclusive, cutting out AMD Radeon and Nvidia GeForce card owners from access to their respective upscaling tech, stoked by alarmist articles claiming just that. But in a same-day update to its blog post about Mirage's recommended specs and upcoming features for PC, Ubisoft now lists Intel XeSS, Nvidia Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), and AMD Fidelity Super Resolution (FSR) as supported.
The exact quote: "You'll also be able to leverage features like Intel's AI-assisted XeSS Super Sampling, Nvidia DLSS, or AMD FSR to upscale resolution while enabling hardware to pump out more frames per second[.]" In other words, there's nothing to worry about, despite the first version of Ubisoft's post focusing on Intel's upscaling technology.
This isn't the only recent storm about a game supporting only one version of upscaling. Barely a month ago, AMD was accused of blocking DLSS and XeSS from being implemented in Starfield. That turned out to be false too, though some fa
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
The innovations in the current driver primarily relate to two games: The exceptional space role-playing game Starfield and the Soulsl-ike RPG Lies of P by Neowiz, which was released a few days ago. For the first time, the latency enhancer Radeon Anti-Lag is also part of the driver update. Specifically, Starfield, The Witcher 3, Elden Ring, and Immortals of Aveum are supported by the new feature.
AMD promises up to 45 percent lower latency in the space role-playing game Starfield when you're playing on an AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX. Radeon Anti-Lag is supposed to minimize input delays between the pressing of a button to its related action on the screen, making your games much more responsive.
For the second time now, AMD has released different versions of this Adrenalin driver: One for Radeon RX 5000- through 7000-series graphics cards running on RDNA architectures, and another for older graphics cards such as Radeon RX 400, Radeon RX 500, or Radeon RX Vega. You can download Adrenalin 23.9.2 via AMD's website or by the update option in AMD's Radeon Software suite.
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
No sound in one app
First, reboot your computer.
Confirm the program's volume isn't turned down or muted. In browsers like Chrome and Firefox, each tab can be muted individually—right-click a tab to see its status. (The option will say "Unmute tab" if currently silenced.) You can also check a program's volume in the Volume mixer (right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar to open it).
If you still can't hear anything in this program, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. Before doing so, first back up any data and/or write down how your settings are currently configured, as applicable.
No sound at all
First thing to check: The audio output device. Windows can sometimes change it to a different source unbeknownst to you. (To view this image full-size, right-click on i
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
Brave: Automatic logout
Brave is a privacy-focused browser that promises to protect you from surveillance. For example, the latest version includes the Forgetful Browsing feature. This ensures that you are automatically logged out of a website when you close a tab — something that is otherwise easy to forget. Brave also now lets you search with its own search engine, so you don't have to worry about Google's monitoring.
Like Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, Brave is built on Chromium. This allows you to browse web pages without them looking strange.
The people behind Brave include Brendan Eich, who was one of the men behind the Firefox browser and the Javascript programming language.
Download Brave for Android
Download Brave for iOS
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed$169.99
Best Prices Today: HyperX Cloud III Wireless
Retailer
|
Sep 21, 2023
|
Dollar Flight Club is trusted by more than one million users worldwide and Condé Nast Traveler writes, "Dollar Flight Club, has an impressive track record hunting down low-priced seats."
Sign up for this flight alert service and you'll get deals on domestic and international flights delivered straight to your inbox so you can book before the price flies back up. You could save hundreds or even thousands on trips around the world and get access to a host of travel tips and perks from DFC's experts.
Start planning your next adventure. Now through 11:59 pm PDT on 9/24, you can get a Dollar Flight Club Premium Plus Lifetime Subscription for an extra $30 off our already discounted price at just $69.97.
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
Screenshots can be practical to create illustrated notes or to chronicle processes from the Internet or software. While most screenshot tools specialize in single images, Faststone Capture can also record videos. The software hides its numerous functions in an inconspicuous free-floating bar.
This bar gives you quick access to the area selection for screenshots, the screen recorder, the timer for delayed recordings, and the output options and settings. Here you define actions, for example what should happen a
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
After extensive testing, I've determined that these are the best 4K monitors available today, covering a variety of budgets and use cases. If you're looking for additional options, see our roundups of the best monitors overall, the best gaming monitors, and the best monitor deals.
Updated 09/20/2023: Check out our latest review of the Innocn 27M2V monitor. This excellent 27-inch 4K display from newcomer Innocn gets top marks in image quality and comes with a price that can't be beat.
Dell U3223QE - Best 4K monitor
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
The electrical charges stored in the memory cells, which represent our data, can become unstable over time. This means they can lose their charge, which in turn leads to data loss in the worst case. But how long does it take for this to happen?
According to the standards for flash memory, to which the manufacturers of SD cards also refer, a memory cell should be able to preserve data for at least ten years at a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius. That sounds reassuring at first, but in practice other factors play a role.
View SD Card Best Sellers on Amazon
View Micro SD Card Best Sellers at Amazon
These factors include the quality of the card, the intensity of use, and the environmental conditions. All of these influence the actual lifespan of the SD cards. For example, frequent writing and deleting of data, high temperatures, and even humidity can accelerate the aging process of the memory cells. Cheaper cards that are made of less robust components are often particularly affected.
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
The incredibly customized RTX 4090 has a custom metal frame with an inner and outer chamber, permanently attached to a 360mm triple-fan cooler in all-in-one fashion. It looks like nothing else on the market, and performs like it too: The boost goes up to 2.7GHz, the biggest jump over stock on the market by far. According to Asus, it's set multiple overclocking records.
Asus Senior Product Manager Howard Hsu told Adam all about the development of that custom liquid metal system, why they chose the 360mm cooler in particular, and how well it will perform in a high-end build. This isn't the first product Asus has used the notoriously fickle cooling solution for, but it's certainly
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
The LG Gram 17 features an Intel Core i7-1260P CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. Given those specs, the laptop should be more than capable of blasting through office work and everyday tasks. The 17-inch display has a resolution of 2560×1600 and a maximum brightness level of 350 nits. The bigger display is super nice, as it makes scrolling through documents a heck of a lot easier. As for connectivity options, you're getting two USB-A 3.2 and two USB-C.
This is a phenomenal price for such a powerful, lightweight laptop. Get it now.
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
It can't be overstated just how much of a change Meteor Lake is for Intel: Rather than using traditional monolithic dies, Meteor Lake is constructed around four chiplet-style "tiles:" one each for the CPU, the SOC, graphics, and I/O. The new 14th-gen chips also weave in Intel's Arc graphics architecture to provide real-time ray tracing with integrated graphics, as well as the latest Wi-Fi 7 and 6E wireless technologies, among much, much more.
So much more, in fact, that Intel invited a select group of journalists and analysts to Malaysia a few weeks back to detail and show off the new manufacturing process, along with key Meteor Lake technology details. And we were lucky enough to get two attendees into the same studio to dive deep into the new architecture: More Than Moore and TechTechPotato's Dr. Ian Cuttress, along with our own Mark Hachman.
If you've got time to spare, you can watch these two wicked-smart chip gurus delve into the nuts and bolts of Intel's 14th-gen Meteor Lake in wondrous detail, complete with plenty of talk about what it all means for you. Brew yourself a cuppa, settle back, and enjoy.
If you're looking for Meteor Lake details but can't blare videos (thanks,
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
It's the billion-dollar question. Intel is building NPU AI inferencing engines into its processors beginning with its 14th-gen Core chip, Meteor Lake, also known as the Core Ultra. Robert Hallock, an AMD veteran now overseeing technical CPU marketing for Intel's microprocessors, said Tuesday that Intel's goal by 2025 is to ship 100 million "AI PCs," a term Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger began using in July.
Intel announced the architecture behind the 14th-gen Core Ultra chip on Tuesday, the same day as Intel's Innovation conference began in San Jose. Intel used the conference to pitch developers both on what an AI-powered future will look like, especially one powered by Intel.
Intel's Core Ultra is notable for several things, including its move to the Intel 4 process technology and the disaggregation of the traditional two-die design for four separate "tiles" all mounted on an interposer. Moving to Intel 4 helped cut power by half over the 13th-gen Raptor Lake, assisted by new low-power E-cores. But the key addition is the NPU, the AI inferencing engine that will help bring AI to the masses.
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
Duration: 3-5 minutes reading
Goal: Guide beginners to convert MBR to GPT successfully
Supported Disks: HDD, SATA SSD, M.2 SSD, NVMe SSD, etc.
Affected Systems: Windows 11, Windows 10, and older Windows systems
MBR vs. GPT, What Makes GPT Suppass MBR
When it comes to comparing MBR with GPT, the GPT disk surpasses the MBR disk in many aspects, for example:
MBR is an older technical skill (introduced in 1983) compared to GPT disk (produced in 2006).
The MBR disk has a 2TB maximum disk capacity limit, while the GPT disk doesn't.
The GPT disk has better support for newer operating systems, such as Windows 11.
The GPT disk has better compatibility with UEFI systems than an MBR disk.
To learn more differences between MBR and GPT, follow this link MBR vs.GPT.
Hence, converting MBR to GPT is necessary and necessary for most new Windows system fans to fulfill different demands.
4 Tools to Convert MBR to GPT - You Can't Miss
In the following, we'll focus on assisting you in securely converting MBR to GPT without losing data in 4 different methods.
Disk conversion software, Disk Management, DiskPart, and Command Prompt are four hot tools recommended by Microsoft, some technical users, and many Windows be
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
It's the closest thing to a theme that we've seen within a Windows 11 update in some time. AI will power Windows Copilot, of course, but also recommended files in File Explorer and Start as well as a designated AI-specific section within the Microsoft Store app. You should also expect various small improvements across Windows, both in terms of ease-of-use and functional updates, like the ability to restore apps from a backup.
Microsoft has scheduled a press event on Sept. 21 in New York City, and it's there that we expect Microsoft will showcase some of these new features. While it's possible that Microsoft could release Windows 11 23H2 this week as well, Microsoft has typically played it safe and given testers an extra month or so work out the wrinkles.
When can you expect Windows 11 23H2 to arrive on your PC? We'd say it's likely to arrive in October.
What will Windows 11 23H2 be known as? If history holds, it will be called the Windows 11 October 2023 Update, assuming Microsoft releases it in October.
How much will Microsoft charge for Windows 11 23H2? It will be a free update, and we have seen just a single small update feature that is reserved for the more expensive Windows 11 Pro.
How long will Windows 11 23H2 take to download and install? Though downloading Windows 11 23H2 can be done in the background, the installation/reboot process could take 20 minutes to a half hour, depending on ho
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed329
Best Prices Today: Audeze Maxwell Wireless
Retailer
Price
|
Sep 20, 2023
|
This modular pad includes three different components, allowing you to charge a smartphone, headphones, and smartwatch at the same time. It offers max output of 15W for phones, 5W for earbuds, and 2.5W for smartwatches. You can charge all three at the same time in a convenient place on your desk, and when you're done, just fold up the pad and use it as a phone stand or take it with you to set up at your next working destination. It's compact and easy to store in your pocket or backpack.
Eliminate the cable clutter! Right now, you can get this 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad for 52% off $69 at just $32.99.
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
Announced on Tuesday in a blog post, Google says its improvements to its PaLM 2 AI model enables new features that include Bard Extensions, which allows Bard to connect to Gmail, Drive, YouTube, Maps, Travel, and more. The idea is to make the chat bot more like a personal assistant—one that can comb through your Google account to help speed up work like catching up on email or applying for a job.
Google's examples cover these exact scenarios, with one showing a parent's request for a summary of recent emails from their child's school. Bard gives a short summary of two emails, along with direct links to those messages in Gmail. Another suggests asking Bard to create a short personal statement based on a resume created in Google Drive, as well as help with drafting a cover letter. You can even get more intricate assistance from Bard, like asking it to find the proposed dates for a trip, flight options and hotel options for that period, and then a suggested itinerary.
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
For the uninitiated, live play or actual play is an emerging format wherein you just…watch a bunch of people play Dungeons & Dragons, or some other tabletop RPG. That's a bit reductive, but the YouTube shows and podcasts that have been exploring the space have amassed a huge following, even spawning into some of their own media franchises. Voice actors and comedians are some of the most popular players — after all, role-playing and acting are more or less the same thing.
BGIII developer Larian Studios is partnering with actual play producers High Rollers, to bridge the gap between Dungeons & Dragons in the world of video games and classic tabletop RPGs. The voice cast of the game, including most of the main party members, has recorded a one-shot session based on Baldur's Gate. Naturally they'll all be played their own characters, with veteran live play host Mark Hulmes in the dungeon master'
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
While we always recommend keeping a local backup for quick restores (see our roundup of the best Windows backup software for desktop solutions), uploading your data to an online backup service can be a reliable way to cover your bases—just ask users of of SanDisk SSDs who recently found that their data was inexplicably being wiped from their external backup drives.
The good news for consumers is that all of the major online backup services we reviewed this year are exceptional products. But while all of the contenders received the same high verdict, each product has its own unique selling point. Our primary concern here is backup, but we do note other roles that a service can fulfill, such as sharing, multi-device support, and emergency-restore options.
Below our picks, check out how we tested the services and information on how to choose the best backup service for you.
Updated 09/13/2023: Check out our latest review of
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
Here's what you need to know about Meteor Lake. For a much more detailed examination of what this new generation of processors offers, please see our deep-dive into Meteor Lake.
Intel will brand Meteor Lake as the Core Ultra, and it will launch on Dec. 14, Intel chief executive Pat Gelsinger said at its Intel Innovation conference.
1.) Big power for half the power
Intel traditionally has evolved its processors along a "tick-tock" model, where an older chip was first migrated ("tick") onto a new process technology, and then redesigned and sped up ("tock"). Michelle Johnston Holthaus, executive vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group at Intel, was blunt: with Meteor Lake, Intel is targeting the performance of its 13th-gen
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
Let's be clear, though: Meteor Lake was not designed with CPU performance in mind. Intel executives describe Meteor Lake as offering the performance of the current 13th-gen chip, Raptor Lake, but at half the power — aided by new low-voltage efficiency cores (E-cores) that are new to the platform. Even the way Intel assigns CPU tasks has been flipped on its head, pushing them first towards the lowest-power E-cores, then migrating them to the more power-hungry performance cores if need be.
Intel unveiled its new Meteor Lake platform in an offsite press event in Penang, Malaysia, though the company will talk more about Meteor Lake at its Intel Innovation conference in San Jose this week.
At Intel's Intel Innovation conference in San Jose, Intel chief executive Pat Gelsinger added two more details: that Meteor Lake will launch on Dec. 14, and it will be branded as the Core Ultra. Acer appeared on stage to show off its own Meteor Lake laptop, and Intel used MSI-branded laptops in Malaysia.
Intel typically unveils a
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
The Acer Aspire 3 features an AMD Ryzen 5 7520U CPU, AMD Radeon graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. Whether you're watching YouTube or jotting down notes, it should be able to fly right through everyday tasks. The 15.6-inch IPS display has a resolution of 1920×1080 and, as mentioned previously, is touch-enabled. 1080p is perfectly suitable for watching YouTube, doing office work, and so on. Also, according to the manufacturer, you're getting up to 11 hours of battery life, which is a solid result for a travel-friendly laptop.
This is a really good deal, especially if you're a student or someone who's needs an affordable, portable, and reliable laptop for work.
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed$239
Best Prices Today: Keyboard 81 Pro
Retailer
Price
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
The Yeti GX, for which Jaden Yuki would no doubt get his game on, takes a more compact and minimalist approach than the ubiquitous Blue Yeti. The pill-shaped body has a heavy metal stand that swoops to one side, with an RGB strip at the base where the USB-C cable plugs in. Despite the radical aesthetic shift, Logitech says the new mic is "based on the iconic Yeti design." But audiophiles will note that the cardiod-only setup (designed for single-user recording) and Logitech G Hub software control is a pretty steep departure from the Yeti's original plug-and-play setup.
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
Announced in a Windows Insider blog post, these advanced editing features are now rolling out to the Canary and Dev channels with Paint version 11.2308.18.0 and higher, ahead of a wider potential rollout. Layers behave as they do in other image editors: You can create multiple, with the ability to show or hide them, duplicate them, and merge them together. Meanwhile, support for transparency means that when you erase parts of a layer, elements from layers underneath will become visible. Before, erasing parts of an image only filled them in with the active background color. You can now also open and save transparent PNG files in Paint.
This animated GIF crea
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
DLSS 3.5 is the latest version of Nvidia's super sampling upscaling tech, which also brings along a boost to advanced lighting systems with revamped AI ray reconstruction. There's a ton of new technology in DLSS 3.5, but it basically boils down to even better-looking ray tracing while preserving the same level of framerate performance. This particular visual trick is backwards compatible on Nvidia's RTX cards, going back to the original 20-series. Owners of newer 40-series GPUs will also get access to more advanced AI-generated frames, making performance faster and smoother.
YouTube
The update will be applied to all PC versions of Cyberpunk 2077 along with the
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
There are further advantages: UEFI can manage partitions and hard drives with a capacity of more than two terabytes, supports not only the classic MBR format (Master Boot Record) but also the GUID partition table (GPT) and can handle up to 128 primary partitions — with BIOS there were only four.
UEFI surpasses its predecessor in everyday use. The interface has a modern look and offers several languages to choose from, making it easier to find your way around. This also includes the control of the built-in and connected hardware. In general, UEFI is more convenient to use, because it can be controlled by mouse and not only by keystrokes.
UEFI systems differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. In any case, however, they are clearly laid out, well structured and can be operated by mouse - as here with the Asus Zenbook 14X Oled.
IDG
Gamers who love o
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
According to the ACSI Household Appliance and Electronics Study 2022-2023, Samsung and Apple tied with a top score of 83 out of 100. The survey was based on interviews with 14,069 customers, chosen at random and contacted via email between July 2022 and June 2023.
That's not to say that most consumers criticized their PC. While Apple and Samsung earned the top marks with a score of 83, the lowest — Lenovo — still generated a satisfaction index of 78 on a scale from 1 to 100.
ACSI also asked consumers whether they favored desktops, laptops, or tablets. Consumer preferences again tended to prefer desktops, and even more strongly than in 2022: desktops earned 84 out of 100, versus laptops with a satisfaction score of 80. Tablets fell behind, to 76.
American Customer Satisfaction Index
When asked what mattered most to them in a PC, customers preferred what they could see or hear. The highest ranking, 85, went to design, both in terms of size and visual appeal. Graphics and sound quality tied for third, with the availability of software and applications.
Interestingly, just how fast the PC was matter
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
In this article, we introduce you to Monday.com, Microsoft Project, Wrike, Asana, Jira, Teamwork and SmartSuite, seven prominent planning tools with which you can plan and manage even complex business processes.
5 reasons: Why planning tools make sense for businesses
Project management is a complex task that encompasses many different aspects: from resource planning to scheduling to quality control. Without appropriate planning tools, projects can quickly become confusing, deadlines missed, and resources used inefficiently. Here are some reasons why companies should use planning tools for projects:
Increased efficiency: Planning tools allow companies to prioritize tasks, allocate resources effectively, and monitor deadlines closely. This leads to an optimized way of working and higher productivity.
Transparency and control: With planning tools, project managers and team members have an overview of the current project status at all times. This makes it possible to react in time to delays or problems and ensure that a project stays on track.
Communication and collaboration: Planning tools promote team collaboration by providing a central place where all important information and documents can be stored and shared. This improves communication and ensures effective and synchronized work in the team.
Risk manageme
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed$519.99
Best Prices Today: Dell 2424HT
Retailer
Price
$419.
|
Sep 19, 2023
|
Babbel is trusted by more than 10 million users worldwide who have helped propel it to a 4.5/5-star rating in the Google Play Store and a 4.6/5-star rating in the App Store. Developed by more than 100 expert linguists, Babbel offers bite-sized lessons designed to help you learn practical vocabulary when it's convenient for you to study. Before you know it, you could be conversational in practical topics like navigation, shopping, ordering food, and more.
Take advantage of this limited-time deal on Babbel. Now through 9/24, you can get a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning for 71% off $599 at just $169.97.
|
Sep 18, 2023
|
These days many services, such as WordPress or Blogger, offer websites on commercial domains, but in a lot of cases it makes more sense to have your website on your own domain—a personal place on the internet where you are in complete control of what's published and how it looks. Here's how to register your own domain name.
When setting up your personal domain name, you have a lot of options and many vendors to choose from. You can search around to see what works best for you and your needs—or look over our suggestions below—but the following steps outline the gist of what you need to do.
How to register your own domain name
1. Confirm that the name you want is available. You can begin your search at a name registrar such as GoDaddy. Be creative, as your domain will be the central focus of your entire site.
|
Sep 17, 2023
|
Office Pro 2021 for Windows includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. It's a complete suite to help you do your best work and it has been optimized to work as well for data analysts as it does for graphic designers.
In addition to the programs, you'll also get The Microsoft Office Training Bundle, which includes beginner-friendly courses on Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint, as well as some more advanced courses on Excel to help you truly master the spreadsheet software.
Take your productivity up a notch. Get Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and learn how to use it for 79% off $239 at just $49.99.
|
Sep 16, 2023
|
When choosing the best dash cam for your needs you should first consider if you want a front, front/interior, or front/rear model. Additionally, you'll want to decide on how wide a viewing angle you'll need. Then there are special features to take into account, such as voice control or parking assist. Since there are a number of reasons to use a dash cam, we understand that there isn't a one-size-fits-all model. With that in mind, we've curated a list of the best dash cams of all types with various features and prices below.
For even more information on what to look for when buying a dash cam, scroll to our buyer's guide under our best picks. And after you've bought a dash cam, save yourself some time and frustration by reading our guide on how to install a dash cam.
Updated 09/16/2023: Check out our latest review of the Garmin Dash Cam Live. If you can stomach the hefty price tag and ongoing LTE expenses, then the Garmin Dash Cam live is one of the best premium options available today.
|
Sep 16, 2023
|
Thunderbolt docks or docking stations help fill the gaps as laptop makers slim down, cut costs, and eliminate multiple ports in favor of a do-it-all Thunderbolt port instead. That may seem like they're pushing those costs on to you (which they are) but it also means you can pick and choose a dock with exactly the ports you need.
Why buy a Thunderbolt dock? Because of the bandwidth it provides. The best USB-C hubs and dongles provide legacy ports (USB-A, microSD, and others) for connecting PC peripherals like mice, printers, external hard drives, and more. Thunderbolt docks use the same USB-C connector. (Look for the "lightning bolt" logo to distinguish them.) But displays, especially 4K displays, consume gobs of bandwidth. A 10Gbps USB-C hub can only power a single 4K display at 30Hz. Thunderbolt 4, with its 40Gbps, allows for two 4K displays at 60Hz apiece. Thunderbolt 5 won't be available until 2024, but will support three 4K displays, at 144Hz each. Good Thunderbolt docks, whether Thunderbolt 4 or 5, can also charge your smartphone.
This roundup begins with the very best Thunderbolt docks, including budget options. We'll close by recommending our favorite DisplayLink USB-C docks—simpler, cheaper soluti
|
Sep 16, 2023
|
DoRoyal has been offering premium web hosting services since 2012, with many happy customers who have helped drive it to a 4.3/5-star rating on Trustpilot.
DoRoyal offers unmetered bandwidth and web space for your site, as well as support for unlimited domains, subdomains, email addresses, and databases. You can add new features on with the Scriptaculous script installer and get peace of mind with daily cloud backups and a Spam Assassin.
One user writes, "I have never had the kind of support that I have had at DoRoyal. They act on the instant and don't close a ticket until it has finished to your satisfaction. Best hosting service in the business, whether you run a blog or a corporate website."
Pay once for a lifetime of hosting. Right now, you can get a lifetime of DoRoyal Web Hosting for 77% off $225 at just $49.99.
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
(Note: This trick was last confirmed as working on 9/15/23.)
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). PC gamers still benefit from this trick.
Read on for a step-by-step guide of
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
This is understandable, but it's actually not always true. We've tested a ton of USB-C cables and we can say with certainty they are absolutely not all the same. In fact, we noticed huge performance differences among cables both in terms of charging devices and transferring data.
But with so many options available, how do you know which USB-C cables are the best? To find out, we tested a bunch of cables ranging from the biggest, most-recognizable brand-names to the cheapest of the cheap and put them through the wringer to see which came out on top. Our results showed some clear winners, which we've highlighted below to help make your decision easier.
We've separated our picks into two groups to avoid any confusion: USB-C cables suitable for charging, and those suitable for both charging and fast data transfer. For further information you can refer to our guide on how to buy a USB-C cable on Amazon without losing your mind, and you can find out more about how we test cables below our picks.
Best USB-C cables for charging
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
The discounts on the Steam Deck go all the way up to 20 percent: the more you spend, the higher the discount. If you get the 64GB version (normally $399), it's a 10 percent discount, bringing the price down to $359. For the 256GB version (normally $529), you get 15 percent off, which makes it $450. And the 512GB version (normally $649) is 20 percent off, costing just $519.
The docking station, which is sold separately, is also 20 percent off right now—making it a good time to pick one up if you're already a Steam Deck owner but have been holding off on the dock.
The dock for the Steam Deck lets you connect it to a TV or monitor for play (or use as a desktop PC…). Amazon
The
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
Let's just be clear: Some people may find the Recommended section of Start to be useful — or just Start in general. I've always had a love-hate relationship with it: I find it's much easier to simply type the Windows key the name of the app I wish to launch, and go from there. Others may simply tap the Windows key to open the Start menu and click their preferred app. That's fine.
But in general, I've never found Start all that useful, except for hunting down an app I've forgotten the name of.
Unfortunately, the new changes are coming to Start, like it or not. Windows Insider build 22621.2359 adds the new changes to Start. And it's part of the Release Preview Channel, meaning that Microsoft is on the cusp of rolling it out to the community at large.
Here's what Microsoft has to say about the new feature — which, fortunately, you can turn off.
"This update introduces websites to the Recommended section of the Start menu," Microsoft says. "These websites will be personalized for you and come from your browsing history. This gives you quick access to the websites that are important to you. You can remove any website URL from the Recommended section using the shortcut menu. To turn off the feature, go to Settings Personalization Sta
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
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 09/15/2023: To include the Innocn 27M2V as our choice for best budget HDR gaming monitor. Read our summary below for more info on this excellent budget-friendly new pick.
Alienware AW3423DW - Best gaming monitor overall
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
You can see the price drop from the usual suspects: Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy. It's not universal yet, so far only affecting the Gigabyte and Zotac base-level cards. But give it a week or two and the new "standard" price should start spreading, at least as far as U.S. pricing is concerned. "Standard" goes in quotes, because there's no indication that this is an official retail price drop from Nvidia. But without any signs of sales or other limited-time promotions, this seems like a price drop to make the 4070 more competitive.
Should you upgrade? Our resident GPU
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
AntOnline's official eBay portal has the gen 1 ThinkPad X1 Nano on sale for just $600. It's a tiny fraction of the original price…but to be honest, Lenovo's "retail" prices are all over the place. Just know that it's a damn good price for a teeny-tiny, 13-inch ThinkPad that weighs just 2.5 pounds. It also comes standard with 16GB of RAM, which I think is the minimum for running Windows in 2023, and makes it a much better buy than the Dell XPS 13 with 8GB from yesterday. (It's fifty bucks cheaper, too!) Both laptops can be upgraded in terms of storage (512GB on this model), but not RAM, so more is definitely better.
With an 11th-gen Core i5 processor and integrated Xe graphics, this machine will handle just about anything you can throw at it in terms of web browsing, video, or productivity. It's no gaming powerhouse, but basic or older titles are more than playable, and the 2160×1350 IPS screen is much better than most at this size and price range. There are only two things I don't like about it. One, this particular model doesn
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
Price When ReviewedFree I $29.95/mo I $49.95/yr I $79.95/lifetime
Best Prices Today: EaseUS PDF Editor
Retailer
Price
EaseUS
$29.95
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
This game of Twister for your fingers is a system-level keyboard shortcut that…opens up LinkedIn in your browser. That's it. It's a hard-coded, five-key shortcut to a website. Which might be a cool feature, if you got to choose what it was. But in fact, as PCGamer notes, it's actually a bit of corporate cross-promotion. LinkedIn, a career-focused social network where people can share their work history and apply for new jobs, has been owned by Microsoft since 2016.
LinkedIn
Hey, at least it doesn't force you to open the website in Edge, as most of the intern
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
The new function, called "Text Actions," is available in Snipping Tool version 11.2308.33.0. A Microsoft manager explains:
Dave Grochocki, Principal Product Manager Lead for Windows Inbox Apps
How to use the new Text Actions
To use the new feature, first click the "Text Actions" button on the Snipping Tool's toolbar to display the selectable text, then selecting and copying the text with your mouse. You can select and copy text with the Snipping Tool app by using the "Copy all text" button on the toolbar or keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl A and Ctrl C.
Confidential information can be removed
The tool also offers the ability to edit the text, for e
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
Save money, but in the right places
Of course, savings need to be made on inexpensive PCs and it is not uncommon for system integrators to cut corners in such cases. The question is, however, in which areas have savings been made and does this have an influence on the performance and future security of the PC? Here's a guide on what to look for in your major components.
The processor (CPU)
The processor, the so-called CPU (Central Processing Unit), is the brain of every PC and offers enormous savings potential. If you are neither a gamer nor a content creator, you do not need a processor with 12, 16, or 32 processor cores, but it is still worth taking a look at the underlying architecture.
Cheap ready-to-use PCs are often equipped with older-generation processors, but you should not accept this for a low price. The CPU should be from one of the last two generations, otherwise you will lack features later on.
If you are currently planning to buy a low-priced PC, you should consider the following CPU series and architectures:
AMD Ryzen 5000 (Zen-3 architecture)
AMD Ryzen 6000 (Zen-3 architecture)
AMD Ryzen 7000 (Zen-4 architecture)
Intel Core-i-12000 (Alder Lake)
Intel Core-i-13000 (Raptor Lake)
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed2799.99
Best Prices Today: Razer Blade 14 (2023)
Retailer
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
While paid password managers offer nice extras, a free password manager still protects you from the risks of using weak passwords (or worse, using the same one everywhere). You just have to remember one password to access a single, secure place where all your other passwords are stored.
And because free password managers come in different flavors and styles, you should be able to find one that fits your lifestyle. Even Google's password manager, built into Chrome and Android, can soon double as a no-cost option after receiving some killer upgrades over the summer months. Down the road, you can always upgrade to a paid service if your needs grow.
|
Sep 15, 2023
|
FineCam is an intuitive tool that soups up your webcam, regardless of your video-making skill set. It allows you to capture a single shot from multiple angles, seamlessly switch between lenses, change the video resolution, and much more. It's like having a multi-camera setup in a single webcam. With AI-powered webcam color and image creation, background generation, and more, you'll be able to apply cinematic filters and effects while achieving the best look possible for your videos.
Find out why FineCam Pro has earned a perfect 5-star rating on MacUpdate and was a #5 Product of the Day on Product Hunt. Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription for 41% off $84 at just $49.99.
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
Microsoft said Thursday that the Photos app is adding background blur, the "portrait mode" that's become common smartphones. Even better, the OneDrive app now has smarter search capabilities for photos, so that you'll be able to search by the content of the picture, such as a beach scene or "snow."
We criticized Microsoft earlier this year for the fact the old Photos app was better than the new one. And in some sense, it is: in Photos Legacy, you can search for content, such as the previously mentioned beach scenes. Provided that you've connected Photos to OneDrive (which you can do in the drop-down menu on the left-hand rail) you can now use the regular Photos app as a front door to OneDrive photo searches.
We should point out, too, that in May Microsoft re-introduced Spot Fix to Photos, which allows you to highlight a small area and use AI to filter out any anomalies. (Think specks of dust on a laptop.)
Ai-powered search within Photos, as connected to OneDrive.Microsoft
Background blur, though, hints at another feature we recen
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
The best PDF editors allows you to edit, create, alter, and convert PDF files just like you would with any other text document. Adobe Acrobat is the most famous and, historically speaking, the go-to option for most people. While it's excellent both in features and utility, it's also one of the most expensive options. In recent years a whole host of PDF editors have sprung up in order to provide less expensive alternatives.
Here at PCWorld we've tested many of these top PDF editors and curated a list of the very best, with different use cases in mind. We've included picks for the best overall, best budget option, and even a recommendation for the best free PDF editor—because sometimes you just need the basics to get the job done. Check out our recommendations below to find the best PDF editor for you.
Update 9/14/23: Users of Adobe's Acrobat and Acrobat Reader PDF tools are being urged to update their programs in order to patch some recently discovered vulnerabilities, one of which is deemed critical. Learn more about the situation in our article Adobe PDFs under attack.
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
We've chosen the best back-to-school deals on tech gear from online retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and more. We want to provide you the best back-to-school deals on products you'll actually want to buy!
We've selected back-to-school gear aimed at college, high school and K-8 students. We also explain why we made those decisions, guided by our frequent reviews. Finally, we've linked to other stories we've written about back-to-school gadgets and accessories that we think could prove useful.
Best back-to-school laptop deals for college
HP Envy 16t-h1000, Core i5-13500H/Arc A370M/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, 16-inch 2560×1600 display, $999.99 (26% off at HP.com)
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 1, Core i5-1130G7/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, 13-inch 2160×1350 display, $699.99 (76% off at Antonline)
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
Here's the gist. Starting January 1st, 2024, all games that use the Unity engine will be charged 20 cents (USD) for each game installation, once it hits a threshold of 200,000 downloads and $200,000 in revenue. A lower charge and a higher starting threshold — $1 million in sales and a million installations — will be offered for higher tiers of Unity subscriptions, starting at around $2000 a year.
This is a stark change from Unity's previous monetization system, which offered the engine and installation for free, then relied on more advanced software subscriptions, an integrated advertising platform (mostly mobile games, but some console and desktop stuff too), and paid analytical tools. While Unity has clarified some early misconceptions after the news broke, such as not charging for multiple installations of the same game from the same user and not charging for game demos, the new monetization makes Unity far less attractive to the indie game developers that were previously its bread and butter.
To put it plainly, many indies simply won't be able to afford to publish games using Unity…and possibly won't even be able to continue selling existing games that use t
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
That's where we come in. We've tested a ton of power banks from different manufacturers spanning the range of available price points and specs. We've curated a list of our favorites to help you find the best value. You can rest assured that our recommendations are all great picks as the PCWorld staff puts each power bank through a battery—pun intended—of tests. You can learn more about our evaluation process below our picks.
While our recommendations reflect a range of needs, if you need something more substantial to power your appliances while off-grid or during an emergency, check out our roundup of best power stations.
Anker 511 PowerCore Fusion 5K - Best budget USB-C power bank
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
Google will also support Chromebooks that were released in 2019 or later by an additional two years, also giving them ten years of patches and updates, Google said.
Windows PCs don't last forever, but Microsoft traditionally has never placed an end-of-life date on a Windows PC until 2021, when it limited some older PCs from upgrading to Windows 11. One of the differences between laptops and Chromebooks is that Google actually tells you when it will stop supporting Chromebooks. A Chromebook once exited support in just five years; in 2019, Google extended the Chromebook support window to eight years instead.
(Google oddly hides this information, also known as the Auto Update Expiration date, on the linked support page. If you match your Chromebook's model number against the Google database, you can find out when your Chromebook's support window will expire.)
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
Our expert reviewers have put these mice through their paces, testing them across a range of scenarios, and over extended periods of time. Below are the results of that effort. While these are the current best wireless gaming mice available, for a no holds barred list, including both wired and wireless models, be sure to check out PCWorld's all-inclusive selection of the best gaming mice.
Updated 9/14/23 to add the MSI Clutch GM51 Lightweight Wireless and ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition to our list of recommendations. Besides a precise and smooth 26,000 DPI optical sensor, and dual wireless connectivity, the MSI Clutch GM51 Lightweight Wireless comes with a convenient charging dock. The ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition is one of the most versatile esports mice you can buy, weighing just 54 grams but sporting all three connectivity types (2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and wired). Read more about these two great picks below.
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
But down to brass tacks. According to prolific and reliable Twitter leaker Momomo, new Dell Precision desktops will come with two variations of a Ryzen 7000-based Threadripper CPU. The Threadripper Pro 7975WX will have 32 cores, with a maximum clock speed of 4GHz. And the Threadripper Pro 7995WX will allegedly boast an astonishing 96 cores and a maximum clock of 5.1GHz. The processors will be available on the Dell Precision 7875 workstation, and presumably other, similar high-end desktops for corporate clients. Both listings were spotted on the SiSoftware Official Benchmark Ranker results database.
Other hardware details for the 7995WX include the obvious
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed$29.95 p/a
Best Prices Today: CCleaner Professional
Retailer
Price
Piriform
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
That's a fantastically low price for a premium Windows machine. Thanks to the hardware inside, the Dell XPS 13 is more than capable of blasting through office work as well as day-to-day tasks. It also weighs just 2.9 pounds, making it the perfect travel companion.
The Dell XPS 13 features an Intel Core i5-1230U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage. The 13.4-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1200, a refresh rate of 60Hz, and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. That brightness level is impressive, so the picture should be wonderfully luminous. As for connectivity options, you're getting two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C, a USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter, and a USB-C to 3.5mm headset adapter.
This is a great deal on a flagship Windows notebook. Don't miss out.
Get the Dell XPS 13 Laptop for $649 at Dell
Laptops
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
The vulnerability has been labelled CVE-2023-4863 and is considered extremely serious. Major browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi, and Brave have already released security fixes. To make sure you have the latest version of a browser, go to Help About (browser name) in its options menu. If a new update is available, it should then download automatically.
The webp image format was developed by Google and has quickly grown in popularity due to the high and lossless compression of images compared to other formats.
This article was translated from Swedish to English and originally appeared on pcforalla.se.
Personal Software
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
HP claims it's the "thinnest 17-inch foldable PC" and while we haven't tested it yet to confirm, it does weigh an impressive 2.9 pounds without the keyboard. That slots it right into the ultraportable category. Let's dive right into the details then, as I'm sure you're dying to know what's under the hood.
HP
The HP Spectre Fold PC features an Intel Core i7-1250U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage. That's more than enough power for office work, watching Netflix, checking email, and so on. The 17-inch foldable OLED panel has a resolution of 1920×2560 and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. Given those numbers, the picture should be absolutely lovely. It also has two Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB Type-C as well as Precision Touchpad support and it's compatible with the HP Wireless Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen.
The Fold PC is designed for those with hybrid lifestyles. Need to ditch the keyboard and take notes on the tablet d
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
HP claims it's the "thinnest 17-inch foldable PC" and while we haven't tested it yet to confirm, it does weigh an impressive 2.9 pounds without the keyboard. That slots it right into the ultraportable category. Let's dive right into the details then, as I'm sure you're dying to know what's under the hood.
HP
The HP Spectre Fold PC features an Intel Core i7-1250U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage. That's more than enough power for office work, watching Netflix, checking email, and so on. The 17-inch foldable OLED panel has a resolution of 1920×2560 and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. Given those numbers, the picture should be absolutely lovely. It also has two Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB Type-C as well as Precision Touchpad support and it's compatible with the HP Wireless Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen.
The Fold PC is designed for those with hybrid lifestyles. Need to ditch the keyboard and take notes on the tablet d
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
The first major feature update of this year brought something almost revolutionary with the integration of Bing AI Chat. Microsoft, accordingly, placed the new search in the Edge browser, featuring it prominently in the Windows 11 taskbar.
get windows 11 pro cheap
Windows 11 Pro
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
Best Prices Today: Monoprice 35in Zero-G Curved Ultrawide Gaming Monitor V2
Retailer
Price
Monoprice
$399.99
|
Sep 14, 2023
|
Designed for the world of hybrid work, Windows 11 Pro offers a host of productivity and security features designed to help you do your best work absolutely anywhere. The new interface is easier on the eyes, easier to use, and easier to customize to get the most out of your screen space. With compatible hardware, you can enjoy biometrics login, and additional security features like TPM 2.0, smart app control, and wake and lock to automatically wake up when you approach and lock when you leave.
Ready to get more from your OS? Grab Windows 11 Pro for 84% off $199 at just $29.97 for a limited time.
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
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.
It's back to school time, so if you're looking to score a killer deal, be sure to take a look at our roundup of the best back to school deals as well as our ongoing roundup of the best laptop deals updated daily.
Updated 09/13/2023: Check out our latest review of the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED. This is a great lightweight laptop
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
In a blog post published on Wednesday, Bethesda shared details of its first hotfix for Starfield, which includes performance and stability improvements, and an initial set of community-requested features coming to the game. In addition to ultrawide monitor and DLSS support, the game will eventually get brightness and contrast controls, an HDR calibration menu, a field-of-view (FOV) slider, and (to the relief of everyone tired of digging into menus), the ability to press a single button to eat food. Built-in mod support (aka Creations) will be arriving for all platforms in early 2024 as well.
Bethesda also promised closer partnerships with Nvidia, AMD, and Intel for driver support in its post, saying driver updates "will include new stability and performance impr
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
Take Windows 11, for example: When Microsoft introduced it with extremely strict system requirements in autumn 2021, it was only a matter of time before those barriers could be circumvented.
In order to install the new operating system on older PCs, the registry first had to be changed manually. Later, this could be simplified with a batch file, and now even that is superfluous thanks to Rufus, a small tool for creating bootable USB sticks. Now, with just a few additional mouse clicks, you can run Windows 11 on almost any computer.
Let's start this look at helpful, dead simple Windows software with that very program, before diving deeper into several different categories.
1. Windows installation, updates, and help tools during booting
Download the installation file for Windows 11 from Microsoft via the option "Download a Wind
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
As you'd expect, there's no shortage of gaming headsets out there. No one wants to wade through the myriad options only to settle on one that ends up leaving you disappointed. That's why I've done all the heavy lifting for you, testing a ton of different headsets to find the best. Below you'll find my curated list of the very best gaming headset models. I've included both wired and wireless models as well as premium cans and budget-friendly options that won't break the bank.
My quest for the best gaming headsets is ongoing, so expect this list to change and evolve over time.
Why should you trust me? Because I'm a hardcore gamer and tech user like you, which means I'm always on the hunt for better gear to improve my own experience. More than that, I've spent many years weighing up the pros and cons of the latest new release gaming headsets, so you could say I know more than a thing or two about them.
Consequently, you can rest assured that if a headset is good, I'll let you know about it. Likewise, if a device doesn't cut it, I'll be as quick to say just that. I totally get that modern gaming headsets are expensive too, and I want you to get maximum bang for buck on your next purchase. To see the criteria I use to test each product and some helpful buying advice be sure to read on below the picks.
Updated 09/13/2023:
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
Adobe Firefly is a superb AI art generator, trained on Adobe's own stock images. While Firefly is now available for free as a standalone tool, Firefly-powered generative AI art capabilities were added to Adobe Photoshop in May and to Adobe Express last month. Firefly not only generates its own AI art, but can be used as a source for editing: replacing the background on a beach scene with a fantasy castle, for example. Firefly, like other AI generators, is a text-to-image tool which generates an image based on your text description and filters.
Adobe's Creative Cloud subscriptions now include Firefly as part of Photoshop and Illustrator, with AI effects in Premiere Pro and After Effects. Adobe GenStudio will offer similar effects to enterprises. By default, each image created with Firefly includes a digital watermark. Adobe calls these watermarks Content Credentials to identify the image as AI-generated, and identify what edits have been made.
Firefly's credit system isn't simple
Firefly doesn't come "free," though. Since AI art requires substantial computing power to generate, Adobe is asking users using Firefly to pay for it with a certain amount of free credits t
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
Dustin Childs presents the topic of Patch Tuesday in a much clearer way in the Trend Micro ZDI blog — always with a view to admins who look after corporate networks.
The most important security vulnerabilities on Patch Day in September
CVEvulnerable softwareSeverityImpactexploitedknown in advance
CVE-2023-36761WordhighData leakyes
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed$11.99
Best Prices Today: StrongVPN
Retailer
Price
Strong Technology
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
Adobe Updates in September
Productvulnerable version(s)vulnerable version(s)VulnerabilitiesRiskAcrobat and Reader DC23.003.20284 and older23.006.203201criticalAcrobat and Reader 202020.005.30516 and older20.005.305241criticalExperience Manager (AEM)6.5.17.0 and older6.5.18.02highAEMAEM Cloud Service (CS)2023.82highConnect12.3 and older12.4.12high
In August, Adobe fixed 30 vulnerabilities in its PDF tools, Acrobat and Acrobat Reader. In September, only one more is added — but it's a doozy. Adobe classifies the vulnerability CVE-2023-26369 as critical. An attacker could inject and execute code with specially prepared PDF files. This is apparently already happening in "limited" attacks, according to Adobe. The remedy is updates for Acrobat and Reader DC as well as Acrobat and Reader 2020
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
The discrepancy between computational and memory speed ultimately led to the development of processor cache. Basically, the cache is a fast type of memory. It contains a small area of memory with the instructions that the computer will most likely need next if it is to perform certain tasks.
The system loads this information into the cache using complex algorithms. The main purpose of a cache system is to ensure that the processor has immediate and instant access to the data it needs in the right order.
The cache ensures that the processor receives needed data quickly and in the correct order. Tools like CPU-Z clearly list the different cache levels with their capacitie
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
The Logitech G305 features the aforementioned 12,000 DPI, up to 250 hours of battery life, and six programmable buttons. It even comes in a variety of eye-catching colors like lilac and mint. The 12,000 DPI might be a little fast for office work and general use tasks, but you can always adjust as you see fit. The 250 hours of battery life on a single AA battery is impressive. You're going to need a long-lasting mouse for those marathon gaming sessions. The mouse also weighs just 99 grams, which really ups the maneuverability factor.
This is a great deal. We'd recommend jumping on it sooner rather than later.
Get the Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse for $33.99
Mice
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
The RAM slots on modern motherboards are numbered. This way you know which slots to insert the memory modules into. Often they are also colored differently and sometimes slightly offset from each other. Both help you to place the modules correctly according to the motherboard manufacturer's specifications.
In addition, RAM slots differ between laptops and desktop computers. Notebooks mostly use SODIMM modules, which are shorter and smaller than the standard desktop DIMM variants. Most laptops also have only two RAM slots, which are tilted to one side to ensure that the modules are installed flat.
In dual-channel mode, the identically sized RAM modules must be in the correct RAM slots to avoid performance degradation.
Gskill
Choosing the right order of RAM slots can actually have a significant impact on memory performance, provided your motherboard supports dual-channel memory (most do). To take full advantage of multi-channel memory, a pair of RAM modules should be inserted into different memory channels. However, this is where the modules are o
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
Thankfully, Microsoft provides numerous tools free of charge that help with analysis, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Some of these tools are useful for everyone in everyday use, while others are only needed in special situations.
There are several reasons why the tools are not included as standard Windows equipment. Due to the sheer number of different functions, the need for these specific tools is often not obvious at first glance, and sometimes the prerequisites for using the tools have to be created first. In this article we'll explain how to use Microsoft Sysinternal tools so that you can perform necessary maintenance or analyze and troubleshoot problems in Windows optimally and efficiently.
Setting up the Sysinternals tools from Microsoft
In the past, if you wanted to develop system-related tools for Windows, you needed in-depth knowledge of the operating system. That was until 1996 when the programmers Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell programmed diagnostic software for Windows for their company Winternals Software LP. In 2006, Microsoft took over the company and began distributing this software themselves.
Under the name "Sysinternals," these tools are continually developed and adapted for newer Windows versions such as Windows 10 and 11 and made available for download free of charge. Some of the tools offer a graphical user interface, while others are started via Powershell or the command prompt. Under "Download" you'll find the individ
|
Sep 13, 2023
|
Price When Reviewed$799.99
Best Prices Today: Asus Zenbook 14X OLED
Retailer
Price
$799.99
|
