Personal Computers

Newly appointed Intel chief executive Lip-Bu Tan said all the right things in his opening statement as Intel’s new chief executive, pledging to earn customer trust and return to an engineering-based culture at the chipmaker.

Tan, who has served about two weeks on the job, didn’t indicate any major changes would be forthcoming. For now, he emphasized that Intel’s next-generation Panther Lake chips would ship this year, on the Intel 18A process node that is the legacy of Tan’s predecessor, Pat Gelsinger.

Gelsinger, a former chief technical officer at Intel who also promised a return to the engineering-driven days of Intel legends like Gordon Moore, was forced out in December after pushing through a series of layoffs, and watching the company’s stock price plunge. Chief financial officer David Zinsner and Intel Products chief Michelle Johnston Holthaus served as co-CEOs before returning to those positions. Now, Tan will take the helm.

Tan is well-regarded, though he served in the semiconductor-adjacent industry of electronic design automation as the chief executive of Cadence Design Systems from 2008 until 2021. He studied quantum physics in Singapore, moved to the United States to pursue a doctorate in nuclear engineering at MIT, then dropped out of the program after the Three Mile Island accident occurred. He later became a venture capitalist and a member of Intel’s board.

Tan cited a visit to Henry David Thoreau’s cabin, where he spent a half hour just admiring the craftsmanship. “A lot of our business is building craftsmanship,” Tan said.

Now, he’s being asked to lead one of America’s largest chipmaker as it extends those chipmaking abilities to third-party customers as well via an Intel foundry plan.

Tan pledged to build “strong teams to correct the past mistakes and start to earn your trust,” speaking in front of customers and partners at Intel’s Vision conference. Though not a semiconductor executive by trade, Tan said that’s he was friends with the late Intel senior vice president (and Pentium 4 chief) Albert Yu and former Intel senior executive Sean Maloney, who retired from Intel in 2013 after recovering from a devastating stroke.

Tan said that Intel will “refine some of our strategy and then free up some of the bandwidth and some of the non-core business, we will spin it off.” Intel’s core business — whatever it is, as he didn’t specify — will be expanded using AI and “software 2.0.” He also pledged to work with the Trump administration on advancing Intel’s foundry business.

“My motto is very simple: under promise and over deliver,” Tan said.

“I love this company,” Tan said. “It was very hard for me to watch its struggle. I simply cannot stay on the sideline knowing that I could help turn things around. I also fully recognize it won’t be easy. It had been a tough period for quite a long time for Intel, we fell behind on innovation. As a result, we have been too slow to adapt and to meet your needs. You deserve better, and we need to improve, and we will, please be brutally honest with us.”

“We may not be perfect in the beginning, but eventually, you can count on it, I will make it perfect,” Tan said.

More and more of our daily browsing and internet use is done on our mobile devices. So it’s more important than ever to have a great VPN that works well on your phone. While some services work best on Windows, others particularly shine when used on Android devices, and I’ve curated a list of my favorites to help you find the best choice for your needs.

When determining what makes for a good VPN for Android, I consider several criteria on top of standard VPN essentials. It’s crucial that it has full functionality on the Android OS. Also, since Wi-Fi can be inconsistent at times, I test these apps over multiple days to look at speed and consistency of service. I then take into consideration the Android app itself and its ease of use, as well as other things such as pricing and the number of simultaneous devices allowed per account. All of these factors help make the VPNs on this list my top picks.

Why you should trust me: PCWorld has been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. I’m continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services in order to curate a list of the very best VPNs across a variety of categories. Below you’ll find my favorite VPNs and additional information about how I test these services as well as helpful advice about what to look for when choosing a VPN for your Android device on your own.

Without further ado, here are my recommendations for the best VPNs for Android.

Pros

• Loaded with tons of VPN configuration options
• Outstanding speeds
• Multiple independent no-logs audits
• Included antivirus and password manager

Cons

• Expensive

NordVPN is easily one of the most popular VPN services around. The company offers over 110 country locations with 6,000+ servers. It also promises that its service will work with Netflix. While it doesn’t offer dedicated servers for this purpose, instead Netflix is just supposed to work no matter which server you’re on, and in our tests it always did.

Nord’s Android app is similar to the desktop app in that it has the same style of map that you can use to select a location. The rest of the app is very mobile friendly with a movable carousel of popular locations, and a full country list underneath. The Android app also supports Nord’s specialty servers for P2P file sharing, Meshnet, and multi-hop VPNs. NordVPN also offers top-notch security features with ad-blocking, malware protection, plus a new password manager and link checker as well.

NordVPN continues its great privacy track record with a fourth successful audit of its no-logs policy completed earlier this year. It’s a higher-priced VPN, but it’s also feature-filled, and fast. In our tests, Nord maintained nearly 72 percent of the base internet speed, which also makes it the fastest VPN on the market.

Those who have an Android phone or other device and want a VPN should place NordVPN at the top of their list. Not only will you get the great overall features that come from a top service like NordVPN, but the Android app is also one of the most intuitive and easy-to-use I’ve ever seen.

Read our full NordVPN review

Pros

• Excellent speeds
• Well-designed interface
• Unblocks all streaming services
• Great security and privacy practices

Cons

• More expensive than other VPNs
• A little light on extra security features

Combining ease of use with its excellent speeds, ExpressVPN is a great choice for everyone. In my tests, ExpressVPN maintained 70 percent of the base speed, which is excellent and earned it a spot among our very fastest VPNs. It also comes with a huge server network and switching locations is as easy as simply tapping on the tile underneath the on/off button in the app. The interface is well-designed for Android (just like all of its other platforms) and dead-simple to use.

ExpressVPN for Android also supports split tunneling, auto-connect, and a kill switch to help maintain privacy should the VPN connection drop.

It is bit pricey and doesn’t quite have as many add-on features as NordVPN, which is why it narrowly missed out on the top spot. Regardless it’s still a fantastic option and comes with wide support if you have other non-Android devices as well. Express VPN costs about $80 for the first 12 months.

As with NordVPN, I think that ExpressVPN is a top pick for just about everyone. And since ExpressVPN supports just about every device you can imagine, it’s a great option for those who rock many different devices with different operating systems and want to be protected on all of them.

Read our full ExpressVPN review

Pros

• Good speeds
• Inexpensive pricing
• Unrivaled user anonymity
• Versatile payment options

Cons

• Struggles with unblocking streaming services
• Smaller server network
• Not as feature-rich as competitors

It’s no surprise to see Mullvad as our top choice for privacy. It’s simply unbeatable when it comes to staying as anonymous and private online as possible. Unlike most other services, Mullvad doesn’t even ask for your email address. Instead, it generates a random account number and then you use that to log in and pay for the service. The service will also accept cash, as well as Bitcoin, PayPal, and credit card, giving you every chance it can to intentionally know nothing about you.

Mullvad promises it won’t track your browsing habits and backs this claim up with multiple independent audits. Plus, it has good speeds. In our tests, Mullvad for Android maintained around 57 percent of the base speed. That’s not as good as some of the other services, but it’s definitely good enough for most uses. Mullvad charges €5 per month, which at this writing was a little over $5.

If privacy is your number-one concern while using a VPN than you can’t go wrong with Mullvad. Your anonymity will remain intact from the time you sign up and pay for the service all the way through your time using the service. It may not have all of the fancy features of our top picks on this list, but you can rest assured your privacy will always be Mullvad’s top priority.

Read our full Mullvad review

Pros

• Unrivaled free plan
• Great privacy tools
• Reliable and transparent no-logs policy
• Good server spread

Cons

• Expensive
• Some minor unblocking issues

If Mullvad isn’t your cup of tea, then another solid choice for privacy is Proton VPN. This service is just one part of a larger suite of services that includes Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and Proton Drive. Proton VPN is available as a standalone service if you don’t need any of the other features, though most of them are worth the few extra dollars per month if you upgrade to the premium plan.

In our tests, Proton VPN maintained around 65 percent of the base speed. It has a wide number of country choices, its privacy policy makes all the right promises, and it supports Netflix streaming, TOR over VPN, and P2P on most servers. It also offers multi-hop connections via its Secure Core feature — a welcomed extra layer of obfuscation for the privacy-conscious. Proton VPN’s monthly subscriptions are on the high end at about $10 per month, but long-term subscription plans make it more affordable. It’s more than worth it though if privacy is your concern as the service continues to go through regular independent audits and its homebase in Switzerland has excellent personal privacy laws.

ProtonVPN is another great option for the privacy-conscious. The only real difference between this and Mullvad VPN is that you will need to register with an email address and payments cannot be done in anonymous cash transactions. Apart from that though, ProtonVPN comes from a highly reputable company and does a superb job of protecting your anonymity and privacy.

Read our full ProtonVPN review

Pros

• Independently verified no-log policy
• Seriously impressive server spread
• Generous 45-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• Server speeds can be hit-or-miss
• Lacks some extra security features offered by competitors

Another good choice for newcomers is CyberGhost from Kape Technologies. This VPN’s Android app has a very intuitive and friendly design. It has a simple on/off button at the top of the app, and underneath that is the tile where you can pick the country location. Tapping on the country location option takes you to a list where you can choose a connection based on the country, or you can choose between servers optimized for streaming, gaming, or torrenting. In my tests, CyberGhost maintained decent enough speeds to do most activities you would want with a VPN such as web browsing and streaming.

Recently CyberGhost has added more features such as split-tunneling to the app, but they aren’t necessary to tool around with if you just want the basics. Otherwise, that’s about all there is to this app, which makes it an excellent option for first-timers. CyberGhost offers plans by the month, for one year, or two years, with longer-term plans being much more affordable.

VPN newbies and beginners will love how easy CyberGhost’s Android app is to use. Plus, the price is cheaper than some alternatives, which means you won’t have to worry about paying extra for niche features that you may never use.

Read our full CyberGhost VPN review

• Mullvad VPN: The undefeated king of privacy, Mullvad continues to be one of our favorite VPNs thanks to its unique approach to user anonymity and inexpensive pricing.
• ExpressVPN: With a great Android app plus fast speeds, strong privacy, and a large network, it’s hard to beat this premium VPN.
• Hide.me VPN: This highly customizable VPN offers strong privacy and affordable long-term plans.
• Can VPNs really save you money on hotels? I tested them to find out
• 9 things you realize when you first start using a VPN
• VPNs and the law: How often does law enforcement actually request VPN logs?

I judge VPNs on a variety of criteria including server network, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease-of-use, additional features, and cost. For a more detailed guide on how I test, check out PCWorld’s guide on how we test VPN services. I take the same approach on Android as I do on Windows.

Speed tests are kept as simple as possible. I average the connections between different global locations for any given VPN and then compare them to a baseline internet speed to get a good picture of the overall connection speeds. I thoroughly research and analyze the privacy policies and histories of each VPN and note any outstanding discrepancies or data collection issues.

Experience and ease-of-use are subjective, but I try my best to give an accurate representation of how it feels to work with the VPN. And finally, I determine the value of the service based upon its price and additional features compared to the industry average to help you gain an accurate picture of what you’ll get for your money.

One of the first things you should look for when shopping around for a VPN is the number of servers and locations. It’s difficult to judge any VPN by just one feature, but a semi-reliable way to tell if a VPN is even worth your time is to look at the server network. Anything with 1,000 or more servers and 30 or more country locations will do.

The next thing to consider is a VPN’s speed. This may be tricky to do since you aren’t likely to be able to test connection speeds without paying to use the service. Reading reviews online will give you a general estimate. Look for reviews, like ours, that give you a relative average of connection speeds rather than direct Mbps speed comparisons.

You’ll also want to read up on a VPN’s privacy protections. Does it have a no-logs policy? Has it undergone any independent audits of its servers? Where is the VPN company located? All of these will give you an idea of whether or not a VPN is transparent with its data collection policies and if it’s subject to government data sharing requirements.

Other factors you’ll want to take into consideration are the overall ease-of-use, user experience, and any additional features. Some of these features, such as split-tunneling and kill switches, can be extremely useful for certain purposes and might sway your subscription decision one way or the other.

Finally, as with all subscription services, you’ll want to review the price of a VPN service. Do you want a monthly or yearly subscription? Some top VPNs might be pricey month-to-month, but actually become quite affordable with long-term plans.

That’s it for this roundup of the top Android VPNs. If you want to take a look at more VPN services check out PCWorld’s best VPN roundup. While the reviews are focused on PC, almost all of the services I’ve covered offer an Android app as well.

A VPN, otherwise known as a virtual private network, disguises your identity and encrypts your internet traffic while browsing. In addition, you can connect to VPN servers all across the world. So if you want to access location restricted content like streaming services, you can connect to the appropriate country’s server and gain access to that country’s specific content.

A VPN effectively hides your IP address by redirecting it through a remote server hosted by the VPN company. If anyone is watching, the VPN server then appears to be the source of your data instead of yourself. These remote servers can be located both in your own country as well as in different countries around the world. Additionally, your network traffic from your computer to the VPN is encrypted adding an extra layer of privacy. 

If you are connected to a VPN while browsing the internet, the VPN will act as a kind of middleman between your computer and a website. When your computer sends a request to the VPN, it then passes it along to a website. The website in return, sends its response back to the VPN, which forwards it via a secure connection all the way to your computer.

Yes! In the United States as well as most countries, using a VPN is legal. You may find that certain websites try to block VPN connections, but they are still okay to use. You should know though, while using a VPN is legal, some of the activities done while using a VPN might be illegal. Activities such as downloading pirated copyrighted content or accessing dark web markets are both illegal with and without a VPN.

Usually the core functionality of one service’s VPN remains the same between its Windows and Android apps. That being said, oftentimes there are differences between the two in regards to the features offered and user experience.

For example, features common in Windows apps such as multi-hop, kill-switch functionality, and custom DNS configuration may not always be available in the same service’s Android app. While features such split tunneling and IKEv2 protocol support may only be available on Android. This usually comes down to compatibility issues and developer resources. Additionally, you’re likely to find differences in the interface and overall user experience between apps on the two operating systems. Often the Windows app will display more information, which is then omitted from the Android app due to screen size restrictions.

Again, this shouldn’t affect the core functionality of the VPN with either app, meaning that users can choose the version that best suits their needs based on their own usage requirements and device preferences.

• 3 individually controlled smart outlets (+3 dumb outlets)
• 3 fast-charging USB outlets
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and IFTTT

• Gives no warning when it can no longer provide surge protection
• Surge protection limited to 205 joules

Don’t buy this multi-outlet for its surge protection feature, as it won’t warn you when it can no longer deliver it.

Price When Reviewed

This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined

Best Pricing Today

$49.99

TP-Link’s Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender has some great features, as well as one critical shortcoming that prevents us from recommending it.

Tapo doesn’t make big promises for this product in terms of its surge protection, but it does list a key feature on the box: the ability to warn you when it can no longer provide surge protection.

If you’re considering buying Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender for that feature, don’t. Here’s why.

The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender isn’t all bad news—provided you’re not buying it for surge protection.

Most surge protectors use sacrificial MOVs (metal oxide varistors) to absorb excess voltage from power surges, and this one is no exception. The thing is, MOVs wear out over time, losing some of their ability to absorb that excess voltage with each power surge until they can no longer offer any protection at all.

Since the number and severity of power surges will vary based on a wide range of factors, starting with the quality of power coming from your utility, it’s impossible to predict when a given surge protector’s MOV (or MOVs, as the case may be) will wear out.

The outlets on the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender are spaced 1.56 inches apart, so wall warts and oversized plugs don’t block adjacent outlets.

Michael Brown/Foundry

Some surge protectors will simply stop sending power to their outlets when this happens, and that’s the best approach in my opinion. Others will trigger a red or green “protection” indicator—typically an LED—to stop glowing when they can no longer offer protection.

The latter approach is far more common, and you should periodically check yours to make sure it’s still lit. The problem with the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender is that it doesn’t do either of these things. Its MOV will eventually wear out and cease offering surge protection, but you’ll have no way of knowing when that has happened.

I verified this fact with TP-Link, and the manufacturer replied that the absence of a protection indicator is due to the product’s “structural limitations,” but that it recognizes this “as a potential area for improvement in future product iterations.”

I’d say that’s an understatement. It would have been better to not include surge protection at all than to have users gamble as to when this one will stop offering protection without any warning.

The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender isn’t all bad news—provided you’re not buying it for surge protection. But before we leave that topic, allow me to report a few details you find won’t find on TP-Link’s website.

Three USB charging ports–1 USB-C and 2 USB-A–deliver up to 18 watts of power. 

Michael Brown/Foundry

This product’s surge protector element can handle only a maximum of 205 joules, but it offers 1,200 volts of clamping voltage, based on a 6,000-volt surge on the line-to-neutral leg of the circuit it’s connected to. Thumbs up for that: Protection for the line-to-neutral leg is what’s needed most in a properly grounded home.

Compare that to the Philips 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, a “dumb” surge protector that offers up to 720 joules of protection, but only 500V of protection across the line-to-neutral leg of the circuit. The Philips product also lacks USB-charging ports, but it costs less than half as much as the Tapo product.

I should also note, however, that the Philips product doesn’t have any LED indicators either. The key difference is that the Philips product will cease to provide power to its outlets when its MOV wears out and can no longer provide surge protection. An LED would be superfluous in that product.

OK, let’s turn our attention to the rest of the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender’s considerable specifications and features. It occupies the top half of a duplex outlet, but necessarily also covers the bottom half. If you have an old-school outlet with a middle screw hole for the cover plate, you can remove the cover, insert a provided screw into the center of the Outlet Extender, and fasten it to that hole. You can also screw a provided post into the back of the extender and plug that into the second outlet’s ground hole for added stability when plugging and unplugging devices.

Each of the three smart outlets can also be controlled with a button on the side. The post below the electrical prongs plugs into the second grounded outlet to provide additional stability. 

Michael Brown/Foundry

The Outlet Extender can handle up to a maximum of 1,875 watts, and each of its six outlets puts out a maximum of 15 amps. It’s equipped with one USB-C charging port and two USB-A charging ports on its right-hand side. These deliver a maximum output of 5 volts and 3 amps, providing up to 18 watts of fast charging. More specifically, single-port outputs are 5V/3A, 9V/2A, or 12V/1.5A.

You can rest your smartphone on top of the outlet extender while it’s charging, and a lip on its front edge will prevent the device from sliding forward and off.

There are six grounded AC outlets in front, three on each side and spaced 1.57-inches apart to accommodate at least smaller wall warts or oversized plugs without blocking adjacent outlets. Only the three outlets on the left-hand side are smart plugs, and each one has an on/off switch and an LED indicator that glows when it’s on. The three outlets on the right-hand side are always-on “dumb” plugs and don’t have buttons or LEDs.

An ambient light sensor at the top of the extender’s face triggers a dimmable white, down-facing LED nightlight to glow. This feature is highly customizable in the Tapo app, based on the level of ambient light that will activate it, a time-and-date schedule, or even a countdown timer. An LED beneath the ambient light sensors reports the overall status of the device (solid white when connected to the cloud, blinking orange when disconnected from Wi-Fi, and so on).

The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender connects to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, with up to WPA3 security. Although it’s not Matter certified, it is compatible with all three major smart home ecosystems: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home. It’s also compatible with Samsung SmartThings, Siri Shortcuts, and IFTTT.

You’ll use the Tapo smart home app to program and control the device. This software is also used to control everything from security cameras to smart plugs, smart bulbs, robot vacuums, and other smart home products carrying TP-Link’s Tapo or Kasa Smart brands. But you can organize the app by assigning everything to “rooms” and designating “favorites” to make it easier to manage everything.  

You can control every Tapo smart home device with the Tapo app, which can also control any of TP-Link’s Kasa Smart products.  

Michael Brown/Foundry

Widgets are provided for each of the Outlet Extender’s three smart plugs, but there’s just one widget for all three of its USB ports. The widgets have power buttons for toggling them on and off, or you can tap anywhere else on the widget to open a new full-screen window for more granular information and control, including scheduling.

You can set “away modes” that will randomly turn the assigned smart outlets on and off between defined days and times. Plug a lamp into one, two, or all three smart outlets, and it will make your home look occupied while you’re away from home. Separate countdown timers will turn any or all the assigned smart outlet on or off after a given number of hours and minutes has elapsed.

The smart plugs don’t track energy consumption, but they will report the number of hours they’ve been energized for the current day, the past seven days, and the past 30 days.

If you have other TP-Link or Tapo products, you can create routines that will cause those devices to trigger each other—and without needing a smart home hub. For example, you can have a TP-Link or Tapo security camera trigger a light plugged into the Outlet Extender when it detects motion after sunset, and then automatically turn off after a programmed amount of time. Or you can create a shortcut button that dims your Tapo or TP-Link smart bulb when you’re ready for bed and turns off any of the company’s smart plugs, including this Outlet Extender.

The more compatible gadgets you have, the more you can do with this feature. If you’re an IFTTT subscriber, of course, you don’t necessarily need Tapo or TP-Link products to accomplish similar goals.

TP-Link’s Tapo and Kasa Smart devices can operate together in the same smart home environment. 

Michael Brown/Foundry

Further reading: This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart plugs.

In terms of a multi-plug, the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender is a fine product. It expands any duplex outlet into three smart outlets and provides three more “dumb” outlets. You also get three fast-charging smart USB plugs. So far, so good.

As a surge protector, on the other hand, it almost utterly fails. Not knowing when a surge protector can no longer protect attached devices from power surges is worse than not having surge protection in the first place. Whether smart or dumb, if Tapo’s Outlet Extender didn’t offer surge protection, you could at least plug a single-outlet surge protector into one of its outlets to power a sensitive device—a computer, for example—that you want to protect.

That said, you should never daisy-chain surge protectors–i.e., plug one surge protector into another surge protector–as that has the potential to overload the electrical circuit to which they’re connected. An overloaded electrical circuit is a fire risk.

Researchers are always developing better battery technologies, hoping to find ones that last a long time and never need to be recharged—and this month, we have yet another exciting breakthrough.

South Korean scientists from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology recently presented a prototype battery that works according to the betavoltaic principle. As the researchers explain:

“Nuclear batteries generate power by harnessing high-energy particles emitted by radioactive materials. Not all radioactive elements emit radiation that’s damaging to living organisms, and some radiation can be blocked by certain materials. For example, beta particles (also known as beta rays) can be shielded with a thin sheet of aluminum, making betavoltaics a potentially safe choice for nuclear batteries.”

This betavoltaic battery prototype is based on carbon-14, an unstable and radioactive form of carbon called radiocarbon. Although this carbon isotope is radioactive, it only produces beta radiation, which can be easily shielded to prevent harm.

Radiocarbon is already a byproduct of nuclear power plants and is therefore cheap, readily available, and easy to recycle, according to the researchers. And since radiocarbon degrades very slowly, a battery powered by radiocarbon could theoretically provide energy for decades, centuries, or even thousands of years.

According to the researchers, the latest prototype of this radiocarbon battery has a significantly higher energy conversion efficiency, which has increased from 0.48 to 2.86 percent.

This kind of nuclear battery would only be the size of a finger, and such long-lasting nuclear batteries could enable numerous applications, says Professor Su-Il In. For example, a pacemaker powered by such a battery would last a lifetime and make surgical replacement unnecessary.

At present, however, this betavoltaic battery only converts a tiny proportion of the radioactive decay into electrical energy, which results in lower performance compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Researchers still need to carry out further development work in this area.

The Chinese company Betavolt New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., based in Beijing, previously presented a diamond nuclear battery at the beginning of 2024, which is slightly smaller than a coin and is supposed to be capable of supplying electricity for 50 years without needing to be recharged in between or requiring maintenance.

The company said its battery was in the pilot phase and prepping to be launched on the market in mass production. Betavolt claimed that its atomic energy batteries could meet the needs for long-life power supply in various scenarios, such as aerospace, AI devices, medical devices, MEMS systems, advanced sensors, small drones, and micro robots.

Betavolt

According to the manufacturer, the miniature atomic energy battery combines nickel-63 nuclear isotope decomposition technology and China’s first diamond semiconductor module (fourth-generation semiconductor). In this field, and in the development of miniature atomic energy batteries, China is “far ahead of European and American scientific research institutions and companies,” according to the claim. Betavolt describes the structure of its mini nuclear battery as follows:

“Betavolt’s team of scientists developed a unique single-crystal diamond semiconductor with a thickness of just 10 micrometres by placing a 2-micrometre-thick nickel-63 film between two diamond semiconductor converters. The decay energy of the radioactive source is converted into electric current, which forms a self-contained unit. Core batteries are modular and can consist of dozens or hundreds of independent unit modules and can be used in series and parallel, allowing battery products of different sizes and capacities to be manufactured.”

Betavolt still needs to increase the performance of its mini nuclear battery to, say, provide a mobile phone with a permanent power supply. Betavolt’s first ready-to-use battery is the 15mm x 15mm x 5mm BV100, with an output of 100 microwatts and a voltage of 3 volts. This will be followed in 2025 by a mini nuclear battery with an output of 1 watt. The batteries can be connected in series and in parallel.

Nuclear batteries, also known as radionuclide batteries, have been around for a long time and are by no means a Chinese invention. Back in 2019, Russian researchers reported a breakthrough in nuclear mini-batteries with a 50-year service life. Small nuclear batteries have been used in space travel since the 1960s, and there were even nuclear-powered pacemakers in the 1970s.

These nuclear batteries obtain their energy from the radioactive decay of Ni-63, but unlike conventional radionuclide generators, the energy is not obtained from the heat generated during radioactive decay. Instead, the beta radiation of Ni-63 is converted directly into electrical energy with a diamond semiconductor. Over the years and decades, however, the amount of emitted energy decreases. In addition, such a battery can supply comparatively little energy.

Due to the use of radioactive material, the use of this energy generation method in everyday devices—such as mobile phones—is unlikely in the longer term. It’s also important to note that this method does NOT result in a dangerous chain reaction, as is the case with a nuclear reactor.

A lot of attention gets spent on the best paid antivirus suites, but free antivirus solutions are worth discussion, too. After all, free versions run off the same antivirus engines that power their paid counterparts.

So if you see a free alternative to a paid version you like, you can safely assume the antivirus protection level is similar—save for any specific malware types the free version doesn’t cover. The difference is the number of features available to you.

To create this list of the top free antivirus programs, we looked at the top mainstream antivirus suites for Windows and selected the ones that offer a free version, as not all of them do. Then we looked at how well these suites performed in third-party detection tests. We also made sure they weren’t resource hogs, because software that slows down your PC is a pain in the rear, even when it’s free.

In the end, our selection came down to these top free antivirus suites.

Pros

• Convenient Smart Scan
• Great basic protection
• Flexible features

Cons

• Frequent pop-ups & notifications

Avast One is a very highly rated antivirus program. With the free version of this suite you can run all the various virus scans. Most of the key Avast protections are also available, such as scanning new files added to your system, watching for malicious behavior from installed programs, a web browsing shield, and an email shield.

Avast Free even allows you to inspect your network and see the devices currently connected to your home router. 

Avast Free uses a so-called smart scan to look for a variety of problems including browser threats, outdated apps, viruses and malware, and “Advanced issues” such as whether your webcam is protected from hijacking and the status of your firewall. However, the trick with those advanced issues is that to supposedly fix them, you need to start paying for the Avast One suite (about $50 per year for new subscribers).

What you don’t get for free is phishing protection, the sandbox to separate suspicious files from your system, webcam shield, password protection, a sensitive data shield, identity protections, VPN, and PC utilities. It does, however, provide basic ransomware protection.

As an alternative to Windows Security, Avast is surprisingly useful in its free version and is one of the most flexible options around.

Pros

• Solid antivirus and malware scanning

Cons

• No extra features

Bitdefender’s free antivirus may have gotten a makeover, but its premise remains the same—a laser focus on guarding your PC from viruses and other malware, including web threats. You can run a quick scan or full scan, as well as create your own custom scans. VPN access is included as well, but free users are limited to just 200MB of bandwidth.

And…that’s it for features. Everything else is kept under lock and key until you upgrade to a paid subscription. No password managers, PC tools, or additional ransomware defenses. It’s malware scanning and that’s it. Well, almost it. Bitdefender’s free edition includes anti-phishing safeguards—if you create a Bitdefender account to enable the app’s full protection.

What distinguishes Bitdefender is its high rating from independent security organizations, with some of the highest detection rates for malware whether you’re online or off. So even though it’s light on features, it’s heavy on the most important quality you need in free antivirus.

Pros

• Easy to use and install
• Unobtrusive

Cons

• Many features missing from free version

Avira Free includes antivirus protection, a basic password manager, file shredder, and a free VPN with an allowance of 500MB per month. It’s not as full featured as Avira Prime, but it’ll do for a free suite.

The free version scans your PC, and offers real-time protection for your desktop. But it lacks protection from web threats and email threats, as well as additional ransomware protection for your device. It also lacks the improved PC cleanup feature for clearing out old files in the Pro version.

Installation with Avira is easy, though it does prompt you to install its secure browser (completely optional), and automatically adds its Safe Shopping browser extension to already-installed browsers on your PC, like Microsoft Edge. Avira still uses more than one application for its features, with the most notable being Avira System Speed up for PC utilities and Avira Phantom VPN. If you want a free suite that splits its attention across a wider set of features, rather than concentrating on malware protection, this is the software to look at first.

Pros

• Excellent protection for a free security suite
• Works out of the box

Cons

• Good protection, but there are higher-performing options
• No extra features to speak of

Finally, we come to Microsoft’s built-in security solution. Once upon a time, we wouldn’t even consider Windows Security (previously known as Windows Defender) for an article like this. Times have changed, however, and Windows Security is equaling the competition in terms of results from third-party testing houses.

Windows Security is very good. There are third-party options that have better detection capabilities based on independent tests, but so long as you’re not visiting sketchier places on the internet, you’ll stay protected. Windows Security is active by default in Windows 10 and 11, and it works in the background ensuring you’re protected from threats.

As you can see, there are several capable free antivirus programs for you to choose from. Still, we feel it’s important to point out what you don’t get when you opt for a free solution. Email protection, for example, is typically a paid feature—and something that people who are extremely active in a desktop email program might care about. 

Also missing from the free suites are enhanced security features such as file protection (to ward off ransomware attacks), a sandboxed area for opening suspicious files, a sandboxed browser for shopping protection, an enhanced firewall, monitoring for malicious behavior from installed programs, webcam monitoring, and a password manager. Identity monitoring and other privacy services like a VPN usually require a paid subscription, too.

If, however, you’re only looking for basic antivirus protection that scans your PC and alerts you when there’s a problem, then one of these suites will do the job without costing you a cent. 

Maybe, but probably not. To ensure that there is no malware or other threats present, antivirus software scans files and programs on your computer. The longer the time frame between each scan, the more files they will need to check. These more intensive scans may have some noticeable effects on your computer speed. Therefore it’s recommended that you do more frequent scans or even run them at night so it doesn’t affect your computer usage.

While antivirus software can have some impact on the speed of your computer, it’s most likely not the only thing—or even the most prominent. Other factors such as unnecessary startup and background programs, insufficient RAM, or even undiagnosed malware can have more drastic effects on your computer speed than a simple antivirus scan.

Ideally, your antivirus software will quarantine and clean the infected files for you. However, this largely depends on which antivirus program you’re using.

In general, the antivirus will send a warning to you and try to quarantine the infected file in order to keep it from spreading. Once it has isolated the threat, the software will give you the option to remove the infection or delete the file altogether.

A full scan performs a comprehensive and thorough check of your whole system. It usually checks your system memory, startup programs, system backup, email databases, hard drives, and any removable storage drives.

A quick scan only checks a few key areas including startup programs, system memory, and boot sectors. It may not detect all malware, but it can usually give you an idea if your computer has a virus.

We recommend doing a full scan once per week ideally when you’re not using your computer (such as late at night). A quick scan can be done anytime but it’s usually only necessary if you notice suspicious activity on your PC.

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is on its last legs, closing down at the end of March 31st! This year’s spring sales event kicked off on March 25th and will end today, March 31st. We’ve had a whole week to take advantage of fantastic discounts all across Amazon, including on amazing tech.

As always, we’ve kept an eye on the best tech deals that have been worth your attention, rounding up some of the most impressive discounts.

Here’s the chance to get your hands on the last deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale 2025!

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale event is a good excuse for you to get the products that have been sitting in your wishlist for a better price. There’s a good selection of discounts across the board, including for tech products, laptops, storage drives, mini PCs, keyboards, mice, and more.

We’re already seeing new all-time lows for some of our favorite stuff, and even for products that haven’t had a proper price drop in a while.

Some of these Big Spring Sale deals are exclusive to Prime members. If you aren’t subscribed yet, I recommend trying out a free 30-day trial so you can score these big discounts and play with the other perks like Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Gaming. After your trial ends, Amazon Prime costs $15 per month or $139 per year.

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale 2025 is live (as of March 25th) and runs through to March 31st. Here are some great deals to score this week:

Samsung

• SK Hynix Beetle X31 portable SSD, 1TB, 1,050MB/s — $68 (24% off)
• SanDisk Extreme Pro portable SSD, 4TB, 2,000MB/s — $270 (33% off)
• Kingston XS1000R portable SSD, 1TB, 1,050MB/s — $76 (11% off)
• Samsung T7 portable SSD, 2TB, 1,050MB/s — $140 (48% off)
• Samsung T7 Shield portable SSD, 2TB, 1,050MB/s — $150 (47% off)
• Crucial X9 Pro portable SSD, 2TB, 1,050MB/s — $140 (22% off)
• Crucial X9 portable SSD, 2TB, 1,050MB/s — $130 (13% off)
• SanDisk Creator Pro portable SSD, 2TB, 2,000MB/s — $180 (31% off)
• Lexar Professional Go portable SSD, 1TB, 1,050MB/s — $169.69 (11% off)
• Crucial BX500 internal SSD, 1TB, 540MB/s — $59 (38% off)
• Crucial P310 internal SSD, 1TB, 7,100MB/s — $65 (34% off)
• Lexar NS100 internal SSD, 1TB, 550MB/s — $59 (46% off)
• WD Blue SA510 internal SSD, 2TB, 560MB/s — $130 (19% off)
• Samsung 990 EVO Plus internal SSD, 2TB, 7,250 MB/s — $140 (24% off)
• Samsung 870 EVO internal SSD, 1TB — $96.92 (33% off)
• Kingston NV3 1 internal SSD, 1TB, 6,000 MB/s — $53 (34% off)

Samsung

• SK Hynix Tube T31, 1TB, 1,000MB/s — $64 (20% off)
• Samsung Bar Plus, 256GB, 400MB/s — $20 (50% off)
• Samsung USB-C Flash Drive, 256GB, 400MB/s — $27 (23% off)
• SanDisk Extreme PRO, 1TB, 420MB/s — $90 (38% off)
• Samsung Fit Plus, 128GB, 400MB/s — $15 (35% off)
• SanDisk Ultra Fit, 512GB, 500MB/s — $35 (30% off)
• Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 50, 512GB, 300MB/s — $203 (17% off)
• SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go, 1TB, 400MB/s — $68.20 (38% off)
• Samsung EVO Select microSD, 512GB, 160MB/s — $35 (13% off)
• SanDisk Ultra microSD, 256GB, 150MB/s — $19.45 (25% off)
• SanDisk Express microSD, 256GB, 650MB/s — $60 (8% off)
• Samsung Pro Plus microSD, 512GB, 180MB/s — $38 (50% off)
• SanDisk Creator, 1TB, 190MB/s — $90 (47% off)
• SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe, type-C, 256GBm 400MB/s — $22.91 (24% off)

IDG

• Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, 49-inch, 5120×1440, 240Hz — $950 (41% off)
• Acer Nitro, 27-inch, 2560×1440, 180Hz — $180 (38% off)
• Arzopa portable monitor, 15.6-inch, 1080p, 60Hz — $65 (41% off)
• Samsung Odyssey G55C, 32-inch, 2560×1440, 165Hz — $230 (30% off)
• Asus TUF, 34-inch, 3440×1440, 165Hz — $325 (12% off)
• MSI MAG 321UPX, 32-inch, 3840×2160, 240Hz — $800 (11% off)
• Alienware AW3423DWF, 34-inch, 3440×1440, 165Hz — $781.79 (13% off)
• Samsung ViewFinity, 34-inch, 3440×1440, 100Hz — $250 (24% off)
• Samsung M8 smart monitor, 32-inch, 3840×2160, 60Hz — $500 (29% off)
• Samsung Essential S3, 27-inch, 1920×1080, 100Hz — $110 (39% off)
• LG 34WP60C-B, 34-inch, 3440×1440, 160Hz — $250 (29% off)
• KYY 15,6-inch portable monitor, 1080p — $80 (20% off)
• Samsung T35F, 27-inch, 1080p, 75Hz — $100 (35% off)
• Samsung Odyssey G4, 25-inch, 1080p, 240Hz — $200 (29% off)
• LG UltraGear 34GP63A-B, 34-inch, 160Hz — $260 (35% off)
• MNN portable monitor, 15.6-inch, 1080p — $60 (33% off)

Acer

• Microsoft Surface Laptop, 15-inch touchscreen, Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD — $1,172.17 (31% off)
• Asus TUF A15, 15.6-inch, AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, 8GB DDR5, Nvidia RTX 2050, 512GB SSD — $600 (14% off)
• Samsung Galaxy Book5 360, 15.6-inch, Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD — $1,250 (7% off)
• Asus ROG Strix G16, Intel Core i7, 16GB DDR5, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 1TB SSD — $1,287.30 (8% off)
• HP 15, 15.6-inch, Intel Core i5, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD — $550 (15% off)
• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro, 16-inch, Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD — $1,381.06 (21% off)
• Dell Inspiron 15 3530, 15.6-inch, Intel Core i7, 32GB, 1TB SSD — $884 (63% off)
• Asus TUF A17, 17.3-inch, AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 1TB SSD — $1,179 (21% off)
• Microsoft Surface Laptop, 15-inch, Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD — $1,499 (29% off)
• Microsoft Surface Pro 2-in-1, Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD — $1,400 (18% off)
• Lenovo ThinkPad E16 G2, 16-inch, AMD Ryzen 7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD — $900 (50% off)
• Acer Aspire, 15.6-inch, AMD Ryzen 7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD — $499 (17% off)
• Asus TUF A16, 16-inch, AMD Ryzen AI 9, 32GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 1TB SSD — $1,500 (12% off)

Acer

• Acer Chromebook Plus 514, 14-inch, AMD Ryzen 3, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC — $300 (25% off)
• Lenovo IdeaPad 3i, 15.6-inch, Intel Celeron N4500, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC — $185 (36% off)
• Asus Chromebook CM14, 14-inch, MediaTek Kompanio 520, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD — $154 (45% off)
• HP Chromebook 14, 14-inch, Intel N100, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC — $220 (19% off)
• Acer Chromebook 315, 15.6-inch, Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage — $210 (9% off)

Beelink

• Beelink SER5 Pro, AMD Ryzen 7 5850U, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 500GB SSD — $276 (23% off)
• Geekom A5, AMD Ryzen 7 5825U, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD — $299 (14% off)
• Beelink SER5, AMD Ryzen 7 5850U, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 500GB SSD — $329 (23% off)
• Acemagician Vista V1, Intel N95, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD — $149 (45% off)
• Bosgame P3, AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD — $340 (15% off)
• Geekom A8, AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD — $699 (18% off)
• Geekom AX8 Max, AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD — $599 (20% off)

Belkin

• Ugreen Revodok Max 208 Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 8-in-1 — $160 (36% off)
• Microsoft Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 8-in-1 — $212 (29% off)
• Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 10-in-1 — $290 (12% off)
• Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 11-in-1 — $169 (23% off)
• Belkin Docking Station, 15-in-1 — $215 (14% off)
• Plugable UD-3900 Docking Station, 12-in-1 — $85.43 (34% off)
• Anker USB-C hub, 5-in-1 — $25 (29% off)
• Baseus USB-C hub, 9-in-1 — $46 (28% off)
• Acer USB hub, 4-in-1 — $10 (50% off)
• Baseus laptop docking station, 9-in-1 — $46 (28% off)

Ugreen

• Baseus 20,000mAh, 100W, 4-port power bank — $53 (47% off)
• Baseus Picogo 10,000mAh, 45W, 3-port power bank — $23.74 (41% off)
• Ugreen 20,000mAh, 100W, 3-port power bank — $53 (34% off)
• Ugreen Nexode 20,000mAh, 145W, 3-port + MagSafe power bank — $100 (33% off)
• Anker 60,000mAh portable outdoor generator — $90 (40% off)
• Anker Zolo 10,000mAh, 30W, 2-port + built-in USB-C cable — $12.94 (50% off)
• Anker 737, 24,000mAh, 140W, 3-port power bank — $88 (41% off)
• Anker Laptop Power Bank, 25,000mAh, 100W, 2-port + 2 built-in cables —$88 (20% off)
• Iniu, 27,000mAh, 140W, 3-port — $70.57 (29% off)
• Baseus Laptop Power Bank, 20,000mAh, 100W — $60 (54% off)
• Anker Laptop Charger, 140W, 4-port — $76.49 (15% off)

Flexispot

• Flexispot EN1 electric standing desk, 48×24 inches — $110 (35% off)
• Flexispot EN2 electric standing desk, 48×24 inches — $150 (42% off)
• Marsail electric standing desk, 42×24 inches — $90 (34% off)
• Claiks electric standing desk, 24×48 inches — $100 (17% off)
• GTPLAYER gaming chair — $80 (47% off)

Foundry

• Apple iMac M4, 24-inch Retina display, 16GB memory, 256GB storage — $1,193 (8% off)
• Apple AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds — $170 (32% off)
• Apple iPad (10th Gen), 64GB storage — $269 (20% off)
• Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro), 128GB — $399 (20% off)
• Apple iPad Air M2, 13-inch, 256GB — $798 (11% off)
• Apple MacBook Pro, 16.2-inch, M4 Pro, 24GB memory, 512GB storage — $2,229 (11% off)
• Apple Watch Series 10, GPS, 46mm — $359 (16% off)
• Apple MacBook Pro, 14.2-inch, M4, 16GB memory, 512GB storage — $1,399 (13% off)
• Apple Pencil Pro — $99 (23% off)
• Apple 20W USB-C power adapter — $15 (21% off)
• Beats Pill — $99.95 (33% off)
• Beats Studio Pro — $179.95 (49% off)

Amazon

• Kindle Scribe, 64GB — $365 (19% off)
• Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, 32GB — $225 (20% off)
• Kindle Paperwhite Kids, 16GB — $140 (22% off)
• Insignia Class F30, 50-inch — $190 (37% off)
• Amazon Echo Show 5 — $70 (22% off)
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $40 (33% off)
• Blink Mini 2, two-pack — $38 (46% off)
• Blink Outdoor 4, 5-pack — $200 (50% off)
• Blink Video Doorbell — $33 (45% off)
• Amazon Echo Spot — $65 (19% off)
• Amazon Echo Pop — $30 (25% off)
• Ring Outdoor Cam — $60 (25% off)
• Eero 6+ mesh wifi system, 3-pack — $225 (25% off)

Reolink

• Eufy SoloCam S220, 2-pack, built-in solar panel — $120 (48% off)
• Eufy SoloCam S340 — $140 (30% off)
• Aqara 2K indoor camera E1 — $45 (25% off)
• Netvue Birdfy smart bird feeder — $144.49 (37% off)
• Govee RGBIC floor lamp — $60 (40% off with Prime)
• Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra — $1,000 (44% off)
• SwitchBot K10+ Pro — $270 (55% off)
• Tapo C120 indoor/outdoor camera — $25 (38% off)
• Kasa EC70 indoor smart security camera — $19.91 (34% off)
• Tapo MagCam outdoor camera — $65 (17% off)
• Philips Hue smart light starter kit — $72.98 (44% off)
• Google Nest Doorbell (2nd gen, wired) — $147.90 (18% off)
• Tapo D210 video doorbell camera with chime — $50 (29% off)
• SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro — $170 (29% off)
• Aqara Samart Plug — $25.49 (23% off)
• SwitchBot Blind Tilt Motorized Blinds — $49 (30% off)
• Govee 65.6ft RGBIC LED Strip Lights — $45 (31% off)
• Amazon Smart Plug, works with Alexa — $20 (20% off)

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 — $22.50 (25% off)
• Consciot LED camping lantern — $38.13 (13% off)
• Clemas telescopic camping lights — $62.36 (30% off with Prime)
• Dewalt 20V Max cordless drill and impact driver — $139 (40% off)
• Addtam surge protector outlet extender — $11.89 (21% off with Prime)
• Nextmug self-heating coffee mug — $99.94 (23% off)
• AI rechargeable hand warmers, 2-pack — $19 (37% off)
• Logitech MX vertical mouse — $81.99 (18% off)
• Bose QuietComfort — $254 (27% off)
• Treblab Z7 Pro ANC headphones — $113.97 (43% off)
• Anker USB-C to USB-C, 60W, 6ft, two-pack — $8 (20% off)
• Anker Prime USB-C to USB-C, 240W, 6ft — $26 (26% off)
• TP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Extender — $18 (64% off)
• Fitbit Inspire 3 fitness tracker — $69.95 (30% off)
• Fitbit Versa 4 — $159.95 (20% off)
• Google Pixel Watch 3 — $290 (17% off)
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 — $229 (24% off)
• Ugreen NASync DXP4800 Plus 4-bay desktop NAS — $560 (20% off)
• Google Pixel Tablet — $399 (20% off)
• Lenovo Tab P12 — $275 (24% off)
• Treblab HD77 Bluetooth speaker, IPX7 — $59.47 (42% off)
• JBL Charge 5, IP67 — $119.95 (33% off)

Nearly six months after first announcing its “new experience,” Plex is rolling out the promised top-to-bottom revamp of its mobile app to all users, and yes, big changes are in store. 

I’ve already covered most of the big cosmetic changes, including the replacement of the “hamburger” navigation in the top corner of the app with a row of five tabs at the bottom of the screen, including dedicated tabs for Libraries and Live TV. 

The title details screens for movies and TV shows have also been spruced up, including the use of title graphics from the content providers “where available.” I’ve been cruising through the shows and movies in my own personal Plex library, and I’ve noticed that all but the most obscure items now boast title graphics. That’s a nice change from the text titles in the old Plex app. 

But while Plex’s “new experience” for Android and iOS users (Apple TV and other platforms are coming later) certainly looks more polished and offers dozens of improvements, there are also some rough edges that will bother longtime Plex users, along with a few features that have been unceremoniously dropped. 

Plex’s “new experience” revamp is serving as a backdrop to another big change, with Plex about to move remote personal media streaming behind its Plex Pass paywall. That new policy is set to take effect on April 29, the same date when a steep Plex Pass price hike takes effect.

It’s worth noting that the so-called “new” Plex experience is now the only Plex experience, at least for mobile. A Plex rep has confirmed to me that once you update the Plex mobile app to the new version, there’s no going back.

Here are just a few things you should know before updating the Plex app to the “new experience,” starting with… 

If you’re an iOS user who’s accustomed to casting your Plex shows to an Apple TV or another AirPlay-compatible device, bad news: for now, the updated Plex mobile app offers system-level screen mirroring, not native AirPlay casting. 

That means if you want to cast Plex videos to another device without simply sharing your screen, you’ll have to do so via Chromecast. 

Plex says it will “continue bringing in more casting functionality” over the “coming months.” 

Even if you are casting on Plex using Chromecast, you won’t be able to cast live TV from your Plex Media Server using the “new experience” mobile app. 

Luckily, this sounds like just a temporary restriction, with Plex noting that it’s “actively working on casting improvements, including resolving this issue.” 

If you’re using Plex as a DVR, you can still watch recorded shows and record in-progress shows from the updated Plex mobile app, but you can’t schedule future DVR recordings—not yet, anyway. (You can, of course, still schedule DVR recordings using the Plex web client.)

Again, Plex says it’s working on it: “Scheduling is intended to be part of the mobile experience and we are working as you read this on making sure this will be available soon.” 

Plex had previously announced that its “Watch Together” feature, which allows Plex users to join watch parties with friends, would be going away with the “new experience” update, but it’s worth repeating here. 

If you really want to stream Plex videos with friends, you can still do so using the Plex web app, and Plex has also said that it doesn’t “preclude the possibility of offering similar functionality again in the future, using new tooling.” 

With the arrival of its new mobile experience, Plex is dropping the ability for personal server users to share individual titles and video playlists with others. 

Plex Media Server users will still be able to share entire libraries with friends and family (don’t forget, remote streaming of your personal Plex library is about to become a paid feature), and any individual items you’ve previously shared will remain so, Plex said. However, you won’t be able to share any new individual files or playlists. 

With the new Plex experience for mobile doing away with the left-hand sidebar on the old app comes an obvious side effect: You can no longer pin specific libraries to the now-missing sidebar. 

That said, the revamped Plex app offers a handy workaround: Just long-press the Libraries tab at the bottom of the screen. When you do, you’ll get a pop-up that displays your favorite media libraries. Tap one of them, and you’re good to go. 

Last week, Google launched the new Gemini 2.5 AI model, the company’s “most intelligent AI model” that’s designed to tackle increasingly complex problems. At launch, Gemini 2.5 was only available to paying Gemini Advanced and Google AI Studio customers, but that’s no longer the case.

Over the weekend, Google announced on social media that Gemini 2.5 is “taking off” and the company wants to get the thinking AI model “into more people’s hands” ASAP. As such, the experimental version of Gemini 2.5 Pro is now available to all Gemini users, free of charge. However, it remains to be seen how long the AI model will stay free.

Kristian Kask

If you want to try out Gemini’s new abilities with Gemini 2.5 Pro, all you have to do is go to the Gemini web app and select 2.5 Pro (experimental) as the AI model from the drop-down menu at the top-left corner of the chat window.

Every Windows user has encountered the legendary “Blue Screen of Death” (or BSOD for short) at least once. More than anything else, the infamous error screen is characterized by its bright blue color, the sad smiley face, and the bluntly plain “An error has occurred” message, which all make the screen so instantly recognizable.

But Microsoft is now changing the design of the blue error screen and breaking with tradition. In fact, it won’t be called a “blue screen” anymore because, at least in the current preview version of Windows 11 24H2, the error screen is now completely black. (For Windows Insiders on test versions, the error screen will be green instead.)

Microsoft

It’s not just the color. Other iconic elements are also apparently being removed, as Windows Latest has discovered. For example, it no longer displays a sad smiley face or a QR code. The QR codes have been a part of the blue screen error design since 2016 with Windows 10, and are intended to direct users to relevant troubleshooting tips.

The text has also been changed. It now says “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” which is much shorter and less ominous or overwhelming. It also says “device” instead of “PC,” which broadens it to more than just desktops and laptops. The specific reason for the crash (and the error code) is displayed at the bottom in much smaller text.

Microsoft allegedly developed a new system crash screen back during the initial development of Windows 11, but apparently discarded those changes—or at least postponed them for a later release. Perhaps that time is now, with preview builds already using the new design.

Why does Microsoft even want to change the BSOD in the first place? That’s anyone’s guess. It’s possible that Microsoft doesn’t like the iconic reputation of the blue error screen, which in some ways symbolizes the numerous problems that often come with Windows updates.

If that’s the case, it’s hard to see the redesigned error screen as an improvement—the new look is now even more reminiscent of a funeral, as it’s completely black and white. And despite the accrued baggage, the familiar blue screen will certainly be missed by long-time Windows users, as it has long been a historical part of the Windows experience.

It’s not yet known exactly when the new system crash error screen will be rolled out to the public version of Windows 11. We haven’t yet been able to discover it in the official Windows 11 roadmap, but the change will probably be introduced in an upcoming Patch Tuesday.

Shortly before the weekend, Microsoft removed the BypassNRO.cmd script from the preview versions of Windows 11 for Insiders on the Dev Channel, as Microsoft announced in a blog post:

“We’re removing the bypassnro.cmd script from the build to enhance security and user experience of Windows 11. This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.”

This command line script bypassed the Microsoft Account requirement when installing Windows 11, so testers could install and log into Windows 11 with a local account instead. (Theoretically, it’s possible to manually create the same registry entry that BypassNRO.cmd created, but doing it this way is tedious and requires good registry knowledge. You can find the necessary registry entry at BleepingComputer).

But there’s some good news, too. Resourceful Windows Insider testers have already found a replacement solution for Windows 11 Home and Pro. A user named Witherornot1337 has published the instructions on X/Twitter. It involves opening the command prompt from the Windows key + X menu, then enter the following command:

start ms-cxh:localonly

A Windows window (which looks like an old Windows 10 window) will open, in which you can create a local account with a username and password, then continue with the installation of Windows 11.

In the tweet, a video clip shows the entire process. This method is pretty simple—much simpler than hacking your own Windows registry entry—and works without restarting Windows. The only question is how long Microsoft will allow this solution.

At the moment, the removal of BypassNRO.cmd only affects the preview version of Windows 11. In other words, BypassNRO.cmd is still included in the public versions of the OS. But if this change holds, then expect it to disappear from all Windows 11 PCs later this year.

I’ve searched high and low for an enterprise-grade laptop that’s portable, has the tools I need to keep my work secure, but that’s also powerful enough to run graphically demanding 3D models, design software, and games.

But up until now the closest thing I’ve come across is a creator laptop that can’t compete in the portability stakes. Plus it looks too industrial for the office — yuk!

HP’s new 14-inch HP ZBook Ultra G1a, however, just won’t toe the line on that paradigm. In fact, it destroys it completely, combining an extremely lightweight, thin, and attractive chassis, a powerful AI-capable chipset, and most importantly – the one thing that has me so in awe – graphics power that can rival a gaming laptop. What?!

How much graphics power am I talking about? As an example, at HP’s launch event for the ZBook Ultra G1a the HP team had it running an F1 Simulator and outputting to multiple displays at 2.2K resolution, and it still managed to average an impressive100 frames per second! Are you catching on why this laptop has my attention now?

But as impressive as that is, the HP ZBook Ultra G1a shouldn’t be confused for a gaming laptop. No, this laptop is an enterprise laptop through and through, with all the hallmarks of a modern workstation. It has a compact 14-inch chassis that’s both robust and strong. Its 2.8K OLED display is color rich, but it’s also easy on the eyes thanks to its Eyesafe certification.

I mentioned before that it’s light and thin, but in fact it’s impressively so! It weighs no more than 3.3 pounds and measures just 0.73 inches at the front — so you won’t have any problem packing it into a satchel for meetings on the fly.

The port selection is very good, too, for a small laptop. You get 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 10Gbps USB-C port, a USB-A port, as well as an HDMI 2.1 port and a 3.5mm Kensington lock. This pocket rocket also supports up to 4TB storage, so there’s plenty of space to store large files and programs. For video calls it has a 5MP IR camera.

HP ZBook Ultra G1a also has the kind of security that differentiates work laptops from other types. It comes with HP’s Wolf Security and a fingerprint reader for utilizing the Windows Hello secure login. HP demonstrated the HP SureView onlooker protection feature on the Ultra G1a which blurs your screen when you walk away from it. No doubt that will come in handy when strangers try to peek at your game… ahem…work!

The HP ZBook has a spacious backlit, spill-resistant keyboard and large trackpad. Shown here: The keyboard backlighting is switched off. 

Dominic Bayley / Foundry

The key behind the ZBook Ultra G1a’s power and portability can be put down to one thing: Its AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro chip which I’ve been wanting to see in action ever since I heard about it at CES 2025.

This impressive piece of silicon is based on AMD’s new Strix Halo architecture. It combines CPU, GPU, and NPU processing all on a single chip. Indeed, the Ultra G1a can be configured with any one of nine AMD Strix Halo processors, ranging from the AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 386 up to the zippiest AMD Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395.

The latter puts 16 cores of glorious desktop-grade CPU power in your hands with an impressive 5.1GHz maximum clock speed, so more than enough to keep even the most demanding apps ticking along smoothly. The graphics power comes courtesy of 40 integrated RDNA 3.5 cores.

The HP ZBook G1a is adept at running design programs that render images in 3D. 

Dominic Bayley / Foundry

If the APU is impressive, so is the memory it feeds. It consists of a unified architecture that features up to 128GB DDR5 RAM running at 8,533 MT/s. A whopping 96GB of that RAM can be allocated to the GPU for when you need the ZBook Ultra G1a to run the most graphically demanding programs.

The other benefit of the APU and unified memory is multitasking, which I saw in action at the HP launch event as well. HP said the Ultra G1a can easily handle complex 3D sets interactively, and large AI models locally — the latter of which is going to redefine what workers can achieve on the edge without the need of the cloud. So, this laptop has workflow as well as rendering down pat.

One demonstration had the HP ZBook Ultra G1a running the application Amuse simultaneously alongside the programs Navisworks and LM Studio, again outputting to different displays. Despite loading up the chip with this level of work, the performance remained very smooth. If there was any lag, I didn’t see it.

The HP ZBook Ultra G1a had no problem running multiple applications simultaneously.

Dominic Bayley / Foundry

HP said the Ultra G1a would suit a range of different professionals, from engineers to creative professionals. I have no doubt about that.

Suffice it to say, this laptop has the kind of power and portability that could make their lives a lot easier — not to mention boost productivity. One productivity model presented by AMD at the launch showed a productivity boost of 39 percent — but anything just shy of that would still be useful.

To that end the ZBook Ultra G1a is very well equipped with AI power — which is expected to be one of the biggest boosters of productivity in the future. The NPU supports 50 TOPS processing power to a total 125 TOPS total power for the whole chip. That’s enough for a seamless experience with AI apps like Microsoft Copilot or HP’s own AI Companion.

Me, I’m not sure I’ll push the AI power to the limits. I’m just excited to see how far I can push the graphics power when I get a review model to test. Judging by what I’ve seen so far, I think I’ve got a lot more eyebrow raising to look forward to.

A gaming laptop with a great configuration that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg can be hard to find. Well, today we found a great deal on the Acer Nitro V 15 for just $750 at Best Buy!

Most laptops in the $750 price range come with lesser processors and integrated graphics that result in sluggish systems that don’t let you have much fun. But not this Acer! This one comes with an Intel Core i7-13620H processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 dedicated graphics card—a phenomenal combo for the price.

The 13th-generation CPU is fast and can handle all sorts of tasks that you have to complete throughout the day, including work, gaming, and content creation. The 16GB of RAM is the minimum I recommend for a Windows laptop these days, and it’s enough to let you multitask several apps and browser tabs without slowing to a crawl. Oh, and you also get a decent 512GB SSD that’ll make booting up your system and loading up your apps and games a breeze.

And the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 is a solid graphics card that’ll let you play most games in your library. It’s not the newest generation, or even the best in its own generation, but you can’t really complain when you’re only shelling out $750. It’s the best you can ask for in this range, and those games will look great on this laptop’s 15.6-inch IPS display with its standard 1080p resolution but above-standard 144Hz refresh rate.

What are you waiting for? Get the Acer Nitro V 15 for $750 at Best Buy sooner than later because this hot deals on gaming laptops like this one tend not to last very long.

Firstly, you need your signature in digital form, preferably using a tablet PC with pen input. If you don’t have such a device to hand, sign on a white sheet of paper and take a photo of your signature using a scanner app.

Microsoft’s OneDrive app, which not only provides access to the manufacturer’s cloud storage, but also has a good scanner function integrated, is an uncomplicated help here. Start the OneDrive app on your smartphone and tap the camera icon under “Start” in the bottom right-hand corner.

A camera app will open in which you can select “Document” at the bottom before taking a photo. This will automatically lighten shadows on the white paper. After taking the photo, you can use “Crop” to remove unnecessary edges and “Done” to save the file to OneDrive.

If the quality of the photo is not yet satisfactory, you can improve it in any image-editing program using “Contrast” and “Brightness.”

Use a scanner app to take a photo of your signature and insert it as an electronic signature in Word, for example. You can do this with the free OneDrive app from Microsoft, for example.

IDG

In Word, insert the photo of your signature into the document at the desired location using Insert > Picture > This device. After inserting, the image can be reduced in size using the frame corners. To speed things up in future, create a “quick block.”

In Word, select the inserted signature and any additional text such as “Yours sincerely.” Press the Alt-F3 key combination or select Insert > Quick blocks > Save selection in quick block catalog.

Enter a short description under “Name.” You can insert the quick block by entering the name in Word and then pressing the F3 key. There must be no space between the name and the cursor when you press F3.

A “quick block” can be created from your inserted signature and the surrounding text, which can then be inserted using the F3 key.

IDG

Important: An electronic signature is actually “only” a photo of your signature that you insert into a digital document. It therefore does not have the same legal effect as a digital signature.

A legally valid digital signature is an asymmetric encryption system that has been regulated by the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (ESIGN) Act in 2000. This distinguishes between simple, advanced and qualified electronic signatures. Information on digital signatures can be found here.

Reading tip: Microsoft Word: 9 tricks and hidden features

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.

I bet you there’s something you need on your desk that you probably didn’t realize you needed. I’m talking about this 6-in-1 Baseus Blade charging station that’s compact, practical, and only $59.49 on Amazon with this Prime deal plus the extra 15% off promo code on the product page. (Be sure to apply code JF8DVF7C at checkout, and grab a free 30-day Prime trial if you aren’t a member!)

The Baseus Blade charging station features two AC outlets, three USB-C ports, and a USB-A port. The whole thing is about the size and shape of a typical smartphone, so it can easily slip inside any bag, making it great for travel. (The detachable 5-feet cord is a lovely bonus.) But it’s also perfect as a home office desk accessory for keeping all your things charged.

Since it uses modern GaN technology, the Baseus Blade is not only smaller in size but also more power efficient, allowing it to charge faster and give off less heat. And with its 7-point safety system, your devices are protected against over-voltage, over-current, and short circuits.

This charging station delivers a maximum of 140W through the right-most USB-C port, with power throughput being split when multiple ports are in use. You can see exactly how much power each port is delivering by checking out the on-device LCD display.

Don’t miss this awesome price! Get this Baseus Blade 6-in-1 charging station for $59.49 on Amazon while you can. Make sure to redeem promo code JF8DVF7C at checkout, and sign up for a 30-day free trial of Prime for this deal and extra perks if you aren’t Prime yet.

HP is broadening its Omen gaming lineup with components for desktop gaming PCs. Previously HP focused on prebuilt Omen desktops and gaming laptops, so this shift will likely sit well with gamers looking to upgrade or build new rigs.

These components are now listed on HP’s website. They include a standalone 120mm RGB fan, a 120mm modular RGB fan triple pack, and a 1000W modular PSU. A modular 240mm LCD liquid cooling system and a larger 360mm RGB liquid cooling system are featured on HP’s website as well.

HP claims its Omen fans will cool efficiently thanks to their angular ring-shaped design that provides a high airflow. Additionally, their high static pressure will minimize vibrations. Each fan comes with 10 LEDs, so you’ll be able to customize them with up to 16.2 million colors and animations via the Omen Gaming Hub.

The company’s 1000W Omen PSU will come with modular connectors and a PCIe 5.1 cable that will provide up to 600W of power. The PSU will support the latest graphics cards with 12VHPWR and 12V-2×6 ports. A zero RPM mode will shut the fan off during low heat loads for a quieter power delivery.

The liquid cooling components will both feature Asetek 7th generation pumps as well as customizable RGB parts. All the modular components will be compatible with the Omen daisy chain system, allowing you to connect up to 16 fans per Omen Modular Hub.

As for compatibility, HP said the components will be compatible with desktop PCs outside of the Omen brand, allowing gamers to mix and match parts as they see fit. No word on the release date yet, but, according to HP’s website, these components are coming soon, so check back here for further details.

Did you know that March 31st is World Backup Day? It’s your early reminder of how important it is to safeguard your digital data from potential loss. It’s also a great time to score fantastic discounts on Samsung storage options with these special deals!

Samsung’s T9 is an absolute beast of a portable SSD and we loved it enough to give it a 4.5-star rating in our review. Right now, you can get the 2TB version for $180 at Samsung’s store (also on Amazon), which is a solid 31% discount. Or get the 4TB version for $280 from Samsung, which is 40% off (also on Amazon).

If you want to upgrade your computer’s internal storage, the 4TB Samsung 990 PRO SSD is down to $290 at Samsung, which is $110 off its MSRP. (Amazon has this one for $280, if you want to save an additional $10.) The Heatsink version of the 990 PRO, however, is on sale for $300 at both Samsung and Amazon.

If you’d rather get a microSD for your phone, tablet, camera, or whatever other device, the 512GB Samsung PRO Plus (Sonic the Hedgehog Edition) with an SD adapter is on sale for $40. With read and write speeds of up to 180 MB/s and 130 MB/s, respectively, you’ll speedily transfer files or record 4K videos. (Amazon has the same offer.)

Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the chance to get the right backup solution for your needs, saving hundreds in the process!

Looking for a high performance laptop at a reasonable price? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you need a blazing fast gaming machine, a budget-friendly laptop under $500, or a dependable Chromebook for daily tasks, we’ve carefully selected the best deals available today. Plus, between our expert knowledge and hands-on testing, you can rest assured you’ll get the best value for your money.

Want even more choices? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now.

Lenovo

Our top pick: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5, $429.99 ($360 off at B&H)

Sometimes all you need is an affordable laptop for browsing social media and watching Netflix. If you’re in the market for such a laptop, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 is worth considering. It’s powered by an Intel Core 5 120U processor, which is suitable for office work and day-to-day tasks. You’re also getting 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, and the 1200p display measures a pretty spacious 16 inches.

More laptop deals under $500

• Asus FHD Laptop, Intel Celeron N4500 processor/14-inch 1080p display/4GB RAM/64GB eMMC, $119.99 ($60 off at Best Buy)
• Acer Aspire 3, Intel Core i3-N305 processor/14-inch 1080p display/8GB RAM/128GB SSD, $219.99 ($140 off at B&H)
• Asus Vivobook 14, Intel Core i3-1215U processor/14-inch 1080p display/8GB RAM/128GB SSD, $250.99 ($176 off at Best Buy)
• Acer Aspire Go 15, Intel Core i3-N305 processor/15.6-inch 1080p display/8GB RAM/128GB flash memory, $264.99 ($125 off at Adorama)
• Asus Vivobook Go, AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor/15.6-inch 1080p display/8GB RAM/128GB SSD, $274.99 ($100 off at Adorama)
• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i, Intel Core 3 100U processor/15.6-inch 1080p display/8GB RAM/256GB SSD, $349.99 ($189.01 off at B&H)
• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, AMD Ryzen 3 7330U processor/15.6-inch 1080p display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $379.99 ($285 off at Lenovo)
• Acer Aspire 5 15, Intel Core i5-1335U processor/15.6-inch 1080p display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $398.99 ($220 off at B&H)

Acer

Our top pick: Acer Swift Edge 16, $699.99 ($600 off at Newegg)

The Acer Swift Edge 16 is built for both performance and portability. Inside you’ll find an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor, AMD Radeon 780M graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage, so it’s well-suited for multitasking and lighter workloads. The 16-inch 3200×2000 OLED display also delivers deep blacks and rich colors, which is perfect for watching movies or general productivity tasks. It’s surprisingly lightweight, too, weighing in at just 2.73 pounds.

More mid-range laptop deals:

• Dell Inspiron 5441, Snapdragon X Plus processor/14-inch 1920×1200 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $549.99 ($250 off at Amazon)
• HP Dragonfly Pro, AMD Ryzen 7 7736U processor/14-inch 1200p IPS touch display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $599 ($800 off at B&H)
• Acer Swift Go 14, Intel Core Ultra 5 processor/14-inch 2880×1800 display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $649.99 ($200 off at Amazon)
• Samsung Galaxy Book4, Intel Core i7-1355U processor/15.6-inch 1080p display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $699.99 ($300 off at Adorama)
• Dell Inspiron 16 Plus, Intel Core i7-13620H processor/16-inch 2560×1600 display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $826.08 ($123.91 off at Amazon)
• Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Snapdragon X Plus processor/13.8-inch 2304×1536 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $829 ($370.99 off at Amazon)

Acer

Our top pick: Acer Nitro V, $969.99 ($180 off at Amazon)

The Acer Nitro V offers powerful hardware for a decent price. It comes loaded with an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU as well as 16GB of memory and 512GB of PCIe SSD storage. Given the hardware, you shouldn’t have any problem zipping through most games on Medium or High graphics. The 15.6-inch LED-backlit IPS display also has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a refresh rate of 144Hz, which should give you a smoother experience in games.

More gaming laptop deals:

• Asus TUF Gaming A15, RTX 2050 graphics/15.6-inch 1080p display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $599.99 ($100 off at Amazon)
• Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9, RTX 4060 graphics/15.6-inch 1080p display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $749.99 ($370 off at B&H)
• Gigabyte G6 KF 16, RTX 4060 graphics/16-inch 1200p display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,049.99 ($150 off at Best Buy)
• MSI Katana 15, RTX 4070 graphics/15.6-inch 2560×1440 display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,149 ($250 off at B&H)
• Lenovo Legion 5i, RTX 4060 graphics/16-inch 1600p display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,199.99 ($400 off at B&H)
• MSI Stealth 14 AI Studio, RTX 4070 graphics/14-inch 2880×1800/64GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,699.99 ($699.01 off at Adorama)

Acer

Our top pick: Acer Swift X 14, $1,149.99 ($350 off at Amazon)

The Acer Swift X 14 really is the full package. It has a beautiful 2880×1800 OLED display, a lightweight form factor, powerful hardware, and a diverse selection of connectivity options. It weighs just 3.31 pounds, which is perfect if you’re an on-the-go type of person. This laptop also comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD. Given the specs, this laptop should be able to handle light workloads as well as more demanding applications. Other cool features include a backlit chiclet-style keyboard, a 76 watt-hour battery, and an RJ45 (Ethernet) port.

More premium laptop deals:

• Microsoft Surface, Snapdragon X Elite processor/13.8-inch 1536p touch display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,029 ($370.99 off at Amazon)
• LG Gram SuperSlim, Intel Core i5-1340P processor/15.6-inch 1080p OLED display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,149.99 ($449.01 off at Adorama)
• MSI Prestige 14 AI+ Evo, Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor/13.3-inch 1800p OLED display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,199.99 ($200 off at Newegg)
• Lenovo ThinkPad T14s, Snapdragon X Elite processor/14-inch 1200p display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,340 ($359.99 off at Amazon)
• Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 5, AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor/14-inch 1200p IPS display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,349 ($120 off at Adorama)
• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro, Intel Core 7 Ultra processor/16-inch 2880×1800 display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,381.06 ($368.93 off at Amazon)
• Microsoft Surface Pro 2-in-1, Snapdragon X Elite processor/13-inch 2304×1536 OLED touch display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,399.99 ($300 off at Amazon)

You’ll want at least 8GB, though 16GB is preferable, especially if you play games. Don’t buy laptops with under 4GB of RAM or 128GB of SSD storage—though on a Chromebook or a budget Windows machine, this configuration is acceptable. Check out our article on how much RAM does a laptop need for more in-depth info.

The one big difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop is the operating system. Chromebooks run ChromeOS and Windows run, well, Microsoft Windows.

Chromebooks make good everyday machines because they’re designed for browsing the web, checking e-mail, and so on. They use less resources and are generally more affordable than the Windows variety. They also don’t need antivirus protection. A Windows laptop is a lot more versatile in what it can do, and not just in terms of running local programs. You can really pump a Windows laptop up with a ton of RAM, storage, and so on.

You’ll likely find the best laptop deals during Prime Day (mid-July), Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), and back-to-school season (June-August). Sure, you’ll find good laptop deals throughout the year, but if you really want to save big, we’d recommend scoping out your favorite online retailers during those times.

You can find all kinds of deals across a wide range of online retailers such as Newegg, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and so on. However, we’d recommend checking out deals from laptop manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Dell. You’ll usually find many different configurations on sale and the discounts can be pretty darn steep.

For more options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now.

Being a tech editor and reviewer, I’ve dealt with decades worth of devices. That’s all well and good but the result is that I’ve accumulated an awful lot of cables that have ended up in a giant tangled heap. I’m talking about a thicket so dense and entwined it could rival the Amazon rainforest’s most inaccessible parts.

The cables that make up this pile come in a variety of types, from USB-A to USB-C cords, power cords, HDMI cables and chargers — and, with many having no distinguishing feature other than the size of their connectors, it can be incredibly frustrating and time consuming trying to tell them apart. Clearly, I’m in desperate need of a fix — and thankfully — I’ve found one.

My aha moment came when I stumbled on these cable cord identifiers from Amazon. Now I feel kind of sheepish admitting that the solution to my problem was so simple and staring me in the face, costing as little as $7, and available for delivery within just a few days.

Yep, I’ve started affixing them to just about every new USB cable that I get — as well as retrospectively to the cables in the pile I created, and already I’m starting to see a level of organization and clarity in my workspace that I never thought possible before.

These handy tags come in a variety of colors so I can color code my cables by type. The labels are big enough for me to write not only the device they are for, but what they do, so I can choose the right cable type in a jiffy. They’re both self-adhesive and waterproof, and laser printer friendly too.

USB cable identifiers can save you a heap of time and frustration finding the right cables when you need them. 

Dominic Bayley / Foundry

Apart from just bringing order to the mess, I’m happy that my devices are in a lot less danger of being damaged by me when I use the wrong cables with them.

Now that I’m labelling cables, I’m ditching my old inefficient ways where I could easily sink an hour or more into finding the right one. Sometimes the simplest solutions can make the biggest impact in your life, so I’m watching out for other life hacks like this one to streamline my workday and my time. I wholeheartedly encourage you to do the same.

Further reading: Buying a USB-C cable? 6 gotchas to watch out for

The bells are ringing for Windows 10, and many users who have waited are now choosing to update to Windows 11. If you’re one of them, congratulations on continued security updates and new features, but also on an operating system that has received a lot of criticism since its launch in 2021 — sometimes justified, but often exaggerated.

Because when you look beyond the glassy surface with its rounded corners and the Start menu in its strict position, the differences are not that insanely big actually. It’s not like switching to Mac or Linux, not by a long shot.

In many cases, these are fairly small changes that you can quickly get used to. In many cases, it’s even possible to restore or mimic old behavior, and new additions you don’t need can often be turned off or hidden.

Microsoft has become a bit more like Apple in one area in recent years. Where the company used to make an effort to step aside and let users choose how they want to use their computer, it now prefers you to do certain things in a certain way.

Foundry

The most obvious example is that you’re almost forced to sign in with a Microsoft account instead of a traditional local account. For example, it is not normally possible to choose a local account when installing the system. This can be circumvented fairly easily, but Microsoft keeps harping on about all the benefits of its account.

In a way, the company is right. With a Microsoft account, for example, you don’t have to worry about registering Windows because the licence key is linked to the account and it’s easy to reactivate if you make changes to the hardware. I find this very useful as I sometimes boot my Windows installation directly and sometimes in a virtual machine — even though the hardware is completely different, the system has no problem with activation.

Windows 11 Home can encrypt the local storage with Device Encryption, but it requires a Microsoft account to store a copy of the recovery key — so if you want to use a local account you need a Pro license to encrypt the disk.

Further reading: Windows 10 will hit end of life in 2025. Here’s what to expect

Other benefits include synchronization of settings and applications installed from the Microsoft Store between computers and automatic authentication for all other Microsoft services and applications. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription for Office, it will be much easier if you are logged into Windows with the same Microsoft account.

But if you don’t subscribe to Microsoft 365, don’t use OneDrive, have no need for disk encryption, and rarely or never change hardware, there’s no practical gain from a Microsoft account. If you prefer, you can then opt for local account anyway, even with Windows 11 Home.

Rufus

The easiest way to do this when reinstalling the system and not updating from an older version is by creating an installation media with the Rufus program.

1. Download an .iso file of Windows 11 from Microsoft and select it in Rufus.
2. Select a connected USB stick of at least 16 gigabytes that has nothing important on it (all current files will be deleted) and click Start.
3. In the dialog box that pops up, tick Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account.
4. You can also tick Create a local account with username and fill in the account name you want, so you don’t have to do it during installation.

Microsoft

The most visible difference in Windows 11 from its predecessor is that the Start menu and program icons have been centered in the Taskbar instead of being on the far left as in all previous versions. But it’s a quick thing to change if you prefer to have it the way it used to be (go to Settings > Customization > Start and change to left-aligned). The big difference lies in the content of the menu.

As soon as you click on the Start icon, it is obvious that it is not the old familiar Start menu. There is no list of installed programs, but instead a number of preselected “favorites” are listed in a grid under the heading Pinned. Below these is an area called Recommended, where you can find recently opened and added programs, files, and more.

Further reading: Windows 10 support ends soon. Here’s how to upgrade to Windows 11

You can switch off all these recommendations, but the section will still be there. Microsoft hasn’t made it easy, but at the time of writing there is a method that works in the latest version. It requires three additions to the registry. You can save the below code in a plain text file with a .reg extension and import into the Registry Editor.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Start] "HideRecommendedSection"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Education] "IsEducationEnvironment"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer] "HideRecommendedSection"=dword:00000001

After a reboot, the pinned items area fills the entire center section of the menu.

Foundry

With a trick, you can get rid of Recommendations and get a cleaner Start menu.

What you can’t do anything about, however, is that the Start menu doesn’t show a list of all installed programs. You can still access such a list by clicking All in the top right, but there doesn’t seem to be any hidden setting to make it open that list automatically.

In the narrow strip at the bottom you will see the on/off button and an icon for your account, but you can also add other shortcuts in Settings > Customisation > Start > Folders.

Aside from the default placement in the center, the big change in the Taskbar is that programs group all their windows behind one icon instead of one icon per window. But just like the placement, you can easily restore the old behavior. You can find the different settings in Settings > Customization > Taskbar (or Taskbar Behaviors).

Foundry

In Windows 11, Microsoft has given Explorer an updated interface with a modern, airier design. If you have a small screen, it can be distracting to have fewer icons. You can change that by choosing View > Show > Compact view.

The menu tab area that existed before has been replaced by a narrow toolbar with only a few common functions. Other functions can be accessed via the context menu — click on Show more options to display the old context menu with all options. You won’t miss the fact that functions like copy and paste have become icons.

A big improvement is that the program now has built-in tab support, so you can have multiple folders open without having multiple separate windows. Ctrl+T opens a new tab just like in browsers, and you can drag and drop a tab from the tab bar at the top to detach it into its own window.

Foundry

Hover over the maximize button at the top right of an application window and you’ll soon see a small menu of options to quickly adjust the size of the window to take up, say, half or a third of the screen. These are called tick layouts, and if you fill the screen with two or more programs using the feature, they are automatically lumped together in something called a tick group.

You can quickly view such a group of programs either by hovering over one of the included programs in the Taskbar and selecting the group there, or by clicking on the new Task View button to the right of the search button and selecting there.

Foundry

Unfortunately, pinned groups do not save after a restart and if you switch off one of the included programs, the group disappears.

A quicker way to pin a window to one half of the screen is to grab it and hold it against the edge of the screen on the side you want it. If you already have an application taking up, say, a third of the screen, the next window will be two-thirds instead of half.

Foundry

On the far left of the Taskbar (if you have the Start Menu centered — otherwise on the far right before the System Tray) is a new icon which normally shows the current weather in your location. It may also show news headlines of various kinds. Hover over or click it to reveal Windows 11’s new widget feature.

To be honest, it sucks, so it’s a good thing Microsoft has made it easy to switch it off. Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and turn off Widgets.

Another new feature that is now also included in the latest version of Windows 10 but has been included for longer in Windows 11 is Copilot, which in a way replaces the old voice assistant Cortana.

Microsoft

The Copilot icon is located in the Taskbar next to the Task View icon (which shows all open windows and virtual desktops), and opens a spartan web-based interface that looks exactly like copilot.microsoft.com. The company has been criticized for not developing a proper Windows application but settling for a web view. But Copilot is one of the more competent free AI chatbots, so you can still use it to brainstorm ideas, proofread texts, and more.

If you have a subscription to Copilot Pro, you can log in to access the more advanced features, but otherwise you can skip it. Unlike in Word and Excel, for example, the system doesn’t automatically log you in with the same account you log in with in Windows, but that account should show up as a preset when you try to log in.

If you come to Windows 11 today and not right after the launch, you will notice a change that has come with updates to the system. Microsoft has gone to great lengths to update some of the oldest but still most used programs in Windows: Paint and Notepad.

In addition to an updated, modern interface, both programs have been enriched with AI features. It’s not that the Copilot chatbot itself has been baked in, but specific features for each program.

Microsoft

In Paint, you can use a new tool to remove distracting objects or blur the background of images. Users with a Copilot Plus computer can also use generative fill to add new objects to images.

Notes have been given more features for rewriting text. For example, you can ask Copilot to rewrite in a formal tone or in the form of a poem. The AI can also expand or shorten text. Soon, a function for writing summaries of texts will also be added.

Microsoft

Other examples of applications you might not recognize are Clock — which has a new design and new features — and the brand new Media Player application, which replaces the old Windows Media Player.

Joel Lee / Foundry

Microsoft has redesigned the Settings application in Windows 11. Not only have many more settings that were previously in Control Center moved into the modern application, but it also has a new interface that makes it easier to browse settings.

In Windows 10, Settings had a separate list of different settings on the left for each category, and to go to a different category, you had to first go to the home screen and then click into that category. In Windows 11, the left-hand column is instead filled with a list of categories, and a menu of different kinds of settings under each category appears on the right.

Click on one of these to open the settings included in that sub-category. For example, Bluetooth & devices > Devices where you will find related settings. Some more advanced settings may be hidden in another level of submenus and others behind expandable groups. For example, in Display, the Color Profile and HDR settings are in submenus, while the Multiple monitors settings are expandable.

The search function in Settings is really good and if you’re looking for a particular setting and can’t remember exactly where it is, it’s often the quickest way to find it.

Before we know it summer will be here, but don’t wait for the hotter days to arrive to realize that your pool is in a state of disarray. The Aiper Scuba X1, priced at $1,399, is an ideal solution to help get your pool ready for action.

The Scuba X1 is essentially the full package when it comes to cleaning your pool, taking care of everything for you. Aiper’s robotic pool cleaner can provide everyday maintenance, saving you countless hours and money spent on other solutions.

Each morning or evening, you can automate the Aiper Scuba X1 to scrub the pool bottom and walls free of algae and dirt, and scrub the waterline for any hair, leaves, sticks, and any other grime that blew into or otherwise ended up in the water.

Aiper’s Scuba X1 uses a dual jet system to provide 6,600GPH suction. This glues the robotic pool cleaner to the pool floor or walls, and ensures it does a thorough job of picking up anything that shouldn’t be there, including sand and tiny pebbles.

The robotic pool cleaner collects all the debris into a basket where it will stay–the industry’s first MicroMesh™ ultra-fine filter system makes sure none of it gets back into the water, where it could potentially clog the pipes.

It’s not just the pool walls and floor that get the Aiper’s attention, but also its waterline. The Scuba X1 features WaveLine™ 2.0 technology to provide continuous horizontal scrubbing along the waterline, which is the exact spot where you tend to find a build-up of grease, algae, and dirt.

Much like a robot vacuum does in your home, the Scuba X1 uses a ton of sensors to map out the pool and work out the best route to complete the cleaning job. It can even detect and avoid obstacles, whether that’s the pool drainage system, steps, or any weighted diving toys.

Aiper

Multiple cleaning modes are available, including Floor, Wall, Waterline, and Standard. You can use the dedicated Aiper app to schedule cleaning jobs and automate maintenance when you know you’ll not be using the pool. The Scuba X1 can clean up to 70,000 gallons of water per hour, and is ideal for pools up to 2,150 square foot in size.

When the job is done or the battery is running low, the Scuba X1 will cleverly park itself at the waterline. You can scoop it up and place it on the wireless charging dock for a while. Better yet, you don’t need to worry about wiping it dry before recharging the robotic pool cleaner.

A couple of Aiper accessories are available that will make pool cleaning even easier. For instance, the HydroComm Series, which includes the HydroComm Pure, HydroComm and HydroComm Pro, is a revolutionary pool product line that establishes a seamless connection between underwater pool robots and users while delivering accurate water quality data.

The HydroComm Pure is a smart underwater communication device that will float in your pool and allow the robot to communicate with you even when it’s underwater. This means you can change the cleaning mode while it is submerged.

Another accessory you’ll love is the $249 caddy that will make transporting the Scuba X1 from one spot to another that much easier.

So there you have it — the perfect summer helper can be yours!

Save $400 on Aiper Scuba X1