How-To Geek

Stop me if you've heard this before: "I don't have enough time in the day." I don't have the stats, but I'll go out on a limb to say that 99% of us, including myself, have muttered that common phrase before. In my case, I talk about not having enough time when it comes to streaming. I watch a lot of shows for work, but I struggle to find things to stream when pressed for time. That could mean having some time during a lunch break or needing to wind down before bed, for example.

CachyOS has earned a reputation for being fast, but because speed is easiest to benchmark in frame rates, it’s often discussed in the context of gaming too.

You no longer need a subscription just to make use of advanced AI on your Amazon streaming stick or TV set. Amazon is making Alexa+ available on Fire TV devices for free, saving you the expense of either a Prime or Alexa+ subscription.

With AI chatbots like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini becoming our go-to thinking partner/co-worker, more often than not, we use them extensively. Like many, I love using Claude (web or app), especially for high-value tasks such as brainstorming ideas, solution architecture for apps, document generation, or data analysis. However, as a free-tier user, I frequently hit the rolling 5-hour session limits.

20 years ago, the computers in your car mostly handled fuel injection and ignition timing, shifted the transmission, and triggered the anti-lock brakes when something went wrong. Each one ran on a dedicated chip, wired to do exactly one job, and nothing changed unless a mechanic swapped the part.

You might not have to buy a Google Pixel to get an Android smartphone with Qi2 magnetic wireless charging built-in. Well-known leaker Evan Blass has revealed that Motorola is working on a Moto Snap charger that hints at Qi2 coming to its broader phone lineup.

In some ways, your GPU is just an expensive and fancy way to turn electricity into heat and noise. These high-performance components try to squeeze every possible frame out for you, but the cost of the last few frames is much higher than the first few.

Google Maps is great for finding the quickest way from point A to point B. However, when I choose a specific route and share it with someone else, it sometimes sends them on a different path. I found a simple workaround that keeps shared journeys much closer to the route I originally chose.

Used EVs are becoming some of the best bargains on the market, with steep early depreciation putting vehicles that once cost close to $60,000 within reach for around the price of a new Toyota RAV4. This particular luxury SUV is a perfect example. At just three years old, well-cared-for models can be found for roughly $35,000, giving buyers access to a genuinely upscale interior, more than 300 miles of driving range, and the kind of technology usually associated with far more expensive vehicles.

Most of us have had an app freeze at exactly the wrong moment. I used to open Task Manager, hunt through the list, and force it to close. Windows 11 has a much quicker option, though, and it takes seconds to enable.

BMW's X5 has the badge, the reputation, and the luxury-car credentials, but you don't necessarily have to spend BMW money to get a family SUV that feels genuinely upscale. The Mazda CX-90 takes a different approach, pairing a premium-looking cabin with strong driving dynamics and the practicality of three rows.

SSDs are fast, but even they can be slowed down over time. If you live for speed and feel like your SSD starts to get just a little slower sometimes, especially near the end of a week, there is one setting you might want to check out called TRIM.

The Quick Settings swipe-down menu makes it easy to access some of the best Samsung Galaxy features. However, while tapping a toggle or button is simple enough, nothing beats performing a single action without touching your phone’s screen. This is what I’ve done with NFC tags, and it has been a game changer for the tools I use most.

I mostly mess with 3D printers as a hobby, but since 3D printing is an expensive hobby, I also sell 3D printed models at a local market, which helps pay for filament, and also gives my friend who runs the stall every week more stuff to sell at no cost to them.

A new luxury SUV gives you the latest model, but it also comes with one big financial downside: depreciation. The 2023 Acura MDX has already absorbed much of that initial hit, while still offering the refinement, performance, space, and features that make it a compelling premium SUV.

The general consensus on the Pixel 11 series is that not much sets it apart from last year’s models. One of the few highlights is the “HiLight” LED panel on the camera bar. It’s a cool idea in theory, but painfully underwhelming in reality—and it makes me worry about Google.

The new Pixel 11 series is here, and while there's a lot to appreciate, it's easy to understand why some fans feel like not enough has changed. While it's a familiar affair on the outside, with camera upgrades, a faster processor, and Gemini intelligence throughout, the Pixel 11 is actually quite impressive. That's especially true when it comes to cameras, and here are 5 features that make it stand out.

More than once, I've thought a USB port on my PC was broken. It only turned out to be true once, but when it was, I was actually able to fix it.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Ryobi and its endless selection of capable cordless power tools. I've been buying them for over 20 years, but the brand doesn't offer everything I need. I do a lot of automotive repairs and maintenance, which led me to buy the Milwaukee M12 angled impact wrench. It's such a game-changer that I'm now slowly collecting Milwaukee tools.

Are you tired of your Plex streams always stuttering but don't have the money for a brand-new media server? Here are three simple things that you can change to help make your streaming experience smoother on the hardware you already own.