How-To Geek
I thought sleep earbuds were a waste of money—now they're my favorite pair
I'm someone who regularly sleeps with earbuds in my ear, but the thought of buying earbuds specifically for sleep has long seemed hard to justify. After all, my current buds were functional, so they were good enough, right? No. I was not right. Sleep earbuds have become my favorite, most important pair of buds.
The simple reason Ethernet will outlive USB (and every other cable)
I'm sure I'm not the only person who sometimes gets frustrated with the number of different cables and connectors involved in owning a PC. It's 2026, why can't everything just use USB already? Better yet, USB-C, the most versatile connector of them all?
Forget the Lexus RX—this Acura rivals it for luxury and reliability
If you’re shopping for a luxury SUV and reliability is at the top of your list, Lexus is usually the first name that comes to mind. That reputation mostly comes down to Toyota’s engineering DNA, which carries straight through into the Lexus lineup.
Hulu just surprise-released a secret prequel episode to The Bear
Surprise! FX just released a new episode of The Bear on Hulu ahead of the season 5 premiere.
I run a full Linux desktop in Docker just because I can
Like me, you've probably heard the unofficial rule of Docker: it's for lightweight, headless servers and command-line applications, not for graphical interfaces. Most of us follow this rule for good reason—CLI is what Docker was built for. But what happens when you break the rules?
Your Linux boot drive can save you hours of frustration (if you know how to use it)
After you get done installing Linux with a flash drive, it is tempting to just wipe it and throw it back in a drawer. However, that is a waste. Whether you just leave Linux on it or you add a few extra things, your Linux installer USB can become one of the most useful tech troubleshooting tools you own.
Intel and Samsung in talks to make Apple chips—how will it affect your next PC?
Two of Apple's largest chip rivals may find themselves serving their main competitor. Apple is reportedly in early talks to have Intel and Samsung manufacture the custom processors for its devices, such as Macs and iPhones, in their U.S. factories.
Jellyfin still feels worse than Netflix or Spotify, but these 6 plugins close the gap
I've really gotten into self-hosting things lately and exploring different options for fun. As a hobbyist, I find it convenient to host my own stuff and fun to have more control over everything I do. I recently switched from Plex to Jellyfin for my media server, and I'm enjoying learning the ins and outs and quirks of self-hosting my own media.
Gemini in Google Docs lets you set custom instructions that are actually useful
If you regularly use Docs over alternatives like Microsoft Word, Google’s new feature for Gemini in Docs might be one of the most practical upgrades yet. It lets you set custom instructions inside the document, so you don’t have to spend two minutes explaining your preferred tone or format every time you take Gemini’s help to draft content, summarize documents, etc.
Forget the Toyota RAV4—this Nissan SUV is cheaper and just as practical
The modern SUV market has quietly gotten out of hand. Prices keep climbing, and a lot of what you’re paying for is extra size and badge appeal you don’t really need.
This 41-Year-Old Windows Shortcut Is Still the Fastest Way to Multitask
The modern Windows interface is primarily based around a graphical user interface (GUI) that you interact with using the mouse, but it isn't my preferred way to use my PC. Instead, I mostly use keyboard shortcuts, and at the heart of that approach is Alt+Tab.
Everyone thinks USB killed this 66-year-old PC port (but it secretly runs the modern world)
There was a time when all PCs had at least one serial and one parallel port. Today, you won't find either of these ports on a typical desktop or laptop computer, but just because consumer-facing technology has left the serial port behind, doesn't mean it's anywhere close to dead.
Forget the Tesla Model Y—This Korean rival outclasses it for less money
The Tesla Model Y has spent years as the default choice for anyone shopping in the EV crossover space. Strong range, quick acceleration, and a well-established charging network have made it the safe bet, even as prices and incentives have shifted around it. But in 2026, the ground beneath it is starting to move.
Your Excel setup is slowing down your workbook—here's how to fix it
It's tempting to blame a slow Excel spreadsheet on a weak processor, but the fix usually lives in the formula bar. By removing the hidden bottlenecks inside your formulas and data structure, you can make Excel feel brand new. Here's why your sheets are slow and how to repair them.
Why the Galaxy S21 Ultra was the last Samsung phone I actually wanted to keep
While these days Samsung is all about 200MP camera sensors, folding screens, and AI-integrated everything, I find myself looking at my S21 Ultra not as an aging relic, but as the last time a phone felt truly complete.
4 addictive Netflix miniseries you can binge in a single day
One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is binge a good miniseries. I'm passionate about miniseries, whether they're based on real-life individuals, fictionalized interpretations of true events, book adaptations, or stories that portray both past and contemporary life.
I regret buying an expensive smartwatch: This $40 fitness band does everything I actually need
When smartwatches first hit the scene over a decade ago, they were expensive, often costing a few hundred dollars. While many still do, a range of third-party options now offer similar functionality—especially for fitness and health tracking.
Stop writing JSON by hand, this is a much easier way to handle config files
JSON is a hugely popular format, used for configuration, API responses, game save data, and much more. But it has its critics, and JSON is not the only option.
The all-SSD PC is dead—here's what actually makes sense in 2026
Just a few months ago, I deemed SATA SSDs all but obsolete. HDDs had their uses, but mostly outside of a PC instead of inside it.
I finally set up my old phone as a dedicated dashcam, and it works better than a $200 Garmin
In today’s world, you can never be too cautious when driving and staying aware of your surroundings. While keeping your eyes on the road, you also need to monitor other vehicles in case they suddenly merge or stop.


