How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 7 min 22 sec ago

USB-C was supposed to unify everything, but desktop PCs are stuck in the past

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 22:00

USB-C was supposed to be the one. One cable, one port, any device. Just plug it in and it should work. The reality has turned out to be a little different than promised.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 classic series that are guaranteed to turn you into an anime fan

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 21:30

There are so many streaming platforms out there, each with their own shows to watch. Whether it’s an HBO subscription or maybe a Netflix subscription, every site seems to have something new. But today, I’m not going to talk about new live-action films or television. No, I’m going to talk about anime, one of my favorite genres.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google's Pixel Desktop is missing five features Samsung perfected years ago

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 21:00

I have long looked forward to the arrival of Android-based desktop modes, and Google has finally released one for Pixel phones—but it's still a far cry from the experience you find in Samsung DeX. Here are some ways Google's implementation just isn't the same.

Categories: IT General, Technology

That used hybrid might take 7 years (or more) to pay off

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 20:45

Although there are things you can always do to ensure you receive the best service at any car dealership, rising fuel costs and higher vehicle prices have made it a challenge for anyone looking to replace their current vehicle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

SLC caching tricked me into thinking my SSD was faster than it really is

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 20:30

The type of NAND you choose for your SSD makes all the difference when it comes to performance, but sometimes, SSD manufacturers will have party tricks to help you boost your performance. One of those party tricks is SLC cache. And it actually does make a difference.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget Family Guy, Ted is Seth MacFarlane's best TV series

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 20:00

Love him or hate him, Seth MacFarlane has an immovable place in the realm of TV comedy, and Ted is an excellent showcase for the writer at his best. A seasoned actor and writer of over 3 decades, he has created numerous hit productions, including adult animation tentpoles like Family Guy and American Dad!, as well as The Orville.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 ESP32 projects you can do in 1 hour

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 19:45

ESP32 projects are a tinkerer's dream. They're cheap to build, incredibly flexible, and can be quick to put together. There are plenty of ESP32 projects that you can build in an hour or less.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop writing percentage formulas in Excel—use this instead

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 19:30

Calculating percentages in Excel often means wrestling with absolute cell references and division symbols. But why do the work when a built-in tool can do it for you? By using the PivotTable Show Values As option, you can calculate complex ratios in seconds without typing a single formula.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hot-swappable hard drives seemed brilliant in the '90s—here's why Iomega Jaz never stood a chance

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 19:00

Computer storage has always been a problem. There never seems to be enough of it. Just as we get bigger disks and drives, file sizes swell to accommodate them. So you can imagine in the '90s what a chore it was to move large media files or make backups when all you have are 1.44MB floppy disks.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop babying your phone for a resale value that will never come

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 18:45

How much do you think about the resale value of your smartphone? I know that for some people, this is something they are a little obsessed about. After all, you just paid hundreds or even thousands for a new phone, and you want it to stay in perfect condition until the day you're done with it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wonder Man proved Marvel streaming still works—here are 6 heroes who deserve their own show

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 18:15

There was a moment when it felt as if the world were consumed by Marvel streaming shows. No matter what time of year it was, you could always count on Disney+ to have some kind of new Marvel show streaming on its platform. And then, after some time, it finally slowed down.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the smart home automation I set up once and forgot about forever

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 18:00

I witness many of my smart home automations in action multiple times a day. Every time I walk into my home office, my lights turn on and my Mac wakes, and I can see it happening in front of me. There's one automation that I set up some time ago, and most of the time I completely forget that it's running.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop asking your phone for everything—these cheap accessories are better than apps

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 17:45

“There’s an app for that!” We’ve all heard this slogan before, and it’s usually true. Apps have replaced many single-purpose products, but that doesn’t always mean they’re better. Some physical items are actually easier and more convenient than tapping a screen.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the BMW X3—this Toyota SUV feels just as premium

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 17:15

The BMW X3 has spent years turning itself into one of the safest picks in the compact luxury SUV world. It blends strong performance, comfort, and everyday practicality so well that for many buyers, it became the default choice rather than just another option.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget Roku and Fire TV, this is a better way to stream

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 17:00

If you walk through my house, you’ll see plenty of Roku gear. I've got Roku TVs and a couple of streaming sticks, and for the most part, they do exactly what they're supposed to do. They're simple, they're familiar, and they're good enough for most people. And honestly, if you just want something that works the same way every time you turn on the TV, that familiarity is hard to beat.

Categories: IT General, Technology

From Milwaukee to RIDGID: The 5 best shop vacs for any job

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 16:45

Finding the perfect shop vac can be the difference between a quick cleanup and a time-consuming mess, and that's before we even talk about cordless vs corded vacs from all your favorite tool brands. Whether you're a professional contractor or a weekend DIYer, choosing the right one is tough. Here are some of the best-performing models from Milwaukee to RIDGID.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to boost your Linux skills beyond a beginner level

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 16:30

Do you struggle to understand how to boost your Linux skills? Are you sick of getting stuck in tutorial hell? A lack of inspiration can hold you back for years, but all you need are some ideas and a refined process. I have a guide that combines both how I learned Linux and how I approach difficult subjects, so you can breeze past beginner mode and into graybeard territory.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Japan leads, Germany follows: The best-selling luxury cars in 2026 (so far)

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 16:16

The luxury car market hasn’t had the strongest start to 2026. Slowing demand and shifting buyer priorities have weighed on overall sales, with several established nameplates posting noticeable declines in the first quarter. But even in a cooling market, a handful of models are standing out, delivering strong results while much of the segment struggles to keep pace.

Categories: IT General, Technology

10 essential From episodes to watch on MGM+ before season 4

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 16:00

As fans of the Fromanxiously await season 4, MGM+ and director Jack Bender (Lost) have released a specific list of episodes to rewatch. Each holds key moments and clues capable of shaping the next chapter, revisiting major traumas, story gaps, and moments worthy of deeper explanation.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Home Assistant turned my boring to-do list into the reminder system I actually needed

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 15:45

I've tried a lot of to-do list apps, from Todoist to Things 3, but I've never found one that has really felt like a perfect fit. I decided to try to build my own using Home Assistant.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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