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: 1 hour 12 min ago

The magic of DisplayPort MST: How to daisy-chain multiple monitors from a single cable

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 23:30

Most people think of DisplayPort as the premium alternative to HDMI on PCs. But, although it is generally the best connection to use with a computer monitor, there's far more to DisplayPort than meets the eye.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The five most efficient new cars in 2026 under $30,000

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 23:00

Affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles are harder to find in 2026 as new-car prices climb, but even within a $30,000 budget, there are still a handful of standout models that deliver impressive mileage without forcing buyers to overspend. These efficient newcomers prove you don’t have to choose between practicality and everyday affordability, you can have both.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Prime Video is about to bring the best part of physical media to streaming

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 22:00

For years, streaming has been holding out on us. One of the best perks of physical media isn't a limited-edition slip cover or box set; it's the options. Director's cuts, alternate editions, versions that changed the mood of the film, or revealed the filmmaker's real intent, not squashed by the studio. The problem is that all those extras have traditionally lived in plastic—bonus discs, collector sets, and under layers of menus.

Categories: IT General, Technology

53% of PC gamers are stuck at 1080p (even when 1440p monitors cost $150)

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 21:30

1080p has been the mainstream PC gaming resolution since the early 2010s. Just as it seemed like we were finally ready to move on to 1440p and 4K monitors, we’ve hit an unexpected wall this year. Rather than fading into obscurity, all signs point to 1080p remaining the dominant resolution now—and likely for years to come.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Toyota vs Honda vs Lexus: which hybrid SUV is most reliable?

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 20:31

Hybrid SUVs are everywhere right now, and buyers have more solid options than ever. Automakers are going all-in on electrification, but traditional hybrids are still the sweet spot for most people who want better efficiency without changing their daily routine.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons to start using the Linux command line

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 20:00

You can use Linux without mastering the command line and messing around in terminal windows. But if you do, you’ll miss out on the command line’s speed, power, and low-level fine-grained control.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 6 Spotify gestures every subscriber should know

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 20:00

The Spotify mobile app includes a number of gestures that speed up and simplify various actions. Instead of digging through menus, you can swipe to add or remove songs from the queue, like tracks, jump to artist and album pages with a single tap, and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows is getting automatic recaps for PC games

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 19:41

The next time you play a PC game, you might get a recap showing achievements, screenshots, and other game data after you're done. Microsoft is starting to test the feature on the Insiders channels, ahead of a wider rollout.

Categories: IT General, Technology

PCIe Gen 5 and DRAM are a waste of money: Capacity is the only SSD spec that matters

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 19:30

When shopping for an NVMe SSD for your PC, you'll frequently come across long lists of buzzwords and specifications. However, not all specs are equally important, and even the ones that matter are often less relevant to most users than you might think. Here are a few tips I follow when buying NVMes to get the best deal every time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop buying your Ryobi tools from Home Depot, here's where to buy instead

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 19:00

Have you ever wanted to pick up a new Ryobi tool, but saw the price and slowly (or quickly) backed away? There’s a much better place than Home Depot to buy your Ryobi tools, where you'll pay lower prices and still get a warranty.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Korean sedan that's more efficient than the Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 18:31

Hybrids have long been the go-to choice for buyers chasing excellent fuel economy, with models like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid often setting the standard. But one Korean sedan in 2025 is quietly outperforming even that benchmark in efficiency, delivering real-world fuel savings that surprise many shoppers. It proves that hybrid tech isn’t just about being economical, it’s about maximizing efficiency without compromising everyday usability.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Android beats iPhone in customization, but it can’t match this one feature

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 18:16

As an Android veteran of over 15 years, nothing has ever made me seriously consider switching to an iPhone. However, there’s one feature that I often feel jealous about. It’s called “Focus Mode,” and if you think you know what it does, you’re probably wrong.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Polestar plans four new EVs to challenge Tesla and Europe’s luxury giants

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 18:00

Swedish performance brand Polestar will reveal four new EVs over the next three years, from a luxury Grand Tourer (GT) to a compact SUV, in what appears to be an ambitious plan to target Tesla and other legacy European automakers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 Ryobi tools under $40 that are actually worth buying

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 18:00

Depending on the brand and type you buy, power tools can quickly get extremely expensive. But they don't have to be. If you're a homeowner or a DIY enthusiast who needs some useful items around the house or for completing projects, Ryobi has you covered.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This open-source operating system for smartwatches just got a big update

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 17:41

AsteroidOS is an open-source operating system for smartwatches, based on Linux. Nearly eight years after the first version, Asteroid OS 2.0 has been released with more supported watches, more launcher styles, and much more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The first Android 17 beta is here, and landscape mode is no longer optional

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 17:36

Google isn’t wasting any time getting the ball rolling on Android 17. The first beta is rolling out today, and there are some pretty significant changes that the apps you use every day will have to adopt. This is also the beginning of a much faster pace for Android releases. Buckle up.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop manually clicking checkboxes in Excel—automate them with formulas instead

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 17:30

The addition of native in-cell checkboxes to Excel in 2024 finally ended the era of clunky, floating checkboxes from the Developer tab. They're simple to add and manually check—but this ease of use is a trap. If a human can toggle a checkbox, a single click can break a whole spreadsheet. For a pro-level workbook, your checkboxes should be driven by formulas, not people.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Binge this critically acclaimed Western while you wait for Taylor Sheridan's Marshals

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 17:15

In the wake of Yellowstone’s conclusion, many have been looking to fill the neo-Western void. Luckily, its spin-off, Marshals, will arrive soon. Now is the appropriate time to get a taste of the Wild West life, and I’ve got the perfect series to help you do just that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Adding my 3D printer to my smart home gave me a ton of new tricks

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 17:00

3D printers and smart homes are relatively nerdy, tech-savvy pursuits. So it makes sense then that one can complement the other, and I’m not even talking about 3D printing mounts for your sensors or other gadgets.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the only Linux distros I recommend for sysadmins

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 16:31

Whether you're running a home server or building out rack-mount data centers, Linux is the OS of choice for servers, and for good reason. But what distro should you go with? Here are the best choices for reliable server distros.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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