How-To Geek

CDs, DVDs, and other spinning discs are thought of as antiquated technology, but in some ways, they're superior to even the most expensive solid-state drives.

3D printing is a super fun hobby. I love my 3D printer and use it quite often for a wide range of things. There are some projects that are just plain dumb, no matter how much 3D printing enthusiasts love them.

When we talk about Windows app compatibilty, we usually think of Linux running some sort of WINE configuration. That's not all the wonderful world of open-source has to offer though. Some really talented developers have managed to reverse engineer the Windows NT architecture. They've been working on it for almost 30 years. The project is called ReactOS, and it's directly compatible with Windows software and drivers (no compatibility layers or emulation required).

Apple has finally revealed new models of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. The MacBook Air is getting double the base storage and an upgrade to the M5 chip, while the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro now has M5 Pro and M5 Max options.

You've probably heard a lot of tips, dos, and don'ts about hard drives. The thing is, a lot of it is either a straight up lie or is based on oversimplified or older advice.

If you only want your Home Assistant automations to run at certain times or on certain days, you can use a time condition. Hard-coding your schedule this way is simple to do, but there is a better way.

In movies, you'll sometimes see characters grapple with a "dead man switch." If someone doesn't push a button or enter a password every few hours (or days), it triggers a self-destruct sequence or sends out a secret message. I've always found that concept really cool, so I built one with an app on my Android phone.

Even the most seasoned senior developers, armed with years of experience, routinely stumble over traps in Python. It's not hard and doesn't stem from a lack of technical skill, but from an ingrained reliance on programming intuitions that simply do not hold true in the Python ecosystem.

Plex is the go-to app for most users with a large home media library. But not everyone actually needs it. If you just want to watch shows or movies on the big screen, your TV might already have the tools you need.

If you're a Ryobi owner, you probably have a good collection of its lime-green 18V ONE+ power tools. With more than 350 products that run on the same battery, it's often all you need. But when you're battling weeds, fighting an overgrown lawn, or trying to finish jobs quickly while outside in the heat, Ryobi's 40V platform is the better choice.

Apple AirTags have changed the game for anyone who constantly misplaces their keys or wallets. Almost every major brand now offers its own alternative, from the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 to the Motorola Moto Tag.

Apple recently released the latest phone in its "e" series, the iPhone 17e. Unlike the "SE" line that came before it, this one seems to be on track for annual updates. However, for a variety of reasons, the "e" series is far less compelling—and it shouldn't exist.

There would be many more programmers in the world if not for the fact that programming is hard, and you need to spend a lot of time learning, practicing, and testing your code.

New models of smartphones get released on a constant churn, and even if you don't upgrade every year, it's a safe bet that your current phone is not your first. The chances are that you have some old phones lying around your home. The same is probably true of other devices such as tablets and e-readers.

You might have heard the idiom about the guy with his feet in a freezer and his head in an oven: on average, he's perfectly comfortable. In Excel, we do this with our data every day. Averages are great summaries, but they can quietly sabotage your decisions.

For years, I used a gas generator as backup power during outages, whether they were expected or unexpected blackouts. I recently replaced the gas generator with a battery-powered one. While both serve the same purpose, the battery-powered generator proved to be a true upgrade.

Ignoring the Applied Steps pane in the Power Query editor means you're stuck in a loop of trial and error. That's how you end up with a bloated workflow that turns a five-minute cleanup into an afternoon chore. You don't need to learn any code to fix this—you just need to learn how to manipulate your existing steps.

Luxury buyers usually expect a calm, cushy ride as part of the deal. For years, European SUVs have set the benchmark, leaning on sophisticated suspension setups to deliver that smooth, planted feel.

One of the main reasons I bought my first 4K TV was to watch nature and science documentaries. Watching animals in the jungle, the desert, or the depths of the ocean is one of the most obvious places you could see that 4K difference.

The best thing about Linux is that it has something for everyone. Want a system that just works with minimal effort? You have options. Want to surgically customize every single aspect of your operating system, so it feels less like an appliance and more like a craft project? You have options. The trick is to figure out which distros are meant for you, and which aren't.