How-To Geek

Syndicate content
We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 35 min 18 sec ago

The average U.S. car is nearly 13 years old—what that means for your wallet and safety

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 23:00

The cars and trucks Americans drive are aging, and they’re doing so at a record-breaking pace. According to the most recent S&P Global Mobility data, the average age of vehicles on U.S. roads has climbed to 12.8 years, the oldest ever recorded.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 8 TV adaptations prove the book isn't always better

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 22:00

As a writer, I love to read, and I think everyone should read a real book from time to time. But watching TV is definitely easier and more popular, and there are plenty of books that have been turned into amazing TV shows: the following may be even better than the books they originated from.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop ignoring BIOS updates: Your PC is leaving performance on the table

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 21:30

The conventional wisdom when it comes to motherboard BIOS updates has always been that unless there's something wrong with your PC, it's best to just leave it alone. Yet, you can expect a new BIOS update becoming available every year or two following a motherboard's launch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eSIM was supposed to replace SIM cards, but carriers turned it into a trap

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 21:00

SIM cards are a relic of an age where multiple people had to share a single phone, and the cards themselves were enormous. These days, SIM cards are tiny and technically unnecessary thanks to the rise of eSIMs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop paying for books: These 5 NYT bestsellers are free with Amazon Prime right now

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 20:30

It’s that time—when the weather is starting to get just a little warmer, and you know what is beginning to sound good? Reading a nice book outside as the sun shines down on you. What if you don't have a Kindle subscription, but you want a new book to check out?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why your new laptop has almost no ports (and why that's actually great)

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 20:00

The first computer my family owned was an 80286 IBM clone, and it had lots of ports, none of which looked the same. There was a big 5-pin DIN for the keyboard, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port for our joystick, and of course, the VGA port for the monitor.

Categories: IT General, Technology

2026 Toyota Tundra trims explained—which one is actually worth it

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 19:45

If you’re cross-shopping the Tundra against the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, or Chevy Silverado 1500, the best place to start is by getting a feel for its extensive lineup. Overall, the 2026 Toyota Tundra can be everything from a rugged work tool to an executive-level cruiser, offering a mix of twin-turbocharged power, off-road capability, and unique styling.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop paying for streaming services you only watch on weekends—there's a smarter way

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 19:00

One of the most frustrating parts about digital streaming can be how easily costs add up. When you subscribe to a handful of services a month, you can easily lose track of cumulative expenses amid price hikes, inactive subscriptions, and forgotten sign-ups.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tried switching to Samsung Galaxy, but this Pixel-exclusive feature made it impossible

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 18:45

I had a Galaxy phone that was better than my Pixel by almost every measurable standard. Better chip, better display, more features, more customization—the list goes on. Yet, here I am, back on the Pixel. And it wasn’t because Samsung did something wrong, but because one app—one I had never thought twice about.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to use the RANK.EQ function in Microsoft Excel

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 18:30

Manually re-sorting your Excel tables every time a score changes is a waste of time. The RANK.EQ function automates leaderboards by assigning positions instantly. Whether you're tracking sales or race times, here's how to keep your data dynamic and accurate.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally tried the phone OS that inspired Android—and it still might be better

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 18:15

For over a decade, I’ve written about Windows Phone (RIP), iPhone, and, my main squeeze, Android. But there’s one beloved operating system missing from that list: webOS. 17 years after the Palm Pre hit the market, I’m finally trying it for the first time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I used to be subscribed to every streaming service; here's the 4 I actually regret canceling

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 18:00

In today’s world of online media, streaming is just as big as cable, if not bigger. And that means now, if you have so many streaming services to pay for, you’re most likely going to be paying the same price as cable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop buying these smart home devices—they're the worst money you'll spend this year

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 17:45

There are a lot of great smart home devices you can buy right now, but there are some I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. These are some of the devices I would definitely avoid.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This simple CachyOS feature lets me use Windows without dual-booting

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 17:30

I've been stuck dual-booting Linux and Windows for years because—despite huge improvements—there are still a handful of applications that won't run on Linux. CachyOS made me rethink that approach with a feature that allows me to easily run almost any Windows app as if it were a native Linux app.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Home Assistant isn't just for your home—4 places you never thought to use it

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 17:15

If you’re not content with only powering your smart home with Home Assistant, you might be interested to learn that the platform has a few other tricks up its sleeve that expand its sphere of utility.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your mini PC feels slow because of where it's sitting, not what's inside it

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 17:00

Mini PCs are often essentially laptops without a screen. They're compact, packed full of components, and optimized around making do with minimal airflow.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Excel's newest functions are flashy, but these classics are still the best

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 16:45

I get excited whenever Microsoft drops a new Excel function, but when I'm in the trenches with a deadline, I reach for the classics. There's a certain comfort in knowing a formula will work exactly as expected every time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Claude Code killed my need for an IDE—and I'm not going back

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 16:30

IDEs, or integrated development environments, have long been a staple of the development world. I’ve used one for decades. However, switching to Claude Code completely changed the tools I use for development, and I’ve simply left IDEs in the dust.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop overlooking your pets in your smart home setup—6 ways cats and dogs can benefit too

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 16:15

Who said the utility of a smart home has to be limited to humans? With a few accessories and some careful automations, your furry friends can benefit from your Home Assistant setup too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 shows that retconned their worst seasons (and how they did it)

Sun, 04/19/2026 - 16:00

Television is often considered one of America's past times, for good reason. Television shows have become central to society since technology's invention and have been responsible for some of the greatest pop culture influences of the last century. Yet, even the most popular shows drop the ball now and again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker