How-To Geek

Most of us have had an app freeze at exactly the wrong moment. I used to open Task Manager, hunt through the list, and force it to close. Windows 11 has a much quicker option, though, and it takes seconds to enable.

BMW's X5 has the badge, the reputation, and the luxury-car credentials, but you don't necessarily have to spend BMW money to get a family SUV that feels genuinely upscale. The Mazda CX-90 takes a different approach, pairing a premium-looking cabin with strong driving dynamics and the practicality of three rows.

SSDs are fast, but even they can be slowed down over time. If you live for speed and feel like your SSD starts to get just a little slower sometimes, especially near the end of a week, there is one setting you might want to check out called TRIM.

The Quick Settings swipe-down menu makes it easy to access some of the best Samsung Galaxy features. However, while tapping a toggle or button is simple enough, nothing beats performing a single action without touching your phone’s screen. This is what I’ve done with NFC tags, and it has been a game changer for the tools I use most.

I mostly mess with 3D printers as a hobby, but since 3D printing is an expensive hobby, I also sell 3D printed models at a local market, which helps pay for filament, and also gives my friend who runs the stall every week more stuff to sell at no cost to them.

A new luxury SUV gives you the latest model, but it also comes with one big financial downside: depreciation. The 2023 Acura MDX has already absorbed much of that initial hit, while still offering the refinement, performance, space, and features that make it a compelling premium SUV.

The general consensus on the Pixel 11 series is that not much sets it apart from last year’s models. One of the few highlights is the “HiLight” LED panel on the camera bar. It’s a cool idea in theory, but painfully underwhelming in reality—and it makes me worry about Google.

The new Pixel 11 series is here, and while there's a lot to appreciate, it's easy to understand why some fans feel like not enough has changed. While it's a familiar affair on the outside, with camera upgrades, a faster processor, and Gemini intelligence throughout, the Pixel 11 is actually quite impressive. That's especially true when it comes to cameras, and here are 5 features that make it stand out.

More than once, I've thought a USB port on my PC was broken. It only turned out to be true once, but when it was, I was actually able to fix it.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Ryobi and its endless selection of capable cordless power tools. I've been buying them for over 20 years, but the brand doesn't offer everything I need. I do a lot of automotive repairs and maintenance, which led me to buy the Milwaukee M12 angled impact wrench. It's such a game-changer that I'm now slowly collecting Milwaukee tools.

Are you tired of your Plex streams always stuttering but don't have the money for a brand-new media server? Here are three simple things that you can change to help make your streaming experience smoother on the hardware you already own.

Regardless of how you personally feel about it, it seems the AI coding assistants are here to stay. Although there are plenty of problems when it comes to AI slop code, vibe coding by people who don't understand the code itself, or the illusions of productivity destroyed by excessive quality control, coders are not letting this one go.

In 1980, roughly a third of new cars sold in the United States came with a manual transmission. By 2021, that number had fallen below 1% and has stayed there since, according to the EPA's Automotive Trends report. Stick shifts have become rare enough that when an automaker drops one from a lineup, most drivers barely notice.

I believe that coffee is more than a way of getting caffeine into your body, and the explosion in the popularity of specialty coffee means I’m not alone. An estimated two-thirds of the US population drinks coffee every day, and too many are settling for sub-par beverages.

Most of us give little thought to USB ports, beyond finding some of them kind of confusing, because what do you mean they're color-coded? But a handy USB port on the right device can actually be transformative. One such device is your router.

Motorola has made its name among the Android crowd thanks to its phones offering excellent value at any price bracket. And it's easy to see why, as even the cheapest devices, like those in the Moto G lineup, tend to pack surprisingly modern and capable hardware.

Desktop mode isn’t new to Android, but it’s having a renaissance. Google finally added proper desktop mode to Pixel phones this year, and as a long-time Pixel owner, I’ve been having fun with it. My latest project is a throwback to the Moto LapDock.

Buying a new streaming stick feels like the obvious move until you actually look at what you're paying for. The apps and picture quality are the same. Even the hardware hasn't changed dramatically from generation to generation. What changes for an old firestick is the price tag. This is one of those cases where buying used may be a better idea than buying new.

I recently picked up an old laptop off Facebook Marketplace for $150. It has no discrete GPU, a low-power CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a meager 512GB SSD. It isn't exactly the kind of device you look at and think, "Yeah, this will be great for AI," but that is exactly how I've used it.

Are you looking to do some home renovations as summer starts to close out and fall approaches next month? Some DIY projects require thousands of dollars worth of tools to complete, but these three power tools can pay for themselves after just one home project.