How-To Geek

Are you tired of Linux distros that try to hide all the technicalities and simplify everything? Do you want distributions to let you optimize, configure, and push your system to its limits? Well, here are four distros built for all you power users who enjoy tweaking their machines!

Did you know that your Chromebook has both reading and writing help built-in? Help me read and Help me write are two AI-based functions that come baked into Google’s Chromebook Plus lineup.

You don’t need to be a decorating master to add some sparkle to your house this holiday season. TikTok may be going off about “Ralph Lauren Christmas,” but one thing will never go out of style: stunning Christmas lighting displays. Smart-home brand Govee, best known for its LED lighting products, is holding its annual Black Friday sale from November 20 until December 1, offering up to 42% off its best-selling lights. So, now is the best time to transform your home for the holidays with the brand’s smart lighting systems and customizable indoor and outdoor displays.

Ever wished you could turn on your home computer while you’re miles away? With the Wake-on-LAN (WOL) feature, that’s entirely possible—a capability many Windows users don’t even know exists. Set it up once, and you’ll be able to power on and access your computer remotely whenever you need.

For years, Toyota and Honda were the go-to names for cars that just keep running. Their long-standing reputation for reliability made them the default choice for many buyers.

As the big November holiday inches closer, that means more time we all have to watch plenty of movies. Amazon Prime Video is seeing to it that there’s no shortage of titles in their catalog. This week, I’ve chosen some gems consisting of pure, unadulterated entertainment. Join me as we venture through action and thrills, a perilous open-water situation, a scandalous drama, and plenty of absurd circumstances to laugh at. There's even some group therapy—but don't worry, no participation is required.

Under normal usage, a Windows laptop should typically last between three and six hours on a single charge. But what if your laptop's battery isn't getting the job done?

While I’m confident in my ability to spend lots of money on a 3D printer to kickstart a new obsession, knowing what you’re getting yourself into before you pull the trigger is probably a good idea. Thankfully, there are some good ways to try out 3D printing before you buy.

I’ve been deeply entrenched in the Microsoft ecosystem for most of my career. From PowerPoint and Word to Excel and Teams, I’ve relied on them for everything from writing and editing to collaboration and file management. But over the years, the software has grown heavier, slower, and more expensive. Every new version seems to bring more features I don’t need and more nudges toward cloud subscriptions I never asked for. At some point, I began to think that I was spending more time managing licenses and updates than actually getting work done.