How-To Geek

Linux Mint 22.3 'Zena' is now rolling out, and it's another great update for the Ubuntu-based distribution. It includes the Cinnamon 6.6 environment, a new system information tool, and other improvements.

Raspberry Pis are popular among DIYers, tinkerers, and homelabbers, but if you don't ask too much, you can also use them as a fairly capable mini PC as a replacement for a laptop or desktop. Here are 5 apps I use constantly.

One of the first accessories people make or buy for a Raspberry Pi is a case. In fact, online sellers are happy to include one with your purchase, since surely you'll need one. The truth is, most of the time, you don't strictly need a case for your SBC. Going caseless is just fine, and can sometimes be the better choice.

Are you thinking about buying a new external SSD? We all seem to be constantly in need of more storage, but I'd caution against heading straight for a pre-built external SSD.

Excel is the backbone of modern life, powering everything from your personal mortgage calculations to complex corporate budgets. However, a workbook is only as reliable as the person who built it—even seasoned pros make simple mistakes that lead to massive discrepancies. It's time to fix your formulas before they fail you.

Home Assistant is great, but it can suck up time like almost nothing else. Change one small thing, and suddenly you have to edit multiple automations to get things working again. With a little forward planning, however, you can save yourself hours of wasted time.

It always stuns me how easily we slide back into the routine of the new year. But I don't mind, because that routine means I get to queue up some movies to get me through the weeks. And since Paramount+ is on my beat, I've got a few this week that offer a mix of comfort food and something thought-provoking.

Switching to Linux has exposed me to dozens of great apps I never even knew existed before. Here are some of my favorites that improve my productivity and cut out some web apps that I've been stuck with forever.

How are those New Year's resolutions going? Hit the gym yet? Started tucking money away for a rainy day? Stay the course, slugger, and while you're at it, why not queue up a good movie for the treadmill? Netflix has countless flicks at your fingertips, and I've got a few suggestions for you.

I remember when Windows 8 came out, and I started encountering computers running Windows 8. I was intrigued by the new UI right away. I didn't get a chance to try it myself until I got a Dell laptop that shipped with it, and I was delighted with the new operating system. Years later, to my surprise, I found out that a lot of people hated Windows 8 and all the changes it brought. So I decided to go back to it and see for myself.

I genuinely love Windows and have been using it as my daily driver for over a decade. That said, loving Windows doesn’t mean it doesn’t push your patience to the limit. From slow search and nonstop updates to ads at every turn, here are some annoyances that make you sigh and roll your eyes.

Nothing kills an online Excel presentation faster than sensitive data leaks or disorienting navigation. Here's my pre-flight checklist that ensures my interface is clean, my delivery is seamless, and my sensitive data stays out of sight.

Indoor security cameras come at a wide range of price points, and it's hard to get much cheaper than this Onn indoor security camera. It's undoubtedly one of the most affordable security cameras available, but you do make some concessions for that price.

Not long ago, my colleague Monica made a convincing argument to stop buying 1TB SSDs—a point I actually reinforced in laptops because of their unique situation.

When SSDs first started entering the consumer market, there was a lot of fearmongering about SSD wear and failure. Hard drives with spinning platters were a mature and familiar technology. So it's natural people would choose to stay with what they knew until SSDs proved themselves.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much time I’ve spent lately binge-watching content. But, it's my job, I love it, and I can't complain. This week, I’m bringing you a list of a few titles I recently watched on Amazon Prime Video—some for the first time, some for the second.

It’s been nearly a decade since I used Android Auto for any length of time. Having recently tried an Android phone out as a daily driver, I was reintroduced to the new version of Android Auto—and I quickly wanted to run back to CarPlay.

Until recently, I haven't been the type who was interested in using a VPN. It'd slow down my internet, and there wasn't anything I really wanted to watch from other countries that I couldn't already access.

BMW has built a reputation for performance and engineering excellence, but one of its most engaging models rarely gets the attention it deserves. The BMW Z4 delivers a blend of open-top driving excitement, balanced handling, and daily usability that feels both timeless and thrilling. Yet despite its strong character, it often gets overshadowed by more mainstream SUVs and high-profile sports cars in the brand’s lineup.

We tend to bang the Home Assistant drum a fair bit here at How-To Geek, and for good reason. Not only do we love it, but most of you love it too. The more people who discover its raw potential, the better.