How-To Geek

Google recently launched Googlebook, its new Android-based laptop platform, and even though the machines are available for purchase at retail stores, some users still can’t get their hands on them. Many users don’t want to spend serious money just to feel the new Googlebook Operating System.

Every so often, after huge savings events, like following Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon keeps sale prices around on certain products (or just forgets to mark them back to the normal price). These golden opportunities are a perfect way to steal a deal that you may have missed during the savings extravaganza, and none may be a better score right now than the AirPods Pro 3s—which are still nearly 30% off.

Microsoft describes Windows 11 26H2 as a predictable, low-disruption update. It's an enablement package that mainly activates features you already have on your PC if you installed the monthly updates. Looks like not much will happen if you decide to go ahead with it.

Halloween is almost upon us again, and for those of us blessed with one (or more) 3D printers, it's the perfect time to get into the real spirit of Halloween and decorate your home with things you can't just buy off store shelves.

Content creation remains one of the most computer-dependent jobs in the world. While almost any laptop can handle a few emails and compose a slideshow or spreadsheet, content creators have specific needs.

The Home Assistant 2026.10 update is here, and it's aimed at making the open-source smart home platform easier to use. Rather than any major new features, this release improves several parts of Home Assistant that users interact with regularly, including automations, maps, and dashboards. Here’s what has changed and why it matters for your smart home.

As much as I like to talk trash about my laptop behind its back, the truth is that the cheap, useless thing is a lot less bad than that same amount of money would've gotten me a decade ago. It's true: cheap Windows laptops have come a long way.

On paper, there's a massive difference between standard "Full" HD and 4K UHD. A 4K screen has four times the pixels found in an FHD model. Coming to around 8.3 million pixels.

I have two old laptops sitting around doing nothing most of the time. One, until very recently, was literally sitting in a closet collecting dust. That's a waste of perfectly good hardware—many local AI jobs will run just fine on a CPU with 16GB of RAM as long as you have time to let them run. My old laptops fit into that scheme perfectly.

Amazon has completely overhauled its tablet line, and it's good news if you're an Android fan. The online retailer has introduced an Alexa Tablet family that is not only more powerful, but has access to the Google Play Store.

You don't need solar panels on your roof to get power from the sun — these days you can fold panels up into something small enough to carry like a briefcase. The bigger question is how you might incorporate these other ways of generating solar power into your life.

Linux commands often have long lists of options they support, many of which are single-letter mnemonics. These can be tricky to learn and remember, but their redeeming feature is their reusability: common options are shared by different commands.

If you're a longtime Android user, you've probably heard some of the "must-follow" rules that every Android phone or tablet owner is supposed to stick to. While some of them hold up, like the idea that your phone's battery will degrade more slowly if you keep it charged between 30% and 80%, or that some apps can drain your battery if you let them freely access your location, there are a number of other myths that are just that: myths. They simply aren't true, and they should be banished from the collective mindset of Android users once and for all.

Ryobi is wildly popular among DIYers and homeowners for its expansive selection of 18V/40V power tools for use both indoors and outdoors, but don't overlook its smaller USB Lithium tools.

It seems that every open source project is currently grappling with the issue of AI. Whether it's about the inclusion of AI features within the actual software itself, or the use of AI to develop and maintain the project, there are many questions up in the air as I write this.

When it comes to your internet connection, just about anything can go wrong, but those "anythings" can generally fall into one of three categories: your ISP's fault, the hardware's fault, or misconfiguration (as in, maybe your fault). Turns out there's a fourth category too, though, and it's a supremely annoying one: your neighbors.

Docker is a mainstay in the self-host community because it provides a quick, easy way to set up containers and self-host services. However, there are a few things about Docker that pushed me to look for an alternative.

Modern Galaxy phones come with plenty of built-in apps to make your life easier. Many work pretty well, but most have clear limitations. Samsung's ecosystem is getting more and more closed by the moment, which is a big part of why many of these Galaxy apps fall behind alternatives you can easily download from the app store for free.

You can use an ESP32 to build smart home sensors that can measure temperature, humidity, light levels, and more. An ESP32 can detect much more, including invisible things around your home that you may be completely unaware of.

If you're looking to get into retro audio by investing in something like a turntable, the task can seem daunting at first, especially when all you want to do is press play and listen to your music. Audio Technica has a great answer for such scenarios, as its entry-level AT-LP60X-BK model turntable is a great option for newbie audiophiles. Even better, it currently features a fantastic discount courtesy of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, and right now, you can bring yours home for under $150.