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: 53 min 55 sec ago

I stopped caring about benchmarks when I switched to Pixel phones

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 18:00

In the Android world, performance is king. Leaked benchmarks bring praise or ridicule to phones that have never been touched. Everyone wants the latest and greatest Snapdragon chip. As a long-time Pixel user, I've never been concerned with any of this.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $650 on Milwaukee's 8-Tool Combo Kit and take on any job

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 17:33

Power tools need to meet the highest standards and be tough enough for years of on-site work. You get what you pay for, and it's not worth cutting corners because cheap products will let you down when you need them the most.

Categories: IT General, Technology

TrueNAS Scale vs Unraid: I ran both for a month, and the winner wasn't what I expected

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 17:31

I went into my TrueNAS Scale versus Unraid test with a pretty strong assumption about how it would end. TrueNAS Scale had almost everything I normally look for in a homelab server. Unraid looked more convenient, but I expected that convenience to come with compromises I would eventually find annoying.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Linux containers now run natively on Windows via WSL

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 17:12

Linux is an important part of modern development, and Windows users often rely on a separate app like Docker Desktop to get started. Now, Microsoft is making it easier to run Linux containers on its operating system through Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). The feature was first showcased at Build 2026 and entered public preview in June. Now, it’s available for everyone with the latest WSL update.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Before you turn an old laptop into a NAS, check these 3 BIOS settings first

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 16:30

There are a few things you should double-check before turning a laptop into a NAS. While you definitely can just do it, these three BIOS options are definitely worth double-checking before diving down the rabbit hole.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Power tools you probably didn’t know Milwaukee invented

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 16:00

Milwaukee is one of the most popular tool brands, and many enthusiasts might even know that the company has been around for over 100 years. But what you might not know is that Milwaukee invented many power tools, like the Sawzall, and other new technologies during that century.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows still doesn't have these legendary Mac apps

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 15:30

I made the switch to Mac as my daily driver two years ago after decades of being a Windows user. Still, I spend enough time between the two PC platforms — and both have their pull. I understand the appeal of having access to the same software everywhere. Windows has an enormous software library, but it’s not the same thing as what Mac’s best apps offer. The most celebrated macOS apps aren’t just functional—they’re known for their design, workflow, and tight integration with the operating system.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon's redesigned Fire TV Stick 4K draws power from your TV

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 15:20

Amazon is overhauling its media streaming devices. The shopping giant has not only introduced a revamped Fire TV Stick 4K, but is slimming down its lineup and promising more software upgrades.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I snooped through my friend's Netflix account and found these 4 gems

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 15:15

You had a friend over last night for movie night, and you've just discovered that they didn't log out of their Netflix account on your TV. What a shame. Now, the right move would be to log them out and get back to your own watch list. The more fun move is to tiptoe through their My List and Continue Watching rows because nothing says more about a person than the shows they're into, amirite?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Find the right ergonomic chair during LiberNovo’s Fall Prime Sale

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 15:05

Sometimes, being sedentary is just part of the job. Lengthy, highly focused desk sessions might be part of your daily work, but you don’t need to suffer through the discomfort of prolonged sitting in the right chair. The right ergonomic seating option is the office investment that goes far beyond aesthetics.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop treating your daily-driver Linux PC like a science experiment

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 14:30

Linux has a somewhat contradictory reputation. On the one hand, it's known as a rock-solid operating system that never goes wrong and offers countless hours of uptime. On the other hand, it's also known for being easy to break in the wrong hands when you start digging around under the hood.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Android phone's battery has a limited lifespan: Here's how to check it

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 14:00

Day in and day out, there's one thing keeping your Android phone ticking: the battery. You may already know that your charging habits determine the battery's long-term health, but this is not some mysterious metric. It's a thing you can actually find and track.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Netflix shows that never get old, no matter how many times you've seen them

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 13:45

There are countless shows on Netflix, but only a handful are good enough to become part of your regular viewing rotation. These are the shows you can put on after a long day without worrying about finding something new and the ones that somehow remain entertaining even when you already know exactly how the story unfolds. For me, some series have become an almost yearly tradition.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Fins are the best 3D printing supports you’re not using

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 13:30

Supports are a frustrating but often necessary part of 3D printing. They make it possible to print overhanging elements, but they can feel wasteful and leave behind unsightly marks. While you might be used to standard or tree-like supports, fins are another option that don’t (currently) exist within your slicer of choice.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung's new AirTag rival works with more than just Galaxy phones

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 13:00

Samsung is refining its item tracking tag to challenge Apple's AirTag on its home turf. The company has introduced the Galaxy SmartTag 3 with support for both Galaxy phones and iPhone in addition to a few leaps in design and functionality.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Running Android apps on Windows is easier than you think, and it's worth the effort in these 5 situations

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 13:00

Even though Microsoft ended support for the Windows Subsystem for Android, which let Windows 11 users run Android apps natively, you can still use Android apps and games on your Windows machine. Your options include emulators such as BlueStacks, the Google Play Games Windows app, which lets you play Android games on your PC, and tools such as scrcpy, which lets you display and control your Android phone or tablet from your Windows PC.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 unusual storage devices that are faster than any SSD (and why we don't use them for PC storage)

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 12:30

You may think that if you've spent money on one of the most expensive SSDs (hopefully not too recently, given the prices), you've got the fastest storage in the world. In a way, it's true. But not in every context.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I connected Excel to a folder on my PC, and my weekly report now updates itself

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 12:00

I used to hate combining weekly Excel reports. Copying data from one workbook to another works well enough, but it gets tedious when you have to do it every week. Then you have to remember whether you've done it, or worry about overwriting existing data. Thankfully, Excel can connect to a folder and combine those files for you, and even though it sounds like Excel wizardry, the setup takes just four simple steps.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 Gemini tips and tricks I use in Android Auto

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 11:30

Android Auto is a bit of a double-edged sword. It makes driving easier in plenty of ways, but throw Gemini into the mix, and suddenly there’s a lot more you can ask your car screen to do. It’s not just “play this” or “text that” anymore. Gemini can actually have a conversation with you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Ryobi’s real advantage over Milwaukee and DeWalt isn’t the price—it’s the ecosystem

Wed, 09/30/2026 - 11:00

Ryobi is a go-to in the DIY and homeowner space for multiple reasons. Not only do they have a ton of tools for just about any task, but they also make dozens of accessories for hobbies, outdoor activities, and more. Just like tools in general, there's a lot of personal preference and brand loyalty involved, and while Ryobi gets hate online, they're clearly winning in several ways.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker