How-To Geek

Building a PC is equal parts exciting and frustrating. There's nothing quite like gaming on a new PC for the first time, but with so many components to think about, getting there is a challenge. While most hardware choice comes down to personal preference, one small detail you shouldn't overlook is RAM clearance.

Ever accidentally copy something very personal into your work chat? It's a nightmare scenario for anyone who uses their personal device for work (employers might be worried about data moving in the other direction, too). Here's how to avoid mixing work with play with virtual machines.

Are you frustrated with free productivity apps offering bare-bones functionality? Or annoyed by paying a monthly fee for apps that fail to make you any more productive? Well, say hello to Super Productivity—a free app boasting powerful features that’ll put premium alternatives to shame!

Electric cars are more than just an eco-friendly trend—they’re fast becoming the go-to choice for drivers who want to ditch gas without the guilt. And while going electric used to feel like a leap, today’s EVs come packed with perks that make the switch easier than ever.

If you want to kick off your day with a dose of motivation, like I do, you can get your Windows 11 PC to show you your chosen motivational quotes every morning. Setting this up is easier than you think, and I’ll walk you through the steps.

There is so much to love about mini PCs. These tiny little boxes pack all the capabilities that used to require a bulky desktop tower. I want one, I really do—I’ve just never had a practical need.

The GameCube era was one of Nintendo’s most creatively experimental periods, and it's long overdue for more representation on Nintendo Switch Online. At the time of writing, only three GameCube titles have made their way to Switch Online on the Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and Soulcalibur II.

Wondering how to prepare your child for a future where technical literacy matters more than ever? While giving them a computer is definitely a start, I believe the choice of operating system will play a more important role. That’s why my kids’ first PC will run Linux.

It's ironic that the very job I do—writing for online publications—killed technology magazines over the last ten years or so. Circulation started to drop when you could get pretty much the same content, instantly, and for free as long as you can put up with a little advertising to pay the bills—thanks for that, by the way!

People these days obsess over minimalistic user interfaces, to the point that they sacrifice functionality for aesthetics, and I get it. I keep my desktop fairly clean, too. But when it comes to my taskbar, it’s a different story; I keep every system tray icon shown, and it's been working great for me.

USB ports don’t all offer the same speed. Using a slower port can cause delays in file transfers, slower charging, and poor performance for high-speed devices. So, how can you identify the fastest one? You can figure this out by checking the port symbol or color, or performing a quick speed test.

SentinelPro is a powerful, all-in-one analytics platform offering real-time insights, full data ownership, and both free and affordable paid plans for businesses of all sizes.

If you join meetings on your Windows 11 PC, you can make your system prepare for the upcoming meetings by itself. Thanks to a custom script, your computer can automatically adjust the brightness, enable do-not-disturb mode, close distracting apps, and launch your meeting apps.

As someone who uses a MacBook Pro all day, every day; I didn’t realize how much use I’d get out of a cheap used Mac mini. As I build up my smart home ecosystem, I’ve taken to using Apple’s “tiny PC” as a local hub.

Open-ear earbuds have taken the world by storm, and Baseus has thrown its hat in the ring with a new range of buds covering the entry-level, midrange, and high-end of the market.

Sharing files between Linux and Android has often been a complicated process involving unreliable Linux utilities or complex network setups. A new application, Packet, aims to solve this by providing a simple, wireless file transfer solution. Let's find out how!

Apple is introducing a bold new look to all of its operating systems this fall. But this isn’t the first time the company has introduced drastic changes that have reshaped the way its software looks and feels. In fact, the company has a bit of a thing for it.

In a market where car prices continue to climb, finding a brand-new sedan that’s truly affordable can feel impossible. But one model stands out as the most budget-friendly new sedan in America, and it still delivers more value than you’d expect at its price point.

In the market for a new PC to replace that Windows 10 computer but want to try a different OS? Linux-first PC and laptop manufacturer System76 has refreshed its mini PC it calls "Meerkat" with better CPU options, including a more affordable configuration.

Are you looking for fun (or unique) pieces of software to expand your homelab with? I’ve been on the hunt for new software lately, and found 10 tools that everyone should try at least once. In no particular order, here are tools that have (or will) change how I run my homelab.