How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 43 min 33 sec ago

I pitted ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini against 3 broken PCs, and there was a clear winner

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 17:00

I've been building PCs for 20 years, so it goes without saying that I've also done my fair share of troubleshooting various problems for myself, but also for friends, family, and random strangers on the internet. It's a tedious process, and prior to a few years ago, it involved strong googling skills. These days, many people turn to an AI chatbot of their choice and save themselves from sifting through various articles and forums.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla Model Y and Cybertruck recalls include one over missing stickers

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 16:57

Tesla has issued a slew of recalls for the Model Y and Cybertruck, including one over missing labels that could lead to crashes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A Raspberry Pi was the ultimate addition to my NAS, and I wish I'd bought one sooner

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 16:46

I've run a NAS for years, but it always felt like something was missing. Adding a Raspberry Pi to the mix changed everything. It's a small, cheap upgrade that quietly solved problems I didn't even know I had.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 thrilling Prime Video movies to watch this week (May 25 - May 31)

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 16:30

As a movie enthusiast, I’m always looking for a good thriller with a unique story where tension, danger, and uncertainty reign supreme. Whether it’s psychological mind games, a high-stakes mystery, or pulse-pounding action, it should tap into something primal that keeps me on the edge of my seat, with my eyes glued to the screen.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I put NFC tags on my storage bins so Home Assistant could finally track my junk

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 16:00

As a family with kids, we have far more stuff than can comfortably fit in our home. Thankfully, there's a useful attic where we can dump stuff when it's not in use. In the past, finding things in the attic involved hunting through multiple storage bins, but some cheap NFC tags solved the problem.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Wallet can replace 5 apps you probably still have installed

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 15:46

Most people set up Google Wallet once for payments and never open it again. Once your credit or debit cards are loaded onto it, people simply tap and pay, and often don’t realize that Google Wallet holds a lot more potential.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This criminally underrated Linux distro beats CachyOS in every way that matters

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 15:30

At the time of writing, CachyOS sits in the #1 spot on DistroWatch. It’s been getting a lot of attention, and honestly, much of it is deserved. But there’s another Arch-based distro that doesn’t get nearly as much love, and I think it’s the better pick for most people—I’m talking about Garuda Linux. I’ve run both distros on real hardware, and here’s why I believe Garuda is better than CachyOS in the ways that actually matter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You're getting 20% of Claude's power. Here's how to unlock the rest

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 15:15

Most people use Claude the same way. Open the app, type a question, read the answer, close the tab. It's useful enough that way and, in fact, better than a Google search for a lot of things. But if that's all you're doing, you're getting maybe 20% of what Claude actually is.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The one feature that turns a mini PC into a networking powerhouse

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 15:00

Your mini PC, or most mini PCs you might find for purchase new or used, probably comes with just one single Ethernet port. Yet, for full-size PCs it's becoming more common to have dual Ethernet ports as standard.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tried these free and premium reader apps on my modded Fire Tablet—here's the one I'm sticking with

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 14:45

If there is anything at all I'm obsessed with, it has to be modding Android devices/Fire Tablets and reading comics, books, magazines, and anything else I can get my grubby little hands on.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 5 biggest mistake beginners make when self-hosting apps

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 14:30

If you're just getting started with self-hosting apps and services in your homelab, there are a number of mistakes you should try to avoid. These are the five biggest mistakes that I see self-hosters make, and how you can avoid them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

After two years with a Pixel Watch, I realized Samsung's smartwatch approach is still unbeatable

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 14:01

Android owners have two main smartwatch brands to choose from: Samsung Galaxy Watch or Google Pixel Watch. I’ve spent extensive time with both, but I just recently switched back to a Galaxy Watch after wearing a Pixel Watch for the last couple of years. I’ll explain why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Meal planning stresses me out, so I let Claude handle it instead

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 13:30

One of the biggest problems I have with AI is that it can do so many things that it's hard to know where to start. I decided to see if Claude could solve one of my biggest frustrations. The results were impressive, and I barely had to lift a finger.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hybrid smartwatches are the anti-smartwatch trend we need, but nobody's ever done them right

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 13:00

Hybrid watches have always seemed like an interesting concept to me. I'm someone who loves tech, but when it comes to watches, nothing beats the aesthetics, reliability, and simplicity of a traditional wristwatch. Although the idea of adding smart features to a traditional watch sounds like a match made in heaven, it never quite comes together in reality.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The safety net Windows users miss: How I switched to Linux without over-committing

Mon, 05/25/2026 - 12:30

Are you tempted by a switch to Linux but worried about leaving Windows behind? It may seem like you're starting from scratch, but you're not. Linux has a reassuring pathway that lets you cross over without fully committing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 psychological thrillers on Prime Video that are guaranteed to mess with your head this week

Sun, 05/24/2026 - 23:30

When you’re in the mood for a movie that trades jump scares for dread, explosions for unease, and clear answers for unnerving ambiguity, nothing beats a psychological thriller. The good ones don’t just tell a story — they burrow into your brain and force you to consider whether the real danger lies within the characters on screen or within your perception of reality.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your doctor probably still uses CDs, and 6 other reasons they won't go away

Sun, 05/24/2026 - 23:00

Good old CDs, how I miss them so. I miss when an optical drive bay was a standard thing in every single PC, and when instead of Spotify and YouTube, we all had to buy the albums and deal with the songs we didn't love quite as much. But I'm not here to rant about the state of the world, nor am I here to go on and on about my never-ending nostalgia for old storage media.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the Toyota RAV4—the Kia Seltos just proved it's the smarter buy

Sun, 05/24/2026 - 22:45

The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling small SUV in America, one with an ironclad reputation for reliability, practicality, and resale value that few vehicles in any segment can match. Since arriving in the U.S. in 1996, Toyota has sold millions of units, and comparing anything to the RAV4 might seem like a bold move. To suggest the all-new 2027 Kia Seltos can stand toe-to-toe with the mighty RAV4 is a bold claim.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I wasted years listening to music on AirPods

Sun, 05/24/2026 - 22:30

Listening on AirPods used to sound great. Lately, however, I've noticed I'm missing something. Was it the quality of the CD rip I was using, or the device?

Categories: IT General, Technology

The plush compact SUV buyers are switching to instead of the RAV4 in 2026

Sun, 05/24/2026 - 22:01

Compact SUVs are one of the most competitive segments in the automotive market, where value, comfort, efficiency, and technology all matter just as much as badge appeal. Even small shifts in pricing, supply, or equipment can have a noticeable impact on sales, especially when shoppers are cross-shopping the usual segment leaders. In 2026, that balance has started to shift in a way few expected.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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