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For years, Pi-hole occupied a comfortable place in the self-hosting stack. It was the thing I recommended to friends who wanted "network-wide ad blocking" without understanding DNS. It ran on a Raspberry Pi, required minimal maintenance, and gave me that quiet satisfaction of watching ad domains get blackholed at the network edge.

When you’re consumed by a hobby, it’s normal to want to spend some money on it. But what if you’re spending your money on the wrong thing? And what if you bought something else that both kickstarts a new hobby and augments your existing pastimes?

TL;DR: Bring home a tiny, but mighty MacBook Air for just $199.97 (reg. $999) now through April 19, while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Refurbished) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03   Get Deal

The MacBook Air may be tiny, but it’s still mighty. You shouldn’t underestimate Apple’s lightest laptop — it still packs plenty of power and a whole lot of storage in its sleek and portable frame. Right now, you can bring one home for a surprisingly light price — just $199.97 (reg. $999) — now through April 19.

Don’t sleep on the MacBook Air. This Apple device may be easy to take anywhere, weighing in at just 2.96 pounds, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on power. A 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM let you tackle even the lengthiest to-do lists, and the 13.3-inch widescreen display is equipped with Intel HD Graphics 6000, allowing you to see everything in high-quality images with smooth streaming capabilities.

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If you like to store files locally, you’ll have plenty of space thanks to 128GB of flash storage, along with room to download your favorite apps, too. You’ll enjoy easy connectivity thanks to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, letting you go online and transfer files. And you won’t be hunting for an electrical outlet mid-day — this MacBook Air has an impressive 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Wondering how you’re saving $800 on this Apple laptop? It comes with a Grade A/B refurbished rating, which means it may arrive with light scuffing on the bevel or case, or light scratches or dents on the body, but there will be no dents, cracks, or missing parts.

Regularly $999, get this quality refurbished MacBook Air for only $199.97 (reg. $999) now through April 19.

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TL;DR: See what a brand new operating system can do with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license, on sale now for $12.97 (reg. $199) through May 3.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $12.97
$199 Save $186.03   Get Deal

Working more efficiently doesn’t always mean changing up your workflow. Sometimes, you just need some new tools — like a sparkling new operating system. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro can seriously upgrade your daily routine, as it was created with the modern professional in mind. Right now, you can give your old PC this refresh for just $12.97 (reg. $199) until May 3.

If you haven’t invested in a new computer in a while, we have a great hack for you that costs less than your lunch. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro can rejuvenate your old PC with new tools and features, and right now, you can get it for just $13.

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Microsoft Windows 11 Pro was made for today’s professional, with tools that help streamline your workflow. Take advantage of a powerful search experience, easy redocking, snap layouts, and a seamless, easy-to-use interface.

Aside from giving you new features, Windows 11 Pro also includes helpful apps like Teams, to help you stay connected with coworkers, friends, and family. You’ll also get access to Copilot — Microsoft’s very own AI-powered assistant — right on your desktop. Ask questions, get help with tasks, change settings, summarize web pages, or even let Copilot open your apps.

If you haven’t been taking your cybersecurity as seriously as you should, don’t worry. Windows 11 Pro takes matters into its own hands, giving it a boost with a biometric login, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection.

Normally $199, you can now upgrade your PC with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for only $12.97 through May 3.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A spigot.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

SPOUT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A leg exercise.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LUNGE

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

Fire.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 5 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 5, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

FLAME

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To smash into.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CRASH

Final Hurdle hint

Gleam

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SHINE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love old-school detectives.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

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SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 5, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Science terms

• Green: Old-school detective

• Blue: Turn over

• Purple: Muck

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Atomic structure terms

• Green: Parts of a Sherlock Holmes costume

• Blue: Things to flip

• Purple: Starting with synonyms for "Slush"

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1029 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Atomic structure terms: ELECTRON, NUCLEUS, ORBIT, SHELL

• Parts of a Sherlock Holmes costume: DEERSTALKER, MAGNIFYING GLASS, PIPE, VIOLIN

• Things to flip: COIN, LIGHT SWITCH, PANCAKE, THE BIRD

• Starting with synonyms for "Slush": GOOGOL, MUSHROOM, PASTEURIZE, PULPIT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 5, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an animal lover.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 5, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Pouch perfect

The words are related to animals.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe pouch-bearing animals.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Marsupials.

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NYT Strands word list for April 5

• Wombat

• Koala

• Bilby

• Marsupials

• Opossum

• Kangaroo

• Wallaby

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're diplomatic.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 5, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

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SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 5, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A messenger.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

ENVOY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Repurposing a 1TB or 2TB SSD is easy enough. There's always something you can do with those, from game drives to external drives for backups. But when it comes to things like 250GB HDDs or 120GB SATA drives, it might seem like we're not as spoiled for choice.

Live-action video game adaptations seem to be populating on streaming services these days, and I couldn’t be happier about it. After years of teasing that my favorite game might be adapted into a live-action series, it’s finally happening. In 2022, Sony confirmed the development of a God of War TV show and, in January, cast its lead.

My homelabbing journey started off like many of you, with just one server. I finally moved to using multiple servers about a year ago and I can say that my homelab has never been more stable than it is now, and I couldn’t be more happy with the setup.

Equipping a vehicle as advanced as the Tesla Cybertruck with functional accessories doesn’t always mean spending thousands of dollars. While Tesla’s engineering is world-class, you can make a few strategic upgrades to the Cybertruck for about $200 on Amazon. These accessories will enhance the experience of driving a Cybertruck, whether you are on a Tuesday morning grocery run, a hot Friday night date, or a long weekend off-grid excursion.

The Raspberry Pi Pico, and its newer sibling, the Pico 2, isn't designed to be a tiny mini PC like most of the Raspberry Pi family. Instead, it is designed for hardware projects and embedded applications. This is how to get started with one.

Are you looking for ways to cut your reliance on the cloud, bring the services you use in-house, and bolster your online safety? If so, then you absolutely should replace cloud-hosted services with self-hosted alternatives. Here's 12 privacy-focused self-hosted apps and the services they replace.

There are so many streaming services out there that have taken over the world with their movies and TV shows. Netflix has some great shows (even if their recommendations are broken), HBO Max has released some awesome films, and several other platforms have joined the party and created their own projects.

Home Assistant is a smart home platform that operates on a PC in your home, not in the cloud—so if you don't already have spare hardware lying around, you're going to have to find some. But what if I told you there's one type of computer you can buy that will save you money upfront, provide you with excess performance, and keep energy costs low at the same time?

RuPaul's Drag Race fans are calling out the show over alleged use of AI-generated artwork.

SEE ALSO: Put Dr. Kelson from '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'

The artwork appears in Season 18, episode 14, when host RuPaul Charles "paints" portraits of contestants Juicy Love Dion, Myki Meeks, Darlene Mitchell, and Nini Coco. Viewers were quick to point out that the portraits fell into the uncanny valley of AI slop, from the faint yellow filter on some images to some strange incongruities, like Juicy Love Dion's boa having three separate ends.

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On social media, fans and even former contestants like Season 16's Plasma expressed frustration over the show's possible use of AI. After all, RuPaul's Drag Race is a celebration of the art form of drag. Allegedly using AI feels like a betrayal of the very authenticity the series hopes to promote.

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This is not the first time RuPaul's Drag Race has come under fire for its use of AI. Last year, RuPaul's Drag Race released a short film on its YouTube channel titled "Jinkx & Plasma’s Gay Adventure!" The short featured AI-generated recreations of iconic RuPaul's Drag Race moments, resulting in major criticism from fans. It has since been made private on YouTube.

Mashable has reached out to RuPaul's Drag Race production company, World of Wonder, for further comment.

You've paid the premium subscription fee, invested in a beautiful 4K television, and your home network is humming along far beyond Netflix's minimum Mbps requirement for Ultra HD and 4K streaming. Despite checking every box, you still catch distracting digital squares in dark scenes, or subtle color gradients turn into harsh, discrete stripes.

Long-time Android users know that there is a hidden set of developer settings where you can customize aspects of your phone not intended for the wider public. Turns out the same is true about Android Auto—sort of. Just like with your Android phone, there is a hidden page with car-related options that aren’t intended for the general populace, but it's not as deep nor nearly as good.

The clipboard, used when copying and pasting, is one of the most useful features on any computer or smartphone. Most platforms also have an even more powerful companion feature that's easy to overlook, but is a complete game-changer once you start using it. It's the clipboard history.