Blogroll
Excel isn't slow—you just built a workbook that takes forever to load
Search for "how to fix a bloated Excel workbook," and you'll find plenty of familiar advice. But the real problems are often hiding in places you never think to look. Here's where to check before you assume the problem is Excel itself.
3 self-hosted tools that could replace paid services this weekend (August 21 - 23)
Are you ready to take your homelab to the next level? This weekend, I'm showing you three unique projects to try out in the homelab, from simplifying your Docker experience to replacing Canva. Here are the projects you should try before Monday rolls around.
The US says you can play GTA 6 for four days if you reenlist with the Army
How determined are you to play Grand Theft Auto VI? If you're in the right U.S. Army unit, you only need to commit to years of military service. Soldiers in the Georgia-based 9th Brigade Engineering Battalion have been offered a four-day pass to play Rockstar's upcoming blockbuster game if they reenlist.
Gaming monitor deals that take the pain out of upgrading: Save up to $650 on our top picks from LG and Samsung
Gaming hardware might come with major sticker shock, but upgrading your gear can truly make a world of difference in how you experience your favorite games. If your current setup is feeling lifeless, I've spotted a few deals on gaming monitors that'll take some of the pain out of upgrading. A discount of up to 50% is a great excuse to make the jump to a new monitor, don't you think?
While the market is wide and varied, here are three of the best deals we could find on gaming monitors as of Aug. 20. Gaming is not a cheap hobby by any means, but it also doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Best OLED gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 27-inch Ultragear OLED 27GX790A-B $499.99 at Amazon$999.99 Save $500 Get Deal Why we like it
LG's Ultragear gaming monitors are some of the most popular models on the market for their premium specs, excellent build quality, reliability, and performance. And the OLED 27GX790A-B is no exception.
It packs a brilliant 27-inch matte 1440p OLED panel with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400, a blistering 480Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time for fluid gameplay. There's also plenty of ports on board, including dual HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, and USB 3.0 (1 upstream / 2 downstream). While the LG UltraGear OLED 27GX790A-B's premium specs might be out of reach on a normal day, this 50% discount makes it a whole lot more approachable. At $499.99, it's the cheapest it's ever been.
Best curved gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 57-inch Odyssey Neo G95NC $1,449.99 at Amazon$2,099.99 Save $650.00 + get a $120 Amazon credit Get Deal Why we like it
If you like to be in the center of the action while gaming, this Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 monitor deal is for you.
Beyond its wild 57-inch screen real estate, the Odyssey Neo G95NC also features a 1,000R curve that envelops you as you play. A 1,000R curve is considered ideal for a monitor, as it closely matches the human field of view, reduces eye strain, and enhances depth perception. It's worth noting, however, that the G9's 32:9 aspect ratio isn't compatible with every game (check that your faves will work before pulling the trigger). The G95NC packs a solid 240Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, VESA DisplayHDR 1000, and G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro compatibility. There's also plenty of ports for connectivity, including HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, and a USB Hub.
Not only is it 31% off as of Aug. 20, but you'll also get a free $120 Amazon credit with your purchase for a limited time.
Best budget gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G55C $199.99 at Amazon$329.99 Save $130 Get Deal Why we like it
If you're a little curious about curved monitors, but don't want to break the bank making the switch, Amazon's deal on the Samsung Odyssey G55C can transform your gaming experience for under $200.
It packs a 32-inch 2560x1440 QHD display with a 1000R curvature and 16:9 aspect ratio. That means the screen will wrap around your field of view, enhancing the depth of your games while reducing eye strain. It also features a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, AMD Radeon FreeSync, HDR10, and an eye-saver mode to reduce screen flickering during extended gaming periods.
While it's not the most premium monitor on the market, Samsung monitors have a solid reputation. If you're balling on a budget, it's a hard deal to pass up for only $199.99. That's just $10 away from its best price ever.
Google Assistant is dying next month, but Gemini is still missing these features
Google Assistant’s retirement was announced well over a year ago, but the official end date is now in sight. For better or worse, Gemini will be the company’s last digital assistant standing on September 4th. It’s had plenty of time to get up to speed with Assistant—here’s what’s still missing.
You're using USB drives wrong
It’s easy to dismiss USB drives as little more than inexpensive portable storage devices that you can plug into practically anything.
Why a Cheap Yellow Display should be your next ESP32 purchase
Cheap Yellow Display, or CYD for short, is a catch-all term for an affordable microcontroller and touchscreen combination. These devices include everything you need to get started with ESP32 projects that depend on a display, offering a larger footprint than a standalone microcontroller but an easier onboarding for many projects.
The best deals on 3D printers this week — shop Bambu Lab, Creality, and Flashforge with steep discounts
Getting into 3D printing usually means choosing between speed, print quality, and not blowing your whole budget — but this week's deals make that trade-off a lot less painful. Three printers from Bambu Lab, Creality, and Flashforge are discounted right now, with savings up to $171 (31% off).
There's a fit here no matter what you're after — a beginner-friendly all-rounder, a large-format speed machine built for bigger projects, and a quiet, filtered option for everyday use.
Best for everyday printing Opens in a new window Credit: Flashforge Flashforge 3D Printer $378.99 at Amazon$549 Save $170.01 Get Deal Why we like it
The AD5M Pro is the printer that gets out of your way. Setup takes 10 minutes or less with no experience required, and full-auto leveling means you skip manual adjustments before your first print. It moves fast, up to 600mm/s with 20,000mm/s² acceleration, backed by a CoreXY metal structure that keeps output stable and precise even at that speed.
It's also the pick for anyone printing at home or in a shared space. It's quiet enough for a living room or classroom, and the enclosed design keeps fumes and dust from escaping into the room. There's also a built-in camera so you can check on prints remotely or capture time-lapse videos, easy nozzle swaps for different filament types, and automatic recovery if the power cuts out mid-print.
Best overall 3D Printer Opens in a new window Credit: Bambu Lab Bambu Lab P1S 3D Printer $499.99 at Amazon$549 Save $49.01 Get Deal Why we like it
The Bambu Lab P1S earns the top spot in this lineup because it balances speed, quality, and ease of use better than most printers at this price. It sets up in about 15 minutes, handles calibration automatically with auto bed leveling, and prints fast — up to 500mm/s — without sacrificing quality. That combination makes it approachable for someone printing their first model, while still being capable enough that experienced makers won't outgrow it quickly.
What sets it apart is the AMS add-on, which unlocks multi-color and multi-material printing (up to 16 colors) without any manual filament swapping. It's fully enclosed, so advanced filaments like ABS and ASA print consistently, and the build volume is generous enough for bigger projects.
Best for large-scale prints Opens in a new window Credit: Comgrow Creality K1 Max 3D Printer $548.99 at Amazon$719 Save $170.01 Get Deal Why we like it
The Creality K1 Max packs a massive 300x300x300mm build volume into a compact footprint, giving you room for larger prints while staying space-efficient. Pair that with a 600 mm/s print speed and 20,000 mm/s² acceleration, and you get a printer built to move fast without making you choose between size and speed.
The AI Lidar scans the first layer and automatically halts the print if something's off, while the onboard camera monitors for print failures or debris mid-print. It also comes with dual hands-free auto leveling and dual-fan cooling that hardens each layer before warping or stringing can set in.
The Pixel 11 is here—now's the time to buy the Pixel 10
Google's new Pixel 11 lineup is here, but despite having a new processor, it's not exactly a generational leap. It's a fairly modest upgrade, and although it's far from a bad phone, the value isn't there, especially when the Pixel 10 still offers most of the same features and capabilities. That's why last year's model could actually be a much better buy for most people.
Inside Honda’s solid-state battery breakthrough
Electric vehicles are clearly the future of the automotive industry, as brands have essentially all begun their march towards carbon neutrality. However, range anxiety and slow charging have all been barriers to the average person making the switch to an electric vehicle. However, solid state batteries (SSBs) may be the solution.
These Raspberry Pi builds make everyday hobbies better (August 21 - 23)
Are you ready to spend some time soldering and setting up projects on your Pi this weekend? Then today's post is for you! Below, I talk about building a custom turntable with a Pi Pico, designing a custom OBD-II dashboard for your car, and building a tabletop game soundboard.
Google Photos' hidden sharing feature replaced texting photos to my family entirely
Like most people, the way I mainly share a photo with friends and family is by texting it to them. This works fine if you just quickly want to share a moment. However, it's a very fragmented situation, and there is a better way—more than one, in fact—built into Google Photos.
These 5 3D prints make my kitchen more functional without a renovation
More than perhaps any room in your home, the kitchen begs for 3D printed solutions. It’s an area that’s ripe with opportunities for custom optimizations—especially if you’re restricted by space. My kitchen can always use more functionality, and these five prints help.
Pi-hole can enforce bedtime internet shutoffs—here's how I set it up for my family
If you have kids, managing their screen time can be a constant battle. It can be difficult to enforce the rules because it's easy for them to pick up a phone or tablet without you realizing. If you have Pi-hole set up, you can use it to shut down their internet access when it's time for bed.
Keep your food dry and cold: Score $30 off Ninja’s FrostVault cooler on Amazon
SAVE $30: As of Aug. 20, the 30qt Ninja FrostVault cooler in cloud white is discounted to $169.99 at Amazon. That's $30 off its full price of $199.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja FrostVault 30qt Hard Cooler with Dry Zone $169.99 at Amazon$199.99 Save $30 Get Deal
Throughout the summer, Amazon has had some excellent outdoor deals, and it's not slowing down as we inch closer to fall.
If you're someone who can't wait to enjoy camping trips and outdoor gatherings in the cooler weather, the retailer has plenty of discounts worth exploring right now, including a $30 price cut on the 30qt Ninja FrostVault cooler in cloud white.
This durable cooler is normally priced at $199.99 at the retailer, but shoppers can snag it for $169.99 right now instead. Unfortunately, only the cloud white model is down to this price, but the other available colors are priced just $10 higher.
SEE ALSO: Purple's Labor Day sale gets you a king mattress for the price of a queen — shop now for up to $400 offFrom food to drinks, this 30-quart cooler can handle it all. When it comes to the latter, it can hold up to 48 cans without ice or 26 with ice. And thanks to a heavy-duty build with up to three inches of insulation, they'll stay safe and cool while you're out and about. What really stands out about this cooler is the FrostVault Dry Zone.
This keeps your food in its own section of the cooler so it stays dry and cool, away from the drinks. It's a really helpful way to keep everything packed together without it getting all soggy from the ice and condensation. Plus, this cooler comes with integrated handles, so carrying it around during fall outings will be much easier.
If the 30qt Ninja FrostVault cooler in cloud white has caught your eye, act fast to save at Amazon.
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3 tweaks that could make this VLC alternative your new media player
I've been using VLC for years, so when I recently started reading about mpv as a compelling alternative, I decided to give it a try. My first impression wasn't great. mpv opened my videos just fine, but compared with VLC, it felt almost unfinished. The interface is sparse, there aren't traditional menus full of settings, and a lot of the conveniences I was used to simply weren't there.
Record-low deal: Get $200 off Amazons 50-inch Omni QLED 4K TV
SAVE $200: As of Aug. 20, the Amazon Fire TV 50-inch Omni QLED 4K TV is on sale for $269.99 at Amazon. That's a $200 drop from its list price of $469.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 50-Inch Omni QLED Series 4K UHD smart TV $269.99 at Amazon$469.99 Save $200 Get Deal
Cooler weather is right around the corner, and if you can't wait to settle in for fall's batch of streaming shows and movies, you'll want a high-quality TV to watch it all on. If you've been thinking about an upgrade, Amazon's been dropping great deals recently, including the Amazon Fire TV 50-inch Omni QLED 4K TV.
As of Aug. 20, this smart TV has been slashed from $469.99 to $269.99. That's a solid $200 discount, and not too far from its lowest-ever price of $249.99. It's only on sale at this price for a limited time, so act fast to save.
SEE ALSO: Best Buy's 60th Anniversary Sale is live: We found the best deals on TVs, iPhones, Pokémon, and moreSince this 50-inch Fire TV is a smart TV, you'll be able to access all of your favorite streaming services right from the home screen. What you watch will look stunning as well, as this TV boasts a 4K resolution QLED display that sharpens details and brings out rich colors on screen. It even comes with Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive to give pictures an added color boost, and also supports HDR10 and HLG.
Another cool highlight of this TV is that it can automatically optimize the brightness of what you watch using a built-in sensor that detects the room's lighting. That way, you won't miss any of the action happening on screen. It also comes with the Fire TV Ambient Experience, which lets you display art or photos when you're not watching anything.
If you're thinking it's time to grab a new TV, don't miss out on this great deal on the Amazon Fire TV 50-inch Omni QLED 4K TV at Amazon.
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Seth Meyers launches A Closer Look as summer video podcast series
Seth Meyers' Late Night may be on summer vacation but the news keeps rolling. So, the host has launched a version of his popular deep dive segment "A Closer Look" as a video podcast series during the break.
A Closer Look: Out of Office is now streaming on YouTube, Peacock, and major podcast platforms. For the series, Meyers catches up with supervising writer/producer Sal Gentile on a video call to unpack the last current affairs.
"You had another name which I did really like," Gentile says in the first episode. "A Closer Look: Proof of Life, to show people we're still alive. Kind of like the way Mitch McConnell releases a new photo."
For the first episode, Meyers and Gentile explore Donald Trump's Air Force One catering cart switcheroo, and the Department of Justice's push to revive the case of vandalism concerning the controversially renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
Apparently Meyers saw the word "vacation" and thought, I'll pack my podcast equipment.
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3 side projects I run when I have unused Claude tokens to spare
The Claude plans have two different usage limit windows. One is a five-hour session limit and the other is a weekly limit that gets reset once a week. Anything you use below your weekly quota doesn't carry over, so any excess capacity is effectively wasted.
Weird Al Yankovics Tiny Desk Concert is an absolute treat
'Weird Al' Yankovic on Tiny Desk Concert? It happened. Again.
The music comedy legend and king of parody squished himself and eight musicians into NPR's minuscule performance space for the latest fundraising episode, and it's honestly a delightful time. You'll snack upon renditions of some of his big hits from Weezer-style "Skipper Dan" to Backstreet Boys parody "eBay," and epic Star Wars-inspired "American Pie" tribute "The Saga Begins."
Weird Al has actually appeared on Tiny Desk Concert before, playing a set of originals in 2010.
"It's really great to be back at Tiny Desk. We did play here in 2010 and apparently we did so great they invited us back 16 years later," he said during the set.
You can watch the set above or on NPR's YouTube channel. It's a treat.
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