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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If you want your laptop or computer to function at the top level — whether you're using it for gaming or editing — a solid state drive (SSD) is a vital component. SSDs are faster and perform better than pretty much any hard drive available.

An SSD can help improve the overall speed of your computer as well keep your files and data as secure as possible. As tech heads will know, an SSD is a great way to upgrade your set-up. And it doesn't need to cost you a fortune.

But how do you find a SSD that works for you and your computer? And what makes one SSD better than another? That's part of the problem with buying hardware. There are so many specifications that the jargon is hard (unlike with an SSD) to keep stored in your brain.

If you're in the market for an SSD, read on for some useful information and a roundup of the best SSD options right now.

What is a solid-state drive?

An SSD is a storage device that uses blocks of memory cells to store data for easy access. SSDs tend to use flash memory, which makes them faster and more efficient than HDD options. Consequently, SSD has become the more popular means of storage — synonymous with the latest gen PCs and laptops.

What's the difference between SSD and HDD?

It's a matter of inner workings. Whole SSD uses memory chips and flash memory, the more traditional HDDs are built with mechanical moving parts, which is what makes them slower. It's worth remembering, however, that HDDs are cheaper and they can hold significantly more data than SSDs.

How much data can SSDs hold?

The amount of storage differs — each model tends to have multiple capacity options — but most of the SSDs you'll find on this list range between 1TB and 4TB.

Do you need an SSD?

The great thing about SSD technology is that it's a simple way to upgrade your PC and laptop. SSDs are especially good for laptop users because they're small, portable, and eat up less power. But it's always worth asking yourself if you actually need the upgrade.

SSDs are also good for gaming and video editing because they have fast load and response times and reduced lag. The only drawback is they have limited storage (and less storage for your cash) than HDD. Serious gamers might want to combine both SSD and HDD, using the HDD for files that are access less frequently.

What are the different types of SSD?

There are different kinds of technology that you'll find inside SSDs. It's worth knowing some of the jargon so you have a basic idea. The easiest way to say it is that there are two types of SSD – SATA and PCIe/NVMe SSDs. SATA is the older technology, which is fine for basic needs but not as fast as PCIe and NVMe. PCIe is a type of flash storage, while NVMe isn interface that accelerates data transfer speeds.

What is the best SSD?

Thankfully, with prices going down and quality going up, finding a high-quality SSD has become easier than ever. We did the research, keeping in mind functionality, storage, and price to bring you some of the top options on the market.

These are the best SSDs in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

When it comes to webcams, there's one thing you can rely on: The webcam built into your computer isn't up to scratch. At least, not if you need it for professional purposes, whether that means video meetings or YouTube content creating.

The good news is that you don’t have settle for subpar video every time you hop on a call or drop your latest short. There is another way: an external webcam.

External webcams are clearer, more detailed, more advanced, and just, well, better. Before you buy one, however, there are a few basics you’ll need to know. Here's some helpful information, plus a selection of the best webcams, to put you in the picture.

What is an external webcam?

An external webcam clips on the top of your screen or sits on a little tripod and plugs in via USB or Thunderbolt, rather than being a part of your computer or laptop. Most external webcams — especially high-quality cams — come with software that lets you manually adjust features, resolution, frames rate, white balance, exposure, and so on. Ultimately, an external webcam can be an easy way to make your video quality better and more consistent.

Are external webcams expensive?

They don't have to be expensive. There are webcams on the cheaper end out there that are still a step up from built-in webcams. Of course, the more you pay, the clearer the image and greater the customisation options, but upgrading to an external webcam doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot.

What features do webcams have?

This isn't an exhaustive list, but it's useful to keep these things in mind when shopping for a webcam:

• Built-in mics — Some cameras come with one built-in mic, two built-in mics, or no mics at all. If crisp sound quality is important to you, spring for an external USB microphone. Webcam mics are never really built to wow. However, if your computer setup has no mic at all, grab a webcam that comes with one so you can make sure you're being heard on your calls. Some mics also have noise cancelling capabilities to cut out ambient background interference.

• Field of view — If you want a webcam that frames you nicely (as in, not so small that the smallest adjustment will cut you out of the picture, and not so big you see the whole room in the background) check out the field of view, which describes the width of the area a camera captures. The standard sweet spot on most webcams hovers around 80 degrees, which can fit about two people comfortably.

• Image resolution and frame rate — There are a few image resolutions you’ll come across, including 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD), and 4K (UHD). As you might have guessed, the higher the resolution, the higher the picture quality. While the image resolution is all about clarity, frame rate is all about smoothness. Typically, a higher frame rate like 60fps looks smoothest, though 30fps will still offer lag-free video. Only the highest quality webcams support 4K/30 fps and most video call/streaming platforms support 1080p/30fps.

• Lighting — If you find that your facial features are almost always lost to overexposure or that your image looks so dark you're giving villain-in-a-found-film-horror-movie-energy (absolutely a vibe but maybe not the one you want on client calls), look out for webcams that handle changing light conditions well or have software that allows you to adjust contrast, exposure, and white balance.

Keep these things in mind when beginning your purchase process.

Are webcams a security risk?

There isn't a greater privacy risk with an external webcam than a built-in webcam. But with any webcams, external or otherwise, you should be aware that webcam hacks are very much a thing, even if you don’t have your camera on. The rule of thumb is that if you have a webcam, you should be covering it every time it’s not in use. There are external covers you can buy for most kinds of webcams and some webcams.

What is the best webcam?

We've searched high and low for the very best webcams and lined up a selection for you. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this roundup, including popular models from top brands such as Logitech, Anker, and Razer.

These are the best webcams in 2025.

WFH has been a standard working practice for many people for years now. Sure, it's nice to do your work in the comfort of your own home, but it does come with certain issues. For starters, you need to stock up with the right equipment. A good worker needs good tools, after all. Which means you need home office technology.

Though it depends on your line of work, chances are you'll need a printer, monitor, and keyboard. But there's another item that's important: the mouse. It's often taken for granted, but a mouse can impact your productivity and overall comfort behind a desk.

There are lots of mouse options on the market, and from some of the biggest names in tech, including Razer, Logitech, and Apple. But how do you go about picking the right model for you? If you’re struggling to get to grips with the perfect option, here's some information to help you, well, click with a mouse that suits you.

Do you need a good mouse?

If all you do is the odd bit of browsing and link clicking, it’s true that any old mouse will get the job done. But we’re talking about WFH here, which means hours and hours spent in front of the computer. If that’s the case, a good quality mouse is essential for keeping your arm, wrist, and hand comfortable and free from injury. A high-quality computer mouse can help prevent fatigue, improve your overall performance and productivity, and just make everything a whole lot easier.

What is an ergonomic mouse?

An ergonomic mouse is designed to keep your hand in a natural position, therefore reducing the kind of stresses and strain that might lead to carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injury. Ergonomic mice are easy to spot as they sometimes look clunky or unusual — but it’s all designed for comfort and physical wellbeing.

What is DPI?

This is something you’ll see a lot when shopping for a computer mouse. It stands for “Dots Per Inch” — essentially a measurement of how sensitive the mouse is. It describes how many pixels the cursor moves across per inch of physical mouse movement. A higher DPI means higher sensitivity — the cursor moves faster and tracks more distance across the screen. Some manufacturers call it CPI — “counts per inch” — but it essentially means the same thing. DPI is also adjustable with some of the more advanced mouse models.

How does a mouse connect to the computer?

As you'll see below, there are both wired and wireless mouse options. A wired mouse inserts straight into your computer, usually via USB, while a wireless mouse will sync using Bluetooth or a USB dongle. A wireless mouse will be better for a home that has a permanent work stations, whereas a wireless model gives you the flexibility to move around from room to room or other working locations.

Can you use a gaming mouse for work?

A gaming mouse will come with specialist features — such as lighting, programmable buttons, and super-high DPI — but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them for everyday use as well. We’ve included some gamer mouse options below — worth considering if you’re a gamer who likes to mix up work and play.

What is the best mouse for working from home?

Nowadays, computer mice come with everything from customisable buttons to built-in LEDs. You could spend hours doing detailed research on everything on offer, but that's going to take a lot of dedication. Alternatively, you could let someone else do all of the hard work for you and check out this roundup of the best mice for working from home. That means us. We've tracked down a selection of impressive devices that should suit everyone. You just need to pick (and click) a favourite.

These are the best mice in 2025.

Skype has languished in recent years, with other apps like Discord becoming more popular for group communication, and Teams serving as Microsoft's own successor. It’s not exactly surprising, then, to see that Microsoft might be about to kill off Skype after a long 21 years.

DreamWorks has announced Shrek 5's cast in a short clip which draws on TikTok memes and trends. Of course, this includes the viral "yassified" Shrek filter of the ogre wearing a black catsuit and dancing in the sky.

In the brief 27-second video, Shrek scrolls through short clips on the Magic Mirror in a manner reminiscent of a TikTok feed — and is suitably repulsed by the questionable depictions of himself that he encounters. Unsurprisingly, Shrek alum Mike Myers is returning to voice the titular ogre, alongside Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona and Eddie Murphy as Donkey. Doing a Shrek film without these three would basically be sacrilege at this point. Less expected was the revelation that Zendaya is joining the cast, with the Euphoria actor voicing Shrek and Fiona's daughter.

SEE ALSO: How Shrekfest keeps the 20-year legacy of 'Shrek' alive

Shrek and Fiona's children first appeared in 2007's Shrek the Third, which featured the birth of triplets Fergus, Farkle, and Felicia. It seems safe to assume Zendaya's teen ogre is Felicia all grown up, however we don't yet know whether Shrek 5 will also feature her brothers, or who might be voicing them.

Little has been revealed about the plot of Shrek 5, which is the first entry in the Shrek film franchise's main series since 2010's Shrek Forever After. Though judging by this teaser, it looks as though DreamWorks may be taking some inspiration from Shrek's status as an enduring meme online.

Shrek 5 is set to arrive in theatres on Dec. 23, 2026.

ExpressVPN, one of our favorite virtual private networks, will start rolling out a direct upgrade to its Lightway protocol. Called Lightway 2.0, it promises greater speed for users. It’s also entirely open source, and can be used by anybody for their own uses—and that includes rival VPNs.

OpenAI has released a ton of improvements for its chatbot, ChatGPT, in recent months, but it's been a while since we've had a core model update. While we await for GPT-5, which OpenAI seems pretty ambitious with, the company has launched a mid-step upgrade in the meantime—GPT-4.5.

It's easy to forget, but for the majority of Apple's history the company had a strong gaming tradition. While it tapered off during the Intel years, there are more than a few notable (but largely forgotten) Mac games from the 90s and 2000s worth revisiting.

TikTok has made big updates to its desktop web app to improve how users experience the platform and make it more similar to mobile viewing. These changes, released worldwide today, include a new layout, revamped navigation, and several added features.

I've been there a million times—suddenly I can't update my phone because all 64GB are taken up by videos of my cat. Here are the easiest ways to store the media taking up all that space on your phone.

I'm constantly using Google Map's voice navigation to help route me when I'm walking somewhere unknown, but found myself wishing it gave more information. Then I discovered a setting tucked away that does exactly that, and it instantly improved my experience.

If you own even a moderately modern car, you may not have a CD player in your vehicle at all, but that doesn't mean you can't find some way to enjoy your high quality audio collection on the road.

There are multiple ways to use ChatGPT, with mobile apps for iOS and Android, desktop apps for macOS and Windows, and a web app that you can access in a browser. However, not every platform has access to the same set of features. If you mainly stick to using one platform, there may be some features you're missing out on.

While AMD has been having a hard half-decade in the GPU market, one area the company has knocked it out of the park is with mobile integrated GPUs. Now with the AMD RX 8060S, it seems we've turned a major corner with this mobile tech, and the implications are profound.

OpenAI's GPT-4.5 has arrived.

On Thursday, the ChatGPT maker announced the latest version of its LLM (large language model) in research preview. As OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said a few weeks ago, GPT-4.5 is OpenAI's last non-chain-of-thought model, meaning all future models will have reasoning capabilities.

"Early testing shows that interacting with GPT-4.5 feels more natural," said the white paper. "Its broader knowledge base, stronger alignment with user intent, and improved emotional intelligence make it well-suited for tasks like writing, programming, and solving practical problems - with fewer hallucinations."

In the demo, OpenAI team members talked about how GPT-4.5 is not a reasoning model, but it still has advanced knowledge and can be used to reason through problems, even though it's meant to be used as general purpose tool compared to the o series which is best for science and mathematics.

GPT-4.5 is the newest addition to its GPT series since OpenAI announced GPT-4o last May. OpenAI has also shipped versions of reasoning models, o1, o3-mini, and o3-mini-high in the past year in a reported effort to focus more on models that rely on increased computing power (test-time compute) in real-time instead of extensive training and more data.

The release of GPT-4.5 also serves as a reminder that the rollout of the elusive GPT-5 has not gone to plan. Persistent rumors indicate that OpenAI has seen diminishing returns in model improvements, suggesting scaling laws (more compute, bigger datasets) for training a model might not equate to improved results.

This is a possible reason why we've yet to see GPT-5 which has been massively hyped. Altman said it will be smarter than him and former CTO Mira Murati who said it will have "Ph.D.-level intelligence." In the meantime, we now have GPT-4.5, which could either be an indication that OpenAI is close to meeting very high expectations or stalling for more time.

Anonymous former OpenAI employees told Fortune that GPT-4.5, internally dubbed Orion, was supposed to be GPT-5, but couldn't achieve enough performance gains to merit the GPT-5 name. Altman said GPT-5 could be expected in a matter of months.

How to try GPT-4.5

As of today, we can start putting GPT-4.5 to the test. Well, not everyone. GPT-4.5 is currently only available to ChatGPT Pro members who shell out $200 a month, with access for ChatGPT Plus subscribers who pay $20 a month, coming out next week. It's only a week apart, but Plus subscribers used to be the top tier granted with early access to new features are now wondering why they even bother paying for a subscription.

Tweet may have been deleted

While OpenAI is undoubtedly hoping to gain more Pro subscribers, this could have a backfiring effect by alienating Plus subscribers who suddenly have good options with competitors that are catching up, like xAI's Grok 3, DeepSeek R1, and Anthropic's Claude 3.7 Sonnet.

A lot is riding on GPT-4.5 as an indicator of GPT-5 progress, and now we'll know whether it lives up to the hype.

Apple is upgrading its app safety offerings later this year, including new age assurance policies intended to wade into the online child protection debate.

According to a recently published white paper, the company plans to expand its Child Account settings, App Store Age Ranges, and provide avenues for app developers to set more comprehensive age-restriction settings for minor users.

SEE ALSO: Apple shareholders voted to keep DEI policies, and Trump is mad about it

"Protecting kids — whether they’re young children, preteens, or teenagers — from online threats requires constant vigilance and effort. The digital world is increasingly complex and the risks to families are ever-changing, including the proliferation of age-inappropriate content and excessive time on social media and other platforms," writes Apple. "For years, Apple has supported specialized Apple accounts for kids — called Child Accounts — that enable parents to manage the many parental controls we offer, and help provide an age-appropriate experience for children under the age of 13. These accounts are the bedrock of all the child safety tools that we offer today."

Age range for developers

Launching later this year, Apple's new privacy-driven Declared Range API allows developers to request an approximate age range for Child Account users, approved by parents, that can then be used to better tailor app experiences and set access limits for age-restricted apps. Minor users would be prompted with a "share age range" notification, similar to pop-ups for App Tracking or Location Services, and can be turned off at any time. Developers can still choose to have their apps require government identification, but ID will not be required to use the App Store at large.

The policy represents a significant stance taken by Apple amid a flurry of industry debate around "age assurance" or verification. Politicians and tech leaders have offered mixed ideas about the most effective, and appropriate, way to verify the ages of young users across social media platforms and other digital spaces, including app marketplaces. Many, like Meta, argue that app marketplaces should be held responsible for connecting minors to platforms that host age-restricted or harmful content. State legislatures, backed by tech companies, have proposed various age verification laws — their effectiveness is widely debated.

Politicians have introduced legislation tackling the issue from the lenses of digital privacy, as well, while others have suggested outright bans on minors accessing certain online spaces. The Kids Online Safety Act, proposed in 2023, would require online platforms to enable the strongest privacy settings for all underage users, and place a "duty of care" on social media companies, specifically.

Apple, conversely, is arguing for a policy that places the burden on app developers, not marketplaces, and minimizes data collection. "Some apps may find it appropriate or even legally required to use age verification, which confirms user age with a high level of certainty — often through collecting a user’s sensitive personal information (like a government issued ID) — to keep kids away from inappropriate content. But most apps don’t. That’s why the right place to address the dangers of age-restricted content online is the limited set of websites and apps that host that kind of content."

Managing youth accounts and app access

Apple's updates will also incorporate age ranges into a more streamlined Child Account set-up process, as well, making it easier for parents to determine child safety settings for required users (those 13 and younger), as well as voluntarily-included accounts for device owners under the age of 18. During device set up, parents and guardians can choose from pre-selected safety settings categorized by age range or use default child settings— this makes it possible for young users to set up devices on their own, with the aid of Apple's oversight. Parents can still adjust and customize settings at a later date.

To accommodate these new settings, Apple's age ranges will get more specific, with new thresholds for apps including:

• 4+ years old

• 9+ years old

• 13+ years old

• 16+ years old

• 18+ years old

Along these same lines, Apple will also expand its content visibility restrictions for youth accounts, preventing apps outside of selected age ratings from appearing in devices' Today, Games, and Apps tabs, and editorial stories and collections.

The latest trailer for A Minecraft Movie is chock-full of Easter eggs for Minecraft fans. Characters use a water bucket to prevent fall damage, a chicken jockey spawns during a fight, and a baby panda appears when two adult pandas share bamboo.

SEE ALSO: 'A Minecraft Movie' trailer proves 'Minecraft' looks pretty freaky in live-action

But beyond these Easter eggs, the trailer offers up a clearer glimpse at the film's story. A Minecraft Movie sees four humans — played by Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Sebastian Hansen — get sucked into the Overworld, a realm where everything is made of cubes. (The cubic effect remains fairly disturbing, especially when applied to living creatures like villagers or sheep.)

The Overworld may seem like an imaginative wonderland, but it's under siege from a dire threat. Expert crafter Steve (Jack Black) has stumbled upon a portal to the Nether, where piglins and their villainous leader Malgosha (voiced by Rachel House) spurn creativity and only seek to conquer. Now, he'll need the help of A Minecraft Movie's four heroes to keep the Overworld safe.

As part of A Minecraft Movie's trailer launch, U.S. fans who buy film tickets through Fandango will unlock an exclusive jetpack add-on for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. Global audiences will have access to similar opportunities through local ticket sites.

A Minecraft Movie hits theaters Apr. 4.

The internet is full of bad things — you might even posit, not entirely incorrectly, that it's become mostly bad things. But sometimes it sparks a bit of magical positivity. It actually can bring people together.

Take Buddies Coffee Roasters in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Owner Rachel, TikTok handle @its.rachel.rose, posted about her business struggles. The nearly seven-minute video is worth watching in full, but she goes in depth about her difficulties — many of which are outside her control. Her lease is running out in a few months, and the rent is set to go up. A new, seemingly corporate-owned coffee shop is moving in next door. She's worked endlessly, with no financial backing, and still won't be able to make it work.

"Today, I just got word that I might not be able to stay in the same lease because of rent increase, which is the reality for so many people," she said in the TikTok. "But not only that, right next door to me they're putting [in] a coffee shop. And I don't know if I sound so stupid, crying and complaining. But it just feels like you just can't win. The small people can't win."

SEE ALSO: 'Ask an Axolotl' is TikTok's sweet, comforting viral ditty

It's emotional, and she sobs as she talks about her uncertain future. Rachel correctly pointed out that Williamsburg — before becoming a hipster haven turned uber-expensive luxury neighborhood — has a rich history of Puerto Rican residents. While some Puerto Rican mainstays remain — Buddies is actually just a couple blocks down from Toñita's, where Bad Bunny celebrated his recent album release — so much has disappeared. Rachel described being proud to open a new Puerto Rican-owned business in Williamsburg. 

"I won't regret posting this. It's important to see raw emotion," she said. "It's important to see... what people push through, what people have to deal with, why native New Yorkers roll their eyes at gentrification."

The TikTok took off. Her raw honesty resonated, especially with New Yorkers. It's racked up more than 3 million views. It seems like every TikTokker in New York City is posting about it. Hell, Joe Jonas commented, showed up, and posted about going to Buddies. The line was out the door just a day later.

So many people had placed online orders that Buddies' website had a pop-up notice that shipping might take longer than usual.

Soon enough, Rachel posted a thank-you for all the support, noting that "vulnerability is power." Her tearful message certainly generated a response. (Mashable reached out to Buddies and will update if we receive a response.)

It's unclear what Buddies' future might look like — but for now the present is lots and lots of business. And the internet actually did something good.

Just got a new Chromebook? How you set it up can greatly impact its speed, security, and overall usability. So, you must configure it properly to get the best experience. If you're going to be using ChromeOS for the first time, here are a few steps you should follow once you unbox your device.

Apple is building new systems to encourage the use of parental controls on iOS. Interestingly, these systems are skewed toward privacy and make an effort to hide children's birth dates from app developers.