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Screenshot of a Windows desktop showcasing appps including Vivaldi, Beeper, and Start11
10 essential apps you should install on your new PC

Just got a new Windows PC? Here are 10 apps you should install to help you make the most of it.

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Getting a new computer is always exciting. You have a shiny new machine with a much faster processor and maybe even a powerful GPU for all your latest games. It's enthralling using a new PC for the first time, but as much as we love Windows 11, we know the experience isn't perfect out of the box.

A desktop with a Pokémon-themed wallpaper
Where to get the best 4K wallpapers

Want to get the best 4K wallpapers for your device? Here are some of the best websites and apps to get them!

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The wallpaper is often the centerpiece of your phone or desktop, so having the perfect image can have a big impact on your online experience. It's the first thing you see when you turn your device on, and you see it every time that you exit out of apps or minimize them. Having the right background can make your device feel like it's truly your own, whether that's a Windows 11 PC, a Mac, or a phone.

Nvidia's H100 Tensore Core GPU-based NVL shown on a blue background
Forget about software, because the race to AI dominance is really about chipmaking

All the biggest names in AI and technology are fighting behind the scenes to make the best AI chips.

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It's easy to see the consumer-level applications for artificial intelligence in 2024, such as software tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT or hardware products like Humane's AI Pin. However, these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to AI development. Whether you're looking at AI-based software or hardware, their success can all be traced back to chipmaking. Some of these products and services leverage on-device AI processing, and others offload the processing requirements to cloud servers. Either way, custom silicon is the backbone of AI, and that's why every major tech company is engaging in a behind-the-scenes race to make the best AI processors for great AI PCs and cloud servers alike.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14-2

I first saw the Asus Zephyus G14 (2024) at a CES prebriefing, and I was immediately struck by its stand-out design. What I didn't expect was just how good of a gaming laptop it would be.

Razer Firefly V2 Pro on table next to keyboard
Razer's Firefly V2 Pro is the ultimate desktop accessory for RGB lovers

If you're looking for more ways to add RGB lighting to your setup, then this mousepad is a must

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Razer is known for its over-the-top designs incorporating plenty of RGB. But, the company consistently shows how it can walk the fine line when it comes to design and performance. While mousepads can be kind of mundane, RGB mousepads can be a bit more exciting, adding a nice pop of flair to your desk while not getting in the way either.

A Raspberry Pi 5 kept near an Obsbot Tail Air webcam, with a PC in the background
How to make a security camera with a Raspberry Pi

A simple DIY project to monitor your surroundings

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Regardless of whether you wish to keep an eye on your pets or want to reduce the threat of burglary, a surveillance system is a worthwhile investment. While CCTV cameras are a lot cheaper these days, none can rival the utility of a custom security system.

Anker 240W USB C Charger, Fast Compact 4-Port GaN Charger being plugged into many devices
This beastly Anker 240W charging station is now $60 off as it drops to record-low

Don't miss out on this fantastic charging station that's perfect for all your devices

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Thanks to the advancement in charging technologies, there are a lot of great charging options on the market right now. For years, Anker has been at the forefront, offering some of the best charging solutions for smartphones, tablets, and even laptops. And if you're looking for one of the best, then this Anker 240W USB-C charging station is going to be the one for you.

Screenshot of a Windows 11 desktop with the Start menu, Microsoft Edge, and Windows Update open
8 frustrating Windows 11 problems that still need to get fixed

Windows 11 may be a great iteration of the operating system, but it's still packed with flaws that Microsoft needs to address before it's truly great.

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It may seem hard to believe, but Windows 11 is now over 2.5 years old, and in that time, the operating system has evolved and improved a lot. It's still the best version of Windows in recent years, in my opinion, and it's more streamlined UI is mostly a good thing.

Angled view of the Dockcase Pro Explorer Edition connected to a laptop
10 crazy yet useful PC accessories you can actually buy

The accessories you didn't know you needed.

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Picking the right accessories for your PC is just as important as, say, picking the best graphics card and processor. Not only will the accessories make your PC more useful and functional, but they'll also help you make it feel more complete and personalized. Also, there's more to PC accessories than just a simple mouse and keyboard, as they go way past the basic peripherals. Here are 10 of the craziest PC accessories that'll make your computing experience so much better.

Screenshot showing Gemini chat
Leak shows upcoming Gemini integration in Chrome works much simpler than Copilot in Edge

Google Chrome's upcoming feature will make chat with Gemini super simple.

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A few months ago, Google made a lot of changes to its AI strategy, including introducing a new mobile app, renaming Bard to Gemini, a new subscription tier, and more. It also has many exciting announcements regarding Gemini planned for the future. One of the noteworthy features Google is currently working on is Gemini integration for Google Chrome desktop.

Insta360 X4 on a table with a Fujifilm X100 VI
Insta360 X4 review: the best consumer 360 camera gets better

The new Insta360 camera can shoot 360 degree video in 8K/30 resolution or single lens "standard" video at 4K/120fps, giving it great versatility

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In the consumer 360-degree camera space, Insta360's X series has been king for a while. The cameras top just about every single "best 360 cameras" list across all tech outlets, and I see them at tech events and tourist hotspots more than any other brand's 360 cameras. The Insta360 X3, which came out in 2022, is one of the half dozen or so gadgets I consider a must-carry when I travel, and the just announced X4 is either a big or small upgrade depending on your needs.

A Surface Laptop 6 for Business next to a Macbook Air 2024 with a versus logo and colorful background
Surface Laptop 6 for Business vs MacBook Air: Which should you choose?

Microsoft and Apple are going head-to-head with their latest laptops, let's see which one takes the crown.

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Microsoft and Apple are constantly competing for who can create the best laptop for consumers, with Apple generally being the more expensive option. But that is not the case this time with Apple's MacBook Air M3 and Microsoft's Surface Laptop 6 for Business being released a month apart with very competitive pricing.

Screenshot of a Windows 11 desktop with the StartAllBack Start menu
4 reasons to customize Windows 11 with StartAllBack

StartAllBack is a super useful customization app for Windows 11. If you're not using it yet, here's why you should be.

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There are plenty of ways you can customize your Windows 11 PC, but when it comes down to it, the operating system is fairly limited in the options it gives you. You can change the color of the taskbar and Start menu, but really, that's about it. That, paired with some of the things Microsoft tries to force on its users, makes third-party apps like StartAllBack all the more compelling.

Minisforum V3 on table with purple background
Minisforum's V3 tablet is a Ryzen 7-powered Surface Pro alternative that's heading to the US

You can now preorder this tablet and save $300, plus get a few extras in the process

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If you're looking for a powerful tablet that can really handle pretty much anything that you throw at it, there aren't going to be too many options out there. Most folks would probably suggest an iPad or Android tablet, but going with one that's running Windows is probably going to be a far better option thanks to its versatility. Microsoft's Surface Pro has pretty much dominated this space for some years now, but it looks like a newcomer could be looking to take the crown.

be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13
How do I choose the right PSU for my GPU?

You do not want to get this wrong.

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The power supply is the most vital component inside your desktop PC. This single part takes alternating current (AC) from your power outlet and converts it to a more reliable direct current (DC) that all PC components can use. The PSU also has numerous safety measures available to protect the PC from power surges, drops, or other changes in delivery. When looking to build a gaming PC, you must choose the right PSU for the job, especially when considering more powerful graphics cards. Here's everything you need to know.

Split screenshot of Windows 11 side by side with Windows 10
How to dual-boot Windows 10 and Windows 11 on the same PC

Want to try Windows 11 without messing up your PC? Here's how to dual-boot Windows 11 alongside Windows 10 on your machine.

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Windows 11 brings plenty of new features and a brand-new look, but sometimes, it's good to keep an older operating system around, since it's had more time to be refined and have any issues ironed out. If you want to try Windows 11's new features without giving up the reliability of Windows 10, dual-booting is an excellent way to do just that. This way, you can have both operating systems running at full native performance on your PC, as opposed to running Windows 11 in a VM, which can have some performance overhead.

Image of Gaming PC setup with Cyberpunk 2077 wallpaper on monitor
PC games need better optimization in 2024

The current state of game optimization is a joke.

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Gaming has always been a passion of mine, and I've been a PC gamer specifically for over ten years at this point. In that time, I've seen some incredibly well-optimized games, and I've seen some absolute tragedies when it comes to performance. Titles like Doom 2016 and Forza Horizon 4 managed to run on basically anything, whereas games like Ark: Survival Evolved, Escape from Tarkov, and Cyberpunk: 2077 (at launch) are the complete opposite.

AMD Ryzen 7 8700G pins
AMD Zen 5: Everything we know about AMD's next-gen CPU architecture so far

I'm stoked to see what AMD Will bring with Zen 5.

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The next generation of AMD desktop-class processors will be powered by Zen 5 architecture. AMD hasn't officially confirmed the existence of a Zen5-powered processor family, but we're certain one is on the way and this year's Computex could be the perfect opportunity for AMD to share some details. Zen 4 powered Ryzen 7000 CPUs, Ryzen 8000 APUs, and Ryzen Threadripper 7000 series HEDT, releasing in the tail end of 2022. Two years later, we're about due a refresh for the new AM5 platform.

A gaming PC with web browser logos overlaid on top
Best gaming browser in 2024

Looking for the best browser to use while gaming? Here are some of the best options

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There is no shortage of capable desktop web browsers out there. While these web browsers focus on productivity, some offer gaming features to cater to a niche audience, too. As such, choosing an appropriate web browser for your particular use case is pretty important, and we've done the research to figure out which one is the best for gamers.

Screenshot of the Microsoft services sharing page with a Microsoft 365 logo overlaid on top
Microsoft Roadmap Weekly: Major features for Teams, Copilot for Microsoft 365, and more

This week's Microsoft 365 weekly digest includes lots of noteworthy AI features.

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Microsoft is getting rid of as many as six Windows features this year. However, there are reasons to be excited if you're a Microsoft 365 subscriber, as many new features are coming to help you do more.

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