XDA

All Articles

Page 4 - Jump to the Homepage

Readers like you help support XDA Developers. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.
best wifi extender for gaming
How to connect a Wi-Fi extender to your router

If your Wi-Fi router’s signal doesn’t reach your computer, you can either move them closer to one another or set up a Wi-Fi extender.

4
By 

Wi-Fi routers let you connect to the internet without physically plugging a computer into a modem, and they also create a network that supports numerous smart home devices. So long as your router has enough bandwidth to support everything, you’re usually ok, emphasis on “usually.” While Wi-Fi is far more convenient than a wired connection, the signals generated aren’t always dependable. To compensate, you might need a Wi-Fi extender.

Screenshot of the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 open over a desktop background image
Windows 11 deep dive: Checking out the new Snipping Tool

Want to be ready for Windows 11? Here's everything you need to know about taking and editing screenshots in the Windows 11 Snipping Tool.

4
By 

Windows 11 comes with a lot of changes, both in the OS itself and also with its many built-in apps. Specifically, it brings a major upgrade to the Snipping Tool, which has now been revamped with a modernized look and has a ton of new features that have been added over time.

Install Windows 11 by bypassing minimum requirements
How to install Windows 11 on almost any unsupported PC

Want Windows 11 but have an unsupported computer? Here's how to install Windows 11 even if your PC doesn't meet the minimum requirements.

4
By 

Windows 11 is the latest version of the most popular operating system in the world, and as long as you have a supported PC, it's very easy to install. But that's the problem: Windows 11 has significantly higher system requirements compared to previous versions of Windows, so there are a lot of unsupported PCs you can't install it on.

3dfx Voodoo X on blue mat
3dfx Voodoo card makes a return in 2024 thanks to some ambitious builders

It's not going to produce stellar performance numbers, but this labor of love is one to behold

4
By 

Graphic cards have evolved quite a bit over the past ten years, but those that have been around for some time will remember the true glory days, when you had multiple brands of cards with strange-looking boxes that had pretty good performance and were actually affordable. And while times have changed quite a bit, it looks like some are still happily stuck in the past, working on passion projects that involve old school GPUs.

Windows 11 desktop showing HWiNFO64 and Ryzen Master windows
How to check CPU temperature in Windows 11

CPU temperature is a crucial indicator of your PC health and CPU performance

4
By 

Checking your CPU temperature can be an occasional or frequent activity, depending on what you put your precious processor through. Those who use their PC for everyday work and casual gaming don't have to worry about it as much as others who are into things like gaming, video editing, or anything that demands the CPU's attention. It's also particularly crucial when you're overclocking the CPU, as the last thing you want to do is put up with an overheating or an unstable processor. Modern processors tend to run quite hot, especially if you're running one of the top desktop CPUs or using the best laptops on the market.

Ugreen-NAS-6
These are the two most important ways a NAS can protect your home

See how a NAS can help keep your family safe.

4
By 

A network-attached storage (NAS) system can store data and run various services. One such application is home surveillance and general security. Many of the best NAS brands such as Synology, Asustor, and QNAP have surveillance packages that can be run alongside other services to transform your general storage server into a powerful security center. Here are all the ways a NAS can help keep secure your home.

The Gunnar Optiks Clear Pro lenses
Gunnar Optiks' new glasses reduces eyestrain, preserves color accuracy, and look awesome all at the same time

The new Clear Pro lenses will save your eyes with none of the drawbacks.

4
By 

Sometimes a job will ask of you to stare at a screen for extended periods of time, but all that pesky blue light that monitors output can do damage to your eyes. Companies have released glasses that block blue light in a bid to save our eyeballs, but professionals who work in editing note that wearing them tends to throw off color accuracy, meaning the color they see doesn't match up with the color they're working with. Fortunately, Gunnar Optiks is here to give us the best of both worlds with its new lens, the Clear Pro.

oneplus 12 and s24 ultra side by side
How to lock apps on your Android phone to prevent unauthorized access

Lock your apps to keep your data safe from prying eyes.

4
4
By  and

Smartphones are a big part of our lives today, and the best smartphones serve as more than just phones. They hold memories like photos and videos but also protect other important things, like passwords and confidential apps. Many of us have banking apps or investing apps on our phones, and allowing the wrong person access to those apps could be detrimental to our online security portfolio. Luckily, there are steps you can take to secure applications on the best Android phones, including locking applications individually.

Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro
Best mouse in 2024

A good mouse is your gateway to a positive experience with your computer, and we've collected the best ones here for a wide range of uses.

4
By 

Finding the best mouse possible isn't always an easy process; a quick search will usually produce thousands of results, and sifting through all the different models might leave you with more questions than answers. You might want a wireless connection instead of dealing with a connected cable, you might want something small enough to be able to tuck into a laptop bag, or you might want something with the right performance to keep up with PC gaming.

Screenshot of a Windows 11 desktop with a Start menu and various windows themed by WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds review: Make Windows 11 (almost) look like anything you want

Stardock's coolest customization app is held back by changes to Windows 11 and some frustrating apps.

4
By 

Customizing Windows has always been Stardock's specialty, and WindowBlinds has long been one of the best apps to do just that. WindowBlinds allows you to radically change the way Windows looks, from the Start menu, to the taskbar, to the app windows.

TP-Link Archer AX21 on blurred background
Ditch your ISP's trash router with 30% off our favorite TP-Link model

Now's the perfect time to upgrade and save big on one of the best routers on the market

4
By 

For most, it's easy to stick with whatever router the service provider gives you because it works, and it's convenient. While these types of interactions are usually seamless, a recent move to Spectrum was met with headaches and faulty hardware right out of the gate, which meant it was easier just to buy a router to get things working as soon as possible.

An Alienware m18 R2 (left) compared to an Alienware m16 R2 (right).
Matte vs glossy displays: How to decide and why it matters

Displays usually feature either matte or glossy surface, and there are advantages to both. Here's how to choose between them.

4
By 

Picking out the right display for your desk setup or on one of the best laptops can be quite tricky. There are a lot of factors to consider, like display type, resolution, refresh rate, and more, with all of them playing a role in your viewing experience. However, an underrated thing that differentiates great monitors and screens from one another is the kind of surface that covers their displays. You'll find two main types of surfaces: glossy and matte. More often than not, a model of monitor or laptop will come in only one surface type, either glossy or matte. In some cases, you'll be able to choose between the two — and sometimes one will cost more than the other. But what's the difference between the surfaces, and how much does surface type matter when picking your next monitor or laptop? Let's take a look.

Laptop with screen that says Lumia
4 reasons to buy a used laptop instead of a budget alternative

If you're on a budget, it might be easy to go for a low-end laptop or Chromebook. But don't rule out used or refurbished machines.

4
By 

Budget and midrange devices are becoming more capable than ever, and our favorite cheap laptops are no exception. It's possible to get a brand-new, capable daily driver for around $500 or $600 in 2024. However, if that's above what you can spend, the buying situation gets complicated. For people that can spend just a few hundred on a laptop, you basically have three options. First, you can buy a low-end Windows laptop that is barely serviceable, usually featuring massive compromises like slow processors, eMMC storage, or older and low available memory. There's also the Chromebook route, but the best ones are still quite expensive and ChromeOS might be limiting for some. These factors are why I'd recommend exploring the third and final option, which is purchasing a used laptop.

TP-Link Archer BE800 Wi-Fi 7 from the front
Best Wi-Fi 7 routers in 2024

Ready for faster Wi-Fi? Get the right Wi-Fi 7 speeds without going overboard.

4
By 

Wi-Fi 7 routers are finally here. The speeds are incredible, but the prices can get steep. Wi-Fi 7 increases capacity over Wi-Fi 6 by making better use of the 6GHz spectrum available in many countries. The fastest Wi-Fi 7 routers have one or more 320MHz wide bands at 6GHz, which is double what was possible on Wi-Fi 6. While multi-gig internet speeds aren't yet available to most people, fast Ethernet makes these routers a good choice for someone who shares large files between devices at home.

Using the Boring Phone

Smartphones have slowly but surely taken over our attention spans. Once upon a time, they were only good for sending SMS messages and playing Snake; now, they're essentially miniature computers that you may take a call on from time to time. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on who you ask; people who were around before the smartphone revolution may lament how dates at restaurants and patrons at the cinema spend more time on their phones than living in the situation. However, give a younger person a Nokia 3210 and they'll find it totally useless for modern-day use. For those who miss easier times, Heineken and Bodega have teamed up to make the Boring Phone that brings the smartphone all the way to the 90s when things weren't so smart.

Asus ROG Ally running Playnite, sitting on a table
How to setup Playnite on the Asus ROG Ally

If you want a unified front-end for all of your games on the Asus ROG Ally, then Playnite is one of the best to use.

4
By 

While all PC games are typically found on Steam, you likely have a distributed library of games on other platforms, too. That's where Playnite comes in, as it can consolidate all of your game platforms into one front-end. You log in to the various stores you use and download and install your games, but after that, you can just launch them all from Playnite.

Angled side view of the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 14 Snapdragon Edition over a colorful polygon background
Here's your first look at a real Snapdragon X laptop

Laptops with the Snapdragon X Elite aren't coming until the summer, but the leaks have already started.

4
By 

We've been hearing about the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and laptops powered by it for many months now, but in terms of actual hardware, we have yet to see anything concrete. That's because a lot of these devices are going to be unveiled at an event in May, but if you just can't wait, the leaks are starting to come in.

An LG Gram +View in portrait orientation connected to a laptop
LG Gram +View review: An excellent portable monitor with some limitations

The LG Gram +View is arguably the best portable monitor out there, but it lacks some features I really wish were here.

4
By 

LG's Gram laptops have some of the best displays in the business, so it only makes sense for the company to throw its hat in the ring of portable monitors, too. The LG Gram +View first made its debut in 2022, and it's designed to be the perfect pairing for the 16-inch Gram laptops, but it's also just an excellent portable monitor.

ThinkPad T14 Gen 5
Best cases for Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5

We've found all the best cases for Lenovo's latest ThinkPad T14 across every budget and use case.

4
By 

When you're on the hunt for a fantastic new laptop, Lenovo's ThinkPad line is always worth considering, especially their latest and greatest ThinkPad T14 Gen 5. But once you pick up your new machine, you'll want to be sure to keep it safe and secure with a solid case.

Logitech MX Anywhere mouse with Surface Pro 8
Logitech wants to launch ChatGPT on your PC and Mac with the click of a button

For Logitech keyboard and mouse owners, access to ChatGPT has become simpler than ever!

4
By 

To become eligible to get the "AI PC" tag, Windows laptop manufacturers will need to introduce the Copilot key on the keyboards. While that's something that we'll see happening in the coming days, the latest feature in the Logi Options+ app makes it easier for anyone with a Logitech keyboard or mouse to start chatting with ChatGPT by clicking a button.

2 3 4 5 6
Page 4 / 1781