About Arif Bacchus
I have over seven years of experience covering Microsoft, Surface, Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS news and rumors for sites like Digital Trends and OnMSFT. I also write laptop reviews and how-to guides. I am a Microsoft fan and I have a drawer full of PCs and other devices. You can follow and interact with me on X if you want to chat! I'm always there making new friends!
What was your first computer?
I remember it like it was yesterday. My dad brought home an old Gateway desktop PC from work that his job was throwing away. It was running Windows 95 and had some very outdated specifications for the time. I spent hours playing Solitare and the other built-in games on it.
How long have you been interested in technology?
As long as I have been writing, which is basically since grade school. I have always been fascinated with the gadgets I see my teachers, parents, neighbors, and other people use. I always wanted to write about gadgets, too, and have a deep passion for writing in general.
What tech products or categories are you most passionate about?
I am deeply interested in Microsoft products and Windows and even laptops in general. Like many people, I grew up using Windows, but as the years went on, I grew more attracted to laptops and all the products Microsoft makes.
Latest Articles
Lenovo's new Legion laptops can get you higher frame rates using a custom AI chip
Lenovo is unleashing a ton of new Legion gaming laptops at CES 2024, along with some desktops and affordable LOQ laptops
At CES 2024, Lenovo revealed its new gaming laptops for the new year. There are a ton of 9th-generation devices from the company that you'll be able to buy this year, including refreshed Legion 9i, Legion 7i, Legion 5i, Legion Slim 5, Legion Pro 7i, and Legion Pro 5i models, with some featuring Intel's latest 14th-generation CPUs. For even more power, there's also the Legion Tower desktops. Those needing more affordable products can also check out some refreshed LOQ laptops. These laptops all have Lenovo's LA AI chips onboard and can enable higher framerates in games.
Alienware's latest laptop has a Stealth Mode key to save your eyes and ears from fan noise and RGB madness
Alienware is coming strong at CES 2024, with three new laptops, two monitors, and a new gaming keyboard and mouse
Alienware is announcing three new gaming laptops, two monitors, and a new gaming keyboard and mouse at CES 2024. The more notable of the laptops is the fully redesigned Alienware m16 R2, which sports a fancy Stealth Mode. Also announced are the powerhouse m18 R2, and the x16 R2. We can't forget the monitors, either, which include the Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED, and the Alienware 27 360Hz QD-OLED. Competing for the lineup is a new Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming keyboard and gaming mouse.
Best ChromeOS games in 2023
Chromebooks can be pretty good for gaming. No, really. Using Android and the cloud, you can play these games on ChromeOS.
ChromeOS isn't exactly known as a gaming platform. Most people think about even the best Chromebooks as low-cost machines that work great as a dedicated browser or school laptop. However, it's actually quite easy to enjoy a host of games on your Chromebook or Chromebox.
How to sideload apps to a Chromebook
Want to use an app on your Chromebook that isn't on the Google Play Store? You can sideload it!
The best Chromebook devices devices aren't just for web browsing. You can also use Linux apps and Android apps. Most Android apps, in particular, can be downloaded via the Google Play Store, but what if you want to use a specific Android app that's not listed? Well, you can sideload it instead. It's not an easy process, since you'll need to switch your Chromebook to developer mode or use ADB Debugging, but if you're up for the task, you can follow the steps below.
How to show hidden icons in Windows 11
Desktop or taskbar looking bare? You can add back the classic Windows icons in a few clicks
Windows 11 brings plenty of cool features and is always getting new ones, too, with updates like the Windows 11 23H2 update. You can enjoy Snap Layouts to multitask efficiently, play with Android apps on your PC, and even link your iPhone to your laptop. One thing that's missing from Windows 11, however, is desktop icons.
How to see your IP address in Ubuntu
Your IP Address helps identify your Ubuntu system over the network, and it's pretty easy to find it through the settings app or the terminal
An IP address is like your physical mailing address. Once you connect a Linux distribution like Ubuntu to the internet or a router, your system gets assigned two IP addresses. There's the private one, which is used to identify your device on an internal network, and the public IP address, which is what websites see when you connect.
Razer's upcoming Blade 16 and Blade 18 laptops will have impressive displays
The Blade 16 will sport a 16-inch OLED 240 Hz display and the Blade 18 an 18-inch 4K 265Hz display
Razer has a bit of a tease ahead of CES 2024. The company just let out a small piece of information about the displays on their upcoming refreshed Blade 16 and Blade 18 gaming laptops, and, well, things look pretty impressive. The Blade 16 will sport the world's first OLED 240Hz 16-inch display, and the Blade 18 will sport the world's first 18-inch 4K resolution 165Hz display.
Dell revamps its entire XPS lineup with new designs and more power
The new XPS 13, XPS 14, and XPS 16 are all inspired by the older XPS 13 Plus, and all feature Intel Core Ultra CPUs
Dell's iconic XPS laptops just got even better for 2024. The company has completely revamped the entire lineup of XPS devices with bigger screen sizes and more power under the hood thanks to Intel's newest Core Ultra CPUs. Just as rumors indicated, these laptops include the XPS 13, XPS 14, and the XPS 16. All three will be available soon, and we have all the details for you right here.
How to install NVM on Ubuntu
Installing NVM on Ubuntu is quite easy if you want to manage multiple versions of Node.js.
If you're using Node.js on your Ubuntu machine or any other Linux distribution, you might want to consider using Node Version Manager (NVM) alongside it, which will let you install and manage multiple versions of Node.js and switch between them. This is important because, during the development process, you might come across a project that needs a different Node.js version. That's why today we'll guide you through the process of installing NVM on Ubuntu Linux.
Windows 11 will soon show more weather information on the lock screen
Windows 1 Dev Channel build 23612 brings a new weather experience on the lock screen with more dynamic updates
Microsoft is back from holiday vacation and that means there are new Windows 11 builds available for download. In the Dev Channel, it is build 23612. This first release in 2024 brings a richer weather experience on the lock screen and a few other changes and bug fixes, too. The Canary Channel, meanwhile, is getting build 26020, which carries just a few features related to voice access. If you're downloading either build, here's what you need to know.
How to install Node.js on Linux
Node.js is critical to install on Linux if you're developing using JavaScript. Here's how to use it on Linux
Node.js is one of the most popular tools used by developers. It's cross-platform, which means it is also available on great Linux distributions like Ubuntu. Unfortunately, Node.js isn't installed by default on Linux, so if you're hoping to use the open-source JavaScript runtime environment on your system, there are a few extra steps that you're going to have to take.
How to take a screenshot on Linux
Taking a screenshot is one of the most basic things you can do in an operating system, and there are more ways to do it in Linux
If you're using a great Linux distribution like Ubuntu, or even another Linux flavor like Linux Mint, you'll probably have to take a screenshot one time or another. Regardless of whether you want to share a part of a document or take a picture of your screen, there's more than one way you can take a screenshot on Linux, depending on which distribution you're using. The most common method is to use the Print Screen key, but you can also use the built-in Screenshot application or even a third-party tool like GIMP. More sophisticated users might also want to consider using the terminal.
Samsung launches its first flat panel 32-inch 4K OLED gaming monitor
Samsung has three new Odyssey Gaming monitors ahead of CES 2024, all of them sport amazing OLED displays
A week ahead of CES 2024, Samsung has announced new Odyssey gaming monitors. All the new monitors have OLED panels and put top-notch image quality first. Notably, one of the highlights is Samsung's first flat panel 32-inch 4K resolution OLED gaming monitor.
5 reasons why I love using my Mac Mini over my Surface
I might prefer Windows as my daily operating system and a Surface as my main PC, but I still love using my Mac Mini occasionally.
My everyday computer is a Surface Laptop Studio. I love Windows 11, and always will, since it is one of the best operating systems for productivity thanks to features like Snap Layouts, and the ability to run Android apps, and even apps like PowerToys. I previously visited these topics when I highlighted 5 reasons why I hate macOS so much that I avoid using my M1 Mac Min, but it's time for a follow-up. You see, there are also 5 reasons that I love using my great Mac over my Surface, and a lot of them have to do with macOS itself, though some of them also come down to the hardware, too.
How to record your screen on Asus ROG Ally
Want to capture your gameplay on your new Asus ROG Ally? Here's how to record your screen.
Since the Asus ROG Ally is powered by Windows 11, you can easily record what's happening on your screen, just like you can on a PC. Windows has built-in tools for screen recording, and you can also download a third-party app. Whether you want to use built-in tools or download another app on this popular Steam Deck alternative, we can help you figure out how to record your screen.
Best storage options for the Steam Deck in 2023
If you want a boost in storage for your Steam Deck, then we have a list of some of the best around for you from SSDs to microSD cards.
Have you managed to get hold of a Steam Deck and need a way to pack it full of all your games? There are two ways to expand the storage capacity of this portable console and change the way you play games. One is through the use of microSD cards and the other is the replacement of the internal SSD. The easiest method is adding a microSD card, the same form of storage that can be used to expand the capacity of a tablet or smartphone. The microSD card can be any size, but it should support the UHS-I speed standard, which most microSD cards support these days.
4 times Microsoft has driven me nuts
I might be a fan of Microsoft, but following the company closely has up and down moments, and sometimes Microsoft just makes me mad
I've always been a fan of Microsoft. From when I was a young kid playing with Windows 95, to today, as a 30-year-old reviewing the best laptops, messing with Windows 11 Insider builds, and reporting on all the latest Microsoft news and rumors, the firm is pretty close to my heart. Heck, I even go out there and spend my hard-earned money on Microsoft products and services, like Surface devices, my Xbox Series X, and even Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
LG's new MyView 4K Smart Monitors work cable free from your PC
LG's new MyView 4K monitors are powered by webOS and can work without a PC, giving you streaming experiences
LG has announced three new LG MyView monitors ahead of CES 2024. The new 4K resolution monitors are powered by webOS, meaning you can use them without a PC, for streaming experiences. Pricing for the monitors starts at $500, and availability hasn't yet been shared.
Are you into web development or complex DevOps? Well, if you're using a Linux distribution like Ubuntu, you'll probably need to use the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Command Line Interface (CLI) at one point. You're not going to get this by default on Ubuntu, so you'll need to install it manually through the terminal, allowing you to interact with AWS services using complex commands and text.
New LG Gram Pro laptops sport OLED displays and Intel Core Ultra CPUs
LG is getting a headstart on CES by announcing its new lineup of Gram and LG Gram Pro laptops set for launch in 2024
Ahead of CES 2024, LG has announced a refresh of its laptop lineup. There are new LG Gram Pro models including a 2-in-1, some of which feature up to OLED displays and Intel Core Ultra CPUs. There are also refreshes for the LG Gram 17, 16, 15, and 14 models, which keep the same great designs, but get a boost in power and new AI features thanks to Intel Core Ultra.