I’ve written a lot about not overspending on certain PC components, and the motherboard is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to raiding your wallet. Most PC builders don’t need to spend over $200 on their motherboard to get all the latest features they need for a modern build. That said, you might fall into the minority that absolutely needs to spend $350–$650 on a motherboard, simply because nothing else would do. Features, durability, esthetics, and creature comforts — everything’s part of it. Sometimes, it is justified to spend big on your motherboard.
Source: xda-developers.com
3 Windows File Explorer add-ons that fix Microsoft's biggest pain points
File Explorer is one of the oldest parts of Windows, and you can tell. Microsoft has added tabs and refreshed the icons, but the core experience still needs work. For example, the layout looks rigid, and everyday actions like batch renaming need third-party help to be more complete. File Explorer also feels flat to look at, with almost no way to change its appearance. Small pain points like these … [Read More...]
The single Docker container that made me a home lab power user
For years, I treated my home lab like a necessary chore – a collection of services running on command line interfaces that required constant SSH logins just to check logs or reboot a container. I knew the power of Docker, but managing multiple environments across different hardware was often a confusing, time-consuming mess. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read More...]
Intel N150 mini PC: The ultimate starter home lab device
If you've started on your home lab journey by heavily reading subreddits and networking forums, you probably have a vision of ex-enterprise hardware in a rack that stretches from floor to ceiling. Which is cool, and gives the desired visual effect, but it's not the only way to do things. And for those starting out, it might not even be the best way, as the hidden costs of self-hosting mount up … [Read More...]
Newsom signs bill giving Uber and Lyft drivers in California the right to unionize
Drivers for ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft will soon have the right to unionize in California as independent contractors, thanks to a bill signed Friday by Governor Gavin Newsom. This is part of a larger deal between lawmakers, unions, and ride-hailing companies, resulting in the passage of separate bills supporting lower insurance requirements for Uber and Lyft, along with union rights for … [Read More...]
Stop trusting your ISP's router blindly
Of all the exciting things about getting a new internet connection, the router is probably the least thrilling. It's the beige box of networking, the unglamorous gatekeeper to the digital world. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is aware of this. They make setup and maintenance incredibly simple. Most providers offer or bundle a router with your new connection. If you agree, a technician shows … [Read More...]
Chromebooks are better than cheap Windows laptops
There are a few things in tech more depressing than a cheap Windows laptop. Between sluggish performance, application timeouts, dim displays, and poor battery life, you sacrifice a great deal to buy a sub-$600 Windows machine. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read More...]
If you’re not an AI startup, good luck raising money from VCs
New PitchBook data illustrates how dramatically AI is dominating startup investment, with 2025 on-track to become the first year when AI accounts for more than half of all VC money invested. PitchBook reports that VCs have poured $192.7 billion into the industry so far this year, out of a total $366.8 billion, according to Bloomberg. In the most recent quarter, AI accounted for 62.7% of the money … [Read More...]
7 unusual Linux distros built for one purpose (and why you should try them)
I often talk about switching to Linux as an alternative to Windows 11, something I've done myself on many of my machines. But while it's common to put Linux on the same playing field as Windows, it bears repeating that Linux itself isn't an operating system, and as a kernel, it's an extremely versatile piece of software that can be used for a lot of things. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read More...]
This self-hosted dashboard is the perfect hub for your family’s daily needs
If your family is anything like mine, you probably have sticky notes stuck all over your fridge, a WhatsApp chat dedicated to shopping lists, and chores that are barely tracked. It's a mess, and it only gets worse as more people are added to the mix. I've tried integrating apps and shared to-do lists, but they never stuck. The apps were, largely, too complicated for what should be everyday needs … [Read More...]
OpenAI acquires an AI-powered personal investing app
Just a day after dethroning SpaceX as the most valuable private company in the world, OpenAI has acquired another startup. This time, the AI giant acquired Roi, an app that offers a one-stop shop for all your financial portfolios and an AI chatbot that provides personalized investing advice. Details of the acquisition weren't made public, but TechCrunch reported that Sujith Vishwajith, the … [Read More...]