Retro gaming has come a long way in the last decade or so. It may seem odd, given how we've had emulators for a long time now, but as technology has evolved, our retro gaming capabilities have only gotten better. Now, we're at a point where it has never been better to be a retro gamer, and there are plenty of reasons why now is a great time to crack open the classics and try something … [Read more...]
Start menu ads are officially here with the latest Windows 11 optional update
As we near the end of the month, Microsoft is rolling out its April optional update for Windows 11 versions 22H2 and 23H2, and with it comes the introduction of recommended apps in the Start menu. That's another way of saying you'll now see ads for other apps in your Start menu, at least occasionally. The update is a preview of the Patch Tuesday update for May, so these changes will be … [Read more...]
Troubles with your hard drive? Here's how to fix it using SFC and DISM
Hard drives and even the best SSDs don't always work as intended, there are some telltale signs. Your Windows install may start acting off or some things may just not work. These are warning signs you should pay attention to, and if you see them, you should try to fix these issues as soon as possible. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]
How to save even more money on a NAS with an SBC
A small-board computer (SBC) is a compact system that can run the same software as a desktop PC on some Linux flavor or Windows. They're capable devices with powerful processors, upgradable and expandable parts, and healthy modding ecosystems. You can find SBCs powering surveillance systems, media centers, and storage solutions. It's possible to transform an SBC into a network-attached … [Read more...]
Someone built a DIY Ryzen 7 handheld, and it's an absolute powerhouse
Portable gaming PCs are great, but they don't have the same "buildability" as PCs do. If you don't like the look of the current prebuilt gaming PCs on the market, you can simply buy the parts and make one yourself. While it's not as intuitive to make your own portable gaming powerhouse, that hasn't stopped some people, as one Redditor proved by building a Ryzen 7 … [Read more...]
Keep your PC safe by changing your PIN on Windows 11
More and more, we see companies try to move away from traditional passwords. Windows 11 (and 10) both recommend that you set up a PIN after signing in using a Microsoft account. This is so your Microsoft account password isn't exposed every time you login, and instead you have a unique code to your device. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]
A leaker claims that AMD will continue using slower GDDR6 with their next GPUs
The battle for the most powerful GPU has raged like never before. Nvidia has struck gold with its AI hardware, with companies so reliant on it that they're beginning to make attempts to swear off purchasing Nvidia hardware. Meanwhile, Intel wants another shot at the GPU game with its upcoming "Battlemage" unit. Everyone is looking to AMD to make a big play with its Radeon GPUs, but … [Read more...]
I've used the two best Start menu replacements — here's what I recommend
As many users have found themselves unhappy with the Start menu on Windows 11, a lot of options have popped up to help you replace it with a better alternative. Two of the top options you'll find out there are Start11 and StartAllBack, both of which have a long legacy as Windows Start menu replacements. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]
Intel Core i7-8700 CPU for just $3 thanks to gachapon machine
Gachapon machines are a great way to let go of some loose change, often packed with fun prizes like keychains, stickers, and miniature figurines. While primarily aimed at children, there are alternative machines out there catering to adults that aim to add a little more excitement to the experience by offering mystery prizes that could far exceed the amount of money invested. Source: … [Read more...]
4 reasons I always recommend Intel over AMD to the average gamer
When it comes to building a gaming PC, you have two choices for the processor — Intel and AMD. Brand preference aside, which camp you go with depends on which processor lineup is currently faring better on various parameters such as price-to-performance, features, overall platform cost, platform longevity, power efficiency, and more. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]
iPad Calculator app set to arrive in 2024
For years, people have been asking for a Calculator app for their iPads, and it looks like in 2024, that might actually happen. According to new information, it appears that Apple may actually launch its own Calculator app for iPad with the release of iPadOS 18. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]
5 reasons Snapdragon X Elite will finally get me to upgrade
I have been using Windows since college, and bought my first premium Windows laptop (HP Spectre x360) after graduation in late 2016. I usually upgrade my laptop every five years, but I kept holding onto the current Windows convertible since I couldn’t find a worthwhile upgrade that met my expectations. That said, the introduction of the Snapdragon X Elite CPU from Qualcomm may finally … [Read more...]
Anker 651 USB-C Dock is now 50% off, dropping to lowest price ever
If you're really looking for an easy way to expand your port selection, you can't go wrong with a USB-C docking station. A docking station not only offers extra ports, but it can also deliver additional power, which can be enough to supply output to additional monitors from just one device. While these are great devices, one of the negatives is that they aren't as affordable as … [Read more...]
Here's everything you need to know about RSAT, Microsoft's remote server management tool
If you're a Windows IT administrator, you've probably heard of RSAT before, but for everyone else, there's a good chance this crucial tool is completely new to you. RSAT is short for Remote Server Administration Tools, and as the name sort of suggests, it's a set of tools useful for managing Windows Server instances remotely. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]
Apple dares to ‘let loose’ in an upcoming special event
Apple has announced that it'll hold a special event on Tuesday, May 7, without giving away anything about what new products we'll see that day. However, the event page leaves us with enough hints to make an educated guess about what new devices are expected to launch during the event. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]
5 of the weirdest but coolest laptops in the last decade
2024 is a great year for laptop lovers. From top-tier gaming battle stations like the Alienware m18 R2 to the more professional Samsung Galaxy Book 4, there’s plenty to choose from, regardless of your preferences. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read more...]
How to fix the ROG Ally's fingerprint scanner when it's not working
The Asus ROG Ally is among the best gaming handhelds out there, which can handle a lot of games to deliver an enjoyable experience on the go. It's not without its flaws, though, and we highlighted many of them in our review. One of the issues that you may face while using the ROG Ally has to do with its fingerprint scanner, which may have some trouble working. If you encounter any fingerprint … [Read more...]
Photoshop's upgraded AI can create backgrounds and learn from your images
When you think of AI image generators, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of DALL-E 3 with ChatGPT, or maybe Microsoft's Designer. However, not many people know about Adobe's Firefly, which has been putting out some top-quality images lately. If you've never given it a try before, now is the best time to jump in, as it has just received a massive update that you can take for a spin … [Read more...]
Hands-on with Rokid's more affordable and lighter Vision Pro alternative
I've been testing my fair share of consumer AR glasses from brands like Rokid, TCL, XReal, and Viture, as the first three are definitely the current market leaders. While I find them very useful as wearable screens (my colleagues feel the same way), they haven't been doing much with Augmented Reality thus far. Rokid is looking to change that with the newly-announced Rokid AR Lite: a kit … [Read more...]
Best GPU for AMD Ryzen 7 8700F
Once you've sorted through the best processors around, decide on an AMD chip, and eventually land on the 8700F, you're going to need a GPU, since the 8700F removes the integrated graphics of the 8700G. Luckily, regardless of whether you're looking for a super premium GPU or a budget-friendly one, you've got great options of graphics card to pair with your 8700F. Source: … [Read more...]