If you want a fast, low-maintenance machine that mostly lives in the browser, few options are as compelling as a Chromebook. Chromebooks don’t try to do everything, which is exactly why they’re so appealing. For this roundup, we focused on models that stay fast under real use and makes it through a full day unplugged. Every pick here was tested hands-on. If you’d rather step outside Google’s ecosystem, PCWorld has a separate roundup of the best Windows laptops. And if you’re curious where Chromebooks are headed next, check out this deep dive into the new AI-powered Googlebooks. Why you should trust us: It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Best overall Chromebook Pros Zippy processor performance Nice keyboard Wide array of connectivity options Chic design Cons Battery life isn’t competitive Display’s 16:9 aspect ratio feels a little cramped Price When Reviewed: $499 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $569 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Who should buy the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34? If you want a Chromebook that can do it all, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is it. The Intel Core i5 keeps everything running smooth–streaming, school work, or juggling a bunch of tabs. And the ports? You’ve got USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack, which means you can kiss the dongle life goodbye. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Further considerations It’s not all sunshine, though. The 16:9 screen can feel cramped if you’re used to roomier displays, and while 13 hours of battery life sounds nice on paper, others last longer. Not a deal breaker, but if screen space or all-day power is at the top of your list, you might want to look elsewhere. Read our full Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review Asus Chromebook CX15 – Best budget Chromebook Pros Good design with enjoyable keyboard Sharp 15.6-inch 1080p display Decent speakers Extremely inexpensive Cons Small touchpad Slow dual-core processor 4GB RAM often holds it back Short battery life for a Chromebook Price When Reviewed: $159 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price eBay 16% off original price$133 View Deal $319.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Who should buy the Asus Chromebook CX15? Need a reliable laptop for under $200? The CX15 is totally worth a look because it’s great for anyone that mostly browses the web and watches YouTube videos. The spacious 15.6-inch 1080p display and roomy keyboard also make it feel more premium than you’d expect at this price point. For daily tasks, it really gets the job done–you can’t say that about too many machines in this range. Asus Chromebook CX15: Further considerations You’re not going to get blazing-fast performance here and that’s entirely okay. The Intel Celeron N4500 processor offers enough pep to get you through lighter workloads, but you may see some lag with heavier multitasking. Battery life is pretty darn good at around 10 hours, though we’ve seen other Chromebooks that last longer. Still, for what you pay, the CX15 is a surprising little machine. Read our full Asus Chromebook CX15 review Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 – Best high-end Chromebook Pros Lovely OLED display Surprisingly strong performance for a fanless Chromebook Loud, clear speakers Competitive battery life Cons Hard-to-read function keys AI tools feel unnecessary in everyday use Price When Reviewed: $649 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $749 View Deal Lenovo $1269.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Who should buy the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14? If you’ve been looking for a high-end Chromebook, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is totally worth your consideration—it’s a big step up from the usual budget fare. It’s got a 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen and the colors really pop. The model we tested came loaded with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS storage, so it handles a ton of tabs, Docs, YouTube, whatever you throw at it. And the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 chip (plus a tiny Neural Processing Unit) makes everything feel snappy. The 2.78-pound aluminum chassis is also super light to carry around, and the battery will last you about 19 hours as long as you’re conservative with the brightness level. Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14: Further considerations The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is almost the complete package, but we did have a couple of minor nitpicks. The function keys are really small and they pick up fingerprints like nobody’s business. But, again, those are tiny complaints. If you want a Chromebook that looks and feels nicer than the budget crowd, this is the one to pick. Read our full Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 review Other notable Chromebooks we’ve tested Acer Chromebook Plus 514: The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 isn’t the most attractive ChromeOS machine, but it offers good performance and lots of storage for the price. Acer Chromebook Plus 516: The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 isn’t much to look at, but it benefits from an Intel Core i3 chip with solid performance and, at times, low sale pricing. Acer Chromebook Spin 315: Comfy to type on and handles the basics just fine, though the big bezels and limited charging options hold it back (hence why it’s not on the above list). Asus Chromebook Plus CX14: Performs better than models with Celeron CPUs. How we test Chromebooks The PCWorld team puts each and every laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Due to the cloud-based nature of Chromebooks, they go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook as we use on laptops because they exclusively run a completely different operating system. For a more thorough explanation of our testing procedures, check out how PCWorld tests laptops. Who curated this article? Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld. While you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also really into the broader world of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the world of tech, you’ll probably find me gaming, getting lost in a good book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen. How to choose the best Chromebook If you want something like a Windows or MacBook but cheaper, check out a Chromebook. Just keep in mind they’ve got some limits. They’re good for simple, everyday stuff but they don’t have a lot of RAM or storage, so they’re not equipped to handle more resource-intensive tasks like gaming or video editing. We’ve got a guide that compares Chromebooks and Windows laptops if you want to figure out what’s best for you. Key Chromebook features to consider Operating system Chromebooks only run Chrome OS, which is pretty easy to use. You can’t put Windows or macOS on them — you’re stuck with Google’s setup. Processor Shoot for a mid-range Chromebook if you can. They cost anywhere in the $400 to $600 range and many of them come equipped with Intel Pentium, Intel Core i3, or AMD Ryzen 3 processors. These Chromebooks run the browser smoother. They’re the best deal for the price. The fancier ones sometimes come with Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 chips, which are way more powerful. Then there’s the new Kompanio Ultra chips, which are more powerful and AI-ready. RAM Lots of Chromebooks come with just 4GB of RAM, which isn’t much. Since they’re all about the web, you need enough RAM to keep your tabs from lagging. And with RAM prices being a bit more volatile lately, it’s worth opting for more if you can. If you can drop a bit more cash, you can grab a mid-range Chromebook with 8GB (or 16GB if you want to be extra safe), which runs way smoother. FAQ 1. What is the best Chromebook? PCWorld thinks the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is the best all-around Chromebook. It’s got a solid Intel Core i5 processor, lots of ports, and handles everyday stuff really well. Basically, it’s a great pick if you want a reliable Chromebook without breaking the bank. 2. What is the best cheap Chromebook? PCWorld’s pick for best budget Chromebook is the Asus Chromebook CX15. With a spacious 15.6-inch 1080p display and roomy keyboard, this Chromebook is comfortable to use and its Intel Celeron N4500 processor is able to handle daily tasks. If you’re after value, this Chromebook provides all the basics for less than $200. 3. What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop? A Chromebook’s just a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS instead of Windows or Mac. It’s mostly for web stuff like Google Drive and YouTube. Regular laptops are more powerful and can handle pretty much anything. 4. What is a Chromebook? A Chromebook is a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS. Related content I switched from Windows PCs to Chromebooks and haven’t looked back 9 reasons why you should buy a Chromebook over a laptop A beginner’s guide to using a Chromebook Are Chromebooks good for gaming? No… but actually also yes Can Chromebooks get viruses? It’s complicated Lenovo’s new Chromebook has exclusive AI powers I’m a Chromebook power user. I swear by these 9 productivity tips 7 Chromebook features that make Google laptops ultra-secure Framework is refunding laptop buyers. Nintendo’s ‘thank you’ is a sale Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:43:58 +0000
Source: PCWorld
Framework is a company that makes modular, repairable laptops. And there are a lot of reasons to like it. But in the begotten hellscape that is the PC market of 2026, I have a very particular reason for liking the brand: it’s honest. Framework has put its every trial and tribulation on display during the RAM crisis, communicating directly to consumers why and how prices are going up. It’s bad news, obviously. Nobody likes to be told that they’re paying more for the same thing — or as it might be, a lot more for considerably less. But as a small company that’s trying to trade on trust with its customers, this is objectively the right call. Framework has been updating its customers (and the broader tech world, thanks!) every painful step of the way. And Framework made another right call just recently, specifically for its flagship Framework 13 Pro laptop, which uses the very neat and tremendously expensive LPCAMM2 standard for its replaceable memory. Previously it had to downgrade some customers’ orders from 64GB of RAM to 32GB, because it couldn’t get the supplies to fulfill them at the original prices. If companies like Dell and Lenovo are struggling to find affordable RAM while data centers gobble up all the production capacity, then a small manufacturer like Framework that has to buy its components near the end of the supply chain is basically bleeding money. But even in 2026, there are occasional miracles. A few days ago Framework revealed that it’s managed to find a “limited quantity of Micron 32GB and 64GB LPCAMM2 memory modules at [a] lower cost.” As a result, not only is it lowering prices for those customers who’ve pre-ordered the Framework 13 Pro, it’s issuing refunds for those who’ve already bought one and had their laptops shipped. Mark Hachman / Foundry Can you imagine? Buying a laptop at a bad price, then getting an email from the manufacturer that just says it’s giving you some money back? In current year? Contrast this behavior with a much higher-profile company that had an unexpected windfall: Nintendo. The famous gaming brand has a certified hit on its hands with the Switch 2, but it’s not immune to the memory market, recently raising prices on the current console by $50. And that’s after raising prices on various versions of the original Switch — now over a decade old — back in 2025. That original hike was due to the Trump administration’s tariffs and taxes, which have since been declared illegal. Nintendo and others got a nice refund from the US federal government. So, has it lowered the prices on its older hardware? Has it rolled back the $50 price hike for the Switch 2? Has it issued refunds directly to its customers, as they’ve asked? Nintendo Nope. It’s having a “customer appreciation sale” in the US, which offers a 30 percent discount on “dozens of Nintendo Switch digital games and bundles…select physical games, downloadable content, and apparel.” Nintendo specifically called out tariff-related refunds as the reason for this sale. Notably absent from that list are the game consoles whose prices have actually been affected by Trump’s illegal taxes and the RAM crunch. So Nintendo’s response to getting unexpected money in its pocket, for costs which were ultimately passed on to consumers, is to… ask you to buy more stuff. Classy. I bet those customers feel really appreciated. I think Nintendo has been treating its customers better than Sony and Microsoft as of late, with the exception of anyone trying to engage with its classic games on a fan level. But that’s a real icky move, only highlighted by Framework’s far more dignified response to a temporary reprieve from horrible memory prices. Save $600 on LG’s 4K OLED gaming monitor Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:34:47 +0000
Source: PCWorld
LG UltraGear 4K OLED gaming monitor View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); If you’ve been perusing the market for a fantastic monitor, now’s the time to grab one. This 32-inch LG UltraGear model is offering 4K OLED goodness for just $800. That’s the best price we’ve seen for this model yet. That’s a $600 discount, by the way. This monitor comes with Dual Mode, which means you can use it in 4K at 240Hz (for those open-world adventures) or you can change it to Full HD at 480Hz (for those shooters). It’s like having two monitors in one. The OLED pane is where the magic really happens. With a peak brightness of up to 1,300 nits and phenomenal contrast, dark scenes look gorgeous. You’ll be able to easily spot enemies lurking in those shadowy corners. This monitor also features Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro, which helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, resulting in more fluid gameplay. For $600 off, this 32-inch LG UltraGear 4K OLED gaming monitor is a steal. A cheap adapter can add USB-C to your old PC Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000
Source: PCWorld
Over the past few years, USB-C has become the go-to connection for IT devices. Smartphones, external SSDs, cameras, and docking stations now rely almost exclusively on this standard. However, many older Windows PCs still have no USB-C ports, or just one. That doesn’t mean you have to do without modern devices, though. With a few simple steps, USB-C can be easily retrofitted to older systems. The quickest way is to use an existing USB-A port. All you need is a small USB-A-to-USB-C adapter. Simply plug this into a free USB-A port, and you can then connect a USB-C cable directly. For individual devices such as smartphones, webcams, external drives, or chargers, this is an affordable and straightforward solution. Such adapters usually cost just a few dollars and work surprisingly reliably in practice. They are particularly suitable if you only connect a device occasionally and do not need any additional ports. A USB-C docking station is a real all-rounder when it comes to connections. The more and more powerful the interfaces it offers, the more it costs. Ugreen However, you shouldn’t expect any speed boosts from this solution, as it merely changes the type of connection. The transfer speed is still determined by the USB-A port standard. If you regularly use several USB-C devices, a USB hub or a docking station is much more practical. These devices are also connected to the computer via an existing USB port and provide additional interfaces. Once connected, Windows automatically recognizes the hub as a new USB device. This gives you access to several USB-C ports as well as additional USB-A ports. Numerous models also offer further connection options such as Ethernet ports, SD card slots, or even video outputs for monitors. Please note, however, that you should connect the hub or docking station to at least a USB 3.0 port to ensure sufficient bandwidth and power. USB-C can also be retrofitted to a desktop PC via PCI Express expansion cards – a particularly effective and elegant solution. YEELIYA A docking station is particularly useful when you need to connect multiple devices at the same time. Instead of plugging several cables directly into the computer, all connections run via a central station on your desk. This not only makes things more convenient but also simplifies cable management considerably. Such a docking solution can be particularly practical for laptops, as several devices can be connected via a single port. Consequently, they are also more expensive, with prices starting at around $50, while hubs are available for well under $20. If you own a desktop PC, there’s another particularly neat and powerful solution: Many computer cases have free PCIe slots on the motherboard. Expansion cards that provide additional USB-C ports can be installed here. Installation is relatively straightforward and requires just a few steps: First, switch off the computer completely and disconnect it from the mains. Then open the case and locate a free PCIe slot on the motherboard. USB-C is now considered the standard when it comes to ports. Fortunately, the interface can be retrofitted quite easily if it isn’t already present. Benq We recommend using at least a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot to benefit from the high speeds. Remove the relevant slot cover at the rear of the case and carefully insert the expansion card into the slot. The card is then secured with a screw and the case is closed again. After restarting, Windows usually recognizes the new hardware automatically and activates the additional USB-C ports. Which solution is best suited depends primarily on the intended use. For individual devices, an inexpensive adapter is usually entirely sufficient. If you need several ports, a USB hub or a docking station is a good option. For desktop users, however, a PCIe expansion card offers the neatest long-term solution, as the additional ports are integrated directly into the system. This also allows older Windows PCs to be easily fitted with modern USB-C ports. Related content Best USB-C hubs and dongles: Add ports to your laptop or tablet Buying a USB-C cable? Beware these 6 hidden traps 5 useful upgrades for your PC’s unused PCIe slots Microsoft is finally tackling Windows 11’s annoying Bluetooth problem Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:23:10 +0000
Source: PCWorld
Many users regard the Bluetooth function as a notorious weak point in Windows 11, and even Microsoft clearly sees Bluetooth as a problem. With the latest Windows update, the Redmond-based company is now looking to tackle this Achilles’ heel of its operating system. The changelog for the Windows 11 Insider Release Preview Build 26100.9539/26200.9539 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 highlights, alongside various other improvements, places a particular focus on Windows 11’s Bluetooth functionality. According to the changelog, Windows 11 is receiving these Bluetooth-related updates to improve its reliability and usability: During voice calls, the Windows Shell pop-up window for volume control is now displayed when the volume of a Bluetooth Classic Audio accessory is adjusted using the volume controls on the device itself. This provides visual feedback on the new volume level. This update improves the accuracy of the connection status displayed by Windows for accessories whose connection to the PC has been interrupted. This update improves the stability of the ‘Bluetooth & devices’ page in Settings when managing Bluetooth and audio devices. This update resolves an issue where the Bluetooth wireless connection might have been disabled, but the toggle on the ‘Bluetooth & devices’ page in Settings was shown as enabled. This update improves the stability and compatibility of Bluetooth audio. This update improves microphone compatibility with certain Bluetooth Classic audio accessories. This update resolves an issue that could cause a crash (error code 0x139) when streaming Bluetooth audio. This update improves reliability and performance when using LE Audio accessories. This update improves the reliability of shared audio content. It remains to be seen whether this will, in future, eliminate all the causes of Bluetooth connections becoming unstable or dropping out completely. For the time being, only Insider testers can try out the improvements anyway. It is currently unknown when Microsoft will incorporate the above-mentioned improvements into the final version of Windows 11. Get an OLED gaming monitor for just $310 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:20:25 +0000
Source: PCWorld
$40 below standard AOC OLED monitor for $310 SEE DEAL (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); The price floor for OLED monitors has been about $350 for most of the year. If you wanted something cheaper, you generally needed to look for a refurb model. Today AOC is offering its standard 27-inch, 1440p, 240Hz model for just $309.99 on Amazon. That’s the best price you’re likely to see outside of a major sale. There aren’t any real surprises with the Q27GAZDV model. A 27-inch QHD panel is hitting the “sweet spot” for PC gamers in 2026, and 240Hz refresh with .03ms response time should be fast enough for most competitive online games. You do get G-Sync compatibility and a pair of USB-A 3.2 ports for extra gadgets, which is more than a lot of monitors in this form factor offer at the moment. By the way, I’m getting the specs from AOC’s website text, not the off-putting Amazon listing, which is wall-to-wall AI slop. That’s also where AOC spells out the three-year warranty for the OLED panel, which includes at least some measure of burn-in protection. Oh, and it’s where the actual retail price ($350, not $380) is listed. Um, Amazon, y’all doin’ okay over there? Amazon says this is a limited-time deal, so there’s no telling how long it’ll stick around. Matt Berry is now a sentient Ikea shelf in Skyrim Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:20:00 +0000
Source: PCWorld
The Swedish furniture giant Ikea continues to venture into the world of gaming. A few weeks ago, they unveiled the new Yxstaby collection in collaboration with Microsoft’s gaming division, Xbox, but the company has now brought its furniture into the gaming world in the form of an officially licensed mod for the hit game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The ‘Kallax Storageborn’ mod introduces Ikea’s classic Kallax shelving unit as a companion in the game, designed to help you carry around all the junk you collect in Skyrim. Actor Matt Berry, known for his role in the TV series What We Do in the Shadows, among other things, provides the voice of the Kallax shelving unit in the game. The developers at Kinggath Creations have also added “meatball helmets,” an Allen key as a weapon, and an adventure that takes the player into two Ikea-inspired caves. The “Kallax Storageborn” mod can be downloaded from the Skyrim Creations website. From the mod description: If you inevitably become overloaded, you will be sent to a long-abandoned Dwemer trading post. There, you will embark on a quest to uncover the origins of a mysterious master. As your journey unfolds, the Dragonborn will face Tamriel’s greatest enemy – Disorder! Build your very own KALLAX STORAGEBORN during your adventure. With unimaginable storage capacity, the ability to collect loot, tidy your home, and be summoned with a new Thu’um – even if it’s not a companion – KALLAX will change the way you manage clutter forever. Fill KALLAX with new loot like the mighty Allenblade and the Meatball Helmet. Use them in battle to defeat new, extremely dirty enemies. Then take KALLAX everywhere with you. Defeat Alduin, become an Archmage, praise Sithis, destroy the Stormcaps or the Imperials, or simply beat up mudcrabs. And all without the shackles of the Burden. Adata Urban TapSafe review: Clever security, disappointing speed Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000
Source: PCWorld
At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Secure lock/unlock with NFC Small and light with an integrated belt clip USB 3.2×2 Spare, pearlescent cover plate Cons Read speeds vary with amount of data Runs out of juice on very long writes Our Verdict I love the style, NFC security, and integrated belt clip on the Adata Urban TapSafe, but its overall performance is underwhelming for 20Gbps. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When ReviewedAdata Urban Tapsafe USB/NFC SSD: 1TB: $228.99 I 2TB: $411.99Adata Urban TapSafe 20Gbps SSD: $229 for 1TB, $412 for 2TB Best Prices Today: Adata Urban Tapsafe USB/NFC SSD Retailer Price $219.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Adata’s Urban TapSafe 20Gbps SSD is unique in that you can clip it to your belt, and once security is enabled you can unlock it using your phone’s NFC capabilities — both eminently handy traits in certain situations. The downside is that it’s not a very good performer for 20Gbps with anything but small data sets. Think of it as more of a 15Gbps SSD (which don’t exist) and you won’t be disappointed. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best external drives for comparison. What are the Adata Urban TapSafe’s features? The Urban TapSafe is a smallish 2.70-inches long, by 1.42-inches wide, by 0.76-inch thick external USB SSD. It’s a 20Gbps USB 3.2×2 drive using a RealTek RM1220 controller and unspecified NAND. Performance will be roughly 2GBps, though 1GBps on anything other than USB 3.2×2 and some USB4 ports. The Urban TapSafe offers three unique features, two of which I’ve already mentioned. First, it may be locked, then unlocked using Adata’s TapSafe app via your phone’s NFC (near-field communication) chip. Adata It also has a rather large and beefy integrated clip mechanism on the back. IT types running around the office all day will appreciate this ability to keep the drive within easy reach. Adata also includes a second magnetically attached top cover should you tire of the stock starry-charcoal cover. It’s pearlescent and I actually preferred it. I was expecting a tussle prying off and replacing the top plate, but while the plates are held securely in place, a minimum amount of force is required to pop them off. Note that when the TapSafe is operating in secure mode, it returns to its locked state whenever you remove it from the USB port. You must unlock it with the app after you insert it into a port before it can be used again. How easy is the Adata Urban TapSafe to use? Setup for the Urban TapSafe was easy enough — once I found the Submit button that was scrolled off the bottom of the Add Drive screen in the iOS TapeSafe app. As noted, the drive locks itself whenever you disconnect it so if you use secure mode, you’ll also need your phone around. Yes, I know, not a problem with most people in today’s world but biometrics might be handier. The easy-to-use Urban TapSafe iOS app. You can kill the drive security with the reset command, but it will erase all the data on it. That would not be my choice, and it requires entering a rather long key. There’s also a user-definable password for the app. How much does the Adata Urban TapSafe cost? I surmised that the TapSafe would be a little more than average due to the NFC. However, that depends on what you consider average. It’s not as cheap as some no-name SSDs that you can buy on Amazon. But I consider my initial opinion wrong as at $229 for 1TB is actually a little less than other name brand 1TB SSDs without NFC. The 2TB TapSafe will set you back $412. Yes, folks, even with AI data centers being cancelled left and right, SSDs remain far more expensive than they were less than a year ago. To be fair, margins were razor thin for vendors back then. They’re likely loathe to go back to the “good old days.” How fast is the Adata Urban TapSafe? The 1TB TapSafe that Adata sent me was fast with small data sets, but the results were rather odd to say the least. Read numbers varied wildly depending on how much data was involved. They never dipped below 1.1GBps, but they peaked at 1.9GBps. Normally, it’s only write numbers that suffer. I test all drives with CrystalDiskMark 8’s 64GiB data, so to be fair to the other drives, those are the numbers shown in the charts below. But with the 4GiB and 8GiB data sets, which are actually more representative of daily use, the Urban TapSafe performed at the advertised 1.9GBps. Check the second image to see the difference, with the lower numbers kicking in with the 16GiB data set. This is a rather abysmal performance for the Urban TapSafe, but with smaller data sets (8GiB and less), it was on par with the other two drives. The difference in the Urban TapSafe’s read speed is very noticeable when you increase the data-set size in CrystalDiskMark, and again, those numbers in the 64GiB image actually are the same as soon as you hit 16GiB. The difference in the Urban TapSafe’s read speed is very noticeable when you increase the data-set size in CrystalDiskMark, and again, those numbers in the 64GiB image actually are the same as soon as you hit 16GiB. Normally, it’s write performance, which is highly dependent on caching, that varies. It certainly does with the TapSafe, but I can’t honestly remember if I’ve ever seen read performance vacillate, or if I have, when that last time might’ve been. I rarely show ATTO results, but this image perfectly illustrates the TapSafe’s decrease in read speed as the amount of data increases. We rarely show ATTO results, but this image perfectly illustrates the TapSafe’s decrease in read speed as the amount of data increases. The Urban TapSafe hardly aced CrystalDiskMark 8’s 4K tests either. But the slowdown isn’t quite as obvious. The Urban TapSafe hardly aced CrystalDiskMark 8’s 4K tests either. But the slowdown isn’t quite as obvious. The trend continued in our 48GB transfers, with the TapSafe barely squeaking into second place on only two of the eight tests. The trend continued in our 48GB transfers, with the TapSafe barely squeaking into second place on only two of the eight tests. The bad news continued in our 450GB write. Most users will never write a file this large; however, if you do, expect a drop in transfer rate to 150- to 200MBps. This occurred rather early at the 260GB mark due to our test unit having 1TB to play with. The 2TB unit will likely slow down at the 500GB mark. That said, the PNY RP60 was also 1TB, though the Corsair EX400U had twice as much NAND to play with. Generally speaking, the more NAND there is, the more secondary cache can be allocated. Secondary cache is writing the NAND as SLC — a much faster process with minimal error checking. Data is later rewritten in the native format as time permits, or additional writes dictate. In the TapSafe’s case, the NAND is likely QLC given the lower-than-200MBps write performance. The bad news continued in our 450GB write. Most users will never write a file this large; however, if you do, expect a drop in transfer rate to 150- to 200MBps. You can see the exact point where the TapSafe slowed to native speed in the capture below. The bump at the beginning is due to Windows caching. You can see here the exact point where the TapSafe slowed to native speed. The bump at the beginning is due to Windows caching. Not to pile on, but formatting on one occasion took far longer than the normal 2 to 5 seconds, perhaps 30 to 45. All told, the Urban TapSafe is not a particularly fast 20Gbps SSD for anything but the lightest of workloads. This might be reflected in the decently low pricing. However, while not as fast as others, we’re still talking faster than 10Gbps SSDs. Except of course for super-long writes, which very few people ever perform. Should you buy the Adata Urban TapSafe? If you’re looking for security and clip-on convenience, the Urban TapSafe is a unique and handy solution. I can imagine IT guys who roam around the premises being fans. Performance isn’t optimal, but certainly acceptable. I mean, come on, SSDs are all pretty fast. On the flip side, if you don’t need a clip or security, there are faster drives available for around the same price, and much cheaper 10Gbps SSDs that are as fast as most users need. How we test Our storage tests currently utilize Windows 11 (22H2) 64-bit running on a Z790 (PCIe 5.0) motherboard/i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 modules (64GB of memory total). Intel integrated graphics are used. The 48GB transfer tests utilize an ImDisk RAM disk taking up 58GB of the 64GB total memory. The 450GB file is transferred from a Samsung 990 Pro 2TB, which also contains the operating system. Each test is performed on a newly formatted and TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that as any drive fills up, performance will decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, and other factors. The performance numbers shown apply only to the drive we were shipped as well as the capacity tested. SSD performance can vary by capacity due to more or fewer chips to read/write across and the amount of NAND available for secondary caching (writing TLC/QLC as SLC). Vendors also occasionally swap components. If you ever notice a large discrepancy between the performance you experience and that which we report (systems being roughly equal), by all means — let us know. Did the 49ers just show us how to beat jet lag? Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:57:26 +0000
Source: PCWorld
The sport might have been football. But the real contest Friday night in Melbourne, Australia was how two teams dealt with the bane of business travelers: the bleary-eyed anti-productivity monster, jet lag. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7, in a game that looked a lot further apart than it was. But the two teams took radically different approaches to how they approached the game, with the 49ers arriving a week early and the Rams showing up just 24 hours before. If you’ve ever suffered from insomnia, you know badly jet lag can ruin your night and subsequent workdays. The Rams, though, thought they had figured it out: aside from a difference in the calendar day, a morning start in Melbourne corresponded to an afternoon game in California. Instead of flying across the world, the Rams were trying to convince their bodies that they had never actually left. Did it work? It certainly didn’t look like it, with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford missing a number of his early passes. Still, this was a potential Super Bowl for sleep scientists…and an opportunity to test whether overseas travelers would be better off landing a day or so early or simply try to sleep on the plane. It all starts with the sun Jet lag is considered a temporary sleep disorder, one tied primarily to the circadian rhythm. Your body is used to a routine, and tries to key itself to the day-night cycle of your particular time zone. Adjust it — when the clocks change for Daylight Savings Time, say — and you can feel groggy and out of sorts; drastically reorganize it with overseas travel and the effects can last for several days. In this case, traveling seven time zones typically takes about seven days to adapt, sleep scientists say. San Francisco pursued the conventional route: arrive early, get settled in, let your body adjust to the new schedule. The Rams, on the other hand, essentially tried to trick their bodies into thinking that they were still at home, even after a 14-hour direct flight. Reports say that the Rams’ charter included lay-flat beds (sized for football players) with blackout shades, familiar food, and so on. That’s not an unfamiliar strategy for someone with a busy schedule who has to fit in a last-minute overseas business trip: Rest, hydrate, and try to make the best of it. The key to beating jet lag: soak up the sun.Pexels “In essence, they both make sense,” said Dr. Jamie M. Zeitzer, the co-director of Sleep and Circadian Sciences at Stanford, who spoke to PCWorld before the game. “It’s just a question of risk. The Rams’ approach is a higher risk because, from what it looks like, they’re basically going to stay on California time. They’re going to shift a little, from what I’ve read, but not much.” Circadian biologist Dr. Satchidananda Panda, formerly with the Salk Institute, agreed. “That’s a tough question,” he said before the game, when asked which was the more viable strategy for dealing with jet lag. “Both strategies work in this case.” Both scientists agreed that the risk factor would be how well the Rams players slept on the plane. “If they can sleep on the plane, and that is a big if, then when they arrive again, there there’s going to be no acclimation period,” Dr. Zeitzer said. “They’re just going to get off the plane, just like they were getting off the plane back in California, and their brains will be optimized for that time.” But it wasn’t just that! The Rams were actually doubling down on their strategy, because they knew that the time that they played — “5:35 PM PT” — is actually associated with the body’s peak performance. “Circadian clocks actually work in very strange ways,” Dr. Panda said. “Late afternoon is the time when our muscles are typically warm, the joints are warmer, you don’t need too much warmup time. The cognitive performance is much better, so strategizing and reaction time — all of these are actually much better in late afternoon.” (A 1993 study found that West Coast NFL teams traveling east to play teams on the East Coast performed poorly during daytime games. At night, however, those same West Coast teams enjoyed a significant advantage, since the West Coast bodies “felt” that they were playing an afternoon game. A 1997 followup studying 25 seasons’ worth of Monday Night Football games backed those findings up, finding that West Coast teams playing East Coast teams won more often, by more points, often outperforming the point spread.) Jet lag begins on the plane A passenger trying to rest on an overseas flight must overcome all sorts of obstacles: the psychological pressures of a reduced space, a reduction in oxygen during a pressurized flight, remaining immobile for long periods of time, and the increased saltiness of airline foods because of changes in how the body tastes things at altitude. Some people don’t like flying; some people will have cocktails to compensate, Dr. Zeitzer said. And, of course, there’s just basic biology. “There’s the intrinsic biological component, which is basically, is that you know you’re trying to sleep and be awake at times that are different from where your internal circadian clock is telling you to,” Dr. Zeitzer said. Trying to rest on a plane can be a challenge.Pexels People even throw up their own psychological barriers to flying. “You know, psychologically, some people say you know they they travel one time zone and and they can’t sleep,” Dr. Zeitzer said. “They say they can’t sleep, and so much of it is self-fulfilling prophecy, where basically you’re like, ah, I’ve traveled, I can’t sleep, and lo and behold, you can’t sleep because you’ve introduced this great new kind of psychological barrier to getting some good sleep.” Lack of sleep has consequences, both physical and mental — though the Rams players may have felt them more than you would. “If you’re recording my sprint times, there’s so much variability you’d never be able to see the impact of jet lag,” Dr. Zeitzer said. “But if I’m recording a Stanford sprinter or an Olympic sprinter, you’re absolutely going to see differences there.” You may feel groggy, of course. But sleep scientists say that you don’t actually become less competent as a result; your ability to respond simply won’t be as quick. That plays out in a similar manner physically as well. A small study last year found that reaction times increased by 11 percent after simulated jet lag. Whether that’s true or not, that’s why the Rams’ strategy was risky: If jet lag does kick in, reaction times could increase, and physical performance could drop. That’s not great when a quick read and cut is the difference between a running back getting a first down, or flattened by a linebacker. This doesn’t necessarily imply that jet lag means your ability to make decisions will become less accurate. It may mean, however, that it will take longer to react and respond, which means you won’t be as sharp as someone who is well rested. Strategies for you to avoid jet lag If you travel far and frequently, there are techniques to reduce the effects of jet lag and airline travel, Dr. Panda said. While in flight, the cabin is typically pressurized to 10,000 feet. That means the available oxygen to your brain decreases by about 10 to 15 percent, and even less if you have a breathing problem or nasal congestion. Dr. Panda said he recommends that passengers buy and wear nasal breathing strips to help offset that. Likewise, you’re often sitting for hours, relatively immobile. The small vibrations from the airplane engines travel up into your muscles, tensing them. For that, a warm bath, a massage, or a hot tub helps to relieve that muscle tension. My strategy for traveling overseas is much the same as Dr. Panda recommends: arrive in the evening, order room service, take a shower, and set an alarm for the next morning, followed by breakfast and a log walk in the sun.Pexels “In addition to resetting your jet lag, you also need to reset your body,” Dr. Panda said. Another unappreciated aspect of fighting jet lag: food. Your body doesn’t know or care whether the meal is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but it will expect a meal at a regular time. Dr. Panda said he recommends having that meal on the ground, even after you arrive at your destination. If you’re traveling, and your body receives food at an unexpected time, you risk indigestion, Dr. Zeitzer said. But you can actually train your body into when to expect your next meal faster than you can shift over your sleep clock. If you’re traveling west (from Europe to the East Coast, or from the West Coast to Asia) most flights are timed to arrive in the evening. Take advantage of that, Dr. Panda said: eat a meal on the ground at your destination, take a relaxing bath or shower, and then head to bed. If you’re traveling east, many flights will land in the morning. If you’re on the East Coast, “forget about doing anything else other than sleep,” Dr. Panda said. Once you reach your destination, have breakfast, preferably outdoors, he said, where the sun can signal your body to adjust its clock. That’s the essence of avoiding jet lag, Dr. Zeitzer said: getting light in the new time zone when it’s light out and avoiding light when it’s supposed to be dark. That’s why sleep scientists wondered how the Rams players would accept sleeping on the plane, arriving to an early morning sun, going to bed that night and then waking up early to prepare for a 10:30 am kickoff. As it turns out, maybe not too well. For the rest of us, however, the Rams loss provided some insight into how we can beat jet lag, ourselves — though we’ll have to show how these teams compete in week two to truly know whether the 49ers’ plan worked. I finally found a PC maintenance routine I can stick to. It takes 30 minutes Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000
Source: PCWorld
I have a PC cleanup routine that I’ve perfected over the years. With a mix of regular driver updates, old file and app cleanouts, and physical cleaning, the little-and-often approach means I don’t have to suffer a sluggish system every couple of years, nor do I have to troubleshoot driver problems because I’m woefully out of date. Better yet, it only takes half an hour or so each month to keep my computer running fast. I won’t pretend I’m religious with this routine. Sometimes it stretches to every six weeks or even longer. But I do make a real point of regularly keeping on top of my system. It’s where I work, play, and watch stupid YouTube videos, so of course it’s worth maintaining properly. Here’s what I do and what you might want to consider doing yourself. Run all the updates It’s a pain in the neck dealing with all those notification reminders for updates, so if you at least make sure all your apps, drivers, and operating system are up to date, you can save yourself that hassle. But it’s not just about the inconvenience of reminders. Many game performance issues, weird black screen errors, random stalls and freezes, and general system instability can be traced back to outdated or problematic apps and drivers. Windows Update on the regular. Keep it near, keep it sweet.Jon Martindale / Foundry AMD, Intel, and Nvidia all publish regular driver updates for your graphics card/GPU, so checking if there’s an update once a month is good practice. Sometimes they release hotfixes shortly after a new driver update, too, so if you’re encountering problems with a new app or game, it could be that a quick driver update will sort it out. Chipset drivers are worth updating, too. With all-AMD systems you can do that right within the Radeon software, making it straightforward. Windows updates, too. There’s more than just security updates in there. You can sometimes get improved performance or new features (and I don’t just mean whatever Microsoft is doing with Copilot that month). Don’t neglect your BIOS/UEFI firmware, either. You definitely don’t need to update that every month, but check every six months or at least once a year. You’ll be surprised how much that can improve stability and make your PC feel brand new again. Manage your storage Modern SSDs are so big, it’s easy to mindlessly install new stuff after new stuff until you’re suddenly out 2TB. But it’s worth staying on top of what you have installed and how much space you have left, as modern SSDs can experience degraded performance without enough free space. Overprovisioning isn’t quite as important as it used to be, but it’s still worthwhile to make sure your SSD has at least 10% free capacity so the controller can move data around efficiently. This will also help improve NAND flash cell longevity (i.e., your SSD will live longer). If you’re approaching anywhere near that threshold, delete some apps, games, and/or files to make some more room. I might have too many drives, but at least most of them have some free space.Jon Martindale / Foundry For my monthly clearout, I glance over my SSDs to see if any of them are getting too full. If they are, I either move games around—Steam makes this dead simple—or delete something I haven’t used in a while. I’ll also glance at my startup apps (search for “Startup” in Windows search) and see if there’s anything I’ve installed recently that I don’t need every time Windows starts up. Keeping your startup apps list lean goes a long way to making Windows boot up fast. Clear out your browsers What’s the first advice you give someone when they hit a problem with a website or online service? “Clear your browser cache!” And yet how often do you do it yourself? I used to neglect this one a lot because it was always a pain re-typing in all my passwords and waiting for uncached websites to load. But with modern password managers and fast internet connections, is there really an excuse not to do this on the regular anymore? A monthly clearout of all your browsers can keep them working as they should, preventing months or years of cache and data buildup. It frees up storage space and keeps your browser running fresh. Foundry Don’t neglect deleting old bookmarks, too. Those can quickly pile up and turn an organized bookmarks bar into a mess of icons that you’re always having to parse through to find the ones you want. At least label them properly and delegate them to bespoke folders. Lastly, check your browser extensions. Sometimes old extensions die and aren’t updated, leaving you with security holes. To protect your data, fewer extensions is generally better. Do all this for all your browsers, not just your primary one. It’s easy to neglect those backup browsers used for other activities, but often those are the ones worth keeping clean more than your main. It’s one of the PC maintenance tasks most users tend to neglect. Change a few passwords Do you use a password manager? Good! That’s a great way to keep your accounts secure, making it easy to maintain hundreds of unique passwords without having to memorize them all. But how often do you change your passwords stored in your password manager? Most people never do unless forced by a system administrator. But you should, even if it is an outright pain. Martyn Casserly / Dominick Tomaszewski You can make the task less annoying if you stagger the job, though. Instead of changing all your passwords every now and again, maybe just change a few each month. Make a list of the most important sites, apps, and services you have logins for, and work your way down the list so that you’ve changed each one at least once by year’s end. Changing a few passwords each month can take this annoying job that you’re always postponing and make it one that’s very doable. This advice is particularly important for those of us who use offline password managers without the convenience of cloud sync. Don’t wait until your login details are stolen in a data breach to change them! Clean everything OK, so you don’t have to clean “everything,” but taking ownership of your PC’s physical cleanliness can go a long way to keeping it in peak working condition. Clean out the dust filters once a month (don’t forget that one on the underside for the power supply) and wipe your fan blades and large interior surfaces with a cloth once every six months. Andrey Matveev / Unsplash Don’t forget to vacuum around the PC as that can prevent any dust buildup from migrating into your PC. If you have a watercooling radiator or a compact air cooler, a quick irregular blast with some compressed air can prevent the dense fins from collecting too much dirt and debris of their own, inhibiting cooling potential. For a digital spring clean, consider thinning your desktop icons or decanting anything you’ve copied to your PC in a temporary location. Consider cleaning out your Recycle Bin and download folders, too. They can end up full of all kinds of junk. And every year, you ought to reset your Windows PC for a deep, refreshing clean. Back it up I’m a big fan of continuous backups with services like BackBlaze, but if you don’t want a rolling backup of large swaths of data, then simply backing up what’s most important to you to a secondary drive (or better yet, an external drive or cloud storage) is a great habit to get into. Thiago Trevisan / IDG Work documents you’ve used that month, any personal photos or videos you’ve copied to your PC from other devices, old game saves that don’t work with Steam or other game backup services—they’re all worth backing up. It’s the kind of tedious task that you’ll wish you had done the second you lose something important. I once plugged the wrong power cable into an old hard drive which held the only copies of photos from a friend’s important birthday. Those are gone forever because of my mistake. Ever since, I’ve maintained backups of everything. It really is worth doing, even if it is a bore—making it part of your monthly cleanup routine makes it more tolerable. Further reading: Check your PC’s health with these free apps Will Siri Recap make the Apple Watch creepy? Privacy experts weigh in Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000
Source: PCWorld
I’ve always thought of the Apple Watch as one of the friendliest and most helpful Apple devices, sitting on your wrist with a colorful watch face, telling the time, nudging you to get off your tush, gently tapping you (or not) with text alerts, and even sounding the alarm if it detects anything amiss with your heartbeat. But a new Siri AI feature, announced earlier this week during Apple’s fall hardware event, could land unsuspecting Apple Watch users who enable the option into the middle of a heated AI privacy debate, according to several experts I spoke with. Welcome to another edition of Prompt Mode, your weekly AI newsletter. I’m your host, Ben Patterson. Each week on Prompt Mode, I’ll be serving up analysis of the AI trends that matter to everyday users like you and me. Stay tuned for practical AI tips, hands-on experiences with the latest AI tools, and–you guessed it–prompts to help you get the most out of your AI assistants. Thanks for reading, and if you like what you see, just sign up right here. The feature, called Siri Recap, lets the new Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 keep an ear out for nearby conversations and deliver “high-level summaries” of what was said. Siri Recap will arrive later this year as a beta product, Apple says. Alongside Siri Recap, the latest Apple Watches will offer Live Rewind, an on-demand feature that gives you a “text snippet” of the prior 15 seconds of a conversation. You activate Live Rewind by double-pressing the digital crown of your Apple Watch, an action that also triggers an audible chime as well as a telltale animation on the screen. But unlike Live Rewind, Siri Recap can work passively in the background, intercepting nearby conversations whenever it’s on — which, potentially, could be all the time. Apple says Siri Recap users can choose “exactly where and when Siri Recap takes notes” via a schedule (such as “only at work” or “never at night”) and that the feature can be manually turned on or off from the pop-up Control Center. Crucially, Apple says that Siri Recap doesn’t store recordings or verbatim transcripts of conversations, but instead “creates high-level Apple Intelligence-generated summaries” intended to “jog your memory” rather than capture everything that was said. In another key caveat, Siri Recap doesn’t track who said what, thus avoiding the use of voice fingerprinting technology. Apple Apple has taken other Siri Recap privacy measures, including insuring that financial data and “certain personal identifiers” are “omitted” from the summaries, as well as detailing a “Secure Enclave” in the Apple Watch’s new S11 chip that privately processes audio on the watch itself, while Privacy Cloud Compute handles cloud processing duties in an end-to-end encrypted pipe. Those measures seem at least partially designed to avoid running afoul of state and federal privacy laws, which offer a confusing and often conflicting patchwork of regulations about what constitutes illegal eavesdropping and what doesn’t. But even if Siri Recap isn’t actually storing full recordings or transcripts of overheard conversations, the mere act of “intercepting” them without notifying the involved parties could land a user in legal hot water. “As I understand this Siri Recap feature, they don’t have any kind of notice or audible thing that’s happening, and so the individual who’s being recorded in this case is really provided no notice,” said Brian J. McGuiness, a partner at Indianapolis law firm Barnes & Thornburg and an expert in privacy and AI issues. (Apple has since clarified that an audible chime occurs when Recap is actively used to recall a conversation, and that the AI feature only provides general summaries, not pure transcription.) “So on the one hand, [Apple is] putting in some pretty serious privacy-by-design things in that they don’t necessarily have to and others aren’t doing,” McGuinnis continued. “On the other hand, they haven’t really gone the full way to say, we really want people to know when this device is being used or this feature is being used. [Apple] kind of left it up to the user … whether or not you want to tell people this is happening.” In a support document, Apple says you should “be mindful of those around you” when using its new Audio Intelligence features, including Siri Recap. “While audio is not recorded and stored, and no speakers are attributed, consider those around you where conversations might be private or sensitive.” I’ve reached out to Apple for furthen comment. Aside from the legal issues surrounding Siri Recap, there’s also the ethics and overall “ick” factor of microphone-equipped AI wearables in general, which may be listening at any given moment. “Our right to conversational privacy must include freedom from other people, without our clear opt-in consent, using technology to document what we are saying,” Electronic Frontier Foundation Privacy Litigation Director Adam Schwartz said in a statement to PCWorld, adding that the organization is EFF is “disappointed” Apple is planning to ship the Siri Recap feature. “We suggest people should think twice before using this technology, out of respect to the conversational privacy of others.” Of course, the Apple Watch isn’t the first AI-enabled device that can listen in on conversations. From Otter, the popular AI transcription app that can attend Zoom meetings (and is now embroiled in a privacy lawsuit) to Meta Glasses, AI gadgets and wearables with built-in microphones are becoming increasingly commonplace. Siri Recap on the Apple Watch appears poised to accelerate the trend. “Thinking back, you know, you go back to the old … ‘is this creepy’ meter, and everybody would think that carrying around an always-on microphone, hidden in a bag or a hidden camera in a buttonhole, is creepy,” Barnes & Thornberg’s Brian McGuiness told me. “But as we normalize this and make it so prevalent and accessible to the average consumer, you’re only going to see more and more people getting more and more comfortable with the idea of recording these things.” More in AI this week I let ChatGPT copy my writing style with help from one of its latest tools. The result? It made me sound like AI. (PCWorld) A growing chorus of researchers is sounding the alarm about how self-improving AI could wipe out humanity within the next decade. One proposed solution? Building more AI. (New York Times, OpenAI) Just as solar panels can help you save on power bills, so can local AI models cut down on your cloud AI costs. (PCWorld) Word that AI helped solve one of math’s greatest unsolved problems devolved into fingerpointing, with an NYU mathematics professor accusing OpenAI researchers of cheating in their solution. OpenAI has denied the allegations. (TechCrunch) A new version of ChatGPT’s image-generating tool includes a feature that can make pictures based on your hand-drawn sketches. (OpenAI) Prompt of the week: The “give outcomes to your agents” prompt Unlike typical AI chatbots, AI agents like Gemini Spark, Claude Cowork, ChatGPT Work, and (now) Meta Muse don’t need prompts so much as they need outcomes. Instead of telling them how to behave, you want to tell your agents what you want at the end, whether it’s the lowest prices for holiday airline tickets or getting that pothole in front of your driveway fixed. Using OpenAI’s new GPT-6 “Astra” model, I’ve crafted a prompt that can help you create a fleshed-out agentic outcome, complete with guidelines for keeping your AI agents on track, a clear finish line for the task, and instructions on when it should reach out to you for help. That’s all for now! Thanks for reading the latest issue of Prompt Mode. Want more next week? Don’t forget to sign up to start receiving this newsletter in your inbox. Today’s best laptop deals: Save big on work, school, home use, and gaming Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:54:11 +0000
Source: PCWorld
If you’re looking for an affordable Windows machine under $500, a blazing fast gaming beast for those intense matches, or a portable 2-in-1 for school or work, you’ve got plenty of great choices right now. Why you should trust us: It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 80 laptops every year. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget. Best budget laptop deals under $500 Lenovo Our top pick: Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i, $329 ($70.99 off at Amazon) Need an affordable laptop for the basic stuff? The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i is the best value of the bunch–let me tell you why. Its Intel N150 processor is more than capable of handling everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, email, and light productivity. The 15.6-inch 1080p display is also sharp enough for work and watching YouTube. 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The HP OmniBook 3 fits the bill. With 16GB of RAM, it’s well-equipped for seamless multitasking, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 chip can chew through more demanding workloads. You’re also getting a 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen that’s sharp enough for streaming or productivity. At $899.99 ($300 off at Microcenter), it’s an excellent value for a capable day-to-day laptop. 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The HP Omen 16 is the one to spring for. With an Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX processor and RTX 5070 graphics, it should deliver smooth, high-performance gaming. The 16-inch 1920×1200 165Hz screen also keeps visuals looking nice and crisp, while 16GB of RAM and a1TB SSD ensure fast load times and plenty of room for your library of games. 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The Asus Vivobook S16 is the one to buy. It pairs an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with 16GB of RAM and a roomy 1TB SSD, making it well-equipped for more demanding workloads. The gorgeous 16-inch 2880×1800 OLED display also offers vibrant colors and crisp detail, so everything from Excel spreadsheets to Netflix shows should look fantastic. View Deal Amazon HP OmniBook 5, Snapdragon X processor/16-inch 1920×1200 OLED display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $992.71 ($107.28 off at Amazon) Asus Vivobook S16, AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor/16-inch 2880×1800 OLED display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,099.99 ($100 off at Amazon) Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Snapdragon X Elite (12-core) processor/13.8-inch 2304×1536 PixelSense touchscreen display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,349 ($350.99 off at Amazon) Best Buy HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1, Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor/16-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $799.99 ($400 off at Best Buy) Samsung Galaxy Book6, Intel Core Ultra 7 processor/16-inch IPS LED touchscreen display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $959 ($490.99 off at Best Buy) HP OmniBook X, Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor/17.3-inch 1920×1080 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,109.99 ($390 off at Best Buy) Adorama Dell Pro 16, Intel Core 5 120U processor/Intel Graphics/16-inch 1920×1200 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,024.99 ($474.01 off at Adorama) FAQ 1. How much RAM will I need in my laptop? You’ll want at least 8GB, though 16GB is preferable, especially if you play games. Don’t buy laptops with under 4GB of RAM or 128GB of SSD storage—though on a Chromebook or a budget Windows machine, this configuration is acceptable. Check out our article on how much RAM does a laptop need for more in-depth info. 2. What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop? The one big difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop is the operating system. Chromebooks run ChromeOS and Windows run, well, Microsoft Windows. Chromebooks make good everyday machines because they’re designed for browsing the web, checking e-mail, and so on. They use less resources and are generally more affordable than the Windows variety. They also don’t need antivirus protection. A Windows laptop is a lot more versatile in what it can do, and not just in terms of running local programs. You can really pump a Windows laptop up with a ton of RAM, storage, and so on. 3. When should I look for a laptop deal? You’ll likely find the best laptop deals during Prime Day (mid-July), Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), and back-to-school season (June-August). Sure, you’ll find good laptop deals throughout the year, but if you really want to save big, we’d recommend scoping out your favorite online retailers during those times. 4. Which retailers offer the best deals? You can find all kinds of deals across a wide range of online retailers such as Newegg, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and so on. However, we’d recommend checking out deals from laptop manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Dell. You’ll usually find many different configurations on sale and the discounts can be pretty darn steep. For more options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now. I was an Nvidia DLSS 5 hater…until I used it myself Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0000
Source: PCWorld
I don’t know about you, but I was pretty leery of Nvidia’s new DLSS 5 tech when we first started seeing samples of how it can change the appearance of games in real time. I didn’t like the idea of Nvidia algorithmically injecting new details into my games that change the way they look, and I was afraid of the “yassifying” effect—that uncanny beautification you see in AI slop—we saw it apply in titles like Resident Evil Requiem. …Then I tried it for myself this week. Now, I’m afraid I may be a reluctant believer. Because while DLSS 5 is only officially supported in NBA 2K27 right now, entrepid modders have already ripped the DLSS files out of the game and made it fairly easy for anyone with an Nvidia GPU to start applying the new tech to whatever game(s) you like. And after throwing DLSS 5 on in the middle of my Star Wars Zero Company campaign, I’m not sure I’m ever going back. Welcome to The Full Nerd newsletter—your weekly dose of hardware talk from the enthusiasts at PCWorld. Missed the surprising topics on our YouTube show or the latest news from across the web? You’re in the right place. Want this newsletter to come directly to your inbox? Sign up on our website! Sure, going from DLSS 4 to DLSS 5 while playing Zero Company caused my framerate to drop off a cliff. But with Nvidia’s Frame Generation tech I was able to claw some of those frames per second back, and since Bit Reactor’s new Star Wars game is a turn-based tactics smorgasbord I’m not stressed about how heavy DLSS use might affect render quality or input latency. I just want my team of soldiers and scoundrels to look like they just stepped off a Volume set after a day of filming, and I’ll be damned if DLSS 5 doesn’t do exactly that. Now look, I don’t exactly have a keen eye for fine details or framerates—I turn to an authority like Digital Foundry for that. Perhaps if I was more sensitive to those sorts of details my stomach would turn at how Nvidia’s burgeoning AI-powered image enhancement tech is changing the look of my game. But to my eyes, going from DLSS 4 to DLSS 5 just made everything (and everyone) in my Zero Company game look a little bit better. Objects appear more elaborate and intricate, while faces look sharper and more detailed. Admittedly I do occasionally see textures take awhile to pop in, and now there’s a massive slowdown every time I enter a scene where DLSS is not running (typically just when I come back from missions and reload into the Den), but overall I feel like the game looks better (albeit runs worse) when DLSS 5 is switched on. To show you what I mean, here’s a quick screenshot I captured of a Zero Company character under the effects of DLSS 5. While it’s not a perfect comparison, I think you can see the small changes in the way the character’s lips, chin and other facial features appear to be “yassified” compared to the original. No DLSS 5PCWorld DLSS 5 enabledPCWorld And this is just the beginning. If Nvidia puts in the work to fine-tune DLSS 5 and smooth out some of the performance issues over the coming months, it’s not hard for me to imagine this tech being treated like the next big step up for graphics in games. The fact that it’s basically just an AI filter being applied to your game after it’s rendered won’t matter to most people; what matters is that you can hit a button and make everyone in your game look a little more attractive. But for me, the most exciting aspect of enabling DLSS 5 wasn’t the AI-fueled visual overhaul—it was figuring out how to get the tech running in Zero Company, then playing around with settings and sliders to see what it did to the game. It reminded me of that feeling I get when I upgrade the GPU in my gaming rig and start firing up old games (hello, Crysis and Cyberpunk) to see how they look with the new card. In that way, it sort of feels like just another PC gaming upgrade you can choose to adopt, abandon, or adapt to your tastes. With that perspective it’s easier to see DLSS 5 not as a shot across the bow of artistic intent in game development, but rather as one more tool that performance-minded PC enthusiasts can play with to fine-tune the look and feel of their favorite games. However, that only applies if players have the option to mess around with DLSS 5 settings…and the problem is that I suspect Nvidia won’t expose a lot of the controls I’ve been futzing around with to the average player. See, in order to mod Zero Company to play well with DLSS 5 I had to use some third-party programs that let me enable the new graphical tech and mess around with how and when it modifies game graphics. But when DLSS 5 support officially appears in games like NBA 2K27, it seems like you don’t have a lot of options for influencing how it affects the look of your game…just the choice to turn it on or off, as developers tune it for their specific artistic vision. If that remains true for DLSS 5 in games going forward, then yes I think there’s still good reason to be leery of using it. It’s nice that Nvidia has committed to saying that game developers have full control over if and how DLSS 5 is implemented in their games, but I’m not sure I’d be comfortable using it unless I as a player had some control as well. Otherwise, it really does just feel like an AI is telling me what it thinks my character should look like, and that’s a bummer. But after having so much fun modding my game and playing around with DLSS 5 settings this week, my eyes have been opened to the potential upsides of using this graphical enhancement tech. I think I was wrong to turn my nose up so quickly, and I’m excited to start messing around with it in more games. I just hope that when official DLSS 5 support starts rolling out for more titles, we see players given more control over how (not just if) it’s used. In this week’s episode of The Full Nerd This week your regular cohosts Adam Patrick Murray and Alaina Yee were joined by departing intern Glenn Mah and yours truly to dig into the launch of DLSS 5 and the rumors that Intel is gearing up to launch a monster 52-core CPU. PCWorld Later in the show longtime PCWorld model Mona joined us to take your questions from the chat as well as the Full Nerd Discord server. It was a lot of fun, and make sure you stick around to the end to hear all about how the show is changing now that Adam is leaving the Bay Area for beautiful North Carolina. Don’t worry, the show will go on—and we’re going to have a new format to play around with! Nerd news of the week Tired of hearing about DLSS? No worries, there’s a smorgasbord of other intriguing tech news out there this week! Intel reportedly set to hike CPU prices by 10% ahead of ‘major annual product’ launch in March 2027: The bad news keeps coming, as a recent report citing sources in the supply chain claims that we can expect Intel CPU prices to climb a bit this year. Hopefully these price hikes are more targeted at enterprise and server-grade CPUs rather than desktop chips, but we’ll see! The remnants of a lost ‘supercontinent’ just rewrote the history of life on Earth: The folks at 404 Media helpfully summarize a recent study by a group of China-backed researchers and chat with them about the size and shape of Gondwana, which made up roughly 80% of the Earth’s landmass 500 million years ago. Nvidia’s free tool turns your idle home computers into a personal AI hub: I’m awfully leery of AI, but this new app from Nvidia might be interesting because it lets you run AI agents locally on your home network using the resources of whatever PCs you have. It supports not just Windows PCs but also Macs and Linux machines, which is pretty neat. Top chipmakers embrace ASML’s $400M machines, agree to crucial chipmaking change: I’m still wrapping my head around this, but it sounds like TSMC and Samsung are signing on to use extreme ultraviolet lithography machines from Dutch firm ASML (Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography) that use lasers to create smaller features in next-gen chips. Anthropic researcher quits with a warning: Self-improving AI could “kill us all”: …This seems fine! That’s it for you Full Nerd newsletter this week! For more, be sure to bookmark PCWorld and subscribe to the PCWorld YouTube channel! Want this newsletter to come directly to your inbox? Sign up on our website! This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and executive editor of hardware at PCWorld. How to Recover an Unsaved Word Document in 2026 (Free & Paid Methods) Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:19:33 +0000
Source: PCWorld
This guide shows you how to recover a Word document after a crash using two effective methods. Is Your Unsaved Word Document Really Lost? EaseUS Facing a sudden crash or Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) right before a deadline? Don’t panic – your unsaved draft may still be recoverable. This guide shows you how to recover a Word document after a crash using two effective methods. Microsoft Word offers built-in options to restore previous versions of a document, so they’re worth trying first. If those options don’t find your document, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can scan the drive for deleted, lost, or temporary Word files and lets you preview recoverable files before restoring them. Today’s Best Price: Free Trial: Recover up to 2GB of data for free with deep scanning and real-time preview. Try it free Special Offer: Get the full version for $41.97 (regularly $69.95) with code BTS2026 until Sep 30, 2026. Why You Can Still Recover an Unsaved Word Document EaseUS When Word crashes or closes unexpectedly, AutoRecover and temporary files may remain on your computer, so your unsaved work may still be recoverable. Start with Word’s built-in recovery options. If they don’t work, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can help find your unsaved Word files. Deep Scan for Lost Word Files: Scans the selected drive for lost or deleted Word documents that are no longer visible in their original folders. Compatible with HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. Recover Deleted and Unsaved Word Files: Supports common Word formats such as .doc and .docx, as well as temporary files such as .asd and .tmp, helping you recover documents after a crash, unexpected shutdown, or accidental deletion. Preview Before Recovery: Preview recoverable Word files before recovery to verify their contents and select the documents you need. Support 1,000+ File Types: Beyond Word documents, this recovery software supports 1,000+ file types, including PDFs, photos, videos, and other commonly used files. Try it free How to Recover an Unsaved Word Document (2 Ways) Method 1: Use Word’s Built-in Recovery Tools Before trying third-party tools, check Word’s built-in recovery options first. They may help recover your unsaved document. Reopen Word after a crash. If the Document Recovery pane appears, select your unsaved document and save it immediately. Alternatively, open a blank Word document and go to File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents. Browse the available files and open the one you need. Method 2: Use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard in 3 Steps If Word’s built-in tools come up empty, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can scan your drive for deleted or temporary Word files left after a crash. It has a 4.8/5 rating from more than 39,000 Trustpilot reviews. Step 1: Select the Lost Word File Location Launch this recovery software and select the drive or folder where the Word document was stored, then click Scan. EaseUS Step 2: Locate the Word Document The software will scan the selected drive for lost files. Once the scan is complete, open the Documents category in the left panel. Locate the Word document you need and click Preview. EaseUS Step 3: Recover Deleted/Unsaved Word Files After previewing the files, select the ones you want to recover and click Recover. Tip: Save the recovered files to a different drive or cloud location, such as OneDrive or Dropbox, rather than the original drive. EaseUS Recover and Repair Other File Types An unsaved Word document may not be the only file you need to recover. This tool also supports recovery and repair for common file types, including PDFs, videos, photos, and RAW images, as well as lost data from SD cards and other storage devices. File TypeCommon ScenariosRecovery & Repair SupportMicrosoft Office(Doc, Excel, PPT)• Unsaved drafts
• Accidental deletion
• System crashes• Restores unsaved drafts
• Repairs damaged filesPDF Documents• File corruption
• Accidental deletion• Repairs corrupted files
• Restores unopenable filesVideo Files
(MP4, MOV, AVI)• SD card corruption
• Sudden power loss• Fixes damaged footage
• Supports popular camera brandsPhotos & RAW Images
(JPG, PNG, RAW)• Accidental deletion
• Broken previews• Repairs corrupted JPEGs
• Supports RAW formats Whether you’re recovering an unsaved Word document, lost files from an SD card, or other important data, you can try this recovery tool for free. Free Trial: Recover up to 2GB of data for free, with full-disk scanning and real-time preview. Limited-Time Offer: Save 40% with code BTS2026 on the full version till September 30, 2026. FAQ 1. Is it safe to install data recovery software on the drive where I lost my file? It is strongly recommended not to install data recovery software on the same drive or partition where the lost file was stored. Doing so risks overwriting the lost data sectors. Install the software on a separate partition or external drive. 2. Does EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard support external storage devices? Yes. In addition to internal HDDs and SSDs, it supports external hard drives, USB flash drives, SD cards, and other memory cards. 3. How long does Word keep unsaved documents? Word’s AutoRecover files are temporary and may be deleted or overwritten as Word creates new recovery data. To maximize your chances of recovery, check for them as soon as possible after a crash. 4. Where are unsaved Word documents stored? Unsaved Word documents may be stored in hidden system folders such as C:\Users\Your_username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles or C:\Users\Your_username\AppData\Local\Temp 5. Can I recover Word documents without software? Yes, you can try Microsoft Word’s built-in “Recover Unsaved Documents” feature (File > Info > Manage Document) or check Word’s AutoRecover and temporary file locations for .asd and .tmp files. 6. Word AutoRecover vs. Data Recovery Software Feature / ScenarioWord AutoRecover (Built-in)EaseUS Data Recovery WizardUnsaved Word Drafts (.asd/.tmp)YesYesDeleted Word FilesNoYesAccidentally Clicked “Don’t Save”LimitedYesFiles Lost After FormattingNoYesDeep ScanNoYesPreview Recoverable DocumentsLimitedYes Note: The availability of temporary or AutoRecover copies depends on Word’s settings and how the application closed. Revisit gaming’s lost art with this free archive of old manuals Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000
Source: PCWorld
Modern games teach you the basics as you play, but older games took a slightly different approach. They either gave you nothing at all or made you buy a thick booklet and expected you to read it before pressing Start. If you miss those manuals—or threw yours away years ago—Video Game Manual is here to help. The site hosts a huge collection of scanned manuals from older consoles such as the Atari 2600, Game Boy, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and PlayStation 2. Each manual comes as a PDF that you can read in your browser or download. The archive is useful if you’ve picked up an old game without its original box. You can look up the controls, learn the rules, or figure out how saving works. Many manuals also contain maps, character profiles, item lists, story details, and hints that the games themselves never explain. I’m using it to finally beat Devil May Cry 3’s Mission 19—younger me would be so proud. But you don’t need to be stuck in a game to enjoy the site. I remember back in the day reading all of the extra backstory and character bios in these manuals to psyche myself up before I even reached the title screen. Their colorful art, blocky screenshots, odd warnings, and tiny story sections bring back a part of gaming that digital downloads have mostly erased. The site has a pre-Y2K look of its own, and admittedly it can be clunky on a phone. The console pages and A-to-Z links make browsing easier though. I’ve found that if a PDF shows only its cover on mobile browsers, you may need to download it in order to see the whole thing. Video Game Manual is both a handy reference guide and a small digital museum. So fire up that old favorite you want to replay and reminisce while you flip through its booklet one more time. For more fun and helpful tips, tricks, website and app recommendations, be sure to subscribe to our PCWorld Try This newsletter. Get a full Microsoft Office suite and Windows 11 Pro with one $33 purchase Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000
Source: PCWorld
TL;DR: Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro in one bundle for $32.97 through September 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT, down from the $418.99 MSRP. It’s a simple way to cover two essential PC upgrades without adding another annual subscription. If you’re still relying on an older Windows setup or paying for Microsoft 365 year after year, upgrading both can get expensive fast. With Windows 10 support now ended (in 2025) and Microsoft 365 requiring a recurring subscription, this bundle offers a cheaper alternative: lifetime licenses for Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro for $32.97 (MSRP $418.99). The first half of this bundle is the Microsoft Office Pro license. That gives you Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access installed permanently on one PC with no recurring fees and no renewal. Publisher support ends after October 2026, so keep that in mind if you rely on it. Windows 11 Pro is a comprehensive upgrade, giving you security tools like BitLocker to keep your data locked down, Remote Desktop for accessing your machine from anywhere, Hyper-V for running virtual machines, and Snap Layouts for multitasking across a monitor. Copilot handles quick actions from the taskbar like changing settings, summarizing pages, and launching apps without hunting through menus. Both of these licenses connect to one PC and are tied to your device instead of your Microsoft account. Updates are included for free. Through September 27, it’s only $32.97 to get this lifetime Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro bundle. The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro BundleSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. I tried the Gemini app for Windows. It wasted my time Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:46:29 +0000
Source: PCWorld
A few months ago, Google released the Gemini app for macOS as a one-stop shop for accessing Google content. It came and went. Now it’s available for Windows too. Is it any better? Nope. My colleague on the AI beat, Ben Patterson, characterized the Mac version of the Gemini app with a middling “meh,” and that’s where I am as well. As I sat down to write, the blog post announcing the Windows app didn’t even include a link to download the free Gemini app for Windows itself. The Gemini app for Windows is a front page of sorts to Gemini’s generative content: the LLM chatbot itself, which is all that appears if you refuse to sign in to Google’s services with a Google account. Once you do, that unlocks the ability to access stored chats, plus dedicated tabs for images, video, and a stored library of the same. Optionally connecting Gemini to your Workspace account (Gmail, Drive, and more) allows access to a “daily brief” of your most important emails. That should be a productivity boost, right? Well… You’ll see a much more basic interface if you decline to sign in.Foundry Competing options, like ChatGPT’s Windows app, allow you to connect the agent to your desktop or services like Slack. There, those agents can take actions for you. Gemini can’t even do that. Supposedly, one of the new Gemini app features access to Spark, Google’s personalized AI agent, at least in Google’s blog post. I didn’t see it in the app, either as a feature or even a potential upsell. (I’m currently not paying $100 per month to Google to access Spark via a Pro plan, which may have affected what the app showed me.) Instead, the app directed me to the “Scheduled Actions” via the Settings menu at the bottom of the page, where I could sample Google’s suggestions, such as sending me a recipe every weekend or suggesting a motivational quote every morning. If you download the Gemini app for Windows, make sure you explore the Settings menu further. There, the “Personal Intelligence” tab will allow you to turn on (or off) Gemini’s memory about you. A separate “Import memory to Gemini” tab allows you to tell other LLMs to summarize what they know about you and then feed that information to Gemini. (My colleague Ben reports that Anthropic’s Claude does this as well.) There are a few other controls to tweak, too. Be sure to check out the Settings menu for additional options. Still, the chatbot interface is where you should interact with Gemini. What does the Windows app offer that a prompt on Gemini’s web app does not? The one function that immediately came to mind was to use the app to clean out my Gmail inbox, such as deleting any email in my Social tab that was older than 60 days. “I found emails from your Gmail search, but I am unable to permanently delete them for you,” Gemini responded. “I do not have access to an API function that performs email deletions or modifies category tabs. To clear or manage your ‘Social’ tab, you will need to open Gmail, navigate to the Social tab (or search category:social older_than:60d), select the messages, and delete them manually.” OK, what’s the largest file in my Google Drive? “I don’t have direct visibility into file metadata like exact storage size (in MBs or GBs) or a way to sort all files in your Google Drive by size,” Gemini responded. Yeah, how about neither? That’s a bunch of crap, to be honest. If Google Gemini can’t even control Google’s Workspace apps, then what good is it? I noodled around a bit more, trying to create a video of a bunny and a squirrel playing tennis. My request apparently vanished after I navigated away from the tab. My library of saved media appeared, then presented itself as “unavailable” when I tried again. And with that, I was done. Obviously, no service or app is ever really complete. But for now, the Gemini app for Windows is probably a waste of your time. I know it was a waste of mine. Best laptops 2026: Premium, budget, gaming, 2-in-1, and more Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000
Source: PCWorld
PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. Our reviews span PC laptops at every price point to meet the needs of any budget, from affordable everyday laptops to powerful gaming machines. Let our extensive hands-on experience help you with your laptop purchasing decision. Because while shopping for a laptop can start out simple enough, it often ends with a dozen open tabs full of specs you don’t really care about, or need. Graphics cards, display types, confusing processor names… it can get overwhelming, fast. All of the picks below have been personally tested and selected by PCWorld’s expert reviewers, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. Updated September 2026 to reflect the latest prices and retailers, and to update our list of “other laptops we tested” below our top picks. Acer Swift 16 AI (Panther Lake) – Best laptop overall Pros Incredible performance Amazing battery life Beautiful OLED display Excellent trackpad Lots of RAM and storage Cons Glossy display is prone to reflections Active pen doesn’t work on the screen Grainy webcam Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1549.99 View Deal Acer $2399.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide CPU: Intel Core Ultra X7 358H | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen5 SSD | Screen: 16-inch, 2880×1800 OLED touchscreen, 120Hz | Battery life: Almost 18.5 hours in testing | Weight: 3.42 lbs Who should buy the Acer Swift 16 AI? The Acer Swift 16 AI is the best choice for most people and I’ll tell you why. First of all, it’s running Intel’s Panther Lake platform, so it feels consistently fast in everyday use. Apps open up fast, and it stays pretty smooth even when you’ve got a bunch of stuff running at once. In testing, it scored a PCMark 10 of 10,474, and in the video playback battery test it hit around 18 hours, which is honestly a lot more than you’d expect. It’s not perfect, though. The glossy OLED can get kind of annoying with reflections, and the webcam is just okay, nothing special. But overall, the performance and efficiency are definitely the highlights. Battery life is another thing it really does well with. Getting around 18.5 hours in testing is not something you usually associate with a 16-inch OLED machine. In real use, it just means you stop worrying about the charger unless you’re doing something heavy. And, despite the bigger screen, it doesn’t feel ridiculous to carry around. At 3.42 pounds, it’s totally manageable. Acer Swift 16 AI: Further considerations Acer also did a pretty solid job with the physical stuff here. The aluminum chassis feels sturdy, the keyboard is roomy with a numpad (which you either love or ignore), and the haptic trackpad is actually one of the better implementations on a Windows laptop. It has a consistent, clean feel instead of that uneven click you get on cheaper setups. Port selection is also better than you’d expect on something this thin. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, microSD, and a headphone jack. It’s the kind of layout that saves you from immediately living the dongle life. Read our full Acer Swift 16 AI review MacBook Neo – Best budget laptop Pros Distinguished and sturdy design Excellent single-core CPU performance Great-looking display Nothing feels cheap Cons Different USB implementations on the two ports Trackpad lacks pressure-sensitivity Multi-core performance lags No P3 color gamut support Price When Reviewed: $699 (was $599) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 2% off original price$679 View Deal $696 View Deal $699 View Deal $699 View Deal $699 View Deal $699.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices CPU: A18 Pro | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Screen: 13-inch 2408×1506 Liquid Retina display | Battery life: 13 hours | Weight: 2.7 pounds Who should buy the MacBook Neo? If you’ve been holding off on buying a MacBook because of the steep price, Apple’s latest installment is your golden ticket. At just $599, it’s the most affordable MacBook ever, but don’t let the “budget” label fool you. Inside, it’s got an A18 Pro chip with 6 CPU cores, a 16-core Neural Engine, 5-core GPU, 8GB of memory, and a 256GB SSD. That’s more than enough for everyday productivity like browsing, emailing, streaming, documents, spreadsheets, and so on. The 13-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp at 2408×1506 with 500 nits, and the all-aluminum case is both strong and lightweight, the kind of quality you’d expect from a MacBook. MacBook Neo: Further considerations The MacBook Neo isn’t perfect. The screen only supports sRGB, so it’s not great for serious color work. The SSD is also a bit slower, and one of the USB-C ports is really slow (according to our review). There’s no Thunderbolt connectivity and Touch ID is only available on the $699 model. But for $599, these are expected trade-offs. For normal everyday use, the battery easily lasts all day, the keyboard feels good, and macOS runs smoothly. Read our full Apple MacBook Neo review Alienware 16X Aurora – Best gaming laptop Pros High-end CPU performance Bright and beautiful display Great gaming experience Very competitive price Cons You can get better gaming performance with a faster GPU (of course) Some hot air blows out the sides Price When Reviewed: $1,999.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $2,446.71 View Deal $2699.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 RAM: 32GB DDR5 | Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 16-inch, 2560×1600 IPS | Battery life: Just under 7 hours | Weight: 5.86 lbs Who should buy the Alienware 16X Aurora? The Alienware 16X Aurora delivers serious speed with its Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and RTX 5070 GPU. The 16-inch 2560×1600 display keeps every frame looking buttery smooth thanks to its 240Hz refresh rate, and its subtle Interstellar Indigo finish makes it look sharp in just about any setting, whether it’s in a dorm or office space. Alienware 16X Aurora: Further considerations Alienware packs in plenty of goodies here, like a crisp 1080p webcam (with Windows Hello facial recognition), Wi-Fi 7 for super fast connectivity, and a wide variety of ports. The full-size keyboard has a number pad and customizable backlighting. And you get nearly seven hours of battery life, which is awesome since long runtimes aren’t common in gaming laptops. Read our full Alienware 16X Aurora review Acer Nitro V 16 AI – Best budget gaming laptop Pros Large touchpad compared to alternatives 16-inch 1200p display at a low price Lots of physical connectivity Impressive battery life for a budget gaming laptop Cons Sub-par CPU performance Terrible audio quality from built-in speakers Wireless connectivity stuck on the Wi-Fi 6 standards Slightly more expensive laptops offer better value Price When Reviewed: $899 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 7% off original price$828.98 View Deal $1168.99 View Deal $1,269 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 240 | GPU: Nvidia RTX 5050 RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600 | Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 16-inch, 1920×1200, 180Hz IPS-LCD | Battery life: 8 to 12 hours | Weight: 5.38 lbs Who should buy the Acer Nitro V 16 AI? The Acer Nitro V 16 AI, which can occasionally be found as low as $629 at times, delivers great 1080p gaming performance–making it a great choice for gamers who don’t want to spend a ton. Its RTX 5050 outperforms other (older) entry-level graphics like the 4050, hitting an average 72 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077. Surprisingly, for a gaming laptop, the battery life is surprisingly good, lasting eight to 12 hours with light use. Acer Nitro V 16 AI: Further considerations The 16-inch 1920×1200 IPS display offers more vertical space than standard 1080p panels, and the 180Hz refresh rate keeps things snappy during fast-paced games. The audio isn’t the best, but you can always hook up to external speakers. Overall, though, the Acer Nitro V 16 AI really hits the sweet spot between performance and affordability. Read our full Acer Nitro V 16 AI review Acer Swift 16 AI – Best college laptop Pros Sleek, sturdy design Sharp OLED screen Pleasantly tactile keyboard Good battery life Cons AI features still lacking Some keyboard keys too cramped Too many pre-loaded apps Price When Reviewed: $1,199.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 16% off original price$999.99 View Deal $1066 View Deal $1239 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 16-inch, 2880×1800 OLED | Battery life: 17.5 hours | Weight: 3.37 lbs Who should buy the Acer Swift 16 AI? If you need a laptop for college that won’t kill your back and doesn’t look boring, the Acer Swift 16 AI is worth checking out. It’s only 3.37 pounds, and the 16-inch OLED screen looks really sharp. Inside you get an Intel Core Ultra 7, Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Not the fastest thing ever, but it handles schoolwork and big files without complaint. The 70Wh battery will get you through a full day of classes (we clocked it at 17.5 hours), and you can charge it via either of the USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. There’s also two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4. Acer Swift 16 AI: Further considerations The OLED screen is such a lovely thing to behold–it’s bright, colorful, and sharp. The keyboard feels good for long typing sessions and, although the trackpad is on the smaller side and may feel cramped to some, it works fine for daily use. If you want a laptop that’s portable and won’t die on you halfway through the day, the Acer Swift 16 AI is the one to spring for. Read our full Acer Swift 16 AI review Microsoft Surface Pro – Best lightweight laptop Pros Compact and well-built Great office performance All Copilot Plus features available Good battery life Cons Narrow screen to work on No HDR support No charger included Price When Reviewed: $799.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $949.99 View Deal $1019.99 View Deal $1019.99 View Deal $1094.99 View Deal $1149 View Deal $1,399.97 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 512GB SSD | Screen: 12-inch, 2196×1464 IPS | Battery life: Up to 2 hours at full brightness, up to 19 hours with light use | Weight: 1.51 lbs Who should buy the Microsoft Surface Pro? If you’re always on the go — whether it’s the train, a coffee shop, or just hopping around the house — the Surface Pro is pretty much made for that. It’s super light (under two pounds!) and still powerful enough to handle all the usual stuff like emails and Zoom calls. With its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus CPU, it’s great for anyone who wants something that works like a laptop but feels like a tablet. You can doodle or get work done, all without feeling like you’re lugging around a heavy brick. Microsoft Surface Pro: Further considerations The smaller screen might not be great if you’re juggling a bunch of stuff all day, and there’s only two USB-C ports (so you’ll probably need a dock or something). Battery life can last a while, but honestly, it’s kind of all over the place. Expect around two hours at full brightness under heavy use or up to 19 hours with lighter tasks. Still, if your work mostly lives in the cloud and you value portability above raw power, this is the best ultraportable Windows device you can get right now. Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 2025 review Dell 14S – Best laptop for battery life Pros Class-leading battery life Slick build Colorful and accurate display Good port selection Cons Dismal 3D performance Display isn’t very bright So-so performance for the money Price When Reviewed: $1,469 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 8% off original price$1349.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 355 | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5x-7467 | Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD (Kioxia EG7) | Screen: 14-inch, 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen | Graphics: Intel Graphics | Webcam: 2MP + IR camera | Weight: 3.28 lbs Who should buy the Dell 14S? If battery life is at the top of your list, the Dell 14S is hard to beat. It lasted nearly 36 hours in our offline video playback test–the longest runtime PCWorld has ever recorded from a laptop. If you normally spend days away from an outlet, this is the laptop to get. The Dell 14S doesn’t skimp on performance, either. You’re getting plenty of headroom for multitasking thanks to the Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor, 16GB RAM, and Intel Graphics. This specific configuration also includes Intel Arc graphics, which provides a nice little boost in the graphics department. Dell 14S: Further considerations The OLED display is colorful and accurate, but its 1920×1200 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate aren’t exactly impressive when compared to other premium laptops. Graphics performance also depends on the configuration you’ve got. Lower-end models with standard Intel Graphics are noticeably weaker for creative work and light gaming. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Best Chromebook Pros Zippy processor performance Memorable keyboard A wide array of connectivity options Chic design Cons Battery life isn’t competitive The display’s 16:9 aspect ratio feels a little cramped Price When Reviewed: $499 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $569 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide CPU: Intel Core i5-1335U | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB (universal flash storage) | Screen size: 14-inch, 1920×1080 touchscreen | Battery life: 13 hours | Weight: 3.17 lbs Who should buy the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34? If you need a zippy Chromebook for everyday tasks, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 won’t let you down–it’s simple, reliable, and ready to handle whatever your day throws at it. This machine will easily crush your daily workflow thanks to its Intel i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. The 14-inch 1080p display also looks sharp, and the 1080p webcam is perfect for Zoom calls. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Further considerations While the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 offers smooth performance and a pretty design, there are minor trade-offs to be aware of like the non-competitive battery life (13 hours). You’ll also need to be comfortable with ChromeOS. If you prefer Windows or macOS, we’d recommend looking elsewhere. Read our full Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review Framework Laptop 13 – Best laptop for upgrading Pros Repairable and upgradeable Great keyboard Display is easy on the eyes Cons High up-front cost Battery life lags way behind Not quite seamless design Price When Reviewed: $1,946 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Framework 56% off original price$849 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 | RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600 | Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 13.5-inch, 2880×1920 IPS | Battery life: Just over 11 hours | Weight: 2.99 lbs Who should buy the Framework Laptop 13? Need a laptop that’s super easy to upgrade and tough enough to stick around? The Framework Laptop 13 is where it’s at. You can swap out pretty much anything—RAM, storage, even the motherboard if you want! It runs on an AMD Ryzen AI 300 processor and is slim enough to toss in your bag and go wherever. Framework Laptop 13: Further considerations The price might sting a bit upfront, and the built-in graphics are okay for everyday stuff, but don’t expect much gaming performance. Battery life’s decent, but nothing groundbreaking. Read our full Framework Laptop 13 (2025) review Other good laptops we’ve tested Geekom GeekBook M16: The GeekBook M16 is a solid budget productivity laptop with outstanding battery life and build quality, but its weak display and limited graphics performance hold it back from being a true all-rounder. Dell XPS 13: Dell’s XPS 13 is a compelling budget laptop, even if it falls just slightly behind the MacBook Neo. Acer TravelMate P2 14 AI: The Acer TravelMate P2 14 AI is a good laptop. But there’s cheaper laptops out there that can deliver better performance, battery life, and value. Acer Chromebook Plus 516: The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 isn’t much to look at, but it benefits from an Intel Core i3 chip with solid performance and, at times, low sale pricing. Laptops we don’t recommend Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i: Lenovo’s budget IdeaPad Slim 3i doesn’t quite offer as much as competing devices or even competing IdeaPads, though there’s noting inherently wrong with it. Dell 16S: Everything is more expensive now, but that doesn’t excuse the Dell 16S for lagging so far behind similarly priced contemporaries at just about every corner. Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4: The Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 4 is a typical workstation affair. It’s fairly potent but big, bulky, and pricey. Next to consumer laptops, its performance doesn’t impress, and new Panther Lake hardware threatens it at every turn. How we test laptops The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops. Who curated this article? Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld. While you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also deeply immersed in the broader world of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the world of tech, you’ll probably find me gaming, getting lost in a book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound. How to choose the best laptop What’s the best laptop style? Regular ones are fine for everyday stuff. 2-in-1s are cool because the screen flips around. Chromebooks are cheap and good if you mostly do web browsing. How much power? Depends on what you’re doing. For basic web or email, an Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 3 works fine. If you’re into video editing or creative stuff, an i7/i9 or Ryzen 7/9 is better. And if you’re handling heavy 4K editing or lots of apps, a Ryzen 9 is your best bet. Discrete graphics vs. integrated graphics? Gamers and video editors need a legit graphics card—Nvidia, AMD, something with real muscle. But if all you’re doing is YouTube, emails, and Netflix, the built-in graphics won’t hold you back. How much RAM? RAM is more important than ever, especially with AI-powered features using more memory. 16GB is the sweet spot for most folks today. 8GB is fine for the basic stuff, but can quickly feeling limiting after a year or so. 32GB or more is ideal for gaming, heavy multitasking, and content creation. What’s the right display size? Doing video edits? Go bigger—15 or 17 inches helps a ton. For everyday use, 13 or 14 inches usually does the trick. Light enough to toss in your bag, not a pain to carry, and still plenty of space to get stuff done. Battery-life expectations If you’re gonna carry your laptop around, try to get one that lasts 10 to 12 hours on a charge. That’s usually enough for a long flight or a full day of classes. Some of the new Snapdragon laptops are even crushing that, with one going up to 25 hours thanks to their super-efficient chips. Just remember, bigger batteries usually mean heavier laptops. Laptop pricing guide A decent laptop usually runs $500 to $750. If money’s tight, a Chromebook or a basic work laptop under $500 will get you by. Push closer to $1,000 and you’ll start seeing nicer screens and more speed, but it really depends on what you need. Don’t forget the ports I like laptops with lots of ports so you don’t need adapters. Having both USB-C and USB-A is great. An HDMI port is especially useful for hooking up to an external monitor, especially if your laptop display just isn’t cutting it the way you want it to. FAQ 1. What is the best laptop? PCWorld calls the Acer Swift 16 AI the best overall laptop. It delivers fast, responsive performance thanks to Intel’s Panther Lake platform, handles multitasking without breaking a sweat, and packs impressive battery life for a 16-inch OLED machine, lasting around 18.5 hours in testing. 2. What is the best cheap laptop? The MacBook Neo is PCWorld’s favorite budget pick. It packs Apple’s A19 Pro chip, which delivers plenty of speed for everyday work and browsing. You also get a gorgeous 13-inch Liquid Retina display and a premium aluminum design. 3. What is the best gaming laptop? The Alienware 16X Aurora is a powerful gaming laptop that handles modern games with ease and makes them look amazing. It’s got an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and RTX 5070 graphics, so performance is top-notch without going overboard on price. 4. When is the best time to buy a laptop? The best time to buy a laptop is usually during big sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Back-to-school season’s also good. 5. What is a 2-in-1 laptop? A 2-in-1 is a flexible laptop that can flip and fold, more or less–basically, the acrobat of the laptop world. Want to kick back and watch Netflix? Prop it up like a tent. Need to take notes at your next meeting? Fold the keyboard back and jot things down on the touchscreen. They’re a hit with students and creatives who want a bit of everything in one device. 6. What is a Copilot+ laptop? A Copilot+ laptop is a PC with AI built right in. It helps you draft emails, generate images, and more. Since the AI runs locally, AI performance should be snappier. But at the end of the day, it’s still just a normal laptop (more or less), with a little helper that makes life easier to manage. To qualify as a Copilot+ laptop, though, it needs an NPU that can meet 40 TOPS of performance. Related content PCWorld laptop reviews What’s new when shopping for a laptop in 2026? 8 things to keep in mind When PC vendors tell you what’s going on with tariffs, pay attention How to try a new laptop at home before you commit to buying it How to properly wipe your laptop data before getting rid of it 4 eco-friendly ways to get rid of a laptop Battery life on gaming laptops doesn’t have to suck anymore Best gaming laptops under $1,000: Expert picks that won’t break the bank This 1440p/240Hz mini-LED gaming monitor is only $250 right now Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:23:56 +0000
Source: PCWorld
NOW $80 OFF 27-inch AOC Mini-LED Gaming Monitor View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); We’ve been bullish on OLED monitor deals for the last year or so, but the floor for most of them seems to be around $350 for a 27-inch model. That’s still a good chunk of change, and there are legit reasons to be anxious about OLED. If you’d rather go for an advanced mini-LED option, today you can pick one up for $249.99 at Amazon. That’s $80 off the usual price and even cheaper than AOC’s own store. The AOC Q27G4ZMN hits right in the sweet spot of current PC gaming monitors: 27 inches and 2560×1440 resolution. With 240Hz, it’s as fast as more expensive OLEDs and should offer the speed to stay competitive in the most fast-paced online multiplayer games. And the mini-LED backlighting should offer better brightness and more contrast than a standard LCD with better local dimming. But it’s worth pointing out that this is still a conventional VA panel, and there’s no standard for exactly how many lighting zones “mini-LED” indicates. Still, at least you don’t have to worry about OLED burn-in. This design is pretty limp on the rest of its hardware, offering only DisplayPort and double HDMI connections plus a 3.5mm headphone jack. It does include a pretty decent stand with horizontal options, but I’d still add on a VESA monitor arm instead. A 27-inch mini-LED gaming monitor with 1440p/240Hz for $249.99 is nothing to sneeze at, and Amazon is marking this as a “limited time deal,” so I have no idea how long it’ll stick around. If you want to keep shopping around, see PCWorld’s picks for the best gaming monitors. Why does Windows 11 have a keyboard shortcut just for LinkedIn? Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:12:41 +0000
Source: PCWorld
Windows 11 has tons of useful keyboard shortcuts worth using every day, whether for boosting productivity, doing repetitive tasks faster, accessing hidden panels, or keeping your laptop secure. But did you know there are still secret shortcuts that hardly anyone knows about? Windows Latest recently uncovered one of them—and it’s truly absurd. Instead of a useful function that’d improve daily workflows, this keyboard shortcut takes you straight to LinkedIn. You know, the professional networking platform that’s now owned by Microsoft. Here, try it out for yourself: simply press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Windows key + L on your keyboard. A new tab will open in your default web browser and immediately load LinkedIn. (There will also be a parameter appended to the URL, which tells LinkedIn you arrived via this shortcut.) Why does this LinkedIn shortcut exist? It’s unusual but not surprising that Microsoft has built this keyboard shortcut directly into Windows. According to Windows Latest, it’s not just integrated into Windows 11 Home but also into Windows 11 Pro and Windows Server. So, it seems to be very important to Microsoft. The LinkedIn shortcut may be a relic from the past, back when Microsoft had still planned to integrate LinkedIn more closely with Windows. This is pure speculation, but it’s conceivable given how Microsoft is currently handling Copilot (i.e., shoving it into every corner of Windows). Previously, this shortcut was actually linked to the Office key, which no longer exists. The relevant support page indicates that this not only allowed you to access the LinkedIn keyboard shortcut, but also a few other really useful shortcuts: Office key + W → Word Office key + P → PowerPoint Office key + X → Excel Office key + O → Outlook Office key + T → Teams Office key + D → OneDrive Office key + N → OneNote To use these shortcuts now, you simply need to replace the Office key with Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Windows key—which, admittedly, is a bit tricky in how you have to contort your fingers. But it works!