Quick Links Waiting for your computer to boot up can be annoying, especially when you’re in a rush. Common reasons for this slowdown include too many startup programs and services, improper boot order, and more. Here are some steps you’re able to take to make your PC ready for use as soon as you turn it on. 1Turn On Fast Startup Fast Startupallows Windows to save the system kernel, loaded drivers, and system state to a special hibernation file when shutting down instead of fully closing everything....

Quick Links Summary Are you unhappy with the picture quality of your TV? You don’t necessarily need to rush to buy a new one. You can expect significant improvements with a few tweaks to your TV’s picture settings and viewing environment. Choose the Right Picture Mode Modern TVs haveseveral picture modes, from Standard, to Vivid, to Sports. However, not all picture modes are ideal for home use or delivering an accurate image....

Summary We’ve probably all been in the position of having someone tell us we’re spending too much time playing games, and that the habit will rot our brains. But we now have evidence to show that gaming can actually improve our mental acuity and mood. So here are eight ways games can help us, proven by science. Games Are More Than Just Fun Distractions Some of us have dedicated a lot of our time to gaming....

Summary AI photo editing is becoming a standard feature on almost every new smartphone. From Samsung’s Galaxy S24 to Google’s Pixel 9, these new phones let you bend reality with just a few taps. But with great power comes great responsibility, so how can you use these tools without overdoing it? AI Photo Editing Makes It Incredibly Easy to Rewrite Reality It feels like every phone released this year launched with some new AI photo editing feature....

ASUS just unveiled the NUC 15 Pro+, an impressively powerful mini PC that could make for a fantastic home media server, small-footprint gaming PC, or AI testbed. As its name suggests, the NUC 15 Pro+ is essentially just an upgraded version of the standardASUS NUC 15 Pro. It’s in a slightly larger 0.7-liter chassis (up from 0.48 liters), and it comes with some higher-end Core Ultra Series 2 processor configurations, but that’s really the extent of the differences....

When it comes to compact luxury sedans, three names dominate the conversation: Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Each brand brings its own blend of performance, refinement, and prestige to the table, making the competition fierce for buyers seeking a premium driving experience in a smaller package. These sedans may be compact in size, but they’re big on features, offering muscular engines, upscale interiors,advanced tech, and the kind of ride quality expected from luxury brands....

Quick Links Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 on June 04, 2025. This means the operating system will no longer receive updates, even for security. Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements, so you may find you can’t upgrade to it. If that’s the case, here are your options. 1Upgrade Your Hardware or Buy a New Computer If your computer doesn’t meetWindows 11’s hardware requirements, you can use Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool to determine what parts need upgrading....

It’s been nearly three months since OpenAI rocked the world with its fast and flirtatious ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode demonstration. Now, after plenty of setbacks, Advanced Voice Mode is rolling out in Alpha for a select group of ChatGPT Plus users. Advanced Voice Mode is kind of like a next-generation Siri or Alexa. You talk to your phone and it talks back. It’s a concept that we’re all familiar with by now....

Chromebooks are primarily built around Google’s own online services, like Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive. Some people would prefer to use other tools, though, and thankfully Google is now rolling out improved support for Microsoft Office documents and Microsoft 365 online services. Googleconfirmed last yearthat it was working on better support for Office documents on Chromebooks. When you attempt to open a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file on a Chromebook right now, it usually opens in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, respectively....

Google just revealed new improvements for webcam and microphone quality on Chromebooks. The functionality will roll out to select Chromebook Plus-branded Chromebooks. The newSamsung Chromebook Plushas an updated control center for video calls, accessible from the system tray, with options for post-processing on the webcam and microphone inputs. The features work across all video calling apps, includingGoogle Meet. If you’ve used Microsoft’s AI effects or the overlays on macOS, Google’s new effects should be familiar....

Summary High resolutions such as 4K coupled with increasingly higher refresh rates and HDR, which requires 10-bit color, demand higher and higher bandwidth. While the currently dominant video interface in PC space, DisplayPort 1.4, is enough right now, it won’t be in the future. Enter DisplayPort 2.1. Why DisplayPort 2.1 Matters At the moment, the maximumrefresh ratefound on even thebest 4K monitorsis 240Hz. Add 10-bit color needed for HDR, and the total bandwidth for an uncompressed 4K@240Hz video signal with 10-bit color is almost 80Gbps!...

Quick Links Years ago, there were a lot of shocking articles about how much energy cable and satellite boxes wasted. Have things gotten better since then? Why Do Set-Top Boxes Consume So Much Power? Way back in 2016, we answereda reader’s question about cable box power use, and while things have improved since then, cable and satellite boxes are still significant sources ofphantom loadsin the home. Related:How to Identify and Measure Phantom Loads in Your Home...

Summary A Secret Santa-inspired scam is back again on social media for the holidays. There are many names for it, but it’s commonly referred to as the “Secret Sister” or “Secret Santa Dog” gift exchange. It’s not all fun and games as the name suggests. In fact, it’s illegal. How Does the Scam Work? You’ll see the invitation to join this “Secret Santa gift exchange” either in your email or on social media....