PC World

The new Outlook impresses with versatile functions and customization options that make everyday work more efficient. With the right settings and tips, you can minimize distractions, manage emails optimally and always keep an eye on appointments and tasks. Check out the following useful tips. ...

It’s not every day that we get to find fantastic laptop deals, but this one may be the best one we’ll see before the year ends. This MSI Katana 15 with an impressive configuration is down $400 right now at Best Buy, making it available for $1,100 rather than its usual $1,500. So what makes this laptop a unicorn find? Well, first of all, it comes with a Ryzen 9 CPU and 16GB of RAM. ...

Qualcomm’s 2024 debut of new Arm processors for Windows laptops was arguably the most important PC hardware announcement since the introduction of Intel’s 486 processors in 1989. Just as that CPU line heralded an age of Intel-driven x86 dominance, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips have now taken us into a new era of competition. But 2024 was only the preview. ...

The good news for Intel? 2024’s almost over. Our collection of the highs and lows of Intel’s 2024 will have you reaching for the brandy. They weren’t good. I mean, aside from some of Intel’s mobile chips, what exactly did it do right? Let’s put it this way: when your ex-CEO prays for your company after he was kicked out, it was a bad year. ...

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to AdGuard’s Family Plan that works on nine devices for $15.97 (88% off). Ads are the internet equivalent of mosquitos at a summer picnic. They’re annoying, follow you everywhere, and they literally suck. ...

TL;DR: Use Visio to turn complex data into approachable visuals. A lifetime license is only $19.97 (reg. $249) until January 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.  Diagrams don’t have to be daunting, even if you aren’t a design pro. ...

TL;DR: Get Trend Micro Maximum Security 1-year subscriptions for three devices at $19.99 (60% off). The internet is a scary place. Between phishing scams, identity theft, and now AI, it’s enough to make you want to unplug your computer and hide under the covers. But all you need is protection from online threats from something like Trend Micro. ...

Good news, everyone: My bar mitzvah videos from the mid-1990s are now digitized for the ages. While I have no intention of actually watching them — oy, the embarrassment — I recently received the original tapes from my parents and felt like they were worth preserving in a more enduring form than VHS. ...

Microsoft recently added new camera features to Windows 11, as highlighted by Windows Latest. In addition to adjusting the brightness and contrast to your liking, you’ll also be able to change the camera resolution and frame rate, according to a recent blog post from Microsoft. ...

Do you like fiddling with computers and fancy the idea of taking on a more advanced project? Then I have a suggestion: Build your own router/firewall. With a router running a more advanced operating system on more powerful hardware than standard consumer routers, a whole world of new possibilities opens up. ...

Even for me, someone who’s an avid graphics card hardware enthusiast, it took some time to warm up to the idea of AI rdesolution upscaling. But this newfangled technology has been embraced over the past few years by virtually every major GPU manufacturer, with Nvidia leading the pack with DLSS and others following in its wake, including AMD with FSR, Intel with XeSS, and even Sony with PSSR ...

So, what did Santa bring you this year? You probably got at least one gift card, didn’t you? Well, if you’re looking to use that gift card and get something that will benefit you in the long run, this 512GB SanDisk Ultra Fit thumb drive is only $35 at Amazon right now. ...

It’s fashionable these days to complain about the state of streaming, and for understandable reasons. Over the past year, many streaming services have raised prices or introduced commercials, and some are trying to stop folks from sharing passwords, even among close family members. ...

TL;DR: A slim Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (2021) with an 8.7? screen, 32GB storage, and an all-day battery—yours for just $89.99. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is proof that great things come in small packages—and for just $89.99, it’s also a steal. Whether you’re on the road, lounging at home, or looking for a kid-friendly device, this tablet delivers on portability and performance. ...

The next generation of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 8, is currently being developed behind closed doors. This time, the emphasis isn’t on pure speed, but instead on improving the user experience. Wi-Fi 8, known right now as IEEE 802.11bn Ultra High Reliability, still remains years away. ...

Well, it finally happened. My 2021 Kindle Paperwhite, which I’ve had for years and still use on a nightly basis, started showing its age and slowing down. Not only was it slow to boot up, but it was also slow to respond to my swipes and taps. Fortunately, after doing some research, I was able to speed up my sluggish Kindle with a few simple troubleshooting tricks. ...

You may have already experienced it yourself with a new desktop PC or notebook: After the final installation of Windows 11, the desktop is covered in icons — much of which is bloatware. Common culprits are test versions of security suites and virus scanners as well as programs for image editing, photo books, and cloud services. ...

It’s been a big year for Google…but then as the de facto leader in online search, browser, and advertising, it’s always a big year for Google. Perhaps the biggest news is undeniably tied to the company’s status as an official and illegal monopoly, according to the US Department of Justice. ...

TL;DR: Move files fast and easily with a 1TB Dual Flash Drive that comes with connectors for USB-C and USB-A 3.2, all for $69.97 with free shipping Whether you’re bouncing between work and personal devices or have a whole smart tech entourage, moving files between all your gadgets is a headache. ...

The year ahead has a lot in store for Linux users. Many of the trends, hardware products, and software developments below comprise a colorful mix that focuses on the use of Linux in particular. We also include other current and future events in hardware and software that will influence or characterize everyday IT life — Linux or otherwise. ...

The best free PC software programs aren’t about the cost (or lack thereof), they’re about a fresh opportunity—collections of code that put the dumb hardware in your computer to smart use, tools that can accomplish anything from balancing your household budget to helping cure cancer. Stocking your PC is an intensely personal task. ...

TL;DR: Head straight to checkout to save 40% on this tiny keychain pen before they’re sold out. We all carry keychains, but this one is different. It can write underwater. It opens boxes. It can even survive a fire. That’s why it’s becoming one of the most coveted gadgets in our shop, and why you should put one on your keyring. ...

I have been working in the IT industry for over 30 years, for most of this time as an editor at PC-WELT (PCWorld’s German sister publication), specializing in security. I test antivirus software, give tips on how to make Windows more secure, am constantly on the lookout for the best security tools, and monitor the activities of cyber criminals. ...

Countless cables are used in the home — whether for charging smartphones, transferring data, or connecting audio systems. However, frequent use and regular bending can quickly lead to unsightly kinks or even damage to sensitive areas. Caution is advised in the event of serious damage, such as a broken or exposed cable core: Repairs in such cases should be left to experienced users. ...

Thunderbolt 5. The cutting edge of I/O. All of it — monitors, a Thunderbolt 5 dock, and even a Thunderbolt 5 SSD — was perched on my desk. I was pleased, in the way only tech nerds can be when they have a piece of gear few others do. A few days later, I was more than happy to take it apart and return to a slower and more functional Thunderbolt environment. ...

With just a few days left of the year, we found an amazing deal for the Samsung Galaxy Book4 360, which is now $450 off at Best Buy. Instead of paying $1,350, you can get this 2-in-1 laptop for $900. ...

Picture this: You receive an audio message from your sister. She says she’s lost her wallet and asks if you can send some cash so she can pay a bill on time. You’re scrolling through social media. A video appears from a celebrity you follow. In it, they ask for contributions toward their latest project.  You receive a video of yourself, showing you in a physically intimate situation. ...

TL;DR: Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for $19.97 (reg. $199). Sale ends January 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.  There’s a lot to love about Microsoft’s recently updated operating system. Besides enhanced security features and a more user-friendly interface, it incorporates AI to make it a modern powerhouse. ...

My colleague and co-conspirator Gordon Mah Ung passed away this weekend, after a battle with cancer. I’m heartbroken. Gordon is the journalist and the person I want to be when I grow up. But you can read about why in PCWorld’s obituary for Gordon. ...

PCWorld executive editor Gordon Mah Ung, a tireless journalist we once described as a founding father of hardcore tech journalism, passed away over the weekend after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Gordon was 58, and leaves behind a loving wife, two children, older sister, and mother. ...