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The Galaxy Watch is a great piece of hardware, but battery life can leave a lot to be desired (Source: Amazon)

How to debloat and significantly increase the battery life on your Galaxy Watch 4, 5 or 6

CheckMag The Samsung Galaxy Watch is a fantastic piece of hardware, especially since Samsung moved to Wear OS. However, the battery on these devices seems to be all over the place. Turning on the battery saver can work, but doing that disa...
David Devey, 06 Mar 2024 22:07
A homemade NAS running TrueNAS or Unraid can offer a better experience than almost any off the shelf solution. (Source: EnricoF)

Upgraded to AM5 or Intel 14th Gen? Why not put that old hardware to use and build a NAS

CheckMag Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices will give you remote access to all your files from any device both at home and away. Just add your drives and off you go, but they aren’t cheap. However there are some compelling software sol...
David Devey, 03 Feb 2024 17:05
A major overlooked part of getting into digital photography is the accessories that you need to pair with a camera body. (Image source: Peak Design)

3 beginner camera tips - what to consider before buying a first mirrorless or DSLR camera

Shopping for a first camera can be a daunting experience, especially for someone coming from a smartphone camera with little experience. While it's easy to drop US$3,000 on a premium camera, it's worth the effort to take a measure...
Julian van der Merwe, 15 Jul 2023 04:10
In certain respects, Firefox is the most user-friendly browser around (Image source: Fuu J on Unsplash)

Hop into the time machine by installing a Mozilla Firefox build released in 2014 (or even 2004!)

CheckUp Mozilla puts the user into the driver's seat by letting them download literally any Firefox release that was ever made. The organization keeps a freely accessible archive of its products at ftp.mozilla.org to be unlike most other ...
Sergey Tarasov, 31 May 2023 17:22
Not all laptops can boast of a great screen. Things do not have to be this way (Image source: Notebookcheck - edited)

How to replace a laptop screen: Getting a better display panel for your laptop

CheckUp To all those stuck with a poor display panel - there is a solution to your woes that does not involve buying a brand-new laptop. Replacing the screen will save you quite a bit of cash while giving your current system another lease...
Sergey Tarasov, 08 May 2023 23:31
Delete a partition for free, no downloads required. (Image source: Unsplash/Own)

How to delete an undeletable partition in Windows without using third-party tools

CheckUp No downloads required; Windows command line and two minutes of spare time is all that's needed to delete an undeletable partition in Windows. This method will work with both Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems.
Sergey Tarasov, 31 Mar 2023 00:19
Gaming on a Chromebook - APEX Legends

Gaming on Chromebooks - Testing out Steam beta with many current games

Steam is now also available on Chromebooks. But the software is still in its beta stage. We installed Steam on an Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 to test out how well the program runs right now and found that some well-known games in our...
Marc Herter, 28 Feb 2023 14:16
Children are using smartphones at earlier ages. (Photo by McKaela Taylor on Unsplash)

How to set up an iPhone or iPad for children

With the world's growing reliance on smartphones, more and more children are finding handhelds in their pockets. However, unfettered access to the connected world can be dangerous for youngsters. Here's how to set up an iOS device, particularly the iPhone, for young kids to keep them safe online.
Sam Medley, 25 Oct 2022 19:45
Bring more friends into the fold during FaceTime calls with Center Stage. (Image source: Apple - macOS Ventura)

macOS Ventura: 5 helpful tips for using the Continuity Camera

At WWDC22 Apple introduced a breakthrough new way to leverage the sophisticated cameras on modern iPhones to deliver a unique set of webcam features that will work seamlessly between smartphones running iOS 16 and Macs running mac...
Brahm Shank, 29 Jun 2022 07:31
Exercise those thumbs with these helpful tips and tricks. (Image source: Unsplash)

5 underrated iPhone gestures that supercharge any workflow

Get the most out of the iPhone with these incredible shortcuts that most users may not be familiar with. Use every tap, swipe, and long press to level up day-to-day productivity and become a true power user. By the end of this lis...
Brahm Shank, 28 Mar 2022 21:57
Teach the employees at the Genius Bar something new with the tips you'll learn on this list. (Image Source: Apple/ Own)

The 5 most indispensable iPhone shortcuts that every owner should know

Your iPhone is more capable than you think. Tap, swipe, and long press your way through these tips to get the most out of your favorite Apple smartphone. Remember to use these shortcuts to trim down your workflow and boost your pr...
Brahm Shank, 23 Feb 2022 19:59
iPad Pro pictured with Magic Keyboard (Image Source: Unsplash)

4 gamechanging keyboard shortcuts that every iPad user should know

Ready to level up your iPad workflow? These indispensable keyboard shortcuts will have you navigating iPadOS like a true whiz in no time. We are sharing handy key combos that will have you asking “What’s a computer?” all over agai...
Brahm Shank, 31 Jan 2022 18:49
Windows 11 on the laptop in test

Windows 11 on the laptop in the test: Problem-free installation, few special features, goodbye tiles

Notebookcheck tried the migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11 with the final version. In practice with a business notebook, there were surprisingly few problems. However, the new operating system looks like a second edition of Windows 10 in places. An aha effect is missing.
Andreas Sebayang, 26 Oct 2021 03:20
Get started with Android apps on Windows 11: Sideload APKs, use third-party app stores, or even run Google Play Services. (Image Source: Microsoft)

Tutorial: Get started with the Android Subsystem on Windows 11 — Sideload APKs and even enable Google Play Services

Alexa, install Google Play. Microsoft just released the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) to Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview rings via the Amazon Appstore. In this tutorial, we take a look at the various installation methods possible, sideload APKs, work with the Android filesystem, and even work our way to get Google Play Services up and running.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 23 Oct 2021 18:38
HDMI: A standard with a lot of untapped potential

HDMI: A standard with a lot of untapped potential

HDMI Cable Power, HDMI Ethernet, HDMI over USB-C. The display standard is actually ubiquitous and even allows remote control of devices. However, a lot of what HDMI can do is not or only little used. Even HDMI over USB-C is still missing - from a purely technical point of view - even if that sounds strange at first.
Andreas Sebayang, 16 Oct 2021 16:29
This particular wallpaper can potentially soft-brick your Android smartphone. (Image Source: Ice Universe on Twitter)

PSA | Cursed wallpaper soft-bricks several Android phones: Details and possible workarounds

It has been found that a certain wallpaper can soft-brick several Android phones particularly newer Samsung phones and Google Pixels. Apparently, this is due to Android's SystemUI not being able to handle the higher Google Skia co...
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 01 Jun 2020 11:46
Samsung's ultrasonic fingerprint reader tends to be frustrating. (Source: YouTube)

How to improve the fingerprint reader speed of your Samsung Galaxy S20, Note 10, or S10

Since the launch of the Galaxy S10 series a year ago, Samsung users have complained heavily over the slow unlocking speeds of the in-display fingerprint readers on their phones—including the S10, Note 10, and S20 series. Here's ho...
Ricci Rox, 19 Apr 2020 17:56
Image source: unsplash

How to stay disciplined while working from home

Home office guide While working from home may have its advantages, it can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being over the course of a few weeks. Here are some tips and tricks on how to make your work from home experience better.
Anil Satyanarayana, 08 Apr 2020 08:33
Modern standby might not be perfect for everybody, but you have to modify the Windows registry in order to disable it. (Source: Microsoft)

Useful Life Hack: How to Disable Modern Standby (Connected Standby)

Modern standby modes, often referred to as "connected standby" or "InstantGo", are supposed to beam laptops into a connected future, one that we are familiar with from the world of smartphones. However, there are quite a few reasons why you may want to consider disabling this feature, which, in turn, Microsoft made unnecessarily complicated.
Alexander Fagot, 06 Feb 2020 23:35
You should set aside at least a few months to catch up with the entire The Witcher universe. (Image source: CD Project Red)

The Witcher Calculator: This is how long it takes to get through all the books and games in the series

After the success of The Witcher series on Netflix, you may want to dive deeper into the universe around Geralt von Riva. However, where should you start? Well, a fan of the series has now created an online calculator that not onl...
Alex Alderson, 04 Feb 2020 23:23
A human face, but not as we know it. (Image source: LowSpecGamer)

Red Dead Redemption 2 gets a 90s look with ultra-low graphics settings

Rockstar Games released Red Dead Redemption 2 a few weeks ago on PC with some hefty recommended system requirements. While you will always need around 150 GB of storage free to install Red Dead Redemption 2, a new video shows the ...
Alex Alderson, 23 Nov 2019 23:36
The Pixel 4's Soli Radar chip can be activated with root access. (Source: iFixit)

The Pixel 4's Soli Radar can be enabled in any region thanks to a hidden debug feature

The Google Pixel 4's Soli Radar feature is authorized for use in only certain geographies as it uses the 60 GHz frequency band. Those wanting to use the Motion Sense features can now do so irrespective of the region by taking adva...
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 05 Nov 2019 07:43
Image via iFixIt

The modular Fairphone 3 (unsurprisingly) scores a perfect 10 in iFixIt teardown

The Fairphone 3 received a perfect 10 in its iFixIt teardown. The modular phone is perhaps the most repairable device on the market; most major components are attached to removable modules, making repairs a snap. The back is held ...
Sam Medley, 11 Sep 2019 23:48
Thought the X1 Carbon was compact? The ThinkTiny thinks otherwise. (Source: Paul Klinger)

Man creates world's smallest working "ThinkPad", complete with stunning 64p OLED display, TrackPoint, and 20Mhz CPU

A true legend has used an Arduino microcontroller, 128x64p display, and 300 mAh battery to create the world's smallest ThinkPad (and probably laptop). To top it all off, the ThinkTiny can play some classic games and is controlled ...
Douglas Black, 29 Jul 2019 07:09
Dell's newly released XPS 15 7590 with OLED display. (Source: Saydigi Tech)

Opinion | Any XPS 15 7590 "review" already out... isn't a review

You are going to start seeing articles and videos cleverly implying educated conclusions about Dell's recently released XPS 15 7590. Don't be fooled into thinking they are anything other than first-impressions.
Douglas Black, 05 Jul 2019 07:24
Eye health in the electronic age

Eye health in the electronic age

In the modern world, our eyes are constantly bombarded with information from displays. Whether it be from a laptop, smartphone, or some other device, many of us spend a significant portion of our day staring at some kind of display. As such, it is paramount that we should understand the strain placed on our vision and some steps we can take to improve and protect the health of our eyes.
Sam Medley, 08 Dec 2018 06:15
The MacBook Air Retina is slightly more repairable than Apple's other laptops

The MacBook Air Retina is slightly more repairable than Apple's other laptops

The team over at iFixIt has published a complete teardown of the new MacBook Air Retina. While soldered storage and an integrated keyboard count heavily against the device, new pull tabs under the battery and a separate logic boar...
Sam Medley, 10 Nov 2018 05:37
Dell's G3 3579

Shopping For A New Laptop? Here Are The Seven Worst Mistakes You Can Make

Whether you are looking to purchase your very first laptop or just upgrading from a five-year-old model, the following list of points should help you navigate the mine-field that is the modern technology world. We point out some o...
Sergey Tarasov, 20 Sep 2018 14:15
Apple MacBook Pro 2018: Much more performance with a few clicks

Apple MacBook Pro 2018: Much more performance with a few clicks

The new MacBook Pros have problems with the performance utilization of the Coffee Lake processors. We show why Apple's power management fails and how you can fix it with just a few clicks. This applies for the smaller 13-inch as well as the 15-inch MacBook Pro, both for macOS and Windows 10. Update: New results for macOS
Andreas Osthoff, 21 Jul 2018 17:34
Image: Twitter (w/ edits)

If you are on Twitter, you should change your password now

Twitter discovered a bug in their password hashing process that created a plaintext log containing user passwords. While the social media platform does not believe any breach has occurred, they urged their entire user base to rese...
Sam Medley, 03 May 2018 23:55
How to block annoying ads and secure your PC in any OS

How to block annoying ads and secure your PC in any OS

The recent Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal has proved that user data can be harvested and used for any purpose by almost anyone without explicit consent. Therefore, it is imperative that one secures his/her online experience ...
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 02 May 2018 09:23
Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU) Undervolting Guide

Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU) Undervolting Guide

Trying to lower temperatures, improve performance, or increase battery life is all about making small tweaks that can add up to something more noticeable. Intel XTU is a powerful piece of software for undervolting or overclocking, but it can be daunting if you don’t understand the myriad options presented to you. This guide covers the layout of Intel XTU and gives the process for adjusting voltage and TDP to reduce temperatures, extend battery life, and improve performance. Keep in mind that this software isn't magic so the improvements aren’t drastic, and some changes may have no effect at all — depending on your situation.
Craig Ward, 09 Mar 2018 09:47
How to run Linux binaries natively in Windows 10

How to run Linux binaries natively in Windows 10

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is Microsoft's technology stack that enables native Linux binaries to run in a Windows user environment without the need to install a full fledged Linux distro — native or virtual. This tutori...
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 20 Feb 2018 08:28
How to check if your PC is protected from Meltdown and Spectre

How to check if your PC is protected from Meltdown and Spectre

The Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities exposed inherent flaws in hardware and software design, which we've been using for many years. Chip vendors and developers alike are scrambling to quickly release fixes to prevent any damag...
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 13 Feb 2018 03:08
How to protect critical data from ransomware in Windows 10

How to protect critical data from ransomware in Windows 10

With ransomware on the prowl every other day, it has become all the more important to ensure that critical files are protected from being encrypted or altered. The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update includes a new functionality calle...
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 12 Feb 2018 04:41
The Pixel 2's Portrait mode has been ported to the OnePlus 3. (Source: XDA Developers)

Pixel 2's Portrait mode being ported to non-Google devices as well

Following the porting of Google Camera's Portrait mode found exclusively in the Pixel 2 to older Google devices, other developers have joined the fray in the porting the feature to non-Google devices running Android Oreo.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 02 Jan 2018 12:34
The DIMM modules and SSD in the latest iMac Pro. (Source: MacRumors)

iMac Pro teardown reveals upgradeable RAM and SSD but it's not for the faint-hearted

While the new iMac Pro is not end-user upgradeable, Apple component supplier, OWC, did a teardown of the latest iMac Pro base model and found that the RAM and SSD can actually be upgraded if needed.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 30 Dec 2017 07:33
Guide: How to check a new laptop for issues

Guide: How to check a new laptop for issues

Make sure your new laptop isn't a lemon with our comprehensive checklist to avoiding defects.
Douglas Black & Christian Reverand, 27 Jul 2017 08:59
Guide: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety and Care

Guide: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety and Care

Galaxy Note 7, iPhone, and Hoverboard fires have brought the safety of lithium-ion batteries into the spotlight. Although news coverage often implies that any fire or explosion is the result of incompetence, it's important to recognize the volatile nature of the battery technology itself, even under the best circumstances.
Douglas Black, 03 Jul 2017 10:24
Guide: Choosing Between Integrated or Dedicated Graphics

Guide: Choosing Between Integrated or Dedicated Graphics

Figuring out which laptop to buy is confusing enough — even without wading through the plethora of integrated and dedicated graphics solutions. This guide covers the basics of what integrated, desktop, and external graphics solutions can and can't do.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam & Douglas Black, 07 Jun 2017 15:29
Ben Heck repairing the Super NES CD-ROM prototype. (Image: YouTube, The Ben Heck Show)

Ben Heck completes repair of Nintendo Playstation prototype

A long-rumored prototype of the Super NED CD-ROM was finally found back in 2015. While it could play SNES cartridges, the CD-ROM would not work. After about a year and a half of work, electronics wizard Ben Heck has completed repa...
Sam Medley, 05 May 2017 21:37
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Charging Guide for Maximum Endurance

Lithium-Ion Batteries: Charging Guide for Maximum Endurance

When taken good care of devices such as smartphones, tablets, and notebooks will most likely easily outlive their respective batteries, which these days more often than not aren’t user replaceable anymore. With this in mind it is more important than ever to improve both endurance and capacity through the right charging techniques. We’re going to give you a few tips and point out the most common mistakes.
Sven Kloevekorn, 26 Apr 2017 21:30
The mintyPi 2.0 fits classic gaming in a small (and refreshing) case. (Source: Sudo Mod)

Sudo Mod's mintyPi 2.0 fits a game console in an Altoids tin

Thanks to the small size of the Raspberry Pi Zero W, Sudo Mod has created a beautiful retro gaming system into an Altoids case.
Sam Medley, 10 Apr 2017 23:43
Ben heck tears into the Nintendo Switch. (Source: The Ben Heck Show)

Ben Heck tears the Nintendo Switch apart

Ben Heck, known for poking around in modern and retro electronics, tore into the Nintendo Switch to see what was inside. The console seems to be fairly accessible and serviceable.
Sam Medley, 20 Mar 2017 20:02
The Osborne 1, released in 1981, was the world's first portable microcomputer. (Source: OldComputers.net)

EEVblog tears down world's first portable computer

Ever wonder what made the world's first "luggable" computer tick? EEVblog has released a video teardown of the groundbreaking device.
Sam Medley, 14 Dec 2016 16:58
The Surface Dial is a tough piece of equipment, but might be difficult to repair. (Source: iFixit)

Surface Dial scores a 4/10 in iFixit teardown

The Microsoft device received praise for its durability, but was criticized for some difficult or impossible to replace components.
Sam Medley, 02 Dec 2016 21:03
The internal hard drive is the only major component that can be replaced by the end user. (Source: iFixIt)

Teardown reveals Microsoft Surface Studio has limited user upgradeability

Most major components are soldered on and cannot be replaced. However, the device appears to be fairly repairable.
Sam Medley, 29 Nov 2016 22:15
iFixit's teardown shows that repairs will be very difficult. (Source: iFixit)

iFixit's teardown of Macbook Pro 13" with Touch Bar reveals differences, difficulties

The new Macbook Pro 13" with Touch Bar has markedly different internals from its non-Touch Bar brother, including changes that make it horribly difficult to repair.
Sam Medley, 16 Nov 2016 20:28
How-to guide: PCIe SSD upgrade using the Dell XPS 13 (9350) as an example

How-to guide: PCIe SSD upgrade using the Dell XPS 13 (9350) as an example

Our step-by-step tutorial explains how to upgrade the Dell XPS 13 2016 (9350) quickly and easily with larger and faster PCIe NVMe SSDs. Which ones are compatible? How does an upgrade impact the performance?
J. Simon Leitner, 09 Jul 2016 07:38

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Redaktion, 2013-05- 8 (Update: 2013-09-27)