Wired headphones are a more practical and reliable option than the wireless variety. You don’t have to recharge them and they deliver better audio quality because they don’t have to compress sound like Bluetooth models. They’re also more affordable, as they lack the complex components that make up wireless models. Whether you’re looking for superior sound or a more sustainable option, wired headphones are a great choice. You don’t have to worry about battery life Wired headphones eliminate the need to worry about battery life, as the power comes directly from the audio source. This is especially convenient for those who want to avoid constantly recharging devices. Superior audio quality Wired headphones deliver superior audio quality. Wireless Bluetooth has to compress audio data, which compromises sound quality, especially in terms of dynamics and detail. With wired headphones, you can enjoy music at a high bit rate, ideal for music lovers who value every detail. Low latency advantage While Bluetooth connections can lead to delays due to the wireless transmission, wired headphones deliver sound with almost no delay. This is particularly important for films, videos, or video games, where precise synchronization of image and sound is crucial to ensure the best experience. Less expensive than wireless Wired models are often cheaper as they are simpler in design and do not require expensive components such as transmitters, receivers, and batteries. They’re also available in different price ranges, so there’s something for every budget, from affordable entry-level models to high-quality audio solutions for demanding users. No signal interruptions or connection problems Wired headphones have the edge when it comes to reliability. There are no signal interruptions or connection problems like with wireless models. If connection problems do occur, they can usually be solved simply by replacing the cable. They’re better for the environment Wired headphones are a more eco-friendly choice because they don’t have rechargeable batteries, which have a limited lifespan and are difficult to recycle. With good care, they often last for decades, as there’s no battery to wear out. This also reduces electronic waste and contributes to more sustainable use. Many corded models are also easy to repair, further extending their service life. Read...

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Microsoft is expanding the toolbox of recovery options for Windows 11. After recently adding the ability to reinstall Windows via Windows Update—at least in version 24H2—the company is now introducing Quick Machine Recovery (QMR). The new feature currently being tested in the Windows Insider Program’s Beta Channel. Quick Machine Recovery is the first tangible result of Microsoft’s work following the massive CrowdStrike incident of 2024, which knocked out large parts of the global IT infrastructure. QMR allows IT administrators to fix boot problems remotely, even when a problem is so grave that the computer can no longer boot as usual. The recovery is done via the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), where the system connects to the internet and sends diagnostic data to Microsoft. Based on this, targeted updates can be sent back to the computer via Windows Update, Thurrott reports. Previously, the feature was mainly aimed at business users, but now Microsoft confirms that private individuals will also have access to it—and it will be enabled by default. In managed IT environments, administrators will be able to control availability. QMR is available in the Windows recovery menu as an option under “Advanced Options.” According to Microsoft, the feature contributes to increased system resilience by automatically detecting errors and applying solutions, without any manual troubleshooting. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Zippy processor performance Nice 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 Our Verdict The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a solid upgrade over the 2023, featuring a faster processor and a touchscreen display, with only minor drawbacks that hardly impact the overall performance. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a good buy, full stop. I know I’m starting strong out the gate, but with an updated processor and a display with touch capability, it’s a solid improvement over the 2023 model. While it does have a few drawbacks, they’re so small they’re practically microscopic, as they don’t take away from the overall experience. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best Chromebooks for comparison. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Specs The new Chromebook Plus CX34 is a refreshed version of the 2023 model. This time Asus swapped out the Intel Core i3-1215U processor for an Intel Core i5-1335U, which offers notable improvements (we’ll get into that in the performance section). Other than upgrading the CPU and adding touch capability to the display, the design is the same as it was before. Asus fine-tuned the inside components, but left the fresh-looking design alone.  Model number: CX3402CVA-I5128 CPU: Intel Core i5-1335U GPU: Intel Iris Xe RAM: 8GB RAM Storage: 128GB (universal flash storage) Display 14-inch 1920×1080, touch enabled, 60Hz, 16:9 aspect ratio Networking: Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E Dimensions: 0.74 by 12.9 by 8.4 inches Weight: 3.17 lbs Price: $499 Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Design, build quality IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is pretty much identical to the 2023 model. The snowy white shell is a feast for the eyes, and the plastic exterior has a nice sheen to it. As far as aesthetics go, it’s attractive and modern. Like I said of the previous iteration, it’s sophisticated enough for an office environment without drawing too much attention. While build quality is acceptable for a laptop in this price range, I worry it might show wear and tear over time.  I noticed the lid has a slight flex to it. When I laid the laptop flat on a table and pressed a finger down on the bezel, the lid gave way to the pressure. However, it’s not all bad. The keyboard deck feels more solid than the lid–I didn’t hear any creaking when I applied pressure to it. The 180 degree hinge also feels tight and secure, but not restricting and stiff. The build quality isn’t bad by any means, but I’d recommend handling it with a gentle hand.  The upgraded processor and touch enabled display make a big difference, adding great value compared to the 2023 model, which was missing those features. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Keyboard, touchpad IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo The keyboard is comfortable to use for long periods of time, but the omission of a backlight had me scratching my head, as it was included in the older model. I prefer backlit keyboards because I like writing in a low-light environment–I like the ambiance of it! Bright lights also trigger migraines for me, which is another reason why I prefer a low-light environment. That said, in terms of using the keyboard, I managed 98 words per minute on Monkeytype–I’m a pretty fast typist when I’m locked in.  The touchpad is pleasant to use as well. It measures about five inches wide, which is a big enough size for someone with smaller hands (hi!). It’s smooth and responsive, and the slippery surface of the touchpad is great for multitouch gestures like two-finger scrolls and pinches and stretches. I didn’t notice any erratic cursor movement, either. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Display, webcam, speakers IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo The 1080p display is fine for daily tasks, but it’s nothing remarkable. All Chromebook Plus models come with a 1080p display, which is the new standard now. While it may not be the brightest or most vibrant of screens, I’m pleased by the new touch function. The 2023 model didn’t have a touch display, so this is a great addition that adds more value overall. The matte finish also helps cut down the glare from direct sunlight. My only sticking point is with the 16:9 aspect ratio. I prefer displays with a 16:10 aspect ratio, as that one extra inch of space makes a world of difference, especially when I’m editing a review or adding things to a spreadsheet. It’s not a huge deal breaker for me, as most laptop displays come with a 16:9 aspect ratio, but I like to see more of the screen. Oh, the display also folds flat for versatile viewing angles, though I didn’t use it this way as I don’t find it very practical. The 1080p webcam is suitable for work calls, but not much else. As with most built-in 1080p webcams, you need a good amount of lighting to look good. The webcam’s microphone also captures sound well enough and filters out a good amount of background noise. The built-in ChromeOS tools also allow you to blur your background or improve noise cancellation. Again, it’s fine for a work call, but if you want to look your absolute best, you should invest in an external webcam.   Generally speaking, laptop speakers don’t impress me much (I guess I’m channeling Shania Twain here). If you consider yourself an audiophile, you might as well plug in a pair of headphones or earbuds. The Chromebook Plus CX34’s speakers are just okay, but the speakers are downward firing, so it depends on the type of surface you’ve got the laptop on. I had to boost the volume and bring the laptop closer to me in order to hear my playlist.  Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Connectivity IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 really doesn’t skimp on ports, which is great for a laptop in this price range. It features two USB Type-A, two USB Type-C, one HDMI out, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. You can also easily hook up to an external monitor, as the USB Type-C ports support DisplayPort. Most Chromebooks in this bracket don’t include an Ethernet port or a micro SD, but the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 comes with a micro SD.  Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Performance I was impressed with the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34’s day-to-day performance. Compared to the previous model, which came equipped with an Intel Core i3-1215U CPU, the Intel Core i5-1335U CPU inside our review unit delivers faster performance because of its higher core count (10 cores) and better clock speeds (up to 4.6GHz). While the Intel Core i3-1215U CPU still performs well, the Intel Core i5-1335U CPU better handles both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance.  This is evident in the Plus CX34’s Jetstream 2 score. Jetstream 2 assesses single-threaded and multi-threaded performance by measuring JavaScript execution speeds as well as the browser’s parallel processing execution speed. Compared to the 2023 model, which had a Jetstream 2 score of 250.141, the newest iteration is approximately 26 percent faster. The Plus CX34 also had a higher CrXPRT 2 performance score (170) than the recently reviewed Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (140). CrXPRT 2 measures overall performance by simulating real-world tasks like loading web pages, applying filters to images, playing HD videos, and so on. The higher the number, the smoother the performance. In addition to the higher CrXPRT 2 score, it also produced a great Kraken score.  Mozilla’s Kraken benchmark gauges how well a browser can handle JavaScript execution performance. It does this by analyzing sound data, running various decryption tasks, and so on. Unlike CrXPRT 2, a lower score is more desirable here. Essentially, Kraken measures the time in milliseconds it takes for the browser to complete a series of JavaScript tasks. The Plus CX34 beat the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 into the ground with a Kraken score of 397.4ms. That’s roughly 44 percent faster than the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, which had a Kraken score of 710.9ms. Impressive! CrXPRT 2: 170 Speedometer: 344 Basemark Web 3.0: 1,320 Kraken: 397.4ms Jetstream 2: 316.606 Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Battery life The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 lasted a little over 13 hours on a single charge during my battery test, though I kept the brightness low, which likely impacted the result. With the brightness turned up, real-world use is closer to seven or eight hours. That’s not a bad result by any means, but it’s not the most competitive result I’ve seen. If battery life is a priority of yours, consider the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714, which lasted a little over 15 hours. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Conclusion Would I recommend buying the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34? Absolutely. The upgraded processor and touch-enabled display make a big difference, adding great value compared to the 2023 model, which was missing those features. The keyboard is also a joy to type on, the touchpad is responsive without being overly sensitive, and the connectivity options are plentiful. If you can accept the little quirks like the lack of keyboard backlighting and the 16:9 aspect ratio (more of a personal nitpick than a quirk), then this Chromebook is a solid choice. Read...

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At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros 3 individually controlled smart outlets (+3 dumb outlets) 3 fast-charging USB outlets Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and IFTTT Cons Gives no warning when it can no longer provide surge protection Surge protection limited to 205 joules Our Verdict Don’t buy this multi-outlet for its surge protection feature, as it won’t warn you when it can no longer deliver it. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender (model P306) Retailer Price $34.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket TP-Link’s Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender has some great features, as well as one critical shortcoming that prevents us from recommending it. Tapo doesn’t make big promises for this product in terms of its surge protection, but it does list a key feature on the box: the ability to warn you when it can no longer provide surge protection. If you’re considering buying Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender for that feature, don’t. Here’s why. The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender isn’t all bad news—provided you’re not buying it for surge protection. Most surge protectors use sacrificial MOVs (metal oxide varistors) to absorb excess voltage from power surges, and this one is no exception. The thing is, MOVs wear out over time, losing some of their ability to absorb that excess voltage with each power surge until they can no longer offer any protection at all. Since the number and severity of power surges will vary based on a wide range of factors, starting with the quality of power coming from your utility, it’s impossible to predict when a given surge protector’s MOV (or MOVs, as the case may be) will wear out. The outlets on the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender are spaced 1.56 inches apart, so wall warts and oversized plugs don’t block adjacent outlets.Michael Brown/Foundry Some surge protectors will simply stop sending power to their outlets when this happens, and that’s the best approach in my opinion. Others will trigger a red or green “protection” indicator—typically an LED—to stop glowing when they can no longer offer protection. The latter approach is far more common, and you should periodically check yours to make sure it’s still lit. The problem with the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender is that it doesn’t do either of these things. Its MOV will eventually wear out and cease offering surge protection, but you’ll have no way of knowing when that has happened. I verified this fact with TP-Link, and the manufacturer replied that the absence of a protection indicator is due to the product’s “structural limitations,” but that it recognizes this “as a potential area for improvement in future product iterations.” I’d say that’s an understatement. It would have been better to not include surge protection at all than to have users gamble as to when this one will stop offering protection without any warning. Specifications The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender isn’t all bad news—provided you’re not buying it for surge protection. But before we leave that topic, allow me to report a few details you find won’t find on TP-Link’s website. Three USB charging ports–1 USB-C and 2 USB-A–deliver up to 18 watts of power. Michael Brown/Foundry This product’s surge protector element can handle only a maximum of 205 joules, but it offers 1,200 volts of clamping voltage, based on a 6,000-volt surge on the line-to-neutral leg of the circuit it’s connected to. Thumbs up for that: Protection for the line-to-neutral leg is what’s needed most in a properly grounded home. Compare that to the Philips 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, a “dumb” surge protector that offers up to 720 joules of protection, but only 500V of protection across the line-to-neutral leg of the circuit. The Philips product also lacks USB-charging ports, but it costs less than half as much as the Tapo product. I should also note, however, that the Philips product doesn’t have any LED indicators either. The key difference is that the Philips product will cease to provide power to its outlets when its MOV wears out and can no longer provide surge protection. An LED would be superfluous in that product. OK, let’s turn our attention to the rest of the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender’s considerable specifications and features. It occupies the top half of a duplex outlet, but necessarily also covers the bottom half. If you have an old-school outlet with a middle screw hole for the cover plate, you can remove the cover, insert a provided screw into the center of the Outlet Extender, and fasten it to that hole. You can also screw a provided post into the back of the extender and plug that into the second outlet’s ground hole for added stability when plugging and unplugging devices. Each of the three smart outlets can also be controlled with a button on the side. The post below the electrical prongs plugs into the second grounded outlet to provide additional stability. Michael Brown/Foundry The Outlet Extender can handle up to a maximum of 1,875 watts, and each of its six outlets puts out a maximum of 15 amps. It’s equipped with one USB-C charging port and two USB-A charging ports on its right-hand side. These deliver a maximum output of 5 volts and 3 amps, providing up to 18 watts of fast charging. More specifically, single-port outputs are 5V/3A, 9V/2A, or 12V/1.5A. You can rest your smartphone on top of the outlet extender while it’s charging, and a lip on its front edge will prevent the device from sliding forward and off. There are six grounded AC outlets in front, three on each side and spaced 1.57-inches apart to accommodate at least smaller wall warts or oversized plugs without blocking adjacent outlets. Only the three outlets on the left-hand side are smart plugs, and each one has an on/off switch and an LED indicator that glows when it’s on. The three outlets on the right-hand side are always-on “dumb” plugs and don’t have buttons or LEDs. An ambient light sensor at the top of the extender’s face triggers a dimmable white, down-facing LED nightlight to glow. This feature is highly customizable in the Tapo app, based on the level of ambient light that will activate it, a time-and-date schedule, or even a countdown timer. An LED beneath the ambient light sensors reports the overall status of the device (solid white when connected to the cloud, blinking orange when disconnected from Wi-Fi, and so on). Smart features The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender connects to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, with up to WPA3 security. Although it’s not Matter certified, it is compatible with all three major smart home ecosystems: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home. It’s also compatible with Samsung SmartThings, Siri Shortcuts, and IFTTT. You’ll use the Tapo smart home app to program and control the device. This software is also used to control everything from security cameras to smart plugs, smart bulbs, robot vacuums, and other smart home products carrying TP-Link’s Tapo or Kasa Smart brands. But you can organize the app by assigning everything to “rooms” and designating “favorites” to make it easier to manage everything.   You can control every Tapo smart home device with the Tapo app, which can also control any of TP-Link’s Kasa Smart products.  Michael Brown/Foundry Widgets are provided for each of the Outlet Extender’s three smart plugs, but there’s just one widget for all three of its USB ports. The widgets have power buttons for toggling them on and off, or you can tap anywhere else on the widget to open a new full-screen window for more granular information and control, including scheduling. You can set “away modes” that will randomly turn the assigned smart outlets on and off between defined days and times. Plug a lamp into one, two, or all three smart outlets, and it will make your home look occupied while you’re away from home. Separate countdown timers will turn any or all the assigned smart outlet on or off after a given number of hours and minutes has elapsed. The smart plugs don’t track energy consumption, but they will report the number of hours they’ve been energized for the current day, the past seven days, and the past 30 days. If you have other TP-Link or Tapo products, you can create routines that will cause those devices to trigger each other—and without needing a smart home hub. For example, you can have a TP-Link or Tapo security camera trigger a light plugged into the Outlet Extender when it detects motion after sunset, and then automatically turn off after a programmed amount of time. Or you can create a shortcut button that dims your Tapo or TP-Link smart bulb when you’re ready for bed and turns off any of the company’s smart plugs, including this Outlet Extender. The more compatible gadgets you have, the more you can do with this feature. If you’re an IFTTT subscriber, of course, you don’t necessarily need Tapo or TP-Link products to accomplish similar goals. TP-Link’s Tapo and Kasa Smart devices can operate together in the same smart home environment. Michael Brown/Foundry Further reading: This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart plugs. Should you buy a Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender? In terms of a multi-plug, the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender is a fine product. It expands any duplex outlet into three smart outlets and provides three more “dumb” outlets. You also get three fast-charging smart USB plugs. So far, so good. As a surge protector, on the other hand, it almost utterly fails. Not knowing when a surge protector can no longer protect attached devices from power surges is worse than not having surge protection in the first place. Whether smart or dumb, if Tapo’s Outlet Extender didn’t offer surge protection, you could at least plug a single-outlet surge protector into one of its outlets to power a sensitive device—a computer, for example—that you want to protect. That said, you should never daisy-chain surge protectors–i.e., plug one surge protector into another surge protector–as that has the potential to overload the electrical circuit to which they’re connected. An overloaded electrical circuit is a fire risk. Read...

For many of us, World Backup Day is a reminder that as protected as our data is, there’s always more we can do to safeguard it. If you aren’t utilizing the 3-2-1 rule – three copies, two storage types, and at least one offsite – then now is a great time to change that. One of the quickest and easiest ways to add an additional layer of data security is with a portable drive, like the WD My Passport® from Western Digital. Hard drives still have a very real place in the world of backups. The WD My Passport® drive offers masses of storage capacity in a compact, portable device, at a very fair price. That makes it a great option for augmenting your existing backups, or starting off on the right foot when it comes to protecting your data. The 1TB* model is priced at just $70, giving you all the space you need for expansive collections of work documents, precious family videos, and vacation photos. But that’s just the entry-level option. You can pack as much as 6TB into one of these miniature 2.5-inch drives – and for less than $200, too. View WD My Passport® Western Digital Storage that’s there when you need it The WD My Passport® is slim and lightweight, making it the kind of drive you can just slip in your pocket, or throw in your laptop carry case when you’re out and about. That way it’s always on hand when you make a precious memory, or finish an important piece of work, and you can create a localized backup straight away, with no hassle, wherever you are. In a recent survey, WD found that over 75% of respondents used the cloud for storage of some kind, but only 45% used external drives. With cloud storage pricing always on the rise and network connectivity making it questionable when and how you’ll have access to your backups, the WD My Passport® is a great way to ensure you have your data on hand when you need it. For sensitive, private data and files, you can leverage the built-in 256-bit AES encryption on Windows to add an additional layer of security. If you want extra coverage, each drive comes with Acronis® True Image™ for Western Digital which can provide automated backups in the cloud and locally, as well as protecting against ransomware for additional peace of mind. Speaking of peace of mind, WD My Passport® products are built with tried-and-true materials and components, and include a worry-free three-year warranty. Western Digital Back up data from all your devices You don’t just have to use it on your PC, though. Many models of the device including My Passport Ultra™ feature USB-C connectivity, allowing you to connect to a multitude of different types of devices, letting you back up your most important data from a wide range of sources. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface is plenty fast for the internal hard drive, letting you transfer data at up to 5 Gbps. That’s not SSD speed, but for an affordable, long-term external storage solution, it’s enough that you won’t be waiting long to back up your data. If you’re one of the near 25% responders to the WD survey who said they didn’t know how to back up their data, the WD My Passport® is the best place to start. It’s straightforward, easy to use, and affordable, letting you secure your data quickly and easily, without any ongoing subscription costs to worry about. Ultimately, the WD My Passport® portable HDD gives you the backup solution you need, in the manner you want it. It’s compact and lightweight enough to travel easily, connects to almost any device over USB-C, and is available in a range of models, designs, and capacities. Whether you have lots of data to store, or just a little, want a drive in classic silver, or a more eye catching red or blue, there’s an option for you. WD My Passport® is a great option for simple, worry-free external backups this World Backup Day. View WD My Passport® series * One terabyte (TB) is equal to one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less due to operating environment. Read...

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