Buying a game controller for your PC is a task fraught with uncertainty and confusion. While gaming on a console typically locks you into whatever stock controller came with the system (or a few alternatives), gaming on a PC opens up a much wider range of options to explore. Not sure where to begin? I’ll take you through it! Here’s the ultimate guide to buying a game controller for PC gaming. I’ll tell you all about the different types of controllers, their various pros and cons, the features you need to be aware of, and any caveats worth keeping in mind. Xbox controllers work well out of the box If you’re gaming on a Windows PC, Xbox controllers have some of the best out-of-the-box support available. Recent models made for the Xbox Series X and S work especially well with gaming PCs. Thiago Trevisan / IDG Most major game libraries, including Steam and Microsoft Game Pass, will recognize Xbox controllers natively. Inputs and controller overlays in games will show up accurately, just as if you were playing on an Xbox. Thiago Trevisan / IDG So, for many gamers, a basic no-frills Xbox controller will serve perfectly well for hours-long sessions. You’ll want to download the Xbox Accessories app, though, found in the Microsoft Store. This app allows you to make effortless customizations to your controller, adjust the LED lights, and update firmware. Which Xbox controller is best? The simplest choice is the standard Microsoft Xbox controller, which has an MSRP of $59.99 but can often be found for $50 or less. It’s widely available in over a dozen different color schemes. Thiago Trevisan / IDG Microsoft also offers the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller, which is a more expensive pro-level product. It comes with a carrying case and charging dock, along with the usual accessories needed for the controller. The biggest difference between the stock Xbox controller and the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller? Four paddles on the back, which can be remapped to other buttons and actions. This can make action-heavy games easier and more enjoyable, letting you keep your thumbs on the thumbsticks while your other fingers do most of the work. Thiago Trevisan / IDG The Xbox Elite Series 2 also offers trigger stops, which shorten the actuation distance of the left and right triggers so they’re quicker to respond. With a simple slide of the rear toggle, you can switch back and forth between standard and shortened trigger. While the Xbox Elite Series 2 has an MSRP of $179.99, it can often be found closer to $140 on sale. Microsoft also offers the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core version without accessories for $129.99 MSRP. You’ll need to buy the paddles and carrying case separately, but it’s essentially the same controller as the more expensive version. PlayStation controllers work, with caveats With the Sony PlayStation 5 outselling Microsoft Xbox consoles, it’s no surprise to see a sea of DualSense controllers out there. The great news here is that DualSense controllers work quite well on gaming PCs, but with a few more caveats than Xbox controllers. Thiago Trevisan / IDG For starters, the regular DualSense controller is priced a bit higher than the regular Xbox controller, with an MSRP of $74.99 that rarely goes on sale. Sony also offers a higher-end DualSense Edge controller for $199.99 MSRP, which offers more oomph for hardcore gamers. Sony DualShock controllers (for the PlayStation 4) also work on PC, and they’re priced more in line with regular Xbox controllers. Caveats to keep in mind Controller features may be spotty on PC, though. Some haptic feedback, like when you ride your horse, may only be felt when connected via USB cable. The controller’s speaker will also need to be cable-connected to work. Most other features work with Bluetooth, but note that DualSense controllers can only pair with one device at a time. That could be a pain point if you frequently switch between PS5 and PC. If you’re going to use a DualSense controller on PC, Steam is your best bet, with many games offering native DualSense support — just make sure to disable PlayStation controller support in Steam settings. That may sound counterintuitive, but it’ll give you the best results when playing games that natively support DualSense controllers. On other PC gaming platforms, such as Game Pass and Epic Games Store, your mileage may vary. You may need to use third-party tools, such as DualSenseX, to have it function properly. Which PlayStation controller is best? As with Xbox controllers, the basic no-frills Sony PS5 DualSense controller is more than enough for everyday gamers. The connection is easy to make, the ergonomics are comfortable, and the feel of it in your hand leads to an overall premium experience. Thiago Trevisan / IDG But the Sony DualSense Edge controller is one of the best pro-level controllers on the market. It adds two paddles on the back, plus extra accessories like a carrying case and USB cable lock. Much like the Xbox Elite Series 2, it also has adjustable-length triggers. One standout feature of the DualSense Edge is swappable thumbsticks, allowing you to change them out on demand, which comes in handy when they’re affected by stick drift. You can also customize your controller profiles using the PlayStation Accessories app. What about third-party controllers? As a PC gamer, you have access to an entire world of custom controllers that lean in both Xbox and DualSense directions. Scuf Scuf is one such brand. They have Instinct Pro controllers, which retail for $229.99 and are like the Xbox Elite Series 2. With ergonomic paddles on the back and mouse-click triggers, plus a familiar but tweaked Xbox feel and layout, it’s a satisfying controller to use. Thiago Trevisan / IDG Scuf also offers Reflex Pro controllers, which retail for $219.99 and take after the PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge. You get paddles, mouse-click triggers, non-slip grip, and more. These custom controllers work just as well on PC as the PlayStation 5, so if you have both, it’s an easy buy. Thiago Trevisan / IDG And then you have the Scuf Envision Pro controller, made exclusively for PC and usable via USB cable or wireless dongle. With rear paddles, mouse-click buttons, function keys, and customization via iCue software, it’s almost the perfect PC gaming controller. At $179.99, it’s right there alongside other pro controllers. PDP Some third-party controllers go even further, such as the PDP Victrix Pro Xbox controller. With interchangeable thumbsticks and a modular design, you can add a fight pad for fighting games while keeping the same ergonomic shape. It has multiple trigger stops, remappable back buttons, different D-pads, and connectivity via USB cable, Bluetooth, and wireless dongle. This one retails for $179.99 but has regular sales. Switch The Nintendo Switch Pro controller can connect to PCs via Bluetooth, but support may be spotty if you aren’t using Steam with Steam Input. With a retail price of $79.99, don’t expect it to be anywhere near as configurable as other pro-tier controllers. But if you have a Nintendo Switch, it’s nice to have one controller for both Switch and PC. Others You can use virtually any other gaming controller on your PC, especially ones that connect via Bluetooth, wireless dongle, or standard USB cables. While Xbox and PlayStation controllers are the most common, there are a few less common alternatives. Thiago Trevisan / IDG I can’t cover every third-party brand and product, but I will mention the Flydigi Vardar 4 Pro controller, which retails at $79.99. Featuring Hall effect thumbsticks and clicky buttons, it’s becoming one of the most affordable favorites among PC gamers. The more expensive Flydigi Apex 4 controller has extra bling like a built-in screen. Bluetooth vs. USB wireless vs. USB wired A wired connection is always the most stable option, but wireless gaming is very capable now — and more convenient. When it comes to wireless, you have two options: Bluetooth and USB wireless (2.4GHz). Bluetooth Bluetooth is nice because it’s ubiquitous and easy, as long as your PC has Bluetooth capabilities. You just pair the controller to your PC and it appears as one of many connected Bluetooth devices. Gaming performance is mostly fine, with some minor latency (due to the way Bluetooth works) that you may or may not feel. Even so, Bluetooth can be hit or miss. While gaming performance is good, connection issues are bound to occur. Bluetooth is prone to interference (which can cause lag or disconnections), and reconnecting a controller can be cumbersome. You might even have to re-pair it. Most modern controllers — including the Xbox Core, Xbox Elite Series 2, Sony DualSense, and Sony DualSense Edge — have Bluetooth functionality. It’s what makes them so widely compatible. USB wireless (2.4GHz) On Xbox consoles, Microsoft uses a proprietary wireless connection to pair controllers with Xbox consoles. Fortunately, you can plug a Microsoft-made USB wireless adapter into your PC to get the same functionality, although finding it on sale has been harder with time. Thiago Trevisan / IDG It’s my favorite way to connect Xbox controllers to a PC. You simply insert the USB adapter into a USB port, hold the pairing button on your Xbox controller, and then the button on the adapter itself. It pairs within seconds, and it can pair up to 8 different controllers at once. I’ve tested this with a variety of Xbox controllers and they all work perfectly. What about non-Xbox controllers? Many third-party controllers come with their own USB wireless dongles, assuming they support the tech. These aren’t as universally useful as Microsoft’s because they only pair with their respective controllers, but if you only have one controller, it’s fine. USB wired For controllers that don’t come with wireless dongles, like Sony’s DualSense, you’re stuck with either Bluetooth or USB wired. Not ideal because if Bluetooth ever starts acting up, you’ll be stuck tethering. Not that tethering is bad, mind you. With a wired connection, you’ll experience less input lag (i.e., less delay between pressing a button and seeing it happen on screen), and you’ll never randomly disconnect due to a spotty wireless signal or interference. That makes it a great — even preferred — option for esports and action-intense games. Plus, you never have to worry about pairing and re-pairing between devices. But the downside is obvious: you’re tethered. You can only go as far from your PC as your controller’s cable length. And that might be fine if you have a 10-foot USB cable, but could be a deal-breaker if you’re stuck with a short cable that prevents you from lounging while playing. What is controller stick drift? Stick drift is when a thumbstick loses integrity, causing the game you’re playing to think you’re moving the stick even when you aren’t touching it. These phantom inputs may cause your character or camera to move on their own. It’s usually due to wear and tear over time, but it can also be caused by dust or debris lodged within the controller. Stick drift is one of the biggest recurring issues in the modern world of gaming controllers. The Nintendo Switch (Joy-Cons and Pro), Xbox (Core and Elite), and PlayStation (DualShock and DualSense) have all seen user reports of stick drift to varying degrees. Lucky gamers can go for years without any stick drift while others may experience it within months of getting a new controller. What are Hall Effect thumbsticks? Unlike traditional thumbsticks, which use potentiometers to detect input, Hall effect thumbsticks use magnets and semiconductors. In a traditional controller, the potentiometer wears out from physical contact, friction, and resistance. With magnets, that isn’t so much of an issue. Thiago Trevisan / IDG The very first Hall effect controller was the stock Sega Dreamcast controller from 1998, but the technique didn’t really catch on until the 2020s — and you can now get Hall effect controllers for pretty cheap, like the GameSir G7 SE and the 8Bitdo Ultimate. Hall effect controllers are popular because they’re less susceptible to stick drift and have longer lifespans. Sadly, name-brand controllers by Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are all still based on potentiometers. If you want Hall effect, you have to go third-party. What are adaptive vs. adjustable triggers? Adaptive triggers are special trigger buttons that can change resistance on the fly, making them easier or harder to press for different things. For example, guns in Warframe feel different to shoot. Because adaptive triggers better simulate game interactions, they’re more immersive. Not to be confused with adjustable triggers, which allow you to change how far you need to press the trigger for it to activate. On supporting controllers, you can switch between short and long throws, with shorter triggers useful in games that demand fast reaction times. Many custom controllers have adjustable triggers, but DualSense adaptive triggers are rare because Sony owns the patent to them. You might see them as features in higher-end models like the Flydigi Apex 4 and Scuf Reflex, but these won’t feel exactly the same as what you get in official DualSense controllers. You can mod your own controllers If you like building PCs, you can build your own controllers, too. I’ve done it myself using readily available parts from eXtremeRate. To be clear, I’m not talking about putting a controller together from scratch. But you can take an old or broken DualSense controller, for example, and switch out the thumbsticks for Hall effect sticks or add paddle buttons to the back of it. And you don’t need soldering skills for most modifications. (Changing out sticks does involve soldering.) A full guide on how to do this and what you can potentially do is beyond the scope of this article. Just know that it’s possible! You have many options, so explore them With Steam, you can use almost any controller you want. It comes down to how comfortable it is and what features you need. You can use stock Xbox or DualSense controllers, which are fine choices. You can go with third-party alternatives, especially if you want Hall effect sticks or non-DualSense adaptive triggers. Between Bluetooth, wireless dongles, and USB cables, you have options — but you’ll have the best out-of-the-box experience with Steam, so keep that in mind. The takeaway is, gaming on a PC doesn’t mean you have to use a keyboard and mouse, and there are plenty of excellent controllers that can give you the console experience on your gaming rig. You should now know enough to buy a PC game controller that you’ll love. Further reading: PCs vs. consoles? The future looks blurrier than ever Read...

New Galaxy A series smartphones bring first-ever Awesome Intelligence, advanced camera features and enhanced durability. Read...

TV antennas aren’t just for cord-cutters looking to cut back on the cost of TV entertainment. A good TV antenna will bring in anywhere from 20 to more than 100 channels, depending on where you live. The stations are free, don’t require a broadband connection (with the exception of some ATSC 3.0 channels using encryption), and boast higher resolution and picture quality than cable or streaming options like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. But not all antennas are created equal, and there are big differences between indoor and outdoor models. Indoor antennas are supremely convenient, if not always aesthetically pleasing, but a rooftop antenna is always better than one in your home’s attic, which is always better than one that’s installed indoors. Need more guidance on how to choose the right TV antenna for your needs? Follow the in-depth guide at the preceding link before you shop. Why you should trust us TechHive’s editors and writers have been using and testing TV antennas for decades. Martyn Williams has relied on broadcast TV since he cut pay TV more than 12 years ago. He is a licensed amateur radio operator and understands the principles of antenna design, reception, and interference. Our antenna evaluations are performed in a real-world location and rely on signal level and quality measurements across all TV stations. Each time we test a new antenna, we retest a competitor to ensure our comparison takes current reception conditions into consideration. #id67cb43695861c .jw-wrapper::before { content: `` !important; } What is the best TV antenna – Top picks in indoor and outdoor TV antennas Channel Master Flatenna 35 — Best budget-priced indoor TV antenna Pros Very low price Well made U.S.-based customer support Cons Won’t do much for your living-room décor Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Channel Master $20 View Deal $35 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $20 at Channel Master$35 at Amazon Why we like the Channel Master Flatenna 35 The Channel Master Flatenna 35 TV antenna delivers good performance at a low price, provided you live in an area with good local TV signals. It’s a simple matter to install and connect it, so the only thing you need to do is find a good location for it. Who should buy the Channel Master Flatenna 35 If you live close to TV broadcast towers, want to watch the major networks, and don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Channel Master Flatenna 35 TV antenna is a good choice. Read our full Channel Master Flatenna 35 (model No. CM-4001HDBW) review Winegard FlatWave Amped — Best flexible amplified indoor TV antenna Pros Strong reception, clear picture quality Amplifier contributes to good range Amplifier can be powered by a wall wart or your TV’s USB port Cons Not the best-looking thing to have on your wall or window Excess cable can get messy quick Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $59.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $59.99 at Amazon Why we like the Winegard FlatWave Amped Winegard’s FlatWave Amped delivers great performance for an indoor antenna. It’s small, lightweight, and includes an amplifier, so should work well in areas that enjoy good local TV signals. Who should buy the Winegard FlatWave Amped If you live in an urban area with TV broadcast towers nearby, the Winegard FlatWave Amped is a good choice for indoor TV reception. Read our full Winegard FlatWave Amplified (model FL-5500A) review Televes Bexia — Best rigid amplified indoor TV antenna Pros Internal amplifier boosts signal level Stable reception Amplifier can be powered from one of your TV’s USB ports Cons Lower performance with VHF frequencies Larger design could make it difficult to hide Why we like the Televes Bexia The Televes Bexia is one the best indoor TV antennas we’ve tested, capable of pulling in signals from medium-power broadcast towers whether resting on its fold-out stand on a piece of furniture or mounted to a wall. Its onboard antenna can be powered by one of the USB ports on your TV or with a USB wall wart if your TV doesn’t have a free port. Who should buy the Televes Bexia If you live in an apartment or just don’t want to install a TV antenna on your roof, the Televes Bexia will do an excellent job of pulling in live TV signals. You won’t even need to aim it as it will automatically adjust its level of amplification for each channel as needed. Read our full Televes Bexia review RCA Multi-Directional TV Antenna (model ANTD8E) — Best rigid indoor TV antenna, runner-up Pros Good reception of most local channels Inline amplifier to boost reception Attractive industrial design for indoor use Cons The antenna’s wide base gives it a large footprint (the stand can be removed if you prefer to hang the antenna) Poor reception of low-power and distant channels Best Prices Today: Retailer Price RCA $59.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $59.99 at RCA Why we like the RCA ANTD8E Multi-Directional TV Antenna Here’s more proof that indoor TV antennas don’t need to look hideous. The RCA ANTD8E features an inline amplifier that helps it pull in strong broadcast signals, and its cloth-covered form factor will help it blend with your home’s furniture. Who should buy the RCA ANTD8E Multi-Directional TV Antenna If you don’t like the plastic design of the Televes Bexia, RCA’ fabric-wrapped device is an excellent alternative. And it can be placed on an entertainment credenza or mounted to a wall. Read our full RCA Multi-Directional TV Antenna (model ANTD8E) review Ultra-Vizion Transparent — Least visually intrusive indoor antenna Pros Less-intrusive see-through design Reliable reception of local TV channels Long antenna cable Cons Not effective for weaker signals, even with its amplifier Older design could suffer interference from 5G signals Why we like the Ultra-Vizion Transparent Indoor Amplified antenna The Ultra-Vizion Transparent Indoor Amplified antenna works well for local TV reception in areas of strong signals, and its transparent design is much more pleasing to the eye than the competition. Who should buy the Ultra-Vizion Transparent Indoor Amplified antenna The Ultra-Vizion Transparent will work well in areas with strong signals, but it’s mostly for people who want to watch over-the-air broadcasts without don’t seeing a TV antenna taped to their wall or window. Read our full Ultra-Vizion Transparent Indoor Amplified TV Antenna review Televes Dat Boss Mix LR (model 149884) — Best roof-mount TV antenna Pros Strong, sensitive reception Built-in 5G filter Built-in amplifier and indoor distribution amp Cons Large physical size Assembly can be confusing Not designed to tune in low-VHF signals Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $179.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $179.95 at Amazon Why we like the Televes Dat Boss Mix LR The Televes Dat Boss Mix LR (model 149884) is the best outdoor TV antenna we’ve tested, and a year after our initial test, it remains on my house thanks to its consistently reliable and strong performance. It delivered an excellent performance, pulling in strong signals from local and distant TV towers where reception ranges from good to poor. Who should buy the Televes Dat Boss Mix LR If you’re able to install an antenna on your roof, the Televes Dat Boss Mix LR is an excellent choice. It should provide strong, interference-free reception for years to come. Read our full Televes Dat Boss Mix LR (model 149884) review Antennas Direct DB8e — Best roof-mount TV antenna, runner-up Pros Good reception of weak signals Antennas can be pointed in two different directions Easy to assemble Cons Large size requires a strong mount Not designed to receive VHF TV stations Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $123.61 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $123.61 at Amazon Why we like the Antennas Direct DB8e The Antennas Direct DB8e’s reception is as impressive as its looks. This is a large, heavy antenna that’s cleverly designed to receive weak signals with two antenna arrays. In areas of better reception, in can point to towers located in different directions. Who Should Buy the Antennas Direct DB8e The Antennas Direct DB8e is particularly suited for people in areas where TV stations are available from two locations far apart, as each reception array can be pointed in a different direction. Read our full Antennas Direct DB8e review Winegard Elite 7550 — Best attic/outdoor TV antenna Pros Good reception of strong to medium level signals on UHF and VHF-High Inline amplifier helps boost signals Suitable for attic or outdoor mounting Cons Plastic mounting bracket feels a little cheap Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $139.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $139.95 at Amazon Why we like the Winegard Elite 7550 Despite its smaller size, the Winegard Elite 7550 immediately impressed with its ability to pick up more broadcast channels than most of the competition at higher signal levels. It has a built-in amplifier and performed well on both VHF-High and UHF broadcast bands. Who Should Buy the Winegard Elite 7550 The Winegard Elite 7550 is a good choice for anyone who cannot have a rooftop antenna but wants to pull in the maximum number of channels in their area. It will work well mounted on the side of a house, on a balcony, or in an attic. Read our full Winegard Elite 7550 review Antennas Direct Clearstream 4 Max — Best attic/outdoor TV antenna, runner-up Pros Good reception of strong to medium level signals on UHF and VHF-High Multidirectional reception for areas with transmitters in different locations Sturdy mount with mounting hardware for attic or outdoor installation Cons No built-in amplifier, so you might need one for weaker channels Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $149.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket $149.99 at Amazon Why We Like the Antennas Direct Clearstream 4 Max The Clearstream 4 Max is a little larger than our top-ranked choice and wasn’t quite as good at pulling in stations, but it’s still a solid antenna. We liked its distinctive double figure-eight design and that it can receive signals from different directions, which is useful if you live in an area with broadcast towers in multiple locations. Who Should Buy the Antennas Direct Clearstream 4 Max The Antennas Direct Clearstream 4 Max will work well in areas where TV signals are strong to moderate and come from more than one direction. Read our full Antennas Direct Clearstream 4 Max review How TechHive tests TV antennas TechHive tests TV antennas in a location in Northern Viriginia, in the Washington, D.C. metro area. (Until 2020, we tested in the San Francisco Bay Area, so you might see references to that location in older reviews). This location receives strong signals from local TV stations, but presents several challenges: There are a large number of trees around to influence reception; some of the independent D.C. TV stations are weak and difficult to receive; and channels from the distant Baltimore market can only be received with good antennas. Indoor antennas are tested indoors, and outdoor antennas are tested mounted out of doors. Each time we test a new antenna, we retest our current top pick to ensure a fair benchmark based on current reception conditions. We use a HD HomeRun set-top box to scan for channels and record the number of RF channels received by each antenna, their strength, and quality. Each RF channel carries a number of digital stations, but the number is different per channel and can change, so just counting the number of stations received isn’t a reliable measurement. We scan several times and adjust the direction of the antenna on some rescans. Our top picks are the antennas that receive the largest number of stations with the highest signal level in both the UHF (channels 14 through 51) and VHF-High (channels 7 through 13) bands, which are the primary TV broadcast bands. A word about NextGen TV All the antennas we test are suitable for reception of NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) signals. In fact, the new broadcast standard promises more reliable reception, which should help antenna users. In our Northern Virginia location, there are three NextGen TV transmitters within reach at differing power levels, so these add to the depth of our tests. The new format also promises some interactive and streaming functionality, and many channels employ digital rights management (DRM) encryption, so you’ll also need an broadband connection if you want to enjoy many of the channels. Most TVs and some set-top boxes support encryption and interactive functions; verify the one you’re considering has that feature before you buy it. Other notable TV antennas we’ve reviewed Antennas Direct 91XG: This UHF-only rooftop antenna is great at pulling in weak signals. Televes Ellipse Mix: This is a great choice for areas with medium strength signal reception. In our tests it brought in TV stations with a strong, stable signal and is a good choice for anyone looking for a smaller antenna. Channel Master Pro-Model CM-1776: Here’s a very well-made device that will look good on any house or apartment and is suitable for use in areas of high to medium signal strength. Channel Master Smartenna+: This in-home TV antenna features a built-in tuner that adjusts to pull in the maximum number of channels possible. Clearstream Horizon: A good-looking indoor TV antenna with a companion signal amplifier. It performed well in our tests and should work in areas of good to moderate signals. GE Enlighten HD Antenna with Bias LED Lighting: This antenna neatly combines an indoor antenna and bias lighting in a single package, but one feature limits the utility of the other. Mohu Curve: This antenna is prettier than many, and it’s very inexpensive; unfortunately, it’s just not very powerful. Read...

A decade after the Portege laptop exited the consumer market, it’s back — and with a user-replaceable battery, too. On Friday, Dynabook — which, as Sharp, took over Toshiba’s PC business in 2018 and then renamed itself — announced the Portege Z40L-N, a $1,699 laptop based upon the Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor. The laptops ship immediately, in fixed “EZ-Buy” configurations as well as Built-to-Order models that are configurable. The Z40L-N is a business laptop, and for the last decade Dynabook has sold its Portege, Tecra, and Satellite Pro laptops exclusively to commercial customers. As of today, that’s changed, and anyone can buy a Dynabook laptop at the company’s website. The Z40L-N is built inside a magnesium chassis, with a conventional mix of features such as the integrated NPU inside the Core Ultra 5 226V on up to the Core Ultra 7 268V (with vPro). Users have the option of either 16GB or 32GB of LPDDR5 memory and storage up to 2TB, all behind a 14-inch 1920×1200 screen and powered by a 65Wh battery. It’s not clear if users will be able to source a replacement battery from the Dynabook store, but the company is explicitly marketing it as user-replaceable, significantly increasing its lifespan. Dynabook The laptop is equipped with two Thunderbolt ports, and Dynabook will sell a variety of docks and other accessories to accompany it. The laptop will ship with a three-year warranty for the prebuilt EZ-Buy models and a four-year warranty for Built-to-Order devices. Read...

For the most part, we’re fans of Roku’s friendly, intuitive remotes, and particularly the ones that have voice capabilities. But there’s a sticking point—four of them, actually—when it comes to the Roku remote: the quartet of buttons at the bottom stamped with the logos of popular streaming services. What are Roku ‘quick shortcut’ buttons? Those so-called “quick shortcut” buttons let you jump to streamers such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video with a single button push—convenient, if you happen to subscribe to those services. The reality is that most of us aren’t subscribed to four streamers at once, or if we are, they aren’t necessarily the services slapped on those quick shortcut buttons (and yes, streamers do pay Roku for the privilege of getting their logos on the shortcuts). In any case, let’s cut to the chase: No, you can’t reprogram Roku’s quick shortcut buttons yourself. You can disable them, so long as you’re comfortable getting a screwdriver and physically prying the remote open, but you can’t otherwise change their functionality. What are Roku ‘personal shortcut’ buttons? That said, Roku does offer some remotes that come with “personal” shortcuts that you can program yourself. The original Roku Voice Remote Pro boasts two personal shortcut buttons that sit just above those branded shortcut buttons; they’re stamped with a “1” and “2” respectively. These programmable shortcuts essentially let you record any voice command—including, say, “Open Max”—which you can execute later by pressing one button or the other. Meanwhile, the second-generation Voice Remote Pro has just one personal shortcut button with two personalization slots. It requires an extra click compared to the first-generation remote, but it works in more or less the same way. Which Roku players come with remotes that have personal shortcut buttons? The newer, second-generation Voice Remote Pro (the one with just one personal shortcut button) comes bundled with the latest Roku Ultra player, which was released in 2024 and offers such improvements as backlit buttons. You can also purchase the new Voice Remote Pro on its own for $30. Jared Newman / Foundry The original Roku Voice Remote Pro lacks the newer version’s backlit keys and its rechargeable battery has a tad less capacity, but it comes with two personal shortcut buttons rather than just one, thus saving you a click. The older Voice Remote Pro is available direct from Roku for $30. Then there’s the Enhanced Voice Remote, which drops some Voice Remote Pro features (such as a rechargeable battery and headphone jack) but retains the two programmable shortcuts buttons. Ben Patterson/Foundry The Enhanced Voice Remote came bundled with some older Roku hardware (such as the 2022 Roku Ultra and the discontinued Roku Streambar Pro) and is not available on its own. A final Roku remote that has personal shortcut buttons is the legacy Roku Touch tabletop remote, which is no longer available for separate purchase. So, ready to start programming your Roku remote’s personal shortcuts? There are two ways to do it. Buy the Roku Voice Remote Pro on Amazon Option 1: Start with a voice command  The first way to create a personal shortcut on your Roku remote is by starting with a voice command.  Press the microphone button on the remote and say a command. It could be anything from “open Pandora” to “launch Paramount+” to “show me comedies” and “look for thriller movies.” If you’re here, though, you probably want to program a shortcut to a streaming service.  Ben Patterson/Foundry Next, wait for your Roku player to run the voice command.  Press and hold the personal shortcut button to which you’d like to assign the command.  Once you press and hold a personal shortcut button, an overlay will appear on the bottom of the screen that reads “Select an option below for shortcut 1”–assuming, for the sake of example, you pressed the “1” button on the original Voice Remote Pro, or if you selected the first personal shortcut slot on the second-gen Voice Remote Pro. Using the remote’s arrow buttons, scroll the cursor to the right and select Last voice command. After a second or so, a confirmation message will appear.  Ben Patterson/Foundry Option 2: Start with a shortcut button  A second way to assign a function to a Roku personal shortcut is to start by pressing and holding a shortcut button.  When you do, an overlay will appear at the bottom of the screen with a variety of options, including Channel (for launching a streaming service like Netflix or Apple TV+), The Roku Channel, the Live TV Guide, a sleep timer, or enabling closed captions.  Ben Patterson/Foundry Go ahead and click the option you want to assigned to the personal shortcut you pressed and held.  You’ll now see an overlay that confirms the option you picked for the personal shortcut. If you’re satisfied, just wait for the countdown to finish, or click the Back button for a do-over.  Ben Patterson/Foundry Speaking of a do-over, if you ever want to reprogram a personal shortcut on your Roku remote, just repeat the steps above.  Further reading: Don’t miss TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best media streamers. Read...

Listen, it’s time to upgrade that power strip of yours, okay? I know you’ve had it for years and I know it’s been reliable thus far, but don’t you want something more modern? Something that offers protection against surges and supports over a dozen plugged-in devices? You can’t deny that Anker’s 15-in-1 surge protector is awesome — and right now it’s on sale for $22 on Amazon. That’s a lovely 27 percent discount off, matching its best-ever sale price. Anker is a well-known brand when it comes to charging solutions, and this power strip is another winner in their lineup. It has a clean design with 12 AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C port with 20W max output, which is enough to fast-charge most phones. The outlets have an optimized layout, too, so you can plug in various bricks and plugs without them getting in each other’s way. And with all the built-in safety features, your devices will be protected against power surges and overloads. While this one has a 5-foot cord, there’s also a 10-foot variety on sale for $28. But if you don’t need the extra length, this Anker power surge protector is an absolute bargain for just $22 on Amazon! Safely charge up to 15 devices at once for just $22Buy now at Amazon Read...

As Microsoft Word and PowerPoint continually improve their feature sets, the two apps are slowly strangling one of Microsoft’s traditional Office apps: Microsoft Publisher. Microsoft now says that Microsoft Publisher will disappear in October 2026, where the (ahem) “perpetual version” of Publisher will be discontinued — at least in terms of support. At that time, Publisher will also be removed from Microsoft 365 and subscribers will not be able to access it from that date forward. If you’re a Publisher fan, Microsoft is throwing you a lifeline: You can download and use Publisher via M365 until the 2026 cutoff date. You can also buy Publisher. Even after the October 2026 date comes and goes, the perpetual version will still work, and you’ll be able to open and edit your Publisher files. But the app won’t be officially supported, so in the off chance that a vulnerability crops up, Microsoft won’t patch it. Microsoft won’t be adding any new features, either. Why is Microsoft doing this? Its support page (thanks, Windows Latest) suggests an answer: Because Word and PowerPoint are doing everything Publisher does. Microsoft is now referring Publisher users to use Word for such projects as envelopes or letterhead, and either Word or PowerPoint for designing your own business cards. Microsoft also recommends that Microsoft 365 subscribers convert their existing Publisher (.pub) files to some other format before the end-of-life date kicks in. To do so, Microsoft suggests a somewhat laborious process: Convert all Publisher files to PDFs by opening the file and then saving it in a .pdf format. You can then open the document in Word (or PowerPoint) and save it in the native format. The only problem? The layout may change. Microsoft suggests creating a macro to do this if you have years’ worth of Publisher files. And you just might. Wikipedia reports that Publisher was released in 1991, which means that the end-of-life date will be 35 years after it was first released, and later added to the Office 365/Microsoft 365 suite…where many people just used Word instead. RIP, Publisher. I hardly knew ye. Read...

With Thunderbird version 136 for Windows, macOS, and Linux, Mozilla is officially launching a new desktop release channel, which will now be the standard deployment channel for updates. As with Mozilla’s Firefox browser, there will be monthly updates that include new features and improvements along with bug fixes and closed security flaws. Thunderbird’s current version number will correspond to Firefox’s current version number. In Thunderbird 136, the developers have eliminated at least 11 security vulnerabilities, which are documented in Mozilla’s 2025-17 Security Advisory, of which four vulnerabilities are reported as “high” risk. Thunderbird inherits most of the vulnerabilities in Firefox’s code, but since script execution is disabled when reading emails, it’s very unlikely for most vulnerabilities to be exploitable in Thunderbird. Switching to the new release channel Mozilla wants to encourage as many Thunderbird users as possible to switch to the new release channel. New users are offered this channel as the default download, and anyone who wants to use the previous Thunderbird ESR version must look for it specifically. If you’re an ESR user who wants to switch to the new release channel, you must first download the Thunderbird 136 installer. Before you install it, make sure to save your user profile in case something goes wrong. (It probably won’t, though.) Then, install Thunderbird 136 in the same directory as your existing Thunderbird version. Thunderbird ESR will continue to exist The current long-term version is Thunderbird 128 ESR (Extended Service Release) and it’ll continue to get security updates until September 2025. At that point, ESR releases will continue with Thunderbird 140 ESR. The ESR channel for more conservative users, including companies and public authorities, who prioritize stability over new features and improvements. Thunderbird ESR releases get monthly security updates, and the version numbers follow Firefox ESR. In the latest update for Thunderbird 128 ERS (versino 128.8.0esr), the developers have closed at least 10 security vulnerabilities. Mozilla classifies one of them as “critical”: CVE-2024-43097 is caused by an integer overflow in the open-source 2D graphics library Skia. The other fixed flaws are largely the same as in Thunderbird 136. End of support for old desktop PCs Unlike Firefox, there is no legacy Thunderbird version for Windows 7 and 8.1 or macOS 10.12 to 10.14 with up-to-date security updates. Thunderbird 115.18.0esr from December 2024 is officially the last version still supported on those older operating systems. Then there’s Thunderbird Mobile, which has been available since November 2024. Mozilla acquired the open-source K-9 Mail app and its two main developers in 2023. Since then, they’ve been working on transforming K-9 Mail into Thunderbird Mobile. You can switch from K-9 to Thunderbird Mobile, but there are no plans to allow switching in the opposite direction. The current version is Thunderbird Mobile 9.0 released in March 2025. While Thunderbird Mobile is currently for Android only, an iOS version is planned. Read...

This is not a drill, folks! There’s an OLED gaming monitor you can buy, right now, for money, and it’s pretty darn cheap at $399.99. Amazon is selling this Pixio 27-inch 1440p OLED for $499.99 with a $100 on-page coupon, no Prime membership needed. That brings the final price to (tap tap tap, carry the one…) four hundred bucks. That’s a solid $200 less than even budget-tier OLEDs outside of the big annual sales events, and it matches the cheapest price I’ve ever seen for a new OLED monitor (back during Black Friday last year). And unlike a lot of the more affordable OLED models, this Pixio OLED has a few premium features, including a speedy 240Hz panel, USB-C video with 65 watts of charging for laptops, and an integrated KVM switch. To be sure, Pixio is definitely a few steps down the ladder in terms of brand reputation. (And it doesn’t help that they’ve vomited AI art all over their promo images, yuck.) I also wouldn’t take the 4.5-star rating on the Amazon listing at face value, since this is a combination listing with an older LCD design. That said, the few reviews I saw from confirmed OLED buyers were very positive. According to Pixio’s website, this monitor comes with a three-year warranty against OLED burn-in specifically. That matches the major OLED brands, so take that for what it’s worth. I’ll add that you could throw in an extra 3-year warranty on the Amazon page for $61 and still be well below the price for any other new OLED monitor on the market right now. If you’ve weighed all the pros and cons and have decided you want this, get your order in quickly. I’ve seen steeply discounted OLED gaming monitors go out of stock faster than you can refresh the page. This 27-inch OLED gaming monitor for $400 is an absolute stealBuy now at Amazon Read...

Phishing is a favorite tactic of scammers because so many people fall for it. There are many types of phishing scams, but one of the more recent takes is deepfake phishing, in which scammers use convincing AI-generated videos of people you know (e.g., your boss) to get you to give up sensitive information or send money over. YouTube recently issued a warning that scammers are spreading AI-generated deepfake videos to Creators, claiming there’s been a change in the site’s monetization policy. One such video impersonates YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, who appears to be announcing those changes. Scammers are also allegedly sending emails asking recipients to click on a link to “confirm” these updated YouTube Partner Program terms and conditions. The link actually leads to a fake login page (“studio.youtube-plus.com”) designed to steal user credentials. To create a sense of urgency, the scammers threaten that the recipient’s account will be restricted within seven days if they don’t confirm the changes. The stated restrictions include prohibitions on uploading videos, editing existing videos, and receiving revenue. In the announcement, YouTube makes it clear that the company never shares information via private videos and that all such videos are scam attempts. As such, users are urged not to click on unsolicited links in emails or otherwise, as they may lead to scams and/or malware. “Imposters are actively trying to impersonate YouTube by exploiting the platform’s features to spread malicious content,” Google writes, advising users to be cautious and avoid unknown links and files. Further reading: These exotic phishing scams are on the rise Read...