Computers

Chromebooks —inexpensive laptops running Google’s Chrome OS— have proven to be extremely popular. Chromeboxes arrived after the portable versions but they’re now beginning to gain traction too. One of the most eagerly anticipated Chromeboxes is now available at Best Buy. Read on to see what my experience using the Asus Chromebox PC was like and whether this Windows PC alternative might be a good fit for you.

 You may not know how to keep your computer protected from malware and viruses. You may not be aware that is something you need to do no matter what type of computer you have. You may even not be aware of what those things are in the first place. Don’t worry. Today we’ll take a look at some basic steps you can take to get your system secure.

Wireless routers are the unsung heroes of the home Wi-Fi experience. We tend to buy them, set them up, then forget about them. Yet the performance of that network isn’t just a matter of the speed you get from your ISP, it has everything to do with that wireless router. If you haven’t updated yours in a few years or you’re lucky enough to have devices using the new 802.11ac Wi-Fi spec, it may be time for an upgrade. And the Linksys AC1900 Smart Wi-Fi wireless router would be a solid choice. After replacing my own wireless router with the Linksys for a week, I came away impressed with its performance and network management tools —and I don’t even have anything that takes advantage of its 802.11ac capabilities.

Sometimes the very power source that runs your computer can destroy it. Even small electrical surges can damage computers and a large one can completely fry a PC or even cause electronics to catch fire. Here’s how you protect your PC from becoming a power surge casualty.

Available in a wide range of sizes and form factors, with all the connectivity and performance options you need, there’s a desktop PC for any budget and need.

 If you’re at all curious about setting up a multiple display workstation to help you spread out your work and entertainment across multiple screens then today is your day as we take a look at the basics to get you started.

   Is your computer crawling along at a snail’s pace when you boot it up? Avoid the aggravation, save yourself some time, and try these tips to bring your machine back up to speed.

Intel doesn’t usually get involved in PC manufacturing. Components —especially the CPUs that power computers and mobile devices— are its bread and butter. But with the NUC (or Next Unit of Computing), Intel is going most of the way towards offering its own, intel-branded PC. I say most of the way because what you get out of an Intel NUC box isn’t a functioning PC, but a kit that provides much of what you need to build a capable computer, in a tiny package. Lacking essentials like storage, RAM, Wi-Fi card and an operating system, the Intel NUC is about as barebones as retail PCs get, yet its elegant design and powerful CPU make for a very capable little mini PC —once you assemble the pieces you need and install them.

I’ve rarely had a virus scanner come to me on a USB stick before and certainly not one that functioned on its own through it anyway. The FixMeStick looks to break the software wall by taking its virus scanning to hardware form. With a system that work independently from your operating system, you’re promised a unique and cleaner scanning experience. You should be able to catch things your OS-based scanner couldn’t and help flag down the problems plaguing your user experience. But does it work like it should? Read on to find out more about FixMeStick and some of the benefits (and problems) I experienced.

Tech accessories make excellent stocking stuffer gifts. These products are great for anyone who has a PC laptop and they'll fit in a stocking too.