Computers

When you’re looking for ways to boost productivity, technology is often the knee-jerk response. Get a faster PC and I’ll be able to work faster. What’s often overlooked is ergonomics. Setting up your office to so that it takes ergonomic design into account can pay huge benefits in increased productivity, while also helping to prevent injuries.

Laptops are a hot product right now as high school, college and university students start preparing for back to school. Best Buy has hundreds to choose from and I’ve already dished on five of my favourites. Now it’s time to leverage the power of Best Buy’s website, through the customer ratings and comments left by people who have bought specific laptops. We’ve combed through the ratings and put together another list of five laptop computers, this time based on your feedback. Without further ado, here are five of the best laptops on the market, as chosen by Best Buy customers.

 Gamers love mechanical keyboards like the Razer BlackWidow Expert. The precision of mechanical switches is a big advantage in high stakes video games, but you don’t have to be fighting off a pack of feral ghouls in Far Harbor to appreciate what mechanical keyboards have to offer. In fact, I use one every day where it is unbeatable at the decidedly more mundane task of writing.

 Microsoft Office has been around longer than most of its users and it keeps getting better.  In fact you may be surprised at how many different applications are included. Stream the live Facebook event with experts from Microsoft and Best Buy so you can learn about how many different things you can now do with Office 365. Ask questions during the event and you may win a fantastic prize, including a new Surface Pro 4 computer.

Apple unveiled a new lineup of Mac computers, including laptops and desktops, all of which will run on the new M3 chip.

Apple computers have played an important role in many people’s education for many years. In recent years, that emphasis has grown to include digital offerings like iTunes U —complete university courses offered through an app— and iBook textbooks for the iPad. Despite the advances in providing educationally focused digital content, Apple’s computers remain at the heart of its offerings. With so many choices, how do you know which one is the right choice for you? Should you pick an iPad or a MacPro? I will walk you through the options to help you buy the right Apple computer for your needs this year.  

How would you define a “cool” tech gift? There are many ways, but by most definitions—including unlocking all new capabilities and breathing new life into a favourite device—a new component for your desktop computer definitely makes the cool gift list.

When it comes to cars, a convertible is one with a roof that protects occupants from the weather while offering a top-free ride in the summer sunshine. When it comes to PCs, convertible laptops mean something a little different. These are PCs that combine the best of two different experiences —the laptop and the tablet— in a single device. And like a convertible (the car), a convertible laptop accomplishes this trick through some clever hardware design. Convertible laptops aren’t for everyone, but if you’re a fan of mobile computing and you’d love to have a tablet along for the ride without the extra weight (and expense); or if you wish your tablet had a keyboard and trackpad, a convertible laptop may be the ideal device for you.  

Everyone uses their PCs differently. Some users employ multiple monitors to segregate various applications and windows as well as have some dedicated space for running email or social media applications. Some users with only one display can use virtual desktops to be more productive.

 Like most people, I was initially confounded by the switch to USB Type-C. The new charging and connectivity platform is appearing in newer smartphones, tablets and notebook PCs as a way to make devices sleeker, more versatile and help them to charge a lot faster. Is this really the one port to rule them all?