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Tag: computers

  • Time’s Up on Windows 10. Upgrade to Windows 11 With One of These Laptops

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    You’ll want to read our extensive guide on How to Choose the Right Laptop, but for the basics, you’ll want to decide what category of laptop you need. Most people should buy a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop, and spending around $750-$1,000 is a good place to start. You should expect a laptop around this price to get good battery life, have a decent screen, perform well enough for basic tasks, and have a comfortable keyboard and touchpad. You should also expect at least 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. Anything more than that gets into premium territory where you’re paying for higher specs, more performance, or extra features. If you want something with a discrete GPU for either gaming or creative workflows, you’ll need to spend more than this.

    A laptop like the Dell 14 Plus is the ideal example of what you can get while shopping in this price range. You can even find laptops with OLED panels, up to one terabyte of storage, depending on how good discounts happen to be. I would consider anything under $750 to be a cheap laptop, and will therefore come with some significant compromises, especially around the quality of the panel and the touchpad. Fortunately, laptops that use the Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip get great battery life, despite often falling under $750 in price.

    Here’s a list of important specs to consider:

    CPU: For thin and light laptops, I would recommend one of the Snapdragon X, X Plus, or X Elite chips. They get the best battery life and performance for their class of laptop. As an alternative, the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is also quite good.

    GPU: As of now, the Intel’s Lunar Lake chips, such as the Core Ultra 7 258V, have the best integrated graphics. For discrete options, you’ll want to pick something with one of the latest Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs, such as the RTX 5060. The biggest leap in performance there is between the RTX 5070 and the RTX 5070 Ti, which increases VRAM to 12 GB.

    RAM (or memory): Stick with at least 16 GB if you can. Since the advent of the Copilot+ designation, it ha become the new standard. You’ll even find laptops as cheap as $600 that have 16 GB of memory. Gamers and content creators should upgrade to 32 GB if possible.

    Storage: Similar to memory, many laptops have moved to 512 GB as the new standard, and you’ll find lots of affordable laptops with 512 GB as the base configuration. Upgrading to one or two terabytes, where possible, will make your life that much easier, especially since many laptops don’t offer expandable storage.

    Display: Laptops are usually categorized by screen size, with 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch being the most common. You’ll want to consider size, resolution, refresh rate, and panel type here.

    Portability: Outside of display size, thickness of the chassis and weight are the primary factors here, determining how portable a laptop is to travel with. Other dimensions are important too, but more often than not, that is determined by the screen size.

    Ports: Many laptops are limited to just USB-C and headphone jack these days, with some exceptions where USB-A or HDMI are included. Make sure your laptop has what you need, or else you’ll need a USB Hub or laptop docking station to get more ports or to increase external display support.

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    Luke Larsen

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  • Dutch Government Takes Control of Chip Maker From Chinese Parent

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    The Dutch government wrested control of a Netherlands-based semiconductor company from its Chinese owner, a new flare-up in tensions between China and the West over key technologies and materials.

    Officials at the Dutch Economic Affairs Ministry said Sunday that they had assumed the power to block or reverse decisions at Nexperia 600745 -10.00%decrease; red down pointing triangle, which is owned by China’s Wingtech Technology, to keep Europe from losing “technological knowledge and capabilities” necessary for its economic security.

    Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

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    Sam Schechner

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  • Programming in Assembly Is Brutal, Beautiful, and Maybe Even a Path to Better AI

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    Rollercoaster Tycoon wasn’t the most fashionable computer game out there in 1999. But if you took a look beneath the pixels—the rickety rides, the crowds of hungry, thirsty, barfing people (and the janitors mopping in their wake)—deep down at the level of the code, you saw craftsmanship so obsessive that it bordered on insane. Chris Sawyer, the game’s sole developer, wrote the whole thing in assembly.

    Certain programming languages, like Python or Go or C++, are called “high-level” because they work sort of like human language, written in commands and idioms that might fit in at a poetry slam. Generally speaking, a piece of software like a compiler transforms this into what the machine really reads: blocks of 1s and 0s (or maybe hex) that tell actual transistors how to behave. Assembly, the lowest of the “low-level” languages, has a near one-to-one correspondence with the machine’s native tongue. It’s coding straight to metal. To build a complex computer game from assembly is like weaving a tapestry from shedded cat fur.

    Why would anyone do this? I recently asked Sawyer, who lives in his native Scotland. He told me that efficiency was one reason. In the 1990s, the tools for high-level programming weren’t all there. Compilers were terribly slow. Debuggers sucked. Sawyer could avoid them by doing his own thing in x86 assembly, the lingua franca of Intel chips.

    We both knew that wasn’t the real reason, though. The real reason was love. Before turning to roller coasters, Sawyer had written another game in assembly, Transport Tycoon. It puts players in charge of a city’s roads, rail stations, runways, and ports. I imagined Sawyer as a model-train hobbyist—laying each stretch of track, hand-sewing artificial turf, each detail a choice and a chore. To move these carefully crafted pixels from bitmaps to display, Sawyer had to coax out the chip’s full potential. “RollerCoaster Tycoon only came about because I was familiar with the limits of what was possible,” he told me.

    Working within the limits? A foreign idea, perhaps, in this age of digital abundance, when calling a single function in an AI training algorithm can engage a million GPUs. With assembly, you get one thing and one thing only, and it is the thing you ask for—even, as many a coder has learned the hard way, if it is wrong. Assembly is brutal and beautiful that way. It requires you to say exactly what you mean.

    I’ve done assembly’s creators a disservice. They wanted things to be easier, not harder. I imagine they were tired of loading up punchcards and flipping switches on their steampunk leviathans. Perhaps they dreamed of a world like ours, where computers can do so much with such minimal guidance.

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    Gregory Barber

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  • The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Has MacBook Pro Vibes at a Much Lower Price

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    We shouldn’t expect any Windows laptop with a powerful discrete GPU to truly replicate what the MacBook Pro does. Yes, there are more powerful systems out there, but efficiency is just not what those systems are about. Even with the improvements Nvidia has made in Advanced Optimus (automatic switching between discrete GPU when needed), the battery life suffers, especially while running heavier applications. On a local video playback test, the Yoga Pro 9i 16 lasted for around 12 hours. Despite using the same 84-watt-hour battery, this appears to be a slight improvement over last year’s model, though it’s hard to get an apples-to-apples comparison. I do know that its battery life diminishes quickly under heavy load, as it died in just 45 minutes while running a benchmark. You’ll want to be plugged in if you’re doing anything too serious.

    Regardless of the task, you’ll get over twice the battery life on an M4 Max MacBook Pro. Not until we get ARM-based systems with powerful integrated graphics that rival the M4 Pro and M4 Max will there be competition for Apple. The closest thing we’ve seen so far is AMD’s unique Ryzen AI Max+ processor, which showed up on the Asus ROG Flow Z13 and used a massive integrated graphics chip to challenge traditional discrete graphics. But we’ve still got a long way to go.

    The only other Windows laptop that could be better is the Asus ProArt P16, which I’ve yet to test. It now even comes with an RTX 5070 or 5090 option, which could make it significantly more powerful than the Yoga Pro 9i. However, it’s also a much more expensive laptop, configured with a 4K OLED screen and only higher-end GPUs. The Yoga Pro 9i is also hundreds of dollars cheaper than the Dell 16 Premium when similarly configured.

    The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 gets a lot of things right—plenty enough to make it worth a recommendation as a valid MacBook Pro competitor. Ultimately, it’s the performance, display, and premium quality that make it a worthy content creation machine, and the Yoga Pro 9i succeeds on all those fronts, perhaps better than any other Windows machine I’ve tested.

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    Luke Larsen

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  • The Dell 14 Plus Is Now Only $650, and You Should Absolutely Buy It

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    The best laptop deal of this big week of deals can’t be found on Amazon. Not on Best Buy or Walmart either. Instead, at Dell.com, you’ll find the Dell 14 Plus (6/10, WIRED Reviewed) selling for just $650. For a Windows device, that price thoroughly categorizes it as a “budget laptop,” but the specs are anything but. It has 16 GB of RAM, a terabyte of storage, and a 2560 x 1600 resolution display. The average laptop of this price is worse is just about every way.

    In my own testing of this laptop, I found a lot to like about it. The processor used is the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, which is a flagship chip used in some of the best laptops, some of which cost up to a thousand dollars more, including within Dell’s own lineup. One of the great benefits of this chip is battery life, which I was happy to be surprised by. You’ll easily get a full day of work away from the outlet. The performance is more than enough for most people, and it even has some impressive integrated graphics. The display, is also quite good. It’s colorful, and there’s even a 90 Hz refresh rate. I didn’t love the matte display and plastic bezels, but the panel itself is surprisingly high quality. I wasn’t as impressed by this when the price was $1,099, but for $650? It’s heads and tails over the competition.

    • Photograph: Luke Larsen

    • Photograph: Luke Larsen

    • Photograph: Luke Larsen

    Compare it to the Asus Vivobook 14 (6/10, WIRED Reviewed), for example, another “budget” laptop that I’ve recommended in the past. It only has a 1920 X 1200 resolution display with a 60 Hz refresh rate and really, poor color accuracy. It has a sickly green tone that’s hard to get around.

    The one caveat is that when I reviewed the Dell 14 Plus, it came with 32 GB of RAM. There was no 16 GB option, which is now available. Even with that difference, though, this configuration of the Dell 14 Plus is the best Windows laptop deal I’ve seen in recent memory.

    So, yes, if you’re shopping for a Windows laptop, this is clearly the one to buy. The only exception I’d give is if you’re looking for something with a larger screen. If that’s you, I’d point you to the Acer Swift 16 AI (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It has a lot of the same specs as the Dell 14 Plus, but comes with a larger (and higher-resolution screen)—and importantly—has a more expansive screen. It’s $800 though, so you’ll be paying $150 more for this 16-inch laptop.

    For more Prime Day deals on laptops, make sure to check out my full list of Best Prime Day Laptop Deals, as well as our comprehensive list of the Best Prime Day Deals.

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    Luke Larsen

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  • Opinion | The Oct. 7 Warning for the U.S. on China

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    Hamas’s shock troops poured across Israel’s border two years ago, kidnapping, raping and killing civilian men, women and children. Israel’s bitter experience offers lessons America should learn before our own moment of reckoning.

    The most important is that the hypothetical war can actually happen. Even if we’re intellectually prepared, there’s a risk that years of relative peace has lulled us into a false sense of security. The Israeli defense establishment never truly believed Hamas would launch a full-scale invasion. They viewed Gaza as a chronic but manageable problem—one for diplomats and intelligence officers, distant from the daily concerns of citizens. Israeli politicians and generals also spoke of open conflict with the Iran-led Islamist axis much like their American counterparts speak of China and a Taiwan crisis—the pacing threat and the most likely test, yes, but ultimately a question for tomorrow. Then tomorrow came.

    Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

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    Mike Gallagher

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  • Jony Ive Says He Wants His OpenAI Devices to ‘Make Us Happy’

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    At OpenAI’s developer conference in San Francisco on Monday, CEO Sam Altman and ex-Apple designer Jony Ive spoke in vague terms about the “family of devices” the pair are currently working to develop.

    “As great as phones and computers are, there’s something new to do,” Altman said on stage with Ive. The duo confirmed that OpenAI is working on more than one hardware product but finer details, ranging from use cases to specifications, remain under wraps.

    “Hardware is hard. Figuring out new computing form factors is hard,” said Altman in a media briefing earlier in the day. “I think we have a chance to do something amazing, but it will take a while.”

    Ive said that his team has generated “15 to 20 really compelling product” ideas on the journey to find the right kind of hardware to focus the company’s efforts on.

    “I don’t think we have an easy relationship with our technology at the moment,” said Ive. “Rather than seeing AI as an extension of those challenges, I see it very differently.” Ive explained that one reason he wanted to design an AI-powered device with OpenAI is to transform the relationship people currently have to the devices they use every day.

    While Ive acknowledged the potential for AI to boost productivity, efficiency doesn’t appear to be his core goal with these devices. Rather, he hopes for them to bring more social good into the world. The devices should “make us happy, and fulfilled, and more peaceful, and less anxious, and less disconnected,” he said.

    Earlier reporting indicated that OpenAI is planning to manufacture a new category of hardware that doesn’t resemble a phone or laptop. In a recent preview for OpenAI staff, Altman hinted that the product would be aware of a user’s surroundings and day-to-day experiences, according to The Wall Street Journal. The device might be screenless and rely on inputs from cameras and microphones.

    OpenAI also hasn’t said publicly when it plans to launch the devices, though late 2026 may reportedly be the target launch, according to the Financial Times. The publication recently reported that development of the device has been stymied by technical issues.

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    Reece Rogers, Boone Ashworth

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  • This 16-Inch Laptop Has Specs I Have Never Seen at a Price This Low

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    As part of Best Buy’s “Techtober” sales event, I stumbled upon the best laptop deal I’ve seen in a while. It’s for $450 off the Acer Swift 16 AI (8/10, WIRED Recommends), costing $800. Now, I’m not saying $800 qualifies this as a “budget” laptop, but you have to check out the specs on this thing to see why I’m raving about the discount.

    The laptop not only comes with 16 GB of RAM and a terabyte of storage, but also a 16-inch OLED screen with a 2,880 x 1,800 resolution. That OLED screen even has a 120-Hz refresh rate. You won’t find a 16-inch laptop with a display this gorgeous at this price anywhere else. Importantly, it also comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU, an efficient processor known for getting great battery life and decent performance. Our own testing resulted in 13 hours of YouTube video playback, which isn’t quite as long as other laptops with this chip. But as our reviewer put it, it’s likely good enough for most users.

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Look, the Acer Swift 16 AI wouldn’t be my first choice based on looks alone. It’s a bit chunkier than I’d prefer at 0.79 inches thick. There are certainly more attractive and portable 16-inch laptops out there, such as the LG Gram Pro 16 (6/10, WIRED Reviewed). Another really solid option I’m seeing is the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition for $900. It has a slightly smaller 15.3-inch screen, but it’s a match with the Acer Swift 16 for specs, including the CPU and OLED display. The advantage is a prettier design and a much thinner chassis, at only 0.55 inches.

    Best Buy’s Techtober runs through October 12, which just so happens to align with Amazon’s October Prime Day sales event, also known as Big Deal Days. That being said, there will be a lot of great laptops on sale during Prime Day, so make sure to check back for the list I curated of all the best laptop deals happening this week.

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    Luke Larsen

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  • Windows 10 support ends: Upgrade to Windows 11 safely

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    With Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 this October, many people are racing to upgrade. Catherine, a longtime HP desktop user, shared her concerns with us: “I need to purchase a new/updated computer with Windows 11 pretty darn quick. I’ve utilized HP desktops for years and would prefer to continue to do so. My concern deals with transferring everything from one computer to another, made more interesting since my husband and I have separate setups and log-ins. I had a My Passport running, but now I believe a lot is in the cloud. We are concerned about losing our emails/contacts, etc. I also use various programs for a couple of groups I’m involved with (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, etc.), which I cannot afford to lose. Any guidance for a smooth transition would be great.”

    If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The good news: you can move everything to a new HP computer running Windows 11 with the right preparation and tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

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    WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WINDOWS 10 SUPPORT ENDS IN 2025?

    Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 this month. (Microsoft)

    What to prepare before you buy a new computer

    Before you switch to a new Windows 11 PC, take these steps to organize your files, programs and accounts, so the move goes as smoothly as possible.

    1) Inventory what you have and make sure it’s backed up.

    • List the programs/software you use (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Acrobat, etc.), including any license/activation info.
    • Find where your data is: local hard drive, external My Passport drive or cloud (OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.).
    • Make sure you have backups of anything that’s only local.

    2) Check how your email is set up.

    • If it’s a Microsoft/Outlook/Exchange account, a lot may already be stored in the cloud. Outlook contacts/calendars may sync automatically depending on how your accounts are configured.
    • If you use POP (email downloaded locally), or “local only” Outlook data (.pst files), you’ll need to move those manually.

    3) Have your login accounts ready.

    • Know your Microsoft account credentials (if you use one).
    • Know admin passwords for existing software.

    4) Gather license keys/software installers.

    • For paid apps (Adobe Acrobat etc.), make sure you have install files or know how to re-download, plus activation keys.
    • Make a note of any special settings or plugins you use so they get restored.

    Choosing the right computer for your needs 

    When choosing a new HP computer, confirm it runs Windows 11 out of the box. Pick a model with enough storage to hold all your files and plenty of RAM for multitasking. If you rely on external drives, make sure the new computer has the right ports, like USB-C or USB 3.0.

    You can browse CyberGuy’s best laptop picks or best desktop computers for solid options at Cyberguy.com. If you mainly use your computer for email, browsing, or video calls, a tablet, Chromebook, or iPad might be all you need. They’re low-maintenance, secure, and often more affordable than a new Windows laptop.

    WINDOWS 11 FLAW LETS HACKERS BYPASS SECURE BOOT PROTECTIONS

    Windows 11 and Windows 10

    Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating system logos are displayed on laptop screens. Krakow, Poland, on Feb. 3, 2022.  (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto)

    Step-by-step: Migrating to the new Windows 11 computer 

    Moving to a new PC takes planning, but following these steps will help you transfer your files, programs and settings safely. This is especially important if you and your spouse use separate logins.

    Back up everything

    Start by backing up your personal files, documents, pictures and desktop to both your external drive and a cloud service like OneDrive. If you use Outlook, export your email, contacts, and calendar if needed.

    • For POP or local .pst files, go to File → Open & Export → Export → Outlook Data File (.pst) and make a copy.
    • For IMAP or Exchange accounts, confirm that everything has synced properly online.

    Back up Windows and settings

    Use Windows Backup or the built-in tools to save your settings and user folders. Apply the latest Windows updates on the old PC before making the switch.

    Set up the new PC

    When you turn on your new computer, sign in with your Microsoft account if you have one. This helps sync certain settings automatically. Reinstall your Office apps, Adobe Acrobat, and any other software using your license keys or installers.

    Transfer data and settings

    If both PCs are connected and supported, you can use Windows Backup’s “Transfer information to a new PC” option. Simply pair them and choose what to move. If that’s not an option, copy backups from your external drive or cloud storage onto the new computer. Restore email by importing your .pst file if required.

    Verify everything works

    Open your key programs to confirm licensing is valid. Check that your email, contacts and calendar are functioning correctly. Go through your files to make sure nothing is missing.

    Set up backup and ongoing sync

    Once you’re up and running, turn on OneDrive or your preferred cloud service to sync important folders like Documents and Desktop. Finally, create a regular backup plan using either your external drive or the cloud, so your new PC stays protected.

    Common problems to avoid

    Some users run out of space on their new PC because they underestimated how much data they had. Others lose email when they forget to export .pst files. License activation can also cause headaches if the software is tied to the old machine, so always deactivate before reinstalling. And remember that older programs may not work perfectly on Windows 11, so check compatibility in advance.

    Tools that can help

    • 3rd party software: Transfers files, settings and some installed apps automatically. For our picks, search “First 10 things to do if you got a new PC” on Cyberguy.com
    • Windows Backup and Transfer: Free but may require reinstalling programs manually.

    External hard drive backup: Still the simplest safety net for keeping copies of your important files. Copy everything important to your external drive as a safety measure before migrating.

    MICROSOFT AUTHENTICATOR IS DELETING YOUR PASSWORDS

    A person typing on a laptop

    Experts recommend backing up your files to an external hard drive or a cloud service before making the switch. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    How long the process takes

    Upgrading to a new computer isn’t instant, but knowing the timeline helps you plan your day. On average, you can expect the transition to take most of an afternoon. Here’s what it looks like step by step:

    Choose and order your new PC: Browsing, comparing models and making the purchase usually takes one to two hours.

    Initial setup and Windows updates: When the new computer arrives, the first startup and applying all current Windows updates can take another one to two hours.

    Install key programs: Installing Microsoft Office apps and Adobe Acrobat typically requires about one hour, depending on download speed and license activation.

    Back up data on your old PC: Creating backups of your documents, photos and email accounts usually takes one to three hours. The exact time depends on how much data you have and whether you use an external drive or the cloud.

    Transfer data and settings: Moving files, Outlook .pst backups and Windows settings to the new computer often takes one to two hours.

    Verify that everything works: Allow about an hour to test your programs, check your email and contacts, and confirm that none of your files were left behind.

    Reconnect devices and tweak settings: Finally, plan for 30 to 60 minutes to reconnect printers, set up Bluetooth accessories and customize your desktop and preferences.

    When you add it all together, the full migration can take anywhere from six to ten hours spread over a day. While it requires patience, completing each step carefully ensures that your new Windows 11 computer runs smoothly without losing important data.

    Pro tip: Once your new PC is ready, don’t forget security. Install strong antivirus software right away. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

    Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com/LockUpYourTech 

    What to do with your old PC

    Once you’ve finished moving everything over to your new Windows 11 computer and confirmed it’s working, don’t forget about your old PC. Leaving files on it could expose your personal data if the computer is ever donated, recycled or resold.

    Before repurposing, always perform a secure wipe to erase all personal information. This step ensures that sensitive files, passwords and documents can’t be recovered later. After wiping, you can safely recycle the device, donate it or set it up for light use elsewhere in your home.

    For step-by-step instructions, check out how to securely get rid of your old computer before recycling, selling or donating it.  

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    What if you’re not ready to upgrade?

    Not everyone wants to switch right away. The good news is that Microsoft recently added two ways to extend Windows 10 support until October 13, 2026.

    • Use Microsoft Rewards: Redeem 1,000 points to keep your Windows 10 system covered.
    • Back up with OneDrive: Sync your files through Windows Backup and get extended support for free.

    These options buy you more time, but remember: Windows 11 is the future. Planning now ensures you won’t be caught off guard when the final end date arrives.

    Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

    Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right — and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com/Quiz

    Kurt’s key takeaways

    Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right preparation, backups and tools, you can make the switch smoothly and protect everything that matters.

    Are you ready to upgrade before Windows 10 support runs out, or will you risk sticking with an outdated system? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • I Benchmarked Qualcomm’s New Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. Here’s What I Learned

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    It’s important to note that this was all tested on the X2 Elite Extreme configuration, which comes with six additional CPU cores over the standard X2 Elite. There were no X2 Elite systems to test, so we don’t know what those multi-core scores will be. I’ve been told that GPU performance will also scale up on the X2 Elite, but we don’t yet know how much faster the X2 Elite Extreme is over its sibling.

    The other caveats? The reference unit on which all of this was benchmarked is a bigger laptop than many current Snapdragon X Elite options—a 16-inch laptop with a 0.67-inch thick chassis. That’s not overly large, but performance in smaller laptops with less thermal headroom may perform differently. Qualcomm did have a few other reference designs on display, such as a 2-in-1 detachable, mini PC, and all-in-one desktop. These weren’t available for testing, but were a preview of what to expect next year when these chips launch in actual devices.

    Finally, benchmarks are benchmarks. Take all of this with a grain of salt. How these chips will affect real-world performance in all the apps you use every day will be different. We’ll have to wait until these processors land in laptops to really stress test them, and we’ll have a better idea of how they perform against the competition.

    X2 Elite Extreme and X2 Elite Confusion

    Between the X2 Elite Extreme and the X2 Elite, there are technically three specific SKUs. The exact chip from the benchmarking session, the X2E-96-100, represents the top-tier performance in the lineup, with 18 cores and a dual-core 5-GHz boost. This is the chip that will be sold as the X2 Elite Extreme.

    Confusingly, there are two Snapdragon X2 Elite chips, one that also has 18 cores and one with 12 cores. The difference between the two 18-core models is memory bandwidth. Although all three chips have a new neural processing unit capable of 80 TOPS, the X2 Elite chips are limited to 8-channel memory, whereas the X2 Elite Extreme has integrated 12-channel memory with a bandwidth of up to 228 GB per second.

    That might sound like a subtle difference, and it will be for most people, but AI workloads are extremely memory-dependent—that lower bandwidth will be a bottleneck for anyone tapping out the NPU. With the X2 Elite Extreme configuration, the focus seems to be on speeding up AI workloads, rather than more conventional faster CPU or GPU performance.

    Qualcomm seems to want to push the focus of AI in its top-tier configuration, but so far, the real jump in performance seems like it would be between the 12-core and 18-core versions of the X2 Elite. But we’ll have to wait until we can review these systems in new hardware.

    Adding another top-tier chip with its own branding is an interesting move for Qualcomm, especially since the company seems to have the most success with its mid-tier chips that showed up in laptops around $1,000. But it’s a strategic move, especially if the company wants to achieve its goal of taking 50 percent of the Windows PC market share in 5 years.

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    Luke Larsen

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  • Lenovo’s Legion 7i Is the All-White Gaming Laptop You’ve Always Wanted

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    None of that means you’re going to get good battery life, though. I was only getting around four and a half hours in a very light video playback test. That’s pretty short, limiting the laptop’s viability as a hybrid device for travel, work, or school.

    Close Competition

    Photograph: Luke Larsen

    The RTX 5060 model is available only at Best Buy, starting at $1,870. I would not buy this right now—at least not at this price. Currently, the better deal is over at Lenovo.com, where you can pick up an RTX 5070 model for $1,795 on sale. Though I haven’t tested it (and both GPUs come with only 8 GB of VRAM), stepping up to the RTX 5070 is certainly worth it. Both configurations get you 32 GB of RAM and one terabyte of storage.

    The Legion 7i Gen 10 is one of the most expensive gaming laptops to use the RTX 5060. You’re paying extra for the keyboard backlighting, faster HX-series Intel chip, higher-resolution OLED display, and superior design. These all add a lot to the laptop experience, but they are, for the most part, quality-of-life additions. For example, the Alienware Aurora 16 (a laptop I’ll be reviewing soon) also starts with an RTX 5060 and a similar resolution screen, but it’s IPS instead of OLED.

    Just be careful with the cheap RTX 5060 laptops out there, such as the Gigabyte Aero X16, which is on sale for just $1,150 right now. I haven’t tested it yet, but it uses the 85-watt variant of the RTX 5060, which will mean a significant drop in performance compared to the Legion 7i Gen 10. That’s rock bottom for RTX 5060 gaming laptops. Lenovo has its own version of a cheaper RTX 5060 right now, the LOQ 15, which will be available in October, gets you an RTX 5060 for close to $1,000, but comes with a standard 1080p IPS display.

    With that in mind, the Legion 7i Gen 10 is clearly not for those who value performance above all. But it’s one of the nicest looking gaming laptops I’ve reviewed lately that isn’t a Razer Blade, and it has enough performance and high-end features to make it worth the money—just make sure to opt for the RTX 5070 while it’s still on sale.

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  • HSBC says it used quantum computing to improve bond trading — a

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    HSBC on Thursday announced it has successfully used quantum computing in a trial to optimize bond trading, making it the first in the world to prove the value of the powerful emerging technology in the financial services industry.

    Working with IBM, the bank used a combination of classical computing and the tech giant’s Heron quantum processor to deliver a 34% improvement in algorithmic bond price predictions, HSBC said in a statement shared Tuesday.

    Philip Intallura, HSBC’s group head of quantum technologies, called the trial a “ground-breaking world-first.” He expanded on the technology in a company video included in the announcement, saying the improvement in trade predictions ultimately means “increased margins and greater liquidity.”

    The trial was intended to test how quantum computers could optimize requests in over-the-counter markets, where financial assets are traded without a centralized exchange or broker serving as the intermediary. Using IBM’s latest generation of quantum computers, the companies were able to estimate how likely a trade was to be a filled at a quoted price with far more accuracy than standard methods of using classical computers alone, according to the announcement.

    “This is something that we do thousands of times a day already and that’s estimating the likelihood of winning a trade,” Josh Freeland, global head of algo credit trading at HSBC, said in the same video.

    Technology has long been intertwined in Wall Street trading. Automation systems used to assist traders were installed at the New York Stock Exchange in the 1950s. Two decades later came the first rumblings of algorithmic trading — using computers programs to automatically execute trades. About two thirds of all trades were conducted using computers by 2009, Deutsche Bank research shows.

    In its trial results, HSBC found that the addition of quantum computing techniques showed an improvement over classical computing alone in responding to the “highly complex nature” of factors involved in algorithmic trades. 

    “IBM Heron was able to augment classical computing workflows to better unravel hidden pricing signals in noisy market data than standard, classical-only approaches in use by HSBC, resulting in strong improvements in the bond trading process,” HSBC said in its announcement.

    According to HSBC, the trial represents the first empirical evidence that quantum computers can be used to solve practical problems in the field of algorithmic bond trading.

    “We have great confidence we are on the cusp of a new frontier of computing in financial services, rather than something that is far away in the future,” Intallura said HSBC’s statement.

    What is quantum computing?

    Quantum computing, a new field of computer science and engineering, relies on quantum mechanics to solve problems and process information across finance, logistics, cybersecurity and more.

    Amazon, Google, IBM, Intel and Microsoft and have all invested in the technology.

    According to IBM, while the technology is still developing, it will soon surpass classical supercomputers in terms of speed and its ability to tackle complex problems.

    The technology company said what could take classical computers thousands of years, could take quantum computing mere minutes or hours to solve.

    Mary Cunningham

    Mary Cunningham is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. Before joining the business and finance vertical, she worked at “60 Minutes,” CBSNews.com and CBS News 24/7 as part of the CBS News Associate Program.

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  • Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Revolutionized Windows Laptops. Here Comes the Second Act

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    Perhaps the most exciting part of the chip is the graphics performance: the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme both use a new Adreno GPU architecture. Qualcomm says power efficiency has improved by 2.3X, so hopefully that means these laptops can scale up performance when it’s needed, in games or creative applications.

    Lastly, the company claims there’s a much more powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with 80 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) of on-device AI processing performance. The Snapdragon X set the initial bar with 50 TOPS, which Apple, Intel, and AMD then had to match in their next chips. We’ve yet to see the explosion of on-device AI processing be relevant for the average person, but hopefully, more performance will provide an incentive for developers to build more unique AI experiences that can utilize the NPU.

    Qualcomm boasts “multi-day” battery life on these new chips, though performance was the priority in the company’s product presentation. This is a change from the original marketing around the first-generation Snapdragon X chips, which centered battery life as its primary selling point.

    As always, it helps to go first. These second-generation PC chips have been announced months ahead of devices from competitors, which may not arrive until the first quarter of 2026, making it easier to compare with previous-gen chips. Intel is expected to launch its highly anticipated A18 chips (also known as Panther Lake) later this year, and Nvidia’s $5 billion investment in Intel could change everything in the world of PCs. Apple is also expected to debut an M5 chip next month.

    A New Smartphone Chip

    Alongside new PC chips, Qualcomm also detailed its recently announced mobile chips, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. These were officially unveiled last week, but at the company’s Snapdragon Summit conference, it shared new details on how these chips will perform.

    Barely a week has gone by since Apple’s A19-powered iPhones hit the market, but Qualcomm is already claiming that its Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is the “fastest mobile CPU in the world,” with a record clock speed of 4.6 GHz (Apple’s A19 Pro has a clock speed of 4.26 GHz). Like the PC chips, graphics and AI processing have the largest leaps in performance, with a purported 23 percent faster GPU and 37 percent faster NPU. Some slightly faster single-core performance in your next phone might not be noticeable, but the significantly faster GPU could have a bigger impact on mobile gaming.

    The other significant new feature on these mobile chips is the embrace of a new video codec called Advanced Professional Video, or APV. This is a “near-lossless” codec created by Samsung meant to compete with Apple’s ProRes format, and uses less storage than current options.

    Qualcomm says new phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 will launch “in the coming days,” with entries from Xiaomi, OnePlus, Samsung, Honor, and Xiaomi.

    AI, 6G, and the Future of Android

    Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.

    Photograph: Luke Larsen

    During the Snapdragon Summit keynote, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon drew the biggest applause with the mention of 6G as the future connectivity standard, replacing 5G, enabling a more pervasive AI future. “6G is designed to be the connection between the cloud and edge devices,” he said.

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  • What happens you select

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    Junk mail has a new meaning nowadays. Rather than filling an actual mailbox, people are getting bombarded with texts and emails they never asked for.

    The messages press you to send money for an unpaid bill or invite you out for a round of golf. The phone number sending the message might have an area code you don’t know or might only be five digits long. No matter where it came from, junk texts steadily interrupt our day, often with nefarious intentions.

    “I had one that was like the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and said something along the lines of an outstanding toll that you need to pay, and had a link there, and it just was very sketchy,” one woman told WCCO. “I automatically report junk. I delete it and block the sender right away.” 

    Andy Roehrs, a solutions architect with Rymark IT Navigation in Minneapolis, said reporting the texts as junk is really your only option.

    What happens when you report a text or email as junk? 

    “When you report a text or email as junk, typically, it’s going to go to whatever service provider you’re using,” said Roehrs. 

    That means Apple, Google or Android fields your report.

    Will reporting messages as junk lead to fewer of them? 

    “Yes. It helps to train their models on detection of those messages coming through,” said Roehrs. 

    When a messaging app suggests reporting a text as junk, it’s likely because someone else already reported it, giving the app data to better detect spam.

    “It’s looking for patterns. It’s looking for source information about the number that it was sent from and it’s going to report that back to Google or Apple to train their models,” said Roehrs.

    Email services like Outlook have similar reporting functions, even thanking people for helping train their system after reporting a message as junk.

    Should we also block the phone number sending the text? 

    Roehrs said yes, adding, “A lot of times, the procedure when you report something as junk, the next step will be to ask you if you want to block that sender. You do want to block that sender.” 

    Doing so can prevent that specific sender from reaching out to you again.

    Roehrs said there’s not much we can do beyond reporting text and emails as junk to prevent getting them in the first place.

    “There really is no way to prevent messages from coming to you,” he said.

    Just like anyone can send a letter to your mailbox at your home, anyone can send a text or email to your phone number or email address. That’s why reporting and blocking numbers is helpful. It’s a never-ending battle fought one finger tap of the phone screen at a time.

    “It’s the maintenance of having any service that you are able to be contacted at,” said Roehrs.

    In addition to reporting junk messages, experts say never respond. Otherwise, the sender will know your number is active and find other ways to contact you.

    Jeff Wagner

    Jeff Wagner joined the WCCO-TV team in November 2016 as a general assignment reporter, and now anchors WCCO’s 4 p.m. newscasts.

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  • How to save any file as a PDF

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    Portable Document Format (PDF) is one of the most widely used file formats for storing and sharing documents. It makes sense since PDFs are a universal file format that maintains layout, fonts, colors and images regardless of the device used to read them. Many people use PDFs to send resumes, receipts, tickets, contracts and school papers because they ensure the documents will look the same regardless of who opens them.

    Furthermore, unlike proprietary formats, such as docx, xlsx and pptx, they are less likely to disappear. They’re also one of the easiest files to secure and encrypt in case you’re sending sensitive information.

    The best part? You can turn just about any text document or image into a PDF. Let’s look at some popular ways of doing this.

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    Kurt Knutsson explains how to save any file as a PDF. (REUTERS/Hannah Beier)

    Save files as PDF on desktop

    If you’re using a Windows or Mac, there is a built-in option that allows you to save a file as a PDF with a few clicks. This method usually works on files like text documents, images and emails.

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    Windows

    You can use the print function in many Windows apps to save a file as a PDF.

    • Open the file in its default app.
    • Click File > Print, click the printer icon or press Ctrl + P.
    • In the print dialog window, select Microsoft Print to PDF in the Printer dropdown menu.
    • Click Print.
    A step-by-step guide shows how to save a file as a PDF.

    Windows offers a built-in way to save a file as a PDF. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    Mac

    Like Windows, many macOS apps allow you to save files as PDF when printing them.

    • Open the file in its default app.
    • Click File > Print, click the printer icon or press Command + P.
    • In the print dialog window, click PDF in the bottom left corner and choose where to save it.
    • Click Save.

    Chromebook

    Whether you are viewing a document, image or webpage (even in an Android app), as long as the app you’ve opened it in supports printing, you can save it as a PDF.

    • Open the file.
    • Click File > Print, click the printer icon or press Ctrl + P.
    • In the print dialog window, select Save as PDF in the Destination dropdown menu for selecting printers.
    • Click Save.

    Save files as PDF on mobile

    On Android and iPhones, you can exploit the share function to save files as PDFs. It also only takes a few taps.

    Android

    There are several ways to export a file as a PDF on Android, with the easiest option being the print function when sharing it.

    Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer. 

    • Open the file in the default app.
    • Tap the Share icon.
    • Tap Print.
    • Tap the PDF button to download it.

    iPhone

    On iPhone, you can save a file as a PDF in apps like Photos, Files and Notes. Here are the general steps:

    • Open the file.
    • Tap the Share icon.
    • Tap Print to see a PDF preview of the file.
    • Tap the Share icon.
    • Tap Save to Files.
    • Then, tap “Save” in the upper-right corner of the screen.
    A step-by-step guide shows how to save a file as a PDF.

    You can save a file as a PDF on your iPhone or Android. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    Save a file as a PDF on apps and cloud services

    Many apps and online services offer built-in tools to convert files to PDF format, whether you’re using popular office suites or cloud-based services. Let’s look at the options available on various platforms.

    If you’re using Microsoft Office apps, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, you can just save the file as a PDF.

    • Open the file.
    • Click File > Save As.
    • Under the location where the PDF will be saved, set the file type dropdown to PDF.
    • Click Save.
    A step-by-step guide shows how to save a file as a PDF.

    Follow these steps to save a document as PDF in Microsoft Word. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    For Google Workspace apps, such as Docs, Sheets and Slides, you can download them as a PDF:

    • Open the file.
    • Click File 
    • Then tap Download,
    • Next, click the PDF Document.

    If you want to save a webpage in browsers like Chrome, Edge and Firefox, follow the steps below:

    • Open the web page.
    • Click the three-dot icon or three-line icon in the top-right corner.
    • Click Print.
    A step-by-step guide shows how to save a file as a PDF.

    Even a webpage can be saved and exported as a PDF file. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    • Set Printer or Destination to Save as PDF.
    • Click Save.
    A step-by-step guide shows how to save a file as a PDF.

    Follow these steps to save a document as PDF in the Edge internet browser. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    In Adobe Acrobat Reader, follow the steps below (keep in mind that you need a premium subscription to use this feature):

    • Open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. It will automatically be converted to a PDF.
    • Press Ctrl + S on Windows or Command + S on Mac to save the PDF.

    Notetakers like Evernote, OneNote and Notion also allow you to export files as a PDF. For instance, in Notion, you have to do it this way:

    • Click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner.
    • Click Export.
    • Select PDF in the Export format dropdown.
    • Click Export.

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    Convert a file to a PDF online

    You can convert files to PDF using online conversion tools. To convert a file into a PDF using CloudConvert, follow the steps below:

    • Go to https://cloudconvert.com/
    • Click Select File.
    • Select the file you want to convert on your computer or phone.
    • Select PDF in the Convert to dropdown. You can upload more than one file.
    • Click Convert.
    • Click Download.

    While these sites provide a convenient means of converting files to PDFs, it’s best to avoid uploading sensitive documents like tax returns, medical records, financial statements, legal contracts or personal identification documents. That’s because they may store copies of those files on their servers, which means they can become vulnerable to security breaches or unauthorized access. For these, use built-in tools or trusted apps (any of the ones mentioned above will do).

    Save physical documents as PDF files

    You will find many apps for scanning documents and saving them as a PDF on Android and iPhone. The best one often mentioned is Adobe Scan, which you can download on the App Store or Google Play.

    Here’s how to use it.

    • Open the Adobe Scan.
    • If it’s your first time opening it, you will need to sign in with your Apple (iPhone only), Google or Facebook account.
    • Tap the white circle in the bottom center of the screen to scan the document.
    • Tap Save PDF in the bottom right corner.

    Working with PDFs

    Once you’ve saved your file as a PDF, you may want to perform various actions to make it more useful or secure. Here’s how to work with your PDF files effectively.

    Merging PDFs

    You can use online tools to merge PDFs for free.

    • On your computer, go to https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/acrobat/combine-pdf.
    • Drag and drop the PDFs you want to merge into the browser window.
    A step-by-step guide shows how to save a file as a PDF.

    Adobe’s website offers a free method to combine PDF files. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    • You can rearrange the PDFs by dragging them to the position you want them to be in.
    • Click Combine in the top-right corner.
    A step-by-step guide shows how to save a file as a PDF.

    The Adobe website makes it possible to combine PDFs and arrange them in any order. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    Shrinking PDFs

    Adobe also has an online tool you can freely use to compress PDFs.

    • On your computer, go to https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/compress-pdf.html.
    • Drag and drop the PDF you want to compress into the browser window.
    • Click Compress in the bottom-right corner.

    Protecting your PDFs with a password

    You can also password-protect your PDFs for free on the Adobe website using the steps below.

    • On your computer, go to https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/acrobat/protect-pdf.
    • Drag and drop the PDF you want to compress into the browser window.
    • Enter the password under Set password. Enter the same password under Confirm password.
    • Click Set password in the bottom-right corner.
    A step-by-step guide shows how to save a file as a PDF.

    You can protect a PDF with a password on the Adobe website. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    Sign PDFs

    There are plenty of ways to sign a document, and the easiest one is to use Adobe Acrobat Reader.

    • Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer.
    • Select the E-sign tab.
    • Click Add signature or Add initials in the FILL AND SIGN YOURSELF section in the menu on the left.
    • Type your signature or initials in the dialog window. You can also draw it if you have a graphics tablet or add an image of it. Just switch to the Draw or Image tab.
    • Click Apply.
    • In the toolbar on the left side of the document area, click the pen icon.
    • Select your signature or initials in the menu that appears on the right.
    • Place your cursor, which will now look like your signature or initials, where you want to sign and click to insert the signature.

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    Kurt’s key takeaways

    As you can see, saving any file as a PDF is easy regardless of your device or platform. It takes just a few clicks or taps. Use PDFs when you want to share documents without losing their formatting elements. Remember to follow best practices when sharing them, especially if they contain sensitive information. You can always add an extra layer of security by password-protecting or encrypting your PDFs.

    What other format do you like converting files to for storing and sharing? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • The Quest to Find the Longest-Running Simple Computer Program

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    But just how much harder? In 1962, the mathematician Tibor Radó invented a new way to explore this question through what he called the busy beaver game. To play, start by choosing a specific number of rules—call that number n. Your goal is to find the n-rule Turing machine that runs the longest before eventually halting. This machine is called the busy beaver, and the corresponding busy beaver number, BB(n), is the number of steps that it takes.

    In principle, if you want to find the busy beaver for any given n, you just need to do a few things. First, list out all the possible n-rule Turing machines. Next, use a computer program to simulate running each machine. Look for telltale signs that machines will never halt—for example, many machines will fall into infinite repeating loops. Discard all these non-halting machines. Finally, record how many steps every other machine took before halting. The one with the longest runtime is your busy beaver.

    In practice, this gets tricky. For starters, the number of possible machines grows rapidly with each new rule. Analyzing them all individually would be hopeless, so you’ll need to write a custom computer program to classify and discard machines. Some machines are easy to classify: They either halt quickly or fall into easily identifiable infinite loops. But others run for a long time without displaying any obvious pattern. For these machines, the halting problem deserves its fearsome reputation.

    The more rules you add, the more computing power you need. But brute force isn’t enough. Some machines run for so long before halting that simulating them step by step is impossible. You need clever mathematical tricks to measure their runtimes.

    “Technology improvements definitely help,” said Shawn Ligocki, a software engineer and longtime busy beaver hunter. “But they only help so far.”

    End of an Era

    Busy beaver hunters started chipping away at the BB(6) problem in earnest in the 1990s and 2000s, during an impasse in the BB(5) hunt. Among them were Shawn Ligocki and his father, Terry, an applied mathematician who ran their search program in the off hours on powerful computers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. In 2007, they found a six-rule Turing machine that broke the record for the longest runtime: The number of steps it took before halting had nearly 3,000 digits. That’s a colossal number by any ordinary measure. But it’s not too big to write down. In 12-point font, those 3,000 digits will just about cover a single sheet of paper.

    In 2022, Shawn Ligocki discovered a six-rule Turing machine whose runtime has more digits than the number of atoms in the universe.

    Photograph: Kira Treibergs

    Three years later, a Slovakian undergraduate computer science student named Pavel Kropitz decided to tackle the BB(6) hunt as a senior thesis project. He wrote his own search program and set it up to run in the background on a network of 30 computers in a university lab. After a month he found a machine that ran far longer than the one discovered by the Ligockis—a new “champion,” in the lingo of busy beaver hunters.

    “I was lucky, because people in the lab were already complaining about my CPU usage and I had to scale back a bit,” Kropitz wrote in a direct message exchange on the Busy Beaver Challenge Discord server. After another month of searching, he broke his own record with a machine whose runtime had over 30,000 digits—enough to fill about 10 pages.

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  • I Found the 4K Monitor Almost Everyone Should Own

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    At one time, having a 4K monitor felt like a luxury. Now, thanks to the power of modern computers and the dramatic price drop, 4K monitors are no longer unattainable upgrades. They’re becoming the standard.

    The Dell 27 Plus 4K is the best example of this trend I’ve seen so far. It might not have all the bells and whistles of a Dell UltraSharp monitor, nor the mind-blowing image quality of the Dell 32 Plus OLED. But for my money, this is the best monitor the average person working from home should buy—especially when it’s on discount. I’ve seen it dip as low as $254, and that’s a steal for what you get.

    The Dell Difference

    Photograph: Luke Larsen

    Dell monitors have always been pretty, and the Dell 27 Plus 4K is no different. The bezels are thin, and the base and stand aren’t overly large. The “Ash White” color looks clean on my already-white desk. It might not look as professional as a silver or black model, but for home use, I prefer the white. The design is worth noting, too, since at this price, some monitors tend to look really cheap. Despite the plastic exterior on the Dell 27 Plus 4K, the stand and base have metal inside, so they feel sturdy.

    Setting up this monitor is simple, with no tools required. Compared to most monitors, it does have an extra backplate that must be tightened into the stand (with a thumb screw), but it only takes a minute or so to pull the various pieces out of the box and have it ready to go.

    The back of the monitor has a standard VESA mount, making it perfect for connecting to a monitor arm if that’s your jam. The stand gives you a full range of adjustments, including 5 inches of height, tilt, rotation, and swivel. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go high enough to rotate it completely into a vertical monitor, which is a shame. (You can still use it vertically with a monitor arm.)

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  • AI video tech fast-tracks humanoid robot training

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    One of the biggest hurdles in developing humanoid robots is the sheer amount of training data required. Teaching machines to act like humans demands massive video datasets. Collecting that data is expensive, time-consuming and difficult to scale. This challenge has slowed progress toward making robots useful in everyday environments such as homes, hospitals and offices.

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    Vidar says its training methods use video to program robots in 20 minutes. (Vidar)

    Vidar by ShengShu transforms humanoid robot training

    ShengShu Technology has introduced Vidar, short for Video Diffusion for Action Reasoning. Instead of relying solely on endless hours of physical-world data, Vidar generates synthetic training environments from just a small amount of real video. By blending real data with AI-generated video, Vidar makes training more efficient, scalable and affordable.

    A slide with information about how Vidar works

    Vidar uses video to train robots to perform real-world tasks. (Vidar)

    How Vidar uses AI video to speed up robot training

    Vidar works by decoupling perception from control. First, it uses ShengShu’s Vidu video model to learn from both real and synthetic videos. Then, a task-agnostic system called AnyPos translates that knowledge into motor commands for robots. This modular setup allows for faster training and easier deployment across different types of robots.

    Unlike traditional methods that require robots to physically interact with the world to learn, Vidar can simulate complex, lifelike scenarios virtually. Remarkably, it only needs about 20 minutes of training data, between 1/80 and 1/1200 of what leading models require. That efficiency makes it possible to scale robot training to levels never seen before.

    CHINESE TECH FIRM SHARES ROBOT TRAINING SECRETS WITH THE WORLD

    A slide with information on how Vidar works in real world applications

    Vidar’s real-world replay and deployment with video model. (Vidar)

    Real-world applications of Vidar in humanoid robots

    Vidar is more than just a research tool. Its design means robots can adapt quickly to new tasks and environments. That could unlock real-world applications in eldercare, home assistance, healthcare and smart manufacturing. By bridging the gap between simulation and reality, Vidar is positioning humanoid robots as practical helpers rather than futuristic concepts.

    HUMANOID ROBOT PERFORMS MEDICAL PROCEDURES VIA REMOTE CONTROL

    A slide showing Vidar tests

    Results of AnyPos-ATARA with video replay to accomplish various manipulation tasks. (Vidar)

    What this means for you

    For consumers, Vidar brings the idea of household or workplace robot helpers closer to reality. Instead of waiting decades for robots to mature, scalable training could speed up deployment in everyday settings. This could mean robots assisting you with chores, supporting eldercare or even helping in medical environments sooner than expected.

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    Kurt’s key takeaways

    Vidar is a milestone in the race toward practical humanoid robots. By blending limited real data with generative video, ShengShu has created a smarter and faster way to train physical AI. The approach tackles cost, efficiency and scalability all at once, three factors that have long held robotics back.

    Would you welcome a humanoid robot in your home if it could help with daily tasks, or does the idea still feel too futuristic? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.

    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • 10 ways to secure your older Mac from threats and malware

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    Apple’s Mac computers are generally considered more secure than Windows PCs, thanks to the company’s tight control over hardware and software. Whether you use a MacBook, iMac, or Mac Mini, built-in protections help shield your device from common threats. But no system is completely immune. Hackers have repeatedly found ways to bypass Apple’s safeguards, especially on older Macs that no longer receive regular security updates.

    The good news: just because your Mac is aging doesn’t mean it has to be at risk. With a few smart precautions, you can keep it safe and running smoothly, even if it’s no longer eligible for the latest macOS version.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter. 

    1) Keep your older Mac up to date

    Even if your Mac no longer supports the latest macOS version, Apple often releases security patches for older versions. Make sure you’ve enabled automatic updates. Follow the steps below to do so:

    • Choose the Apple menu.
    • Select System Settings

    LONG-DORMANT MAC MALWARE RETURNS WITH ADVANCED CAPABILITIES

    Screenshot showing steps to enable automatic updates (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    • Then click General in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down).
    • Click Software Update.
    Screenshot of a Mac computer desktop

    Screenshot showing software update option on Mac (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    • Click the Info button next to Automatic Updates
    • Then turn on all the options.
    Screenshot of a Mac computer desktop

    Screenshot showing toggle options for Mac software updates (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    2) Update your apps and browsers

    Apps, especially web browsers, are a major target for attackers. If you’re using Chrome, Firefox, Brave or another browser, make sure it’s up to date. Most browsers have their own update systems independent of macOS, which is good news if you’re running an older OS.

    I’ll walk you through how to update Chrome on your Mac. If you’re using Safari, you can skip this step since it updates automatically alongside your device’s software.

    How to update your Chrome browser

    • Open Google Chrome browser
    • Select About Google Chrome from the Chrome menu
    Screenshot of a Google Chrome menu

    Screenshot showing steps to update Chrome (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    • Allow it to scan from a most recent update
    Screenshot of Google Chrome menu

    Screenshot showing steps to update Chrome (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    • Click Relaunch to complete the update

    Also check for updates for productivity apps, media players and email clients. Developers often patch vulnerabilities quietly, so it’s worth keeping everything current even if the Mac itself isn’t.

    3) Strengthen password protection

    A secure Mac starts with a strong password. Avoid simple combinations or anything that includes personal information. Use a passphrase if you have trouble remembering complex strings. Don’t reuse passwords across services. If one account is compromised, others will be too. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.

    Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com.

    How to Change Your Mac Login Password (with current password)

    • Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
    • Select System Settings (called System Preferences in older macOS versions).
    • Navigate to Users & Groups or Login Password in newer versions.
    • Click the Info (i) button next to your user account.
    • In the pop-up that appears, click Change next to the password field.
    • Enter your old (current) password, then type your new password, verify it, and set a password hint (optional).
    • Click Change Password to finalize.

    4) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

    Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts. Even if someone guesses or steals your password, they won’t be able to log in without the second code, usually sent to your phone or generated by an app.

    TOP MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION APPS TO PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNTS

    Make sure 2FA is enabled on your Apple ID, Gmail, social media accounts, banking apps and any cloud services you use. It’s a simple step that significantly increases your account security.

    5) Install strong antivirus software

    While Macs have built-in security features like Gatekeeper and XProtect, older systems may not receive the latest threat definitions. Installing third-party antivirus software can help fill in the gaps.

    The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

    Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

    6) Turn on FileVault to encrypt your data

    Even if your Mac is older, FileVault can still encrypt your entire hard drive. This protects your data if your device is lost or stolen.

    How to turn on FileVault:

    • Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > FileVault.
    • Click Turn On FileVault.
    • Choose to use your iCloud account or create a recovery key.
    • Restart your Mac to begin encryption.

    Pro tip: If your Mac is too old to support FileVault 2 (full-disk encryption), consider encrypting sensitive files manually using Disk Utility.

    A Mac computer on a table

    Cybersecurity experts recommend regularly updating older Mac computers to reduce the risk of security threats (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    7) Use a VPN

    Outdated macOS versions may be vulnerable to DNS hijacking or network-based attacks. Secure your internet traffic by enabling a VPN to encrypt your data in transit.  A reliable VPN is essential for protecting your online privacy and ensuring a secure, high-speed connection. Use a VPN with a no-logs policy for added privacy and protection.

    For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

    8) Remove unused apps and system extensions

    Older apps and background processes can introduce vulnerabilities if they’re no longer maintained.

    • Open Finder > Applications and delete anything you don’t use.
    • Check System Settings > General > Login Items for anything unfamiliar.
    • Review System Settings > Privacy & Security > Extensions and disable outdated tools.

     9) Use a limited (non-admin) user account for everyday use

    Running as an admin all the time increases your risk. Creating a standard user account for everyday use limits what malware can do if it sneaks in.

    How to add a standard user:

    • Go to System Settings > Users & Groups.
    • Click Add Account (+).
    • Choose Standard instead of Admin.

     10) Back up your data regularly

    If malware does sneak in or your system crashes, a recent backup can save the day.

    • Use Time Machine (built into macOS) to back up to an external drive.
    • Or choose a cloud backup provider that supports macOS.

    Set it to back up automatically, at least weekly. Here are step-by-step instructions to back up your Mac.

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    An overhead view of an Apple store

    An Apple Store on Aug. 29, 2025, in Chongqing, China. (Cheng Xin/Getty Images)

    Kurt’s key takeaway

    Just because your Mac is aging doesn’t mean it’s defenseless. With regular updates, strong passwords, and added layers like FileVault and antivirus protection, you can stay ahead of threats. Take the time now to lock things down, remove risky apps, and back up your data. These small actions make a big difference in keeping your older Mac secure.

    How often do you change your Mac? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.

    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • I’ve Been Reviewing Laptops for a Decade. These Are My Picks for College Students

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    All our guidelines for choosing a laptop also apply to a device for college, including evaluating the quality of the display and chassis, along with ensuring that the laptop is fast enough for your work. Get something with at least 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and you’ll be happy.

    There are a couple of important things to consider specific to college. Portability and battery life are paramount. Regardless of your budget, you want something that will last throughout the day and won’t weigh you down while carrying it from class to class. Anything over four pounds or so will start to feel noticeable in your backpack.

    Overall dimensions are important too. Bringing a 16-inch laptop to class can feel obtuse given the size of college room desks. The same is true if you plan to bring your laptop to a crowded coffee shop or library. That’s why 13-inch or 14-inch laptops are preferred. That being said, if you’re a gamer or need a discrete GPU for your coursework, you may have to bite the bullet and buy something a bit larger.

    Here are some other specs to consider:

    Processor

    • Windows: If you’re getting a Windows machine, your main options for the processor are Intel and AMD, though Qualcomm is now a viable alternative with Copilot+ PCs. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. For a more complete guide to the differences, see our full guide to buying a laptop.
    • Chromebooks: These browser-based machines use half a dozen different processors, most of which you’ve probably never heard of. There’s a reason for that: Those processors are slow. My recommendation when buying a Chromebook is to stick with a Chromebook Plus machine. This is a new standard Google created to ensure a certain level of performance and polish with Chromebooks.
    • MacOS: Apple has been making its own processors for a few years, like the latest M4 chip found inside the MacBook Air showcased below. More powerful models like the MacBook Pros feature the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, which feature GPUs comparable with the discrete GPUs you find in Windows laptops. Our MacBook buying guide can help.

    RAM and Storage

    Regardless of which OS you choose, the minimum amount of RAM you want in your laptop is 8 GB. That’s enough memory to keep your computer feeling snappy even if it’s running under load. But these days, 16 GB has become the new standard, and you’ll find lots of laptops around $800 that come with 16 GB. So, if you can afford it—especially if you plan to edit photos or videos as part of your coursework—go for 16 GB or even 32 GB.

    The new default for storage is 256 GB, and it’ll do if you’re trying to save money. You can always use external storage if you need to add on. Spring for 512 GB or a terabyte if you can, though.

    Screen

    Screens vary tremendously, but don’t settle for anything less than 1080p (or 1200p for 16:10 aspect ratio displays). For a 13-inch laptop, 1080p is sharp enough. If you’re going with a bigger laptop, 2.5K or even 4K screens will improve the viewing experience. If you’re trying to play games as well, be sure to get something with a higher refresh rate—120 Hz or 144 Hz will more than satisfy.

    Weight and Battery

    Don’t forget you’ll be lugging this thing around. It may well be tugging on your back for eight hours or more. One pound may not seem like much, but at the end of a long day of walking, you will notice the difference between a three-pound laptop and a four-pound laptop. Trust me. Also, maybe pick out a nice bag to carry your computer.

    Similarly, battery life is very important when you’re (potentially) away from a wall outlet for extended periods. Whatever you end up getting, make sure it’s capable of lasting at least eight hours under real-world use—browsing the web, editing documents, writing emails, and taking notes. Even then, you might want to consider a portable battery charger.

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    Luke Larsen, Scott Gilbertson

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