Articles by Chris Hoffman
How to auto-lock your PC when you step away (and why you should)
Here's everything you need to know about automatically locking and unlocking your PC just by stepping away and sitting back down.
How to try a new laptop at home before you commit to buying it
There's a secret to worry-free laptop shopping — if you shop at the right stores. Learn how to buy your next laptop with absolute peace of mind.
Lenovo Legion 9i review: High-end HDR gaming goodness
The Lenovo Legion 9i is everything a high-end gaming laptop should be, pairing high-end hardware with liquid cooling and a bright and beautiful display for HDR gaming. But it has a price tag to match.
Why you should be using Windows Hello to secure your PC
Windows Hello is more secure AND more convenient than using passwords. Here's everything you need to know about using Windows Hello.
HP OmniBook Ultra 14 review: Ryzen AI 300 delivers again
The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 shines thanks to AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series processors, which delivers long battery life in real-world use with excellent performance. But “AI laptops” aren’t as futuristic as the marketing might lead you to expect.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 review: Windows and Android on one machine
This machine combines a Windows laptop and Android tablet. It’s expensive, but there’s nothing else like it.
20 insanely useful Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts I use every day
After so many years, I'm still discovering new keyboard shortcuts in Windows. Here are the most useful ones that come in handy every single day.
What the heck is an NPU, anyway? Here's an explainer on AI chips
All PCs will soon have neural processing units. Learn everything you need to know about NPUs and whether you need to care or not.
5 reasons you should become a Windows Insider (and 5 you shouldn't)
Not sure if the Windows Insider program is worth joining? Here are several considerations to help you decide.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 review: ChromeOS gets luxurious
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is a 2-in-1 Chromebook that delivers an excellent all-around ChromeOS experience. Of course, it’s more expensive than the average Chromebook — and it’s not perfect.
20 obscure Windows features every student should know about
Windows is packed with hidden features and tricks that can make your school life easier.
Acer Nitro 14 review: Proof that gaming laptops don't have to bankrupt you
The Acer Nitro 14 delivers great RTX 4060-powered gaming performance at a low retail price. This machine makes many compromises to keep the price down, but they’re all reasonable.
15 practical free apps for your college laptop
Get your laptop ready for school with these useful apps that don't cost a thing.
The 5 best note-taking apps for college students
Make sure you're able to take the best notes in a way that works for you with one of these excellent note-taking apps.
Framework Laptop 13 review: Build your own laptop
The Framework Laptop 13 is based on a compelling vision of a possible future, and some PC enthusiasts will love building, upgrading, and repairing their own laptop. But this isn’t the right machine for the average PC buyer.
How to protect your college laptop: A student's guide to cybersecurity
Here's everything you need to know about keeping your laptop safe, secure, and protected against hackers, viruses, and data loss.
Asus ProArt PX13 review: Serious creative horsepower with Ryzen AI 300
The Asus ProArt PX13 is a creator-focused laptop with impressive CPU performance thanks to its AMD Ryzen AI 300 series hardware. But, while this x86 machine has power and beauty, AMD’s latest hardware still falls behind Arm PCs when it comes to fan noise and battery life.
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus review: A competent Snapdragon X laptop
Dell’s first Copilot+ PC is fine, but there’s nothing about it that stands out in the Snapdragon X lineup. That’s a problem when it costs as much as a Surface Laptop — but the right sale might make this machine a good buy.