Articles by Chris Hoffman
What's new when shopping for a laptop in 2025? 8 things to keep in mind
We're in a new era for laptops. Here's what you need to know before buying a laptop in 2025.
Windows 11 Home vs. Pro: Which is right for you?
Windows 11 Pro has several outstanding features that are truly useful. But are they enough to warrant an upgrade? Here's what you need to consider.
Asus Vivobook S 14 review: 20 hour battery life with nice performance
The Asus Vivobook S 14 combines Intel’s latest Lunar Lake CPU with lots of RAM and storage at a very reasonable price. It’s a nice machine, but Lunar Lake’s multithreaded performance will be a problem for some workloads — and this laptop’s design won’t draw any eyes.
Windows Copilot+ PCs aren't there yet: 8 must-change upgrades for 2025
Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs haven't lived up to their promise. If AI is the future of Windows, Copilot+ PCs will need some serious upgrades.
Portable SSDs aren't just for backups. Here's why everybody needs one
There are so many great uses for a portable SSD, even if you aren't a full-blown tech geek. Check out these practical use cases.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 review: A 2-in-1 with all-day battery life
The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is an excellent 2-in-1 laptop with long battery life thanks to Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware. But Lunar Lake’s focus on battery life comes at a cost, and this hardware doesn’t excel at multi-threaded CPU performance.
How much SSD space do you really need? Don't skimp unless you have to
For the best PC/laptop experience, there's a minimum you don't want to drop below. Here's how much SSD storage space you should have in 2024.
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.