Sometimes the smart home doesn’t seem so smart, like when a cloud outage renders your devices useless or your smart bed starts roasting you in your sleep. We see these kinds of smart-home snafus every year, but 2025 was a tad different thanks to the arrival of generative AI assistants like Alexa+ and Google Gemini, which arrived with great fanfare but failed to truly blow our minds.  So without further ado, we present the biggest smart home flops, fails, and foul-ups of the year, ranked in ascending order. 10. Alexa+ and Google Gemini get off to slow starts  Ben Patterson/Foundry 2025 was supposed to be the year when AI for the smart home arrived with a bang. Instead, it was the year when AI tip-toed into the smart home market, ever so slowly and oh-so careful to avoid slip-ups.  Amazon was first out of the gates, unveiling Alexa+ (for the second time) in February, while Google waited until October before revealing the details of its Gemini for Home effort. The rollouts have been conspicuously cautious; it took months before early access to Alexa+ became widely available, while Google only recently stepped up the pace of its Gemini for Home invites.  Both Amazon and Google have ambitious plans for their respective generative AI smart home helpers, and if you ask them, they’ll say Alexa+ and Gemini are already in millions of homes, packed with features that take smart home monitoring and automation to the next level, yada yada.  The truth is that smart home users have greeted Alexa+ and Gemini at Home with ambivalence, with a few marveling at the AI-powered changes in their assistants while others have grumbled about missing features (“Continued Conversation,” anyone?) or head-scratching answers to smart home queries.   Many of Amazon’s and Google’s most exciting AI smart home promises have yet to materialize; Alexa+’s agentic shopping abilities are still mainly confined to Amazon.com, for example, while the upcoming Google Home Speaker with Gemini Live capabilities won’t arrive until next spring. And there have been plenty of bumps along the way; getting Alexa+ to buy a movie ticket or score a dinner reservation is a hit-or-miss proposition, while Gemini security-cam video descriptions are prone to occasional hallucinations.  Am I saying that Alexa+ and Gemini at Home are total failures? No—like other recent smart home innovations that have suffered from rocky rollouts (I’m looking at you, Matter), it’s still early days, and I expect the pace of new features to accelerate in the coming year.  But did Alexa+ and Gemini at Home revolutionize the smart home in 2025? Not really, no.  9. Nuki Smart Lock put Wi-Fi behind a paywall  Christopher Null/Foundry We’re all too used to smart devices that put their best features behind paywalls. Take security cameras, which regularly require paid subscription plans for AI-enabled object detection, cloud video storage, and other advanced functionality. Heck, some of the best security cams are barely usable unless you fork over $10 a month or more.  But we’re not used to subscription charges for smart locks, particularly when it comes to something as basic as Wi-Fi access. So we were taken aback when Nuki tried to slide Wi-Fi functionality for its Nuki Smart Lock behind a paywall. Unless you coughed up $5.90 a month for Nuki Premium, you’d only be able to control Nuki’s smrat lock locally via Bluetooth, while remote access would require purchasing a smart hub with a Thread border router.  It was a weird—and expensive—restriction for an otherwise solid retrofit smart lock. Nuki eventually relented, dropping the fee for Nuki Premium altogether earlier this month. But the company did impose a $40 price hike on the smart lock, raising its price to $199 from $159.  8. iRobot declares bankruptcy  Rachel Ogden / Foundry It’s hard to believe that robot vacuum pioneer iRobot has been brought so low, but here we are, with the company filing for bankruptcy protection as it prepares to sell itself to its primary component supplier.   The writing has been on the wall for iRobot ever since Amazon’s plans to acquire the brand collapsed. Struggling amid fierce competition from such overseas robot vacuum competitors as Roborock, Eufy, and Dreame, iRobot began falling behind, playing catch-up with its latest Roombas rather than leading the way with new features and functionality. Then came the grim quarterly earnings reports, with the company warning of steadily mounting debt amid the crushing weight of U.S.-imposed tariffs.   iRobot says its will remain in operation during its bankruptcy proceedings, and that its Roombas will continue to work normally. But with the dark clouds hovering over iRobot, it seems likely that smart home users will be even less likely to choose a Roomba for their next robot vacuum.  7. Google dumbs down two older Nest thermostats  Walmart The Nest Thermostat was one of the original smart home devices, which made it all the more surprising—and sad—when Google pulled the plug on two of its oldest models this year.  Google lowered the boom back in April, warning users of the first- and second-generation Nest Thermostats—released in 2011 and 2014 respectively—that the devices would stop getting software updates by October and would also lose Nest and Google Home app support. Google Assistant access would go out with the bathwater, too.  When the fateful day came in October, the two oldest Nest Thermstat models dropped offline. They can still be operated manually and any existing schedules will continue to operate, but the very thing that made the devices special—their smarts—is no more.  6. Logitech drops support for older Harmony remotes  Amazon It’s been roughly four years since Logitech called it quits on its Harmony line of universal remotes, which are still prized by home theater enthusiasts for their ability to control a dizzying number of A/V components as well as smart home devices.  At the time, Logitech promised to keep its Harmony servers running for “as long as customers are using [them],” but then the word came down earlier this year: Logitech was cutting support for more than two-dozen of its first-generation Harmony remotes.  As with what happened with the older Nest Thermostats, the affected Harmony remotes still function on a basic level, but they can no longer be programmed or customized to work with new devices. In other words, the smart remotes turned dumb in an instant.  Newer Harmony remotes such as the Harmony One, the Elite, and the Companion are still up and running, but owners of those newer devices (I use the Harmony Companion practically every day) are surely wondering if their days are numbered.  5. Kohler’s toilet cam sparks privacy debate  Kohler Kohler Health had a good idea when it came up with the Dekoda, a smart camera that clips to your toilet. The $599 cam (which also requires a monthly subscription fee) checks your gut health—a key indicator of your overall physical condition—by scanning the fecal matter that’s floating in your toilet bowl following a bowel movement.   Naturally, prospective buyers were curious about privacy, given that the Dekoda (which is designed so it aims only down at your poop, not up toward your backside) is taking some fairly sensitive snapshots. Don’t worry, Kohler said: the camera’s data connection to the company’s servers is encrypted—and in fact, it’s end-to-end encrypted, making your scans ever safer.  Before long, however, a privacy researcher noted that “end-to-end encryption” is commonly understood to mean an encrypted pipeline that even the service provider can’t crack; Ring, for example, can’t see or perform AI object detection on your security cam video events if you have E2EE enabled. But Kohler Health does, in fact, have access to your data; so strictly speaking, the encrypted connection isn’t end-to-end encryption, a researcher argued. Kohler fired back that the connection is end-to-end encrypted, because Kohler is the party at the other “end” of the secure connection.  While the tit-for-tat may sound pedantic, it underlines the confusion surrounding who sees what when it comes to your private smart home data.   4. The viral ‘May 28 camera hack’ that (apparently) wasn’t  Ben Patterson/Foundry Ring camera users who diligently check their accounts noticed something odd this past summer: a rash of alerts notifying them that a bunch of either unknown or unexpected devices had been granted access to their accounts. What was really weird about the alerts was that they all hit on the same day: May 28.  The flurry of alerts went mostly unnoticed until a couple of months later, when the warnings about the mysterious notifications went viral on TikTok. For a few weeks in July, the “May 28 camera hack” videos were everywhere, with an ever-growing number of TikTok users urging their followers to check their Ring apps for the suspicious activity.  Ring finally addressed the odd alerts on a support page, stating that the spate of notifications was “the result of a backend update” and that “we have no reason to believe this is the result of unauthorized access to customer accounts.”  3. Tablo DVRs go dark  Tablo It was a long, annoying summer for Tablo users, who had to endure a series of outages that rendered their over-the-air DVRs unable to play their recorded TV shows—or live TV channels at all, for that matter—while also playing havoc with their electronic programming guides. It was yet another case of a smart device turned dumb due to a cloud failure.  The good news was that Nuvyyo, the manufacturer of the Tablo, finally made good on a promise to roll out an offline mode for the DVR, which can now play TV recordings to surf channels even when the internet goes out. The Tablo really should have shipped with that feature in the first place, but hey—better late than never.  2. Amazon cloud outage takes Ring and Blink cameras offline  Ben Patterson/Foundry Whenever Amazon Web Services goes down, it takes a decent chunk of the internet down with it—and that includes the cloud services for Ring and Blink, Amazon’s two big security camera brands. (Other popular internet services, from Apple TV and Hulu to Reddit and Roblox, went down, too.) During the Amazon cloud outage, which began in the wee hours of October 20 and persisted until late in the morning, both Ring and Blink camera and video doorbell users were unable their live feeds or video event libraries, with at least one Blink owner saying that their camera missed an in-progress crime during that downtime.  Ring and Blink service was fully restored before the day was out, but the outage served as a potent reminder of how cloud-dependent even the best security systems are.  1. Smart beds lose cloud connectivity, then cook their owners   Eight Sleep We saw plenty of smart home failures in 2025, but none of them captured our attention like the case of the smart beds that began roasting their owners during a server outage—and yes, it was the same Amazon Web Services outage that knocked out Ring and Blink cameras.  Not only did the “Pod” smart beds from manufacturer Eight Sleep become unresponsive during the outage, they began heating up uncontrollably while also frozen in position. Users reported waking up in the middle of the night due to the overheating beds, while others said they couldn’t go to be at all because their mattresses were stuck in upright or otherwise awkward positions.  Fortunately, the Eight Sleep story has a happy ending, with the company rolling out an offline mode within days of the incident. Read...

TL;DR: PDF Agile gives Windows users a fast, full-featured PDF editor—complete with OCR, conversion tools, security features, and annotation—for a one-time $39.99 payment. If you spend any amount of time wrangling PDFs—forms, reports, scanned documents, presentations—you know the struggle. Some tools are slow. Others are clunky. A few feel like they were built in 1998. That’s why this $39.99 lifetime deal on PDF Agile is such an easy win for anyone who works on Windows. PDF Agile is designed to make PDF editing feel seamless. You can tweak text and images, convert files to and from Word/Excel/PowerPoint without wrecking formatting, and even turn scans into editable documents with OCR. It’s fast, flexible, and doesn’t require hopping back to original source files. And if you’re someone who needs to mark things up, PDF Agile has a full annotation kit—highlights, comments, shapes, freehand drawing, and multiple reading modes that actually make PDFs pleasant to get through. For workflows that involve sensitive information, it includes secure password protection, redaction tools, and electronic signatures. You can also merge, split, compress, reorder, crop, rotate, compare documents side-by-side … basically everything you’ve ever wanted to do to a PDF. For a one-time $39.99, you get lifetime access to a full professional toolkit in PDF Agile for a limited time. PDF Agile for Windows: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro keys just dropped to $9.97 (MSRP $199)—the lowest price ever—and gamers are upgrading fast for DirectX 12 Ultimate, Auto HDR, and performance gains. If you’ve been putting off the jump from Windows 10, this might be the nudge you needed. Windows 11 Pro just hit its lowest price ever, and PC gamers are snapping up keys fast thanks to its serious performance perks and modern graphics tech. But don’t wait—there are fewer than 100 codes available at this price. The biggest win for gamers is DirectX 12 Ultimate support. This lets you take full advantage of modern GPU features like ray tracing, variable rate shading, and mesh shaders, unlocking visual effects that rival reality in the latest titles. Combined with Auto HDR and improved graphics optimization, Windows 11 Pro helps your hardware deliver the best possible experience. Beyond graphics, Windows 11 Pro gives gamers more tools to optimize system performance. Features like Hyper-V virtualization and Windows Sandbox allow you to test mods or beta builds in isolated environments without risking your main OS. And with BitLocker device encryption, you can secure your gaming rig against malware and ransomware, a growing concern for players who mod or run unofficial tools. Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro while keys are just $9.97—selling out fast (MSRP $199). No coupon is needed. Microsoft Windows 11 ProSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

A little before Thanksgiving, my colleague Mark Hachman sent me a Threads link. It showed a cute little animated cat running on your taskbar. The add-on from GitHub claims to show your CPU load, with the feline running faster the harder your processor works. The comments on the thread run the gamut of wary to enthusiastic. (My favorite, from a user named gerb: “It might be malware, but at least it’s cute.”) But most people liked the idea. Maybe not specifically a cat—dogs got nominated as an idea—but they were onboard with an adorable addition to the taskbar. Why hasn’t Microsoft started selling this kind of thing?  (Hold your pitchforks.) Welcome to The Full Nerd newsletter—your weekly dose of hardware & software talk from the enthusiasts at PCWorld. Missed the surprising topics on our YouTube show or latest news from across the web? You’re in the right place.  Want this newsletter to come directly to your inbox? Sign up on our website! In the old days, I could have added something like this with less fear of infecting my computer. (It wasn’t completely safe, but a general sense of good citizenship still prevailed when fewer people were online.) Heck, even a year ago, I would have told people to at least investigate the source and see if anyone else had examined the code.  But bad actors have rapidly incorporated AI into their attacks, making them easier to deploy faster and more sophisticated, too. For example, Google has already spotted malware that can dynamically change in real-time and is harder to detect. The methods have become sneakier as well. Several times this year, legitimate games on Steam ended up spreading malware. Meanwhile, Microsoft owns multiple game studios, some of which have made beaucoup bucks doing precisely what I’m suggesting—selling skins and accessories. Also, it runs a little storefront for its Xbox console ecosystem, so it’s not a stranger to this business. The Microsoft Store is doing okay for itself, too. Ori and the Blind Forest is still one of my most favorite games.Microsoft / Steam And yet. I can’t buy little bits of code that would let my version of Windows have: Nyan cat, flying through space on my taskbar Microsoft’s Ninjacat as an animated screensaver Animated Ori and the Blind Forest wallpaper  A whole Ori theme where there are animated bits, icon packs, several wallpaper choices, a screensaver, and a properly color coordinated background and accent color chosen because I suck at that Animated turtle that walks around in the left corner of the taskbar when it’s warm and hides when it’s cold (This is not an exhaustive list of what I could be enticed into purchasing. Not remotely.) Before anyone hurts me for suggesting Windows microtransactions, let me be very clear. I never want Microsoft to slap a price tag on individual features related to Windows operations. Not even minor ones. That would suck, and I want to stress that I’m deeply grateful that PowerToys exist. (Thank you again to the devs who work on those.) All I’m saying is, I have a growing collection of ugly sweaters. I bought the Microsoft XP Crocs (and actually considered for a second if I would ever buy the Xbox Crocs). What a squandered opportunity to bring back the true vibes of the 90s, when we all spent literal hours collecting (and rotating through) different Winamp skins. People love aesthetic customizations. You know how people don’t want to pay $30 to extend Windows 10 licenses? I bet a pack of something from any one of Microsoft’s big game franchises could make some serious money. Probably more than the $30 for an Extended License. I don’t even buy Moira skins and I’m hundreds of hours into Overwatch as a Moira OTP. But I would buy fun Windows customizations from a reputable source. No other developer would be more trustworthy than Microsoft itself. (Or so one hopes.) In this episode of The Full Nerd In this episode of The Full Nerd, Brad Chacos, Adam Patrick Murray, Alaina Yee, and Will Smith must eat their words. Yep, our annual tradition returns, in which we all suffer the consequences of not making accurate predictions for 2025. For those new to our show, our predictions episodes work like this: In the first part, we review last year’s forecasts. For every wrong one, the traditional punishment is to literally eat your words—you write the inaccurate guess down on a piece of paper and down the hatch it goes—but some of us have since spun off from Gordon’s methodology. Then, in the second part of the show, we make new predictions for the coming year. The cycle continues. With the many twists and turns of 2025, I was surprised we got any predictions right. Still, we missed enough that Brad, normally the guy who escapes a lot of suffering, ended up deeply regretting his choice to down Da Bomb Beyond Insanity hot sauce for every wrong pick. I don’t mean just discomfort while on the show. About three hours later, we received a message in our work group chat that said: “ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff i forgot to wash my hands before using the bathroom ????” On Wednesday, he said he still hadn’t fully recovered. Also, to remember washing your hands after cleaning up hot sauce. Heard, boss. Willis Lai / Foundry Missed our live show? Subscribe now to The Full Nerd Network YouTube channel, and activate notifications. We also answer viewer questions in real-time! Don’t miss out on our NEW shows too—you can catch episodes of Dual Boot Diaries and The Full Nerd: Extra Edition now! And if you need more hardware talk during the rest of the week, come join our Discord community—it’s full of cool, laid-back nerds. This week’s unsettling nerd news I had hoped for a quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s, but uh, apparently the Ghost of PC Building Future had different ideas. Maingear announced on Tuesday that it would begin offering custom systems without RAM, if you prefer to save some cash and BYOR instead. (Bring your own RAM.) …Where does one find that independently sourced affordable DDR5 RAM, exactly? XPG BYOR hurts as a concept: We actually discussed this prediction the very same day that Maingear made its announcement about Bring Your Own Ram configurations. Strap in, 2026’s going to be quite a ride. Nerfed SSD performance in Windows 11 may finally end: Remember the move to software-based encryption in BitLocker, and it tanking SSD speeds? Well, Microsoft is now promising that coming hardware-based encryption will undo most of that issue. Here’s to hoping. LimeWire was not on my 2025 bingo card: Especially not as a tool for circumventing potential censorship and keeping information freely available. Perhaps nostalgia is good for us: I’m going to interpret this study showing that happiness from reliving good childhood memories (via console games like Super Mario Bros.) means I’m perfectly justified in buying retro consoles and not actually making progress on my games backlog. Take a look at this vintage Texas Instruments computer! Will got a really cool close-up look at the TI-99/4A, thanks to Huxley from Retro Roadshow stopping by our offices and bringing his childhood computer with him. Long live OLED: I’ve been holding out for an affordable OLED TV, but I have to admit I’ve been a bit hesitant due to burn-in concerns. Looks like I may have little to worry about. Hmm… Shoutout to the OG: Valve is discontinuing the LCD version of the Steam Deck, leaving the OLED version as its default champion of handheld gaming. Rest in peace, trailblazer. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate—and I’ll catch everyone again just after New Year’s, with some thoughts about 2026 (and possibly some related resolutions). For now, I’m off to enjoy family time, video games, and a ton of excellent food! ~Alaina This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and executive editor of hardware at PCWorld. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Very comfortable to wear Good, detailed stereo sound with strong localization Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection Wide compatibility (PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch, mobile) Long battery life with quick-charging function Intuitive operation Extensive software Cons Microphone sounds tinny and not very natural Wide USB dongle blocks neighboring connections Slight high-frequency sharpness in the standard sound (can be corrected via EQ) Our Verdict The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a headset that’s comfortable, sounds precise, runs forever, and switches effortlessly between PC, Console, and mobile phone. The dual wireless function is not only practical, but a truly unique selling point in this price range. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 Retailer Price $179.99 View Deal Steeleseries $199.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 presents itself as a versatile mid-range gaming headset that wants to shine on the PC as well as on consoles and mobile devices. This is the second generation of the popular Arctis Nova 7, with Steelseries building on proven strengths and making targeted improvements. Even on paper, the technical specifications are impressive: 40-millimetre neodymium drivers, dual wireless (2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.3) with simultaneous function, over 50 hours of battery life, broad platform support, and a comfort-oriented design. This review clarifies whether the Nova 7 Gen 2 can earn these praises in the practical test, and where its weaknesses lie. Design and wearing comfort On the outside, Steelseries remains true to its line: The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 relies on the classic Steelseries design with matte-black plastic and a sleek look. The metal frame in the headband provides stability, while an elasticated spring band (in the style of ski goggles) distributes the contact pressure. This combination — Steelseries calls it the “ComfortMax” system — ensures a first-class fit without pressure points. In the test, the wearing comfort actually proves to be outstanding: Several hours of continuous use are no problem, the headset remains comfortable and secure on the head. Weighing around 11.4 ounces (325 grams), it is not ultra-light, but thanks to the good weight distribution it does not feel too heavy. Friedrich Stiemer The ear pads are made from a hybrid of breathable fabric and artificial leather. This gives them a soft fit and allows some air to reach the ears, while the artificial leather on the inside minimizes sound leaks. In practice, external noise is passively dampened, although not completely shielded, as the partially open design is noticeable here. After very long sessions, however, the ear areas can get a little warm. But overall, the positive impression of a well thought-out, comfortable headset prevails. Friedrich Stiemer The build quality is also of a high standard: Nothing wobbles or creaks, the adjustment mechanism (extendable ear cup holders and three adjustment points for the spring band) appears durable and designed for a wide range of head sizes. Overall, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 feels robust and high-quality — ideal for daily gaming use. However, there is one small design criticism: The USB-C dongle supplied is unusually wide at 2.11 inches (approx. 53.8 millimeters) and can block neighboring USB ports. Although Steelseries supplies a short USB extension cable, a slimmer, longer dongle would have been more practical. Apart from this detail, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 impresses across the board with its simplicity, excellent ergonomics, and well thought-out design. Features and connectivity In terms of functions and connectivity options, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 packs a punch. The headset can be paired wirelessly via a 2.4GHz wireless dongle and in parallel via Bluetooth, even simultaneously to mix two audio sources. The USB-C dongle ensures a latency-free connection to PC, Mac, Playstation 5, and Nintendo Switch (both in the dock and mobile via USB-C). A slide switch on the dongle enables the special Xbox mode for the Xbox Series X/S, as Microsoft’s consoles require a proprietary wireless protocol. Important: Steelseries offers the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 in different versions: Nova 7P (PlayStation/PC) and Nova 7X (Xbox all others). The hardware is identical, but only the X version is fully compatible with the Xbox. So if you choose the Arctis Nova 7X version, you can in fact cover all platforms. In tests, the wireless connection proved to be very stable and long enough range to take a break in the next room without losing contact. In addition to Bluetooth, mobile devices also have the option of using the USB-C dongle on smartphones or tablets, for example via an adapter. Here, however, we have observed that a dongle connection plugged directly into the mobile phone can sometimes have a brief loss of connection when moving. In such cases, Bluetooth pairing is the more convenient choice when travelling. Speaking of Bluetooth: This wireless method only uses the SBC codec, which is okay for listening to music, but can lead to noticeable delays when gaming or watching videos. The 2.4GHz mode is therefore clearly recommended for gaming, as it has virtually no latency. Friedrich Stiemer In addition to wireless, wired operation is also possible: the headset has a 3.5 millimeter jack socket to connect it to a PC, controller, or handheld in the classic analog way. This even extends compatibility to older devices (e.g. for the Nintendo Switch Lite or some gaming handhelds) and serves as an emergency solution in the event of battery failure. The controls on the headset are arranged in a user-friendly way: The power button, a dedicated Bluetooth button and a wheel for the chat-game audio balance (chat mix) are located on the right ear cup: A blessing in multiplayer to be able to finely balance voice chat and game sound at all times. On the left is the volume control knob and a clearly perceptible microphone mute button. The buttons and wheels provide clear haptic feedback so that they can be operated intuitively even in the middle of a game. The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 does not have active noise cancellation (ANC), but this is not unusual in this price range of less than $200 — most gaming headsets at this price do not offer ANC anyway. The passive isolation provided by the padding is average: Everyday noises such as keyboard clacking or quiet background chatter are noticeably muffled, but still penetrate somewhat at higher volumes. Overall, however, the features of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 are impressively comprehensive: Multi-platform support, simultaneous connections, and analog fallback option make the gaming headset an extremely flexible companion. In fact, the Arctis model works with practically everything, from PCs to consoles and smartphones, making it a true all-rounder. Friedrich Stiemer The dual wireless function is particularly noteworthy: In the test, simultaneous playback from PC/console and mobile phone worked smoothly and without dropouts. For example, you can be in a Discord chat on your mobile phone via Bluetooth while gaming on the PlayStation, or take a call while gaming on the PC. Incoming calls are handled cleverly: If a call comes in via the mobile phone, the headset microphone is automatically muted for the game chat so that you can make the call undisturbed. When you hang up, it switches back to the game chat. This seamless integration of both audio channels is extremely practical in everyday life. Sound quality The sound quality of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is geared towards the needs of demanding gamers without compromising on all-round qualities. The 40-millimeter speaker drivers deliver precise, detailed sound across the entire frequency spectrum. Steelseries clearly emphasizes clarity in the mids and highs, which allows fine details such as footsteps or directional noises to stand out clearly. In fact, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 shines in the test when it comes to spatial localization: In shooters and action games, it was possible to make out exactly from which direction opponents were approaching — a tactical advantage that not every headset in this class offers. This is supported by the virtual surround function (Steelseries Sonar Spatial Audio on the PC and Tempest 3D Audio on the PS5), which makes the sound image even wider and more immersive if desired. In single-player games, the surround mode significantly enhances the atmosphere. In competitive games, on the other hand, we mostly used the stereo mode, as the localization is precise and without artificial effects — the Arctis Nova 7 already delivers excellent positioning information in stereo. As delivered, the sound tuning is slightly fun-orientated: The bass has plenty of body and pressure, while the upper treble sounds slightly over-sharpened. This leads to a powerful rumble during explosions, for example, but can sometimes be perceived as a little too sharp with very high tones. Voices and important game sounds in the mid-range come through clearly and dominate the action, giving the headset its “tactical” sound. Friedrich Stiemer Our music tests showed that the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is also suitable for everyday multimedia: Songs sound dynamic and balanced, albeit not at hi-fi level, as the deepest bass and fine detail in the highest registers reach the limits of gaming tuning. Sound enthusiasts may note that the fine-tuning ex works is not completely neutral: For example, certain treble ranges are slightly overemphasized and could be a little tiring for sensitive ears in the long term. However, this is where the great strength of the Steelseries software comes into its own: The parametric equalizer in the Sonar app allows the sound image to be corrected and optimized as desired. We were able to tame the slightly sharp treble and fine-tune the bass with just a few movements of the EQ controls. The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 then sounded very balanced. Steelseries also provides over 200 predefined EQ profiles, customized for various games, from Call of Duty to Counter-Strike 2, which can be loaded with a click. In the test, some of these presets actually brought audible improvements for specific scenarios, such as clearer footsteps in shooters or more powerful effects in action adventures. In short, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a strong audio performance out of the box, especially for gaming. If you want to further refine the sound, you have all the options with the software tools. In this price range, the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is right at the top. More expensive models such as the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro or the Elite offer even finer hi-res sound, but also cost many times more. For a $200 headset, the sound quality of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is absolutely convincing and left hardly anything to be desired in everyday gaming. Microphone and voice chat Steelseries equips the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 with the tried-and-tested “ClearCast Gen2” boom arm microphone. This can be retracted into the left ear cup and fits seamlessly into the design when retracted — ideal if you want to use the headset as normal headphones when travelling. The microphone can be flexibly bent into position and is simply pulled out for use. However, it is not detachable; it always remains attached to the headset. The LED indicators are practical: A small red LED on the tip of the microphone signals that the microphone is muted, and a status LED also indicates the connection mode. Friedrich Stiemer In voice chat practice, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers solid intelligibility. Voices are transmitted clearly and background noise is effectively suppressed. According to Steelseries, this should be up to 25 decibels thanks to AI noise cancelling. In our Discord rounds, our fellow players confirmed that our voice came through clearly and without loud background noise. Nevertheless, we have to say: In terms of sound, the microphone is only mid-range. Our criticism is that the voice transmission is somewhat unnatural and nasal, as if the voice is filtered slightly mechanically or tinny. This is a typical phenomenon with many gaming headsets that cut frequencies in favor of clarity. As a result, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 never sounds as full or natural as an external microphone. However, the result is absolutely fine for normal voice chat. However, anyone who values particularly warm or authentic voice transmission (e.g. for streaming) will see the average microphone as a weak point. In a direct comparison with some competitor headsets in this class, the ClearCast microphone performs slightly worse — the microphone on the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless or the Razer Blackshark V3 Pro, for example, sound a little fuller. On a positive note, however, the microphone of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is not overly sensitive: Loud ambient noises or keyboard clatter are rarely transmitted. The headset also has microphone monitoring — you can hear yourself slightly on your ear — which protects you from unconsciously speaking loudly. Tip: The microphone should actually be used extended for optimum results. Although it is technically possible to speak when the headset is inserted (it is then not automatically muted), the quality suffers significantly: The voice is barely captured and sounds muffled. You therefore have to pull out the headband to remain intelligible. This is not a problem in everyday use, as the flexible arm can be positioned easily. In particularly quiet situations, we also notice a slight background noise or white noise from the microphone and hope for firmware optimizations here. On our test device, a slight background noise was only audible when no other sounds were playing; in gaming mode, it was drowned out by the sound. Overall, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a functional microphone that is absolutely sufficient for game chat, VoIP telephony and most applications, but is not a highlight. If you’re looking for absolute top microphone quality, you’ll either have to resort to significantly more expensive headsets or consider a separate microphone. For everyone else, the level offered is acceptable. Battery life and charging functions A big plus of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is the significantly longer battery life. Steelseries has increased the capacity by around 40 percent compared to its predecessor and now promises an impressive usage time of up to 54 hours in 2.4GHz mode. In Bluetooth-only mode, the battery is expected to last around 42 hours, and even when using wireless and Bluetooth at the same time, the battery still lasts around 38 hours. In practice, over 50 hours of battery life means that the headset only needs to be charged once or twice a month with moderate daily use, making it a real long runner. Our test period extended over several days of intensive gaming (six to eight hours per day) and we didn’t actually have to charge the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 in between within a week. The battery status is displayed via the software and an LED display on the device, and the headset emits warning tones when the battery is low. However, we found the series of warning tones a little intrusive when the battery is low: three loud warning tones sound every two minutes or so, which can be annoying in the long run. Nevertheless, an empty battery is unlikely to come as a complete surprise, as the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is really long-lasting. And even if you forget about it, help is at hand: Thanks to the quick-charging function, 15 minutes on the cable is enough to give you around six hours of playing time. The battery charges fully in around one and a half hours. Friedrich Stiemer Another practical feature is that you can continue to use the headset while it is charging. Simply connect the USB-C cable and it will charge in the background without interrupting the game. This means that spontaneous gaming sessions are never jeopardized. Overall, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 ranks at the top of the wireless headset range in terms of battery life. Only a few models (such as the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless with over 100 hours) run even longer, but over 50 hours is already more than enough for long gaming nights. Software and extras The GG software, including Sonar, is a real asset for Steelseries. This software suite integrates hardware and software in an exemplary manner and offers a wide range of customization options. On the PC, you can use Steelseries GG to install firmware updates for the headset, but above all you can configure the sound extensively: A parametric 10-band equalizer, various predefined sound profiles for different game genres, sliders for game/chat mix, volume, microphone level, and sidetone (monitoring) — all of this is clearly available. The user interface is designed to be beginner-friendly; if you don’t want to familiarize yourself in depth, simply select one of the many presets and get a suitable sound without any effort. Advanced users will be delighted with the ability to fine-tune every sound detail from treble filter to bass boost. Thanks to the integrated sonar technology, we were actually able to tease a lot out of the headset during the test. Steelseries Sonar is regarded by connoisseurs as one of the best headset apps on the market, and our experience confirms this: The EQ function and the continuously updated gaming presets (over 260 profiles according to the manufacturer) are unique and very useful. Remarkable: Since the second generation, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 now also supports the Arctis smartphone app. This allows console gamers or mobile gamers to make some settings conveniently on their mobile phones. For example, the app can be used to select EQ presets, adjust the sound mix, or control lighting (if available). The parametric fine-tuning is reserved for the PC software, but basic profiles can also be changed on the move. In the test, the app pairing worked straight away; it is also pleasing that no compulsory registration is required to use the app or PC software. Friedrich Stiemer Overall, Steelseries emphasises its premium claim with the software: The possibilities go far beyond what standard drivers offer. Only those who absolutely don’t like additional software on the PC may be overwhelmed: The Sonar app can seem complex at first, but it’s worth spending 15 to 30 minutes familiarizing yourself with it. For most gamers, the software integration is a great added value that sets the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 apart from more simply equipped competitor models. Related content 6 practical reasons to buy a PC gaming headset (even if you don’t game) I won’t buy a wireless PC headset if it lacks this humble feature Are premium gaming headsets any better than cheap ones? Read...

Even if you’ve been using Windows for decades, it’s so sprawling and complex that there might be truly helpful, yet more obscure features that can still surprise you. We’ve tracked down ten little-known Windows features that might just improve your efficiency, your comfort, or possibly even your fun while using your PC.  All of them should work on both Windows 10 and 11 alike, and each only takes a few seconds to try out. Here we go, in no particular order:  Mouse hover window activation Michael Crider/IDG Whenever I use a new PC, this is the very first feature I enable. Technically it’s part of the accessibility tools, but many users might find it useful no matter what their level of mobility. This setting allows you to activate a window simply by moving your mouse cursor over it, instead of requiring an extra click before interacting with the program. It’s a tiny change, but one that makes a huge difference, especially on a laptop trackpad.  To change this setting, go to Control Panel, then click the Ease of Access Center. Click “Make the mouse easier to use.” Under “Make it easier to manage windows,” select “Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse.” Click Okay to enable the setting.  PROMOTIONUpgrade to Windows 10 Pro for $69.99, then Upgrade to 11 Pro for Free Right now in our PCWorld Software store you can buy a Windows 10 Pro license for just $69.99, 65% off its typical price of $199.99. Once installed, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for free. Jump over to our store and start upgrading. Upgrade to Pro for $69.99 Easy window arrangement  Michael Crider/IDG With newer versions of Windows, it’s easy to move windows (sorry) around your screen. Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard, then press the arrow keys. Pressing left or right will instantly move the window to the corresponding half of the screen. Pressing up or down will alternate between halving the window in the upper or lower portion of the screen, maximizing it, or minimizing it to the toolbar.  These shortcuts even work across multiple monitors. It’s a great way to quickly arrange your windows across screens and monitors with minimal effort.  Quick taskbar launching  Michael Crider/IDG If you want to quickly manage windows, you probably pin your most-used programs and tools to the taskbar. If you want to get at them even faster, simply hold down the Windows button and press the number on your keyboard that corresponds to their spot on the taskbar. On mine, opening Chrome is Win + 1, opening Photoshop is Win + 5, et cetera.  Rearrange your system tray  Michael Crider/IDG Speaking of the taskbar, the system tray (the little mini-icons on the right side) can often get crowded if you’re using a lot of software. That’s doubly true if you run a lot of programs at startup. But if it’s cluttered, you don’t have to keep it that way. Click and drag any of the icons around to re-arrange them. You can put them in the drop-down menu to hide them (just click the arrow to show them again), or set them to the right to make them permanently visible.  Night light  Michael Crider/IDG Those of us who have less-than-healthy computing habits tend to use our PCs late into the evening. You should probably cut it out, but if not, using the built-in night light feature couldn’t hurt. Simply search the Start menu for “Night light” to find the setting that will dim your computer’s screen and lower its blue light output. Once it’s set up, you can toggle this anytime in the quick settings menu (Win + A) or have it turn on and off automatically at specific times of the evening and morning.  Instantly bring up the Task Manager Michael Crider/IDG This is an old trick, but with the expanded functions of the Task Manager in Windows 10 and 11, it’s become more useful. From any screen in any program, press Ctrl+Shift+Escape to open the Task Manager. From here you can manually close programs, quickly access the Run command, or click the Startup tab to track down programs that are sneakily starting with Windows.  Screenshot tricks  Michael Crider/IDG If you haven’t done so yet, you really need to start using the official (but obscure) Windows Snipping Tool, which expands the operating system’s rather basic screenshot tool (tied to the Print Screen button) with all sorts of new goodies. Press Win + Shift + S simultaneously to see options to instantly screenshot your entire workspace, just one window, or a freeform selection drawn with your mouse. Your screenshot is then copied and ready to be pasted into a web form or image editor.  In a hurry? You can still access the old screenshot functionality (which saves a full image file in your Pictures>Screenshots folder) by pressing Win + Print Screen. Alternately, you can copy the full screenshot instead with Ctrl + Print Screen, or copy a selection of just your currently active program with Alt + Print Screen.  Search by most recently installed programs Michael Crider/IDG One of the smallest changes in Windows that I’ve gotten the most use out of is this tweak to the way you search through programs for uninstallation. It makes it easy to find the most recent program you installed, and get rid of it if you want to. Press the Windows key, search for “Add or remove programs,” and click it to open the Settings menu. You’ll be presented with a list of every program installed on your computer.  In previous versions of Windows, you’d have to hunt through this long list alphabetically. Now you can search for it, but what if it’s not listed under the same name? Just click “Name,” then “Install date.” The list is now in reverse chronological order, showing your most recently-installed programs. Click the three-dot menu on the right to get rid of any entry. Super easy!  Quickly connect to new screens  Michael Crider/IDG Most of the time Windows will automatically enable a new monitor or screen when you plug it in. But if it doesn’t, there’s a quick way to adjust your display setup. Just press Win + P to open the “Project” menu. From this pop-out you can select Duplicate (mirror your primary screen to your secondary), Extend (use more than one screen at once), or Second screen only (handy for using just a monitor and not your laptop screen).  This menu is great if you’re using a multi-monitor setup and you want to quickly disable secondary screens, such as for watching a movie or playing a game, then enable them again when you’re done without diving into menus.  Adjust text and element sizes  Michael Crider/IDG You probably know that you can adjust the size of what you see in Windows by changing your resolution. But unlike the days of CRTs, your laptop screen or monitor has a very specific resolution it’s meant to run at. Changing that value isn’t a great idea; it can result in a stretched or pixelated image, and video won’t look its best.  Instead of changing the resolution, go to Display Settings, scroll down a bit, and change the Scale setting. This can make text and images look bigger or smaller on your screen without changing the resolution of the image itself. Pre-set values come in 25 percent increments, but you can set a custom value if you prefer (with a system reset). There’s also an option that will adjust just the text size.  Many programs come with their own scaling and text settings, especially text-heavy apps like browsers and text editors. Tweak them to your liking to find the most comfortable combination.  Quickly adjust icon sizes in Explorer  Michael Crider/IDG If you need to see icons better in an Explorer window specifically, try this quick trick. Hold down the Ctrl button and scroll your mouse wheel up and down. Thumbnail images will get bigger or smaller in response. Scroll far enough and the view will actually change from thumbnails to lists with mini-icons. This works even on the Windows desktop, with no Explorer window in use.  Explorer isn’t the only program to use the Ctrl+mouse wheel shortcut to change the view. Browsers, email clients, image editors, and text editors often use it to zoom in or out or quickly change text scaling. It’s a common tool worth learning. That just about does it for this roundup of tips and tricks! If you’re looking to go even further down this rabbit hole, check out our roundup of 10 truly helpful Windows tools you might not know about, how to tune Windows for laser-focused productivity, and how to fix Windows 11’s worst annoyances. Read...

TL;DR: Get lifetime licenses to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for $39.97 (MSRP $418.99). A lot of people unwrap a brand-new computer on Christmas morning only to realize it is missing the software they actually need. Most new PCs no longer include Microsoft Office, and many budget models ship with limited Windows builds or older versions that need upgrading. Before long, your shiny new holiday gift starts asking you to pay extra for basic tools. But, for $39.97 (MSRP $418.99), you get lifetime access to both Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro with no subscriptions or recurring fees. What You Get With Microsoft Office Professional 2021 Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook And, more Everything installs directly on your PC and works offline. What Windows 11 Pro Adds to Your Setup A refreshed interface with fast, clean navigation Snap Layouts and multiple desktops BitLocker device protection Smart App Control Hardware-level security features Faster boot times and smoother performance This is the version many users expect to come preinstalled, but often do not get. The Final Step for Any New Holiday Computer Whether your new computer arrived without Office, shipped with Windows 10, or came with the basic Home edition, this bundle fills in the missing essentials at a price that is hard to beat. You buy it once and keep it for life. Get the Microsoft Office + Windows 11 Pro Lifetime Bundle for $39.97 (MSRP $418.99) while this holiday offer is available. The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro BundleSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Very comfortable to wear Up to 100 hours battery life Stable wireless connection with long range Clear localization in the game Simple operation, plug & play Cons Microphone sounds thin No surround sound and no software No jack connection, no Xbox support Bass a little weak Our Verdict The Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless is a no-frills, comfortable gaming headset with excellent battery life and precise sound localization, ideal for PC and PlayStation gamers focused on competitive play. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless Retailer Price $69.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Cherry Xtrfy is entering the wireless headset market for the first time with the H3 wireless. The focus is clearly on comfort, durability and esports-ready sound. But is this enough to complete with established players like HyperX, Logitech, or SteelSeries? We tested the headset in everyday use and during gaming sessions. Here’s what we found. Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Design and ergonomics Visually, the Cherry Xtrfy remains true to its simple design philosophy. No RGB, no frills–just a functional design with a robust aluminum headband and large, oval ear cups. The headset weighs around 325 grams and sits comfortably on the head thanks to its memory foam padding. For the typical PC gamer or PlayStation user looking for an uncomplicated, reliable headset, the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless is an excellent choice. A particular highlight is the even pressure distribution, which remains comfortable even during long sessions. Glasses wearers can also play for hours without discomfort. Friedrich Stiemer The pads are covered with artificial leather on the outside and breathable mesh on the inside, helping to keep the headset at a pleasant temperature even during prolonged use. In practice, the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless proved to be one of the most comfortable models in its price class during multi-hour gaming sessions. Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Technology and features Inside the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless are 53-millimetre drivers with an impedance of 16 ohms. The result is a clear, treble-emphasized sound with precise localization, making it perfect for shooters such as Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant. Enemy footsteps and reloading noises can be localized exactly, which offers a real advantage in competitive play. The H3 Wireless is less convincing when it comes to music and films. The mids sound a little flat and the bass lacks punch. Explosions sound clean, but not powerful. This won’t be an issue for gamers who value detailed localization. However, anyone hoping for a richer sound will be disappointed. Three preset equalizer profiles (Game, Music, Movie) are supposed to provide a remedy, but only change the sound minimally. Friedrich Stiemer Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Microphone The detachable boom microphone with noise cancelation delivers mixed results. On the positive side, background noises such as keyboard clatter are filtered out well. The negative? Voices sound thin and slightly tinny. The quality is perfectly adequate for Discord, in-game chat, or meetings, but it falls short for streamers or professional voice recordings. The microphone can be removed and replaced via a standard socket, adding some degree of flexibility. Friedrich Stiemer Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Connectivity and operation The Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless offers two wireless modes: a latency-free 2.4 GHz connection via the supplied USB dongle and Bluetooth 5.1. Switching between the two is done at the touch of a button. In practice, this works smoothly and takes just a few seconds when switching from PC to smartphone. However, the headset does not support multipoint, meaning both connections can be used simultaneously. One clear plus is the wireless range: the connection remains stable even two rooms away. Xbox gamers, however, are left out in the cold, as the headset isn’t compatible with Microsoft consoles due to the lack of a 3.5 mm jack. Friedrich Stiemer The headset is operated directly on the ear cups. Volume, equalizer, and mute can be accessed via dedicated physical buttons. The volume control could be more finely graduated, but overall the handling is pleasantly intuitive. There is no software. Instead, the motto is “plug and play.” This reduces complexity, but also prevents customized sound adjustments. Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Battery life This is where the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless scores highly. It gets up to 100 hours of playtime per charge, which is plain bananas. In everyday testing, the battery lasted almost two weeks with several hours of daily use. It charges via USB-C, and the headset can be used while charging. Cherry Xtrfy outperforms many more expensive competitor models. Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Practical impression In everyday gaming, it’s clear that the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless is focused on the essentials. No superfluous bells and whistles here–just high comfort, long battery life, and stable wireless performance. The clear acoustics are particularly impressive in competitive games. In voice chat, the microphone’s weak quality is noticeable, and music lovers may be disappointed due to the neutral tuning. Friedrich Stiemer For the typical PC gamer or PlayStation user looking for an uncomplicated, reliable headset, the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless is an excellent choice. On the other hand, those who value audio fine-tuning or surround sound should look elsewhere. Read...

Apple’s MacBooks are icons of the creative arts, and are beloved by creatives for their performance and streamlined design. But as capable as they are, they don’t offer the same kind of power and versatility as the latest RTX AI PCs equipped with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards. If you’re considering a laptop upgrade this year, GeForce RTX 50 Series laptops, backed by the latest Blackwell architecture, are specifically designed to handle the most demanding creative projects, outperforming the competition in both speed and visual precision. Not to mention the latest AI features and some well deserved off-hours gaming. Explore NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Powered Windows gaming laptopsLearn more Accelerated creativity, elevated fun If you’re editing video, native 4:2:2 support delivers professional color grading tools to the masses  with twice the color information of standard 4:2:0 formats for high-fidelity editing while maintaining manageable file sizes. Equipped with the 9th-gen NVENC, the RTX 5070 is 2x faster than the Apple MacBook Pro with M4 Pro when encoding in popular applications like CapCut and DaVinci Resolve with HEVC. The latest encoders deliver 5% better quality in AV1 and HEVC. An additional AV1 Ultra High Quality mode further boosts quality by another 5%. The 6th-gen NVDEC enables 2x faster H.264 decoding. It also introduces hardware-accelerated mJPEG decode support. Plus AI effects in DaVinci Resolve run up to 2.1x faster on an RTX 5070 than on a MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and perform 15% faster than the previous generation of RTX cards. Aspiring livestreamers can tap into 9th-gen NVENC hardware encoding for superior streaming quality without impacting your gaming or app performance, allowing for high frame rates while simultaneously encoding a high-quality stream. Native AV1 encoding enables higher quality streams at lower bitrates, providing up to 40% better compression efficiency than traditional H.264. Then there’s the exclusive NVIDIA Broadcast app, ideal for podcasters and streamers who require high production value without a room full of gear. This AI-powered tool enables background noise removal and virtual backgrounds to keep your focus on the content. With features like Studio Voice, which uses AI to enhance microphone quality to professional studio standards, and Virtual Key Light, which intelligently brightens your face in poorly lit environments. For 3D artists, the RTX 5070 transforms the creative process from a series of “wait-and-see” moments into a real-time interactive experience. DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation technology dramatically improves real-time viewport speeds during modeling and animation so you can iterate on complex scenes without the painful wait for your PC to catch up. NVIDIA OptiX Denoising uses AI to remove “noise” from preview renders with the RTX 5070 clocking in 3x faster than the Apple MacBook Pro with M4 in Chaos V-Ray. And hey, if you want to do a little gaming when you’re finished for the day, RTX 5070 supports DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation for the highest frame rates possible in modern gaming. For an even more chill but equally impressive entertainment experience, check out RTX Video that automatically enhances videos in Chrome, Firefox, Edge browsers and VLC to crystal-clear 4K HDR. Future proof AI The RTX 5070 is built to be the fastest platform for creators who use generative AI to speed up their workflows. Gen AI models and tools run natively on RTX 5070 GPUs through CUDA meaning everything works on Day 0. TensorRT-optimized models, available only on RTX GPUs, run up to 2x faster than native PyTorch models, providing the fastest performance for those who need it. In Stability AI’s latest image generation model, Stable Diffusion 3.5, the RTX 5070 laptop runs 12x faster than a MacBook Pro with M4 Pro. Out-of-the-box performance in ComfyUI, the visual platform for generative AI that enables easy branching, remixing, and customization of workflows, has been accelerated even further on RTX GPUs by up to 40%. RTX 5070 hardware also enables FP4 support, which is essential for fitting larger, more complex models on your device while ensuring they run as fast as possible. While Apple doesn’t disclose the raw capabilities of its neural processors, onboard NPUs tend to operate in the 10s of TOPS (Trillions of operations per second) range. That’s impressive, but RTX 5070s with dedicated 5th-gen Tensor Cores (AI chips) can offer hundreds of TOPS. Onboard NPUs are great for completing simple upscaling or webcam beautifying tasks, but for running large language models, or developing your own chatbots, having a dedicated RTX 5070 GPU with its own VRAM makes a big difference. Explore Windows and RTX If you’re been a MacBook user for a while, we get it: The idea of switching to Windows feels alien. And it probably will feel odd for a while, but it’s not like you’ll miss out on much in the way of applications. Many of the native macOS apps, like Apple Music, iCloud, Safari, run just fine on Windows, and there are equivalents of all the most popular apps that don’t. If you’re thinking about upgrading, or are curious about what a new laptop might help you do, then it’s well worth considering a switch to a new Windows laptop with a RTX 5070 Series GPU. They’re fast for all kinds of creative tasks, support the most capable of applications, and offer impressive battery life in their own right. Windows laptops with GeForce RTX graphics aren’t MacBooks, and that’s their real strength. Explore NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Powered Windows gaming laptopsLearn more Read...

With so many online accounts to deal with these days, it can be difficult to remember all the various login details. Sites demand specific mixes of special characters, numerals and letters, making it hard to keep these strange collections of characters in your head. Then there’s the ones you might not use very often and whose details have long since disappeared. It’s a lot to manage, especially when all you want to do is get into your account to order something or access the features. Well, there’s an easy answer to this chaos: 1Password. This award-winning password manager takes away the confusion and need for incredible feats of memory. So, if you’re tired of having to juggle too many logins, here’s how 1Password could make life a whole lot simpler. Save 50% on 1Password – ends December 31View Deal What does a password manager do? As the name suggests, this is software which stores and organises all of your passwords and account details in one place. They’re kept securely in a digital vault within the app, and can only be accessed by a master password. Sounds a bit technical? Not at all. You see, with 1Password you’ll only have to remember that single password, as the app will give you access to all your accounts automatically. Thanks to its Autofill feature, you’ll no longer have to manually log in to your accounts. Instead 1Password will do everything for you. Just open an app or go to a webpage and you’ll find the account fields instantly contain your details. No fumbling around trying to blindly type in complicated passwords, instead you just tap the login button and you’re good to go. You don’t even have to enter the master password, as 1Password supports biometrics like Face ID and fingerprint recognition to make logging on seamless. If you already use Chrome to store your passwords, then all of those can be quickly imported into 1Password, as can the details from all the main browsers, as well as other password managers. Fast, simple and safe. Quick payments and secure storage Alongside your passwords, you can also store payment information such as credit or debit card details, again which use autofill to speed up your time at the checkout page. This makes it quicker than ever to complete online purchases. Thanks to the high-grade encryption measures put in place by 1Password, you can rest assured that your information is secure from prying eyes. In fact, not even those working at 1Password can see your data, as everything is encrypted locally on your device. You can still access your data across all of your smartphones, laptops and tablets though, so you’ll never find yourself without that vital password when you need it. If you want to store more than just account details, then the 1Password vault contains areas for your passport, driving license, bank account, medical records, private documents, Wi-Fi codes and more. It’s like having a safety deposit box on your phone. You can also create different vaults that allow you to securely share passwords and documents with family members or friends, all without revealing your other data. Alternatively, there’s the option to securely share individual login details with someone, even if they don’t use 1Password. Save 50% on 1Password – ends December 31View Deal Protect yourself and your family Security is paramount with a password manager, and 1Password has Watchtower. This monitors for server breaches on the web that could expose your details, then warns you about them so you can immediately secure your accounts. The built-in password creator makes this smooth and fast, as you can generate incredibly complex replacements in seconds. As a one-stop shop for all your account data, payment details and other sensitive documents, 1Password simplifies the overly complex nature of life online. You can sign up to the 1Password Individual plan for only $3.99 $2.39 per month, which covers all your devices. Or there’s the Family plan that gives you up to five accounts for a total cost of only $5.99 $3.59 per month. Having to remember hundreds of passwords shouldn’t be something you need to worry about, so let 1Password take care of the details while you enjoy the bigger picture. Sign up now and save Save 50% on 1Password Individual & Family plans for a limited time! View Deal Offer ends December 31, 2025. Read...