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I don’t recommend anything under 16GB of RAM if you want a laptop that runs Windows 11, but it’s often hard to find that at a budget price. Today, an eBay seller is offering an MSI laptop with double that (32GB) and a screaming Intel processor for just $519. It’s a refurb model, but still an absolutely incredible value—it’s almost half off the retail price! The MSI Modern 15 H AI is a general-purpose design with a 15.6-inch 1080p touchscreen. Though it uses an Arc integrated graphics card, so this thing won’t be blazing through the latest AAA games. But with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor—a 16-core Meteor Lake design—it can handle pretty much anything else you might throw at it, including some AI tasks thanks to the built-in NPU. You also get a 1TB SSD. At 0.78 inches thick with a 3-cell battery, the Modern 15 H AI is neither slinky nor long-lasting, so you might look elsewhere if you’re constantly working on the go. But those specs are damn near impossible to find at this price, and the touchscreen and full-sized keyboard might be particularly appealing to students. It also offers an impressive array of ports, including full-sized HDMI and microSD, three USB-A ports, and one USB-C. You won’t be needing a dongle anytime soon. Again, this is a refurbished laptop, which might give you pause. The eBay seller claims that it’s refurbished by the manufacturer, and it comes with a two-year Allstate warranty, which might help alleviate any hesitation. If you’re convinced, grab it at this price while you can. If not, check out PCWorld’s picks for the best laptops on the market. Get this MSI laptop with Core Ultra 9 CPU and 32GB RAM for $519Buy now via eBay Read...

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Windows users sometimes have the impression that the operating system has a life of its own and does not allow any contradictions. Some restrictions are intended to ensure the security of the operating system, which is understandable. Regular system updates, for example, are clearly necessary. However, many users would prefer to decide for themselves what and, above all, when something is installed. In some cases, the blockade can be lifted with on-board tools — and sometimes more easily with tools that we present to you here. Control Windows updates Updates are supposed to improve the security of the operating system and fix bugs. Sometimes the opposite is the case and an update paralyzes the computer or individual functions. Microsoft tries to reduce errors by delivering updates in waves, one after the other. If problems occur, the company can withdraw updates again. Mark Hachman / IDG Windows updates are particularly annoying if you want to use the computer quickly after a restart, but then only see the update progress bar. Reduce updates with on-board tools: Windows offers two options for controlling updates with every edition, but you have to activate them in good time. Go to “Windows Update” in the “Settings” (call with Win+I). Under “Pause updates” you can stop updates for up to seven weeks. After that, you must install all available updates so that the auto-update can be paused again. Windows 10 users go to “Update & Security > Windows Update” and click on “Pause updates for 7 days” or, for a longer period, on “Advanced options,” where you can set an end date under “Stop until.” The second option can be found in the “Settings” under “Network & internet > Ethernet” or “Network and Internet > WLAN.” Activate the switch behind “Metered connection.” In Windows 10, you still need to click on “Ethernet” or the Wi-Fi connection to see the switch. However, neither setting completely switches off the Windows update. Security-related updates in particular are still installed, but the total volume of downloads is significantly reduced as a result. ‘Secret’ settings for the Windows update You can extend the update pause period. To do this, open the registry editor, create the key Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings and in it the Dword value (32-bit) FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays with the content 00001c84 (hexadecimal). This corresponds to 7300 days, i.e. 20 years, which you can now set as an update pause. If you want to deactivate the automatic update, create the key Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate and in it the Dword value NoAutoUpdate with the content 1. Windows then automatically downloads no or only a few updates, but you can initiate the download at any time under “Windows Update” by clicking on “Check for updates.” Reduce updates: Configure the Internet connection as a “Metered connection.” Windows will then only download security-relevant updates.Foundry Disable Windows updates completely: If you really want to switch off Windows updates completely, use the Windows Update Blocker tool. Select the “Disable updates” option and click on “Apply now.” The tool deactivates all services that are responsible for updates and ensures that they are not reactivated. Only deactivate the Windows update if it is actually necessary. Once you have reactivated it, you should install all missing updates as quickly as possible. Temporarily do without all updates: Use Windows Update Blocker to switch off the update function to prevent disruptions caused by updates.Windows Update Blocker Defuse Microsoft Defender Virus scanners are often unable to recognize malware beyond doubt. To be on the safe side, the protection software warns of anything that could be potentially dangerous. This may be software that is categorized as dangerous simply because it has been downloaded from the internet and is not (yet) known to the virus scanner. In principle, there is little to criticize about this procedure. The virus scanner protects most Windows users from harmful email attachments or the download of malware. However, experienced users are often hindered by the start prohibitions. Partially deactivate Microsoft Defender: Only carry out the following actions if you are sure. If in doubt, check a file at www.virustotal.com for malware and get a second opinion. Paralyze the virus scanner: Disable real-time protection to allow you to start programs that Defender mistakenly classifies as malware.IDG If Microsoft’s antivirus protection reports when you download or start a program, go to “Privacy & security” in the “Settings” and click on “Windows Security.” Continue with “Virus & threat protection” and click on “Manage settings” under “Virus & threat protection settings.” Here you can deactivate “Real-time protection,” which means that Microsoft Defender will no longer scan new files. Windows does not remember the setting permanently and automatically reactivates real-time protection after a while. Under “Exclusions” you can click on “Add or remove exclusions” and “Add exclusion” to specify files and/or folders that the virus scanner should not scan. This is recommended, for example, for the project directories of development environments or folders in which you download files that Microsoft Defender prohibits. Prevent virus scan: Add a folder to the exclusions if you do not want Microsoft Defender to scan the files in it. Foundry Configure Microsoft Defender more easily and quickly The settings under “Windows Security” are not particularly clear. The free Defender UI tool has set out to improve this. When you start it for the first time, select the language at the top of the window. The tool shows several security profiles and you usually select “Recommended.” The details can be found in the descriptions. Click on the “i” in the settings to obtain explanations of the effects. On the “DefenderGuard” tab, you can specify the time period until automatic reactivation before “Real-time protection.” Use the Defender Exclusion Tool to quickly configure the exception list. Use the button in the toolbar to specify a folder that you want to exclude from the virus scan. Configure Microsoft Defender more quickly: Defender UI offers a clear interface where you can quickly find the most important settings.Defender UI Defender Control can disable Windows security completely. However, Windows understandably does not allow this: Software that wants to switch off virus protection is immediately classified as a threat. You should therefore add the folder in which you unpack the tool to the exclusion list. The download from the manufacturer is protected with the password sordum, which you enter when unpacking. Otherwise, the virus scanner would immediately remove the tool if real-time protection is activated. However, you must still deactivate real-time protection manually before starting the tool, as described above. In addition, set the switch under “Tamper protection” to “Off” in the “Virus and threat protection settings.” Edit the exclusion list more easily: With Defender Exclusion Tool, you can quickly add files or folders to the list that the virus scanner should not scan. Defender Exclusion Tool Once Defender Control has been started successfully, first go to “Menu > Add Defender Control to the white list.” The tool is then ignored by the real-time protection. Use the “Disable Windows Defender” button to switch off “Virus & Threat Protection” completely and click on “Enable Windows Defender” to switch it on again. Configure Smartscreen filter and Attachment Manager Smartscreen is another component of Microsoft Defender and is designed to protect your PC from malicious websites and downloads. When you open a website or download a file in Microsoft Edge, Smartscreen checks the reputation of the offer. If a website is on the blacklist, access is blocked. The hash value is checked for downloads. If the software is unknown, Windows categorizes it as potentially dangerous. The start ban generally applies to all downloads, even if you use a different browser. Start blockade: Smartscreen can prevent programs from starting simply because Microsoft Defender is not yet aware of the file.Foundry If you generally want to do without Smartscreen, go to “Privacy & security > Windows Security” in the “Settings” (Windows 10: “Update & security > Windows Security”). Click on “App and browser control” and then on “Reputation-based protection settings.” Set the switches for the desired options to “Off.” However, these settings do not prevent downloads from being prohibited. To do this, you must also deactivate real-time protection or add the download folder to the exclusion list. However, you are then responsible for the security of website visits and downloads. Additional measures: By default, Windows provides downloads with an (invisible) NTFS stream that certifies their origin and can prevent them from starting. You can recognize the stream in the properties of a file. On the “General” tab, the entry “The file originates from another computer. Access may have been blocked for security reasons.” Tick the “Allow” box and click “OK” to remove the NTFS stream. To prevent Windows from adding a stream to the downloads, create the following key in the registry Hkey_Current_User\Software\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ Attachments and in it the Dword values (32-bit) SaveZoneInformation and ScanWithAntiVirus each with the data 1. Bypassing the upgrade ban on Windows 11 Windows 11 places higher demands on hardware than Windows 10. You can find out which requirements apply from Microsoft. However, most experts agree that there are only a few technical reasons for the hardware requirements of Windows 11. Windows 11 generally runs smoothly and without any noticeable loss of performance on previous Windows 10 PCs. If you want, you can try it out for yourself and install Windows 11 alongside Windows 10. An upgrade is also possible. The system requirements for Windows 11 are checked by the setup program and can be bypassed. This worked in our tests up to and including version 24H2. However, it cannot be ruled out that Microsoft will prevent the installation or upgrade on officially unsupported hardware in the future. To be on the safe side, you should therefore create a complete backup of your system. (See our recommendations for best Windows backup software.) To reinstall or upgrade, you will need the Windows 11 ISO file, the Rufus tool and a USB stick. Enter the ISO file in Rufus after clicking on “Select.” Set your installation stick under “Drive.” Create an installation stick: Rufus transports the content of an ISO file to the USB stick. This is also suitable for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.Rufus Click on “Start” and tick the box “Remove requirements for 4GB RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0.” If desired, activate further options. Confirm with “OK” and after checking the correctly selected drive, click “OK” again. For an upgrade, start “Setup.exe” from the installation stick. If Windows 11 is to be installed alongside Windows 10, you will need an empty partition or a second hard drive. You can reduce the size of the existing Windows partition using Disk Management or Minitool Partition Wizard Free. Boot the PC from the installation stick and enter the prepared partition as the target drive. You can adjust the boot sequence later with Bootice. Use an alternative tool: Use the Win11 Bypass tool to create a customized ISO file for a semi-automatic Windows installation without hardware check. Click on “Customize response file” and enter the user name, password, computer name, and network workgroup. Click on “Create ISO file.” You can use the ISO file if you want to try out Windows 11 in Virtualbox, for example. You can also prepare a USB stick with Ventoy. Ventoy offers the advantage over Rufus that you can store several ISO files on the stick and boot the PC from it. Retrofitting Pro functions in the Home Edition The Windows Home edition lacks some functions that are available in the Pro edition. This is not a serious shortcoming because you can realize most of the functions with free tools. Veracrypt, for example, can be used as a replacement for Bitlocker, and you can set up virtual PCs with Virtualbox instead of Hyper-V. The only thing missing is the editor for local group policies, which administrators can use to define individual user rights in detail. It can be useful for professionals if several people use the PC and you want to prohibit certain settings. You can use the standalone Policy Plus editor. If you use this to change the policies and click on “File > Save Policies,” the changes are immediately transferred to the registry. Note: You should always create a backup before making major changes to the registry. You can use the Registry Backup Portable tool for the registry alone. Or you can create a backup of the system with your Windows backup program. Use a repair system with more functions Windows offers a repair system with a few tools. It is used when Windows no longer starts and you can use it to restore the system from restore points or uninstall updates, among other things. For the rescue system, boot the PC from the installation medium and select “Repair my PC” in Windows 11 (Windows 10: “Computer repair options”). The repair system starts a greatly reduced Windows (Windows PE, Preinstallation Environment) without network and internet access. However, there have been projects for a very long time that significantly expand Windows PE and equip it with additional tools including network access. By providing a ready-to-use mini-Windows, the developers are probably operating in a legal gray area. Putting together a rescue system: Phoenix PE creates a Mini-Windows with numerous tools and programs. You can choose what to include.IDG However, some interpret Microsoft’s restrictions differently and make complete PE systems available for download, such as Hiren’s BootCD PE. You are on the legally safe side if you put together the PE system yourself. Read...

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At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Attractive, classy exterior design Broad suite of smart TV features Excellent contrast and color performance 165Hz refresh rate with FreeSync, G-Sync support Includes 4K webcam and dual-mic array Cons Limited ergonomic stand adjustment Confusing options and menu system Downstream USB connectivity is just two USB-A 2.0 ports HDR brightness fails to impress Our Verdict The Samsung Smart Monitor M9 is basically a 32-inch smart OLED TV, with most of the features you would expect a TV to have. That’s great if you want to stream Netflix or a cloud gaming service, but it leads to confusing menus and design quirks. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Samsung Smart Monitor M9 Retailer Price $1,599.99 View Deal $1599.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Want a 32-inch smart television with good image quality? Or a 32-inch OLED monitor that you can use for Netflix and cloud gaming even when your PC is turned off? The Samsung Smart Monitor M9 might be your solution. This smart monitor has Samsung’s Tizen OS and supports all the features and functionality you’d expect of a Samsung television—for better, and sometimes, for worse. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best monitors for comparison. Samsung Smart Monitor M9 specs and features The Samsung Smart Monitor M9’s basic specifications are typical for a 32-inch OLED, though just a tad underwhelming. It offers 4K resolution, but the maximum resolution is 165Hz (some competitors reach 240Hz). The monitor supports HDR10+, but not Dolby Vision. And while it supports USB-C upstream input with 90 watts of power, it has limited downstream USB connectivity. Display size: 31.5-inch 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 3840×2160 Panel type: QD-OLED (matte) Refresh rate: 165Hz Adaptive sync: Yes, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible HDR: Yes, HDR10+ Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C with 90 watts of Power Delivery, 2x USB-A 2.0 downstream Audio: 2x 10-watt speakers Additional features: Tizen OS, remote control, 4K webcam and dual-microphone array, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2 Price: $1599.99 MSRP, $1,299.99 typical retail However, the Smart Monitor M9 has what most 32-inch OLED monitors lack—a smart TV operating system. Specifically, it ships with Samsung’s Tizen OS. To support that, it also has a remote control, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. A webcam with microphone is thrown in for good measure. The Smart Monitor M9 has a retail MSRP of $1,599.99, but it doesn’t appear to retail at that price often. It’s frequently discounted to $1,299.99. That’s a bit expensive for a 32-inch OLED monitor, but in line with premium competitors like the HP Omen Transcend 32 and LG Ultragear 32GS95UE-B (neither of which have smart TV features). Samsung Smart Monitor M9 design The Samsung Smart Monitor M9 leans on a conservative, classy design that doesn’t take risks but should look good in any situation. From the front it’s almost all screen, aside from the top bezel, where a webcam lurks. Around back it’s an expanse of gunmetal materials, mostly plastic, which are understated but look expensive. The panel is quite thin, too, and while it does have a bump-out that contains the ports, it’s small and unobtrusive. Matthew Smith / Foundry The monitor ships with an L-shaped stand that has a compact, flat base that won’t take up much space on a desk. Annoyingly, though, the stand requires a screwdriver to assemble (most monitor stands use a thumb screw). While the stand provides ergonomic adjustment, it’s not great. It adjusts 120mm for height and can also pivot 90 degrees. However, it can’t actually be used in portrait mode because the amount of height adjustment available doesn’t hold the display high enough off a desk to support portrait mode. Instead, the edge of the display will run into your desk at around 60 degrees of rotation. The stand allows tilt but doesn’t swivel, which most 32-inch monitor stands support. The monitor is also compatible with 100x100mm VESA mounts for use with third-party monitor arms and stands. Samsung Smart Monitor M9 connectivity The back of the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 provides three video inputs. One HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB-C with DisplayPort. All three support the monitor’s maximum refresh rate and resolution, though only in Game Mode (the maximum outside Game Mode is 120Hz). Three video inputs are typical for the category, though some, like the HP Omen Transcend 32, provide four. Connecting to the USB-C port also provides 90 watts of USB Power Delivery, which is enough to power many mid-range Windows laptops, and most MacBooks. The USB-C port provides downstream access to a pair of USB-A ports. They’re only USB-A 2.0, though, so they’re mostly there for a wired keyboard and mouse. That makes the Smart Monitor M9’s connectivity a bit of a mix. On the one hand, it provides a good variety of inputs and USB-C with Power Delivery, which is a must-have on a monitor in this price range. But it’s outclassed by monitors like the HP Omen Transcend 32, which not only has more video inputs, but also has USB-C with 140 watts of power. The LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-B also has a slight advantage, as its USB-A ports are at least USB 3.0, and it has a 3.5mm audio-out, which the Smart Monitor M9 lacks. Samsung Smart Monitor M9 Smart TV features The “Smart” in the Samsung Smart Monitor M9’s name means it ships with Samsung’s Tizen OS, the same operating system found on the company’s smart televisions. And much like on smart televisions, Tizen provides access to a huge range of apps and services. You can watch Netflix or play cloud gaming services like Amazon Luna, among other things. Put simply: The Smart Monitor M9 is a smart TV. In fact, it’s arguably more than that. It can even access some productivity apps, like Microsoft 365, so you can sorta-kinda use the monitor like a computer. You can use the Smart Monitor M9 to control Samsung SmartThings devices, too. Remember, though, that because it lacks a TV tuner, the Smart Monitor M9 can’t natively handle an over-the-air or coaxial cable TV signal. I go back and forth on how Samsung’s Tizen OS compares to LG’s WebOS, found on monitors like the LG MyView Smart Monitor 32SR85U, and Google TV OS, found on monitors like the MSI Modern MD272UPSW. Tizen OS is certainly the busiest of the three, in no small part due to the range of Samsung features that are integrated (you can use some Samsung phones to calibrate the monitor, for example, though you can also use some iPhones). That’s handy if you’re all-in on the Samsung ecosystem. If not, it can prove distracting. Matthew Smith / Foundry Unfortunately, the smart monitor features mean that setup is much more complicated than most monitors. It’s a multi-step process that involves Wi-Fi, Samsung accounts, terms of service, and more. I finished setup in about 5 minutes, but it’s sure to annoy those who just want a monitor to be plug-and-play. Oh—and what about the 4K webcam? It’s an odd inclusion but also a nice bonus. The webcam is available as a plug-and-play camera for any PC connected to the monitor’s USB-C port. That’s handy and, better still, both the camera and microphone array provide better quality than a run-of-the-mill webcam. It’s not perfect; the webcam lacks a physical privacy shutter, and the default field-of-view is strangely wide. Still, it’s nice to have if you regularly use a webcam to take video calls at your desk. Samsung Smart Monitor M9 menus and settings Smart TV features aside, the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 provides a decent range of image quality adjustment. There are options for gamma, color temperature, color calibration, and several preset modes that target specific color space. The menu system is confusing, however. Samsung inexplicably constrains the menu to a small portion of the display, so there’s not enough space to list the full text of some menu items (they instead scroll). I also noticed that many menu options, like fine-grain color temperature adjustments, are locked behind specific modes, while others are listed yet didn’t seem accessible. The monitor’s manual wasn’t helpful, either. Samsung, like LG, also makes the strange decision to summon an alternative menu when Game Mode is turned on. The menu is arranged differently and highlights different options, adding to the confusion. Game Mode is also required to access the 165Hz refresh rate. In summary: The menu system is a bit of a mess. The same is also true of LG webOS smart monitors, but I think Samsung’s menu system might be even worse. Both Samsung and LG would do well to re-think their menu systems. At the very least, can we get a menu large enough to list the full text of the options on-screen and ditch the weird alternate menu system for Game Mode? The Samsung Smart Monitor M9 isn’t a gaming monitor, but it still provides a respectable maximum refresh rate of 165Hz. Samsung Smart Monitor M9 audio The Samsung Smart Monitor M9 ships with 10-watt speakers that provide adequate audio. They are clear, crisp, and enjoyable at lower levels of volume, but quickly become muddy and harsh as volume levels ramp up. I’m honestly a bit perplexed as to why Samsung even allows the speakers to become as loud as they can, as they’re obviously not up to the task of delivering quality audio at anything above roughly half the speaker’s maximum volume. Despite that, it’s worth mention that many competitors don’t even have built-in speakers, and those that do have them are often worse. The HP Omen Transcend 32 has a pair of 3-watt speakers and the Alienware AW3225QF doesn’t have speakers at all. The Smart Monitor M9’s audio is fine for less demanding situations. For example, they were enjoyable when playing Rimworld and listening to podcasts on YouTube. LG’s Ultragear 32GS95UE-B, which has an innovative “Pixel Sound” system, is the one competitor that puts the Smart Monitor M9’s audio to shame. The LG 32GS95UE-B is not a smart monitor, though, and it’s usually $100 more expensive than the Samsung.   Samsung Smart Monitor M9 SDR image quality The Samsung Smart Monitor M9 of course has a Samsung QD-OLED panel. QD-OLED is a known quantity at this point. It consistently provides great performance, so much so that I’ve argued it doesn’t really matter which OLED monitor you buy—at least, not when it comes to SDR image quality. The Smart Monitor M9 does little to disprove that point, but it looks great. It also has a matte display finish, which is unusual for an OLED and will make or break the display for some. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Samsung Smart Monitor M9 produced a sustained SDR brightness of 252 nits. As the graph shows, that’s typical and mid-pack for an OLED monitor, with most falling between 240 and 260 nits. That level of brightness is fine for indoor use in a room with light control, but it might seem dim in a very brightly lit room, or opposite a sunlit window. With that said, the Smart Monitor M9 has a matte coat, which is unusual. The coat effectively diffuses reflections, which makes it easier to see the monitor in bright rooms, or when a bright light source is opposite the display. On the downside, though, it will make the monitor seem a bit less contrast-rich than a glossy alternative. I prefer a matte coat over glossy, but your opinion may vary, and it’s a key point. The matte display finish might be the reason you choose the Smart Monitor M9, or avoid it, depending on your preference. Matthew Smith / Foundry While the matte coat can reduce apparent contrast due to how it diffuses light across the display, the Smart Monitor M9 still provides the same infinite contrast ratio as other OLED displays. That’s true because it reached a perfect minimum luminance of zero nits. As a result, it provides a rich and immersive image with a good sense of dimensionality. The same is true of all modern OLED monitors, however. The contrast ratio, though obviously excellent, doesn’t set the Smart Monitor M9 apart from the pack. Matthew Smith / Foundry QD-OLED monitors are excellent in color gamut, providing a wide color gamut that displays many colors. As a result, the Smart Monitor M9 can display 100 percent of the sRGB color gamut, 98 percent of DCI-P3, and 94 percent of AdobeRGB. The monitor looks vivid and saturated. However, once again, the Smart Monitor M9’s excellent performance doesn’t separate it from the pack. All QD-OLED monitors have similar color gamut. Monitors with an LG WOLED panel fall a bit behind QD-OLED, though their color gamut is still solid overall. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Smart Monitor M9 also has excellent color accuracy straight out of the box. While keen users with specific needs may want to calibrate it to reach certain standards, the default image is exceptionally accurate for general use. The monitor’s color error is more prominent in grayscale than it is in color, which contributes to a default gamma curve value of 2.3. That means the image is a bit darker than intended. It’s a small difference but might result in some slight loss of shadow detail in uniformly dark scenes. Color temperature, on the other hand, was spot on the target value of 6500K. That means the image doesn’t look too warm or too cool. Sharpness is a perk. The native resolution of 3840×2160 works out to about 140 pixels per inch across the 31.5-inch OLED panel. Though obviously not as sharp as a 27-inch 4K display, it’s still an excellent pixel density that looks sharp in everything from games to Microsoft Word. In summary, the Samsung Smart Monitor M9’s SDR image is exactly as excellent as expected. It performs identically to other QD-OLED monitors. The only major difference is subjective: the matte display finish. Whether you like that, or not, will depend on your own preference. Samsung Smart Monitor M9 HDR image quality The Samsung Smart Monitor M9 is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black certified. That’s typical for a QD-OLED monitor. However, it turns out that HDR brightness is a downside for the Smart Monitor M9. Matthew Smith / Foundry I tried the Smart Monitor M9 in all available HDR modes, but it never crept much higher than 450 nits even in peak highlights. Lighting a larger area of the display led to even lower HDR brightness, which is typical for an OLED monitor. That’s not to say the Smart Monitor M9 looks bad in HDR. It still has the contrast and color performance needed to deliver a vibrant, saturated, accurate image. However, the lack of brightness will be noticeable in bright HDR highlights. In the Gargantua scene from Interstellar, for example, I noticed less detail in the bright swirling gasses closest to the black hole. Subtle variations in brightness that are visible on some other OLED monitors weren’t visible on the Smart Monitor M9. On one final note, the Samsung Smart Monitor M9 does allow brightness adjustment in HDR mode. While increasingly common, not all monitors allow this, as HDR typically controls brightness based on content. For a monitor, however, full brightness control is preferable, and I am glad to see the Smart Monitor M9 provides it. Samsung Smart Monitor M9 motion performance The Samsung Smart Monitor M9 isn’t a gaming monitor, but it still provides a respectable maximum refresh rate of 165Hz. That’s not as good as 32-inch OLED gaming monitors, which tend to hit 240Hz, but it still provides a major boost in motion clarity over a 60Hz display. Fast-moving objects look crisp and fast camera pans in 3D games provide respectable detail. The difference between the Smart Monitor M9’s 165Hz refresh rate and a superior 240Hz monitor is most noticeable when viewing small text or UI elements. If you’re trying to track the HP bar or status icons above an enemy, for example, it can be a bit more difficult on the Smart Monitor M9 than on a 240Hz alternative, like the HP Omen Transcend 32 or Alienware AW3225QF. Of course, those alternatives aren’t smart monitors, so you’ll have to make a choice between motion clarity and smart features. Adaptive Sync is supported on the Smart Monitor M9, and it even lists official support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible. That’s great to see in a monitor that doesn’t bill itself as a gaming display. Should you buy the Samsung Smart Monitor M9? Samsung’s Smart Monitor M9 is a bundle of perks and downsides that make for a confusing recommendation. The monitor has a confusing menu system, limited downstream connectivity, and mediocre HDR brightness. However, it also packs useful smart TV features, complete with remote control, and has a rare (for OLED) matte display finish that reduces glare and makes the monitor more viewable in brighter room. Deciding whether the Smart Monitor M9 works for you requires careful consideration of these perks and problems. It can work as a TV alternative in small spaces, has the color performance for creative work, and a matte coat that looks great when writing in Word or browsing the web. But if you want an OLED monitor largely for PC gaming, or HDR entertainment, you’ll find better performance elsewhere. Read...

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It’s that time of year again, folks. Whether you’re a freshman heading off to college for the first time or a returning student, you’re going to need a reliable laptop that can carry you through your school years and maybe even beyond. But finding the right laptop for your needs can be like searching for a needle in a haystack–daunting. What screen size should you choose? Do you really need a high-powered processor just for research and web browsing? It can be overwhelming, but that’s where I come in. In addition to overseeing PCWorld’s laptop reviews, I also manage our top-pick roundups, including best laptops and best laptops for college students. Notebooks are my specialty, so I know exactly what to look for in a great college laptop. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t sweat it—I’ll walk you through the process step by step. 6 must-have features in any college laptop Battery life The number one must-have feature when it comes to college laptops? Good battery life, hands-down. You don’t want your laptop to suddenly turn off when you’re in the middle of taking notes for an upcoming exam. I’ve been there and it sucks. So, what’s a good number to hit for battery life? This laptop has insane battery life Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition Read our review I’d recommend a laptop with 10-15 hours of battery life, but we’ve tested a few laptops with Qualcomm processors that last 20+ hours on a single charge while watching video, which is absolutely bonkers. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge lasted 21 hours while the Asus ZenBook A14 lasted 24! The Galaxy Book4 Edge is especially impressive considering it’s a 16-inch laptop with an OLED display and, if you know anything about OLED, you probably know they tend to use more power. While laptops with Qualcomm processors are great for everyday tasks, they don’t always play nicely with specialized PC software that some courses may require. So if you’re in the market for a laptop with an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processor, both of which offer full software compatibility, we’ve reviewed plenty of those, too. Two standout options: the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (15 hours!) and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (almost 25 hours!), both of which offer exceptional battery life. Enough power for writing papers and general web browsing You don’t need a ton of power for basic tasks like writing papers, research, general web browsing, and so on. You can easily get by with an Intel Core i3, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. That said, more RAM and storage will improve the speed of the laptop, so you’ll notice a smoother web browsing experience as well as better multitasking performance like being able to simultaneously run multiple applications. If you can afford it, I’d recommend bumping up your configuration to 16GB of RAM and either 512GB or 1TB of SSD storage, especially if you’ve got a big backlog of games in your library. check out our favorite windows laptop for college students Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Read our review A good screen that won’t hurt your eyes Having dealt with eye strain and tension headaches for years, I know how important it is to invest in a laptop with a good screen and you should, too. Whether it’s tuning in to a remote lecture or writing a compare and contrast essay late into the night, you’re going to be staring at the screen a heck of a lot. The minimum resolution I’d recommend is 1920×1080–it’s sharp enough for writing essays, watching Netflix, answering e-mails, scrolling through your synopsis, and so on. Anything lower than 1080p and you’ll find yourself leaning in to squint at the ants, I mean words on your screen. If you’re looking for a laptop with a truly stunning screen, you should definitely check out the Asus ProArt P16, which earned the top spot in PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops for video editing. Its 4K OLED display is simply to die for. OLED displays are also known for delivering deeper blacks and richer colors than IPS panels, making this laptop a good choice for graphic design majors. A lightweight form factor Nobody wants to be lugging a heavy laptop from class-to-class. If you’ve got a jam-packed schedule this year, then you’ll really need to take a laptop’s weight into consideration. Gaming laptops, for example, tend to be heavier machines often weighing six pounds or more. That’s because they house bigger and more powerful hardware inside. There are a few lightweight gaming options out there in the universe, but if it’s raw power you’re after, chances are you’ll end up with a bulkier one. Anything under four pounds is considered “portable” in the laptop world. That said, folks with weak arms and shoulders (hi, it’s me) may opt for something even lighter. If that’s you, then you’ll want to pick up the Microsoft Surface Pro (2025). It weighs just 1.51 pounds and it’s powerful enough to handle emails and Zoom calls. A superior ultraportable laptop for students Microsoft Surface Pro 2025 Read our review Best Prices Today: Not Available at Amazon The right operating system for your needs When it comes to operating systems, it’s like comparing apples to oranges. Windows, ChromeOS, macOS. They all offer different things, so it really boils down to your specific needs. Are you studying photo or video editing this semester? Then go with Windows, as it offers wider access to applications and browsers you can’t run on ChromeOS. Does simplicity and security matter to you? Chromebooks, which exclusively run ChromeOS, are less vulnerable to attacks because of automatic updates. Chromebooks also tend to be more affordable and don’t require as much maintenance as a Windows laptop. macOS, which you’ll find on Apple laptops like the MacBook Air (M3), integrates really well with other Apple products like the iPhone. Setting up a MacBook is also pretty easy and the whole process feels really polished. check out our best chromebook for students Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 Read our review Best Prices Today: $529.99 at Amazon A comfortable keyboard Whether it’s plugging numbers into a spreadsheet or producing a short story for your fiction class, whatever you’re majoring in, you’re going to be typing a lot in college. That’s why it’s important to buy a laptop with a comfortable keyboard. Let’s talk about key travel for a second. Key travel is the distance the key requires to fully depress and send a command to the computer’s CPU. This distance is measured in millimeters. My rule of thumb? A keyboard with a longer key travel is going to provide a more comfortable typing experience. Anything beyond 1.4 mm of travel is ideal. The most common type of laptop keyboard is a membrane keyboard, which has rubber or silicone underneath each key. Membrane keyboards are quieter and more affordable than the mechanical variety–making them a more suitable option for a classroom environment. Read...