There’s no such thing as storage that’s too fast — but there is storage that’s so fast you can’t even utilize it to its maximum hardware potential. Such is the case for Lexar’s newest SD card. Lexar’s Professional Gold Pro SDXC Express Card uses the new Secure Digital 8.0 standard and sports a maximum write speed of 1GB/s and a maximum read speed of 1.7GB/s. But good luck actually getting those speeds because no current devices actually go that fast. To be clear, you can still buy and use the Lexar Adjective Adjective Adjective Acronym Adjective Card in anything with a standard SD card slot. (That’s the one that’s about the size of a US postage stamp, popular in high-end cameras.) But there are no cameras, computers, or even external card readers that can match its maximum speed, despite the standard being finalized back in May of 2020. The SD Association is currently working on version 9.1. If you’re wondering who needs that kind of ludicrous speed for a card, the answer is photographers and videographers who work with massive amounts of video footage at up to 8K resolution. Even if they can’t actually max out the card’s speed with current equipment, it might make sense to invest in one knowing that future hardware will likely get there. For everyone else just looking for speed and capacity, a portable SSD makes a lot more sense. Lexar’s new Armor cards aren’t as fast as SD 8.0, but they’re made out of stainless steel. Neat. Lexar’s new Armor cards aren’t as fast as SD 8.0, but they’re made out of stainless steel. Neat.Lexar Lexar’s new Armor cards aren’t as fast as SD 8.0, but they’re made out of stainless steel. Neat.Lexar Lexar Personally, I’m more interested in some of the other cards Lexar announced at IFA in Germany (spotted by Liliputing), including some “ARMOR” SD cards made out of stainless steel. Considering how fragile plastic cards are, and how pricey they can get for huge capacities and incredible speeds, beefing up their durability makes a lot of sense. (Assuming they don’t harm your camera or PC when actually used, of course. I’ll wait for reviews before putting my money down.) Speaking of which, when will you be able to buy the Lexar Professional Gold Pro SDXC? And for how much? No idea. Lexar hasn’t announced dates or prices for any of the new hardware it showed off, and they aren’t showing up in retail listings yet. Expect them to hit shelves later this year or in early 2025, for quite a lot of dough. Read...

Microsoft will discontinue extended support for Windows 10 in October 2025. From then on, the operating system will no longer receive any updates, including security updates. In view of the current security situation, this poses a major threat. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Although Microsoft offers a paid option to continue receiving updates via Extended Security Updates (ESU), this will probably be too expensive for many households. Microsoft will publish the exact prices for private individuals shortly before the end of Windows 10 support. The 0Patch solution from Acros Security offers an alternative. At its most basic tier, 0Patch provides security updates via micro-patches to Windows personal accounts for free. But the Pro tier, for an affordable $24.95 a year, extends that security to Windows 10 beyond the October 25 end of service. 0Patch Pro can also provide more security for Windows 11 and Microsoft Office installations as well as Windows servers. This is interesting for the self-employed and small businesses. You can start using 0Patch now and benefit from updates that Microsoft itself has not yet made available. Further reading: 5 reasons you should become a Windows Insider (and 5 you shouldn’t) What is behind 0Patch? 0Patch makes it possible to quickly and efficiently provide micro-patches for security gaps in software, for example in Windows 10. In contrast to traditional patch methods, where full updates or service packs have to be installed, 0Patch relies on tiny, targeted code changes that are injected directly into the memory of the running process. This closes the gap immediately without the need to restart the system. This is particularly advantageous for systems where downtime must be minimized or for software that is no longer supported by the manufacturer. 0Patch thus provides a flexible and responsive way to fix security vulnerabilities in real time, making it a valuable addition to any security concept. To run the solution, you need a free account with 0Patch. Then install the agent on your Windows 10 PC. When updates appear, the agent downloads them and installs them in Windows. If you book a Pro subscription, you will also receive special updates for Windows 10/11 and for older Office versions and even Windows servers. The free version of 0Patch does not install any special updates for Windows, but only 0-day patches. These are security gaps in Windows that are not yet publicly known or for which there are no official patches or updates from Microsoft. As these vulnerabilities can be exploited by cyber criminals before a patch is available, they pose a significant risk. Attackers often use 0-day gaps to penetrate systems undetected, install malware, or steal confidential data. As these vulnerabilities often go unnoticed by the general public and the affected software vendor, they are particularly dangerous and require proactive measures to minimize potential damage. This is where 0Patch can help. Putting 0Patch into operation: First steps in the 0Patch web portal To use 0Patch, log in to the Arcos Security portal with a free account. You can manage your account via the address central.0patch.com and also see the connected PCs. If the installation of 0-day updates is not enough for you, you can use a Pro subscription for 30 days free of charge. Here you will receive all necessary updates for Windows 10/11, not just patches for 0-day gaps. Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Thomas Joos In the window you can see the computers that you have already connected to 0Patch and their last connection to the service. You will also find the patches provided by the service. Via “Account” you can see the email address you are connected to and the key of your account. You do not need to do anything here during operation. If you are responsible for several PCs, you can see the security status of all connected computers here. With “Billing” you can see the current billing of the service. If you stay with the free version, you do not have to pay anything and can connect up to 10 PCs, which are supplied with 0-day patches. However, you can switch to the Pro edition at any time. This makes sense when using Windows 10 from the end of October 2025 at the latest. Install and set up the agent for 0Patch in Windows The 0Patch agent for Windows is available in the “Resources” section of the 0Patch web portal. Download it to the PC that you want to supply with the 0Patch micro-patches. You can carry out the installation on Windows 10/11. The agent is an MSI file with a size of just under 4MB. After starting the installation, confirm the license conditions and the installation location. The installation of the agent is completed quickly. Then log in to the console with your account. The console then scans the PC and displays the updates that are available. With “scan now” you can scan manually at any time and display the current updates. It is important that the value “Enabled” is set for “Agent Status.” You can see your current license, for example “Free,” under “License.” Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Thomas Joos You can navigate between the agent menus using the icons at the top. The dashboard with its summaries is on the far left. Next to it, open “Applications.” Here you can see the applications that 0Patch currently has. Next to the applications is a list of the available updates that 0Patch installs on the PC. You can also deactivate individual updates here. In most cases, however, you do not need to change anything here. Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Thomas Joos If you have connected the PC, you can check in the web portal via the address central.0patch.com whether the PC is properly connected. You will see the computer’s local IP address in the window and the last time it synchronized with 0Patch. The settings can be found next to it and the log of the last actions can be found on the far right. The tool’s comprehensive manual can be called up via the context menu of the 0Patch icon in the tray area of the toolbar. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating ProsExcellent motion clarity at 360HzGreat sharpness at 4K resolutionAttractive designConsLow contrast ratioModest color performanceNo USB-C video inputOur VerdictThe Alienware AW2725QF’s dual-resolution mode can offer 4K resolution at up to 180Hz, or 1080p at up to 360Hz. That makes the monitor more versatile, but mediocre image quality makes the monitor hard to recommend. There’s a new trend in gaming monitors: “dual-resolution” displays. These monitors advertise support for two resolutions with differing maximum refresh rates. The Alienware AW2725QF has a maximum resolution of 4K with a refresh rate up to 180Hz, but can also handle 1080p at up to 360Hz. That means the AW2725QF is a monitor that can deliver both excellent sharpness or top-tier motion clarity as required. However, the AW2725QF relies on an IPS panel without a Mini-LED backlight, which is bad news for its contrast and color performance. Alienware AW2725QF specs and features The AW2725QF’s specifications highlight its dual-resolution functionality. 4K resolution on a 27-inch monitor is the highest common resolution for Windows computers, as only a small handful of 5K monitors exists. However, when in 1080p resolution mode, the AW2725QF can achieve a refresh rate of 360Hz. Display size: 27-inch ultrawide 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 1920×1080 / 3840×2160 dual-mode Panel type: IPS Refresh rate: Up to 360Hz at 1080p, up to 180Hz at 4K Adaptive sync: VESA Adaptive Sync, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 (upstream), 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (downstream), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (downstream) VESA mount: 100x100mm Speakers: No Price: $599.99 MSRP Display panel aside, the monitor’s specifications are typical for the category. It supports HDR and Adaptive Sync and has three video inputs. It can also function as a USB hub with multiple downstream USB-A ports, though its range of USB functionality is not impressive, and it lacks a USB-C input with DisplayPort Alternate Mode. Further reading: See our roundup of the best gaming monitors to learn about competing products. Alienware AW2725QF design The Alienware AW2725QF is immediately identifiable as an Alienware monitor, and that’s a positive. Alienware embraced its current retro sci-fi “Legend” design language in 2019, and it hasn’t looked back since. Though no longer novel, the AW2725QF’s swooping panels and attractive RGB-LED lighting deliver an eye-catching look. It’s a well-built monitor, as well, with good material quality across the panel. With that said, though, new OLED monitors (including those from Alienware) are a step ahead of the AW2725QF. OLED monitors don’t require a backlight behind the display panel, so they’re much thinner at the edges. The AW2725QF does require a backlight, so it looks a bit bulky when compared to 27-inch OLED alternatives. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry The monitor ships with a sturdy stand that adjusts for height, tilt, pivot, and swivel. It has a small, hexagon-like base that doesn’t take up much room on a desk. It’s not entirely flat, but close to it, so some items can still be placed on the stand. That’s an advantage over competitors that use a wide, tripod-like stand, as the AW2725QF will fit comfortably on small desks. The monitor also has a 100x100mm VESA mount for use with third-party monitor arms and stands. Alienware AW2725QF connectivity and menus Alienware provides three video inputs for the AW2725QF: two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4. All three video inputs can handle the monitor’s full refresh rate and resolution at both 1080p and 4K. There’s no USB-C with video input, however, so the monitor isn’t a great choice for connecting a laptop or tablet with USB-C. That’s a bit of a disadvantage in 2024, as some gaming monitors, like recent Gigabyte Aorus and MSI MPG models, have USB-C ports with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and USB Power Delivery. The AW2725QF does offer some USB connectivity, which is driven by a USB-B upstream port. This includes three downstream USB-A ports and one USB-C port. The USB-C port does include power charging, but only up to 15 watts. A joystick centered on the monitor’s low bezel provides access to Alienware’s on-screen menus. The joystick is responsive and the menus feel logically arranged — though, like many monitors, the font size is a bit smaller than would be ideal. I also noticed that the text of the menu did not contrast well with the dark background, as the text was a dark hue of gray instead of near white. This would be easy to fix in a firmware update, I think, and I’d encourage Alienware to do so, because I think many people will find the current menu system difficult to read. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry The menus provide an acceptable but not outstanding range of adjustment. There’s a custom color mode, which includes adjustment for color hue, gain, saturation. However, the monitor does not have a standalone color temperature mode to target specific color temperature values. Also, both the sRGB color gamut mode and gamma adjustment controls are only accessible in the monitor’s “Creator” mode. A variety of gaming-centric features are available, too, such as a dark stabilizer to increase the brightness of dark areas of screen and on-screen timer and framerate counters. The AW2725QF doesn’t include speakers, which is typical for a gaming monitor. Most don’t, and few that do provide passable audio quality. Strangely, though, the AW272QF also lacks a 3.5mm audio output. That means you can’t connect speakers or headphones to the monitor and must instead connect directly to the audio source, which might be inconvenient if you have multiple video inputs connected and frequently switch between them. Alienware AW2725QF SDR image quality I’ll be honest: The Alienware AW2725QF immediately struck me as a strange, and perhaps disappointing, monitor. 4K resolution at up to 180Hz looks sharp, and the dual-resolution versatility is appreciated, but in exchange the AW2725QF sticks with a conventional IPS display panel. This type of panel tends to offer a lower contrast ratio and (without Quantum Dots) a more limited color gamut than OLED competitors. Unfortunately, testing the AW2725QF revealed the limitations I expected, though the monitor does have some strengths. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Brightness is among those strengths. I measured a maximum SDR brightness of 518 nits, which is excellent for any monitor and way more than a typical gaming display. This level of brightness is excessive if you’re planning to game in a dim or dark room (and I usually used the monitor at 35 to 40 percent of its maximum brightness), but it’s good news if you want to use the monitor in a very bright room. The monitor is brighter than its competitors, as well, and roughly twice as bright as the Gigabyte Aorus FO27QS, which has a QD-OLED panel. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Contrast completely changes the narrative, however, as the AW2725QF had a contrast ratio of just 1150:1. That’s the worst contrast ratio of the competitors I chose for comparison, falling behind even the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS, which also had an IPS display panel. The lack of contrast is an issue when viewing darker, more atmospheric games, movies, and photos in a dim or dark room. The dreaded “IPS glow” — a hazy silver-gray cast to dark scenes — is apparent. It also noticeably lacks uniformity, which only adds to the distraction. Whether this matters depends on what you use the monitor: It’s often not a major issue on the Windows desktop and in productivity apps, but a major downside in games and other entertainment. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry It feels a bit odd to say the Alienware’s color gamut is limited, as a gamut like this would’ve been excellent five years ago. But times have changed, and many modern monitors offer a comparable, or better, color gamut. Gamers don’t need to worry about this too much, as the AW2725QF’s color gamut is still more than adequate to deliver a vivid and saturated image. Colorful games tend to look bright, attractive, and punchy. However, the color gamut might turn off content creators who want to create or edit digital art, photo, video, and other media, as the AW2725QF can’t display as many colors overall as some competitors can. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Color accuracy is also a modest result. This level of color accuracy is still good, and I don’t think most people will see anything wrong, even when looking critically. Still, it’s clear that competitors have an edge in out-of-box color accuracy. All else being equal, that could lean some shoppers away from the AW2725QF. However, while the AW2725QF didn’t have the best out-of-box color accuracy, it did well in color temperature and gamma tests. It had a default color temperature of 6500K and a gamma curve of 2.2. Both figures match our preference. In the real world, these numbers mean the AW2725QF’s image doesn’t look too warm or cool, and content is displayed with accurate luminance. Most monitors in this price range tend to be slightly off in at least one of these two metrics. OLED monitors, for example, often have a gamma result of 2.3, and look a bit darker and dimmer than I would prefer (though this can usually be corrected with the monitor’s on-screen menu options, which typically provide alternative gamma modes). The Alienware AW2725QF is a rare miss for Dell’s gaming brand. Sharpness is another highlight. The AW2725QF is a dual display monitor meant for use at 4K resolution up to 180Hz or 1080p resolution up to 360Hz. At 4K, the monitor provides excellent sharpness with a pixel density 163 pixels per inch. 27-inch OLED monitors are still stuck at 1440p resolution, so they won’t look as sharp as the AW2725QF. One final point: While the AW2725QF has an anti-glare coating, it’s more of a semi-gloss finish than matte. Glare is diffused somewhat but can still appear rather concentrated at times. In general, I’m not a big fan of how this particular anti-glare finish looks; it seems like a poor compromise between matte and glossy. Overall, the AW2725QF’s image quality is solid, but it seems like a bad match for its intended purpose. The monitor’s high brightness and excellent sharpness (at 4K resolution) make it a great monitor for productivity, but its low contrast ratio and modest color gamut make it less appealing for games and entertainment. That’s a problem, because the AW2725QF is meant to be a gaming monitor. Alienware AW2725QF HDR image quality The Alienware AW2725QF is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified. That’s a notch above the entry-level VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, but the AW2725QF isn’t a good HDR monitor. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry I measured a maximum sustained full-screen HDR brightness of 614 nits. The monitor also reached a near-identical brightness of 616 nits in a 10 percent window, meaning just 10 percent of the display was active, while the rest was entirely dark. As the graph above shows, the AW2725QF has a higher full-screen HDR brightness than an OLED monitor, but falls behind the best OLED monitors in a 10 percent window. Mini-LED monitors, meanwhile, beat the AW2725QF in both areas. Brightness aside, the AW2725QF’s contrast ratio remains a problem. As mentioned earlier, the monitor had a maximum contrast ratio of 1150:1 when at 50 percent of SDR brightness. That figure slightly worsens to a ratio of 1130:1 at maximum HDR brightness. The low contrast ratio means that dark areas of the screen suffer from elevated brightness, which compress luminance detail. Put more simply: The HDR image looks flat and dull. This is not a surprise, given the AW2725QF’s IPS display panel, but it’s an issue. Both OLED and Mini-LED monitors can be purchased at a similar price, and both deliver much better HDR performance. The AW2725QF is a no-go for anyone who wants to watch HDR movies or play HDR games. Alienware AW2725QF motion performance Motion performance is arguably the reason to buy the AW2725QF. But, unlike some recent OLED monitors with refresh rates up to 360Hz, I’m not sure the argument holds up. That’s not to say the AW2725QF’s motion clarity is bad. On the contrary, it’s excellent, and most owners are likely to be blown away by what they see. Games look clear and crisp even at 4K and up to 180Hz. At 1080p and 360Hz they look exceptionally detailed in motion. Only the smallest fonts and low-contrast UI elements are too blurred to make out. The monitor’s dual-resolution feature has its uses, too. Gamers who want excellent motion clarity and low input lag in competitive games can obtain that from the 1080p/360Hz mode, but also have the option to switch to 4K/180Hz for better sharpness in single-player games. Also, it’s worth remembering that a high refresh rate is only useful when a game achieves a matching frame rate. Some games are incapable of a frame rate up to 360 frames per second, so opting for the 4K/180Hz mode makes more sense in those titles. However, the AW2725QF faces stiff competition from OLED alternatives. Alienware’s own 360Hz QD-OLED monitors, the AW2725DF, is much more expensive at $899.99, but it’s often possible to find an alternative priced close to the AW2725QF. The MSI MPG 271QPX is currently $649.99 on Amazon, for example. Going OLED means you’ll have to trade a maximum resolution of 4K for 1440p, but I think most gamers will be happy to exchange that for OLED’s superior contrast and color performance. Should you buy the Alienware AW2725QF? The Alienware AW2725QF is a rare miss for Dell’s gaming brand. I can sort of see what Alienware was going for, as the AW2725QF’s dual-display capability and high refresh rate could appeal to competitive gamers. However, the rapid fall in OLED monitor pricing means that many models are just $50 to $100 more expensive, and some Mini-LED monitors also achieve similar pricing. That makes the AW2725QF a tough sell, as it lacks the contrast, color gamut, and HDR performance of its competition. The AW2725QF is good for motion clarity, yes — but if you’re a gamer who spent over $1,000 to snag a video card capable of 4K at 180Hz or 1080p at 360Hz, I don’t think you’ll be happy with the SDR or HDR image quality this monitor can deliver. Read...

Key Takeaways: No built-in tools on computers and mobile phones can replace video backgrounds if you don’t record them using a green screen. To record videos with AI virtual backgrounds without a green screen, use third-party webcam screen recorders, such as EaseUS RecExperts for Windows computers, Vmaker for online, and ManyCam Lite for Mac. Recording screens with virtual backgrounds on iOS and Android devices is more complicated. Because of the technology limits, you still need a plain chroma color to remove the background first and change the backdrop later. Recording yourself with a virtual background for presentations, job applications, blog creation, live streaming, or online meetings can help to engage your audience and add professionalism to the video. Sometimes, however, you may find it difficult to get a suitable backdrop to sit in front of, and changing the background using AR green screen technology can be rather complicated. Fret not; if you want easy and free webcam recording software to record video with virtual background, read this article to learn how to change the video background even without a green screen. Let’s delve into methods for Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and online separately. Tips for video recording yourself with a customized virtual background Before we learn how to record a webcam with AI virtual backgrounds, here are some tips for best practice. Choose the best webcam and microphone as the output device. Stand or sit before a solid-color background to make it easier to remove the background later. Consider the lighting in your location. Prepare background pictures in advance if you want to personalize the backdrop. Open the presentation, tab, window, or application you want to record beforehand. Practice your narration skills. Using an app to capture webcam and screen with virtual background on Windows PCs EaseUS RecExperts is a robust webcam screen recorder that allows users to screen record Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7 with blurred backgrounds or customized wallpapers, without needing to use a green screen backdrop. Advanced features include: AI-empowered background removal: Use an advanced algorithm to seamlessly remove video backdrops and record a video with a virtual background. Different virtual backgrounds: Select supplied or customized pictures to change the video background freely. High-quality videos: Capture webcam footage and screen activity on your computers in HD, 4K resolution. Built-in editing tools: Trim and edit video with noise reduction, audio-to-text transcription, audio extraction, and more utilities. Here is how to record video with a virtual background on Windows 10 or 11 without a green screen: Step 1. Download, install, and launch EaseUS RecExperts on your PC. Step 2. Go to Webcam (the camera icon) in the left panel, toggle on Remove Background, select AI Recognition, and download the AI module. (This may take a few minutes, please be patient.) EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 3. Set up the camera output device, sound recording options, and resolution, select a background picture (Blur, Scenery, Studio, Classroom, or any customized ones from your computer), and click the REC button. EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 4. Confirm the webcam, system sound, and microphone settings in the pop-up, then click Continue. A three-second countdown timer will appear onscreen, and the recording will start once the timer has ended. You can pause, take screenshots, change the sound volume, and set up auto-stop options during the session. Step 5. Click the Stop button or press F9 to end the session. You can play and edit this recording now. Video record yourself with an AI background online for free Vmaker has a free online camera recorder that lets you record videos from websites with various fake backgrounds. It also offers free frames and filters to help design your camera overlay. Here are the steps for video recording with virtual background online using Vmaker. Step 1. Visit the Vmaker webcam recorder with Chrome. Click ‘Start Recording Now’ in the banner. Step 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an account. Step 3. Click Record Video on the screen. This will ask you to add the Vmaker extension to your Chrome browser. Step 4. Click Record Video again to bring up the recording plugin. Step 5. Three recording options are available: Screen, Webcam, and Screen + Webcam. Choose Screen + Webcam. Select the Webcam, microphone, and audio output devices. Step 6. In the button corner, you will see a camera feed. Click the rightmost icon to launch the virtual background options. You can select a virtual background offered herein. EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 7. Click Start Recording to initiate the session. Click Stop Sharing to end the session. Screen Record video with virtual background on Mac ManyCam Lite is a compact version of ManyCam, and it packs multiple tools, such as recording, live streaming, and a virtual camera. This feature-packed tool allows users to replace backgrounds without AR green screen technology. Note: You must be running macOS High Sierra (10.13.4) or later to use the virtual background feature. Here’s how to record video with a virtual background on Mac: Step 1. Download, install, and launch ManyCam Lite on your Mac. Step 2. Turn on your webcam and audio output devices. Step 3. Click Virtual Background (to the right of the Text icon) and toggle on Replace Background. You can blur your backdrop or choose another background image/video from the list or your device. EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 4. Click the Start recording button (next to the Stream icon) to record everything you need. Click the Stop recording button to end the session. Step 5. Click the arrow and click ‘Open video save directory’. All your recordings are located here. How to record video with virtual background on iPhone/Android Chromavid is a green screen chroma key app that lets you use chroma key effects in real time to change the background. It supports both Android (version 13.0 or later) and iOS (version 12.0 or later) devices. Note: Prepare a chroma color using a background wall or curtain. You should use plain colors, such as green, blue, red, or yellow. Then, follow the steps to make a virtual background video on iPhone, iPad, Android phones, and tablets. Step 1. Download Chromavid from Google Play or the App Store. Install and launch it. Step 2. Click the solid-color circle from the upper left corner to select the plain color you are using as your backdrop. Step 3. Return to the main interface, click the gallery icon from the bottom left corner, and select a background image you want to use. EaseUS EaseUS EaseUS Step 4. Click the red recording button to start recording or stop recording the session. Step 5. View recordings on your phone or tablet. Share them if you need to. Bonus: What is a good virtual background? The standard for a good virtual background may vary depending on the context of the video scenes. Here are some tips for choosing your video recording background: Professional settings: Light gray or soft blue; Bookshelf; Office space. Casual or creative meetings: Nature scenes, Artistic backgrounds. Personal and relaxed settings: Cozy room; Café settings. If you want to stand out: Colorful patterns; Travel photos. Avoid using a cluttered background, choose suitable lighting, and test it before recording. Use a virtual background that reflects your style appropriately. Conclusion In this article, we have discussed how to record video with virtual background. To sum up, you need to use reliable third-party webcam recorders to capture cameras and screens with different backgrounds. These tools can change your video background without using the chroma key. However, a chroma key background is necessary if you want to screen record clips with fake or personalized backdrops. The most straightforward way to record a video with a virtual background is to use a laptop or PC to replace the background. You can use EaseUS RecExperts to do this on your Windows PC. FAQ 1. What format is best for a virtual background? The best formats for a virtual background largely depend on the platform you are using, but common formats that are widely supported include: JPEG/JPG: A standard image format that can balance between image quality and file size. PNG: Excellent for images that require transparency and have better quality than JPEG, especially for graphics and images with sharp edges. GIF: This is for animated backgrounds on some platforms. However, the file size can be larger, and color limitations exist. MP4: MP4 is the most common and compatible video format that works well on many video-conferencing platforms. 2. How can I put a background on a video without using a green screen? Using various video-editing techniques and software you can put a background on a video without using a green screen: Use video-editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. Use online tools or mobile apps like Canva, Kapwing, and Camtasia. 3. How do you get a virtual background on Zoom without camera? To use a virtual background on Zoom without a camera, you generally need dedicated software that simulates a camera feed. Here are steps to set it up: Step 1. Download and install virtual camera software like OBS Studio. Step 2. Add a new source to the software and select Image or Media Source to import your virtual background. Step 3. Choose Virtual Camera from the settings to enable it. Step 4. Open Zoom and go to Settings > Video > Camera. Select the OBS Virtual Camera you created. Step 5. Now, you can join or start a meeting, and your chosen background will appear in your video feed. Read...

There’s a major Windows 11 update coming this season and it seems to be causing various screen-related issues for beta testers. MSPoweruser reports that several users — both on Microsoft’s support forums as well as on Reddit — have complained about numerous monitor and display problems ever since they started testing the latest version of the Windows 11 operating system. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro The complaints include issues like: screen settings being reset every time their computers are restarted, black screens when using the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut to switch between apps, and black screens and lag while playing games in fullscreen. Different solutions have been proposed, ranging from checking the hardware cables to updating display drivers to reinstalling the entire Windows operating system altogether. If you’re experiencing screen-related issues with the latest Windows 11 version (24H2) and you’ve tried everything to no avail, your best option is likely to revert back to a previous version (23H2) until Microsoft resolves this issue. (In this case, reverting back to a previous version may or may not entail reinstalling Windows.) Keep reading: How to roll back a problematic Windows update Read...

A little while back, I made a big change to my desktop PC workflow — I swapped my pair of 24-inch desktop monitors for a single 35-inch ultrawide display, which stretches much further side-to-side than a traditional widescreen monitor does. Ultrawides used to be a luxury in the monitor world, but prices have come down in recent years, and even basic computers like my $300 mini-PC have become powerful enough to push an ultrawide’s extra pixels without dedicated graphics cards. My particular monitor, the (oh-so straightforwardly-named) LG 35WN65C-B, has a resolution of 3440×1440, which gives it about 34 percent more horizontal screen real estate than a more standard 2560×1440 widescreen monitor. Further reading: Best ultrawide monitors 2024: Let’s get large The ultrawide monitor I ended up getting. Learn more about how I score like-new tech devices for cheap. The ultrawide monitor I ended up getting. Learn more about how I score like-new tech devices for cheap.LG The ultrawide monitor I ended up getting. Learn more about how I score like-new tech devices for cheap.LG LG I picked one up partly out of curiosity, but also to address some specific annoyances that arose from my old dual-monitor setup. While I’m happier with the new monitor overall, it’s been a bigger change than I expected, and not fully for the better. If you’re curious about living the ultrawide life, here’s how it went for me and what you should know before you commit. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get tech advice like this every Tuesday. There’s definitely a learning curve On an ultrawide monitor, apps can get uncomfortable to look at when they’re stretched out to cover the whole screen. You need to get used to running apps in smaller windows instead of maximizing them. In fact, you’ll likely benefit from leaning on the Snap feature in Windows or the Split View feature in macOS, allowing you to instantly “snap” windows to various regions of the screen or run apps side-by-side. This takes some adjustment coming from a dual-monitor setup. Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Additional software can help, too. In Windows, I’ve become dependent on the FancyZones feature of Microsoft PowerToys to quickly place windows in a 16:9 aspect ratio in the middle of the screen. On macOS, I use Rectangle for window management. But getting used to these programs takes some extra effort as well. There may be an actual curve, too Many ultrawide monitors have curved screens, not just to make gaming more immersive but to make the side edges of the screen feel less distant from your eyes. The smaller the curve radius, the tighter the curve. I’m quite pleased with my LG monitor’s 1800R curve radius, which is subtle enough to not get in the way of work. But curved screens may not be to your tastes no matter how subtle the curves are. As one member in a photo editing forum put it: “I’ll buy a curved monitor when everyone starts hanging curved paintings and photos on their walls.” Less multitasking, more focus Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Having just one screen has had an interesting effect on my productivity, nudging me away from having multiple apps on display across multiple screens. Instead, I have a single screen with two, maybe three, apps. I still invoke Snap when situations demand it—and the ultrawide format prevents that from feeling cramped—but multitasking has become more of an intentional decision now than the default way of things. I think that’s a positive, as far as focus is concerned. My neck really appreciates it With two monitors, I would often put my web browser and other reference materials on my right-hand screen while writing on the monitor that’s directly in front of my keyboard. This put a lot of strain on my neck and back as I’d inevitably spend large chunks of time looking off-center instead of moving the browser over to my main monitor. Ultrawide monitors solve this issue, and that was actually a big impetus for my decision to switch. I’m more inclined to keep things in the middle of the screen now, and I’m feeling less neck strain as a result. It freed up some space on my desk The difference in total screen width between my older two monitors and my newer single ultrawide wasn’t huge, so I wasn’t expecting it to help clean up my desk all that much. But with only one monitor stand and one set of bezels around the display, I’ve reclaimed a surprising amount of room on my workspace. (The monitor’s slight curvature likely helps this as well.) Also, the stand for my ultrawide monitor runs much taller than my previous monitors, so I’ve pushed my old wooden risers to the back of my desk where they’re helping to hide cables and accessories, further contributing to the cleanup. Gaming on an ultrawide is amazing Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Although I’ve moved my old desktop PC down to the basement for gaming purposes, it’s hard to resist playing games on this ultrawide screen. My little desktop PC isn’t powerful enough, so I’ve been using Nvidia GeForce Now, whose Premium tier can stream the latest games at full 3440×1440 resolution with every graphics setting maxed out. After experiencing games this way — with the action extending almost to the edges of my peripheral vision — it’s hard going back to anything else. While the ultrawide has changed the way I work, it turns out that it has also had a noticeable impact on play, too. Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best ultrawide monitors if you want to dip your toes in the water — it’s mighty fine, after you adjust to it. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get tech advice like this every Tuesday. Read...

Copilot+ PCs first launched back in June, and ever since then we’ve been seeing more and more computers with Copilot+ badges. But Microsoft isn’t just pushing Copilot+ PCs — there’s also the Copilot AI chatbot. The Verge reports that Microsoft will hold a digital presentation via LinkedIn on September 16, where company CEO Satya Nadella and AI director Jared Spataro will present the “next phase of Copilot.” Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft It’s unclear exactly what Microsoft’s upcoming AI news will entail, but judging by the presentation’s name (“Microsoft 365 Copilot: Wave 2”), it’ll likely have something to do with the company’s collection of office software and services. We’ll know more come Monday, September 16 at 17:00 CET (or 11am ET). And if Microsoft will be talking about office suites, it might also be when they reveal just how much the one-off Office 2024 will be. Read...

Security is easiest when you are the password: You don’t have to memorize complicated keywords, but simply hold your face up to the camera or your finger on a sensor — and you can access your computer and online services. This biometric login is already standard on smartphones — either via a camera or a finger sensor built into the screen. This allows you not only to log in to your device, but also to make purchases in online shops or carry out banking transactions. However, many notebooks and PCs do not have a finger sensor or a camera with facial recognition. If your computer lacks the hardware for biometric login, you should definitely retrofit it for better security. Passkey, for example, is particularly easy to use — and because more and more services support this passwordless login, you should also make your PC fit for it. We provide tips on how to determine whether your computer is equipped with biometric hardware and how to set it up. If you don’t have the peripherals to log in with your face or finger, we can help you find the right camera or finger sensor to easily upgrade your PC and notebook. Further reading: Best Windows Hello webcams Why biometrics is particularly important It has long been known that logging on to a computer or web service using biometric features such as a face or fingerprint is more secure than using a PIN or password. An individual’s physical characteristics cannot be copied, guessed, or phished, you always have them with you, cannot forget them, and do not have to write them down anywhere. More and more online services support Passkey. Passwordless login is particularly convenient if you use facial or finger recognition — for example via Windows Hello. More and more online services support Passkey. Passwordless login is particularly convenient if you use facial or finger recognition — for example via Windows Hello. IDG More and more online services support Passkey. Passwordless login is particularly convenient if you use facial or finger recognition — for example via Windows Hello. IDG IDG Recognition technology has evolved: The sensors analyze so many features that they can no longer be tricked by photos or rubber fingers. When logging in, the camera or finger sensors compare the currently captured features with the stored features that they saved when setting up face or finger recognition. These files are usually secured with 256-bit encryption so that no one who steals a notebook or external biometric hardware such as a USB camera or USB finger sensor can read them and use them for authentication. Deal alert! Windows 11 Pro Logging in with your face or finger instead of a password now makes particular sense: More and more manufacturers and online services are supporting passwordless authentication via Passkey, such as Amazon, Apple, Ebay, Google, Microsoft, and Paypal. You can find a list at https://passkeys.directory/. With Passkey, you no longer have to enter a password in an app or website to log in. Instead, an individual key is created for each service, which is securely stored locally on your computer or smartphone — in the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) on a Windows computer, for example. For example, if you have protected your Amazon account on your laptop with a passkey and then access this website on your laptop, it will request this key. You must then authorize the TPM to release it: You can do this easily using biometric authentication with your face or finger. Is the PC ready for biometric logon? You don’t need to buy additional biometric hardware if your computer already has it on board. There’s a good chance that your laptop has either a suitable camera or a finger sensor, as around half of all reasonably modern laptops are equipped with one. You can check the Device Manager to see whether biometric hardware is installed in the computer: A camera for facial recognition appears here as a biometric device and as an IR camera. You can check the Device Manager to see whether biometric hardware is installed in the computer: A camera for facial recognition appears here as a biometric device and as an IR camera. Foundry You can check the Device Manager to see whether biometric hardware is installed in the computer: A camera for facial recognition appears here as a biometric device and as an IR camera. Foundry Foundry To check whether this is the case with your computer, first take a look at the technical data or the manual. It should be listed there if there is a camera for facial recognition — in most cases, the manufacturers describe it as an “IR camera.” They capture the face with invisible infrared rays and recognize the shape of the face through the reflected rays. They also have a depth sensor. This ensures that face recognition works well in different lighting conditions and cannot be cancelled out by a photo due to the depth information. You can usually recognize the IR camera by the fact that there are additional lenses next to the front camera, usually in the display lid above the screen on a notebook. The position of the finger sensor should also be described in the manual if the computer has one. On older laptops, the sensor is often located as a small rectangular field to the right of the touchpad; current laptops often integrate it into the power button or elsewhere on the keyboard. To be able to use Windows Hello, you must be logged in with a Microsoft account and have set up a PIN for Windows login. To be able to use Windows Hello, you must be logged in with a Microsoft account and have set up a PIN for Windows login. Foundry To be able to use Windows Hello, you must be logged in with a Microsoft account and have set up a PIN for Windows login. Foundry Foundry Windows has been using the “Windows Hello” function for biometric logon since Win 10. You can therefore simply check whether biometric hardware is available on a Windows computer in the system settings: Open Accounts > Sign-in options. Then tap on “Face recognition” and “Fingerprint recognition”: If the computer has the hardware for this, the “Set up” button will appear, otherwise Windows will inform you that it has not found a suitable device. You can also check in the Device Manager whether biometric hardware is already present on your PC: You will find the entry for an IR camera in the “Cameras” section, a finger sensor usually appears under “Biometric devices.” If your computer has the appropriate hardware, you should definitely carry out Windows updates to update the corresponding drivers before using biometric logon on the computer. If you use a camera not only for Windows Hello but also for frequent video meetings, a high resolution, such as that provided by the Logitech Brio Stream with 4K, can be advantageous. If you use a camera not only for Windows Hello but also for frequent video meetings, a high resolution, such as that provided by the Logitech Brio Stream with 4K, can be advantageous. IDG If you use a camera not only for Windows Hello but also for frequent video meetings, a high resolution, such as that provided by the Logitech Brio Stream with 4K, can be advantageous. IDG IDG Windows shows in the settings whether it has detected hardware for face or finger recognition. It can then be set up for Windows Hello. Security gaps with biometrics Complete security cannot be achieved even with biometric hardware. Although recognition now works very reliably, the camera or sensor must communicate with the operating system so that Windows can authorize services protected by biometrics, for example. This is where many hackers come in and try to manipulate this connection by forcing their way between the biometric hardware and Windows, similar to a man-in-the-middle attack in a network, in order to trick the operating system into recognizing them even though the camera or finger sensor has not done so. In this way, even current and otherwise secure sensors can be tricked with match-on-chip technology: They store the biometric data themselves so that it is more difficult to intercept. However, the biometric hardware should also support SDCP — a security protocol that Microsoft has developed specifically for data exchange between biometric hardware and Windows. This was not the case with the attacked sensors. For many users, these attacks pose no risk, as the attacker must have access to the computer with the biometric hardware. However, these security gaps are an additional reason to regularly check for driver and firmware updates. Set up biometrics hardware correctly When setting up a new computer with biometric hardware, Windows prompts you to activate it. If you skip this step initially, you can activate face or finger recognition at any time afterwards. To do this, go back to Accounts > Sign-in options in the Windows settings. Click on the “Face recognition” or “Fingerprint recognition” option — depending on which method your computer supports. If you have not yet activated any other logins on your computer, you must now set a password and PIN. Only then can you start the biometric login via “Set up,” which you must then confirm with a PIN. You can then use the PIN and password as a workaround if biometric recognition does not work — for example, if you injure your login finger. For facial recognition, you need to look into your computer’s camera for around 10 seconds and hold your face within the rectangle displayed. The infrared sensors will usually flash. Once the camera has saved enough features to recognize you, the setup is complete. You can use the “Improve recognition” option to carry out the process again — for example, with or without glasses. This will ensure that the system recognizes you in any case. You can also do this later at any time using the corresponding option under “Face recognition.” Proceed in a similar way with a finger sensor: When you place your finger on it, the areas that have been recognized turn blue. Windows gives you additional tips during setup to ensure that the finger is recognized optimally — for example, by repeatedly placing it on the sensor or positioning it at different angles. With “Set up additional finger,” you can store additional fingerprints for login. If you no longer want to use biometric logon later, click on “Remove” in the corresponding logon method — Windows will then delete the identification data stored in the device. Simply retrofit If your computer does not have a camera or finger sensor, you can simply retrofit the biometric function with an external device. You connect the camera or finger sensor to the computer via USB and then work with it just as if the hardware was built into the computer. You should therefore select a peripheral device for which your computer has a suitable connection: Most current cameras and finger sensors have a USB Type-C connection, older ones Type-A. If the appropriate ports on your PC or notebook are not available or are already occupied, the devices will also work with an adapter — some type C devices, for example, come with an adapter for type A. An external USB finger sensor with a cable connection such as the Kensington Verimark Desktop is recommended for desktop computers: You can position it flexibly to reach the sensor surface quickly. An external USB finger sensor with a cable connection such as the Kensington Verimark Desktop is recommended for desktop computers: You can position it flexibly to reach the sensor surface quickly. IDG An external USB finger sensor with a cable connection such as the Kensington Verimark Desktop is recommended for desktop computers: You can position it flexibly to reach the sensor surface quickly. IDG IDG The biometric hardware must also support Windows Hello so that you can use it on the Windows computer for Passkey, for example. You should be able to find a corresponding note in the technical data. Please note: Even if a camera supports facial recognition — for example via its own software — this does not necessarily mean that it also works with Windows Hello. Recommended cameras cost between $50 and $180, depending on resolution, features and workmanship. In the lower price range up to around 120 euros, you will find models with full HD resolution, while prices for cameras with 4K resolution start above this. The resolution is irrelevant for biometric recognition. However, as you will probably also be using this camera for video conferences and video telephony, a higher resolution will make you look better on these occasions. A monitor with a built-in biometric camera is recommended for the office: with a 24-inch diagonal, these models, such as the AOC 24P3QW, cost around $200. A monitor with a built-in biometric camera is recommended for the office: with a 24-inch diagonal, these models, such as the AOC 24P3QW, cost around $200. IDG A monitor with a built-in biometric camera is recommended for the office: with a 24-inch diagonal, these models, such as the AOC 24P3QW, cost around $200. IDG IDG More expensive cameras offer more display options: They support autofocus, for example, so that you don’t have to worry about moving in the frame. Extensive zoom support or a wide field of view beyond 90 degrees are also plus points. Other cameras, on the other hand, allow you to restrict the field of view so that the person you are talking to can only see you and not your surroundings. best budget windows hello camera NexiGo HelloCam Pro Best Prices Today: $79.99 at NexiGo | $89.99 at Amazon Another distinguishing feature is the microphone: Not all biometric cameras have one built in — these models are recommended for users who already have a high-quality microphone in or on their computer. Cameras with a visor or cover provide a better sense of security because you can close the lens when you are not using it. However, if you are mainly using the camera for biometric recognition and, at most, for private video meetings, the cheapest models will suffice. If you prefer a stationary camera that you want to use with different computers, a monitor with a built-in Windows Hello camera is recommended: 24-inch displays with this equipment cost between $200 and $300. External finger sensors cost between $40 and $70. There are models for desktop PCs and laptops: You connect the desktop models to the computer with a longer cable. You can then position the sensor in the optimum place on the desk. The notebook variants look like short USB sticks with an external surface for your finger to rest on. They can remain permanently attached to the laptop and are therefore particularly suitable for mobile use. Depending on the equipment, there are additional features in the sensor classes, for example a status LED that indicates directly on the sensor whether the biometric enrolment has worked. Manufacturers provide detailed data on recognition performance, especially for biometric hardware for business use: In the technical information you will then find values for FAR, FRR, and TAR. FAR stands for the false acceptance rate if the sensor enrolls a person even though their biometric data does not match the stored data. FRR is the false rejection rate for the reverse case, when the correct person is not registered. TAR represents the value for correct logins. Microsoft specifies certain values for hardware so that it can be used for Windows Hello — for example, FAR below 0.001 percent and TAR above 95 percent. If you want to be particularly sure, you can choose a model whose manufacturer specifies better values for its product. How to solve problems easily If the biometric login is causing difficulties, you should first check for software updates, as with all security-relevant hardware: Therefore, install all available Windows updates as well as the latest drivers and firmware for the biometric hardware. Windows Hello also only works if you are logged in with a Microsoft account: Recognition via this system function does not work with a local user account. Another cause of problems when logging into Windows fails, even though the camera or sensor appears to recognize you, may be the TPM: This security chip in the computer stores the biometric data and keys for Passkey, so logging in will fail if it does not work. Therefore, go to “Update & Security” (Windows 10) or “Privacy and Security” (Windows 11) in the Windows settings and then to Windows Security > Device Security. There, click on “Security chip details.” If the status in this menu is “Ready,” everything is fine. Otherwise, click on “Troubleshoot security chip” to delete its contents. You will then need to set up the biometric login again. A finger sensor that can remain in the USB port is recommended for notebooks: This means it is always with you when you are on the move and can be used for mobile biometric logon. A finger sensor that can remain in the USB port is recommended for notebooks: This means it is always with you when you are on the move and can be used for mobile biometric logon. IDG A finger sensor that can remain in the USB port is recommended for notebooks: This means it is always with you when you are on the move and can be used for mobile biometric logon. IDG IDG There are often hardware problems with facial recognition if you use several cameras on a computer — for example, an external biometric USB camera together with the one built into the notebook lid. Windows then often gets tangled up and activates the integrated camera, even though you need the external one to log in to Windows Hello, for example — this happens especially after the computer has woken up from sleep or hibernation mode. The easiest way to solve this problem is to switch off the built-in camera. This can be done in the Windows settings under Bluetooth and devices > Cameras > Integrated Camera > Deactivate. Alternatively, you can also use the Windows Device Manager: Right-click on the entry for the camera there and select “Disable device” from the context menu that appears. Incidentally, it is not a mistake if a biometric camera appears twice in the Device Manager: You will then see one entry as a camera and another as an IR camera. This is because one piece of hardware is responsible for capturing images and the other for biometric recognition. Read...

Earlier this year, I impulse-bought a tiny, inexpensive desktop PC for research purposes. I didn’t expect it to change my entire computing setup. But here I am now, using the $300 Beelink SER5 Mini PC as my daily workhorse, powering an ultrawide 1440p 100Hz monitor and smoothly handling any productivity task I’ve thrown at it. This little computer has been so delightful to use that I’ve relegated my full-sized desktop tower PC to the basement television, where it’s now serving exclusively as a gaming rig. Consider this a lesson on technological overkill. Outside of some specialized use cases, the required compute power for getting things done might be a lot less than you think. Further reading: 5 reasons to get a mini PC instead of a laptop Sizing up the mini PC Beelink sells an array of miniature computers, but the one I bought currently costs $359 with the following specs: AMD Ryzen 5 6600H processor 16GB of RAM (DDR4) 512GB of storage (M.2 NVMe) Windows 11 Pro Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 Front ports: Two USB-A 3.2, one USB-C, 3.5mm audio Rear ports: One USB-A 3.0, one USB-A 2.0, two HDMI 2.0, gigabit ethernet Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Spec-wise, this is roughly on par with laptops in the $500 to $700 price range, except of course you’ll have to supply your own mouse, keyboard, and screen. The 5×5-inch frame is small enough to pick up with one hand, and it comes with VESA brackets for mounting the computer to the back of a monitor or television. Further reading: The best monitors we’ve tested The Beelink SER5 also hides a neat feature on its underside: Removing the bottom plate reveals a slot for a 2.5-inch storage drive. I bought a 1TB solid state drive to store all my OneDrive files locally, and the PC recognized it without issue. (The device’s RAM and M.2 storage drive are upgradeable as well.) There’s room for a 2.5-inch SSD in the bottom cover. There’s room for a 2.5-inch SSD in the bottom cover.Jared Newman / Foundry There’s room for a 2.5-inch SSD in the bottom cover.Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry How it fares Going in, my plan was to briefly play around with the SER5’s default Windows 11 Pro installation before going back to my regular desktop for work. Even if I didn’t use the mini PC regularly, I figured it’d be useful for experimenting with other operating systems such as Linux or Chrome OS Flex. In the end, the transition to daily work was so seamless that I never went back to my old computer at all. As a tech journalist, my work typically involves writing in Obsidian, chatting in Slack with colleagues (and my newsletter readers), juggling a few dozen browser tabs in Brave, and attending video calls in Zoom or Google Meet. The Beelink SER5 handled all those tasks without ever noticeably slowing down, and it’s much quieter than the full-sized desktop I’d been using before. I threw some more ambitious tasks at the mini PC as well, such as digitizing some old VHS tapes, recording streaming video sources via PlayOn Home, and running a Plex media server. Even with Plex’s commercial detection and PlayOn’s recording engine running in the background, I continued to work without any noticeable performance setbacks. And while integrated Radeon graphics are no match for a dedicated graphics card, the Beelink SER5 has fared well as a low-end gaming device. Yakuza Kiwami runs at a smooth 60 frames per second on high settings at 1080p, and both Fortnite and the post-apocalyptic cat simulator Stray are playable at 1080p with framerates closer to 30 frames per second. I’ve also used it to play less-demanding games such as the Quake II remaster and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, while leaning on Nvidia’s GeForce Now for more intensive fare. All this led to a realization that my hulking desktop PC was just wasting space while also being excessively loud and energy-intensive, and after a couple weeks I moved it out of my office for good. I gave it a factory reset, configured it exclusively for gaming in the basement, and now only turn it on as needed. Lesson learned Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry When shopping for computers, it’s always tempting to buy for every potential use case, both real and perceived, now and in the future. The Beelink SER5 is a reminder that we’ve reached a point of diminishing returns for most computing use cases. Despite having just a mid-range processor (one designed for laptops, at that), I was never wanting for more power or wishing I’d splurged on a pricier computer. But mostly, I’m just happy to have a quieter office and a better place for the gaming PC that once occupied it. This story first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get new tips every Tuesday. Read...

As a tech journalist who also runs a free tech advice newsletter, I maintain a pretty lean operation. I’m always buying more tech for “research purposes,” but I’m reluctant to pay anything close to full price when I do. Waiting around for deals is one way to defray the costs. But what if I need something now? Or what if the deals aren’t good enough? That’s when I turn to the used, refurbished, and open-box markets. Related: Why you should buy a refurbished laptop If you know where to look — and what to look for — you can essentially will your own price cuts into existence and still get good-as-new gadgets. Here are my go-to sources for acquiring used, refurbished, and open-box gadgets on the cheap. At the end of this article, I also share a few tips and warnings to be aware of before you go shopping. This story first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to learn new tech tricks every Tuesday. Best Buy’s Open Box deals Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry For an easy way to save money on practically any tech product, click the Open Box option on any Best Buy product page. This takes you to a Buying Options section with discounts for returned items. The Open Box Excellent option promises like-new condition with all original accessories. The best thing about Best Buy’s open-box deals is that they factor in current sale prices. For example, if a brand-new iPad is on sale for $100 off, you still get that discount on open-box models. (I recently saved $194 on an iPad Mini using this method, and while the box it came in was a bit worn, the tablet itself was pristine.) The Best Buy route pairs well with big-ticket items that are often on sale, such as laptops, monitors, TVs, tablets, and Apple Watches. If the quality of an open-box model isn’t to your liking, you have 15 days to return it for free (either in store or by mail). Open-box products also include a standard one-year warranty in case anything goes wrong. Amazon’s Used section Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Like Best Buy, Amazon also offers used options on product pages — but unlike Best Buy, Amazon’s used products are seldom eligible for whatever deals are going on for their brand-new counterparts. Even so, I’ve found the used options to be worthwhile when I need some sort of accessory — like a USB hub or Ethernet splitter — and can’t wait around for a sale. Amazon’s 30-day return policy still applies to used gear, and the ability to drop off returns at UPS or Kohl’s stores is convenient. However, note that Amazon doesn’t offer any warranties beyond the return period. Just look for the Save with Used option on any product page. If buying from a third-party seller, check that they have a high number of positive ratings. Also, note that some options may not include Prime shipping. Swappa for cheap used gear Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Swappa is an online marketplace for buying and selling used gadgets. Sellers list their devices for however much they want to charge, and buyers can browse those listings to find products by type, brand, condition, color, specs, etc. While Swappa is best known for smartphone deals, don’t sleep on its laptop page, where you’ll find big discounts on MacBooks, Windows PCs, and Chromebooks. The site’s smartwatch and tablet sections are worth a look as well. The big caveat with Swappa is that you don’t get any kind of warranty with your purchase, and most sellers won’t accept free returns unless the item isn’t as described. (Even then, the back-and-forth can be a pain.) If you’re willing to shoulder that risk, the savings can be significant. Tip: While Swappa doesn’t have a formal counter-offer feature, you can try haggling with the Contact Seller option. You’ll need to act fast if they do lower the price, though, because anyone else who sees the listing might jump on it before you do. Good old eBay Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry Jared Newman / Foundry eBay can still be a great way to get gadgets for less, but finding the best buying options can take some work. eBay’s default search algorithms don’t always show you the best deals, and its auction listings rarely end up cheaper than buying items outright. So, my approach to shopping on eBay is this: search for a product using as many descriptors as possible, select the Buy It Now filter on the results page to hide auction listings, then sort the results by Price + Shipping: Lowest First. Then, I scroll through the results and use additional filtering options to find exactly what I’m after. My best recent haul using this approach was a gently-worn Samsung Galaxy Watch4 for $60 versus the $200 it would’ve been at Best Buy. I also grabbed a couple of Anker MagSafe power banks for less than $25 apiece, which was about $15 off street price. When shopping on eBay, beware of listings that say things like “PLEASE READ” or “LOOK,” as these items usually have significant defects. Also, avoid any listings that say “parts only.” More options to check out RefurbMe is a helpful site for searching across various sources of refurbished gear, including Back Market, Gazelle, and Apple. Back Market itself is worth a callout, as all its products include a one-year warranty (though its prices tend to be higher as a result). You can try your luck on Mercari, which is a used marketplace not unlike eBay, but I’ve seen some shady behavior there. If a seller has no ratings or the price seems too good to be true, skip it. A few tips and words of warning Buying used, refurbished, or open-box devices will always carry more risk than buying new. But if you’re smart, careful, and patient, then you can mitigate a lot of that risk and shop with confidence. Here are several things you should be aware of before pulling the trigger on a used, refurbished, or open-box purchase: Warranty coverage: Used products generally don’t include the standard one-year manufacturer’s warranty you get when buying new, but some sites let you buy additional warranty coverage. Battery health: Device batteries wear down over time, so used gear may not last as long on a charge compared to brand-new gear. You can either ask about battery health before buying or check battery health yourself after receiving the item. (See instructions for checking battery health on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.) Unscrupulous sellers: While most of my eBay and Swappa transactions have been pleasant, I’ve run into a few scenarios where the product was in worse shape than advertised. Sellers will typically work with you to avoid negative ratings, but this can still be a hassle. Grossness: For reasons best left unspecified, you should avoid buying used earbuds unless they’ve been professionally cleaned. Looking to sell? Try these sites Making money from your own used gear is easier than you might think, plus you’ll be putting it back into circulation for other folks to use. Some options worth knowing about: Flipsy and SellCell aggregate buyback prices from a wide range of sources, so you can find the optimal selling prices for used phones, tablets, computers, and more. Swappa is less chaotic than eBay for selling old tech directly to other users. I’ve had positive experiences with it. Staples will give you rewards points for recycling tech, which you can do to reclaim value out of keyboards, printers, and other accessories that have little resale value otherwise. (You’ll need to join Staples’ rewards program first to take advantage.) This story first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s weekly tech advice newsletter. Sign up to learn new tech tricks every Tuesday. Read...