Microsoft has stopped delivery of June 25th’s KB5039302 update. While the update had some interesting stuff in it, it turns out that it can cause Windows 11 PCs to restart in a continuous loop. Specifically, Windows 11 version 23H2 and Windows 11 version 22H2 are affected by this bug. Windows servers are not affected. Fortunately, KB5039302 isn’t installed on all Windows 11 computers because it’s an optional update. (It’s a preview of the standard update for all Windows 11 machines that will be released on Patchday in July 2024.) In other words, KB5039302 will only be on your Windows 11 computer if you explicitly installed it. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Microsoft wrote the following: After installing updates released on 26 June 2024 (KB5039302), some devices may not restart. Affected systems may restart repeatedly and require recovery operations to restore normal use. The Redmond software company continues: This issue is more likely to affect devices that use virtual machine tools and nested virtualization features, such as CloudPC, DevBox, Azure Virtual Desktop. We are investigating to determine the exact conditions under which this issue may be triggered. Windows Home Edition users are less likely to experience this issue as virtualization is less prevalent in private environments. And further: While our investigation is ongoing, this update is not being offered through Windows Update and Windows Update for Business. For this reason, this update may not be offered for your device at this time. Microsoft is working on a solution to the problem and plans to release it with one of the upcoming updates. What to do if you’re stuck restarting If you’ve installed the update on your computer and it enters the never-ending reboot loop, you’ll have to wait until Windows 11 begins the Windows 11 recovery environment by itself. When it does, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then Uninstall Updates, and finally click on Uninstall latest quality update. Then confirm removal of the update. It will take some time for KB5039302 to be removed. Once it’s done, restart your computer and it should work properly again. Windows Read...

Cloud backup services are the OG of online storage. Long before internet bandwidth allowed you to work online, there were services dedicated to providing that all-important third copy in the backup triad: the original data, a copy of the data, and a copy of the data in a remote location. The hallmark of these services are client apps that upload (and restore if necessary) data to from the remote server farm. Backblaze offers unlimited storage and an effective backup client. Backblaze offers unlimited storage and an effective backup client. Backblaze offers unlimited storage and an effective backup client. Most people are already using a cloud backup service, though they may not think of it that way. Google Drive, iCloud, and OneDrive all serve as backup repositories for Android, Apple, and Microsoft products, respectively. Even if you don’t use them, they’re there. What we look for in cloud backup services Our basic goal when reviewing a cloud backup service is to determine its suitability to the task, ease of use, and compatibility across platforms. As to what specific criteria we apply…. Backup and sync All services we classify as cloud backup provide local apps that handle the backup chore, often one-way sync. If they don’t, we cover them under the umbrella of online storage. Versioning and retention policies If a cloud backup service offers one-way sync for backup, it should be keeping older versions of changed files. How many, and for how long can be a major factor in our rating — it’s not always forever. Capacity Obviously, you want the most room you can get for your data, depending on the size of your stash of course. However, users such as yours truly, working with large multimedia files, may need a lot more. For instance, the unlimited storage offered by Backblaze and Sync.com. We look for tiers that will suit any data scenario, which brings the discussion to… Price We could’ve listed price as number one given that how much you pay for the amount of space you need factors heavily into our ratings. All things being equal, the cheaper the gigabyte (free being the best!), the higher the rating. Things are not always equal. Icedrive’s menu shows how to access older versions of your files. Icedrive’s menu shows how to access older versions of your files. Icedrive’s menu shows how to access older versions of your files. Online editing Storage services such as OneDrive/Microsoft 365 and Google Drive/Docs offer full-blown office suites that allow users to work online. We’re not expecting that from a dedicated cloud backup provider, but it’s nice when it occurs. Online preview With services that offer limited or no online editing, there’s usually a preview feature. How many file types are supported, and how well they display (video is often problematic) is something we check. Google Drive’s online interface. It’s the default cloud backup for Android devices but offers no true backup client for Windows. Google Drive’s online interface. It’s the default cloud backup for Android devices but offers no true backup client for Windows. Google Drive’s online interface. It’s the default cloud backup for Android devices but offers no true backup client for Windows. Operating system integration Carbonite‘s client with its Windows Explorer integration is one of our favorite cloud backup clients. So much so, we wish it could be used with other storage and services. We don’t count clients such as Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud etc. that integrate as folders or drives, but don’t provide dedicated backup functions. Of course you can still use these storage services for backup, but only by moving your data onto the integrated folder or drive. The distinction is fine, but you can find coverage of these services in our online storage reviews. Further reading: Best online backup services Carbonite provides its own handy and efficient backup client. Carbonite provides its own handy and efficient backup client. Carbonite provides its own handy and efficient backup client. Geographical location and redundancy Where a cloud backup service’s storage farms are located can effect the speed of transfers. As the internet infrastructure has matured, this is less of an issue than it once was, but it can still occasionally be a bottleneck. We also award brownie points to services that have several farms in different geographical locations to ward off data loss due to natural or unnatural disaster. Company history and story A company that’s been around for a while is more likely to garner our trust than one that just started. That said, some newer concerns actually leverage storage from older companies such as Dell EMC — much as smaller cellular companies use larger companies’ wireless infrastructure. Basically, we check to make sure a company isn’t likely to disappear overnight, along with your data. Device support With so many photos and video found on phones these days, it’s a plus if a service provides an app that will back up your phone multimedia to its servers. This isn’t a huge deal as Google Drive is integrated into Android, and iCloud into iPhones, but it’s a nice perk. pCloud’s Android app allows access to your files from your phone. pCloud’s Android app allows access to your files from your phone. pCloud’s Android app allows access to your files from your phone. Web access When it comes to computers, nearly all cloud backup services allow you to access your files via a web browser. If they don’t, that’s a major hit on the rating. That said, we’ve yet to come across one that doesn’t offer this functionality. Integration with other online storage services At least one service, FileShadow, will even connect to and back up your other online storage accounts. This is a definite plus, and generally quicker than using a cloud manager to copy from one service to another. Further reading: 5 tools that integrate your cloud storage into Windows File Explorer How we test cloud backup services During our evaluation, we test every feature a service provides: upload, downloads, sync, backup, restore, editing of files, preview of files, client software and apps, file retention, the web interface, etc. If it all works, it passes muster. However, ease of learning and use are also factored in. Internxt Drive’s backup client. Internxt Drive’s backup client. Internxt Drive’s backup client. As to speed….Generally speaking, we’re not overly concerned with performance. There are simply too many variables that can impact each user’s speed experience, such as the quality of the internet infrastructure between a user’s device and the service. We do note performance and discuss it, we just don’t put a lot of weight behind it unless something unusually great or bad happens. How we rate cloud backup services How many of the above boxes a service ticks, plus its ease of use, reliability, and performance are the primary considerations in rating a cloud backup solution. Price is always paramount as in terms of backup, all the services we’ve tested to date handle that chore just fine. Backup Software Read...

Did you know that it’s entirely possible to use Windows 11 with a local-only account, the way it worked way back when computers still used floppy drives? You’d be forgiven for not knowing, because it seems like Microsoft is going out of its way to hide this option from you, hoping to push you onto a connected Microsoft Account instead. In fact, they’re straight-up erasing information that might tell you otherwise. Microsoft keeps a pretty sizable collection of short, to-the-point guides for some of the most frequently searched functions on Windows. For example, this page tells you how to move from a local-only, non-connected user account to a full-on Microsoft Account. But that page used to say a lot more. Tom’s Hardware discovered that the most recent version of the page has deleted information on how to go in reverse, to transition from a Microsoft Account to a local account. The change was made last week, just as the newest Surface devices hit the market. The original version of the page is still visible via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. It’s disheartening, but not surprising. Microsoft has been incorporating more online, always-connected features into Windows for decades (including several unwelcome pushes to buy Microsoft Office or switch to the Edge browser). And this push only seems to be accelerating as Microsoft bets big on generative AI with Copilot, even going as far as offering a paid upgrade for more functionality. It’s still possible to operate Windows 11 as a local user, only logging into Microsoft services via web browser like in ye olden days. But you have to set up an account first, then manually move yourself off of it. Microsoft appears to be increasing that difficulty with intention. The recent changes to the Windows 11 setup process—and now yeeting instructions off its own support page—show that Microsoft wants every user to send over data constantly. Windows Read...

With tweaking tools such as WingetUI or Microsoft PC Manager, you can not only improve settings in Windows 10/11, but also fix problems. This often works faster and more effectively than with manual changes to the registry or other system files. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro In this article, we will show you some of the best tweaking tools currently available for Windows, which are also available free of charge. Some of the tools are portable, i.e. you do not need to install them, but can simply start them, even from USB sticks. Further reading: Supercharge Windows with Microsoft’s free PowerToys NetAdapter Repair – fix network problems If Windows can no longer communicate properly with the network or the internet, the open source tool NetAdapter Repair is an ideal tool. Once started, various buttons are available to repair individual areas in Windows that are causing problems with the network. Inexperienced users in particular can use it to fix problems that otherwise only experienced users would dare to tackle. In addition to simpler problems, such as deleting the DNS cache, retrieving a new IP address, or cleaning up the hosts file, you can also repair VPN settings, reset the Windows firewall, and much more. The routing table can also be repaired in this area. It’s also possible to select and start several tasks at once at this point. The “Run All Selected” button is available for this purpose. To be able to perform all actions, you should start NetAdapter Repair with admin rights. On the right-hand side, you can also see the external IP address of the internet access and the IP settings of the computer. Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Thomas Joos The tool therefore provides information on the network settings and the option to rectify errors at the same time. Microsoft PC Manager helps to clean up Windows With the free Microsoft PC Manager tool, users can very easily clean up and optimize their PC and search for errors. The tool can perform a health check and a deep cleanup. Autostart programs can also be cleaned up. The tool also helps to block pop-ups and much more. Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Thomas Joos PC Manager helps to clean up the system and can delete files that are no longer needed. AutoPowerOptionsOK and saving energy The small AutoPowerOptionsOK tool helps with the management and use of power options. The tool extends the standard options and integrates itself directly into the tray area of the taskbar. The tool can be used to access the Windows energy settings and further options are available via the context menu. AutoPowerOptionsOK AutoPowerOptionsOK AutoPowerOptionsOK AutoPowerOptionsOK is therefore an ideal tool for notebooks or for computers where optimum power settings are important. Winaero Tweaker is the top dog WinaeroTweaker is one of the best-known tweaking tools on the market and can change a whole host of settings in Windows. Winaero Tweaker can also be extracted as a portable version during installation. The tool supports numerous settings that can be implemented with just a few clicks. In addition to Windows 10 and Windows 11, Winaero Tweaker can also customize settings in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Winaero Tweaker enables the activation of complete context menus without the entry “Show more options” and the restoration of the classic taskbar and ribbon design in File Explorer. In addition, the position and size of the taskbar can be changed, all background apps can be deactivated simultaneously, and there are shortcut tools to start applications as an administrator without UAC confirmation or to open system folders and settings directly. Users can create shortcuts to the classic shutdown dialogue and remove unwanted overlay icons from shortcuts. The tool makes it possible to restore the classic search in File Explorer, use the classic Windows photo indicator and the classic volume control, and permanently deactivate Windows telemetry, Windows Defender, and Windows Update. Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Thomas Joos Adverts and unwanted apps can be blocked, the integrated administrator account can be activated, and automatic registry backups can be set up. Further adjustments relate to drag-and-drop sensitivity, deactivating notifications, and the Action Center as well as resetting the icon cache and all Group Policy options. Network options, such as changing the RDP port and making network drives accessible to elevated applications, are also available. Customization of the Windows interface includes personalizing folders in Explorer, increasing taskbar transparency, displaying seconds in the taskbar clock, and disabling blurring on the logon screen. Winaero Tweaker also allows you to add useful context menus, hide unwanted entries, and customize default apps for image editing contexts. These comprehensive functions make Winaero Tweaker an indispensable tool for in-depth customization and optimization of Windows systems. TweakPower – The Windows Cleaner Another tweaking tool for Windows is TweakPower. After installation, numerous setting options are also available here. The tool primarily helps with cleaning up Windows and optimizing the operating system. TweakPower TweakPower TweakPower TweakPower can be used to replace system and desktop icons, optimize network properties and memory, and adjust drive and security settings. The program allows you to clean the hard drive, split and encrypt files, and delete data irrevocably. Users can customize Windows to their liking by changing settings for the system, input devices, drives, and applications. They can also customize the appearance of Windows by changing colors, icons, the Start menu, and other visual elements. TweakPower tidies up your PC by removing unnecessary files, cleaning the registry, and deleting internet traces. The security features protect the PC by managing firewall settings, automatic updates, and user account control. Data can be securely deleted and encrypted to protect privacy. Economy Mode reduces power consumption and extends battery life, while Game Mode disables unnecessary processes to improve performance when gaming and streaming. System maintenance includes managing autostart programs, fixing hard drive errors and typical Windows problems, and creating restore points and backups. Add-ons such as the file splitter and the defragmentation function improve file management and system performance, while the Task Manager provides control over active programs. The performance index evaluates the computer’s hardware components and displays the overall performance. TweakPower supports multiple languages and is compatible with different versions of Windows, making it a valuable tool for system optimization. Improve data protection in Windows 10/11 Windows 10 and Windows 11 are data octopuses when it comes to data protection. The small, free tool W10Privacy puts an end to snooping with just one click. The tool can also be used as a portable version during installation. Some virus scanners report a false-positive malware infection of the tool, mainly Microsoft Defender. However, if you download W10Privacy from the developer’s website, you will not catch a virus. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Consumer Electronics Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating ProsExcellent keyboard with a full number padHuge, precise trackpadSharp displayLoud, clear speakersGood-quality aluminum buildImpressive performance even in gamesConsHigh priceSome annoying bloatwareSlightly weak battery lifeOur VerdictThe Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i is one of the best mainstream Windows laptops on the market, with great specs, a gorgeous display, and a killer keyboard. The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i would not look out of place in an office, but this 16-inch laptop has another side. A laptop this size offers a good mix of portability and screen real estate, and there’s also room for some serious hardware. This machine is well-made, attractive, and extremely powerful—it can even play modern PC games with surprising fluidity. On the other hand, even the base-model is very expensive, and most PC users don’t need this much power.  Looking for more options? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now. Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: Specs and features The Yoga Pro 9i is Lenovo’s flagship laptop, and it comes in a number of configurations. Lenovo fiddles with pricing and specs almost constantly, but you can expect to pay a minimum of roughly $1,480 for the machine. Fully specced out, it’s around $2,100. This computer sits at the top of Lenovo’s mainstream notebook offerings, but some of the company’s Legion gaming laptops are more capable and expensive.  Despite being a Yoga-branded laptop, this is not a 2-in-1. The 16-inch touchscreen’s hinge stops at 180-degrees like other traditional notebooks. That display is either a standard IPS LCD or miniLED, both at 3200 x 2000 resolution. There are two CPU options, too, a Meteor Lake Core Ultra 7 or Core Ultra 9. There are also two GPU options in the form of an Nvidia RTX 4050 or 4060, something you don’t get on the step-down Yoga 7i. Here are the full specs of the review unit.  CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H Memory: 32GB Graphics/GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 6GB, 100W TDP Display: 16-inch 3200 x 2000 IPS, 165Hz, 400 nits Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe Webcam: 5MP with IR for Windows Hello Connectivity: 1x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x SD card reader Networking: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3 Battery capacity: 84 Wh, 170W slim tip charger Dimensions: 14.28 x 9.99 x 0.70 inches Weight: 4.41 lbs MSRP as tested: $1,699.99 Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: Design and build quality IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam The Yoga Pro 9i is a relatively large laptop, but it’s a good size given the hardware inside. It’s only 0.7 inches thick when closed, and the 4.41 pound weight is a bit lower than other high-end laptops. Despite having a large display, the bezels are nice and slim, so it should fit in most laptop sleeves and compartments. The top bezel is a bit unusual with Lenovo’s trademark “reverse display notch,” which houses the 5MP webcam and microphones. It looks a bit strange at first, but it does offer a nice lip when closed to make the machine easier to open.  Some laptops feel rickety and too flexible when you pick them up, but not the Yoga Pro 9i. The entire chassis is aluminum, and all the panels are thick enough to feel solid and resist flexing. The hinge is also nice and tight, keeping the screen stable if you need to pick up and move the machine, but opening cleanly with one hand. While there’s no physical camera shutter, Lenovo does have a button on the right edge that electronically disables the camera when not in use. In addition to video chats, the camera can be used to your presence and put itself to sleep if you walk away for added security. The right side is also where you’ll find the USB-A ports, card reader, and the power button. On the opposite side, you get the USB-C ports, HDMI, 3.5mm, and the power port.   Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: Keyboard and trackpad IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam Lenovo has some of the better laptop keyboards on the market, even on cheaper models. The Yoga Pro 9i offers generous key spacing and deep 1.5mm travel, making it easier to get up to speed without making excessive typos. It’s worlds better than the current Dell XPS lineup in that respect.  The keys have above average tactility, and the bottom out is solid, not bouncy or mushy at all. The keys are backlit, as you’d expect on a premium laptop. The lighting is even, and it doesn’t bleed around the keys too much, but there are only two manual brightness stops—I’d like to see a few more options.  If you are so inclined, this laptop sports a dedicated key for Microsoft Copilot. We’re going to see this new key a lot—it’s between the arrows and spacebar, taking the place of the rarely used menu key. Speaking of the arrows, I wish Lenovo would use full-sized keys here. You get a full key for the left and right arrows, but up and down occupy a single key unit split down the middle. That can make it hard to find the arrows by feel. I appreciate the inclusion of a full number pad on the Yoga Pro 9i. At 14 inches wide, there’s just enough speed to fit everything, but Lenovo did have to reduce the size of the keys. The numbers are also right up against the modifiers (shift, enter, etc.), which can increase the frequency of accidental presses. Again, it can be hard to find this division by feel.  The keyboard is shifted to the left to make room for the number pad, and the trackpad is off to the side with it. I usually prefer to have trackpads in the middle regardless of the keyboard layout, but it’s not much of an issue here because the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i has an enormous trackpad that covers much of the available space below the keyboard. The trackpad’s high-precision, Gorilla Glass-covered surface is a delight. I bumped the sensitivity a bit higher, and I hardly missed my mouse.  Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: Display and audio IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i really wows with its display. I’m testing the lesser of the two screen options, a 16-inch IPS LCD at 3200×2000. It supports a 165Hz refresh rate, but the default mode has the machine locked to 60Hz. It also supports multitouch if you want to try to use Windows with touch. While the OS can be frustrating to poke, the glass is smooth and resists fingerprinting well. It would be more useful if the hinge allowed full rotation, though.  The miniLED version offers more vibrant colors and higher brightness, but the LCD is no slouch. It’s extremely crisp, and the 400 nits brightness rating is good enough for use in bright lighting. However, the glass screen cover is very reflective, and the brightness isn’t enough to make up for that if you try to use the computer outdoors.  Laptop speakers are rarely what you would call “good,” but the Yoga Pro 9i earns that distinction and then some. It has an impressive six-speaker setup, including four subwoofers and two tweeters. That’s even more robust than the Dell XPS 16, which PCWorld praised for its audio quality. The Yoga’s sound is clear, loud, and doesn’t distort at high volumes. The speakers also drive home the quality of the overall computer—there’s some minor vibration in the chassis when you crank the volume, but it doesn’t rattle or produce any unwanted noise. Even bass-heavy media will sound great on the Yoga Pro 9i, although don’t expect deep thumping.  Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: Performance The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i can tear through spreadsheets, documents, and other general computing tasks, but it can also satiate your appetite for games once work is all wrapped up. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 is not the most capable laptop GPU, but it’s a rocket ship compared to the integrated GPUs most mainstream laptops use. I ran this machine through the usual battery of productivity tests, plus some of the benchmarks we usually reserve for gaming laptops.  IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam PCMark 10 is designed to test a machine across a variety of metrics like web browsing, video chat, and photo editing. Here, we’re looking at the overall score, and the Yoga Pro 9i puts up one of the best scores we’ve seen thanks to that Core Ultra 9 CPU, which has a TDP of 30W.  IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam Cinebench is a CPU-focused test that shows how a machine handles heavy but brief multi-core workloads. The Lenovo machine does well here, coming in just behind the Alienware m16 R2. While that machine has a lower-specced CPU, its default power profile doesn’t leave as much performance on the table. The Yoga Pro 9i still beats all the other mainstream notebooks we’ve tested lately.  IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam The Handbrake test is similar to Cinebench in that it shows how a computer handles multithreaded tasks, but this is a longer-duration test where thermals matter more. Again, the Yoga Pro 9i comes in just behind the performance-tuned Alienware m16 R2. However, it’s a cut above all the other mainstream laptops in our database—it’s about a third faster than the Dell XPS 14, for example.  IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam While the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i is not technically a gaming laptop, it’s equipped with a capable RTX 4050 GPU, and the upgraded model has an RTX 4060. In 3D Mark’s Time Spy benchmark, the Yoga leaves other mainstream laptops in the dust. Even the Dell XPS 14 with the same GPU falls well behind the Lenovo machine.  IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam To get a better handle on gaming performance, I ran the Yoga Pro 9i through the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark, which is an excellent real-world test of gaming power. Comparing the Yoga Pro 9i to a slate of gaming notebooks, this laptop holds its own. Computers with the RTX 4070 and 4090 are well out in front, but the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i can surpass even some machines with more powerful RTX 4060 GPUs.  I’ve used the Yoga Pro 9i alongside gaming notebooks, and it’s more than good enough to push some pixels after a long day of office work. Using DLSS upscaling, it’s possible to play games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 on the gorgeous 3200×2000 display with good visual fidelity. You won’t be able to crank up advanced graphical features like ray tracing, but most games will still look great on this machine.  In general day-to-day usage, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i has never felt sluggish. Apps open fast, the ample RAM keeps multiple windows and a gaggle of browser tabs running, and Windows hasn’t crashed once. Lenovo’s excellent Vantage settings app also makes it easy to control the features and performance of the machine in one place. As for the rest of the software, it’s a standard Windows experience after you ditch the McAfee app and a few other pieces of bloatware in your way.  Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: Battery life The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i has an 84Wh battery, which is on the small size for a 16-inch laptop. Combined with the powerful hardware and high-resolution screen, the battery life is acceptable but not particularly good. Our battery test consists of playing a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat in the Movies & TV app (in airplane mode) until the laptop runs out of juice. The Yoga Pro 9i managed just under nine hours in this test, which is below most mainstream notebooks. However, it runs a little ahead of gaming notebooks.  IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam IDG / Ryan Whitwam We ran this test first in the default 60Hz refresh mode. While the screen looks nice in 165Hz mode, it takes a big bite out of your battery—the laptop loses about an hour in the video benchmark. When there’s no power to plug in, I’d suggest sticking with 60Hz mode. The higher refresh rate will have a bigger impact in general computing compared to video. That said, even at 165Hz, you should be able to make it through a work day with the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i.  Plenty of laptops are relying entirely on USB-C for charging now, but not this one. Because there’s a dedicated GPU inside this machine, it needs more power than current USB devices can supply. The 170W “Slim Tip” charger keeps the machine running at full speed, and it recharges quickly. However, you can plug a USB-C cable with USB Power Delivery support into one of the two ports to charge the machine at up to 100W. The system will throttle performance when powered over USB-C.  Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: Conclusion The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i is one of the best mainstream Windows laptops on the market right now. The performance is top notch, whether you’re juggling spreadsheets or getting a few frags in before bed. The battery life is passable; it might be nice to have a bit more longevity, but I like the aggressive performance tuning. The build quality is also solid, with a full aluminum housing with no flex or rattle. I would have preferred a fully rotating screen, but the Yoga Pro 9i gets the traditional laptop form factor right. The screen is easy to open with one hand, and it stays where you leave it even if you move the machine around or pound on the keyboard.  Speaking of the keyboard, Lenovo did a good job of making the keys feel spacious even with that full number pad. The tactility is excellent for a laptop, and the keys feel solid at bottom out with almost no mushiness. I’m also a fan of the huge trackpad, which is clad in glass and feels buttery smooth. The audio-video experience is top tier, as well. Even the base model IPS display is excellent compared to similar laptops, and there’s a miniLED upgrade available. The speakers are also good—and not just good for a laptop.  The fantastic hardware brings us to this machine’s biggest con: the price. You’re looking at around $1,500 for the cheapest variant. My test unit clocked in at $1,700, and it doesn’t even have the upgraded miniLED screen. You can easily spend over $2,000 on the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i with all the trimmings. All the prices feel a bit too high—that’s MacBook Pro money. The model I reviewed has already been on sale as low as $1,500, and that seems about right. The good news is Lenovo shuffles prices frequently, so the Yoga Pro 9i will undoubtedly go on sale again. Laptops Read...

Even though portable SSDs have become quite compact these days, still nothing compares to the SK Hynix Tube T31, which is an SSD the size of a thumb drive. And wouldn’t you know it? This 1TB tiny SSD is only $85 at Amazon right now, down from $135. (Snip the coupon!) This compact stick-type SSD is a solid solution for gamers and professionals who require high-speed data transfer in a small enough package that can slip right into a pocket. The SK Hynix Tube T31 boasts lightning-fast data transfer speeds of up to 1,000MB/s (10Gbps), making it possible to transfer large files in seconds. And with its 1TB capacity, you’ll be able to load and unload all kinds of size-heavy files, like videos and games. You can use the Tube T31 with pretty much any device, including PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, as well as Windows and macOS computers. Imagine seamlessly moving your data between different devices and platforms in a flash! The 1TB version of the SK Hynix Tube T31 at $85 is a remarkable deal you won’t want to miss. (Don’t forget to apply the $15 coupon!) If you want to spend a tiny bit less, you can opt for the 512GB version that’s down to $80—but the extra $5 is worth it for double the storage space. The 1TB SK Hynix Tube T31 is only $85Claim this deal on Amazon Computer Storage Devices Read...

Microsoft has confirmed an annoying bug in Windows 10: users who right-click on the taskbar are shown an incorrect “Open with” dialogue with the meaningless “How do you want to open the file?” instead of the usual drop-down lists and program-specific context menu. This problem is apparently caused by some of the latest updates that Microsoft provided for Windows veterans in recent months. Windows 10 version 22H2 and Windows 10 version 21H2 are both affected. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Specifically, optional update KB5036979 from April 2024 is causing this misbehavior, as reported by BleepingComputer. Updates KB5039211 (June 2024), KB5037849 (May 2024, optional) and KB5037768 (May 2024) are also said to cause this problem. Microsoft writes: After installing the April 23, 2024 Windows update (KB5036979) and updates released after it, certain applications may display an “Open with” dialogue box asking you how you want to open this file. This problem can occur when you click with the mouse on an application icon in the taskbar or in the Start menu and right-click on the application to perform a task in that application. As a result, the “Open with” dialogue box may appear instead of running the selected task. Microsoft continues: This issue has been reported by users of Teams, the new Outlook for Windows, and Snip & Sketch. This issue may also affect other applications if you right-click on their icon to find a context menu with a list of tasks. However, not all computers seem to be affected by the problem. On some, the right-click menu works as usual. Microsoft says it’s working on a solution to the problem and will make it available with an update. Until then, you’ll have to select the desired tasks directly in the menus of their respective programs. Windows Read...

OPINION: Environmental activists want no mining for minerals yet their computers, cell phones and electric bike and cars use these minerals. It’s NIMBYism, writes Phil Brown. Read...

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Computers built like brains could be much more energy efficient than current designs. Read...