Laptops are awesome for day-to-day productivity, but it sucks when you’re on the go and stuck with a single screen. If you hate being cramped with limited screen real estate, you need a portable monitor. And right now, this Arzopa portable monitor is on sale for $60 at Amazon, a massive cut down from its usual $130 price tag. Note: This price is for Amazon Prime members. If you don’t have Prime, you can still get this portable monitor at a solid on-sale price of $86 — or you can sign up for a free 30-day trial of Prime to snag it at the Prime-only sale price. This portable monitor has a 15.6-inch IPS display with a 1920×1080 resolution, delivering great color accuracy and sharp visuals. It also helps reduce eye strain thanks to its anti-glare coating, making it easy on the eyes even in brightly lit environments. And if you’re worried about this monitor weighing you down, don’t be. It weighs a scant 1.7 pounds and measures an almost paper-thin 0.3 inches thick, so you can easily slip this into your bag next to your laptop and you won’t even notice as you carry it around. Arzopa’s monitor is extremely easy to set up: simply connect it to your laptop via USB-C cable, which transmits both power and video signal. (If you’re going to use this portable monitor with your phone — which you absolutely can! — your phone will need a full-featured USB-C port.) Specifically, this portable monitor has a Mini HDMI port, a full-featured USB-C port that supports video signal, and a regular USB-C port that’s only for data transmission (e.g., peripherals). You can use it with your laptop, phone, tablet, and even gaming consoles. This is a phenomenal price for an extra screen for your laptop. Grab this Arzopa portable monitor for just $60 with Amazon Prime — and if you don’t have Prime, sign up for a 30-day free trial or simply settle for the still-good-but-not-as-great sale price of $86. This Arzopa portable monitor is over 50% offBuy now on Amazon Read...

A 2020 new build proved to be an expensive mistake. Read...

A 2020 new build proved to be an expensive mistake. 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...

Re-Leased, a New Zealand property software firm, secures USD $12.5 million funding led by Movac to boost AI capabilities, expand in the UK and US, and support investor liquidity. Read...

An ultrawide monitor can push your productivity to new heights, so if you don’t have one yet, consider getting one — and if you’re going to get one, how about one that’s an absolute unit? Right now, this 49-inch Samsung ultrawide monitor is on sale for $800, a significant drop in price that represents $400 in savings. Massive ultrawides from top-tier brands rarely come this cheap. This particular Samsung monitor features an expansive 49-inch curved display with a 5120×1440 resolution, which is literally two 1440p screens side-by-side. That’s enough screen real estate to multitask numerous apps and browser tabs, all on a single display. Surprisingly, it also has a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth viewing experience that feels premium. That means this business-class monitor is also pretty darn good for gaming if you have an adequate gaming rig. But my favorite thing about this monitor is that it also serves as a docking station. You’ll find two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, three USB-A ports, and a USB-C port with 90W charging, plus a built-in KVM switch that lets you connect this monitor to two different machines and switch between them on the fly. Simply put, this monitor is an absolute beast for the price. Grab it now on Amazon for just $800 while this deal lasts. This Samsung monitor will transform your workstationBuy now on Amazon Read...

You might be getting a new laptop today because this deal is a solid one: right now you can get this MSI Thin 15 (2024 model) gaming laptop for just $760 on Amazon, down from its usual $900. This sleek laptop contains an Intel Core i7-12650H CPU bolstered by 16GB of DDR5 RAM, which means snappy performance that’s fast enough to handle both gaming and productivity multitasking. But it’s the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU that infuses this laptop with magic for gaming, delivering stunning graphics at high frame rates, immersing you in worlds as realistic as they come. And if you’re into video editing or content creation, this GPU is strong enough to power that, too. The MSI Thin 15 features a 15.6-inch display with a 1920×1080 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring buttery smooth visuals with sharp images and little-to-no motion blur. The cherry on top is its thin bezel that maximizes your screen real estate. Lastly, you’re looking at a slim body that’s only 0.85 inches (21.7mm) thick and weighs just 4.1 pounds (1.86kg), yet still has enough connectivity with an HDMI port capable of 4K@30Hz, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 DisplayPort input, and three USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports. This is a solid configuration for a laptop, and it’s especially good for just $760 right now on Amazon. This deal won’t last so jump on it while you can if you want to upgrade your laptop affordably! This gaming laptop is as powerful as it is thinBuy now on Amazon Read...

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The accused killer of Christchurch real estate Yanfei Bao has appeared in court for the first time since police found her remains on a remote property late last month. Read...

Some back-to-school purchases are no-brainers, like a new laptop or Chromebook. But other helpful products aren’t always as obvious. They can seem purely optional—stuff to buy when you have money to burn. But don’t discount tech gadgets and accessories, especially if you’re often zigzagging across a college campus. Add in part-time work and the demands of a social life, and the right gear can help you keep your sanity. Further reading: 10 life-changing laptop accessories for college students Laptop stand Lululook Lululook Lululook A laptop stand both frees up desk space and improves the ergonomics of your setup. You want your laptop screen at a height that prevents hunching or bad posture, especially if you often have long study and homework sessions. It also makes a dual-screen setup with a separate monitor less awkward. Fortunately, laptop stands aren’t expensive, and you can even pick up an ultra compact one that travels well. Take it from an old person—take care of your body now, or it’ll punish you for mistreatment later. Get the Tonmom Foldable and Portable Laptop Stand, $10 Bluetooth keyboard Michael Crider/IDG Michael Crider/IDG Michael Crider/IDG A small room can feel even more cramped with lots of cable clutter. A Bluetooth or wireless keyboard with multi-device support will streamline your desk setup, lets you switch quickly between a PC, tablet, and phone—and also allows you to take it on the road with you for better ergonomics and comfort. A good lightweight option like the Keychron K3 or Logitech MX Keys Mini travels well. If you’re not on the go often, a heftier mechanical keyboard will feel better during gaming and long typing sessions. Noise-canceling headphones Jonathan Takiff/Foundry Jonathan Takiff/Foundry Jonathan Takiff/Foundry A pair of noise-canceling headphones can be worth their weight in gold, as they’ll drown out distractions while you study (or when you need a break from loud roommates). Over-the-ear cans have the best battery life—top models like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM5 get between 20 to 30 hours runtime—making them ideal for long playback sessions and situations where you can’t charge as often. Even models that cost half as much, like Anker’s Soundcore Space Q45, will run as long and still sound good. Meanwhile, ANC earbuds travel extremely well, tucking easily into a pocket for shorter trips out of the house. And you have no end of choices, with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, Sony WF-1000XM5, and Apple AirPods Pro just a few excellent options at the top end. Portable monitor Arzopa Arzopa Arzopa If you’re often away from your dorm or apartment, a good travel setup for your PC will make the hours spent on it more comfortable. In addition to a laptop stand and a lightweight wireless keyboard, a portable monitor‘s extra screen real estate lets you easily juggle different tabs or windows. And the good news is that they don’t cost much nowadays—one of the most popular models is just $100, and can sometimes be found on sale for less. For an even slicker setup, consider picking up a good portable stand for the monitor, too. Tablet Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry A tablet can fill many roles—like as a second screen for your PC, a digital notepad for keeping up with class lectures, or a comfortable way to read textbooks. It’s a great complement to a PC, especially if you have a desktop computer. The Apple iPad is a perennial favorite for such multitasking, as is Samsung’s rival Galaxy Tab S line, but you can also opt for an Android E-Ink tablet like the Onyx Boox Note Air 2 for less eye-strain. Computer speakers Creative / Amazon Creative / Amazon Creative / Amazon You can do much better than a portable Bluetooth speaker or a laptop’s built-in speakers. Good dedicated computer speakers won’t introduce audio latency when watching videos, or distort at moderate volume. They don’t take much room on a desk either. Our top pick for budget speakers runs under $20 and has a tiny footprint, for example. (You can see all your options in our round up of the best affordable computer speakers.) Bluetooth tracker Apple Apple Apple Losing track of your keys or other vital items is a pain—and all too easy to do if you’re often out and about. You can avoid this fate by attaching a Bluetooth tracker like an Apple AirTag or Tile Mate to your high-priority gear. It avoids a lot of headache when you’re too stressed to precisely recall your movements. External hard drive Tech Advisor Tech Advisor Tech Advisor Cloud storage is common these days, but having a local backup can save your bacon—even as antiquated as the tech may seem. Should you accidentally delete a file unknowingly from your PC, in the cloud, or both, if they sync with one another, you’ll still have a copy of the data. While you can use a cloud service specifically meant for backups, an external hard drive is cheaper over time and readily accessible, even when your internet’s out. Even a smaller 5TB drive is worth the investment. Power bank Lexon Lexon Lexon Being away from an electrical outlet for long periods is a guarantee while in college. Having even a small, pocketable power bank (like this teeny 5000mAh model) can help keep your phone alive all day. Pick one up that can also serve as a charger (like the Anker 511) and you’ll be amply covered whenever you’re on the go. Printer Mark Pickavance Mark Pickavance Mark Pickavance A printer may seem like a relic, but you’ll still have to print documents occasionally. Sure, you can use a campus computer room, but they’re not always open at all hours—and some schools charge per page. A portable unit or even a compact model won’t take much space and allows you to print whenever you want. Even if you get the cheapest printer available, you usually can tuck it away in a drawer or in your closet. HDMI switcher Fosmon / Amazon Fosmon / Amazon Fosmon / Amazon An HDMI switcher quickly solves two problems when connecting multiple devices to a single TV or monitor. For starters, you’re no longer limited by the number of built-in ports. It also eliminates the tediousness of pressing multiple buttons on your remote to change devices. Everything routes through the switcher, which takes just one port on your display and usually auto-switches between active devices. A 3-port HDMI switcher is usually sufficient, but you can step up to a 5-port model for more gear. Ergonomic mouse and/or keyboard Kensington / Amazon Kensington / Amazon Kensington / Amazon Repetitive stress injuries suck. If you’re on your PC all the time, ergonomic peripherals can ward off suffering down the road. A simple wireless vertical mouse starts as low as $25, with alternatives like the Logitech Lift available for those with smaller hands. The trick is to take breaks regularly and, if you can afford to, swap the type of mouse you use every so often. Same goes for your keyboard—even a basic split keyboard model should keep your hands and wrists in a more natural position. Phone stand Michael Soledad / Unsplash Michael Soledad / Unsplash Michael Soledad / Unsplash A dedicated spot for everything helps cut down on clutter when living in cramped quarters. Getting things off the surface of your desk can greatly reduce visual noise, too. A phone stand helps with both these goals, while also letting you easily see incoming notifications at a glance. If you get a stand that also doubles as a charger, you can keep the battery topped up too. e-Reader Alaina Yee / Foundry Alaina Yee / Foundry Alaina Yee / Foundry Bookworms will want to bring a collection of favorite reads to the dorms, but physical copies can become a royal pain when ot’s time to move at the end of the year. The easier option: Investing in an e-reader, like a Kindle or Kobo. Your eyes will still get a break from LCD screens, and your room won’t get as cluttered. Will it feel as good as having paper in your hands? No, but being able to store hundreds of books in a slim, pocketable device is a decent trade-off. Plus, if you sign up for your local library’s Libby service, you can gorge on the written word for free. Read...