It’s possible to eject a graphics card while you’re using your computer, if it’s an external model or some other non-standard setup. But if you’re using a desktop with a GPU installed on the motherboard, or a laptop with discrete graphics within the case, it’s generally a bad idea. Which is why some Windows 11 users were alarmed when their computers asked if they wanted to eject their graphics cards. This appears to be a Windows bug that adds graphics cards to a list of devices that can be ejected in the “Safely remove hardware and media” tool in the notification center. It’s that thing you’re supposed to use every time you unplug a flash drive, which I’ve never seen anyone use in the real world, ever. Some Reddit users, seeing the option to “eject” the very powerful, very expensive graphics card soldered into the guts of their laptop, were understandably confused. This bug has been showing up for years, apparently as an unintended UI expression of the option to disable some discrete laptop graphics and switch to integrated graphics to save power. (Note that “disabling” and “ejecting” are very different terms, and probably shouldn’t be conflated for regular PC users.) Windows Central notes that there are registry hacks available to turn off this alarming and apparently unintentional message. While hardly the worst user-facing bug for Windows, I can see how this would be concerning even if you’re fairly tech-savvy. “I’m afraid I might accidentally eject it one day and god knows what’s gonna happen to my laptop,” says one Reddit user on the Windows 11 sub. If you’re seeing something similar, and you don’t want to dive into a registry hack (which I think is very admirable caution), maybe just leave it alone. Further reading: I finally decided to reset my Windows PC. Here are 6 signs you should, too Read...

Welcome to The Full Nerd newsletter—your weekly dose of hardcore hardware talk from the enthusiasts at PCWorld. Missed the hot topics on our YouTube show or latest buzz from across the web? I’ve got you covered. Want this newsletter to come directly to your inbox? Sign up on our website! This past week, Adam published a look back at the past few decades of PC component history, through the lens of my colleague Gordon Mah Ung’s career. The memories stretch from the mid-1990s (including Gordon in a full suit and tie) to the present day of contests for the slowest benchmark results. And by the end, I could see other people latching on to “change” as the biggest theme throughout. The visual evidence is there: the move from beige boxes to bright, even obnoxiously colored chassis; shifting case configurations and attitudes toward cable management (oh, for the days when we could shove everything inside and just slap the side panel back on); even the leap to ferocious high core-count processors and screaming-fast graphics cards. Vintage Alienware.Willis Lai / Foundry But while others could argue that change has been the constant in computer hardware, I’d instead champion ATX as one of the truest mainstays—and all the evidence of its steady, reliable presence over the past 30 years is right in the video. In build after build, ATX is there. An over-the-top, ludicrously decked out Dream Machine built by the crew at Maximum PC? ATX. The machine that won the ongoing competition between Gordon and others (including our friend Dr. Ian Cuttress) for the slowest benchmark results in Cinebench R15? Also ATX. And even Gordon’s signature troll build, the “reverse sleeper build” that sported a shiny new case on the outside, and old-as-heck parts on the inside? Yeah, ATX. Gordon had his bones to pick with ATX—he complained often that ATX was holding back the PC industry. (And I mean often, not just on The Full Nerd when the cameras were rolling.) But in the very next breath, he would then rail against companies like Apple, which has zero issue with (in Gordon’s words) throwing older tech overboard. ATX’s longevity is why you can put parts that look like this in a brand-new, sparkling clean case. Willis Lai / Foundry I’ve always had a different outlook, largely along the lines of Gordon’s follow-up rant. I’m open to a newer standard that evolves the layout of motherboards, sure. But I view the jump from the AT form factor to ATX more as a practical response, as opposed to just the insatiable hunger for innovation. ATX followed AT after a decade, bringing further improvements to standardization and swappability of parts. But when BTX launched nine years later, arguably “on schedule,” it failed to take. Not enough innovation, you could argue. But I view it as a sign of what truly motivates leaps in technology, whether the advent of the printing press or desktop-sized personal computers. I also think ATX’s ongoing relevance tells us a lot about the future of the PC. Innovation is a response to a need. As the PC industry has become increasingly more personal, with a far wider spectrum of options to address specific needs, what innovation looks like may continue to become smaller and more subtle. And possibly, it may even become less constant. In this episode of The Full Nerd… Willis Lai / Foundry In this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Brad Chacos, Alaina Yee, and Will Smith talk about Intel being on the ropes, Zen 6’s emergence in the wild, and AI in Windows. To me, I found a lot of commonalities between these topics—they made me extremely contemplative about what innovation in the PC space will look like, because things feel a little…confused. Also, we got a glimpse into the remarkable details of the decor in Will’s home office. All I can say is: That potato has a butt. Missed our live show? Subscribe now to The Full Nerd YouTube channel, and activate notifications. We also answer viewer questions in real time!  And if you need more hardware talk during the rest of the week, come join our Discord community—it’s full of cool, laid-back nerds. This week’s intriguing nerd news I’m facing a second week in recent months where I’m questioning my deal-hunting skills, but a few technology wins are keeping my spirits up. What currently has me a bit starry-eyed: insanely fast internet. So fast that I’m a little giddy at the thought, even though I may never see it in my neck of the woods. What’s old will become what’s new.Wikimedia Commons I can’t top this data hoarder’s deal-hunting skills: Estate sales can be a good way to pick up useful, interesting, or downright quirky stuff for pretty cheap. But so far, I haven’t encountered any finds on the level of 11 Western Digital 8TB external hard drives for just $360. Man. What a score. Turns out you can put a price on nostalgia: $349 bucks is the cost of reliving your best childhood memories—aka getting your hands on a remade Commodore 64, compatible with over 10,000 C64 games and modernized to support HDMI, USB, and Wi-Fi. I hope this works out better than the Analogue 3D. (Not gonna lie, I’m a little worried Analogue won’t survive the tariffs, as they’re absorbing the higher costs.) Self-destructing SSDs? Pass. Don’t get me wrong—TeamGroup’s reveal of an SSD that destroys itself with the push of a button got my attention. But look, I’m cheap. Taking a hammer to my drives seems way simpler and costs a lot less. (As does taking them over to a company that has a proper shredder.) Also, if I’m handling data sensitive enough to require instant obliteration…why is it in my home? The internet is built on duct tape and string: For systems engineers, DNS probably gives y’all a lot of headaches. I certainly would have one, knowing just how fragile the system is. Or when seeing proof that malware can be casually slipped into DNS records. Fun. Linux is winning: Just kidding, it’s still barely a fraction of users on desktop PCs. But it is gaining a little bit of headway in the U.S.—we’ve now reached a milestone of over 5 percent market share. You may need to finally upgrade your Gigabyte motherboard if it’s vulnerable to a new security exploit.Gigabyte When will 6-cores become default? Well, not just yet: Brad floated the idea during this week’s episode that Zen 6 could shift to six-core CPUs as the baseline. But we’ve also commented multiple times on the show that the budget end isn’t getting much attention. I guess those laments won out, as the hottest chip news this week is AMD’s Ryzen AI 5 330, a four-core, eight-threaded Copilot+ laptop chip. Update your Gigabyte motherboard ASAP…if you can: Running an Intel processor? Perhaps one within the range of 8th gen to 11th gen? Is it sitting in a Gigabyte motherboard? Better check pronto if an update is available for it, because a vulnerability that lets attackers bypass Secure Boot was just disclosed. But if yours is too old, you may actually have to upgrade your hardware all together to avoid this security hole. ð?? Why not just buy actual gold instead? Look, I know the RTX 4090 has largely held its value. And maybe that’ll extend to the RTX 5090, too. But when I first saw Asus’s RTX 5090 ROG Astral Real Gold Edition (aka the RTX 5090 made with 11 pounds of 24-carat gold), I thought, “Surely investing in actual 24-carat gold bars would be the better call.” I’m a product of my upbringing, which includes very immigrant grandparents. I want Japan’s fiber optic internet tech: The land of the fax machine is claiming a record-breaking transmission rate of 127,500GB/s (yes, the big B, so really fast) over a distance of roughly 1,100 miles. Sure, I’d only use such speed to load cat videos instantaneously, but I still want it. Catch you all next week, when hopefully the hot parts of the world are cooler, and the cold parts are warmer. It’s 62 degrees right now in San Francisco. Also supposed to rain next week. Yup. Alaina This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and executive editor of hardware at PCWorld. Read...

Retro emulation gadgets, the ones that look like an alternate universe version of a Game Boy Advance, are enormously popular. They’re cheap, portable, and capable of running pretty much any console game made before 2000 or so (and sometimes beyond). But the companies running them sometimes have a less-than-legal approach to ROMs themselves, and that’s creating problems. Italian YouTube gamer Francesco Salicini, AKA Once Were Nerd, documents and reviews these gadgets professionally. And for that, he’s been investigated by the police, and his home and computers have been searched. At issue is the fact that some of these gadgets come pre-loaded with hundreds or even thousands of old game ROM files, which is technically piracy and copyright infringement pretty much everywhere. Salicini is currently under investigation for breaking copyright with a maximum penalty of 15,000 euro and up to three years in prison, and his YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook accounts could be shut down. Under Italian law, these shutdowns can apparently happen even before he’s charged with a crime, if he’s ever charged at all. As part of the investigation, Salicini’s home has been searched and “more than 30” consoles seized, with Tom’s Hardware reporting well-known brands in this small space like Anbernic, TrimUI, and PowKiddy. The presence of pirated ROMs on those consoles could be evidence against Salicini, though whether he obtained the ROMs himself (and whether he did so legally) or they were pre-loaded onto the consoles before purchase will probably be relevant. Some of these companies have been known to pre-load ROMs onto their consoles and the MicroSD cards that often come with them, which again, is textbook piracy. And a lot of them aren’t shy about it. Here’s a StackSocial ad on Yahoo for a set-top box that proudly proclaims it’s “preloaded with over 70,000 retro titles from more than 40 consoles.” That amount of games would be essentially impossible to obtain without piracy. The gadget’s store listing says it flat-out: it’s pre-loaded with Dark Souls, The Last of Us, Counter-Strike, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Final Fantasy VII, among “thousands” of others. A “retro gaming emulator” sold to US buyers on StackSocial brazenly boasts of popular, copyrighted games pre-loaded on the system.Stacksocial Normally I’d tiptoe around accusations of actual criminal activity. But c’mon, you’re not getting famous, in-demand games from companies like Nintendo, Sega, Square-Enix, and Naughty Dog together on one gadget, essentially thrown in for free, without resorting to piracy. Either that ad is fully lying about the games included in the device, or the company loaded up stolen game files illegally. There’s just no other way around it, and anyone who’s even vaguely familiar with how video game distribution works knows this. After completing this story, and in the knowledge that StackSocial is a partner of PCWorld, I quickly searched our own site and found the same console available. I’ve alerted my editors, who are having the listing removed, but agreed that documenting it here as part of this story was important. There are plenty of well-documented similar examples, up to and including a sort of “app store” for pirated ROMs pre-loaded onto devices for easy browsing and downloading. Well-known company Anbernic raised eyebrows earlier this year by pre-loading devices with said app, brazenly enabling copyright violation and inviting its gadget users to actively choose and download said ROMs, before apparently backtracking out of self-preservation. So, if you buy one of these gadgets in the reasonable knowledge that you’re engaging in secondhand piracy, are you legally culpable for the manufacturer’s actions? And does reviewing the gadget on YouTube qualify as “advertising” it, as Italian authorities apparently indicate, and thus also count as evidence of your crime? It seems unlikely that the average Joe buying these gadgets is going to get their door kicked down by police. Salicini’s YouTube channel has a modest 50,000 subscribers at the time of writing, but that’s enough to possibly attract the ire of litigious companies like Nintendo, and its army of lawyers that salivate at the mention of emulators and ROMs. A more likely outcome is that companies will simply sue these manufacturers out of existence (or at least out of major markets beyond China), as is Nintendo’s approach to the software side of emulation. But that’s hardly a balm to a YouTube gamer who’s caught in the crossfire. Read...

Even though Microsoft has pushed back the end of Windows 10 support by another year, at some point there will be no more security updates for the popular Windows operating system. When that time comes, you’ll have few options on how to proceed. What can you do if you want to move up to Windows 11 but your current Windows 10 PC is so old that it isn’t eligible? One thing you can try is to use a free app called Flyby11, which was recently updated to version 3.0 and is available for download on GitHub. From the version 3.0 changelog: Flyby11 now supports the Media Creation Tool as a download source. […] If the Fido downloader doesnt work for you or the ISO language doesnt match your system, it’s recommended to use the Media Creation Tool instead. It always downloads the ISO in your system language and “gives you the best chance of keeping files, settings, and apps.” With Flyby11 version 3.0, you should be able to install Windows 11 on computers that don’t meet Microsoft’s hardware requirements for the operating system. In other words, a lack of TPM and/or Secure Boot or an old processor shouldn’t stop you from installing Windows 11. That said, even though you can use Flyby11 to install Windows 11 on an older Windows 10 PC, our security expert Mike Danseglio doesn’t recommend it. Not only is Flyby11 not supported by Microsoft, but Mike’s take on forcing Windows 11 onto incompatible hardware or using third-party Windows 10 security patches is simple: “Hard no.” Further reading: Don’t toss your Windows 10 PC! Try KDE Plasma Read...

Key decisions will be made this year about how the internet will operate in the future. Read...

You can easily find laptops and desktop PCs packing USB-C port certified for Thunderbolt 4 or USB 4. But now the next generation of the standard is picking up speed with Thunderbolt 5 (TB 5) and USB 4 version 2 (USB 4 v2). These catapult the data transfer speed from the 40 GBit/s of the previous generation all the way up to 80 GBit/s. And in asymmetric mode, which is optional with USB 4 v2, data transfer is even possible at 120 GBit/s from the host to connected peripheral devices (downstream) to let you run multiple high-resolution monitors at once. (In the opposite direction, 40 GBit/s are still possible.) Phew! That’s a lot of information. My head is spinning. And that’s why Microsoft is rolling out new requirements to end USB-C chaos on Windows 11 laptops: The state of USB-C and Thunderbolt is absolutely befuddling even for experts. At least TB 5 and USB 4 v2 remain backwards compatible. This means that you can continue to connect legacy peripherals via adapters — even older devices with USB 2.0 ports. But there are still plenty of practical questions about USB-C, and especially about the current TB 5 and USB 4 v2 versions. You’ll find answers to the most pressing questions here — for example, how to find out whether your devices are already based on the current standards, what specifications and features to look for when buying, and how to read the new-look USB logos. Further reading: Tested! These are the best USB-C cables for charging and data transfers Find out USB 4 information via Windows If you have a Windows 11 computer with USB-C ports and are not sure whether the Type-C ports support USB 4, you can find out via the Windows settings app. Windows 11 now includes a “USB4 hubs and devices” feature, located under “Bluetooth and devices > USB.” You can also get there by typing “USB4” or “Thunderbolt” into the search bar. There, you can find out which version of USB 4 is supported by your system. This is because the “USB4 version” line contains precise information. If you see “1.0” there, the USB host controller provides a maximum bandwidth of 40 GBit/s. With “2.0” listed, you already have a system that supports USB 4 version 2 (USB 4 v2) at twice the speed — possibly even with the optional asymmetric mode. At the same time, Windows 11 also provides information about connected devices at the moment. For example, if you plug an external USB 4 or Thunderbolt 4/5 SSD into the Type-C port and then click on “Refresh” next to “USB4 domain information,” the name of the connected device will appear under “USB4 host router information.” Windows 11 PCs provide information about connected USB 4/Thunderbolt 4/5 devices. If they are connected via Type-C, you will find information about the connection and the device under “USB4 hubs and devices”. IDG If you click on this or on the plus sign at the end of the line, you will receive additional information: “Current bandwidth (down/up)” shows what speed is currently possible on your USB-C port with the device. Somewhat confusingly, the information does not have to correspond to the maximum speed that the device can generally handle. The combination of interface and connected device is displayed. Please note: This Windows 11 feature is only available for USB4-compatible computers. It isn’t available for PCs with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. New USB logos provide an easier overview The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), which is responsible for the standard, adapted the USB labels again at the beginning of 2025 to make it easier to see what a USB-C device or cable supports before you buy it. New logos should show at a glance what speed and performance can be expected from USB Type-C products. In doing so, the USB-IF wants to counteract the frequently voiced criticism that the endless variations create more confusion than clarity regarding Type-C. Instead of technical terms, the new logos focus on the connector’s key capabilities. Data transfer speed and charging performance must be immediately recognizable. Ideally, you will see the speed information next to “USB” on the product packaging – for example “80 Gbps.” This lets you know that the device is certified for data transfers of up to 80 GBit per second. The USB-IF committee has once again updated the logos and structured them more clearly. The maximum possible data transfer rate and charging power can now be seen at a glance. IDG Under this new scheme, the USB-C connections directly on a device (such as a notebook or desktop PC) should make the maximum transfer rate clear via a written number. The reform of the logos also affects the USB-C cables; the data speed and the power rating must be indicated on the plugs – both clearly recognizable, one below the other. For example, a USB-C cable labeled “80 Gbps 240 W” means that the cord can transmit data at up to 80 Gbps and charge devices with a maximum of 240 watts. If you can only charge with a cable, the information on the transfer speed is omitted. That makes it immediately clear that no data can be transferred via the cable in question, or that only very slow transfers at USB 2.0 speed are possible. The commendable initiative has one drawback: The USB committee leaves it up to the manufacturers to decide whether or not to use the new logos. In any case, you can be sure that a product with the logo is more trustworthy than a device or accessory without the logo. Further reading: 9 nifty USB-C gadgets you didn’t know you needed The right cables and power supply units for charging via USB-C More and more devices are using USB-C plugs for charging. It’s no surprise; a European Union regulation now stipulates that new devices must be able to be charged via USB-C. There is a transition period for notebooks that ends on April 28, 2026. After this date, proprietary plug/power supply combinations will also be a thing of the past. All notebook batteries must be able to be charged via USB-C. Although the USB-C connector is used for the power supply, the charging processes are regulated in a separate specification: USB Power Delivery (USB PD). It provides for different charging profiles (power profiles). In the extended version (USB PD EPR, Extended Power Range), the charging power goes up to 240 watts. This means that even power-hungry gaming notebooks can be supplied with sufficient energy. Further reading: The bewildering world of USB-C charging, explained But this requires the charging cable to be able to keep up. To do this, it must be equipped with a special chip called an e-marker, from a current of 5 amps. This stores the capabilities of the cable, such as the charging profiles or the maximum power supply capacity. If you don’t want to work your way through the PD specifications, you should at least opt for a power supply unit from 45 watts or 60 watts when looking for an all-round power supplier. With this charging power, you can power a compact notebook and charge the majority of smaller devices such as smartphones or tablets. More powerful mobile computers require a 100 watt power supply unit (20 volts at 5 amps). An overview of PD charging profiles and suitable example devices can be found in the table. Overview: Charging performance via USB Power Delivery (PD) Charging modeVoltage (volts)Maximum current (amperes)Maximum power (watts)Compatible end devicesStandard Power Range (SPR)5 V3 A15 WSmall mobile devices: smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, small cameras9 V3 A27 WDevices with low power requirements: portable speakers, gaming consoles, external hard drives (HDD, SSD)15 V3 A45 WMedium power consumption: Ultrabooks, mobile USB monitors20 V3 A60 WHigh energy demand: Notebooks, docking stations, electrical tools20 V3 A100 WVery high energy requirement: large laptops, external graphics cardsExtended Power Range (EPR)28 V5 A140 WVery high energy requirement: gaming mobile computers36 V5 A180 WVery high power consumption: Gaming mobile computers, workstations48 V5 A240 WVery high energy requirements: gaming mobile computers, workstations Even 5 volts at 48 amps for up to 240 watts via a USB-C cable, which was unattainable until recently, is now possible. One of the first power supply units for this can be found in the Delta ADP-240KB BA. The Delta ADP-240KB BA is one of the first power supply models to handle 240 watts of charging power and complies with the USB PD EPR specification. This allows you to charge all consumers from notebooks to mice via Type-C. IDG You can call up all USB EPR-certified charging profiles. But Delta’s 240W USB-C charging brick is obviously bulky and less than ideal when travelling. Nevertheless, there is no doubt as to whether its charging cable is designed for the power. It’s firmly attached to the power supply unit! The only thing beefier than this do-it-all USB-C charger is its price: $150. USB 4 v2 and TB 5 rare so far If you’re thinking about buying a new computer, you also want to be up to date with the latest external interfaces. At the moment, the wish is still proving to be a challenge. For example, current notebooks with Intel CPU generation of the Core Ultra 200 series (codename: Arrow Lake H and HX) are labelled “Thunderbolt 5 ready.” This means that the processors are basically prepared for TB 5 — in other words, they support enough PCI Express lanes to provide the bandwidth. However, they require an additional chip in order to fulfil the TB 5/USB 4 v2 specifications. One possibility is Intel’s controller JHL9580 (codename: Barlow Ridge), but it is up to the PC manufacturers to decide whether to install it. Because of that, we have so far only found a few notebook models with Thunderbolt 5 Type-C interfaces, such as the new Razer Blade 18 and the MSI Vector 16 HX. These are both powerful gaming laptops with expensive price tags. With prices starting around $3,000, the additional costs for installing the TB5 controller chip do not play such a large role in the overall calculation. This also applies in a similar way to the Apple MacBook series with M4 processors, which also support TB 5. At the same time, the high requirements of TB 5 and USB 4 v2 in terms of data rates, loading speed, and video signals mean that sufficient cooling must be provided. An additional fan may even have to dissipate the waste heat outside the PC’s case. This is an important point, especially for very slim and lightweight laptops, which has a direct impact on weight and noise. Because of that, we’re seeing laptop makers continue to make do with the older TB 4/USB 4 standard and maximum data rates of 40 GBit/s for ultra-mobile computers. Retrofitting USB-C sockets for TB 5/USB 4 v2 In contrast to notebooks, new desktop PCs are more likely to have a USB-C interface that already supports TB 5/USB 4 v2. This means that it can possibly be retrofitted with a PCIe expansion card. Again, the motherboard must always be qualified as “Thunderbolt 5 ready.” This ensures that the necessary Thunderbolt header is available. At the moment, this is most likely to be the case with high-end PCs, such as systems with Intel Z890 mainboards. For desktop PCs, TB 5 and therefore also USB 4 v2 can possibly be retrofitted using a PCIe expansion card. With this Asus model, you also get three mini DP 2.1 ports in addition to the two Type-C sockets. IDG You also need a free PCIe 4.0 slot with four lanes (x4). If these requirements are met, you can purchase a corresponding PCI-e add-in card, like the $140 Asus Thunderboltex 5. The JHL9580 “Barlow Ridge” controller chip already mentioned is used here. In addition to the full Thunderbolt 5 data transfer speed, the two TB-5 type C sockets also provide a fast charging up to 130 watts and a power supply of up to 96 watts for a connected device. There are also three Mini-Displayport 2.1 ports, which you can use to connect up to three monitors with 8K resolution and a refresh rate of 60 hertz. Further reading: Tested! These are the best USB-C cables for charging and data transfers Read...

It’s possible to eject a graphics card while you’re using your computer, if it’s an external model or some other non-standard setup. But if you’re using a desktop with a GPU installed on the motherboard, or a laptop with discrete graphics within the case, it’s generally a bad idea. Which is why some Windows 11 users were alarmed when their computers asked if they wanted to eject their graphics cards. This appears to be a Windows bug that adds graphics cards to a list of devices that can be ejected in the “Safely remove hardware and media” tool in the notification center. It’s that thing you’re supposed to use every time you unplug a flash drive, which I’ve never seen anyone use in the real world, ever. Some Reddit users, seeing the option to “eject” the very powerful, very expensive graphics card soldered into the guts of their laptop, were understandably confused. This bug has been showing up for years, apparently as an unintended UI expression of the option to disable some discrete laptop graphics and switch to integrated graphics to save power. (Note that “disabling” and “ejecting” are very different terms, and probably shouldn’t be conflated for regular PC users.) Windows Central notes that there are registry hacks available to turn off this alarming and apparently unintentional message. While hardly the worst user-facing bug for Windows, I can see how this would be concerning even if you’re fairly tech-savvy. “I’m afraid I might accidentally eject it one day and god knows what’s gonna happen to my laptop,” says one Reddit user on the Windows 11 sub. If you’re seeing something similar, and you don’t want to dive into a registry hack (which I think is very admirable caution), maybe just leave it alone. Read...

Cars are computers too, especially any car made in the last decade or so. And that means that they’re vulnerable to some of the same kind of hacking issues that affect computers, if not so frequently targeted. A newly discovered flaw in their Bluetooth system means vehicles made by Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Skoda are vulnerable to a “one-click” attack, including remote code execution. So sayeth PCA CyberSecurity, which has dubbed the vulnerability PerfektBlue. It’s an issue with vehicles that use OpenSynergy’s BlueSDK system, which include major infotainment and vehicle management systems in Volkswagen and Mercedes cars, with Czech manufacturer Skoda also confirmed vulnerable. A fourth manufacturer has been confirmed, but not named. Remote code execution on these systems is possible, i.e. installing a malware payload or other program, plus GPS location tracking and microphone recording with Bluetooth-connected hardware, among other issues. Alarmingly, software vendor OpenSynergy and its vehicle manufacturer partners have known about this issue for over a year, according to BleepingComputer. OpenSynergy confirmed that it had received PCA CyberSecurity’s report in May of 2024 and had issued security patches for BlueSDK by September, but many of the manufacturers using the system still haven’t issued software updates patching the vulnerabilities. Millions of cars on the road could be affected, though due to proprietary systems, it’s hard to nail down exactly which car brands and models have BlueSDK, and which version. While it is remarkably easy for an attacker to use the “one-click” PerfektBlue exploit, it still requires access via Bluetooth. That limits the effective range to about 30 feet, and it’s only possible while the car is operating. Read...

The ergonomics of your desk and chair greatly influence how good you feel after a long session at your PC. But you don’t have to spend a ton on an office chair or standing desk—especially not right now, with Amazon Prime Day still in full swing until midnight Pacific time. Discounts have popped for popular chairs and desks, and not just on Amazon. Deals include fan favorites like Staples’ Hyken, which is back down to nearly its all-time low. But you won’t have forever to shop; Amazon and rival retailers will all end their sales on July 11. Best Prime Day 2025 deals on office chairs Staples Cartwright Task Chair, Black – $50 (58% off at Staples) Staples Hyken Mesh Task Chair, Black – $120 (60% off at Staples) Staples Dexley Mesh Task Chair, Black – $160 (50% off at Staples) HON Crio High Back Task Chair, Black – $208 (15% off) HON Ignition 2.0 Armless Office Chair, Black – $332 (15% off) Staples always gives Amazon a run for its money with sales on affordable office chairs, and three of its more popular chairs are close (if not at) all-time low prices. Reddit’s beloved Hyken model leads the pack, with its wider-frame Dexley chair also on a sizable discount. Meanwhile, the more premium HON Ignition 2.0 is at its lowest price yet. Best Prime Day 2025 deals on standing desks Dekhaoxe 31?x15? Adjustable Height Mobile Computer Desk, White – $50 (38% off) Sweetcrispy 40?x24? Electric Standing Desk, Rustic Brown – $85 (15% off) Flexispot 48?x24? sit-stand desk, Black – $100 (41% off) ErGear 48?x24? Adjustable electric standing desk, Black – $100 (17% off) Fezibo 42?x24? Adjustable electric standing desk, Rustic brown – $80 (33% off) Comhoma 48?x24? Adjustable electric standing desk with monitor stand, White – $189 (30% off) Claiks 48?x24? Adjustable electric standing desk, Rusic Brown – $96 (20% off) Huanuo 48?x24? Adjustable electric standing desk, Black – $105 (34% off) Flexispot’s standing desks start at much lower prices than competitors, making them popular among Amazon shoppers to begin with. With additional discounts, they’re a great entry into motorized sit-stand setups. Other great Prime Day deals These aren’t the only Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for only the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best Amazon Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best Prime Day PC computer deals: Gaming & mainstream desktops Best Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best USB flash drive deals for Prime Day 2025 Best monitor deals for Prime Day 2025: OLED, home office, and more Best Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best Prime Day 2025 deals on Chromebooks Best Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks Standing desks and office chairs FAQ 1. What features should I look for in a standing desk? We like dual motor standing desks with programmable controls—they’re a little more expensive, but moving the desk up and down is smoother. Their frames usually have a better build overall, too, making for less wobble during height adjustments and while in use. Programmable controls means you can go back and forth between two or even three height positions with a single button press, which makes for much better quality of life. No need to wait and monitor the adjustment as it’s happening. (That might sound like not such a big deal, but if you do it multiple times a day over the course of the year, those seconds feel tedious. Trust me on this one.) 2. What makes for a good office chair? This question can be tricky to answer, since what’s comfortable is a little different for everyone. Generally, you want enough support for your back so it doesn’t take on a hunched position, but not so much you can’t feel relaxed while sitting. You also ideally want to keep pressure off your lower back if you’ll be sitting for long periods—office chairs usually have seats shaped for this, rather than the flatter surfaces of kitchen and casual desk chairs.  Armrests, head supports, and mesh fabric can also play a role in comfort, but you may want to try out those features on a sample chair that a friend owns or in a store to see if you need those features. The mesh is particularly good if you sweat or get warm. Wheeled models are also useful for easily moving the chair—and you can upgrade the casters, as Reddit recommends for an even smoother experience. 3. How do I know if I’m getting a good deal on standing desks or office chairs during Prime Day? The deals we select are chosen not just for the product, but because their prices are among the lowest we’ve seen, especially given the pricing history over the last year.  If you’re striking out on your own, be sure to look at reviews, as well as Amazon’s AI summaries of user reviews—avoid anything with high return rates, or a known flaw. Also look for brands with not just high user reviews, but independent reviews online. Many standing desks are just rebranded models, and so too for cheaper desk chairs. 4. Will tariffs affect office chair and standing desk prices? Should I buy now? Very possibly yes. A high portion of manufacturing happens overseas, and the U.S. government intends to resume imposing sizable taxes on imports from many countries on August 1. If that happens, costs for goods will likely rise over the second part of 2025—and because most items won’t jump in price immediately, choosing to shop sooner rather than later could be the savvier financial move. Read...

Summer means leisure time, and what better way to spend it than upgrading your PC setup? If you’re eager to jump on SSD and storage deals now, you’re in luck—the final 24 hours of Amazon’s annual Prime Day blowout still includes plenty of juicy deals on SSDs and portable drives. Shopping now can be a smart move, too, given the potential for further uncertainty around prices. The U.S. government has stated its intention to impose additional tariffs on South Korea and Japan, which produce a sizable portion of the flash memory in SSDs. The bargains you catch between now and the end of the Prime Day sale period (July 11) could be the best you’ll find for a while. Want to know the best drives out there? Have a look at our top picks for the best SSDs of 2025 and the best external drives of 2025. Looking for even more deals, including limited-time ones? Best Prime Day 2025 deals on internal SSDs 2.5-inch SATA SSDs Teamgroup T-Force Vulcan Z, 1TB – $48 (26% off) TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan Z, 2TB – $88 (14% off) Teamgroup’s Vulcan Z line is a solid choice for expanding storage affordably. That’s especially true if you’re looking to store games, photos, and other files–these benefit from faster read/write times, but don’t usually need premium speeds. M.2 NVMe SSDs Gen 4 Crucial P310, 2TB Gen 4 – $100 (22% off) Samsung 990 Evo Plus, 2TB Gen 4×4. 5×2 – $114 (36% off) Nextorage NEM-PAB2TB/N, 2TB Gen 4 – $120 (52% off on Newegg) WD Black SN770M, 2TB Gen 4 (Steam Deck compatible) – $150 (40% off) Crucial P310, 4TB Gen 4 – $200 (37% off) Gen 5 Corsair MP700 Elite, 1TB Gen 5 – $100 (31% off) Samsung Pro 9100, 1TB Gen 5 – $143 (29% off) Samsung Pro 9100, 2TB Gen 5 – $190 (37% off) Samsung Pro 9100, 4TB Gen 5 – $385 (30% off) SSD prices have largely held steady since last fall—a good thing given spring 2025’s fiscal volatility. So while the best prices now don’t match historical all-time lows, these are good prices on well-regarded drives. In particular, if you need a lot of storage, the 4TB Crucial P310 is at a sizable discount right now. Best Prime Day 2025 deals on external storage Samsung T7, 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 portable SSD – $120 (40% off) Crucial X9 Pro, 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 portable SSD – $120 (33% off) SK Hynix Beetle X31, 1TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2 portable SSD – $63 (28% off) WD Elements Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive, 14TB – $170 (55% off at B&H) Samsung T9, 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 portable SSD – $265 (52% off) External storage sales are a bit sluggish during this year’s Prime Day, but if you need faster external SSDs, a couple of deals stand out—like the 2TB version of Samsung’s popular, fast T7, which is close to its all-time low price. Other great Prime Day deals These aren’t the only Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for only the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best Amazon Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best Prime Day PC computer deals: Gaming & mainstream desktops Best Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best USB flash drive deals for Prime Day 2025 Best monitor deals for Prime Day 2025: OLED, home office, and more Best Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best Prime Day 2025 deals on Chromebooks Best Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks SSD and storage deals FAQ 1. Why aren’t SSDs as cheap as they once were? The balance between demand and supply has shifted—with fewer drives on the market, prices drifted up over 2024. (Black Friday 2023 marked the end of a golden era.) The deals picked for this roundup may not always match those incredible 2023 prices, but they do hit a low for the period since the cost increases. 2. Do brands matter for SSDs and storage? Yes, but only to a point. Major manufacturers are generally reliable—think Samsung, Crucial, Western Digital (aka WD), SK Hynix, Corsair, Kingston, and even newer players like TeamGroup and Solidigm. Outside of that, you may be playing a bit fast and loose with your data’s longevity. However, everyone has that one horror story about a hard-disk drive that failed, and why they’ll never use, say, WD or Crucial again. That’s less commonly a manufacturing error, and more so a matter of luck. No drive is guaranteed to meet its life expectancy, which is why you should perform regular backups. 3. Is an SSD better than a HDD? SSDs are faster and take less room in a PC than a hard-disk drive (HDD), which gives them a strong edge. If you only have one storage drive in your PC, it should ideally be an SSD so you get faster boot times and quicker access to your files. A HDD as your primary drive will feel much slower. But HDDs still have their advantages. First, they’re much cheaper. The going price of a 2TB HDD is about the same as the sale price for a 1TB SSD. You also can get them in higher capacities than SSDs. If you work with huge files, you can pick up an 18TB or 20TB HDD (and as mentioned, since HDD cost less, you’ll spend as much or even less as a 4TB SSD). If you need secondary storage and you don’t need it to be fast, HDDs are a fantastic option. 4. How do I know if an SSD deal is good? Here’s the guideline we use for picking deals: First, it should be for an SSD that performs well (or in select cases, performs well for its MSRP), and is a reasonable price when not on sale. The discount should also be significant for that particular model. Ex: For SSDs that almost never go on sale, a reduction of $5 to $10 is already hefty. For others, that might be closer to $20 to $30. In other words, expect to pick up high-performing drives at an all-time low (or very close to that) during a Prime Day sale. Ignore the options that don’t meet this criteria. 5. Will tariffs affect SSD and storage prices? Possibly. As of this article’s publishing, the Trump administration intends to reinstate high tariffs on goods from many countries (and even impose additional ones), which could impact SSDs. If implemented, costs could increase in the second part of 2025. The smartest strategy is to buy now if you know you need the upgrade soon, especially on any discounted drives that you like. Read...