Want to score the hottest holiday gifts, from toys to gaming consoles? Here’s how a shopping bot can help.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are you overpaying for the internet? Find out now
Reliable internet may be something you take for granted, but even the most basic plans represent a financial hardship for low-income households.
Free internet service is available in some cases. Here’s the criteria to qualify for free internet.
Do you work from home? Is someone in your house a hardcore gamer? Do you stream high-definition content from multiple devices at the same time? Your answers to these questions will help you determine how much internet speed you need.
Check yourself
How do you know if you’re paying too much if you do pay for the internet? First, make sure you’re getting what you paid for. If your plan includes 500 Mbps download speeds, you should be getting it. You won’t always see the exact number, but it should generally be close. Check your download and upload speeds at speedtest.net.
If you’re getting the speed you’re paying for but are noticing slowdowns, it could result from several factors. These include the number of connected devices, how many are streaming 4K, simultaneous streams, gaming, livestreaming, security cameras, video conferencing and more. In that case, you may need to upgrade your plan.
Another thing to check is if your router is in a good place. Walls and appliances can interfere with the wireless signal and slow everything down. You want to place your router high up and away from other electronics. Tap or click here for more tips on finding the best spot for your router.
RELATED: Find free Wi-Fi anywhere (but follow our No. 1 public network security rule)
Streaming service recommendations
Popular streaming services recommend internet download speeds to help you know what you’ll need to stream smoothly. Here are some examples:
- Netflix recommends 3 Mbps for 720p HD, 5 Mbps for 1080p HD and 15 Mbps for 4K/UHD.
- To stream YouTube videos, you should have 1.1 Mbps for standard 480p, 2.5 Mbps for 720p HD, 5 Mbps for 1080p HD and 20 Mbps for 4K.
- Skype recommends 300 Kbps for standard video calls, 1.5 Mbps for HD video calls, and 2 Mbps for group video calls of three people, and the numbers go up the more people you have in your session.
- Pandora recommends a consistent 150 Kbps for standard music streaming and at least 300 Kbps for high-quality audio.
- Amazon Music recommends at least of 1.5 Mbps or higher for uninterrupted music.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
People are losing weight playing this virtual reality game
Games are a great way to bond with friends and family. But what if you aren’t in the same city? You could turn to online games to get the party started. Tap or click for six fun online games to try.
Games like those are super fun to play. But who knew video games could be good for you? Supernatural on Oculus is making waves in virtual fitness, and it’s more than just hype.
10 secret keyboard tricks to save you time every single day
Touchscreens are ubiquitous in modern tech, but physical keyboards are still prominent in gaming and office work applications. Along with a tactile feel, keyboards offer shortcuts to help you get more done in less time.
A solid router option for homes up to 2,500 square feet: TP-Link AX3000
According to your answers, the TP-Link AX3000 Smart Wi-Fi Router is the ideal router for your home. It’s handles dozens of devices, is Wi-Fi 6 enabled and comes with advanced security features right out of the box.
Wi-Fi 6 technology offers up to three times faster speeds, four times higher capacity and 75% lower latency compared to Wi-Fi. Tap or click here to learn more about Wi-Fi 6 routers. Along with an Intel dual-core CPU, you can expect smooth, buffer-free streaming and gaming.
Our pick for the most powerful router on the market: NETGEAR Orbi RBK852
Based on your answers, the NETGEAR Orbi RBK852 is the ideal router for your home. Granted, this tri-band mesh Wi-Fi system is an investment, but it’s one we think is worth making if you have a large home and many devices.
Solid Wi-Fi 6 router for homes up to 2,500 square feet: NETGEAR Nighthawk AX6600
You got the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX6600. This reliable router reaches up to 2,500 square feet and supports up to 40 devices.
This router is Wi-Fi 6 compatible. While that standard hasn’t rolled out for most devices, it is a good idea to future-proof now since that technology is not far away. For context, Wi-Fi 6 offers an estimated 2.7 times the speed of Wi-Fi 5. Tap or click here to see how a Wi-Fi 6 router can benefit your household.
Stocking stuffers and small presents worth adding to your cart
You know what you’re getting the family for their big holiday gifts, but what are you going to do about all those stocking stuffers?
While some might rely on the old fallbacks — gift cards for favorite fast-food restaurants and small trinkets — you’re ready for something a little more exciting.
Review: SideTrak Solo portable monitor
I remember long ago when having a single computer monitor for work was common. Thinking back, I’m not sure how I was ever productive in those days.
Having at least two monitors has become commonplace at the office. I actually prefer having at least three.
Try this handy calculator that shows how much internet you really need
The pandemic has shown us how reliant we could become on the internet. People have been working and educating themselves remotely. Online retailers saw an increase in sales as essential and non-essential items were in high demand.
Half of Americans don't know their internet data caps - How to check yours
We’re a year into the pandemic and one thing we learned is how important internet service can be for our livelihoods. We’re used to working from home and attending school remotely. We get our essentials online.
For some people, having consistent broadband internet is beyond their means. A new federal initiative seeks to remedy this problem for those who qualify. Tap or click here to see if you qualify for a discount on your monthly internet bill.
How Chess.com became an empire
You’ve got to hear this amazing story about a niche gaming website that suddenly exploded with millions of users around the world. Why did it skyrocket to stardom? Find out in today’s episode.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dell XPS 13
Want something tiny yet mighty? Check out the Dell XPS 13. Bright and colorful, this laptop is lightweight with great battery life. This guy is sleek, light and fast. The backlit keyboard and high-quality sound are big plusses. It can even handle some gaming.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
ASUS ZenBook 13
This classy laptop is over $1,000 — but don’t approach it with low expectations. It’s stylish and portable, perfect for working on the go.
It lasts for about 12 hours on a single charge. It has an attractive, lightweight body, along with a few other great features to help you through the day. Check out its specs below.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Acer Aspire 3
If you want a larger screen, the Acer Aspire 3 is the perfect fit. With 15 inches of vivid, colorful digital real estate, it’s affordable and easy to use.
The Aspire 3 uses the latest Intel or AMD Processors for solid performance, offers up to 16GB of memory, and is a solid work, home, gaming or just all-around machine. Check out its specs below.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Shopping guide: Should you buy a laptop or a desktop?
There are tons of different computer options on the market. Open any retail website and you’ll find a slew of different computers to pick from, making it hard to narrow down the choices.
But it’s not just memory options and processors that you have to narrow down. If you want to upgrade your computer, you’ll also have to choose between a laptop or a tower computer. Buying a new laptop? Don’t make these 7 common mistakes.
10 free sites to play games online
Do you like the idea of playing video games but don’t want to go through the hassle or expense of setting up a dedicated gaming machine? Are you looking for a time killer when you’re bored? If that’s you, you’re in luck, because we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best free sites to play games online for free!
No Wi-Fi? Add a wireless connection to your desktop computer
While most desktops and laptops come with built-in Wi-Fi these days, some models lack wireless capability, leaving their users connected to a router via ethernet cable.
Is your system located near a network router? If so, this cable setup isn’t much of an issue, but if you have trouble accessing the ethernet wire or need Wi-Fi’s flexibility, you need a new plan. Tap or click to get better Wi-Fi by using these features on your router.
Best Google Home tricks and Easter eggs to try
When it comes to virtual assistants, many people fall into two camps: either Amazon Alexa or Google Home. With Alexa getting much of the hype, Google Home owners might not know that there are some incredible tips and tricks you can do with your virtual assistant. From playing games to changing voices, it can do some incredible things.
Does your computer have a temperature?
Let’s list ways you can break your computer. Throw it out a window. Hit it with a hammer. Submerge it in the bathtub. Use it as a sled. Check it with your baggage at the airport.
Am I missing anything? Oh, yes. Let it get hot. Excess heat is a common cause of computer problems. Components can fail, or even melt if they get too hot. That’s why your computer has fans to cool it down.