Our favorite laptops at every budget (PC, Mac and Chromebook)

Most people have one or two gadgets running simultaneously and can do fine keeping them charged with a couple of cables and a wall outlet. But for those who have multiple devices, that’s simply not enough. Tap or click here for the top charging stations for all your devices.

Tablets are great for browsing the web, reading ebooks, playing games, listening to music and video calls with friends and family. But you should look at a laptop for handling lots of emails, creating documents and general work/business needs. While tablets rely mostly on touchscreens, which is OK for texting, you’ll want a full keyboard for more intensive tasks.

Here are our picks for the best laptops that fit into any budget.

Best laptops under $500

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

Why we picked it: It’s lightweight and affordable, with a powerful Intel Core i5 processor.

You get a lot of bang for your buck with the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i. It packs in a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage via the solid-state (SSD) drive.

The 14-inch FHD display with narrow bezels gives you a great viewing experience, whether streaming movies or on a conference call. Connect your favorite devices via the USB-C port, two USB ports, HDMI or Bluetooth.

This laptop is travel-ready, weighing just over 3 lbs. and with a battery life of up to 10 hours. Windows 11 Home is included, so you don’t need to worry about upgrading your OS anytime soon. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptop is suitable for home, school and business use.

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HP 15 Laptop

Why we picked it: For a budget laptop, this is powerful with 8GB of RAM.

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5 common VPN issues and how to fix them

VPNs, or virtual private networks, are typically set and forget services that don’t require a lot of troubleshooting. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean there aren’t problems with VPNs you might have to address from time to time.

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⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Short on laptop ports? Grab a USB hub to charge devices and connect keyboards, mice or drives. Some even come with SD card readers and 3.5mm audio outputs.

Tech maintenance: Are you making this big mistake when cleaning your TV?

When it comes to cleaning your television, your first thought is probably to ensure there isn’t a layer of dust on the screen. But your TV is more than just a screen, and a big mistake most TV owners make is focusing on the surface while ignoring the rest of the machine.

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3 smoking computer and server deals from Dell's Semi-Annual Sale

Here at the Komando HQ, we use the best computers for business. In other words, we use Dell setups. If you’re a fan who wants a similar setup to our resident pros, you’re in luck.

Right now, our sponsor Dell is throwing its semi-annual sale, which slashes prices on some of its best computers. You can even snatch up to 45% off the desktop we use around the office. We searched the sale and pulled out three of the best deals you can get for a limited time.

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🔌 Running out of power outlets? I use multi-plug extenders around my house. Here’s one for under $10 that turns 2 wall outlets into 5. It also adds 4 USB ports, so you can charge multiple devices at once. Oh, and there’s a built-in 1680-joule surge protector to keep your electronics safe. You’re welcome. 

💻 Dock and roll: Turn your laptop into a desktop powerhouse with a docking station. No need for a new computer or dealing with messy cables. This one ($54) has eight ports and supports two monitors. Nice!

Hotel power hack: When you’re traveling in a foreign country and don’t have a power adapter, try the TV’s USB port. It’s not fast, but at 5V/1A or 5V/2.1A, it’ll get the job done. Pro move: Pack a travel power strip with universal outlets plus USB ports.

💡 Turn: Two outlets into five. This $10 extender gives you four USB ports, too. 

The best way to clean all the dirt and grime off your tech

Maybe you’ve set aside your stash of pandemic disinfectant wipes, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your tech. Germs, dirt, grime, and dust settle into every nook and cranny. If you don’t do something about it, you’ll shorten your gadget’s useful life.

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