TL;DR: Pay $34.97 once for Microsoft Office Pro 2021 instead of $99.99 every year for Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365 costs $99.99 per year, but if you would rather avoid another subscription, Microsoft Office Pro 2021 is available as a lifetime license for $34.97, marked down from $219.99. It delivers the core apps most people use every day without ongoing fees. The package includes: Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook Publisher And more! While it does not include the newest AI-powered features found in Microsoft 365, it offers the same familiar tools with a stable interface that does not shift with frequent updates. This license is tied to one Windows PC and requires no renewals. Install it once and use it as long as you need. Get Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for $34.97 while the offer lasts. Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

TL;DR: $24.99 for Windows 11 Pro plus get three step-by-step training courses covering Windows basics, productivity tools, and advanced features. Most people never learn what Windows can really do, but you do not have to stay in that group. For $24.99, this Windows 11 Pro bundle includes the newest operating system and three structured training courses that walk you through customization, file management, privacy settings, and troubleshooting, so you can use your PC with confidence instead of guesswork. The lessons go beyond basic setup. You’ll learn how to customize your system, manage files and OneDrive more efficiently, use built-in shortcuts to boost productivity, strengthen your privacy and security settings, and troubleshoot common problems without outside help. In total, you get 10 hours of content and more than 150 step-by-step lessons, making it a solid fit for beginners, professionals, or anyone upgrading from an older version of Windows. The bundle also includes training on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, though the Office apps themselves are not included. Whether you want to sharpen your workplace skills or simply stop searching for answers every time you need to change a setting, this package pairs the software with the knowledge to use it confidently. Get Windows 11 Pro and training for $24.99, 89% off. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro + The Essential Windows 11 Pro CourseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

AI company Anthropic is now upgrading the free version of its Claude chatbot with several features that were previously exclusive to paying users, reports Engadget. Free users can now create and edit files like Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and PDFs directly within Claude. In addition, free users will have access to so-called Connectors, which make it possible to connect Claude to external services like Canva, Slack, Notion, Zapier, and PayPal. The Skills feature is also being opened up to free users, which means users can teach the chatbot to perform recurring tasks according to predefined instructions. The Claude upgrade also includes longer conversations, more interactive responses, and improved voice and image search. It comes at a good time, allowing Claude to differentiate itself from its competitors more strongly. Recently, OpenAI rolled out ads in the free version of ChatGPT—and when Anthropic subsequently promised no ads, it prompted a prickly response from OpenAI’s CEO. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Handsome design Magnetic mounting to any suitable surface Up to 4GBps transfers Cons Slowest USB4 SSD we’ve tested 10Gbps speeds during long writes Our Verdict The MSI DataMag 40Gbps offers handsome design, magnetic attachment, and solid Construction. But it’s merely a good, not fantastic, USB4 performer. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: MSI DataMag 40Gbps USB4 SSD Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Magnetically attached SSDs can be handy, especially speedy 40Gbps models such as the MSI DataMag 40Gbps reviewed here. They can be fixed in place on any suitable metallic surface. Alas, that doesn’t include my aluminum Macs, but it does include the router right next to them. What are the DataMag 40Gbps’s features? Well, the name and intro give away part of the story — the magnetic ring on the back of the unit (see below) and that the drive is 40Gbs USB4. It measures a little over 2.5-inches across in both directions, is a little under 0.5-inches thick, and has a lanyard opening on the upper right. Weight is 2.8 ounces, which gives a nice solid heft. The back of the DataMag 40Gbps with its magnetic mounting “ring” and Type-C port on the bottom edge. The DataMag 40gbps sports a Phison U21 controller and stacked/layered/3D TLC (Triple-Level Cell/3-bit) NAND. The company warranties the drive for five years, or until the TBW rating is reached. Said rating is 750TBW (terabytes that may be written) per one terabyte of capacity. That’s on the generous side for an external SSD. The norm is three years and 600TBW or less depending on the NAND involved. How much is the MSI DataMag 40Gbps? The DataMag 40Gbps is currently available in 1TB/$170 and 2TB/$296 capacities — those prices come from the company, which also promises that a 4TB version is on the way. Those are a tad pricey for USB4, but not outrageously so. The drive also hasn’t shown up on Amazon as of this writing, so there may be discounts to be had in the near future. How fast is the MSI DataMag 40Gbps? Short answer: plenty fast, though there were areas where the drive didn’t quite match the competition. Part of the issue was undoubtedly that the drive MSI sent us is only 1TB, meaning it had exactly half the NAND to play with as the Adata SE920, and one-quarter the NAND of the top-rated LaCie Rugged SSD4. Less NAND means less secondary cache and dropping to the NAND’s native write rate sooner. That said, the native write rate of around 830MBps will still get the job done in a suitable amount of time in many cases. Less secondary cache or not, the DataMag 40Gbps was in no hurry to get to its native write rate. In fact, it actually delivered an outstanding queued sequential read score in CrystalDiskMark 8 before dropping off the pace. The DataMag 40Gbps actually delivered an outstanding queued read score in CrystalDiskMark 8 before dropping off the pace. Longer bars are better. The DataMag 40Gbps was also outstanding in the CrystalDiskMark 8 4K tests. Especially with multiple queues in play. Queues are not something a lot of software feature (Windows doesn’t), but… The DataMag 40Gbps was outstanding in the CrystalDiskMark 8 4K tests. Especially with multiple queues in play. Not something a lot of software features. Longer bars are better. It was in our real-world 48GB transfers that the DataMag 40Gbps began to lag a bit more. I wasn’t expecting this to take place with the small file and folder operations; usually a good CrystalDiskMark 8 4K score translates to a good performance with the smaller files and folders. It was in our real-world 48GB transfers that the DataMag 40Gbps began to lag a bit. What we weren’t expecting was that it took place with the small file and folder operations. Usually a good CrystalDiskMark 8 4K score translates to good performance with the smaller files and folders. Shorter bars are better. Being “only” a 1TB drive no doubt hurt the DataMag 40Gbps’s 450GB write time, which was twice that of the competition. Being “only” a 1TB drive no doubt hurt the DataMag 40Gbps’s 450GB write time. Shorter bars are better. Here you can see where the lag in the 450GB write began. About 50GB in, the DataMag 40Gbps’s write speed dropped to USB 10Gbps levels, or around 830MBps. If MSI had sent us the 2TB version of the DataMag 40Gbps, it undoubtedly would’ve done better in the real-world transfer tests. Regardless, it offers a nice boost in sustained throughput over the soon-to-be-reviewed (but already tested) MSI DataMag 20Gbps, and other USB 3.2×2 (20Gbps) SSDs. Should you buy the MSI DataMag 40Gbps? I love the look, like the performance, and appreciate that magnetic attachment. Given competitive pricing I’d give it a nod, but as always — read our other reviews and shop around. How we test Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11 24H2, 64-bit running off of a PCIe 4.0 Samsung 990 Pro in an Asus Z890-Creator WiFi (PCIe 4.0/5.0) motherboard. The CPU is a Core Ultra i5 225 feeding/fed by two Crucial 64GB DDR5 5600MHz modules (128GB of memory total). Both 20Gbps USB and Thunderbolt 5 are integrated into the motherboard and Intel CPU/GPU graphics are used. Internal PCIe 5.0 SSDs involved in testing are mounted in an Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Gen5 adapter card sitting in a PCIe 5.0 slot. We run the CrystalDiskMark 8.04 (and 9), AS SSD 2, and ATTO 4 synthetic benchmarks (to keep article length down, we report only the first) to find the storage device’s potential performance. Then we run a series of 48GB transfer and 450GB write tests using Windows Explorer drag and drop to show what users will see during routine copy operations, as well as the far faster FastCopy run as administrator to show what’s possible. A 25GBps two-SSD RAID 0 array on the aforementioned Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Gen5 is used as the second drive in our transfer tests. Formerly the 48GB tests were done with a RAM disk serving that purpose. Each test is performed on a NTFS-formatted and newly TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that in normal use, as a drive fills up, performance may decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, as well as other factors. This issue has abated somewhat with the current crop of SSDs utilizing more mature controllers and far faster, late-generation NAND. Read...

Gaming is something we take seriously around here, so when I saw the Alienware 16X Aurora on sale for $1,499.99 at Dell.com (that’s a whopping $470 off!), I couldn’t help but run to the rooftops to shout it out. This stellar 24% discount on a stellar gaming laptop that normally goes for $1,969.99 is one you don’t want to skip. View this gaming laptop deal This gaming laptop is a beast of a machine, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with 24 cores for excellent performance that’ll cleanly handle all kinds of tasks. It’s paired with 16GB of DDR5 RAM, a spacious 1TB M.2 SSD with Windows 11 Home preloaded, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card with 8GB GDDR7 VRAM for gaming at smooth frame rates thanks to DLSS 4 features like multi-frame generation. Whether you’re gaming or watching Netflix or even just browsing Reddit, it’s going to look great on the 16X Aurora’s lovely 16-inch 2560×1600 (1600p) resolution at up to 500 nits of brightness. It’s perfect for gamers with its speedy 240Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync support for minimal screen tearing. Attach a high-res external monitor via the HDMI 2.1 or Thunderbolt 4 ports and you’ll be in heaven. Other niceties here include a fast USB-C 3.2 port, two fast USB-A 3.2 ports, a 1080p webcam that can do Windows Hello facial recognition, a gorgeous RGB full-sized keyboard, and a multi-touch Premium Precision touchpad. Expect about 3 hours of battery life with real-world usage, but that’s not a deal-breaker—it’s a high-performance machine, after all. When we reviewed the 16X Aurora, we gave it a glowing 4.5-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award. Our reviewer thought it was an excellent value at full price, so how much better is it now with this discount? Save $470 on the Alienware 16X Aurora while you can! If you miss it, though, check out our roundup of the best gaming laptops. The Alienware 16X Aurora is an incredible value for 24% offBuy now via Dell.com Read...

TL;DR: Grab a like-new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for $409.97 and get premium Apple performance, 16GB RAM, and fast SSD power without paying full retail. There’s a secret in the tech world: sometimes the smartest laptop upgrade isn’t the newest release — it’s the right specs at the right value. This like-new MacBook Pro (2020) with Touch Bar hits that sweet spot. It still feels modern, still performs like a pro machine, and still looks like something you’d be proud to pull out at a coffee shop or client meeting. Inside, you’re getting a 10th Gen Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, and a fast 512GB SSD. This translates to smooth multitasking, fast app launches, and enough power for real work — video editing, coding, design, marketing tools, or running a lot of browser tabs. The 13.3-inch Retina display is still one of Apple’s best features. Colors pop, text looks razor sharp, and True Tone helps reduce eye strain. The Magic Keyboard makes typing comfortable, and the Touch Bar + Touch ID combo keeps workflows fast and secure. You also get four Thunderbolt 3 ports — huge for external monitors, docks, fast drives, and charging flexibility. For anyone who wants premium Apple performance without paying brand-new prices, this near-mint MacBook Pro is on sale for $409.97 (MSRP $1,580) only through Feb. 22. Apple MacBook Pro (2020) 13? i5 2GHz Touchbar 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Logitech’s MX series of mice are a perennial power user favorite. The MX Master is the go-to, and very comfy. But if you prefer a vertical mouse, or you struggle with RSI or similar ailments, the MX Vertical is the one you want. Normally a hefty $120, today Amazon is selling it for $69.99. The MX Vertical has most of the same features as the MX Master, notably minus the super-fast scroll wheels. In their place you get a 57-degree tilt and super-soft plastic, along with a 4000 DPI sensor and dual wireless (Bluetooth and dongle) that can support multiple connections at once. The battery lasts for weeks and recharges via USB-C, and you can use Logitech’s Options software to customize bindings for the top button (DPI switch by default) and two thumb buttons. You can read the full review here. The only real downer is that despite being an ergonomic design, the MX Vertical doesn’t come in a left-hand version — you’ll need to step down to the less premium Lift design for that. Amazon says that this deal is “selling fast,” but there’s no indication of how long it’ll stick around. Get the Logitech MX Vertical mouse for $70View Deal Read...

Getting an ultrawide monitor is definitely a dream for many of us, but we have to admit that they can be quite expensive. So, when you spot them on deep discount—as I have today—you should take advantage and score the deal while you can. Right now, Amazon is selling Samsung’s 49-inch 1440p ultrawide for only $799.99, which is a monstrous $500 off its original price of $1,299.99. Opportunity is calling! The first thing that makes me put this monitor at the top of my wishlist is the fact that it features an OLED panel. That’s not always a given on ultraawide monitors, and especially not at this size. You’re looking at a stunning resolution of 5120×1440, which is basically two gorgeous 1440p displays side by side without an annoying bezel down the middle. But this one also has a speedy 144Hz refresh rate for extra-responsive visuals (if your PC is powerful enough to pump out frames that fast). All of this for well under $1,000? You’ve gotta be kidding! The Samsung Odyssey OLED G91SD further makes gaming more fun with its gentle-but-immersive 1800R curve that wraps around your eyes, plus a 0.03ms response time for twitchy goodness, plus compatibility with both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, plus VESA DisplayHDR 400 for the most vibrant colors on that OLED panel. This is a phenomenal deal, dropping the price down to the lowest it’s ever been. Seriously, it’s now cheaper than it was even on Prime Day or Black Friday last year. Get the Odyssey OLED G91SD for $799.99 and make like a bandit! Or check out some of the other best gaming monitors if you still want to look around at options. Get Samsung`s 49-inch 1440p OLED ultrawide for $500 offBuy now via Amazon Read...

Google has fixed 11 security vulnerabilities in the latest Chrome versions 145.0.7632.45/46 for Windows and macOS and 145.0.7632.45 for Linux. According to Google, none of these vulnerabilities are being actively exploited in the wild yet. Chrome 145 was actually scheduled for release last week. Google hasn’t given any reasons for the delay. Chrome usually updates automatically when a new version is available. You can manually trigger the update check via the menu item Help > About Google Chrome. Google will release Chrome 146 in early March. What’s new in Chrome 145? Chrome is now linked to Google Wallet, allowing the browser to automatically fill in forms with data from Google Wallet. On the browser’s What’s New tab after updating, Google highlights the productivity gains that can come from linking Chrome to Google Wallet, making it a lot faster to fill out addresses, payment methods, and other details when checking out. You can find the settings for this feature in Chrome under Settings > Autofill and passwords > Enhanced autofill. You need to be signed in to Chrome for “Enhanced autofill.” Security fixes in Chrome 145 In the Chrome Releases blog post, Srinivas Sista lists the 11 security vulnerabilities that were fixed in Chrome 145. These not only include vulnerabilities reported to Google by external researchers but all vulnerabilities (albeit with a one-day delay). Google is listed as the discoverer for 3 of the 11 security vulnerabilities. Two of those vulnerabilities are classified as high risk. However, neither the buffer overflow in the codecs component (CVE-2026-2314) nor the “inappropriate implementation” in the WebGPU module (CVE-2026-2315) are enough to explain the week-long delay in Google’s release of this new Chrome version. Google also classifies the use-after-free vulnerability in the CSS component (CVE-2026-2313) as high risk, which was previously reported in December. Meanwhile, Google classifies 6 other vulnerabilities as medium risk and 2 as low risk. The term “inappropriate implementation” appears several more times. Google has also released Chrome for Android 145.0.7632.45 and Chrome for iOS 145.0.7632.55. The Android version addresses the same vulnerabilities as the desktop versions. The Extended Stable Channel for Windows and macOS now includes Chromium version 144.0.7559.173. Further reading: Essential Chrome features you should be using Read...

Put a brand-new laptop or desktop PC in front of most people, and they’ll begin installing their favorite programs. Me? I check out its security setup. That’s not just making sure basics like antivirus is active. I also look at Windows and installed apps to make sure the whole computer is configured to cover my butt while I’m online. Sure, I’m still careful while on the web. But having safeties in place is smart, too. So here are the four things I always poke at—and you should, too. Antivirus software Foundry The very first thing I look over is the antivirus app settings on the new PC. In some instances, this may be Microsoft’s own built-in app, Windows Security. Other times, it’s independent antivirus software, usually a trial of one of the paid subscriptions we review for our best antivirus roundup. The main difference between the two are the interface and feature sets—Windows Security lives silently in the background, with notifications only popping up if something is amiss or needs attention. The interface is also very simple and doesn’t explain the different features in depth. Meanwhile, third-party software tends to bulk up its software plans with extra features (some extraneous, even), and more attractive, better explained user interfaces. You also tend to get more control over settings, too. Because new PCs often come with paid antivirus trials, I try immediately to settle on the best antivirus program for the person using the machine most. Don’t like a lot of nag screens or busy interfaces—or alternatively, don’t want to get stuck paying for AV continually? Windows Security is fine. I will however tweak the settings to turn on ransomware protection and the various app & browser protections, plus also verify that core isolation is already active. Prefer a specific set of features (like robust parental controls), more explanation for what’s happening with scans, or additional security tools (like a password manager and/or VPN) in one interface? A third-party AV option will be best, and with all the options available, there should be one that fits both the feature set and budget desired. Password manager Alaina Yee / Foundry The next thing I like to set up is a password manager. You can use the built-in password management in a browser like Edge or Chrome, but I recommend an independent service like Bitwarden or Dashlane (or even a local app like KeePassXC, if you’re willing to manage your own backups). Using the password manager in Edge or Chrome is typically tied to a Microsoft or Google account, respectively—so if the account is ever hacked or the password stolen, you run the risk of losing access to not just your email and files, but also all your passwords, too. Keeping those things separate helps prevent damage from being too harsh.  (That said, for folks who can’t manage too many accounts, then Microsoft, Google, or Apple’s password management is fine. They don’t have as many features as dedicated services, but the basics are in place.) I tend to prefer installing a desktop app whenever possible, for a bit of heightened security. A browser extension of course does make using passwords far simpler and faster, but it can be riskier, as they’re a bit more vulnerable to attack. But again, whatever helps you use unique, strong, and random passwords across different sites is best. Be mindful of what other extensions you install on your browser, apps you download, sites you visit, and links you click on, and you should be fine. For some services, you can log in via web interface, but that’s not as seamless as either a desktop app or browser extension. Biometric login Mark Hachman / Foundry Third, I enable biometric login for Windows when possible. On desktop PCs, this can be harder, since you’ll need to obtain your own Windows Hello–compatible webcam and/or fingerprint reader. But on a laptop, there’s a decent chance the built-in webcam will support Windows Hello face recognition. Unless you have concerns about your system falling into the hands of government officials (like if you travel to sensitive areas), a biometric login will generally be more secure than using a password or PIN to regularly unlock your PC. For example, someone can’t watch over your shoulder to see what you’re typing in while in a public area. It also can reduce the difficulty for login for less tech-savvy users. Save the password in a secure manner (you don’t want to forget it!), then use biometric login for simpler access. That’s much better than no password or a very weak password to secure the PC. Disk encryption Chris Hoffman / Foundry Finally, I verify a new computer’s encryption settings. This is a quick two-step process: First, I like to ensure encryption is enabled in Windows, especially if the machine is a laptop or even a mini-PC, as they’re easier to steal. If the data on the PC is encrypted, then that can’t be searched through easily (and no sensitive files are immediately at risk). The encryption key would be required to make use of the data. If you log into a Windows PC using a Microsoft account, it should automatically enable Disk Encryption. Windows Home users won’t be able to tweak the settings, while Windows Pro users can through BitLocker. However, I’ve found that the encryption isn’t always automatically activated, so it’s worth double-checking. Next, if disk encryption is active, I also check the Microsoft account (or have the PC’s owner check their account) to see if the encryption key is saved. You can do so by heading to https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey in a browser. Alternatively, if you’re a Pro user, you can just open BitLocker on your PC, where you back up your recovery key. This will give you more control where it’s stored—so you can save it to a different cloud account or on a local backup drive, etc. Read...