What’s another way for Amazon to make money on Alexa+ besides paid subscription plans? You guessed it: advertising. And Amazon’s CEO is already floating the idea of sprinkling ads into the still-gestating Alexa+ experience.  Speaking Thursday during a conference call with investors following Amazon’s second-quarter earnings report, CEO Andy Jassy boasted that the roughly one million users in the Alexa+ early preview program “really like the experience” and “recognize how much better it is than what it was before.” (My own Alexa+ experience was a bit more nuanced.)  Asked about the possibility of Amazon “tapping into…advertising” with Alexa+, Jassy noted that Alexa+ offers a “delightful shopping experience” and that “there will be opportunities as people are engaging [in] more multiturn conversations to have advertising play a role to help people find discovery and also as a lever to drive revenue.”  Then Jassy went a little further, adding that “over time…as we keep adding functionality that there could be some sort of subscription element beyond what there is today.”   So, what’s Jassy saying here? Is there a possibility that in the future, Alexa+ might give a “sponsored” answer to a question, similar to the sponsored results you see at the top of search results?  And that leads to another possibility in terms of a “subscription element beyond what there is today.” Might there eventually be an ad-free tier for Alexa+, and if so, would that put Prime subscribers in the position of having to pay more for an Alexa+ free from ads, similar to what’s going on now with Prime Video? (It was TechCrunch that raised the specter of an ad-free Alexa+ tier.)  Now, Jassy did note that a new “subscription element” for Alexa+ could come “as we keep adding functionality.” So, perhaps he means a pricier Alexa+ tier would simply offer more advanced features, similar to ChatGPT Pro? Or would a new “pro” tier have better features and be ad-free? I’ve posed those questions to Amazon, and I’ll update this story when I hear back.  For now, nobody’s paying anything for Alexa+, which is still in a limited early access period. Eventually, Alexa+ will be free for Prime subscribers and $20 a month for everyone else.  As far as the possibility of ads on Alexa+, the idea isn’t all that surprising. After all, Amazon’s Echo displays are riddled with advertisements; just this morning, my Echo Show 8 was displaying a USB hub for sale on Amazon, which is almost certainly a sponsored placement. And don’t forget the Amazon Kindle readers with ads on the lockscreens.  And when it comes to paying extra for an ad-free Alexa+, who can forget Amazon putting ads into Prime Video and then asking Prime members to pay extra for an ad-free version of the streaming service? Plenty of Prime users are still steamed about that one.  Now, will ads on Alexa+ and/or an ad-free Alexa+ tier actually happen? After all, I just plucked a couple of isolated Andy Jassy quotes out of a lengthy conference call, and Jassey’s comments were pretty vague. But it’s fair to say he’s at least mulling the idea, and squeezing ad revenue out of Alexa+ is something Amazon’s investors most certainly want.  The big question is how ads on Alexa+ would work, and how annoying they might be. Looking back, I had a Kindle with lockscreen ads, that that ad experience didn’t bother me one bit. The Amazon advertisements on my Echo Show 8? Not a giant deal, but yeah, they bug me. Alexa+ stopping mid-sentence to pitch me a sponsored product, or giving me sponsored results in response to my queries? I hope not. Read...

Remember Windows 11 SE? I didn’t, until I made my regular news rounds this morning. But it looks like the stripped-down, low-power version of Windows, originally intended to counter Chromebooks in the lucrative education market, is making a final bow soon. Microsoft says the operating system is getting its last update later this year, and will lose full support in 2026. That’s according to an updated Microsoft support page (spotted by German site Dr. Windows), which says that version 24H2 will be the last for Windows SE. All updates for the OS, “including software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes,” will be shut down in October of 2026. If that date sounds familiar, it’s the new, adjusted end-of-life date for the long-suffering consumer version of Windows 10, too. Windows 11 SE was announced in late 2021 and launched in January of 2022, explicitly designed for the education market. While it shares most of the codebase and features of Windows 11, it’s also far more locked down, with standard users unable to install third-party 32-bit apps or even apps from the Windows Store without admin assistance. Windows 11 SE lacks widgets and some Snap Layout options for the sake of being “distraction-free,” it’s even more insistent upon Microsoft applications like Office and Edge, and it needs to be managed via the Intune system. Windows 11 SE was meant to be a successor to Windows 10 S, which didn’t make a particularly big splash, either. It’s easy to imagine how school administrators, used to standard Windows 10/11 or Google’s popular and cheap Chromebook education setup, wouldn’t be keen on sacrificing advanced features. That said, giving Windows 11 SE users only a year of warning before it fully loses support seems a little short. One wonders if Microsoft’s workforce is feeling the pinch after all those recent layoffs. Microsoft still offers service to schools via the Windows 11 for Education system. Read...

Beginning on August 1 of this year, residents in North Dakota will lose access to the adult site Pornhub. Earlier this year the North Dakota State legislature passed SB 2380, which requires “manufacturers of internet-enabled devices and operating systems to determine the age of the device’s primary user and provide a digital signal to inform websites whether that user is a minor”—and porn sites fall under this category. The law will take effect on August 1, 2025, and Pornhub’s parent company Aylo will begin restricting access to its adult sites for residents in North Dakota in protest. Aylo and other privacy advocates claim that these laws not only violate free speech, but will infringe on personal privacy protections. By forcing individuals to hand over personally identifiable information to third parties, it creates the potential for government overreach and data misuse. This is following a trend that has seen more than 22 other states lose access to the incredibly popular NSFW site. Similar bans occurred throughout last year for residents in Texas and Florida, among others. Just this year, Wyoming, Georgia, and South Dakota also lost access in July, with Arizona set to follow in September. For legal-age North Dakotans looking to access the site, this is disruptive to say the least. Fortunately, there’s an easy workaround: using a VPN. Simply download and install your preferred VPN, connect to a server in a state that isn’t blocked, and enjoy the content. Below are my top picks for VPNs to access Pornhub (or other Aylo-owned adult content) if you’re in Georgia where access is blocked. And for even more great options, check out my list of the best VPNs overall. NordVPN – Best overall NordVPN Read our review Best Prices Today: $3.39 at NordVPN (Monthly) NordVPN is my overall top pick for VPNs. It comes with a wealth of great features including wide device support, ad- and tracker-blocking, plus an abundance of domestic U.S. and international servers—with coverage in most states. It also boasts the fastest connection speeds, meaning you won’t need to stream in a resolution that makes it look like the important bits are blurred on purpose. NordVPN has one of the widest platform support networks as well, so you’ll be able to freely view content on all of your devices. ExpressVPN – Runner-up ExpressVPN Read our review Best Prices Today: $4.99 at ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is a close second to NordVPN, only losing out due to slightly slower speeds and a few less extra features. These are minor issues, though, and shouldn’t take away from how great of a service ExpressVPN is in its own right. In fact, just recently as a result of all of these age-verification laws, ExpressVPN completed a massive U.S. network expansion to include servers in every U.S. state so you can rest assured you’ll find access so long as there are places without these restrictions. It also consistently has great speeds, so you can stream in HD to your heart’s content. Plus, it works with practically every device and comes with one of the best user-privacy records around. Mullvad – Best for privacy Mullvad Read our review Depending on what you’re looking for from a VPN, Mullvad might actually be the best option. The service not only tested among the top five fastest VPNs, but it’s also the hands-down best for privacy. Mullvad takes every effort to know as little about you as possible. The service doesn’t ask for an email address or name and you can even mail in a cash payment if you prefer to keep your credit card off record. Plus, it costs a mere $5 per month regardless of the plan you choose. Proton VPN – Best free VPN ProtonVPN Read our review Best Prices Today: $9.99 at Proton VPN While I don’t usually recommend that anyone use a free VPN due to their proven security and privacy risks, Proton VPN is one of the exceptions. This service from the well-known Swiss-based Proton brand has a spotless track record for user privacy. And it’s also mercifully ad-free. Just like all free VPNs, there are limitations, but thankfully Proton VPN keeps them relatively manageable. For no cost whatsoever you’ll get a one-device connection limit and access to five servers located in different countries around the world (including the U.S.). There are no speed or data limitations on these free servers either—something that’s not typical of other free VPNs. Just note that you’ll only be connected to the server location closest to you and some of these might be in States with age verification laws in place. Still, you have nothing to lose by using the free service and if you like it enough you can always upgrade to the paid version with access to all 11,000+ server locations and excellent feature set. Read...

It’s summer, it’s hot, and even your laptop is struggling, so it’s time to get a cooling pad. This ChillCore model is currently 20 percent off at Amazon, priced at just $27.98 right now. Just a few days ago, I jumped back into World of Warcraft. My HP laptop isn’t a gaming rig, but it does have a dedicated MX graphics card, not an RTX, but it holds up in a pinch. After a full day of work, within an hour of returning to Pandaria, my laptop overheated and shut down. You could’ve fried an egg on it. My bad. By morning, I had a cooling pad delivered and I haven’t had that problem since. Honestly, I wish I’d found this ChillCore model sooner because it’s way cooler (pun intended) than mine. It features nine fans and eight height adjustments so you can avoid bad posture and back pain. Even better, it comes with RGB lights and a small control center where you can adjust fan speed, choose RGB modes, or turn the lights on and off. Plus, there’s a removable phone stand you can position on either side. So snag this discounted ChillCore cooling pad, compatible with laptops between 15.6- to 19.3-inches, for just $27.98 before the deal expires and help your laptop survive the heat. Get the ChillCore Cooling Pad for just $27.98Buy now at Amazon Read...

The best thing about being adults? Adult money! And the beautiful freedom to spend it on whatever we want. Right? Right. Like these absolutely amazing LEGO sets, they’re just calling out to be built and proudly displayed on a shelf somewhere. Got kids? Great. You can even use them as an excuse to grab that set you’ve been dreaming of. Just saying… Anyway, we went down the LEGO rabbit hole to find some of the coolest sets out there. Because honestly? The world is chaotic enough, and we all deserve a little joy. LEGO Super Mario Game Boy LEGO We’re putting this one right at the top because it’s brand new. Well, technically, it launches October 1st, 2025, but it’s already available for pre-order. It’s $60 at Amazon and it’s going to bring back that excitement you felt as a kid getting a Game Boy for the first time. The button layout is there, the retro feel is there, and you can even change the Game Pak and lenticular screens. The LEGO Super Mario Game Boy 72046 is a 421-piece model. Buy now at Amazon Buy now at LEGO.com LEGO Icons PAC-Man Arcade LEGO Oh man, the memories! This 2,651-piece LEGO set brings the 1980s Pac-Man arcade to your home office. There’s a four-way joystick, an illuminating coin slot, and even an adjustable game score display. When you turn the handle on the side, you’ll get to recreate the classic maze chase we all loved thanks to a super smart chain system. It’s such a stunning set that costs $269.95. Buy now at Amazon Buy now at LEGO.com LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System LEGO This one is made for nostalgia lovers. It features the NES console, a controller, and a vintage TV with a scrolling Mario level. Crank the handle and watch Mario jump over obstacles and avoid enemies. The LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System 71374 is $389.45 and features 2,646 pieces. Buy now at Amazon LEGO Icons Atari 2600 LEGO Old-school gaming fans will love this one. This 2,532-piece build features the classic Atari 2600, complete with a working joystick and three swappable game cartridges. For $229.57, it’s a time capsule in LEGO form. Buy now at Amazon LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon LEGO Can we have a nerdy LEGO list without the Millennium Falcon? Probably not. Because this is easily one of the most amazing sets you can get. It’s pricey, yes, but it’s so cool! Just make sure you have the space to display this thing because it’s absolutely massive, measuring over eight inches high, 33 inches long, and 22 inches wide. It’s not just the ship you’re getting, but also your favorite characters, including Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Princess Leia. The LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon 75192 features 7,541 pieces and costs $849.95. Buy now at Amazon Buy now at LEGO.com LEGO Icons The Lord of The Rings: Rivendell  LEGO The Lord of the Rings has a special place in many of our hearts and Rivendell is certainly one of those locations that feels extra magical. It’s not just the beauty of the setting, it’s the characters, too. This set includes Frodo’s bedroom and Elrond’s study, as well as a ton of minifigures of our favorites, including Gimli, Aragorn, and Gandalf (and yes, Legolas). This is a large set measuring 28.5 inches wide, 19.5 inches deep, and 15 inches tall, so make sure you’ve got plenty of space to display it. It costs a hefty $499.95 and features a staggering 6,167 pieces. Buy now at Amazon Buy now at LEGO.com LEGO Icons Lord of The Rings Barad-dûr  LEGO If you want more from The Lord of the Rings universe, the Barad-dûr building set makes a great addition, especially with the blazing Eye of Sauron looking straight at you. How awesome is this thing? The Eye lights up, there are multiple rooms to explore inside, and the iconic black gate is automated. This thing is 33 inches tall and costs $459.99, featuring 5,471 pieces. Buy now at Amazon Buy now at LEGO.com LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Express LEGO The world of Harry Potter will always have a place in our hearts, and the Hogwarts Express might be one of the best sets you can get. It’s absolutely massive at a 1:32 scale, beautifully detailed, and it includes 20 minifigures from the books. This set costs $658.24 (though it often goes on sale) and it features a whopping 5,129 pieces. Buy now at Amazon LEGO Icons Back to the Future Time Machine 10300 LEGO The grip this car had on us when Back to the Future came out! Now, you can have the famous DeLorean displayed in your own home. You can build one of three versions, depending on which movie you loved the most. There’s even a lightning rod and a plutonium chamber, along with Doc and Marty McFly. Right now, it’s $170.99 at the time of writing (usually $200) and it features 1,856 pieces. Buy now at Amazon Buy now at LEGO.com LEGO Technic Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 F1 Race Car Model Kit LEGO Formula 1 cars are absolutely stunning, and this one’s no different. Just make sure you have enough space because it measures 25 inches long! The LEGO Technic Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 F1 Race Car Model Kit 42206 costs $229.95 and includes 1,639 pieces. Buy now at Amazon Buy now at LEGO.com LEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3 LEGO Can we talk about how stunning the Ferrari Daytona SP3 is? Because just look at it! It’s one of the most luxurious cars and it comes packed with details you’ll love. This 1:8 scale LEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3 42143 is priced at $435, but it’s made up of an impressive 3,778 pieces. Buy now at Amazon Buy now at LEGO.com LEGO 76252 Batcave – Shadow Box LEGO Okay, this one’s absolutely incredible. It’s not just a Batman set — it’s the Batcave Shadow Box. You get the Batmobile, a full command center, a bunch of minifigures, and more. Whether you keep it closed or opened, it’s going to look amazing. The LEGO DC Batman Batcave – Shadow Box (76252) is going to cost you $950 and includes 3,981 pieces, so be ready to invest in some build time. Buy now at Amazon LEGO Icons Transformers Bumblebee  LEGO If you grew up with Transformers, then you’ll absolutely love having Bumblebee on your shelf. The coolest part? This build actually transforms into a vehicle, a dream come true for many of us, and seriously impressive for a LEGO set. The LEGO Icons Transformers Bumblebee 10338 costs $85.99 and contains 950 pieces. Buy now at Amazon Buy now at LEGO.com Read...

If you’re looking for a capable 2-in-1 laptop at a great price, check out this Lenovo Yoga 7–it’s $400 off right now at Best Buy. Normally $1,000, Best Buy is slashing $400 off for what might be the perfect daily driver you can also have a ton of fun with. It features a 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen, and if that doesn’t grab your attention, we don’t know what will! That’s an incredible screen for a $600 laptop. The specs aren’t too shabby, either. It runs on an AMD Ryzen AI 5 processor with 16GB of RAM. Throw in a 512GB SSD and you’ve got a speedy machine that can handle a few dozen browser tabs, multiple office apps, and still stream KPop Demon Hunters for the 10th time. While there’s no dedicated graphics card, the AMD Radeon 840M can handle some light gaming. And with the touchscreen, you can enjoy a few fun games during your downtime. For $600, this is a killer laptop. It’s perfect for work, streaming, casual gaming, and whatever else your day throws at you. Don’t wait too long, though. Best Buy’s $400 discount won’t last. Get this 2-in-1 laptop for $400 off at Best BuyBuy now at Best Buy Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Stand has wide range of ergonomic adjustment Easy-to-use menu system High brightness, good color accuracy 320Hz refresh rate for just $250 Cons Unremarkable design Limited contrast ratio Only 1080p resolution HDR is technically supported, but not great Our Verdict The Alienware AW2525HM prices refresh rate at well under a buck a hertz. That makes it a remarkable value if you want smooth, responsive PC gaming without spending a small fortune. The catch? Its image quality is just so-so. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Alienware AW2525HM Retailer Price $249.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices The AW2525HM is an entry-level monitor in Alienware’s 2025 monitor lineup, though you might not know that from a glance at the specifications. This 25-inch monitor has 1080p resolution with a maximum refresh rate of 320Hz, as well as official support for both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. Despite that, it retails for just $250. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best gaming monitors for comparison. Alienware AW2525HM specs and features At its core, the Alienware AW2525HM is a traditional IPS-LCD monitor like thousands sold over the past two decades. It combines a 1080p IPS panel with an edge-lit LCD backlight. What sets it apart, though, is the monitor’s low price and high refresh rate. Serving up 320Hz at just $250 is an incredible deal at face value. By comparison, Amazon currently sells the older AW2523HF (a 360Hz monitor) for about $330, and even white label 320Hz monitors typically sell above $250, albeit sometimes with 1440p resolution. Display size: 24.5-inch 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 1920×1080 Panel type: IPS-LCD Refresh rate: 320Hz Adaptive Sync: Yes, AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible HDR: Yes, HDR10 Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-B 5Gbps upstream, 1x USB-A 5Gbps downstream, 1x USB-A 5Gbps downstream with 7.5 watts power Audio: None Price: $249.99 MSRP You might expect the low price to force some compromise, but there’s less than you think. The monitor lacks USB-C, but that’s not typical for a gaming monitor at this price point, and it still has a bit of downstream USB-A connectivity. The monitor also has broad Adaptive Sync support with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync officially supported. Alienware AW2525HM design The AW2525HM embraces the new look and feel of Alienware’s monitors which, in my opinion at least, is a downgrade from the company’s earlier efforts. The old retro-futuristic vibe is gone, replaced by an organic, smooth look that strangely is available in just one color: navy blue. It’s an odd choice, to be sure, but there are a few benefits. Alienware’s new design language makes a hard pivot toward stands with a small, flat base that minimizes the monitor’s footprint on a desk. The stand also provides a good range of ergonomic adjustment. It provides 110mm of height adjustment, 25 degrees of tilt, 40 degrees of swivel, and rotates 90 degrees for use in portrait mode. These features mark a difference between the AW2525HM and even less expensive white-label monitors available on Amazon, most of which have a more limited range of ergonomic adjustment. Matthew Smith / Foundry The monitor also has a 100x100mm VESA mount for use with third-party monitor arms and stands. As a bonus, the monitor also provides a flip-out headset rack for hanging a gaming headset when it’s not in use. Alienware AW2525HM connectivity The Alienware AW2525HM’s connectivity is solid but expected for a budget- to mid-range gaming monitor. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4 for a total of three video inputs. The HDMI 2.1 ports support only 255Hz at 1080p, which means only the DisplayPort can handle the monitor’s full resolution and refresh rate. This isn’t uncommon at this price, though some white-label monitors claim higher refresh rates across the HDMI ports (with the caveat that the specifications of such monitors can prove less reliable). USB connectivity is limited, but present. The AW2525HM doesn’t have USB-C, which is true for most gaming monitors in this price bracket. It does provide two USB-A ports, however, which are driven by a USB-B upstream port. One of the two USB-A ports also provides 7.5 watts of power for charging or powering basic peripherals, like a smartphone or a portable hard drive. The inclusion of two USB-A ports means you can use the monitor as a USB hub for a wired keyboard and mouse, which is always handy in a gaming monitor. Alienware AW2525HM menus, features, and audio Alienware ships the AW2525HM with a familiar, easy-to-navigate menu system controlled by a joystick centered beneath the lower bezel (alternatively, users can control monitor features with Alienware Command Center, a software application). The menu system is a small but notable advantage over competitors. Asus does as well in this area, but brands like Acer and Gigabyte tend to fall a bit behind, often because the menus are smaller and a bit harder to read. Monitors from white-label and Amazon brands (like KTC and Koouri) tend to have menus that are annoying to navigate. On top of that, I’ve yet to test a monitor from an Amazon brand that provides a software utility like Alienware’s Command Center. Matthew Smith / Foundry With that said, the AW2525HM’s feature set doesn’t differ from competitors. It has gaming features, like a crosshair and a dark stabilizer (which increase the brightness of dark scenes to reveal foes). There’s also some image customization, including color calibration for hue, gain, and offset—but that’s only found in the Custom Color mode. Color temperature and gamma adjustment is limited. An sRGB color profile is the only image mode that targets a specific color gamut; no DCI-P3 or AdobeRGB mode here. As for audio, well, there isn’t anything, though that’s no surprise. Budget monitors often omit speakers and, when they are included, they provide barely passable audio quality. However, the AW2525HM also omits a 3.5mm audio-out jack, which is more unusual. That means you won’t be able to pass-through audio and will need to connect your speakers or headphones directly to your PC. Alienware believes (correctly, I’d guess) that most gamers are now using USB headsets. The inclusion of two USB-A ports means you can use the monitor as a USB hub for a wired keyboard and mouse, which is always handy in a gaming monitor. Alienware AW2525HM SDR image quality A lot rides on the Alienware AW2525HM’s SDR image quality. Though it does technically support HDR, SDR is clearly the focus, both because of the monitor’s price point and because fast-paced PC titles built for high refresh rates tend not to focus on HDR support (especially if the game is not also available on console). Matthew Smith / Foundry The AW2525HM comes out swinging with a maximum sustained SDR brightness of 459 nits. That’s not record-setting, but it’s rather high for a monitor priced at $250. That level of brightness is more than enough to make the monitor stand out even in a brightly lit room that lacks good light control. On top of that, the monitor has a semi-gloss finish that reduces glare, so bright light sources have less impact on the image. The result is a monitor that’s very easy to view in a wide range of lighting conditions. Matthew Smith / Foundry Unfortunately, though not unsurprisingly, the monitor’s excellent brightness is paired with sub-par contrast, with a measured contrast ratio of 1010:1 at 50 percent of maximum brightness (and, in case you’re curious, this did not vary significantly at other brightness levels). A contrast ratio of 1010:1 isn’t awful for an inexpensive gaming monitor, but it’s not amazing. The limited contrast ratio often results in an image that seems flat and lacks a convincing sense of depth. This is most noticeable in dark scenes, as the monitor can’t properly render dark hues, instead displaying them as a hazy, pale silver-gray. This is the dreaded “IPS glow.” As the graph shows, a better contrast ratio can be had at this price point. Monitors like the Xiaomi G Pro, which has a Mini-LED backlight, and the Lenovo Legion R27fc-30, which has a VA display panel, can provide better contrast on a budget (though they can’t match the AW2525HM’s motion clarity). Matthew Smith / Foundry The Alienware AW2525HM posts respectable color gamut figures. It can display 100 percent of sRGB, 93 percent of DCI-P3, and 87 percent of AdobeRGB. These are good though mid-pack figures. The AW2525HM defeats monitors like the Lenovo Legion R27fc-30, but doesn’t perform as well as the Gigabyte M27QA ICE or Xiaomi G Pro. In general, though, the AW2525HM’s color gamut is a good match for PC games. Titles will look colorful and vibrant, particularly in bright scenes that play better to the monitor’s strong brightness and obscure its mediocre contrast and poor performance in dark scenes. If you want to edit photos, videos, or digital art, the AW2525HM is passable for less demanding work but won’t cut the mustard for more rigorous professional use. It simply doesn’t display enough of DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB, which means some colors will not be visible on the monitor. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Alienware AW2525HM is also mid-pack in color accuracy though, with that said, the average color error of the AW2525HM is low. It comes across as mid-pack only because most budget monitors have managed to achieve a solid level of out-of-box color accuracy. I also saw decent color temperature and gamma results. The AW2525HM’s color temperature of 6500K was spot-on my target and means the image doesn’t appear too warm or cool. The gamma value of 2.3 is slightly off my target of 2.2 and means the image can appear a tad darker than it should, though I found that hard to notice in real-world use. Sharpness is a downside. 1920×1080 resolution is nothing to boast about in 2025 and, on a 24.5-inch panel, it works out to about 90 pixels per inch. A 27-inch 1440p monitor, as a point of comparison, reaches about 110 ppi, and a 27-inch 4K monitor delivers about 163 ppi. The AW2525HM manages to avoid an obvious aliased or pixelated look, but it’s noticeably softer than even a 1440p display. The AW2525HM’s SDR image quality is a mix. It takes a win in brightness and provides respectable color performance but falls short in contrast and sharpness. A wide variety of 1440p and 4K monitors are available at $250, as well, though not with a 320Hz refresh rate. And that, really, is the core compromise made here: a reduction in overall image quality in the service of better motion clarity. Alienware AW2525HM HDR image quality The Alienware AW2525HM supports HDR10 input but it lacks VESA DisplayHDR certification and makes no strong claims on HDR performance. In fact, Alienware’s marketing doesn’t appear to mention HDR at all. I only saw reference to it in the monitor’s specifications. That says everything you need to know about HDR on the display. It’s bright, reaching up to 469 nits in my tests, but that’s about it. The monitor lacks both the contrast and color performance necessary to do HDR justice. HDR content looks a bit different, and a bit brighter, than SDR, but not necessarily better. Personally, I wouldn’t bother to use HDR on this monitor, but some owners may prefer the brighter presentation. Alienware AW2525HM motion performance There’s a lot riding on the Alienware AW2525HM’s motion performance. Fortunately, it’s rather good. The monitor’s Fast IPS panel does the hard work. It has a refresh rate up to 320Hz, as previously mentioned, and provides pixel response times as low as 0.5 milliseconds (which is about as quick as IPS monitors can manage). Games that can achieve a frame rate of 320Hz look smooth and crisp with blur only obvious in the finest details and high-contrast edges. You can find better motion clarity, to be sure: A 360Hz OLED, for example, will blow the AW2525HM out of the water. But for $250, this level of motion clarity is outstanding. Fast-paced titles feel amazingly tight and responsive. I would recommend avoiding the monitor’s fastest response time modes, however. Like most IPS and VA panel monitors, the AW2525HM offers a variety of settings. The fastest can deliver the best clarity but can also cause image artifacts such as apparent halos around high-contrast objects. This problem is known as overshoot and is common among IPS and VA panel monitors. Personally, I think sticking to the slowest response time mode is the best choice for most gamers. The AW2525HM supports Adaptive Sync and has official support for both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible. Most monitors that support Adaptive Sync work with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible (whether their support is listed or not), as those standards are built off Adaptive Sync. Still, I’m pleased to see Alienware list official support. It reduces confusion and provides gamers confidence the monitor will work with their video card. Should you buy the Alienware AW2525HM? The Alienware AW2525HM is yet another competent entry in Alienware’s 2025 monitor lineup which, like its peers, is worth a look mostly because of its price. The monitor’s design isn’t remarkable, and while it does offer a couple USB-A ports and a wide range of ergonomic adjustment, its feature set is typical for a budget gaming monitor. But with a refresh rate of up to 320Hz, broad Adaptive Sync support, and a retail MSRP of just $250, the AW2525HM is a solid pick if you want great motion clarity on a budget. Read...

With vacation season upon us, it’s time to figure out what to pack for your trip. Limited tech time is great in theory, but you still need a few things to make your life easier, whether it’s gear for the car, accessories that help you connect to your entertainment, or gadgets for backing up all your pics. Here at PCWorld we’re always testing the latest gadgets to sort the good from the don’t-bother. In the process, we’ve come across a lot of tech gear that’s built for travel. Here we’ve curated a list of the gear that we believe is worthy of any packing list and sure to help prepare you for anything you may encounter on the road—or in the sky. Happy travels! Manage electrical needs with a voltage converter BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter 220V to 110V Bestek, Mapambo When you’re traveling from the U.S. to Europe, for instance, you don’t just need a different type of plug for your chargers and gadgets, but also a voltage converter because Europe runs on different settings. The Bestek Universal Travel Adapter will convert 220V outlets to U.S.-standard 110V, thus ensuring that your devices don’t burn out. It’s not only affordable, but it has three AC outlets and four USB ports. Plus, the product comes with a couple of extra plug adapters. If a more compact version is all you need, then the Mapambo converter will work just fine with one AC plug, two type-C, and two type-A ports. The Baseus Enercore CG11 is also a fantastic pick, as it’s suitable for use anywhere in the world, with slide-out plugs for the USA, EU, and UK. There are also two ports — one USB-C and one USB-A — as well as a USB-C retractable cable. Buy the BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter at Amazon Buy the Mapambo 220V to 110V Voltage Converter at Amazon Buy the Baseus Enercore CG11 Take control of tangled cords Rolling Square inCharge 6 Portable Keychain Charger Cable Rolling Square If you’re like most travelers, you bring multiple electronics to make the most of your experience—we’re talking camera, phone, laptop, headphones, etc. But along with all of these items, you’ll need to carry all of their charging cables. That can take up space and lead to a tangled web of cords in your bag if you’re not careful. With the Rolling Square inCharge 6 Portable Charger Cable on Amazon, you have the option of USB-C or USB-A inputs and Micro USB or USB-C outputs all in a cable that is small enough for your keychain. Buy the Rolling Square Portable Charger Cable at Amazon Or get a retractable cable Baseus USB-C Retractable Cable Baseus If you’d rather have a simpler cable, then this one from Baseus will do the trick. The retractable design ensures it’s going to be safe in your luggage, preventing any type of tangling issues and considerably lowering the chances of your cable breaking. You can get this one in two length versions—3.3ft and 6.6ft— and you can pay as little as $10 on the shorter one if it’s on sale. Buy the Baseus retractable USB-C cable at Amazon Keep your devices charged with a portable power bank Anker GaN Prime Power Bank 2-in-1 10,000mAh portable power bank with wall charger Anker Traveling is always fun, but ending up with a depleted phone battery in an unknown place can be terrifying. This Anker Prime power bank takes up two roles in one. On one hand, it can plug into a wall outlet and give you the recharge you need while you’re at your hotel, for instance, but it can also act as a power bank when you’re out and about exploring. 10,000mAh is enough to charge your phone twice over (or close to that). There are three ports on this Anker hybrid charger, two of which are type-C that can reach 65W charging. It’s available for $110, but you can often find it closer to $70 when on sale. Buy the Anker GaN Prime Power Bank 2-in-1 Charger at Amazon Make that hotel outlet actually useful Anker Prime 6-in-1 charging station Anker One of the main issues we all have when traveling is that it’s tough to find multiple outlets in your hotel room. You’ll get one by the bedside table and another that’s taken up by the TV. Well, this compact power strip from Anker makes good use of that outlet and turns it into six. You get two AC outlets, two USB-A and two USB-C ports and a maximum output of 140W via those type-C ports. That’s just about perfect for laptops, smartphones and whatever else you have on you. The cool part is that the power strip is flat and the power cord detaches, so it’s ideal for your tight-packed luggage. Buy the Anker Prime 6-in-1 power strip at Amazon Never lose your valuables again Apple AirTag, Tile Pro, Samsung SmartThings, Tile Slim Apple, Tile, Samsung We’ve all been there. You arrive at your destination and you’re waiting for your checked bag to show up on the carousel, but it never does. Baggage handling is at it again. With a Bluetooth tracker you can easily keep tabs on where your bag is and maybe even help TSA locate it, should it be lost. There are quite a few Bluetooth trackers on the market that you can get. Apple users should look into the AirTag, while Android users can choose Samsung’s SmartTag2. Anyone can go for the Tile Pro. If you’re more worried about your wallet, Tile’s Slim tracker will fit inside it neatly. These are all around $30 a piece, but you can quite often get them for less or in bundles, thus lowering the price even more. If you want an AirTag alternative, the Ugreen FineTrack is a fraction of the price and often on sale. Buy the Apple AirTag at Amazon Buy the Ugreen FineTrack Buy the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 at Amazon Buy the Tile Pro at Amazon Buy the TIle Slim at Amazon Enjoy an in-flight movie without annoying headphone cables Twelve South AirFly Pro or Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver Ugreen, Twelve South Twelve South’s AirFly Pro Bluetooth wireless audio transmitter for $54.99 on Amazon (although it’s frequently on sale) allows you to turn any audio jack into a wireless Bluetooth transmitter. Simply plug in the device to the headphone jack on the back of the airplane seat and connect your wireless headphones. Then sit back and relax while you enjoy the in-flight entertainment on your sweet noise-canceling headphones. Alternatively, you can also go for the more affordable Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver, which is $36.99 but often drops below $30. Either will allow you to connect up to two earbuds or headphones. Buy the Twelve South AirFly Pro at Amazon Buy the Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver at Amazon Drown out noise with noise-canceling earbuds AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 Apple, Bose Flying on an airplane is loud. Engines roar, babies cry, passengers snore. That’s why you need noise-canceling headphones, which have become essential tools in making your flight as easy as possible. And because you’re traveling and bag space is a premium, your headphones need to be small. Not just for iPhone users, but for anyone who needs good headphones, the AirPods Pro 2 for $225.00 on Amazon continue to be the best choice due to their convenient size and noise-canceling capability. If you’re an Android user, you may want to look into the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, which deliver something our buddies at TechAdvisor have called “astonishing noise cancellation” on top of superb sound quality and a secure fit. Get the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) at Amazon Buy the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at Amazon Or get some noise-canceling headphones Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max Apple, Sony If earbuds aren’t for you, then perhaps a pair of proper headphones will do the trick. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are easily some of the best noise-canceling headphones out there (as our friends at TechAdvisor attested with a 5-star review), delivering phenomenal audio and a comfortable build. Apple fans may want to look into the AirPods Max that are also known for what our friends at MacWorld call “industry leading active noise canceling”. Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 at Amazon Buy the Apple AirPods Max at Amazon Capture and print your favorite memories Fuji Instax Mini 12 instant camera Fujifilm Sure, you could bring a giant SLR camera with multiple lenses and an extra special carry-on bag to store everything. Or for those who aren’t professionals, you can opt for a small, retro instant camera such as the Fuji Instax Mini 12 for $143.95 on Amazon. Just like an old-school Polaroid, you can take a picture and instantly print it out to capture the moment. Just be aware that you’ll need to purchase and carry the film separately. Buy the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 at Amazon Keep your wires from getting crossed Bellroy Tech Kit Bellroy Bellroy is known for making great tech cases and kits, and the Bellroy Tech Kit for $59 on Amazon is our favorite. This well-designed, travel-friendly bag allows you to keep all of your cables and small peripherals stored and organized with ease. The folio style means that you can open the entire kit out flat for easy access to everything stored inside. Plus, the fabric is waterproof so you shouldn’t have to worry about a little liquid spilling on your precious gear. Buy the Bellroy Tech Kit at Amazon Game in-route to your destination Steam Deck, Switch OLED, or Backbone One Backbone, Nintendo, Valve The Steam Deck for $399 on the Steam store is a great handheld gaming system that allows you to play your favorite PC games on the go. It wasn’t so long ago that the Steam Deck was sold out everywhere and people were clamoring to get one. Thankfully, Valve has increased its supply and it’s easier than ever to get your hands on this excellent gaming portable. Play games from your Steam library on the go or load up on new titles for your next vacation. Gaming makes those long-haul flights a breeze. If you’d rather go for a different platform, the Switch OLED is an absolutely fantastic gaming console. And yes, we know the Switch 2 is en route, but good luck getting your hands on one of those anytime soon. If you’d rather just play on your phone, but have an upgraded experience, the Backbone One will mold to your phone, whether that’s an Android or iPhone model, and will help you play anything you want, including titles in your Xbox, PlayStation, or Steam libraries. Buy the Steam Deck at Steam Store Buy the Nintedo Switch OLED at Amazon Buy the Backbone One at Amazon Keep your hands and wrists happy while typing Logitech MX Keys Mini Logitech Laptop keyboards are cramped and can lead to some serious wrist pain if you type on them for long enough. Save yourself the carpal tunnel and grab a wireless keyboard like the Logitech MX Keys Mini. This compact keyboard is not only easy to travel with, but offers convenient features such as a semi-customizable layout, multi-device switching, and more. And the most important part is that it offers a great typing experience with comfortable and quiet keys that won’t bother your fellow travelers. The MX Keys Mini is currently $99.99 on Amazon. Buy the Logitech MX Keys Mini at Amazon Carry a library everywhere you go Kindle Paperwhite Amazon Books are a great thing to have around on vacation, but they’re heavy and they take up precious space in your luggage. Instead opt for an e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite for $159.99 on Amazon and bring an entire library worth of books in this lightweight tablet. Plus the Paperwhite version comes with an anti-glare screen and adjustable brightness settings, making it perfect for a bright beach or dark airplane. Not sure which Kindle to buy? Check out our handy Kindle buying guide to help you make the right choice. Buy the Kindle Paperwhite at Amazon Grab a mobile hotspot to stay in range of Wi-Fi range Solis Lite 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot Solis Those who travel a lot know that Wi-Fi is essential. From being able to work online while on the road or just looking up restaurant recommendations in another country, it’s an invaluable tool to get the most out of your travel experience. There are quite a few services nowadays offering pocket Wi-Fi for travelers, but Solis is one of the best with reliable global coverage across 135 countries. Plus, it has flexible plans depending upon your needs. You’ll need to purchase the Solis Lite Mobile Hotspot for $159.99 on Amazon before registering for a Wi-Fi plan, but it’s only a one-time fee and you can then use it on all of your future trips. Buy the Solis Lite Mobile Hotspot at Amazon Safe surfing NordVPN  Pexels: Stefan Coders If you’re going to travel anywhere, connecting to shady Wi-Fi networks, you absolutely need to have a VPN on your device. We’ve tested what feels like a million of them and recommend you go for NordVPN, which we found to be the best overall. There are tons of configuration options if you want to deep-dive, but you can also just take the easy route and press a single button every time. It even comes with a built-in antivirus and password manager, so you have a three 3-in-1 solution. Get NordVPN Never worry about safe tap water again Philips Water GoZero self-cleaning water bottle Philips No matter if you’re traveling to a new city or going camping, making sure that you have access to clean and potable water is a necessity. The Philips Water GoZero bottles bring in some smart technology to ensure the water is safe to drink. Available for $73.89 at Amazon (or lower when on sale), the bottle uses UV technology to eliminate up to 99.999 percent of bacteria and 99.9 percent of viruses in just a few minutes. Even when empty, the cap can disinfect your bottle and remove odors. Made out of stainless steel and double-walled, the bottle won’t just purify your water, it will also keep your drinks hot for up to 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. Buy the Philips Water GoZero water bottle at Amazon Mount your smartphone on anything Universal in-flight airplane phone holder mount Perilogics This Universal in-flight airplane phone holder mount for $13.97 on Amazon allows you to easily clip your phone onto an airplane seat for hands-free convenience. Maybe you loaded up that latest season of your favorite show or have a game to occupy that long-haul flight. Either way, holding your phone with a craned neck for hours and hours is bound to give you a strain. Just hook this bad boy up to the back of the seat in front of you on the airplane then sit back, relax, and enjoy. Buy the Universal in flight phone holder at Amazon Travel with an ultraportable laptop Asus ZenBook S 14 Thomas Rau If you’re going to get a super-light laptop, the Zenbook S 14 is a fantastic pick because it weighs just 2.65 pounds, which makes sit lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air. We gave this one a 4.5-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, appreciating the fantastic battery life and lovely large OLED screen. Plus, the laptop has an Ultra 7 processor, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. You can also check out our other best ultraportables or our best laptop roundup for even more options. Buy the Asus ZenBook S 14 at Best Buy Or opt for a 2-in-1 for even more versatility HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 IDG / Josh Hendrickson If you want a more versatile laptop, then a 2-in-1 model will do, like our very favorite HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. The 360-degree hinge will make it easy for you to turn this laptop into a tablet and into a Netflix-watching tent in a blink. The 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED touch display is absolutely gorgeous and the 500 nits make it perfect to use everywhere you go. Buy the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 at Amazon Increase your screen real-estate with a travel monitor Azorpa A1 Gamut Matt Smith Sometimes you just need a second monitor, even when you’re traveling. The extra screen really helps productivity for business travelers and it makes for a great way to play your portable games on a larger screen while on the road. We really like the Azorpa A1 Gamut which delivers good image quality for an extremely budget friendly price—the A1 Gamut is usually about $70 on Amazon. It also comes with useful connectivity options and a solid build quality that will stand up to the rigors of travel.  Buy the Arzopa A1 at Amazon Grab some extra storage Crucial X9 Pro IDG If you plan on taking about a million pictures and videos and you want to have a safe way to back them up without relying on random hotel Wi-Fi, then you can also grab a portable SSD. The Crucial X9 Pro is the best external SSD for most folks because it’s not only affordable but also super fast. We gave the X9 Pro a near-perfect score and our Editors’ Choice award, utterly impressed with the 10Gbps performance and the small form factor. Buy the Crucial X9 Pro at Amazon Back up your pics Ugreen USB-C Ugreen This absolutely tiny USB-C card reader is the perfect way to back up some of those pics you took on vacation without relying on hotel Wi-Fi or your limited data. If your phone doesn’t have a microSD card, a card combined with this tiny reader makes a great external storage option. Or, if you’re using a camera with a microSD card, you can back up the pics to your laptop to free up space. It doesn’t hurt that it’s super affordable. Buy the Ugreen USB-C microSD at Amazon Stream content in your hotel room Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Amazon If you’re going to travel, you may as well keep up with your shows. The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD makes it super easy to bring all your favorite shows with you anywhere you go. You’ll just need to pop this thing in the TV, connect it to the hotel’s Wi-Fi (or the hotspot you set up), and just have fun. It’s also super affordable, available for $35 (although it’s frequently on sale for $20 or less). Buy now at Amazon Upgrade your car’s entertainment system Carlinkit 5.0 Carlinkit If your car’s entertainment system still requires you plug in your phone, then we have a nifty solution for you. This Carlinkit 5.0 dongle plugs into your car and allows you to wirelessly connect to it whenever you get in your car. In this way, you’re saving time and it’s so much more convenient. The Carlinkit 5.0 works with both CarPlay and Android Auto, so it doesn’t matter what type of phone you use. Buy the Carlinkit Android Auto & Carplay adapter at Amazon Read...

I’m not sure my puny human eyes could tell the difference between, say, 360Hz and 500Hz. But the sweatiest, most competitive of PC gamers say they can, and I’m not about to call them liars (especially if they’re teamed up with me in Fortnite). Said gamers might want to check out a pair of new monitor designs from AOC, which hit an incredible 610Hz speed. The Agon Pro AG246FK6 might not stand out in a crowd, what with its relatively small 24-inch 1080p panel. A TN panel, no less, which is generally restricted to the cheapest monitors. But while TN LCDs don’t have the best color accuracy or viewing angles, they can’t be beaten for speed. The panel operates at 600Hz natively, with a tiny overclock to hit 610Hz, with a 0.5 millisecond response time and motion blur reduction. Other gaming features include adaptive sync (which I guess is a thing, even at these speeds), HDMI 2.1 support, and RGB lighting on the rear. You also get a slide-out headphone holder on the left side. The Agon CS24A is almost identical with a couple of extra features… and yeah, that “CS2” in the model number is no coincidence. It’s branded with Counter-Strike 2, leaning into what is perhaps the most competitive of competitive shooters. While this version of the monitor uses the same panel, it drops the response time down to just 0.3 milliseconds and adds in official Nvidia G-Sync support. Plus, the stand is an incredibly tacky gold color, with a CS logo and a silhouette of a shooty dood. It even has a “CS2 mode” that allegedly sets it up perfectly for the game, with “sharper visuals, optimized gamma, reduced input lag, and ultra-smooth motion.” Which raises the question, if all these things are good for Counter-Strike 2, wouldn’t they be good for every game? Why not just call it “game mode?” Ah well, I’m not a marketer. KitGuru reports that the standard and CS2 versions will cost the same, 599 GBP (approximately $790 USD) when they release in August and September, respectively. Read...

If you’re running the Arm version of Windows—most notably on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ laptops—then you’ll be pleased to know that four more apps from Adobe’s arsenal have now been optimized for the platform, reports The Verge. The apps in question include Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, and Media Encoder, for which you’ll now find beta versions of their Arm editions. Unfortunately, these beta versions still lack some of the features in their non-Arm counterparts, and expect some bugs as well. For example, the current beta version of Premiere Pro’s Arm edition lacks support for third-party extensions, the ProRes raw video format, and hardware-accelerated playback and exporting of H.264 and HEVC in MP4. It’s the same story for After Effects, Audition, and Media Encoder. The good news is, the big missing features will come in a later release. That said, Arm support was added to Photoshop nearly five years ago, so it makes you wonder why Arm support was delayed for so long with these apps and why it’s taking so long to catch up. Read...