SSDs are the way to go if you're looking to upgrade your laptop or PC. Not only are they compact, they also usually pack good performance, especially when you're talking about M.2 SSDs. Of course, you're going to have different levels of performance depending on the price, which is why going with the best will often cost a lot more.

Adobe Express is one of Adobe’s most versatile tools. Not only does it have an integration with other Adobe software including Acrobat and Illustrator, but it also features useful video and animation tools. If you’re trying to replace your Adobe workflow with open-source alternatives, there are questionable choices for like-for-like Adobe Express alternative software. You’ll have to sacrifice some things to achieve an open-source version of what Adobe Express offers you.

Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS) is a feature introduced in Windows 10 in May 2020 and has continued into Windows 11. It's often touted as a feature that you should turn on or turn off depending on who you're speaking with, and you may find that some games have problems when it's enabled. However, it's a net-positive feature for most people, even if there are some teething issues at present.

I have been a Windows user for as long as I can remember. It all started with a cheap PC, but in recent years, I’ve been using AMD Ryzen-powered PCs from Lenovo and HP. I’ve had no complaints whatsoever with any of my Windows PCs. However, earlier this year, I broke the Windows laptop I used daily and started looking for a new one. I was almost certain I’d get another Windows device, but the geek in me wanted to try something new. That’s how I ended up with an M3 MacBook Air. It’s a great device — very light and powerful — but after using it for over four months, I’ve concluded that it’s just not for me.

Opening your first project in Blender can be extremely daunting if you've never worked on a 3D modeling program before. But as overwhelming as it can be for a beginner, the best way to learn the ins and outs of the software is to start with projects that are fun and tailored to your preferences.

Benchmarking is a crucial part of the PC building process, as it allows you to quantify the performance of your newly built PC. Benchmarking the components will tell you how well they perform heavy loads, and whether they overheat or show any abnormalities when pushed to their limits.

The power supply unit (PSU) is vital for all desktop PCs. This component handles the conversion of power from alternate current (AC) to direct current (DC). Your PC parts can't work with AC and require a stable, reliable DC supply that a power supply provides. Everything connects to the power supply, albeit some parts indirectly through the motherboard. Should your PSU encounter issues, buy a PSU from an unreputable brand, or overload it with more powerful parts, you risk causing irreparable damage. Thankfully, power supplies are designed so they shouldn't go out with a bang. Here are some signs the PSU could be on its way out.

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge WP Engine just won a preliminary injunction against WordPress parent company Automattic. On Tuesday, a California District Court judge ordered Automattic to stop blocking WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org resources and interfering with its plugins.The preliminary injunction comes after WP Engine, a third-party WordPress hosting service, filed a lawsuit that accused Automattic and its CEO, Matt Mullenweg, of “multiple forms of immediate irreparable harm.” It later asked the court to stop Mullenweg from restricting WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org.Mullenweg waged a public campaign against WP Engine in September, accusing the service of misusing the WordPress trademark and not contributing enough to the WordPress community. After blocking WP Engine from WordPress.org’s servers, Automattic took control of WP Engine’s ACF Plugin.Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín found merit in WP Engine’s claims that Automattic’s actions harmed business relationships, saying Mullenweg’s “conduct is designed to induce breach or disruption.” As for Automattic’s argument that blamed WP Engine for relying on WordPress.org to power its business, Judge Martínez-Olguín didn’t find it very compelling. “While Defendants characterize WPEngine’s harm as self-imposed because it built its business around a website ‘that it had no contractual right to use...’ Defendants’ role in helping that harm materialize through their recent targeted actions toward WPEngine, and no other competitor, cannot be ignored,” the ruling states.The Verge reached out to Automattic and WP Engine with a request for comment but didn’t immediately hear back.The ruling found the WP Engine showed it will suffer irreparable harm without injunctive relief, while also impacting members of the WordPress community. Under the preliminary injunction, Automattic will have to take down the list of companies it displayed on a site it created to track outgoing WP Engine customers, as well as remove the checkbox that asks WordPress users to verify they’re not affiliated with WP Engine when logging in.

If you're planning to get a new laptop or PC or have already purchased one, it's a good idea to sell or give away your current one if you no longer need it. However, selling a computer isn't as straightforward as it seems. Before you pass on your old device to someone else, there are several important steps to take. These steps will not only help you get the best value for your laptop, but also protect your privacy.

Since the Raspberry Pi 5 was released, people have tried turning it into a gaming machine. We've seen portable consoles, emulators, and even arcade cabinets that use the mighty SBC as its beating heart. Now, the PS3 emulator RPCS3 is ready to roll on the Raspberry Pi, albeit you'll need to put up with a lot to enjoy your time with it.

Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge The Steam Deck OLED, the best version of Valve’s gaming handheld with additional battery life, a slight increase to performance, and an eye-popping screen, can now be purchased refurbished for $110 less than it costs brand-new. Valve has just begun selling certified refurbished Steam Deck OLED models starting at $439 in the US, UK, Canada, and EU. That buys you the 512GB model with a glossy screen, while the 1TB anti-glare model can be had for $519 — less than the $549 you’d pay to get even the 512GB model brand-new. (The 1TB model normally costs $649.) Like my colleague Jay Peters just told me in Verge Slack, “$439 is a steal for the OLED.” Valve doesn’t currently have stock of refurbished LCD models, though they can be as cheap as $279.Happy Tuesday! We've officially added Steam Deck OLED to our Valve Certified Refurbished program today, and refurbished Steam Deck OLED units are now available for sale in the US, Canada, UK, and EU. Learn more here: store.steampowered.com/sale/steamde...— Steam Deck (@steamdeck.com) 2024-12-10T23:01:42.824ZLike Valve’s refurbished versions of the original LCD model, which has a slightly smaller and slower screen, Valve says it gives each unit “an extensive examination involving over 100 tests at one of Valve’s facilities,” including a battery health check, and Valve says they’ll “meet or even exceed the performance standards” of brand-new units. They each come with a carrying case, refurbished power supply, and one-year warranty — but they may have “minor cosmetic blemishes.”Valve introduced the Steam Deck OLED in November 2023, and a year later, it’s still one of the very best ways to play PC games on the go. No other handheld has surpassed its ease of use, though the Asus ROG Ally X did finally meet or beat it in battery life while offering better performance. While lots of other Windows handhelds are on the way, and maybe even some other intriguing hardware from Valve, the company’s been pretty clear it won’t release a new Steam Deck soon — not till newer chips let it offer a big leap in performance without sacrificing battery life.

Image: FTC President-elect Donald Trump has selected Andrew Ferguson to be the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission. Ferguson will take over for Lina Khan, who has earned praise from Vice President-elect J.D. Vance for her efforts to fight big tech.“Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump says in a post on Truth Social. According to a document obtained by Punchbowl News’ Ben Brody, Ferguson’s pitch for the job included intentions to “reverse Lina Khan’s anti-business agenda,” “hold big tech accountable and stop censorship,” and “protect freedom of speech and fight wokeness.” The document also said Ferguson would “fight back against the trans agenda.” Ferguson was first sworn in as an FTC commissioner in April, but Trump says that Ferguson will begin his role as chair on “day one” of his administration.“At the FTC, we will end Big Tech’s vendetta against competition and free speech,” Ferguson writes in a post on X. “We will make sure that America is the world’s technological leader and the best place for innovators to bring new ideas to life.”Trump also announced that he is nominating Mark Meador, currently a partner at an antitrust law firm, to be an FTC commissioner.