Many users may not know that Windows 10/11 has a built-in memory diagnostic test. The tool is quite basic and easy to use and will test your RAM to see if it has any instability issues. There are a few different ways to find the tool, all of which are simple enough. The test usually takes around 20–30 minutes to run, though if there are any issues, they will be reported as they are found.

Smart home devices are super tempting. You can unlock your front door with your phone, walk into your house with the lights turning on automatically, and even ask your virtual assistant to make you a cup of coffee. But if you’re someone who spends more time on your new laptop than on your phone, it’s handy to have a way to control these devices from your computer. You can always check out your smart home device maker’s web apps to view camera feeds or control gadgets through any web browser on your Windows PC. There are also several other methods you can use.

If you're looking for one of the best gaming monitors that you can buy, this one from Alienware isn't going to disappoint. Alienware has been making some excellent monitors over the past few years, so it comes as no surprise that the Alienware AW3225QF monitor is one of our top picks for 2024.

There are lots of great gaming mice out there, but if you're looking to get one of the lightest options out there that doesn't look like a cheese grater, the Glorious Series 2 Pro is going to be right up your alley. This mouse looks good, and comes in at just 55 grams.

Earlier this year, I picked up an old 2018 iPad Pro at a garage sale. It was selling for an incredibly low price, so I thought of getting it primarily for consuming content when I'm flying. However, I barely used it a couple of times before it started gathering dust on a shelf. That's when I put it to better use. Initially, I planned on using it as a digital photo frame but realized it wouldn't be of much use. Then, I thought of using it as a smart home hub of sorts to control all my lights and speakers. But, I already had an Echo Show to do that. After some more deliberation, it hit me that I could convert it into a portable laptop that I could carry instead of my MacBook Pro when traveling.

Google Chrome is more than just a regular browser; it has long been a tool for productivity, creativity, and customization thanks to its vast extension library. However, when it started transitioning to Manifest V3 (MV3), a new standard for Chrome extensions, it impacted many extensions' functionalities. This change basically aims to enhance Chrome's security, performance, and user privacy, but unfortunately, it also means the end of the road for extensions reliant on the older Manifest V2 (MV2), such as ad-blockers, script managers, and downloaders.

Between Intel’s entirely new platform and AMD’s rather puzzling chipset refresh, motherboards are becoming exceedingly confusing to buy in 2024. The high-end motherboards are packed to the gills with features, and the low-end ones have become even more barebones than in the past. The mid-range options, though, have been contorted by both manufacturers in an effort to make their product segmentation a bit more margin-rich, to put it lightly.

Image: Serene Industries If statement keyboards are your thing and you have some serious cash to burn, you should check out this brutalist flagship offering from Serene Industries. The Icebreaker is a wedge-shaped mechanical keyboard constructed from a single block of CNC-machined aluminum, featuring hot-swappable aluminum keycaps with configurable RGB backlighting.Preorders are available now, with pricing starting at $1,500 for the wired version. A Bluetooth wireless and a wired version with magnetic hall effect switches are also available for $1,600 — the same price as a new 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro. The keyboard base comes in two colors — clear or black — with the latter option costing an additional $500. Serene Industries hasn’t provided an ETA on delivery, but says production will begin when pre-orders close on January 28th. Image: Serene Industries The design is very striking if you like a Cybertruck kinda vibe. Image: Serene Industries The keycaps appear lightly textured, alongside being ergonomically shaped for fingertips. The Icebreaker comes in a 65 percent layout and measures 450 x 44 x 24mm (around 17.7 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches). It sports a configurable integrated EC11 rotatory dial, dual silicone dampeners to help reduce noise and vibrations, and a 4,000 mAh battery that supports a battery life of around three months according to Serene Industries. The specifications don’t mention how much the keyboard weighs or what “full height” switches it comes with. We’ve asked Serene Industries to clarify and will update this piece if we hear back. Image: Serene Industries Here’s a look at the Icebreaker’s rear and side profiles, showing its aggressive wedge-shaped. There’s also premium features like “micro-perforations” on each keycap to allow the LED backlight to shine through, and 1/4-20 inch mounting points — three on the USB-C port face, and four at the base — for users to attach accessories like tripod mounts, monitor arms, or…axe handles.The design was partly inspired by the Flatiron Building in New York City, according to Serene Industries founder Denis Agarkov. When the Icebreaker was first announced in January 2024, Agarkov told Null Society that he aimed “to create a keyboard that goes against the prevailing trends, adopting a more distinctive and challenging design.” It’s certainly an expensive conversation starter for any keyboard collectors who want something more niche than your typical DIY kits.

A Marriott Hotel in Germany. | Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images The Federal Trade Commission announced on Friday it finalized an order (pdf) requiring Marriott International and subsidiary Starwood Hotels to improve their digital security, reports BleepingComputer. The FTC charged the companies with lax security practices that resulted in three big breaches detected in 2015, 2018, and 2020, “affecting more than 344 million customers worldwide,” leaking passport details, payment cards, and other info.The shortest breach lasted 14 months before it was detected, while the longest one saw attackers maintain access for four years, starting in 2018. The beefed-up security programs they've agreed to establish include creating policies to only keep information for as long as it’s needed and publishing a link allowing US customers to request the deletion of information tied to their email address or loyalty account.Hotels have been one of many key targets for hackers, with one breach last year catching FTC Chair Lina Khan among the many people left waiting to check in when a ransomware attack forced MGM Resorts to fall back on using pen and paper.The FTC announced its charges in October, accusing the companies of having “deceived consumers” with false claims of “reasonable and appropriate data security.” Their alleged failures included having bad password and firewall practices and not patching outdated software and systems. The same day the FTC revealed the charges, the Connecticut Attorney General’s office announced Marriott had agreed to a $52 million settlement.Beyond improving their security, the companies are now forbidden “from misrepresenting how they collect, maintain, use, delete or disclose consumers’ personal information; and the extent to which the companies protect the privacy, security, availability, confidentiality, or integrity of personal information.” Other requirements include that they keep compliance records and submit to FTC inspections. The order will stay in effect for 20 years.

Unbound is a great, self-hosted DNS server that you can run easily at home. It's highly customizable and efficient and can vastly improve the built-in DNS cache and resolver in your router. It's a project everyone can tackle, and while it can be intimidating at first, setting up a DNS server can have huge benefits for your network. Here are some of our top reasons why we think, in no particular order, everyone should set up a home unbound DNS server.

Whether you are a seasoned developer, a busy entrepreneur, or a student juggling deadlines, maximizing efficiency is key. Docker is a powerful platform that allows you to package applications and their dependencies into isolated containers. But with a vast library of containers available, finding the right ones for your productivity needs can be overwhelming. That’s why I have shortlisted the top Docker containers to streamline your workflow.

We really do miss our old Windows portable systems here at XDA. We often report on people bringing back Windows Phone in some way or another (including all the features that should make a return), but we haven't seen people bringing back the old Zune nostalgia. Fortunately, if you want to go back to Microsoft's doomed media player, this third-party alternative should act as an early Christmas present.