The level of noise emanating from my earliest PCs would have put my PS4 to shame, but I'm much more sensitive to the decibel levels of my main rig now. This is why I made it a point to eliminate as many sources of noise from my PC as possible without encountering other problems. It started with limiting the number of hard drives and switching to an AIO cooler, followed by upgrading to larger fans and using a CPU that doesn't need heavy-duty cooling. My PC is now quite silent during most workloads.

You might find it kind of sad to put a hard-earned gadget into a protective case. To me, it's freeing. Using a case relieves me of the worry that it will accumulate tons of little scratches. So, I wasted no time testing cases on the new Nintendo Switch 2, and it didn't take long for me to find one that I think is the best.I tried several types of cases on the Switch 2. I tested flimsy shells that snap or slide onto the Switch 2 to provide a simple, aesthetically pleasing barrier from scratches to the console and its Joy-Cons. I also tried slim cases that have one job: to protect the console when it isn't in use.I just listed my high standards for form-fitting cases made to fit the Switch 2 while it's in use. However, the bar for slim zip-up/clasp cases is lower. They just need to protect the console and, ideally, provide some extra value, like a pocket for cables or cartridge storage.As for my favorite case, I didn't want to make any major compromises; I wanted one that's just as good for handheld mode as when docked, which is why I think the Dbrand Killswitch is the best model overall. I published a full review of the Killswitch, but the skinny is that while it's perhaps mo …Read the full story at The Verge.

For many PC builders and tech enthusiasts, the go-to choice for fast storage is almost always a brand-new consumer SSD. After all, they are fast, readily available, and affordable. However, I’m deliberately opting for used enterprise-grade SSDs instead of their brand-new consumer counterparts. This isn’t just about chasing a bargain; it's a calculated decision to strike a balance between durability and consistent performance.

If you are always looking for an edge, a way to squeeze more out of your day, and complete that growing to-do list, you are not alone. For me, the secret weapon lies in niche Docker containers. While everyone talks about the big-name tools, I have discovered a few unsung heroes in the Docker ecosystem that have transformed my workflow. These aren’t your typical web servers or databases. I have hand-picked specialized, often overlooked containers designed to tackle productivity bottlenecks.

While there are some worthy competitors to Microsoft's spreadsheet application, Excel remains the leading performer in terms of both popularity and the number of features it offers. And it continues to get better, with Microsoft adding a plethora of new features to Excel every month. Not only that, but the company also highlights everything it adds to Excel, which is super convenient for tracking what's new.

Out of Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, which one do you feel respects your library of old games more? If you ask me, I will always, hands-down, say that Microsoft has everyone else beat. I mean, the Xbox Series X and S still support some original Xbox games. Yes, the console that came out in 2001. That Xbox. That's akin to the PS5 reading PS2 disks, or popping your CD copy of Super Mario Sunshine for the GameCube into your Switch 2 (somehow).

Mini PCs can be quite versatile, becoming easy replacements for your work PC, home lab, security setup and more. Perhaps the most surprising thing, though, is that they can be gaming PC replacements as well, coming in with plenty of power at a fair price. So, if you've been looking to downsize your setup but still maintain the same type of power you're used to, we think this GMKtec mini PC is going to be a fantastic solution.

Network-attached storage (NAS) often has finite resources without much wiggle room to upgrade internal parts. This is especially so with prebuilt enclosures from brands such as Synology and Asustor. That said, there are some ways you can improve the performance of the NAS without spending too much money. Before switching to a mostly DIY home lab setup, I made the most of my NAS enclosures through a few different ways, getting as much from each model as possible before outright replacing them.

Grand Theft Auto VI is set to have one of the biggest maps the series has ever seen. And in expected Rockstar fashion, they’re filling this massive open world with a ton of fun and interesting activities for players to do. While there has been speculation that we may be able to scuba dive or participate in dirt bike races. These are the side activities that Rockstar has confirmed are in the game at this point.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is an expansive, captivating sequel filled with huge environments to explore and a big story from Hideo Kojima to try and wrap your head around. But one of my favorite additions is a small one: an in-game music player that basically functions as your own iPod.Woodkid, a co-composer on the game (and whose real name is Yoann Lemoine), tells The Verge that the music player was important to Kojima because it's "the way Hideo is in everyday life… He plays songs all the time." (And posts about songs on social media, too.) "I think he wanted the players to be able to have the same experience," Woodkid says.Music was a big part of the original game. Some of my favorite moments from the first Death Stranding took place when songs from artists like Low Roar, Silent Poets, and Woodkid kicked in while exploring the game's world. That still happens a lot in Death Stranding 2, and it's just as effective at setting a mood. But with the personal music player, accessible right from the pause menu, you can create your own vibe as you're traversing the game's expansive environments.Woodkid worked with Kojima for three years to make music for DS2. In the game, hi …Read the full story at The Verge.

Ace Two Lite. | Image: Veloretti Dutch bicycle brand Veloretti just announced a slimmed-down version of its excellent Electric Two series of electric bikes for European commuters.The step-over Ace Two Lite is a lighter and less expensive version of the very heavy Ace Two e-bike I reviewed back in 2023, which ditches the sublime Enviolo automatic shifter in favor of a simpler single-speed, belt-driven transmission. It’s being sold alongside the step-through Ivy Two Lite for €2,599. The original Ace Two and Ivy Two e-bikes live on, only now they carry a Pro suffix and a new lower price of €2,999. That gives Veloretti a collection of e-bikes that straddle the €2,681 European average.I should note that the Lite models aren’t exactly lightweight. They shave 3kg (6.61 pounds) off the Pro frames, putting them at 27kg (59.5 pounds) instead of 30kg (66.1 pounds). That’s still heavy, but Veloretti e-bikes ride super sturdy when carrying around groceries or kids as Europeans are apt to do — with hydraulic brakes that carry over to the Lite models to bring everything to a controlled stop. The removable 540Wh battery is still there too, which contributes another 3kg (6.61 pounds) to the overall weight. That large battery is capable of providing between 60-120km of range, which varies based upon the rider, chosen power-assist level, weather, and terrain. The Lite models still feature integrated front and rear lighting, but the brake-light feature has been removed. I’d have preferred that Veloretti ditched its overwrought integrated display, but it lives to fight another day. The Ace Two Lite is available in graphite or matte black, while the Ivy Two Lite is only available in matte black. They’re available to buy now with delivery in 6 to 8 weeks.

When the Trump Organization launched the Trump Mobile wireless carrier, it also launched a flagship phone called the T1 Phone 8002 (gold version). One of the phone’s main selling points was that it was to be made in America. We figured that was unlikely to be true. And we were right: sometime in the last several days, the Trump Mobile site appears to have been scrubbed of all language indicating the phone is to be made in the USA. (Like, for instance, the huge banner on the homepage that says the T1 is “MADE IN THE USA.” Just to name one example.)Instead, the Trump Mobile website now includes what can only be described as vague, pro-American gestures in the direction of smartphone manufacturing. The T1’s new tagline is “Premium Performance. Proudly American.” Its website says the device is “designed with American values in mind” and there are “American hands behind every device.” Under Key Features, the first thing listed is “American-Proud Design.” None of this indicates, well, anything. It certainly doesn’t say the device is made in the USA, or even designed in the USA. There are just… some hands. In America.That’s not the only thing that appears to have changed about the phone since its launch last week. It was originally advertised to have a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen, but now the T1’s site says it’s 6.25 inches. The site used to list the phone as having 12GB of RAM, and now doesn’t list RAM at all. It’s not entirely clear what’s happening here — the Trump Organization hasn’t responded to a request for comment — but it looks like Trump Mobile may have switched suppliers for the T1. Whatever’s going on, it’s certainly another reason to doubt whether this phone is for real. (The badly photoshopped image of the phone hasn’t changed, though, so that’s something.)When Trump Mobile first launched, it was also promising the T1 Phone 8002 would ship in September. Now, the only timing I could find was “later this year.” Probably best not to hold your breath.