HP held its Amplify conference this week in Nashville, where it announced something in the range of 60 new laptops. Seriously, I can't even keep track. But while digging through press releases, I realized that the devices themselves are the least important part of the show.

For the longest time, I've hated making handwritten notes. Okay, that's an understatement—it should be "since forever." I welcomed the digital age, although it came too late for me to avoid handwriting my notes in school. I do the bulk of my writing with a Topre HHKB keyboard that goes with me everywhere, so I don't have to deal with adjusting to another keyboard.

Microsoft began rolling out Windows 11 version 24H2 (also known as the 2024 Update) last year, but over the past few months, it has had to selectively restrict availability for some users due to the presence of major bugs. For example, it paused rollout for affected customers in December 2024 after the emergence of issues related to gaming and audio, and then again in February 2025 due to problems with AutoCAD 2022. Now, in a reversal of fortune, the Redmond tech firm has decided to make the latest version of Windows 11 available to more consumers.

For years, Notion has been my go-to for everything from project management to personal note-taking. While Notion excels in many areas, its reliance on cloud storage and rigid structure began to feel limiting. I wanted the freedom of local files and the ability to build a truly interconnected network of ideas. That’s why I decided to test Obsidian, a powerful markdown-based app known for its flexibility.

Despite the fact that Git is considered to be a developer-only tool, it has a lot of uses for non-developers too. It's also not just restricted to the likes of GitHub and GitLab, as you can run your own Git server through the likes of Gitea on your NAS. As for why you would, there are a few reasons to. Some are for developers, and some just make your life easier, especially when it comes to productivity thanks to version control.

Setting up a NAS as a Plex server is one of the best things about owning one — you get to build your own Netflix-style library with minimal effort. Plex automatically sorts and labels your media, giving you a sleek, organized collection instead of scattered Blu-ray discs or endless nested folders, in case you’ve already gone digital. But when Plex doesn’t run smoothly just when you’ve gotten comfortable on the couch to watch something, it can kill the vibe in an instant. So, here are some common Plex issues and how you can fix them before they ruin your movie night.

The Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 is one of the best convertible laptops that you'll find on the market right now. While we haven't reviewed this particular model, we did have the pleasure of reviewing its sibling, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro, which we loved.

Besides preventing large corporations from gaining access to your precious data, hosting apps and services on local hardware can help you save hundreds of dollars on monthly subscriptions. Thanks to more developers moving into the self-hosting landscape, there’s no shortage of cool applications you can run on your home server.

Microsoft has a problem. If StatCounter is to be believed, 58.7% of Windows users have stuck to Windows 10, despite it losing support in just over half a year. And while Windows 11 has picked up the pace and now takes 38.13% of the market, it's still lagging behind its older brother. If you're looking for a way to upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, Microsoft has a bright idea: just trade in your old PC and use the money to get a new one. Sheesh, why didn't I think of that?

Having a high-end graphics card in your gaming PC doesn't necessarily mean you'll get the best performance out of it. Games could still not run as smoothly as you expect due to various other factors. Back in 2012, I built my first PC with an Nvidia GTX 680 and an Intel Core i7 3770K, and I fully expected it to handle almost any game I threw at it smoothly. Unfortunately, my experience was far from perfect since I cheaped out some other components.

Buying a new GPU in this market feels like a cruel joke — almost everything is out of stock, retailers have become scalpers themselves (willingly or unwillingly), and finding a GPU at MSRP seems like it'll never happen again. I believe there's a high probability of that being the case, considering what we're seeing in and around the GPU market. GPUs selling above the MSRP in the first few weeks after launch isn't new, but something feels different this time.

Microsoft Visio has long been the industry standard for creating professional diagrams. However, its availability through commercial plans can be a significant barrier for many individuals and organizations. Even a separate Microsoft Visio access requires a subscription or a hefty one-time purchase. Thankfully, the open-source community offers a wealth of powerful and completely free alternatives.