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We live in hope. Hope that Microsoft commits to a full new operating system this autumn rather than yet another feature update, as some predict. But most of all we [...]

If you're not ready for Wi-Fi 7, that's understandable. Most of us haven't caught up with Wi-Fi 6E yet, which only hit the mainstream around 2020 while we were distracted [...]

Back in 2006, Clive Humby - a British mathematician and most famous of data scientists - said that data is the new oil. But if it weren't for code, that [...]

1 Chipset The chipset is a collection of controller chips that manage the flow of data between the CPU and other components. It might be hidden under a heatsink, as [...]

New technology klaxon! The Eero Max 7 is the second mesh we've seen--TP Link's Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System BE85 was the first (APC 526, 5/5 stars)--that works with Wi-Fi 7, [...]

Neural Processing Units (NPUs) are specialized chips designed for AI operations, specifically working with data structures called tensors. NPUs enable complex on-device AI processing that regular CPUs would struggle with, allowing applications to take advantage of AI processing functions. NPUs are becoming increasingly important in consumer electronic devices such as laptops, smart TVs, and smartphones. The capabilities of NPUs are measured in TOPS (trillion operations per second), providing a reasonable yardstick for comparing different NPU models and designs. While cloud-based AI services have significantly more power than on-device NPUs, local processing offers advantages in terms of latency, cost, and privacy. Personal devices can offer useful AI experiences by using cut-down versions of AI models and offloading some processing to cloud services. [Extracted from the article]

This article from PC Pro discusses how to repurpose an old router as a Wi-Fi extender to improve signal strength and coverage in your home. The article explains different modes that can be used, such as access point mode, repeater mode, media bridge mode, and mesh mode, each with its own advantages and limitations. It also provides instructions on how to change the operation mode of routers from popular brands like Asus, D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, and TP-Link. The article concludes by mentioning the option of using third-party firmware like OpenWrt to turn an old router into a repeater. [Extracted from the article]

This article presents a compilation of desired features and improvements for the next version of Windows, referred to as Windows 12. The authors consulted experts and users to create a wishlist that includes better touch interface support, improved AI integration, a more cohesive user experience across devices, and enhanced performance. They also express a desire for a split-personality option for work and personal use, improved webcam software, and a commitment to ARM architecture. The authors hope that Microsoft will address these frustrations and deliver an operating system that meets their expectations. Additionally, the article discusses various features and improvements that library patrons would like to see in Windows 12, such as an open approach to storage, the ability to exclude certain updates and prevent driver updates, improved backup and system transfers, class-leading remote access and setup, more timely security updates, built-in protection against ransomware attacks, and changes to the user interface. The article also mentions the desire for a better touch interface, voice-typing capabilities without relying on the cloud, improved support for working from home, and better compatibility with ARM processors. Overall, the article provides a range of perspectives and suggestions for enhancing the Windows operating system. [Extracted from the article]

Google's ChromeOS Flex platform is a lightweight and secure operating system that can breathe new life into old computers. It can be downloaded for free and installed on any Intel-based PC or Mac. While it may not run on every computer and lacks certain features like Android apps and Windows virtualization, it offers a secure environment with regular automatic updates. The installation process is straightforward, requiring only a USB flash drive. Users can also customize their experience and install Linux apps for additional functionality. ChromeOS Flex is a viable option for individuals and businesses looking for a cost-effective solution. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the benefits of using a digital stylus for interacting with computing devices, particularly tablets. It explains the different types of styluses available - resistive, capacitive, and active - and their respective features and functionalities. The article also provides recommendations for the best styluses in the market, such as the Apple Pencil, Microsoft Surface Pen, and Samsung S Pen, highlighting their compatibility and unique features. Additionally, it delves into the history of computer styluses, tracing their evolution from the RAND tablet and light pens to modern-day stylus interfaces. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to set up a personal cloud server using a Raspberry Pi. It explains that cloud storage is important but often comes with fees and storage limits. By setting up a personal cloud server, users can have unlimited storage without any fees. The article offers instructions on installing the Nextcloud package on a Raspberry Pi and enabling remote access to the server. It also emphasizes the importance of data security and provides tips on minimizing the risk of data loss. The text further explains how to set up and use Nextcloud, including instructions on installing it, configuring SSL certificates, accessing files through a web browser and desktop client, and using external storage for Nextcloud files. The article also mentions the availability of personal cloud server components on modern NAS platforms and provides recommendations for cloud-focused NAS options. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the various aspects of charging battery-powered devices, such as smartphones and laptops. It explains the evolution of USB charging standards, including the USB 1.0, USB 2, USB 3, and USB Power Delivery (PD) standards. The article also highlights the importance of using the correct cables and chargers to ensure fast and efficient charging. It further explores the concept of wireless charging using the Qi standard and provides information on legacy chargers with barrel connectors. The article concludes by emphasizing the need to match the power requirements of devices with the appropriate power supply. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the challenges of achieving the advertised speeds of gigabit internet connections, particularly when using Wi-Fi. It explains that Wi-Fi setups often cannot handle gigabit connections due to limited bandwidth and interference. The article provides tips for optimizing Wi-Fi performance, such as placing the router close to devices and using Ethernet cables for better connections. It also discusses the importance of using modern Wi-Fi standards, such as Wi-Fi 6, and upgrading routers and network cards for faster speeds. The article concludes by noting that while gigabit internet may not be necessary for many everyday tasks, it can be beneficial for remote work, file sharing, and certain gaming experiences. [Extracted from the article]

ChatGPT will either herald the next generation of automation or end humanity if you've watched the Terminator films one too many times. But when you strip away the hype surrounding [...]

PiVPN is a free tool that allows users to turn their Raspberry Pi into a VPN server. This enables users to securely access their home devices from anywhere in the world and route their internet activity through their home ISP connection. PiVPN is easy to install and configure, and it supports both the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. Users can create client profiles for their VPN connections and access their VPN through the WireGuard or OpenVPN client apps. It is important to ensure the security of the PiVPN installation and to set up port forwarding on the router for external access. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides tips on how to optimize Windows Defender and other built-in security tools in Windows. It explains the history and evolution of Windows Defender, which is now known as Windows Security. The article highlights the improved performance and effectiveness of Windows Security in recent years, making it a viable option for most users. It also discusses features such as automatic updates, ransomware protection, anti-phishing measures, parental controls, and additional security tools available for Microsoft 365 subscribers. The article acknowledges that while third-party security alternatives may offer additional features, Windows Security is sufficient for most users. It also suggests alternative methods for managing security settings, such as using PowerShell or third-party front-end tools. Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of Windows Security and its capabilities. [Extracted from the article]

This article from PC Pro provides instructions on how to create a Wi-Fi heatmap to identify areas of strong and weak wireless coverage in your home or office. The article suggests using a pen and paper to sketch out a floorplan and then walking around the space with a smartphone or laptop to check the signal strength and record the findings on the map. It also recommends using heatmap software, such as the Wifi Heat Map app for Android, to generate a more detailed and colorful digital heatmap. The article explains how to use the app to capture signal strength readings and create a heatmap that can be used to optimize the performance of your wireless network. It also provides information on understanding the numbers and troubleshooting performance issues. [Extracted from the article]

The article explains how to run Windows applications on Apple Silicon Macs, despite the discontinuation of the Boot Camp utility. Microsoft has developed an ARM edition of Windows 11 that can be purchased or downloaded for free as an Insider Preview release. However, running Windows on a virtual machine may result in slower performance compared to running it on a real Intel PC. Various virtualization hosts, such as Parallels, UTM, Oracle VirtualBox, and VMware Fusion Player, can be used to create the virtual machine. The article provides step-by-step instructions for downloading the Windows installer files, creating the virtual machine, and installing Windows. It also mentions that Windows Insider builds do not come with stability or support guarantees. The future of Windows on ARM looks promising, with new ARM processors from Qualcomm, AMD, and Nvidia expected to improve performance and competition in the market. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a collection of product recommendations and reviews from the PC Pro podcast. It features a variety of tech products, including smartphones, extended reality glasses, fitness trackers, video camera systems, phone accessories, game kits, routers, speakers, AI tools, portable power stations, tracking devices, laptops, and portable speakers. The recommendations are made by different individuals on the podcast, each offering their own perspective and opinions on the products. The document includes brief descriptions of each product, its price, and the nominator's opinion on whether it is a good choice or not. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the advantages and specifications of Ethernet connections compared to wireless networking. It explains that Ethernet connections can provide faster and more reliable speeds than Wi-Fi, with Gigabit Ethernet being the most common implementation. The article also discusses different types of Ethernet cables, such as Cat5e and Cat6, and their compatibility with different connection speeds. Additionally, it mentions link aggregation as a way to increase network bandwidth and the use of Ethernet switches to expand the number of ports in a network. The article concludes by highlighting the simplicity, security, and low latency of Ethernet connections compared to wireless. [Extracted from the article]

This article from PC Pro explains how to create graphical interfaces for programs using Microsoft Visual Studio. The article provides step-by-step instructions for creating a sample graphical application in Visual Basic that loads a text file, sorts its lines alphabetically, and saves the sorted lines under a new name. It covers topics such as setting up the project, customizing the form, adding buttons and text boxes, and writing code for button functionalities. The article also suggests potential refinements and further exploration of graphical applications. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents the discussion on networking is one of those magical areas of technology. Topics include Operations such as downloading a web page or backing up a file to a NAS appliance take just a few clicks or taps; and focusing on functions rather than specific technologies – so it's still wholly applicable to modern networking systems.

While the whole point of the Fediverse is that you can access content from any server, the fastest and easiest way to find good content and new people to follow is to browse the "all posts" feed on your own home server. The administrator of your Fediverse server can choose to defederate from specific servers that host troublesome users. You're naturally free to use a server that isn't on these lists - that's the whole point of the Fediverse - but sticking to officially accredited instances gives you some assurance that your server won't be shut down without warning, or get defederated from other servers for having a poor reputation. [Extracted from the article]

In TCP/IP, the bottom layer is the "link layer", or "network access layer". When network engineers talk about "Layer 2 load balancing" or "Layer 3 switch hardware", they're using the OSI definitions: these are universal terms that are understood across networks of all types, and will probably continue to be long after TCP/IP has fallen by the wayside. Layer 5 The session layer While the lower four OSI layers effectively focus on individual network operations, Layer 5 deals with longer-lasting "sessions" - that is, open-ended communication channels that remain available until they're intentionally closed. [Extracted from the article]

The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is an affordable Wi-Fi 7 router that offers decent specifications and performance. It has a lower price compared to other Wi-Fi 7 routers and provides enough bandwidth for most households and home offices. The router also has good wired connectivity options and a USB connector for file sharing. However, it does not support multi-link operation (MLO), which is a key feature of Wi-Fi 7. Overall, while the RS300 is a solid router, it may be worth waiting for future Wi-Fi 7 models that fully utilize MLO technology. [Extracted from the article]

And once you're set up, a password manager makes life easier, as well as more secure, in ways that go well beyond the simple password-saving features of your browser. CHOOSING A PASSWORD MANAGER So, which password manager should you choose? Password managers protect your data using a master password, which must be provided whenever you want the software to paste your login details into a site or app. FEATURES Password managers are like security suites or backup tools: we all know we ought to be using one, but most people don't. [Extracted from the article]

In practice, we doubt you'll ever see a 16x16 MIMO connection: multiplexing pushes up the cost and complexity of the design, which is why consumer Wi-Fi 6 and 6E devices rarely go beyond 2x2 MIMO. Wi-Fi 7 allows more devices to connect at faster speeds 6 THE FIRST WI-FI 7 DEVICES ARE ALREADY HERE If you're eager to get a device with a Wi-Fi 7 logo, you don't need to wait long. Broadcom has been shipping Wi-Fi 7 chipsets since April 2022, and both Qualcomm and MediaTek are offering Wi-Fi 7 solutions. Otherwise, the encoding and transmission systems are identical to those in Wi-Fi 6, but reduced interference in the higher frequency range means that 6E devices often achieve better real-world performance than a standard Wi-Fi 6 connection on the 5GHz band. [Extracted from the article]

Bluetooth 1.1 followed shortly afterwards, containing mostly bug fixes; in 2003, Bluetooth 1.2 added the adaptive frequency-hopping technology that helps Bluetooth avoid the worst effects of interference. 2010 BLUETOOTH 4 The fourth-generation Bluetooth standard brought the biggest update the technology has seen: a new "low-energy" mode known as Bluetooth LE, or just BLE. Bluetooth 4.2 made it possible to use Bluetooth over IPv6, rather than relying on native radio hardware, the intention being to allow IoT devices to use Bluetooth technologies over an internet or LAN connection. BUILD A GAMING POWERHOUSE BLUETOOTH has become so commonplace that you probably used it today without even thinking, but it's a technology that is worthy of deeper consideration. [Extracted from the article]

The 13in MacBook Pro with the standard M2 chip scored 1,899 and 8,911 respectively, while the 2021 MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro CPU managed 1,768 and 12,477. For video editing, as with other tasks, the 14in MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro processor should handle most projects, but the M2 Max version is even faster. It comes with a choice of Apple's latest high-end M2 Pro and M2 Max processors; there's no option for the standard M2 chip, as found in the 13in and MacBook Air models. REVIEWS THIS MONTH SCORE Rated 5 out of 5 stars PRICE M2 Pro, from £2,249 (£2,699 inc VAT); M2 Max, from £2,791 (£3,349 inc VAT) from apple.com/uk The new 14in MacBook Pro is designed to be the fastest laptop you can take anywhere - with the battery life to back it up. [Extracted from the article]

For AMD's Ryzen 7000-series processors, the socket AM5 connector is an almost identical LGA design, with 1,718 pins. 1 Chipset The chipset collection is a of controller chips that manage the flow of data between the CPU and other components. 2 CPU socket Intel's 12th and 13th-generation desktop processors use the LGA1700 socket format. Alongside the CPU cores, a mobile processor might contain memory, storage, and networking controllers, so there's no need for a separate chipset - it's all bundled into one system-on-a-chip. [Extracted from the article]

FEATURES The top ten programming languages Software analyst TIOBE (tiobe.com) compiles a monthly ranking of programming languages, based on web traffic. 1 Python 17.2% 2 C 15.1% 3 Java 12% 4 C++ 10.8% 5 C 4.3% 6 Visual Basic 4.1% 7 JavaScript 2.8% 8 Assembly language 2.2% 9 SQL 1.8% 10 PHP 1.7% 1 Python The TIOBE index makes Python the most popular programming language in the world - or at least, the one people want to know about more than any other. Here are a few that are worth checking out: codecademy.com khanacademy.org codeavengers.com udacity.com Programming vs scripting Languages such as Python and JavaScript are sometimes referred to as scripting languages, rather than programming languages. BELOW Scratch is a great tool for youngsters to learn programming basics DIAGRAM: Top 10 programming languages DIAGRAM: Top 10 programming languages DIAGRAM: Top 10 programming languages. [Extracted from the article]

The Netgear Orbi 970 is a premium Wi-Fi 7 mesh system that offers exceptional hardware and performance. It boasts an aggregate wireless throughput of 27Gbits/sec, divided across four radios, including a 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz network. The system is physically large and comes with a high price tag, with a twin-pack costing £1,500. While the Orbi 970 is one of the fastest Wi-Fi systems tested, it is recommended to wait for wider availability and potentially lower prices before investing in Wi-Fi 7 technology. [Extracted from the article]

Even if your router doesn't support multi-Gigabit Ethernet, you can buy a 2.5GbE-compatible switch for around £100, enabling client devices to talk to each other at top speed, while maintaining a gigabit connection to the router. This means you can, for example, have a 2GbE connection from your computer to the router, or a 2GbE connection from the router to the NAS - but not both. Environmental interference is a non-issue, and you don't normally need to worry about network congestion, either: while wireless routers have to divide up their bandwidth between any number of clients, every Ethernet connection represents a dedicated full-speed lane. Through the combined cleverness of IP and the Ethernet standards, the router can address and manage clients "through" the switch as if they were directly connected. [Extracted from the article]

The router also has its own internal address (typically 192.168.0.1) - but as part of your home internet service, your ISP also provides your router with a globally unique address. Strictly speaking, the router is associating the IP address with the hardcoded MAC address of the client's network interface, so if you were to take the network card out of one machine and put it into another, the IP address would go with it. Double NAT normally happens when you connect a device with router functions to a network that already has a router - for example, you might find that the only way to get a new Wi-Fi 6 router on to the internet is to plug it into your old ISP-provided router. It also allows the router to provide internet services to all the other devices on your LAN; when a computer on your network wants to connect to (say) wikipedia.org, the router forwards the request over the internet. [Extracted from the article]

As manufacturing processes have improved, DDR data densities have increased, enabling computers to support ever-growing RAM allocations without requiring huge numbers of memory slots or dozens of chips soldered onto the motherboard. Although DDR5 has the same number of total contacts, the notch is in a slightly different place, so it's impossible to force a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot, or vice versa. However, a single 16GB DDR5-6400 DIMM will currently set you back around $280, while a 16GB DDR4-2133 module can be had for $58, so whether it's worth the money is another question entirely. [Extracted from the article]

Incoming VPN Most people use a VPN to access external services, but you can also run your own VPN server on the Pi to provide a secure connection to your home network over the internet. FEATURES If you've read our recent feature on virtual private networking (see issue 334, p41), you'll know all the benefits of routing your internet connection through a trusted VPN provider. [Extracted from the article]

However, it also means that if you tell an SSD to overwrite a file, the new data will be written to a fresh set of cells, and those containing the original data won't be touched at all. Another interesting feature is the ability to overwrite deleted data with copies of other files, so that if anyone examines your disk they'll see ordinary data rather than the telltale bit patterns of a secure deletion algorithm. SECURELY DELETING ENTIRE DISKS We've focused on purging deleted files, but sensitive information can linger in other places, such as web caches, the system Registry or the Windows virtual memory file (which can contain information that was never even saved to a file). [Extracted from the article]

However, when you activate a VPN on a client computer, an encrypted connection is opened to a gateway server operated by the VPN provider, and all your internet traffic is diverted through this "tunnel". RUN YOUR OWN VPN Most VPNs are used for securely accessing the internet, but the technology can work in the other direction too: lots of businesses run their own VPNs to allow remote workers to "dial in" to the company LAN over the internet. Most VPN providers own and maintain a certain number of servers around the world, but hardware is often owned and operated by local companies, who lease out their capacity to the VPN provider. In turn, the VPN providers keep reconfiguring their own servers to evade recognition, so a VPN connection that's blocked today might start working tomorrow. [Extracted from the article]

There are two main types of update that are ordinarily delivered by Windows Update: quality updates and feature updates. It is sometimes possible to roll back a previously installed update: click to view your update history, then click "Uninstall updates" to see updates that can be removed. Antivirus updates When we talk about security updates in Windows 10 and 11, we normally mean the OS updates that install themselves via Windows Update. FEATURES Windows surely the Update least is loved part of Windows. [Extracted from the article]

PROBE YOUR NETWORK FROM THE OUTSIDE SCAN YOUR NETWORK FOR VULNERABILITIES Shields Up (pcpro.link/332shieldsup)isa free web service that connects to your home router and tests a wide range of ports and services. KEEP AN EYE ON YOURTRAFFIC Some router firmware includes a traffic meter that can break down network usage by client and by application. ISOLAYE UNYRUSYED DEVICES ON A GUEST NETWORK Almost every modern router supports at least one isolated guest network; we've seen some that support as many as nine. Butthere's no need to use these common IP ranges: in your router's DHCP settings you can change the third octet of the address to any eight-bit number you want, so your router could be 192.168.44.1 or 192.168.255.1. [Extracted from the article]

Today, contrary to the predictions of the early days of GPU computing, some of our recommended laptops and productivity desktops don't have a dedicated GPU at all. FEATURES In 2008, GPU computing was supposed to be the next big thing. At the moment, no other GPU manufacturer has anything to compete with Nvidia's RT and tensor cores: if you work in an app that takes advantage of them, you may well conclude that GPU computing is a revolutionary technology after all. [Extracted from the article]

The Asus RT-AX57 Go is a portable router designed for Wi-Fi 6 networks. It is lightweight and compact, making it suitable for travel or temporary workspaces. While it lacks an internal battery and SIM slot, it can be powered by an external source and supports a gigabit Ethernet WAN port for fixed broadband connections. The router offers a range of features, including network security, parental controls, and VPN support. It also has a unique Guest Network Pro feature that allows for customizable guest network access. Despite its small size, the RT-AX57 Go delivers impressive Wi-Fi performance. It is compatible with Asus' AiMesh system and can be used in conjunction with other routers. However, it does require cables and attachments for use. Overall, the Asus RT-AX57 Go is a versatile and affordable option for those in need of a portable router. [Extracted from the article]