Latest in buying tips

You might think Apple’s relatively small laptop selection would make choosing a model easy. For some people, that’s true, but for others the tight range of options and prices makes for a difficult choice. A consumer with $1,200 could end up looking at both versions of the Air and the 13-inch Pro. I think all of the MacBooks are a good choice, but the reasons why are various. I’ll help you sort through the clutter and decide which MacBook is for you.
Keep Reading »

Electronics make up a significant portion of your household energy costs. Computers, printers, and WiFi routers alone account for around 25% of your electricity bill. While electronics are becoming more efficient, their increased use offsets the gains. At the same time energy prices are rising. There are a number of things you can do to control your energy bill and none of them cost you any money.
Keep Reading »

Amazon has built a reputation for great prices. Though not always the least expensive, and often not the best source for sale and clearance items, stock is generally inexpensive and comes attached to a large and lenient customer service department. In other words, Amazon.com is a good online store. Yet there are ways to squeeze even more savings out of Amazon.
Keep Reading »

So much for the paperless office! The integration of information technology has seemingly increased the amount of paper printing we have to do. So pretty much everyone with a computer needs a printer at some point in time. The problem is figuring out which printer is the best one for your budget AND workload. Laser, colour, inkjet, large format, photo quality, all-in-one, WiFi enabled, monochrome...there are a lot of jargon words around printers.
Keep Reading »

The iPad and iPhone remain incredibly popular and continue to command a premium over some competing devices. Apple generally doesn't do sales so, if you want to buy either for less than retail, going used may be your only option. Here’s everything you need to know before buying or selling.
Keep Reading »

The popularity of Android and iOS has put a target on their virtual backs. These operating systems are a new frontier for those who use malware to achieve nefarious goals. Many users don’t take security seriously and will happily download apps they've never dream of downloading to their PC. App stores have hindered as much as they've helped. You have to watch out for yourself – so here are warning signs to look for when grabbing a new app.
Keep Reading »

The quest for getting the most from your earphones begins well before you ever buy them. You might be swayed by the fact that such-and-such musician has their name on a certain pair of headphones, or that these particular earphones looks really cute, or dashing, or whatever. Those things just aren't important and won't enhance your music listening pleasure. This is all about the sounds and how they move you.
Keep Reading »

Are you looking for decent home audio? Unsure about spending upwards of $100 for a "reasonable" sounding iPod dock or 2.1 speaker system, but not got the money for a brand new stereo amp? You might just find yourself blown away by the second-hand market. For the money you put in, an old amp has the potential to provide way more bang for your buck than a modern active speaker system.
Keep Reading »

Are you waiting for a Nexus 4? You might wait a great deal longer if you don’t get one immediately after the Play Store restocks in mid-February. Fortunately, we don’t have just one method - this article presents six absolutely rock-solid strategies of becoming one of the first in line when the Nexus 4 arrives.
Keep Reading »

I built a new computer a few years ago. I’ve always considered myself above average in the tech field, but looking back, I have a few regrets with the system I built - some of my decisions could’ve been much better. Even if you’re thinking of buying a computer, not building one, you could be making the same mistakes as I did. Most of these mistakes come down to a lack of knowledge.
Keep Reading »

SD cards aren't all about storage! In fact, there are several other factors to consider, and when purchasing your cards, you should make yourself aware of them. That said, SD cards aren't all created equal, and it's important to be educated as to what separates each one from the rest. As a given, all types of data are different. Since I don't know your device, I can supply you with the proper information to make that decision on your own.
Keep Reading »

We like to reward our readers with excellent software. Paragon, among our most reliable rewards partners, has decided to help us do this with an amazing offer that will be available only for a limited time. Paragon bestsellers for home & home office can bepurchased through MakeUseOf today (12/12/12) for only $12.12. This offer has now [...]
Keep Reading »

With Thanksgiving passing into memory, we now have to prepare for one of the most joyous and festive holidays of the year: Christmas! And, for better or worse, Christmas is the season where we need to shop, shop, shop for gifts. Unfortunately, for those who don’t have the time or energy, shopping can be a big pain in the neck.
Keep Reading »

Giving the gift of tech is a great idea this holiday season, but it can be tricky. Most people aren’t geeks, unfortunately, and they may not appreciate the latest computer hardware, high-tech phones or cutting-edge software. It’s best to stick with something that’s impressive, yet also intuitive. That limits your options, but it doesn’t mean there are none. There’s a number of nifty tech gifts that are suitable for almost anyone.
Keep Reading »

Black Friday has spread to other places in the world, where it has nothing to do with Thanksgiving and everything to do with shopping. Most big stores and many small ones offer pretty good deals on Black Friday, but do you really take advantage of them? Are you an avid Black Friday shopper who stands in lines outside stores for a good deal?
Keep Reading »