Eliana Willis

The right laptop for video editing needs to handle software like Adobe Premiere Pro without slowdowns. A performance machine is indispensable for these kinds of demanding tasks. As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, our experts continue to rigorously test the best laptops for video editing to help you find the perfect tool for your creations. Also: The best laptops for graphic designersWhat is the best laptop for video editing right now?We performed extensive research and hands-on testing when looking for the top video editing laptops you can buy today. We looked for models that excelled in processing power, display, and price, among other metrics. Our pick for the best laptop for video editing overall is Apple’s M4 MacBook Pro More

LG’s Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 from earlier this year. Kerry Wan/ZDNETLG just announced that it’s expanding its lineup of Gram laptops in 2025, which includes launching the company’s first-ever Copilot+ PC and its first devices powered by Gram AI, its proprietary hybrid AI that utilizes both on-device and cloud-based AI models. Expected to be unveiled at CES 2025, the Gram, Gram Pro, Gram Pro 2-in-1, and Gram Book are just as slim and lightweight as last year’s models. We tested them, and can confirm that they’re some of the thinnest, lightest laptops we’ve ever seen. What’s new is that they now come equipped with LG’s on-device “Gram Chat” AI to process and analyze data locally, even when not connected to Wi-Fi.  Also: I tested the lightest 16-inch convertible laptop of the year, but that’s not even its best featureGram Chat’s hybrid approach utilizes LG’s EXAONE large language model when offline, but when connected to Wi-Fi, it employs cloud-based AI powered by GPT-4o. LG Research released its EXAONE 3.0 LLM earlier this year after a three-year development period.So, what does this mean for laptop users? AI all day, every day, whether or not you have Wi-Fi. LG says Gram Chat integrates with calendar and email apps, enabling the AI to help manage a user’s schedule as well as send and receive emails and messages. It also leverages the “Time Travel” feature, which can revisit web pages, documents, videos and audio files (which sounds a little bit like a certain controversial Windows feature).  More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETIf you’re a subscriber to the Nextdoor app, you’ve seen ample footage of prowling ne’er-do-wells caught in the eye of a video doorbell or home security camera. Hopefully, you don’t have your own first-hand experience with suspicious characters milling around your front porch, or far worse.For good reason, security cameras continue to grow in popularity, and we can expect them to become even more reliable and affordable in 2025. Also: Siri’s secret recordings lead to a $95 million settlement. Could you get a share?While we don’t necessarily require super high-res imagery from these discrete little devices, you can get the most out of them by being mindful of a few factors — especially where you position your camera(s). 1. Avoid obstructions (even future obstructions)Obviously, you won’t be putting a lens behind anything that blocks its view. Sometimes, though, that can include objects that change in size or shape over time, like trees and shrubs. During wintertime, a clear view of your yard may become a different story when branches bloom with new foliage in the spring.The same can apply to interior views, at least with objects that come and go. Will shutting a door somewhere within your camera’s line of sight block out a good percentage of its field of vision? Will your pet cat find a favorite spot to curl up in for hours at a time, right in front of the device? More

Whether you’re connecting your TV or setting up a gaming console, there is no shortage of HDMI cables to buy. Cords and cables are a dime a dozen, but not all of them provide the support and performance you need.  Also: Check out these best gaming consoles for your new HDMI cableWe scoured the market to find the best HDMI cables for your home and work devices, ensuring that the price matches performance. Before you hook up your next electronic device, consider these best HDMI cables to do the job.What is the best HDMI cable right now?If a cable is well made and conforms to the specifications, then that’s a good cable, and there’s no point in overspending. As such, my top pick goes to AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI cable More

Daniella Ramirez/ZDNETThe next time you run low on your favorite food, you could place an Instacart order straight from your refrigerator — including items that your fridge added to the shopping list.Samsung announced today that it’s teaming up with Instacart to let you place a grocery order directly from your refrigerator’s screen. This order can consist of items you placed there and things your fridge knew you needed. Also: CES 2025: What to expect and how to watchSamsung said this feature will be introduced first in the company’s 2025 Bespoke models — the 32-inch “Family Hub” display version and the 9-inch “AI Home” display version. The feature also will roll out to existing AI Family Hub+ units through over-the-network firmware updates later this year. Neither the AI technology nor the screen-ordering technology is new on its own, but it’s the first time you can use them together.Refrigerators with screens have been around for years (both from Samsung and other manufacturers), and some of these did let you place Instacart orders, but were limited to items you put in your cart.  More

To make your 2025 trips as seamless and efficient as possible, you’ll need a trip planner. Guide is an AI travel planning tool that helps you create personalized itineraries based on your trip preferences. Once you create an account, you can input your travel details, and Guide will generate a customizable schedule for your desired trip, with hotel, restaurant, activity, and attraction suggestions. You can modify Guide’s suggested itinerary to your liking by adding new activities and restaurants or by moving current suggestions around.  More

ZDNETAs you step into the new year, it’s natural to reflect, declutter, and set fresh goals for 2025. But there’s a simple resolution you might not have considered: Giving your iPhone a fresh start.Take a moment right now to check your browser tabs. How many are open on your phone? Go ahead, look — you might be surprised. Also, take note of the apps running in your task manager. A quick swipe-up-and-hold from the home screen will show you exactly what’s still running in the background.Also: We’ve used every iPhone 16 model and here’s our best buying advice for 2024Let’s make a resolution to clear your browser cache more often. It’s a quick way to boost performance and free up space. These small habits can make a big difference in keeping your phone — and your year — running smoothly.After all, we spend more than 5 hours a day on our smartphones. That’s more than five hours of your phone accessing, retrieving, and saving cache and cookies, which can negatively impact your iPhone’s storage space.How to clear the cache from Safari on your iPhoneWhat you’ll need: Everything you need to clear your browser cache is in the iPhone’s Settings app or the Safari app, so grab your iPhone to get started.Remember that clearing the cache can clear private data, which can close all open tabs in Safari. This action is also likely to log you out of all your websites. You will be prompted to sign in the next time you open these sites. More

As the competition to produce higher-performing laptops at ever-competitive price points heats up, different brands have embraced their reputations and specialized offerings to set themselves apart. We’ve tested machines from all of the top brands out there and can safely say there are certain things brands do better than others. So where does Dell stand? Let’s take a look. Dell vs. LenovoLenovo is known for its utilitarian, durable design philosophy, particularly with its iconic ThinkPad line of laptops. They’re robust, versatile, and have a reputation for being workhorses, especially in the office. By contrast, Dell is known for some rather innovative designs. The Dell XPS 14, for example, is a powerful laptop that is visually daring with its flush keyboard, “InfinityEdge” display, and invisible trackpad. Also: This Dell Inspiron is one of the most versatile, well-rounded laptops I’ve testedMany Lenovo laptops are designed for the enterprise space and exude a conservative, “down to business” element. On the other hand, Dell laptops are versatile and marketed toward a broad range of consumers, from creators to businesses to home users. Dell vs. AppleApple needs no introduction when it comes to brand aesthetics. Its minimalist, sleek design is evident in all of its products, and users still see Apple at the forefront of innovation. Its MacBook line of laptops are some of the highest-performing laptops on the market, and they compete in processing power with even the highest-tier Windows machines. Dell’s laptops are much more varied, with some resembling familiar, (even non-descript) designs, and others reaching for bold design elements and statement-making looks. One thing both companies have in common, however, is an emphasis on high-performing hardware. Dell vs. HPHP’s line of laptops reaches a broad range of consumers, from budget machines to high-end laptops like the new OmniBook X 14. Dell laptops put an emphasis on customizability — particularly in a business context — while HP laptops tend to target consumers seeking a balance between affordability and function, as well as familiar branding. Dell vs. MicrosoftMicrosoft’s latest Surface Pro attracted a lot of attention for its innovative, 2-in-1 form factor, something Dell is not particularly famous for. If you’re looking for a convertible laptop/tablet device, both brands offer solid choices, with Microsoft’s machine at the cutting edge of design and form. Also: I bought the cheapest Surface Pro 11 laptop: 3 takeaways as a Windows expertThe Microsoft Surface Laptop is also a sleek, high-performing laptop for creators, business users, and home use alike, and one that we praised earlier this year for its versatility and AI readiness.  More