Eliana Willis

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETAre you migrating to Linux from Windows 10, but your computer is on the, uhm, older side? Although the machine ran Windows 10 just fine, perhaps you’re looking to enjoy a bit more pep from that aging CPU, minimal RAM, and a small internal drive —  and you’ve decided that Linux is the answer.Most Linux distributions will run quite well on that Windows 10 machine. But if you really want to get the most out of the hardware, you could install a lightweight Linux distribution (such as elementaryOS or Bodhi Linux) and then use lightweight applications. If you want a blazing-fast machine, that’s your ticket.Also: Your Windows 10 PC isn’t dead yet – this OS from Google can revive itThe even better news is that plenty of lightweight Linux apps are available to install and use for free. Why don’t I introduce you to some of my favorites?1. MidoriMidori is a web browser that’s about as simple and lightweight as possible. But don’t let its lightweight nature fool you; it includes features like rapid page loading, JavaScript support, support for HTML5 and CSS3, tabbed browsing, a customizable UI, built-in search engine options, bookmarks, session management, anti-tracking, customizable user agent, and a built-in PDF viewer. Although I’ve found that Midori doesn’t always work as expected with every site, it still renders pages very fast and well.  Also: 5 lightweight browsers that can make your old PC feel like new againMidori can be installed on any Linux distribution that supports Snap or Flatpak.2. AbiWordWord processor seems like such a whimsical phrase these days. Word processor. Word. Processor. Most users assume one has to install a full-blown office suite — such as LibreOffice — to write words on a page to be saved for later edits. That is not the case on Linux — thanks to AbiWord. AbiWord has been around for a very long time. I remember depending on it to create documents that could be shared with Microsoft Word users. It wasn’t always easy, but I could make it work. Here’s what AbiWord had over the likes of Microsoft Office and LibreOffice: It was an application that worked alone and didn’t depend on an office suite.  More

Meta If your teen has a fake birthday on their Instagram profile to get around age restriction policies, their days of beating the system may soon be over. In a blog post, Instagram says that starting today it will use AI to detect users lying about their age and automatically move those accounts to one […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The combination swivel and 260-degree rotation offer a high level of flexibility for the connector The breakaway magnetic connector not only prevents damage to the device, but it also allows the cable to cater to three different ports The cable is limited to 100W and 480MBps. more buying choices Regular readers […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The EarFun Wave Life headphones are available on Amazon for $59. These headphones offer crisp, spacious sound and can last for days on a single charge. Although the headphones sound great out of the box, you’ll want to connect them to the EarFun app to get the most out of them. […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways At $200, the Sony Ult Field 3 speaker is a mid-range powerhouse with great sound and ample bass. With a 24-hour battery life and features that encourage speaker syncing, the Ult Field 3 would be perfect for regular hosts and music lovers. I can’t think of anything wrong with this incredible […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The 2025 LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 is on sale now for $1,399. This new generation performs better than last year’s model, while keeping its record-breaking thin design. However, the laptop has some of the same issues, namely a tendency to run hot. –> The LG gram Pro 2-in-1 made a […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The JBL Charge 6 will be available for purchase on April 6 for $199 in Black, Blue, White, Red, Camo, and Purple. The Charge 6 offers great sound, durability, battery life, and in-app features. Although it’s waterproof, constant, untreated exposure to salt and chlorine can incur internal damage, just like any […] More

Jason Howell/ZDNETGoogle’s A-series Pixel phones have consistently offered exceptional value, bringing premium features to the mid-range segment. With the recent launch of the Pixel 9a, consumers now have a choice between two compelling devices at similar price points. The Pixel 8a, released in 2024, remains a strong contender despite its successor’s arrival. Also: I replaced my Pixel 9 Pro with the 9a for two weeks – here’s my buying adviceThis decision is particularly relevant for current Pixel 8a owners considering an upgrade, as well as new buyers weighing their options. While both phones share Google’s software excellence and AI capabilities, they differ in several key areas, from design philosophy to hardware specifications. Let’s break down the key differences.  Specifications Pixel 8aPixel 9aDisplay 6.1-inch OLED Actua Display with up to 120Hz6.3-inch OLED Actua Dispay with up to 120HzWeight 190g187g Processor Google Tensor G3Google Tensor G4RAM/Storage8GB with 128GB/256GB8GB with 128GB/256GBBattery4,492mAh with 18W wired charging, 7.5W wireless charging5,100mAh with 23W wired charging, 7.5W wireless chargingCamera64MP wide, 13MP ultra-wide, 13MP front48MP wide, 13MP ultra-wide, 13MP frontConnectivity5G Sub 6GHz, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, HE80, MIMO5G + Sub 6GHz, Wi-Fi 6E with 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, 2×2 MIMOPriceStarting at $499 More