Eliana Willis

Jack WallenZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysNixOS is an open-source operating system that is available to install and use for free.It offers several desktop environments to choose from, is as rock-solid as any OS on the market, and performs quite well.However, there’s a fairly steep learning curve for installing non-free software.What new Linux users need to knowBefore we get into this review, I want to offer some information for users who are new to Linux. If you’re uncomfortable using the command line or diving down rabbit holes to figure out how to do something that should “just work out of the box,” then NixOS is probably not for you. Also: Fedora 41 beta is blazing fast and a great reason to try a new Linux distroHowever, that’s not to say someone with minimal familiarity with the command line would fail with this distribution. For example, if you only need open-source software, NixOS could be a viable option. If, however, you need apps like Chrome, Slack, and Spotify, you might run into some frustration that will send you packing back to Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or (ugh) Windows.With that said, let’s get to what makes this distribution great.  More

Lance Whitney/ZDNETThe new iPhone 16 can be pricey. The base model starts at $799 More

da-kuk/Getty Images Intel, once the undisputed computing titan, faces unprecedented challenges. In the last week, the industry was shaken by explosive news: Apollo reportedly has offered a multibillion-dollar equity investment in Intel, while Qualcomm is exploring a potential takeover of the semiconductor giant, valued at $90 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal.  Intel’s woes are […] More

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe latest Honor Magic V3 is the best-designed foldable phone I’ve tested so far. At just 9.2mm thick when folded, it builds on the success of the Magic V2 and extends its lead over the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Having used both Samsung and Honor foldables, I can confidently say the Honor is far ahead regarding hardware.Also: What to expect from Meta Connect 2024: Affordable Quest 3, AR glasses, and moreFor reference, the Honor Magic V3 measures 9.2mm when closed and 4.4mm when unfolded. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is 12.1mm folded and 5.6mm open, while Google’s new Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 10.5mm and 5.1mm. Both Samsung and Google have reduced the weight of their foldables to 239g and 257g, respectively, but Honor went even further, bringing the Magic V3 to just 226g — lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. More

MacBook Pro 2018 15-inch Silver laptop computer. Jason Cipriani/ZDNetApple has quietly designated nine Mac models as obsolete and three MacBooks as vintage. These changes were initially spotted by MacRumors on the tech giant’s support website.Also: M3 MacBook Air review: Apple’s AI computer for the masses has arrivedBefore going over the new entries, it’s important to define the terms. “Obsolete”, in this context, means a product that Apple stopped selling over seven years ago. As a result, the company will no longer offer repairs or hardware services. Third-party service providers can’t even order parts for the devices.There is one exception to the rule. If you bought one of the affected MacBook models within the past 10 years, you “may be eligible for an extended battery-only repair” — so long as supplies last. Apple will not be manufacturing any more batteries.Also: M3 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air: Which Apple laptop should you buy?”Vintage”, on the other hand, refers to a product that Apple stopped selling over five years ago, but “less than seven”. The major difference here is the tech giant will still offer parts and service. However, the availability of the components can differ. More

Ryan McVay/Getty Images I currently have five external drives attached to my System76 Thelio, each of which serves a different purpose. I have one to house virtual machines, another for music files, another for backups, one for photos and videos, and one for miscellaneous things. Using these ensures the drive housing my operating system never […] More

Amazon/ZDNETIf you’ve been looking for a new digital storage option, Amazon has a deal on the 4TB Samsung T5 Evo More

Panuvitch Wuttichaikitjaroen/Getty Images Nine months ago, Intel made Altera — its unit that produces programmable chips — a standalone  business — with the intention of spinning it public in 2026.  On Monday, Altera executives showed off new chips at their annual developer conference, making the case for why Altera will dominate programmable chips in years […] More