More stories

  • in

    The best Samsung TVs of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

    Looking for a TV to take your gaming to the next level or to make movie night special? Need something for everyday viewing? Samsung’s newest additions to their TV line-up offer plenty of reasons to consider upgrading your old Samsung set. The latest TVs provide the premium video and audio quality Samsung is known for, along with a 144Hz for smoother action in movies, shows, and games. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a Samsung set that will fit your needs.Also: The best TVs you can buyWhat is the best Samsung TV right now?ZDNET staff went hands-on with plenty of Samsung TV models, and our pick for the best Samsung TV overall is the Samsung S95D More

  • in

    The best Garmin watches of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

    Garmin GPS sports watches aim to help you improve your health and wellness by collecting data from your daily lifestyle and using the Garmin Connect ecosystem to analyze and present the data in useful ways. Garmin has significantly improved its track record for supporting previous models with the latest software features while also releasing new smartwatches with innovative features. You can even join the public beta program to try out the latest and greatest features before they are released to everyone. Also: The best smartwatches we’ve tested What is the best Garmin watch right now? I’ve tested nearly every popular Garmin watch on the market, evaluating their features, durability, battery life, price, and more, to help you determine which model is best for your fitness, wellness, and other tracking needs. I typically run, row, ride, hike, walk, sleep, and live with the watches for weeks at a time before providing my final evaluation of the watch. My current pick for the best Garmin watch overall is the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED More

  • in

    5 lightweight Linux distributions with very low system requirements

    Tyler Daviaux (Unsplash)/ZDNETDo you have an old PC lying around? Maybe your Windows 10 PC won’t support Windows 11, and you’re not interested in purchasing a new machine. What do you do?You can turn to a lightweight Linux distribution. This type of operating system typically has very low system requirements and can make older machines feel as if they’re brand new. Although there are some distributions that claim to be lightweight, I’m limiting my choices to those whose system requirements are equal to or less than a 1GHz CPU, equal to or less than 2GB of RAM, and a minimum of 10GB storage. I’ve also only chosen those distributions that don’t skimp on the features in favor of speed.Also: The 4 most Windows-like Linux distros to try because change is hardBut which distribution should you choose? Let me help you with that.1. Linux Lite More

  • in

    I invested $50 in Bitcoin in 2022, and it’s been a ride. Here’s how much I have now

    ZDNETWelcome to 2025. It’s Jan. 1, and this is my first article of the year. As I have in every first article since 2022, I’ll be talking about Bitcoin. Specifically, I’ll discuss how much money I gained or lost on my vast Bitcoin holdings over the previous 12 months.To put this into perspective, let me define what I mean by “vast.” On Jan. 1, 2022, after a celebratory New Year’s Eve filled with whatever was playing on BritBox that evening, I decided to take the plunge. I decided to invest my entire PayPal account balance into Bitcoin.Also: 4 top personal finance apps for Linux that run on MacOS and Windows, tooPayPal, you see, had just announced that it would become a Bitcoin wallet provider. That meant all I had to do was give up even more personal identifying information than I normally do to PayPal, along with my PayPal balance, and I would become the proud owner of what was then slightly more than 0.001 of a Bitcoin. My start with Bitcoin During the process of setting up my Bitcoin investment on that cold and cloudy morning, I regained some degree of self-control and perspective. Rather than putting my entire PayPal balance of $64 into Bitcoin, I decided to invest a more sane $50 (plus the $1.15 in fees PayPal demands for its always-so-helpful participation in any transaction).That self-control came in clutch when, after just a week, my holdings dropped almost 14%. More

  • in

    The best mini PCs of 2025: Expert recommended

    PCs have been through a number of evolutions in terms of form factor (fancy word for size), transforming from big, heavy, and quite ugly beige boxes that took up a lot of desk space to something no bigger than a hardback book that packs enough power to handle all but the most demanding of workloads.Say hello to the mini PC: A PC that’s just as comfortable tucked behind a TV, popped on a shelf, or hidden in a cupboard as it is sitting on a desk. These mini PCs pack a punch and have everything that you could want from a modern PC — and take up the least amount of space possible. Also: The best power banks: Expert testedWhat is the best mini PC right now?I’ve tested and researched the current mini PC offerings on the market, examining specs and paying close attention to user reviews, and my top pick for the best mini PC is the Intel NUC 13 Pro Arena Canyon More

  • in

    The best USB-C chargers of 2025: Expert recommended

    Let’s talk USB-C chargers. Not the big, powerful GaN models that can power laptops and charge a multitude of devices simultaneously, but the sort of charger that someone might need for their smartphone or tablet. You know, the sort of thing that once might have been included with a new device, but is often now eliminated to increase profits.So let’s take a look at a selection of the best USB-C chargers on the market for your smaller devices. Also: The best power banks: Expert testedWhat is the best USB-C charger right now?I’ve been testing chargers ranging from small USB-Cs up to large portable power stations for years. It’s difficult to distill down a shortlist of the best USB-C chargers, but based on my previous testing, research, and user reviews, I’ve got a roundup of the best. My pick for the best USB-C charger overall is the Anker 313 45W USB-C charger More