Setting Up Your Home Office

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. At $259.99, this Surface and Office bundle is built around a straightforward pitch: you’re essentially paying for the software and getting a basic laptop. The included Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business delivers most of that value, with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, all in a one-time purchase tied to your Microsoft account. It runs offline, avoids subscription fees, and offers a few modern upgrades, such as faster Excel performance on large sheets and AI-assisted suggestions for writing and formatting. PowerPoint now lets you…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Having a powerful monitor with high-end specs can make gaming more immersive and make input lag as small as possible, which is helpful for any serious gamer looking for an edge over their opponents. The Samsung Odyssey G9 is a 49-inch gaming monitor with some impressive specs, including a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1 ms response time. It's available for $699.99 (originally $1,299.99 at launch), $20 off the lowest price it has ever been, according to price-checking tools. Samsung 49-Inch Odyssey G9 DQHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor…

It's no secret that Apple is way behind in the generative AI race. While other companies, like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic have had major wins over the past three and a half years, Apple has stumbled to find its footing, rushing to release features with varying levels of success. Now, that's not necessarily a bad thing, depending on who you ask. While Microsoft has shoved its AI products into as many apps and services as possible (to the degree that the company has since had to back off), Apple users have largely been able to ignore Apple Intelligence if they wish. As it happens, Apple was a bit too eager to oversell its AI endeavors. Back in 2024, Apple hadn't really …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop is built for hands-off use, and this refurbished unit is on sale for $134.99 at StackSocial right now. As for its refurbished status, while it might have little to no cosmetic wear, it will look close to new and be fully functional. Since this is a hybrid cleaner, you can send it out while you’re working or stepping out, and it’ll handle both vacuuming and light mopping in one run. For navigation, it uses 360-degree LiDAR to map your home and move in a grid, rather than bouncing around r…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. JBL's portable speakers are known for their long-term durability, superb sound quality, and solid bang for the buck in terms of features. One crowd favorite is the JBL Flip 7, released in 2025. Right now, a new JBL Flip 7 is 43% off and down to $84.95 on Woot (originally $149.95). JBL Flip 7 $84.95 at Woot $149.95 Save $65.00 Get Deal …

Hyrox classes are popping up everywhere, and there are a few massive Hyrox races planned in various U.S. cities this year. I am (I say with some trepidation) signed up for one of them. So here's a breakdown of what Hyrox is, why people like it, and what to expect if you decide to give it a try. At the end I'll go through a couple of common questions people have. Hyrox’s origins (and what "Hyrox" means)Hyrox is a young sport, and was started by a company that holds a trademark for the name. In that way it’s a bit like Crossfit, which is also a trademarked name for a specific company, not just a term for a style of working out. It’s been said that Hyrox is short for “hybri…

DuckDuckGo has been my default search engine for years. Its big selling point is that it doesn't track you nearly as much as Google does, but there's more to DuckDuckGo than that privacy claim. You can use DuckDuckGo to anonymously try AI chatbots (including ChatGPT and Claude), filter out AI-generated images from results, and shorten URLs without leaving the site. If you're using DuckDuckGo, try these 10 hacks to make the most of the search engine. Turn off AI features to simplify your search experienceDuckDuckGo recently added a bunch of AI features, but, luckily, you can turn off most. To disable AI-related features in DuckDuckGo, go to the search engine's settings pag…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. A discounted tablet from a couple of years ago usually comes down to one thing: how much performance you actually need. The 2022 Apple iPad is currently on sale for $239.99 in Grade-A refurbished condition on StackSocial—the 10th-generation model with 64GB of storage and wifi. Since it’s a 2022 release, it doesn’t have the latest hardware or the longest update runway ahead, but for basic, predictable use, the lower price can outweigh those trade-offs. In regular use, this iPad feels familiar in a way that works to its advantage, with apps opening qu…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Google’s Pixel phones have spent the last few years becoming the default recommendation for people who want a straightforward Android experience without dealing with heavy software skins or overloaded features. The Google Pixel 10 Pro continues that approach, though its original $1,219 price made it harder to justify against competing flagship phones. Now, Amazon has dropped the unlocked 512GB model to $969 (its lowest price yet, according to online price trackers), and that makes it easier to appreciate what Google actually does well here. Goo…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. A good OLED gaming monitor still costs more than most mid-range GPUs, which is why this Acer Predator X27U deal stands out. At $369.99, down from $549.99, this is the lowest price the monitor has hit so far, according to price trackers. Acer Predator X27U OLED Gaming Monitor $369.99 at Amazon $549.99 Save $180.00 Get Deal …

I am obsessed with the "Conversate" app in my Even Realities G2 smart glasses. Overall, the glasses are sci-fi cool—they project a small, monochrome HUD in front of your eyes but look like normal glasses—but Conversate is essential. The AI-driven productivity tool is designed for work meetings but it's fun in social settings too, and you can use it to scam free drinks from bartenders. Use Conversate and never take notes in a meeting againIf you've ever left a work meeting thinking, "wait, am I supposed to file the TPS reports, or is it Gary's week?" consider Conversate. I don't multi-task well, so listening while taking notes can be difficult. Conversate solves that prob…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. The rumors are true: Google has announced a $99.99 smart band called the Fitbit Air, and is relaunching the Fitbit app as Google Health. There's a lot here I'm excited about: an affordable smart band without a mandatory subscription, with a full-featured app that may, if Google's promises check out, offer a meaningful alternative to Whoop's app. Here's what we know about the band, and how it's going to fit into the ecosystem if you already have a Fitbit or a Pixel Watch. The band is impressively lightweight and comfortable-looking Left: the Fi…

Virtual meetings are essential to remote work—but they can also be tedious. If Zoom is your video conferencing platform of choice, there are lots of hidden features you can tap to make meetings more efficient for hosts and engaging for participants. Here are the best tips and tricks for getting the most out of Zoom. Use self-selected breakout rooms to create a virtual networking eventVirtual networking is already awkward, and potentially even more so if you send people to random breakout rooms to force conversation. While meeting participants are commonly assigned to breakout rooms automatically, Zoom has a feature that allows individuals to choose their breakout and mov…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Last weekend, I strapped two Garmin running watches to my wrists and raced a 10K—the top-of-the-line Forerunner 970 on one arm, and the budget-friendly Forerunner 165 Musicon the other. Whether you're toeing the line at your first 5K or chasing a marathon PR, one thing I learned is that even the most powerful running watch in the world won't help you on race day if you haven't set it up properly beforehand. Here's the checklist I wish I'd had before race day. Garmin Forerunner 970 $649.99 at Amazon $749.99 …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Netflix's conflict-heavy anthology series Beef, from creator Lee Sung Jin, just concluded its second season, which saw wealthy country club managers Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan go head-to-head with the help, played by Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton. That followed up a first season involving Steven Yeun and Ali Wong in a road-rage scenario that developed to operatic levels of chaos before the run of episodes was over. All dramatic, but also funny! Nothing wrong with a little conflict, as long as it's happening to other people. Dead to Me (2019 – 2022) Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini make for an all-tim…

Before you send your next Instagram DM, be warned: Whatever you share with that friend, influencer, or business could potentially be seen by anyone—including but not limited to hackers, law enforcement, or even Meta itself. As of today, May 8, 2026, Instagram DMs are no longer end-to-end encrypted (E2EE). Your messages are vulnerable, whether you're discussing a reel you saw, or sharing your Social Security number. (Please don't do this.) E2EE is necessary for any messaging service that wants to protect its users' privacy. This level of encryption ensures that the only people who can read the contents of a conversation are the ones with access to the devices involved. Whe…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Active noise cancellation, Bluetooth multipoint, app-based sound customization, and decent battery life often cost well over $50. That is why the Anker Soundcore P30i stand out at its current $24.99 sale price on Amazon, down from $49.99 and currently at its lowest price ever according to price trackers. These are built for people who want more than just basic wireless audio without spending much money, and they manage to cover most of the essentials surprisingly well. Anker Soundcore P30i Earbuds $24.99 …

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Google’s Pixel Buds line has long appealed to Android users who want the convenience of AirPods without paying flagship-earbud prices, and the new Google Pixel Buds 2a continue that approach with several meaningful upgrades over the older Pixel Buds A-Series. Right now, they are down to $109 from $129 on Amazon, their lowest price so far according to price trackers. That discount makes them much easier to recommend for anyone looking for everyday earbuds with “almost pro-level specs but for much less,” as our writer put it in her review. Google…

Canvas, the cloud-based learning management system used by more than 8,000 colleges and universities, including all top ten colleges in the U.S., is being held for ransom. A group called Shinyhunters has claimed responsibility for the hack and has given Canvas' parent company, Instructure, until May 12 to reach a settlement, or else "everything is leaked." Canvas outages have been reported nationwideThere's no word on how many schools have been affected, but reports of students being unable to access Canvas are coming in from universities and colleges all over the country. Over the last half an hour, complaints of Canvas being down have gone from nearly none to over 8,000…

We’re living through a full-fledged skinny epidemic. Even if seeing celebrities get thinner and thinner doesn’t mean anything to you, notice how marketing for various weight loss products is getting increasingly ubiquitous. When I look around, the onslaught doesn’t stop with all the ads for GLP-1s. What has really caught my eye recently is how I—a fitness writer who happens to be pretty thin—keep receiving targeted ads for different types of “AI body scans.” These services take a few different forms (which I dive into below), but what they all try to sell is the same idea: Apparently, I don’t know enough about my body. It turns out I need to know my body fat percentage, m…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. In my years reviewing speakers, I've learned a couple of things: Reputation and price get me to buy it, but if I dig the look, I'll keep using it over better options. This is what Marshall speakers, in general, nail. They look great while still doing their basic job as a portable speaker well. Right now, the Marshall Emberton III is $129.99 (originally $179.99), its lowest price yet, according to price-tracking tools. Marshall Emberton III Portable Bluetooth Speakers, Wireless, IP67 Rating …

Despite expert advice against relying on chatbots for mental health questions and concerns, people are turning to AI programs like ChatGPT for help. The company has faced criticism for how its products have handled certain mental health issues—including episodes where users died by suicide following conversations with ChatGPT. As part of a campaign to address these problems, OpenAI is now rolling out a voluntary safety check system for users who might be concerned about their thoughts. As reported by Mashable, OpenAI just launched "Trusted Contact," a new feature that lets you choose a trusted person in your life to connect to your ChatGPT account. The idea isn't to share…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. I've never really felt the need to own a power station, but when my city got hit with winter storms that took out our power for multiple days, that changed. They're the kind of thing you don't know you need until you need it—so consider learning from my mistake and get one ahead of time. When I finally bought one, I went with the EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus, which is now $1,499 (originally $2,199) after a 32% discount. The EcoFlow website is also having an up to 45% sale on multiple products right now. EF EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus Portable Powe…

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. For anyone looking for big, balanced sound, a compact size, and a portable smart home hub in their smart speaker, the Amazon Echo Dot Max remains a superior choice that earned a PCMag Editor’s Choice Award for packing lots of features into a well-designed package. Right now, it’s 25% off and at its lowest price ever of $74.99 (originally $99.99) in every color. Amazon Echo Dot Max $74.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $25.00 …