From the “whatever” department: Amazon, Google and Best Buy are working on a “hacker-safe” label for smart devices. Scan the QR code for info on your new doorbell or TV, and see if it meets certain cybersecurity standards. The ETA for the label is later this year, but hackers always find a way.
Secret to trying a laptop out at home
Here’s a tech-savvy tip most people overlook: Just like returning clothes that don’t fit, you can often return a laptop if it’s not the right fit for you. The key is understanding the seller’s return policy. I’ll break it down so you don’t end up with an expensive doorstop.
Know the basics
Here’s what to look for in a return policy that lets you take a “try before you buy” approach:
- Return period: These range from 15 days to 90 days.
- Shipping and restocking fees: Some sellers hit you with return shipping or restocking fees of up to 25% of a laptop’s original price.
- Surprises: You may have to keep every bit of the original packaging, or the clock on your return windows could start the second you hit “Buy,” not when it’s delivered.
So, where’s the best place to buy?
- The best: Costco and Walmart both have a 90-day return window with very little in the way of fine print or picky policies.
- The worst: Best Buy’s return policy is only 15 days. You get 60 days if you pay up to $180 for a My Best Buy annual membership. Don’t shop here.
What about Amazon? The return window is 30 days for laptops that didn’t start when they arrived, were delivered in a damaged condition or are still in an unopened box. If you open the box or it works, you’ll pay a 15% restocking fee. Pro tip: If you’re a good Amazon customer, hop into a chat with their customer service team and ask them to reverse the charge. This worked for me!
I asked my IT genius, John, to pick his favorite Windows and Mac laptops. He shops for the tech we use here in the studios, so you’re in fabulous hands.
Windows of opportunity
💰 HP 17 Business Laptop ($486): Powered by an i3 processor that gets the job done for browsing, banking and school or work. The 17.3-inch screen is also big without being bulky.
💰💰 Dell Inspiron ($616, 5% off): For about $100 more, you get a touchscreen and a slightly more powerful i5 processor. It can handle heavier-duty stuff, like casual gaming and programming.
💰💰💰 HP Envy ($1,129): All the bells and whistles, including an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD. Zoom-zoom!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
The buggiest apps of 2024
When I saw this, I knew I had to share it with you. Researchers over at Electronics Hub did the thankless work of going through 400 of the most-used apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and thousands of user reviews — all to find the buggiest, most frustrating-to-use apps.
What percent of e-waste — think old computers, phones and other tech — gets recycled? Is it … A.) 50%, B.) 90%, C.) 20% or D.) 10%?
Our favorite cleaning products to get your home sparkling
Over the next couple of days, the team and I are sharing what you’ve been asking me for all month: Shopping picks! The goal is to take all the dread out of checking all your people off your list.
Some of you will think this is weird, and others will shout, “Me too, Kim!” I love getting my house sparkling clean after Thanksgiving. I put on some tunes, scrub every corner and then the house is ready for Christmas decorations. Here are some tools to make it easier.
Awesome way to turn trash into treasure
Food labels are hard to make sense of — Do we really need “use by,” “best buy” and “sell by”? — and lead to a lot of food waste, to the tune of 80 million tons each year.
That’s why Carlos Thompson’s company created Reusables, an augmented-reality filter that shows what you can do with the food you don’t want to eat anymore.
In 2004, an escaped convict nicknamed the “Rooftop Robber,” or simply “Roofman,” hid for six months in which shuttered tech superstore: A.) CompUSA, B.) RadioShack, C.) Circuit City or D.) Fry’s Electronics?
What percent of e-waste — old computers, phones and other tech — gets recycled? Is it … A.) 50%, B.) 90%, C.) 20% or D.) 10%?
Memorial Day weekend do’s and don’ts
Do you want to do some shopping this Memorial Day weekend? Here’s what’s worth buying and what you should definitely wait on, courtesy of the shopping pros at RetailMeNot.
✅ Check this secret link out: Amazon’s having a huge Memorial Day Sale. Savings of up to 50% across every product category. Here’s a link where you can search just what’s on sale.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
How Amazon, Target and Walmart will pay you for old stuff
Several online platforms help sell your old stuff. Tap or click for a few options that are better than Craigslist.
But most people aren’t aware that their favorite retailers can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Many offer superior trade-in value for your stuff. Chances are, you’ll be able to get rid of your clutter without venturing further than your local shopping center.
8 things that are cheapest to buy in February
It’s no secret that consumer prices fluctuate with the seasons. Every month brings new deals that you can count on yearly. February is no exception. With excellent sales and blowouts for holidays like Presidents Day and Valentine’s Day, you’ll be sure to save big on select goods.
Don't waste money on this tech rip-off on Amazon
Amazon is a great place to buy almost anything you need. There is usually an extensive selection of retailers selling similar items, so the prices are competitive. But every so often, a deal pops up that seemingly beats all others.
Return policies for all the gifts you don't want
Remember that cheesy sweater your aunt got you last year? The one with the light-up Rudolph nose? It’s still hanging in your closet, untouched, where it has been since Dec. 26, 2021. You should have exchanged it for one of these tech gifts instead.
Can't find printer ink? Blame the chip shortage
Computer chips are used in almost anything electronically powered, ranging from handheld devices to kitchen appliances and everything in between. But the global pandemic has caused a significant shortage, and the automotive industry has been hit especially hard.
Before you log in to Facebook or WhatsApp again, read this warning
There are plenty of ways cybercriminals steal your details. One of the most common methods is directing you to a fake website through text messages or phishing emails.
While the phishing email’s wording can differ, scammers regularly use legitimate brands to lure you in. By spoofing an email from a social media platform or service provider, they hope that you won’t notice minor differences from the real thing. Tap or click here for subtle clues that email is a clever phishing scam.
Is Best Buy's $200 annual membership worth it? Here's everything you get
Any machine, device or gadget you buy is eventually going to need maintenance and repairs. The internet provides help in forums, expert videos and replacement user manuals. But people don’t always have the time or knowledge to fix their stuff. There’s always someone out there who can help, but finding the right person at the right price can be a challenge.
11 must-have pet products dog and cat owners swear by
Fluffy and Fido aren’t just pets. They’re family. So why not treat them to a few new toys and maybe even some tech now and then?
Our furry friends only get about a decade with us, so it just makes sense to shower them with all the love, toys and treats we can. They love us unconditionally, so the least we can do is spoil them, right?
Hurry! Holiday shipping deadlines are almost here
Every year around the holidays, there are shipping issues. The USPS gets so overwhelmed with the number of holiday cards and packages being sent it causes massive delays with deliveries. This means the last-minute gift you send will arrive even later.
8 Memorial Day tech deals you can't afford to miss
It’s Memorial Day weekend and we’d like to begin by thanking everyone who has served in the U.S. military. So, thank you!
Now, with Memorial Day picnics and parades, we’ve also come to expect another major seasonal milestone: Memorial Day sales. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home to score these awesome tech deals.
Seniors can get a $49 Apple Watch 5 - see if you qualify
The Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches you can buy today. But there’s just one little problem with it: It’s expensive enough to be out of reach for many people.
Though you can buy older models for a discounted price, you’re still looking at upwards of $200. Meanwhile, many of Apple’s competitors like Fitbit offer similar features for a much lower price. Tap or click here to read more about Fitbit’s range of fitness trackers.