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Michael Crider

Michael Crider

Former Contributor
Author/Co-Author of 47 articles

Michael is a native Texan and a former graphic designer. He's been covering technology in general since 2011. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order. In his spare time he writes novels and fails to publish them.

Person using smartphone at home office desk beside open Chromebook.

How to control your computer from your phone

Need to access files and media, but your laptop is at home? No worries! This article will teach you how to use your smartphone to mirror your desktop PC.
how to set default programs and file types in windows 10 browsers

How to set default programs and file types in Windows 10

Windows 10 comes with some great built-in apps, but that doesn't mean that better alternatives aren't out there. Here's how to set default apps and files.
how to use task view and aero snap in windows 10

Get to the task with Windows 10’s Task View and Aero Snap

Task View and the old Aero Snap are important parts of the user interface in Windows 10. Here's a quick guide on how to get the best out of these features.
Windows 10

How to join the Windows 10 Insider fast ring (and why you want to)

Not all versions of the Windows 10 preview are created equal. Here's how to enable the Fast Ring, the latest public version available.
A person working on a Toshiba Chromebook.

How to manage Chrome OS notifications

Notifications in Chrome OS are pretty simple, but managing them isn't always obvious. Luckily it's easy to change things with a few clicks.
school computers chromebooks more than apples budgetlaptops acerchromebook15

How long does your laptop last on a charge? Here’s how to find out

How long does your laptop's battery really last? You won't know unless you monitor its battery life using Windows' built-in tools to keep your device healthy.
five all in one keyboards and touchpads for your htpc keyboard

Five all-in-one keyboards and touchpads for your HTPC

Using a full-powered PC for your home theater is fun. Using a mouse on your couch is not. Here are five options that combine a keyboard and trackpad.
Toshiba Z20T

Toshiba Portege Z20t review

Toshiba’s take on a high-end hybrid gets a few things right and a few things wrong, making for a mediocre system with a high price tag.
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Think the Raspberry Pi is underpowered? Here’s 10 projects that prove you wrong

The Raspberry Pi is an amazing device. Check out some of our favorite Pi projects out there, whether you want to create a game console or virtual rhino.
best steam boxes zotac machine feat

Play the latest PC games for less with these awesome Steam Machines

Valve's SteamOS is making waves in the specialized area of home theater and gaming PCs. Here are our picks for the best hardware on the market right now.
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Check out these four unusual alternatives to gaming keyboards

Just because you're a PC gamer doesn't mean you have to have a huge (and expensive) gaming keyboard. Here are four alternatives for your off-hand.
Intel NUC i7

Want to build your own PC, but not sure how? Check out these barebones options

A barebone PC lets you start with the case and motherboard, then save money by selecting and installing the other components yourself.
AMD Radeon Fury X

Should you grab an AMD FreeSync monitor? We’ll break it down for you

AMD's FreeSync technology gets rid of tearing in PC games, but you'll need the right equipment in order to use it. Here's a guide on how to set it up.

How to share files and folders on Microsoft OneDrive

OneDrive is Microsoft's first-party cloud storage solution, with deep hooks in Windows and Windows Mobile. Here's how to share files and folders easily.
A person using the Lenovo Thinkpad-13 Chromebook.

Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Chromebook review

Lenovo’s ThinkPad 13 comes in a simpler and cheaper Chromebook version, but its lower price tag can’t make up for the limitations of the platform.
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How to customize File Explorer in Windows 10

The Windows 10 version of File Explorer has a few new bells and whistles. Here's a handy guide for new users (and Windows veterans) on the new interface.
Razer Mamba Tournament Edition

Razer Mamba Tournament Edition review

The Mamba Tournament Edition is chock full of extras -- some more useful than others.
Toshiba Q300 SSD 480 GB

Toshiba Q300 Solid State Drive review

Toshiba's response to the rise of the low-cost SSD market fails to deliver on price and performance
Razer Mamba 2015

Razer Mamba (2015) review

The Razer Mamba is almost perfect after several revisions, but you'll pay for the luxury of a great wireless mouse with gaming-grade optics and features.
Razer Diamondback

Razer Diamondback (2015) review

The original Razer Diamondback won a cult following due to its odd, elongated shape, and the new model tries to recapture that magic. Has lightning struck twice, or is Razer cashing in on nostalgia?
Roccat Kova

Roccat Kova review

Roccat's Kova doesn’t boast impressive specifications, but its ambidextrous design is unusual among inexpensive mice, as are its strangely located bumper buttons. Does the mouse carve a niche among dozens of similarly priced competitors?
Cougar 450M

Cougar 450M mouse review

Cougar's 450M is one of the company’s several mid-range mice. Though it doesn’t make any catastrophic mistakes, it also fails to stand out from the many options available to discerning gamers with 50 bucks to spend.
Cougar Attack X3

Cougar Attack X3 review

Looking for a mechanical keyboard for less than $100? Your options are limited, but Cougar’s Attack X3 does slide under a Benjamin. Does that make it a bargain, or has Cougar slashed quality alongside the price?
Roccat Kiro Mouse

Roccat Kiro review

Southpaw gamers don’t have as many options as others, and ambidextrous designs don’t always accommodate everyone’s preferences. Roccat thinks it has the solution with its Kiro, a mouse with modular design.
evoluent verticalmouse c right review

Evoluent VerticalMouse C Right review

The VerticalMouse's unconventional design makes it ideal for RSI or carpal tunnel sufferers, but does an expensive ergonomic mouse really makes sense next to cheaper, more conventional alternatives?
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Razer BlackWidow X Chroma review

The BlackWidow X takes the “less is more” route, removing the plastic case on the standard BlackWidow to show the attractive metal underneath. It’s a surprising tactic for Razer, but it works.
Razer Turret

Razer Turret review

The Turret is a unique accessory that lets gamers play any title from their couch, but its high price and barebones feature set weaken its impact. Should you ditch your Xbox controller, or does the gamepad’s dominance continue?
Steelseries Apex M500

Steelseries Apex M500 review

The Apex M500 offers toned-down design, and its desktop software is great, but the keyboard struggles to stand out in an ocean of similar offerings from tens of competitors.
Razer Naga Hex v2

Razer Naga Hex V2 review

Razer has updated its Hex, which now (strangely) has seven buttons. That change makes it even better for gamers who love League of Legends and its ilk, but at what cost?
microsoft has introduced a slew of new updates for outlook feature

Don’t lose your email! Here’s how to export and import your Outlook inbox

If you use Outlook, it's probably an important tool for your job. If you want to keep a local backup of your emails and other files, here's a handy guide.
nintendo mobile games we want wario feat

Nintendo should bring these series back as mobile games

We think Nintendo should dig into its extensive back catalog and use these lesser-known and dormant series to expand its mobile presence.
dell xps 13 vs hp spectre

Dell XPS 13 vs. HP Spectre: Battle of the lightweight Windows champions

Dell is still high on the hog with the fantastic XPS 13, but HP is right on its heels. The new Spectre is even thinner and prettier. Which one is best?
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Apple MacBook vs HP Spectre: Stylish showdown

The Apple MacBook might be the smallest full-featured laptop around, but HP is hot in its heels with the even-thinner Spectre. Which one deserves your cash?
new macbook offers usb speeds 10 gbps possibly thunderbolt 3 pro

Asus' Zenbook UX501 is the budget alternative to Apple's MacBook Pro, but is it better?

The 15-inch MacBook Pro is the gold standard for premium laptops, but Asus wants to grab that spot with the ZenBook UX501. Which one wins in a comparison?