Should you ask any audiophile what they’re doing with a new set of headphones, they will almost certainly tell you to burn them in. Audiophiles are music enthusiasts who are dedicated to getting the highest sound quality from their headphones, earphones, speakers, and other audio equipment.

However, some audiophiles believe that headphone burn-in is a fallacy and a waste of effort. So, what does it mean to burn in headphones? Do your headphones need to be burned in? Or will you end up damaging your headphones? Read on to find out!

What Is Headphone Burn-In?

Burn-in, often known as ‘breaking in,’ is the practice of allowing a new set of headphones to play music for 1, 100, or even 1000 hours before you use them.

A new set of headphones straight out of the box (according to audiophiles who burn-in their headphones) may not sound as nice as a pair that has been in use for a longer period. Headphones are burn-in within the first several weeks of ownership to improve sound quality.

Burn-in is the technique of thoroughly checking a system or component before putting it into service by operating it for a lengthy period of time to identify any issues.

The audio version of breaking in a new pair of sneakers is headphone burn-in. You work the diaphragm, headphone drivers, magnets, and voice coils in by playing a variety of frequencies and tones before using new headphones to listen to music or otherwise.

These components are stiff when fresh and do not replicate correct sound waves. They acquire an ideal state for reproducing audio after many hours of break-in.

The goal of breaking in new headphones is to improve their performance by enhancing the audio. On the other hand, most individuals consider breaking in new headphones to be a placebo effect.

So, how do you break in your headphones, and does it make a difference in the sound quality?

How to Burn-in Headphones?

There are a few methods for breaking in headphones. Playing a variety of music, such as white noise, pink noise, broadcast noise, frequency sweeps, and others, is one of the most prevalent. These days, a single search on YouTube will yield videos to burn into your headphones.

Additionally, you may utilize music from various genres to break in the headphones if you have one. Simply load the various audio files onto your music player, plug in your headphones, and listen.

It is advised that you listen to the audio files at a reasonably high volume during the burn-in period. Raising the volume excessively high risks damaging the headphone driver and, in the worst-case scenario, causing failure. When breaking in, it’s best to leave the headphones on, especially if you’re using pink noise or other inaudible audio files.

You don’t need to burn your headphones in for a set length of time. Specialists, audiophiles, and anyone in between have plenty of recommendations, but nothing is guaranteed to work. Headphone burn-in might take anywhere from four hours to 400 hours, depending on what you read.

Is Headphone Burn-In Effective?

Despite the fact that headphone burn-in has been documented for some time, there is no strong evidence to back it up. The majority of people who believe burn-in works do so based on personal experience with their gear.

Some users agree that headphone burn-in is effective. However, you don’t need to listen to pink noise or listen to music for numerous hours. Simply put on your headphones and start listening to music. Other elements, such as the earpads, will alter sound reproduction over time in addition to the relaxation of the headphone driver.

The AKG Q 701 is one of the highly regarded headphones that, according to most audiophiles, improves over a long burn-in time. According to the reviews available on the AKG K701, a break-in time of roughly 300 hours is usually advised.

Shure denied that headphone burn-in could considerably affect the sound quality of a headset in response to an inquiry concerning burn-in or break-in. Shure also indicated that no changes in performance between old (heavily used) and new earbuds had been measured.

The AKG Q701, Beyerdynamic DT 1770, Audeze LCD 2 Classic, and Etymotic HF5 were also put to the test by RTings. Their findings revealed no indication of headphone break-in.

According to the RTings’ guide, the changes they noticed were either too minor to notice or caused by system performance swings or external noise.

Other Factors Affect Headphone Sound Quality

It seems that the verdict is still out on whether headphone burn-in improves your audio experience.

One theory is that a series of tiny adjustments add up to a significant variation in hearing quality. Certainly, headphone parts change mechanically as you are using them. That is the fact that few would dispute.

However, headphones aren’t only mechanical devices. The earpads conform to the shape of your ears, allowing for a better sealing around your ear and clearer audio.

The headphones headband may give just that little, which will assist your convenience. Incorrect headphone fit may make a significant impact on carrier frequency and loudness detection.

Moreover, as you grow more familiar with the headphones, your perception of their range and tuning is likely to shift. Alternatively, if you’ve updated considerably, you’ll notice a considerable difference between your old and new cans.

Conclusion

There is no definitive response that can verify whether the headphone burn-in is genuine or not after reading numerous viewpoints on the subject. But there are minor changes in certain circumstances, and it might be a psychoacoustic effect brought on by a person’s gradual adaptation to new sounds. A placebo effect has also been documented.

Though many feel that headphone burn-in is effective, the improvement in audio quality is nearly imperceptible. The sound of a headphone may likely alter over time due to a variety of variables such as softening or the ear pads falling off.

iPad has a Microsoft Office version. It includes a web browser. It can watch and listen to various media types (except maybe for ancient formats).

iPad can also edit almost every kind of media. It even has games. And in terms of processing, it has become quick enough that it’s no longer irritating.

Many individuals would be astonished at how well the iPad may satisfy their requirements. The apparent exception is programmers.

But it’s never lived up to that promise since Apple can only accomplish so much with a tiny tablet. There are no USB ports or SD card readers. The most recent iPads feature only one charging port and no headphone jack. Because they run the Apple operating system (OS), you cannot install vital software packages such as Windows, content creators, or others that you may require for a business.

How to use an iPad as a Laptop

Apple’s newest iPads, together with attachments like the magic keyboard and software upgrades in iPad OS, have transformed the company’s tablets into proper desktop and laptop alternatives.

However, there are a few things to consider if you intend to use the iPad as a replacement for a laptop. Here are some suggestions for replacing your Mac book or any other laptop with an iPad, whether for business, education, or general use.

Get a Real Keyboard and Mouse

Long, the lack of mouse functionality was the biggest impediment to the iPad functioning as a PC or laptop alternative. However, Apple’s recent iPad OS update adds external mouse and touchpad functionality to the iPad, allowing you to utilize a desktop or laptop-style cursor for the first time.

However, before you purchase a mouse and start clicking, you should definitely get a keyboard as well. You may use your own Bluetooth keyboard to type on your iPad, but you might also acquire a keyboard case that doubles as a case & tend to make the iPad seem more laptop-like than normal.

Learn How to Manage your Windows

Learning well how to organize your application windows is maybe the most annoying aspect of using an iPad as a laptop substitute.

Window administration is simple on a laptop, but on an iPad, you’ll be dragging and sliding programs to different places on the screen to maintain your multitasking habits.

The iPad’s Split View functionality allows you to run two programs side by side. You can run up to 3 apps at once and drag and drop objects such as images and email attachments among apps.

Get a Stand

When you’re using your iPad as your main computer these days, you’re undoubtedly in terrible posture—perhaps bent over with your neck angled downward.

Working like this for a few days is OK, but doing so for an extended amount of time will result in a stretched neck, an aching back, and an overall unpleasant sensation.

So you’ll need a stain for your iPad to make it easier to operate.

For More Versatility, You Need a Hub

If you really want to link a wide range of gadgets to your iPad, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that there’s only one port. What is the solution?

A USB-C hub that not only connects devices like USB sticks or video cameras to your iPad but also supercharges it when combined with the appropriate external peripherals.

Adding your iPad to an Ethernet hub provides a connected connection for lag-free conversations. You may also connect your beloved wired keyboard instead of purchasing a wireless model.

By attaching your iPad to a secondary screen, a hub may also provide you with much-needed screen space.

Can you use an iPad for University Instead of a Laptop?

There seem to be three primary reasons why the iPad is superior to a laptop for college use.

First, the college workflow consists of reading textbooks, taking notes, and creating papers. The iPad is superior in all of these areas, especially with a pen.

The second purpose is for backups and assistance. If your device is damaged, it is simple to replace it at an Apple Store with Apple Care. Whereas a laptop may be replaced in minutes, an iPad can be restored from a backup in minutes.

Portability is the third reason. It is simple to move an iPad from one location to another at a college/university.

Is the iPad Pro Better to use as a Laptop?

The iPad Pro offers incredible features and, depending on the application, may partially replace laptops. However, due to operating system limitations, it will not totally replace the laptop just yet.

But overall, it has amazing features. You must like the iPad Pro, and it has great reviews. You can pull it out of the keyboard case whenever you want to read and swiftly put it back in to take notes or compose an email.

While MacBooks utilize macOS, iPads have their own operating system called iPadOS. The most recent versions of both of these operating systems are closely aligned, yet they still contain significant variances.

For the most part, iPadOS works more like a smartphone than a laptop or desktop computer. The distinction in operating systems will be most noticeable in the apps. On the iPad, mouse and keyboard functions and shortcuts operate differently.

Applications on the iPad function similarly to apps on the iPhone. They are often more restrictive than macOS programs.

Conclusion

Never replace a laptop with an earlier iPad, especially one that isn’t suitable with the magic keyboard or a similar keyboard case. These iPads will continue to feel like tablet devices, with low storage and computing capability.

But, when we analyze our need for a laptop, we may discover that the sort of job we do does not require the use of a laptop at all. We might be able to get by with a powerful tablet like the iPad Pro.

Much of the possibility of replacing a laptop is dependent on the sort of job we conduct. So, while iPads can replace some computers, they cannot yet totally replace a MacBook.

TVs are no longer as basic as they once were. TVs now have the potential to open applications, search the web, function as digital assistants, and much more thanks to the advancement of smart technology.

Smart televisions can interpret data in the same way that PCs and smartphones do, but with that power comes all of the same problems that smartphones and PCs do, such as viruses.

In this article, we will answer the following question: Can you get a virus on your smart TV? And if you do, then how to protect your TV.

Can a Smart TV Get a Virus?

Yes, a smart TV can become infected with a virus or malware. Most of us are unaware that our smart home gadgets are just as susceptible to spyware and viruses as our smartphones and laptops.

In reality, two separate television models were claimed to be affected by smart TV spyware and viruses in 2019.

In a tweet that’s since been removed, Samsung encouraged Smart TV owners to check their devices for security flaws and malware. This was not taken lightly, as many flew into a frenzy on Twitter, asking whether the TVs had been hacked or if anything awful had occurred.

A further case in point was the Amazon Fire TV bug, which exposed viewers to a cryptocurrency-mining Android infection.

Sideloading an external program, putting a contaminated USB stick into the TV, or an application file being changed with ransomware via a man-in-the-middle type of assault are all methods your TV may receive a virus, resulting in your TV locking up.

Furthermore, built-in capabilities on your smart TV, such as the microphone, might be hacked and utilized to spy on your chats.

Fishing for Trojans

According to Tom’s Guide, in 2015, a user stated that he unwittingly turned his Samsung TV into a breeding ground for trojans. According to the tale, the user inserted a USB stick into the TV without realizing it was infected with win32.waldek.ACL. This is a trojan known for its ability to modify the victim machine’s DNS and limit access to certain websites.

Nothing appeared to have occurred to the TV, but when the user examined the thumb drive on a computer, he discovered that it was infected with that same malware. His anti virus had no trouble breaking the win32 variation.

However, every time he plugged the USB into his TV and afterward returned to the PC, his antivirus software detected an infection.

Netflix is Obnoxious

Darren Cauthon, a software developer, stated that his Google Android-powered smart TV caught up with a bug in 2015 while attempting to download a movie-streaming application.

Cauthon remembered watching a movie when the screen suddenly froze. Naturally, he attempted to restart the television. The software developer was notified that the device had been frozen owing to certain “suspect files.”

How to Prevent your Smart TV from Viruses?

While your smart TV might appear to be resistant to infection, this does not imply it is not vulnerable. Indeed, several smart TV models are vulnerable to remote hacking, which enables attackers to manipulate the TV and potentially upload malware or viruses depending on security weaknesses.

If you’re concerned about just a potential infection by malware, viruses, or hackers, you may still secure your smart TV by adopting the following precautions:

Scan your Smart TV

Most modern smart TVs have in-built antivirus software. Sure, it’s signature-based and wouldn’t make much of a difference in the case of Advanced Persistent Threats, but still better than nothing.

If your device’s manufacturer has a native virus scan option, you can run it from the TV’s settings menu and scan your TV regularly.

Firmware Update

Update the firmware, applications, and any linked devices on your TV. Attackers and malware authors hunt older firmware and programs with vulnerabilities, but upgrades provide security fixes that really can avoid such attacks.

Keep your network Secure

As your smart TVs access the internet, make your house connection safe. A firewall and antivirus on your network are fantastic ways to keep your smart TV safe from hacker attacks or malware outbreaks. You may also use a complex router password, maintain the router firmware up to date, disable remote administration, connect the TV to a guest network, or create a new network for it.

Don’t use a Web browser on your Smart TV

Don’t use the smart TV’s built-in browser to access the web. Most do not provide the required security features to keep you safe. If you still want to surf, avoid dodgy websites that are often infected with malware, and also don’t get software from websites that the TV maker has not allowed.

Do not Connect an Infected USB drive

Do not connect infected USB drives to your smart TV. Scan them first using your PC to make sure they are not infected before plugging them into your TV.

Conclusion

As usual, keep your apps and Smart TV up to date, run frequent scans, avoid shady USB sticks, and stick to software you know.

Even though it is uncommon for a smart TV to be attacked with malware, it is not fully risk-free. If you are concerned that it may be infected or has already been infected, you can do a factory reset to restore it all to default settings as a last resort.

In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the top iPads. Rather than settling on a particular iPad and declaring it the finest, we’ve selected the best iPads in a variety of areas.

So, whether you’re searching for an iPad with the most excellent user experience out there, a budget iPad, or the best iPad with a tiny screen, don’t worry; we have got you covered.

What iPad Do You Need?

Choosing the best iPad might be difficult, particularly if you don’t invest your days in studying tech news.

Apple presently sells in four main categories:

• the iPad Pro
• the iPad Air
• the iPad Mini
• the standard iPad

When you include in possible improvements like a bigger screen on certain versions and cellular network compatibility, there are over a dozen distinct iPads to pick from, and even more when you consider older versions that are still on the market.

Anyway, let’s discuss the four main types with a focus on specs, features, and price.

iPad Pro

With the release of the fifth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2021, Apple’s most costly tablet received a major upgrade. Let’s see its primary specs and features.

Specifications and Features

• M1 processor
• Pro camera system: Wide and Ultra Wide cameras. Wide: 12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture. Ultra Wide: 10MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture, and 125° field of view
• 12.9-inch display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels
• Storage options are 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB.
• USB-C port
• 1.5 pounds in weight
• 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with optional 5G

A large number of users have it as their leading choice. The iPad Pro 12.9-inch is the iPad to have if you like huge screens, and it’s the one we suggest if you need one for whatever reason.

The 12.9-inch screen has a resolution of 2732 x 2048, but the true advancement in the display is now in the underlying technology.

The huge iPad 2021 features mini-LED technology in its display, which means it can emit richer tones and darker blacks by providing more backlights.

It is powered by Apple’s M1 chip, a laptop-grade CPU first seen in last year’s MacBook Pro.

iPad Pro 12.9-inch is expected to be capable of doing whatever a current laptop can, like gaming, video editing, streaming, and so on.
However, the larger size means this won’t become as portable as the 11-inch model.

Price

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is available in silver or space grey, with memory options of 128Gigabytes, 256Gigabytes, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB.

These versions are priced at $1,099, $1,199, $1,399, $1,799, and $2,199, in that order.

11-inch vs. 12.9-inch iPad Pro

The iPad Pro is also available with an 11-inch display, and it is at least $300 cheaper than 12.9-inch iPad.

When it comes to the display, there are two differences: size and brightness. While the 11-inch iPad Pro features Apple’s Liquid Retina LCD, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro features Apple’s “Liquid Retina XDR” display. It employs an array of thousands of micro-LED backlights grouped in 2596 lighting zones to give it outstanding brightness and contrast.

iPad Air

The 5th-generation iPad Air was revealed on March 8, 2022, with a March 18 release date.

Specifications and Features

• M1 processor
• Pro camera system: Wide and Ultra Wide cameras. Wide: 12MP, ƒ/1.8 aperture. Ultra Wide: 10MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture, and 125° field of view
• 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640 pixels) Liquid Retina
• 64GB/256GB
• USB-C port
• 1 pound in weight
• Wi-Fi 6, optional 5G

The iPad Air does not support a 120Hz refresh rate, which is a minor but visible distinction between both the iPad Pro as well as the iPad Air.

Despite this, at 10.9 inches and a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, it has the same number of pixels per inch — 264 — as the Pro. You’ll like watching movies and TV shows and browsing the site’s data.

Nonetheless, with a terrific CPU, slimline attractive aesthetics, and excellent usability, the iPad Air achieves the sweet spot between top performance and cost.

Price

The iPad Air isn’t as cheap as the entry-level iPad, which receives our vote in the “Greatest Budget” category, but if your budget can stretch beyond $600, it’s the best iPad you can purchase right now.

iPad Mini

The 6th-generation iPad Mini, which was announced and released in September 2021, is the most recent model.

Specifications and Features

• A15 Bionic processor
• Camera 12MP resolution (front and rear)
• 8.3-inch display (2266 x 1488 pixels) Retina Liquid
• Storage capacities: 64GB and 256GB
• USB-C port
• 0.7 pounds in weight
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, with the option of 5G. (Sub-6)

The iPads described above are really likable, and many users buy them, but none of them is as transportable or light as the newest iPad mini (which, to be truthful, should be named the iPad Air mini). It boasts the small bezels & thin sides of an iPad Air, as well as compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil and USB-C.

Furthermore, its A15 Bionic CPU is lightning quick, and its battery capacity is astonishingly long for a tablet this compact. It is also used with just one hand. Some other iPads are more difficult to use with one hand.

Best Portability

The iPad Mini 2021 is Apple’s most recent tablet. If you’re looking for the ideal traveling companion, this is our top selection.

Gaming iPad

If you want something a bit smaller, the iPad Mini is one of the ultimate gaming tablets available. It’s small but strong, and it can run the most recent releases as well as movies or TV shows.

Price

The iPad mini 6 is priced at $499 for the Wi-Fi alone device and $649 again for Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The Wi-Fi-only & Cellular iPad mini 6 models both include 64GB or 256GB of non-expandable memory.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Cellular iPad mini 2021 versions include 5G connectivity.

Standard iPad

The standard Apple iPad is in its 9th generation, with the most recent model being released in September 2021.

Specifications and Features

• A13 Bionic processor
• 8MP (rear), 12MP (front) camera resolution (front)
• 10.2-inch display with a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels
• Storage capacities: 64GB and 256GB
• USB-C port
• 1.07 pounds in weight
• 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi with optional LTE

We enjoy the new 9th Generation iPad since it accomplishes everything you would expect from a standard iPad. Excellent screen, excellent audio and battery power, and sometimes even quicker speed than ever before. Yes, even if it looks identical to previous generations, the iPad 2021 still seems to be worth considering.

If you make a lot of video calls, you’ll notice how much clear this iPad looks compared to previous generations, thanks to Apple’s increase of the 1.2MP front-facing camera to a 12MP sensor.

The A13 Bionic chip is a nice performance boost, as iPad OS 15 becomes smarter and services like Live Text (which allows you to copy/paste texts from photos) benefit from a quicker CPU.

Price

It’s Apple’s cheapest tablet, starting at $329, yet it comfortably outperforms Android versions that cost significantly quite so much.

Conclusion

Now you understand what iPad is right for you. If you want an iPad which is easily portable, then you should buy an iPad Mini (which is also best for gaming).

However, if you want an iPad which is better in the display department, then the best choice for you is the iPad Pro-12.9-inch which has the best-LED technology on show.

Lastly, if you are on a budget, buy the standard Apple iPad. It does most of what the other iPads do at a fraction of the cost.

New rendering technologies such as ray-tracing, which produce real-time reflections, lights, and shadows that are considerably more real than just what we’re conditioned to accept in games, have helped in these giant strides by tech companies such as NVIDIA.

You may not realize that NVIDIA’s features include another one called Deep Learning Super Sampling, or NVIDIA DLSS, which is even more game-changing.

Everything you need to know about NVIDIA DLSS, including how it works and what it can do for your PC games, is right here. Let’s get started!

What is NVIDIA DLSS?

DLSS is a video rendering technology featured by NVIDIA that aims to increase framerates and video quality by drawing frames at a lower resolution than projected.

It utilizes element deep learning (a sort of artificial intelligence) to elevate the frames to seem as crisp as anticipated at the native resolution. For instance, with DLSS, a game’s frames might be produced at 1080p resolution, allowing for greater framerates, then upscaled and delivered at 4K resolution, resulting in crisper visual quality than 1080p.

Image Source: NVIDIA

NVIDIA DLSS is an alternative to other rendering approaches that need an RTX graphics card and game support, such as temporal anti-aliasing (TAA), a post-processing algorithm. DLSS is mainly beneficial to games that operate at lower frame rates or at higher resolutions.

AI rendering on dedicated Tensor Cores provides exceptional performance, allowing you to increase frame rates and maximum graphical settings and resolutions up to 8K.

Here you can see the graph showing the gaming performance with RTX 3080 at 3840 x 2160, Max Graphics settings, DLSS Performance Mode, and Ray Tracing enabled.

Image Source: NVIDIA

DLSS is available in a variety of tastes. However, depending on how DLSS is implemented, this will vary between games. To achieve the greatest outcome, it’s always worth experimenting with different combinations of DLSS and other graphics parameters.

How does the NVIDIA DLSS Work?

NVIDIA’s DLSS instructs a specialized section of your RTX graphics card (20-series and higher) to process a picture and scale it up to your desired resolution. For example, a video game is rendered at a lower resolution (usually 1440p) and then employs its AI algorithm to guess what it would look like if it were rendered at a higher resolution (typically 4K).

This is accomplished through the use of anti-aliasing effects and automatic sharpening. Visual artifacts that would not be seen at higher resolutions are also removed, and the features that should be there in a picture are inferred.

In this way, DLSS relieves your graphic card and CPU of the burden of producing a high-resolution visual with features like ray-tracing enabled. By utilizing DLSS, you may potentially increase all of your graphics settings to their utmost without sacrificing performance.

Many gamers like using super-resolution tools and taking in artifacts. It does, however, allow for the development of a whole image while simultaneously acknowledging that there are several flaws and improvements in the form and aesthetic of that image.

The aforementioned system does not represent a significant advancement. NVIDIA promises that DLSS will improve in the months and years ahead. Still, in the right situations, it may provide a significant performance boost without making the game unplayable.

How to Enable NVIDIA DLSS?

It’s simple to enable NVIDIA DLSS in a game that supports it. Simply launch your game of choice, go to the options menu, and select the graphics settings, assuming your NVIDIA drivers are up to date in GeForce Experience. It’s sometimes referred to as video settings.

After this, you may choose between DLSS and RTX. In this case, select DLSS if the game supports it and your GPU is a GeForce RTX 20 or GeForce RTX 30 or higher from NVIDIA.

The DLSS setting may be found in the Graphics tab of the in-game settings in a game like Escape from Tarkov.

Image Source: Devon Ledohowski

Jumping into NVIDIA GeForce Experience is the other way to test if your machine and game can run DLSS. Once you are in, go to the top-left corner of the app, and select the Home tab. Then look for Escape from Tarkov (or any other game) in the Games & Apps section. There’s a selection of several graphics options when you click on the game.

Image Source: Devon Ledohowski

You may pick between Optimize and a small settings tool symbol from the top right corner. You may move a scale between performance and quality if you pick the tool. Experimenting around with these parameters, as well as DLSS, will have an effect on what your graphic card settings do.

NVIDIA DLSS Available in Over 150 Games

NVIDIA DLSS is not supported by all games! Only 150 games as of Feb 2022 support it. However, its inclusion in many of these games improves performance and graphic quality significantly, especially when DLSS 2.0 or newer is used.

Enabling ray-tracing in compatible games even helps alleviate some of the speed loss. The best DLSS implementations we’ve seen so far are found in the following games (among others):

• Martha Is Dead
• Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis
• Death Stranding
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Control
• SCP: Pandemic
• Shadow Warrior 3
• Sifu

Valve Corporation is slowly but steadily enhancing the quality of Linux gaming, years after its disastrous Steam Machines by bringing NVIDIA DLSS to Linux.

The planned Steam Deck portable is based on Linux, and its ProtonDB compatibility layer allows it — and other PCs — to play Windows games.

Valve has now officially integrated support for NVIDIA’s DLSS machine learning temporal upscaling algorithm to ProtonDB, which might result in significant FPS gains and less flicker in videogames that support it.

DLSS Gets Better Over Time

NVIDIA DLSS has the potential to facilitate players who are unable to achieve acceptable frame rates at resolutions higher than 1080p to do so using inference.

DLSS might become the most important feature of NVIDIA’s RTX GPUs in the future. They aren’t quite as strong as we had anticipated, and the ray-tracing effects are nice but have a significant performance impact, but DLSS provides us the best of all worlds: better-looking video games that also perform much better than before.

However, it is strange to imagine that hackers can gain access to your computer’s peripherals like mouse and keyboard and utilize it for their personal goals. Sadly, it isn’t as unusual as you may assume.

Hackers and vicious cyber attackers now can monitor or control a user’s input information into a PC within a 100-meter distance by exploiting a security problem in some adapters.

It is frightening for PC and laptop users, but don’t worry. In this post, we’ll explain how your mouse and keyboard can be hacked and how to protect yourself against it.

How are Mice and Keyboards Hacked?

Let’s look at how wireless or Bluetooth adapters function to see how this hacking works. Simply connect the adaptor to a USB socket and activate your Bluetooth mouse or keyboard.

When you operate the keyboard or mouse, it sends information to your receiver, like when you move the cursor, press a button, or input a key. In theory, this opens the door to exploitation.

Consider somebody attaching to your Bluetooth adapter and claiming to be a wireless mouse or keyboard. They would then gain access to that person’s device’s keyboard and mouse. They can then use this access to carry out malicious acts on that machine.

However, tech manufacturers must have considered this and constructed security measures into their adapters. This is correct; however, not all wireless keyboards, as well as mice, suffer from this defect. But, some do, and there’s a tale about how this issue got into the Internet.

AES encryption is used to safeguard most Bluetooth keyboards. Nonetheless, even encrypted Wi-Fi signals may be captured using a Raspberry Pi setup as a Software – defined Radio. One attack captured the user’s protected PC login passwords and replayed them again to decrypt and unlock the system.

The Bluetooth USB receiver is also vulnerable. Even if the keyboard is in a protected session with the dongle, unencrypted input can still be delivered to the receiver and playback to access the associated system and send commands.

How Does the Attack Occur?

To begin with, a hacker attempting to hijack a wireless adaptor does not require pricey special tools. With only an antenna of a few dollars and several lines of Python code, they can connect to any adaptor within a 100-meter radius.

Not something you’d expect to see in a public location!

When a hacker discovers an open adaptor, he or she has two options:

• They can start sending information to the adaptor to simulate mouse and keyboard activity. At this stage, they can reroute the user’s system in ways that the user might not even like them to. A malicious hacker may remove files and directories, but a more devious hacker may instruct the victim’s PC to install spyware.
• Otherwise, they can get access to the adapter and examine what you’re entering. This implies that any passwords or sensitive information input into the wireless keyboard can be viewed by the hacker and used to log into sensitive accounts.

So, this is how the keyboard and mouse can be hacked by malicious hackers and put your data at risk.

Steps to Secure your Wireless Mouse and Keyboard from being Hacked

Following are some of the adoption and implementation and items to consider to ensure device safety and protect hackers from hacking your mouse and keyboards. So, to proceed, follow the steps outlined below.

Device Security

Examine the Bluetooth keyboard and mice security features given by the maker. Because some manufacturers are unconcerned with secure connectivity alternatives, they design devices in this manner solely. Try to choose with a well-known brand or the manufacturer, but this is generally taken care of.

Get Wired Mouse and Keyboard

You will go with a wired mouse and keyboard if you want the easiest but most secure option. This might be a rock-solid answer for your device’s ultimate security, and if you can go for it, you should do so right away. There is no other approach that can compete with this one!

Choose a More Powerful Device

If getting wired is not even a solution, you might consider buying gear with enough privacy built-in. Investigate merchants who do not show on the susceptible device listings and buy the products they offer.

You can also use a wireless mouse and keyboard if your PC supports it, but you should be mindful of the security concerns that Bluetooth raises.

Firmware Update

If you suspect that your wireless keyboard and mouse are vulnerable to hacking assaults, the producer may have released a driver update to address the problem.

You should look for the most recent version of the gadget on the company’s site.

Encrypt Data

The easiest way to prevent your information from being stolen through the wireless mouse/keyboard hijacked procedure is to encrypt the files or folders with a passcode, which will prohibit the hackers from accessing your computer data.

This might not aid you in detaching up towards the hacker’s connection from the wireless link, but it will help you avoid additional difficulties!

Lock Your PC

If you are concerned for the safety of your computer and believe somebody is managing it, you should lock your Computer in the administrator panel. Even though you cannot avoid the previous assault, this will assist you in securing your PC from being accessed by the attacker.

Conclusion

Yes, your mouse and keyboard can be hacked. We have outlined methods that are basic but efficient techniques for securing your wireless mouse and keyboard from hackers and thereby safeguarding your computer data.

All of these approaches will not require you to perform any complicated operations on your computer; instead, you can proceed with your protecting wall development by following a few basic steps.

Simply follow these steps to protect your mouse and keyboard from being hacked.

It is pretty easy to use. First, you must download your game, which can take some time, especially when the game size is huge. Because of the advancements in visuals and customization, the storage needs for modern games grow on an annual basis. AAA titles like Elden Ring or God of War in 2022 may consume up to 60, 70 GB of your system’s storage space, which is tremendous when compared to earlier games in the nineties and noughties.

Due to the increasing data size of these games, downloading is taking slower. Internet speed, is quite essential. However, even if you have a speedy fiber-optic connection or the latest tech gaming router, it might feel like game downloading takes a lifetime.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to speed up your steam downloads.

How to Increase Steam Download Speed

If you desire to accelerate your downloading speed on Steam, follow these methods given below:

Switch to an Ethernet Connection or Faster Wi-Fi

Although your Wi-Fi connection might be enough, a physical ethernet cables connection is almost always preferable. Choose an ethernet wire to link your gaming computer to the router (and internet service) straight if possible.

In comparison to Wi-Fi networks, which might deal with interference, lower speed limits, and other issues, this will provide the best rates and capacity.

But, for most of the users, their routers are not placed near their gaming machines. Installing ethernet wire inside your house may not be a solution as a result. To get around this issue, you might build up a mesh network and link a node to your PC through ethernet.

You may alternatively want to employ powerline extenders, which allow you to route ethernet traffic across your electrical wiring.

Try Another Connection

When your Steam downloading speed is extremely sluggish, you might have to take more dramatic measures. If your computer is portable, consider borrowing a relative’s or family member’s connection to the internet to complete the task.

A quicker connection is the greatest approach to ensure that your Steam downloads are as fast as possible. If the game is too large for your network, your data can be consumed faster, leaving you behind with no data.

If you already have an unlimited internet capacity and a 4G or 5G connection, you might also utilize a personal hotspot & your cellular data allowance to install Steam games.

Terminate Unnecessary Processes

Eliminating unnecessary processes frees up RAM and CPU for other activities, such as downloads—Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.

Unnecessary processes can be terminated by right-clicking them and selecting “End Task.” Close all browsers and other programs that may have an impact on your download speed.

Click “Open Resource Monitor” at the bottom of the “Task Manager” window, then pick the “Network tab” in “Resource Monitor” to see whether anything is taking your bandwidth.

If you discover that a program is eating all of your bandwidth, you may choose to terminate the task there as well. Select “End Process Tree” from the context menu after right-clicking the process. Be patient since removing it from the list might take some time.

Set Priority for Steam

Another simple hack for making Steam download faster is to prioritize Steam downloads within Task Manager.

This tells your PC that you would like Steam to take precedence over other applications whenever it comes to internet connections. To begin, launch Task Manager by searching for it in the Windows start menu or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del.

Locate the Steam Client Service, right-click it, and then select Go to details.

Right-click SteamService.exe and choose Set priority > High. This should offer Steam higher network priority and aid with downloads.

Change the Download Region

Steam will automatically identify the area from where you link to servers, and when it mistakenly selects your location, you may be attempting to download from such a server located very far away.

Go to Steam, then click on Settings. Click on Downloads to check your download region.

Examine the Download Region part of this window. Make sure the area is nearest to where you are since this will result in the quickest download rates.

Another modification you may make is immediately below, where it says Limit bandwidth. Uncheck this box to enable Steam to utilize the whole amount of bandwidth required to install your game.

Disable Your Antivirus and Firewall

Your firewall or antivirus software may occasionally interfere with your download rates. Disable each of them to see if anything changes. To learn how to disable it, consult your antivirus provider’s handbook or website.

In the Cortana search field, type “firewall,” then pick “Windows Defender Firewall” in the start menu.

Then, click the “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off” button.

Lastly, verify this by checking the box next to “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall,” then clicking “OK.”

Pause Auto-updates on Your Windows PC

Select Settings from the Start Menu by right-clicking on it. Choose the Update & Security option and update settings.

Select the Pause updates for seven days option under Windows Update. Update pause resume Steam downloads. When the download is finished, choose Resume updates to reverse the update settings.

Conclusion

So, these are some of the methods you can apply to improve downloading speed. Even if you only implement a couple of these suggestions, you should observe a significant improvement in your Steam download speeds.

Although it is difficult to manage the strength of your real internet connection, you may make the most of what you can control by following these tricks and methods. After that, you should be able to continue playing your favorite games in no time.

RAM is a device’s second engine. Higher the RAM, the higher its performance. This is extremely important for users who want to play games with high graphics or execute high-end tasks like editing videos or images.

However, RAM is a costly component of a PC or a laptop, and high-performance RAM with the latest tech will set you back several dollars. But did you realize there’s a clever method to save this cost by just utilizing a USB drive as RAM on a Windows laptop or PC?

The tech world is moving forward fast with innovations. You can keep up by following the methods in this article to use a USB flash drive as RAM.

How to use a USB drive as RAM

It is simple to use a USB flash drive as RAM; all you need is a USB flash drive, and the crucial thing to remember is that a single file larger than 4 GB cannot be stored on a FAT32-formatted USB device. If you want to save data larger than 4GB on this USB flash drive, you must format it using the NTFS file system.

In this next section, we will look at two ways to use a USB device as RAM. Adhere to the standards listed below.

Virtual RAM Method

The first method is the Virtual RAM method. Virtual RAM, often known as virtual memory, is a built-in feature of the Windows PC. To begin, perform the instructions below:

• Plug your USB flash drive into any available USB port.
• After that, Right-click on the My Computer or This PC icon (depending on the OS).
• Then, choose Properties from the drop-down menu.
• Next, From the left side of the Properties box, select Advanced system settings as shown in the image below.
  
• At the top of the System Properties window, select the Advanced option.
• Underneath the Performance tab, click the Settings option.
• At the Performance Options box, select the Advanced option once more.
  
• Under the Virtual memory area, click the Change button.
• Then, Uncheck Manage the paging file size for all drives probably automatically, and then pick your USB stick from the device list displayed.
• Under the Custom Size option, enter the value in MB. This number must be at least 200 MB smaller than the value displayed against available space.
  
• Finally, restart your computer or laptop. You will notice the effects of more RAM in demanding tasks.

Ready Boost Method

The second method is the ready boost method to use a USB flash drive as RAM. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Format the USB Flash Drive

• Attach the USB flash drive to your system.
• Launch the File Explorer program on your PC.
• Next, here on the left-hand side of the File Explorer window, click on “This PC.”
• Then, right-click on the USB drive and choose Properties. Then, select “Format” to begin formatting the drive.
• When the Format box displays, select the File system option.
• Then, click “Start” to begin the formatting process. The formatting procedure will take some time to complete.
• Once formatted, proceed to the Step 2 given below:

Step 2: Use ReadyBoost to increase the RAM

After formatting your USB drive, it’s time to ready boost your USB flash drive. Follow the below steps to do it.

• To begin, press the Windows key and E key at the same time.
• Next, to see all of your laptop’s discs, click on “This PC.”
• When you find your USB device, right-click it and select “Properties.”
• Just go to the “ReadyBoost” option in the Properties box.
• Choose the “Use this device” option.
  
• You can now tweak the slider to increase or reduce the quantity of RAM (For example– the maximum limit for this computer is 4094 MB).
• To save the changes, click “Apply” and then “OK.” And restart your PC.

That’s all there is to it! You’ve successfully upgraded the RAM on your laptop or PC. This will significantly accelerate the system and boost its performance.

Disconnect your USB Flash Drive

Remove the USB flash drive only after you’ve removed the Ready Boost settings. Because if you remove your USB drive and your system shuts down directly, it can corrupt your Windows because there are cache files in the flash drive, so do not eject the flash drive directly.

If you want not to use the flash drive as extra RAM, perform the following methods to eject your USB drive safely.

• Launch File Explorer & navigate to “This PC.”
• Then right-click on the flash drive.
• Then, select “Properties.”
• Then, select the “ReadyBoost” tab.
• You must choose “Do not use this device” here, and ReadyBoost will not utilize this device.
• To save these updated modifications, click “Apply” and then “OK.”
• You can now remove the USB from your laptop or PC and use it as a standard drive on other PCs.

Conclusion

Generally, using a USB flash drive as RAM on Windows is simple. However, you must disconnect your flash drive carefully, or the device may be damaged. Create a system restore point from a safety standpoint as well.

Remember that you can only use a USB drive as RAM in Hard Disk Drive (HDD). If the above steps are not working in your system, then you have a Solid-State Drive (SSD) in your PC or Laptop, or you may have no more RAM capacity in your system.

Most people go for budget laptops when trying to save money. These budget laptops are mostly used or second hand. However, in this situation, you’ll need to know what to look for when purchasing a used laptop.

Purchasing a second-hand laptop can be a fantastic option. You get a properly operational machine for a fraction of the price. However, buying a used laptop comes with hazards, and just like buying a new automobile, there are some inspections and safeguards you should conduct.

This article has everything you want to learn before purchasing a used laptop. But first, we will look at some of the valuable advantages of a used laptop. Let’s find out!

Advantages of Second-hand Laptops

The first benefit of acquiring a used laptop is its dependability. Even while modern computers on the market offer greater capability, the chance of unanticipated defects cannot be ruled out. Only after the product has been utilized in the actual world do the defects become apparent.

Furthermore, because used devices (when refurbished) are rigorously examined and verified, any bugs or problems that may have been identified and rectified for you may have already been detected and corrected.

Buy a used laptop if you wish to help the environment’s long-term sustainability. Second-hand laptops offer all of the new features and qualities of new laptops but are less expensive.

Now, it’s time to move on to the things that need to be looked at before buying a used laptop.

Inspect the Laptop Body

If you have the opportunity to view the laptop in person, a complete exterior examination is required. You must ensure that the laptop frame is clear of fractures and marks of impact. Look for any lost screws, weak hinges, or other anomalies.

Sometimes the laptop looks OK, but you may have no idea what type of interior problems there may be, which may limit the laptop’s lifespan.
So, that can be classified as a disadvantage but do your best to find faults before purchasing it.

Test the Keyboard and Trackpad

Because the keypad and touchpad are the most frequently used components of desktops, both must work properly.

Examine the keyboard for damaged buttons, pay focus to the arrow keys, and see if you’re comfortable typing on it. If you’re a smooth typist but commit too many mistakes, it could be a good idea to test out other laptops.

Look out for the trackpad’s supported motions and give them a try, such as pinch-to-zoom, two-finger scroll, three-finger swipe, etc. If you have mouse keys, make sure they’re straightforward to use.

Test the Ports and CD/DVD Drive

Experiment with all of the accessible USB ports, earphones jacks, Ethernet ports, HDMI, SD card slots, as well as other inputs. Most of these are directly connected to a motherboard, which is expensive to replace. Despite CDs and DVDs are no longer in use, many older laptops still include a CD/DVD drive. Test to see whether they work if you think you will need them.

Check the Amount of RAM

Although Win 10 requires a least 1GB of RAM to function, you should never use less than 4GB RAM (in fact, at least 8 is required for most demanding tasks). It will slow down the laptop and affect the system’s overall performance.

It’s doubtful that you’ll discover a laptop with less than 4GB of RAM. However, if you do and you’re interested in it, go search up the price of new RAM modules. Several older RAM modules might be rather pricey.

8GB of RAM is an excellent starting point. This should be sufficient to maintain your machine working smoothly with most software apps and Windows 10/11.

To view the hardware details, type msinfo32 in to run box and hit enter. You can also check it by right-clicking on This PC and accessing the Properties tab. It will show you the device specifications and show you the Installed RAM.

Confirm the OS is Genuine

We know that the hardware is your laptop’s physical body, but the software is its brain. When purchasing a laptop, you should ensure that the operating system is functional, active, and authentic.

If you use an unlicensed laptop operating system, you are more likely to experience flaws, viruses, hacks, and data corruption.

The Windows 7 operating system is no longer supported by Microsoft. The company suggests purchasing a new laptop and upgrading to the latest operating system. However, even if you’re comfortable working on an ancient operating system, you should nonetheless verify its validity.

Software Checks

There are several software tests you must run. Firstly, ensure that the installed OS is legitimate, as previously suggested.

Examine the software licenses provided with the laptop and ensure that almost any product keys are made accessible to you. Request the device’s original program Disc, recovery CD, backup media, and drivers.

Check the Screen Condition

The next critical step is to ensure that the display is in proper working order. Examine the screen for flickering, discoloration, clarity, and damaged pixels.

Watch a video and check to see whether the watching angles are sufficient. Before buying a product, it is helpful to compare it to other laptops as well.

Check Wireless Connectivity

Nobody likes a laptop that can’t access Wi-Fi, so ensure that you can quickly access Wi-Fi connections. Examine Bluetooth’s performance as well.

Additionally, check the Wi-Fi cards as well. Typically, the laptop has a great range and forms a connection even if the device is at a considerable distance. However, a faulty Wi-Fi card will not catch a signal if the device is in the next room.

Examine the Speakers and Webcam

The majority of laptop cameras are mediocre. Still, having a lousy functional camera is preferable to having no webcam at all.

Although it is doubtful that laptop users utilize its speakers, it’s still a great idea to examine how loud they can get. Sometimes the laptop speaker may have a problem, and the sound becomes muffled or distorted quickly.

Battery Health

In most circumstances, you might not be able to do a comprehensive battery test. However, you can get a clue how long the battery will last by navigating into the power control settings of the installed operating system and looking at how much capacity the battery can retain as well as the battery health status.

Also, ensure that the battery charges correctly and does not deplete too quickly. Otherwise, request a discount to obtain a replacement.

Get to Know the HDD or SSD Health

A hard disc drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD) is installed in a laptop. Regardless of which one the laptop has, both serve as a massive storage system and data reader/writer. These discs keep your information also when your device is turned off.

Use tools like SSD life to monitor the health of your SSD. Look to HD Sentinel if you’re using an HDD. It would help if you also looked at the company’s credentials as a faulty HDD.

It is OK to have a few IO faults on the record. You shouldn’t need to hunt for a new laptop just yet. If there are too many negative sectors, search for alternatives.

Conclusion

When you decide to buy a second-hand laptop, contrast the offered price to the cost of it when it was brand new. If you intend to update the hardware, thoroughly investigate the pricing so that you really can take an educated decision about whether you should buy new or used.

Additionally, consider and check the above components when buying a used laptop. Besides this, you can also check the cooling fans, motherboard, etc.

Though a standard mouse is much more comfortable to use and provides higher accuracy & control, a trackball gives extra efficiency and accessibility.

There are several valid reasons for this affection! If you’re curious to know if you want a trackball mouse, here is why it’s the best tool for you.

Who is a Trackball Mouse Ideal For?

A trackball mouse is perfect not just for professional workers sitting in front of a computer for long periods and general consumers who want a more relaxed alternative, but also for individuals who have mobility or skill challenges gripping and using a mouse.

Trackballs provide enhanced availability and ease of use for such people who may have difficulty handling and using a mouse in a conventional manner.

Because a trackball is a fixed peripheral, it can aid by enabling you to spin the ball and click keys in whatever way you feel fits. All you want to do is choose a form and size that works for you.

Now, we move on to the reasons to buy a trackball mouse. Let’s find out!

Design and Build Quality

Ordinary mice exist in a variety of styles but always have the same fundamental layout: right-click, middle-click/scroll wheel, and left-click. Some may add extra buttons, although they seldom deviate from the standard three-button configuration.

However, Trackball mice are available in several different layouts depending on the size and position of the trackball.

Trackballs that move with your thumb typically have a more traditional layout of left, middle, and right clicks. Trackballs with a bigger, finger-operated core ball are more inventive in their designs. Some even employ a scroll ring instead of a clickable wheel.

Trackballs rely on several ball bearings beneath the globe to ensure the ball moves smoothly and effortlessly. These bearings might become dusty or gunked up over time and may need to be cleaned with a Q-tip.

Comfort and Ergonomics

Due to long hours of sitting each day, the discourse regarding good ergonomics in the workplace has expanded in recent years.

Although standing up is good for your health, using more ergonomic input gadgets can help you avoid repetitive strain injury (RSI). These problems are generated by stressing your muscles in almost a similar way over and over again.

Because of the trackball’s secure location, trackball mice might be a godsend for professionals suffering from wrist-based RSI.

Whereas a standard mouse requires you to rotate your arm and wrist, a trackball merely requires you to move your fingers. Your wrist will be at a healthy angle if you utilize a wrist-rest on your trackball. This relieves it of the strain caused by swiping your mouse around.

Efficiency

It may take some time to get used to using a trackball. However, after a week or so of getting used to it, your cursor’s accuracy can improve significantly.

That’s also especially important for small, precise control that trackballs are more responsive to. Trackballs also make it much easier to whip the cursor from one side of the working space to another.

Durability

A mouse is among the few PC parts that still have spinning parts, and these parts wear down and break over time. Inexpensive mice fail the most rapidly, but high-quality mice also age out.

Because trackball mice are immobile, they are not subjected to the stress of violent situations or falls. A trackball may outlive a high-quality office chair if the buttons are kept in good condition. A well-cared-for mouse may live just as long, although they appear to break down a bit more often compared to trackball mice.

Great Alternative to the Travel Mouse

Travel mice are useful, but they need enough space to move around. Trackballs are ideal for accurate work, even when traveling. As such, it might be better for people short on space (such as those who use a lot of tiny motel room desks).

Conclusion

Essentially, if you suffer wrist or forearm pain from using a mouse or touchpad, it is strongly recommended to check out a trackball mouse. The ergonomics are a significant advantage of utilizing this as your primary cursor control.

The trackball is a strong, classic option, even though it is misinterpreted and underestimated. The trackball is a smart alternative for experts and regular users, with a broad range of styles and advantages extending from ergonomics & RSI avoidance to speed and accessibility.

Of course, it goes without saying that gamers have no need for a trackball mouse and should stick to what they are using right now.

Some PC users prefer to use a separate wireless mouse to handle a multimedia PC. Others may be like to keep one arm on an additional keyboard for fast access to commands.

Whichever your reason, this post will explain to you the benefits of utilizing several mouses and keyboards, as well as how to install them.

How to Install Multiple Mice and Keyboards?

Having multiple mice and keyboards is a configuration with several fascinating applications. After attaching numerous peripherals to your PC, there are multiple ways you can use to set them up.

The Basic Way: Connect Both Keyboards or Mice Directly

Simply connect your additional mouse or keyboard through Bluetooth or put it into a USB port. When Windows has finished installing the appropriate drivers, you may type with either keyboard and control the cursor with both mice.

To view anything you presently have connected:

• Step 1: Go to Settings
• Step 2: Click on Devices
  
• Step 3: Click on Bluetooth & other devices.
  

You may fine-tune how your mouse functions underneath the Mouse, keyboard & pen option. However, these choices will apply to all linked mice. Based on how varied your mice are, one may feel too sensitive or underly sensitive, so make adjustments accordingly.

Unifying Receiver

A unifying receiver is included with modern Logitech mice and keyboards. This little dongle connects up to six Logitech gadgets to your PC through a USB connection. As a result, if you wish to utilize numerous Logitech keyboards or mice, you may save a few USB ports.

Work Simultaneously on Multiple Monitors

Suppose you have numerous displays and separate apps operating over each. In that case, you may set two (or even more) keyboard/mouse pairs to simply transition between the display and task.

Many software can assist Windows in distinguishing between several mice and keyboards, permitting you to utilize several cursors and enter information at the same time.

Pluralinput is one such piece of open-source that performs a good job at multitasking. Because it is in beta, you may encounter some issues. These are the steps involved to set it up:

• Install and run Pluralinput, then select “Set up a new device option” from the left menu.
• A list of all linked keyboards and mice will be shown. Simply tick the box next to each mouse or keyboard you wish to be used as Pluralinput and then click the “Apply changes to devices” button.
• The application will install new drivers and display a new configurable cursor (orange by default). This cursor, however, will have limited control. It can only be used within apps like Word, Notepad, browsers, and others.

If Pluralinput isn’t for you, TeamPlayer is a far more robust alternative. It also includes an old free version that is remarkably enough for essential use.

Now, what are the benefits of having multiple mice and keyboards? Read on to find out!

Benefits of Multiple Mice and Keyboards

There are two major advantages of using multiple mice and keyboards. Let’s take a look!

Control Your PC from Different Locations

Two keyboards/mice would be useful if you want to operate your PC from different locations.

But, for this to function, you must have a wireless keyboard/mouse or a keyboard/mouse with an extremely long cord.

Even when a cable keyboard/mouse is attached, the wireless mouse or keyboard will effortlessly link to your computer. After that, you can control your PC from anywhere in the house. If your PC is streaming to a wireless display, having another keyboard and mouse that can connect to your PC wirelessly will be a huge help.

Use Multiple Keyboards for Multi-Key Functions

A membrane keyboard (which we usually use) enables four keypresses together or simultaneously. In most circumstances, this is adequate. Nevertheless, if you are playing a multiplayer game (a split-screen game where both players are using the same keyboard), one keyboard will not suffice.

Luckily, if each person connects a keyboard, the PC will receive up to 4 key pushes from each participant. As a result, you’ll be capable of playing any game without stuttering or button collisions. You will not have an issue playing Tekken or Fifa with your friends while using multiple keyboards.

But, do remember that the computer cannot tell which keyboard is sending the information. To avoid this, just assign distinct command keys to each participant within the game.

What exactly does this AC followed by a number mean? Does the number after AC indicate how fast the router is? Is a router with AC1900 quicker than a router with AC1200?

What Do Those Letters Mean?

The letters don’t imply anything, but their significance resides in the standard they represent.

Each standard builds on prior versions by including new technologies and adjusting existing ones to increase customer speed, connection, and simplicity of use.

For example, when the IEEE adopted the AC standard and switched from “n” to “ac,” we left the 2.4GHz spectrum and moved entirely to the 5GHz frequency to reduce signal interference from competing devices such as cordless phones.

Extra channels, MIMO streams, and an overall enhancement in connection (such as backward compatibility) and range were also included.

What does the Number Actually Mean?

Regardless of the router’s brand, the model number will always include terms such as “AC 1200,” “AC 1900,” and so on. So, what does all of this mean? The number after the “AC” stands for bandwidth.

Consider an AC1200 router, which has a maximum bandwidth of 1200 megabits per second (1.2 gigabits per second). Because eight bits equal one byte, a 1200 Mbps connection would be sufficient to download around 150 megabytes per second – enough to download an entire movie in half a minute.

Benefits of the AC Standard

Here are some benefits of AC routers discussed below.

Increased Range

The greatest noticeable improvement is to increase the range of router and speed that comes directly from the move to 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band is so packed with signal noise in the ordinary area that it frequently proves to be a substantial hindrance to a stable and continuous wireless service.

While dual-band routers continue to use the 2.4GHz channel, the AC standard’s transition to 5GHz provides you with more options for splitting your devices into one of two accessible spectrums to boost home connection.

Compatibility

It’s unusual for wireless standards to get along. Therefore, the AC standard’s backward compatibility is a significant bonus. Unlike previous standards, 802.11ac is backward-compatible with devices that employ the B, G, or N protocols, so your existing gadgets should continue to function normally following the inevitable upgrade.

While it is compatible with older devices, you will not reap the full benefits of having an AC router unless you connect it to an AC-compliant device.

Maximum Speeds

When pursuing new router standards, keep the following in mind. Each standard boasts much faster top speeds than the one before it. While speed improvements are unavoidable when updating router technology, it’s crucial to realize that the maximum speeds are “theoretical maximums,” which means you’ll never see them in practice.

The settings of the test are regulated in a laboratory environment while testing for theoretical maximums. Your house, on the other hand, does not provide the same level of control because you must fight for airspace with neighbors and ISPs for almost everything else.

Higher Numbers Equal More Computers, Not More Speed

Okay, now that we’ve addressed that AC router speeds are quicker. While manufacturers promise gigabit speeds, the highest real-world speeds are approximately 720Mbps. While the AC standard is three times faster than N, it’s only on a smaller scale.

Real-world numbers indicate that this is closer to 720Mbps for AC, compared to 240Mbps for N.

However, just because larger AC values don’t make your connection quicker doesn’t indicate they’re ineffective. A model with a larger number would typically have more antennae and bands (although not necessarily faster ones). It might also have better features, with modern technologies like Multiuser, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) allowing more users to connect to a router without experiencing speed losses.

A four-antenna AC5300 router could serve four bandwidth-intensive users without experiencing the lag that traditional routers experience.

Furthermore, the higher the number on the bandwidth you’re linked to, the more data from many devices it can process. If you simply have a few devices that require a small amount of bandwidth, a lower-powered AC router would suffice.

Is it Worth Upgrading?

Yes, a million times over, yes. The performance boost provided by an AC router is considerable, and the costs are relatively affordable. You can still get a nice router with AC standard functionality without having to spend too much, and it’s a worthwhile investment for anyone who cares about Internet performance.

While you’re at it, make sure your new router has a dual or tri-band so you can split your devices across 2.4 and 5GHz frequencies for even better performance. It’s not a costly update because most current routers that are even somewhat competent already have at least dual-band capabilities.