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| PC World - 22 Jun (PC World)Video editing can put quite a heavy burden on any computer. So, when shopping for a laptop for video editing, you’ll want to make sure you’re loading up on enough heavy hardware firepower to get the job done. While you might not need the absolute top-of-the-line gear, simply buying a gaming laptop and calling it a day is probably not going to cut it. Beyond just processor and graphics performance, serious video editors need to take into account a few things such as the quality of the display, port selection, and onboard storage capacity.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been covering PCs since 1983, and reviews more than 70 notebooks a year in our never-ending quest to find the best laptops. Our expert reviewers evaluate every machine using a combination of performance benchmarks and rigorous usability standards, with an eye toward identifying the best laptops for specific needs and at various price points. We also edit lots of videos ourselves, with the results appearing on PCWorld’s YouTube channel. Take a look at our top picks for video editing below, followed by buying advice and more details about our testing process.
If you’re on a budget or just looking to save some money, you may also want to check out our daily roundup of the best laptop deals to scope out any discounts on content creation notebooks.
Update June 20, 2024: In addition to updating the list of recent laptop reviews, we’ve also replaced the Best Ultraportable for Video Editing pick with the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 ($1,599.99). It’s far less expensive than our former pick and it’s lightweight and has a wide range of connectivity options.
The best laptops for video editing
Dell XPS 17 (2023) – Best laptop for video editing
Pros
Expansive 17-inch 16:10 display
Thin chassis
Incredible battery life
Cons
Expensive
720p webcam
Why we like the Dell XPS 17 (2023)
The Dell XPS 17 (2023) is a fantastic laptop for content creation because it has a gigantic display and a good amount of graphics firepower. The OLED touch display, which measures a massive 17-inches, features a crystal clear resolution of 3840×2400 and a maximum brightness of 550 nits. It’s perfect for media editing, multitasking, and so much more. The machine is also powered by an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, which means it’s more than capable of handling any video editing you throw at it. The specific configuration we reviewed will cost you well over $3,000, so it’s likely not a viable option for the budget-conscious, but if your time is money, the Dell XPS 17 is money very well spent.
Who should buy the Dell XPS 17 (2023)
We feel the Dell XPS 17 is a phenomenal option for serious or professional video editors. The 4K screen is divine and it has the perfect amount of horsepower as far as internal components go. It also includes an SD card reader and multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports for quickly offloading videos or photos. Finally, the Dell XPS 17 can run up to 11 hours on a single charge, eliminating the need to go outlet hunting. Although we would’ve liked to have seen this model with an OLED screen, it’s still a top-notch pick.
Alternative option: The Dell XPS 16 is another good option for content creators. In fact, the hardware is almost identical to our top pick. The only real difference is that the Dell XPS 16 has an OLED screen and the Dell XPS 17 9730 does not. That said, the Dell XPS 16 didn’t make the cut because it doesn’t have as many Thunderbolt 4 ports and the keyboard is a real headache to use due to stiff keys.
Read our full
Dell XPS 17 9730 review
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra – Best laptop for video editing (if you don`t need 4K)
Pros
Fantastic battery life
Solid GPU performance
Gorgeous OLED screen that can be used outdoors
Great audio
AI-powered Core Ultra inside
Cons
Chargers keep getting bigger
Still not a great keyboard
Best Prices Today:
$2999.99 at Best Buy
Why we like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra offers powerful performance as well as a gorgeous OLED display. Thanks to the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, it’s well equipped to handle any video editing task you throw at it. Plus, the 16-inch OLED display has a resolution of 2880×1800 and a refresh rate of 120Hz–so you can expect a crisp-looking picture with rich colors. Sure, it’s not 4K, but it’s still a fantastic screen for content creation. Battery life is absolutely absurd, too. This machine lasted a whopping 18 hours and 54 minutes on a single charge. Wall outlet? Who is she?
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra
Anyone looking for a powerful, long-lasting laptop and doesn’t need to edit 4K videos. In addition to the stunning OLED display and the long battery life, the audio is also quite punchy, sounding great up and down the audio range. If you switch on the Dolby Atmos feature, you’ll hear even richer sound. Though content creators may not necessarily need good audio (or likely use dedicated headphones), it’s still a nice perk.
Read our full
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra review
Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro) – Best MacBook for video editing
Pros
Good performance
18GB of RAM
Runs quiet
Cons
Low performance advantage over M2 Pro
Best Prices Today:
$1,699 at Amazon$1849 at Best Buy$1999 at Adorama
Why we like the Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro)
The Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro) will kick you in the teeth with its power (in the best way possible). Inside, you’ll find a 14-core GPU as well as 18GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. That amount of RAM will keep things running nice and smooth while the beefy GPU will chew right through any intense edits, though intense video editors will want to upgrade to a model with more storage or invest in an external SSD for added capacity. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display also has a ridiculously high resolution of 3024×1964, so editing should be a delightful experience. It even comes with three Thunderbolt 4 ports for speedy data transfers.
Who should buy the Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro)
Anyone who prefers Apple’s ecosystem. This configuration shows a 44 percent increase in performance (according to Geekbench’s Compute Metal test) compared to the M3 (sans Pro) model. You’ll also be able to see every detail of your photo or video editing work thanks to the gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display. Battery life isn’t too shabby, either. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro will last you over ten hours on a single charge, which is more than a full work day.
Alternative option: If you’re looking for a bigger screen, then you should check out the MacBook Pro, M2 Pro. The Liquid Retina XDR display measures 16.2-inches and has a resolution of 3456×2234, so visuals should be sharp as knives. The M2 Pro also comes loaded with a powerful 19-core GPU.
Read our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 2023) review
Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition – Best budget laptop for video editing
Pros
All-day battery life
Stunning display
Durable build
Cons
720p webcam
Keys feel too soft
Why we like the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition
The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is a good option for those on a tight budget, as it ticks off all of the right boxes for a sub-$1,000 machine. For one, colors appear rich and varied on the 16-inch 1200p FHD display. Sure, it’s not 4K, but it’s still a good screen–our reviewer was surprised by the “depth of the blacks and greys.” As for internals, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU and the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU should blitz right through graphically demanding tasks like video editing. It also lasted a whopping 11 hours on a single charge, which is shocking for a gaming laptop.
Who should buy the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition
Anyone who’s looking to save money on a capable and long-lasting laptop. You don’t have to go outlet hunting because of the long battery life and the 1200p display offers nothing but stunning visuals. While the keys feel a bit mushy and the 720p webcam won’t be doing you any favors on video calls, we feel as though the pros far outweigh the cons, especially given the reasonable price point.
Alternative option: The Lenovo LOQ 15 is another good budget option to consider. It has a better GPU (RTX 4060) than our current top pick. Despite the high star rating, it didn’t end up making the cut because of the poor battery life (not unusual in a gaming laptop) and limited connectivity options. The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition just stands out from the pack, especially where battery life is concerned, but the Lenovo LOQ would be a good budget option if your workflow is accelerated by Nvidia features and technology.
Read our full
Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 – Best ultraportable laptop for video editing
Pros
Very light and compact design
Excellent performance for its size
Robust build
Visually stunning display
Cons
Keys feel soft and mushy
The webcam isn`t the best quality
The downward facing woofers sometimes sound muddy
Best Prices Today:
$1599.99 at Best Buy$2499 at Asus
Why we like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is “exceptionally sleek and compact,” according to our comprehensive review. Not only does it tip the scales at just 3.31 pounds, but you can easily pick it up with an index finger and a thumb. The slim form factor is impressive given the hardware inside, which consists of an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. That means it’s powerful enough to handle editing photos in Adobe Photoshop and playing games with the graphics turned up. The connectivity options are also quite good and the OLED screen has a high resolution of 2880×1800. It’s not 4K, but you can still expect a sharp picture. The port selection includes two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, one USB-C 4, one HDMI, one 3.5mm combo jack, and one microSD card reader.
Who should buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
Anyone that likes to work on-the-go. In addition to its slim form factor, it’s also quite tough with “premium CNC-milled aluminum alloy” throughout the chassis. It even achieved impressive frame rates in a couple of modern games. In fact, it managed 133 frames-per-second during the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark and 101 frames-per-second during Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark, which is newer and more demanding. If you’re looking for reliable gaming performance in a tiny package, look no further than the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.
Read our full
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 review
Recent laptop reviews
Acer Aspire Vero 16: The Acer Aspire Vero 16 is pretty average in most areas, but at just about every turn it avoids being bad. This makes for a good all-around package that’s pleasant to use and rarely feels like a letdown.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1: Lenovo delivered a 2-in-1 ThinkPad with great build quality, a nice pen, and serious battery life. But you may want to wait for a next-generation model powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware.
Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage.
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Lenovo’s ThinkBook is a better business laptop for most people than a top-of-the-line ThinkPad, but the lack of ports may be a problem.
How we tested
The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.
Windows laptops
PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we determine how well the laptop handles lighter tasks like web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and so on.
HandBrake: HandBrake is more intensive than PCMark 10. It basically measures how long a laptop’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
Cinebench: Cinebench is a brief stress test of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a short period of time.
3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D performance remains consistent over time by running graphic-intensive clips.
Video rundown test: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video using Windows 10’s Movies & TV app until the laptop dies.
FAQ
1.
What should I look for in a laptop for video editing?
The first thing to look for in a laptop for video editing is its CPU and GPU. The faster your hardware, the faster your edits.
If your workload is primarily CPU-driven, we’d recommend springing for the Intel Core i7 or the Intel Core i9. HX is designed for raw horsepower, which id deal for gaming and content creation, and the Ultra is built around power efficiency. For a more in-depth look at the difference between the two processors, we’ve done a thorough compare and contrast piece that really lays it all out. For those on a strict budget, you can get by with an Intel Core i5, but it’s going to be slower.
You probably won’t need a dedicated graphics card everyday video editing, but if you work on motion graphics, then the extra firepower really comes in handy. For most video editing projects, we’d suggest the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 or higher, though having any RTX GPU onboard can help accelerate some specific workloads. For those who prefer AMD over Nvidia, we’d recommend the AMD Radeon RX 7600S or higher. Unless you’re looking to play AAA games on the side, you don’t really need the best graphics card out there. A mid-range GPU will serve most people.
Another thing to consider is storage size. A 4K video, for example, will require more storage space than a 1080p video. In other words, you’re going to need quite a bit of storage, otherwise your laptop might get too bogged down. For those who work with 4K resolution, you should go for at least 1TB of SSD or higher. You could probably get by with just 512GB of SSD storage, but you’ll probably need to keep offloading files onto an external storage device.
RAM is important too, as it determines how fast your laptop will generally run. Video editors tend to work with large files, which can cause your laptop to slow down. That’s why we’d recommend at least 16GB of RAM. However, if you’re editing 4K video, you’ll definitely want 32GB of RAM or more. More RAM reduces the likelihood of bottlenecks, which can be a real pain in the neck when you’re in the middle of an important edit.
2.
What kind of display should I get?
You’re going to want a display that’s both bright and color accurate. For example, a display that’s close to 100 percent of the sRGB spectrum is ideal. While a 4K display isn’t necessary, we’d strongly recommend it for serious video editing. A high resolution display will produce sharper images, which helps reduce eye strain, and allow you to edit 4K video at full resolution. A larger screen like a 15- or 17-inch is preferable as well, as it provides better visibility for editing.
3.
What do the experts recommend?
PCWorld video director Adam Patrick Murray stresses that an ideal laptop for video editing includes an SD card reader for grabbing video off of a camera. He also recommends opting for a notebook with a 4K, 60Hz panel over the ultra-fast 1080p panels often found on gaming laptops that would otherwise be ideal for video editing. You need a 4K panel to edit 4K videos well and blazing-fast refresh rates don’t mean anything for video editing like they do for gaming. If color accuracy matters to you—it might not if you’re only creating casual videos for your personal YouTube channel, for example—then support for the full DCI-P3 color gamut is also a must along with Delta E .
You won’t often find those sorts of specs listed for (or supported by) gaming laptops, but dedicated content creation laptops should include that information. That said, if you want the fastest possible laptop for video editing that can also satisfy your gaming proclivities, you can always pair that burly gaming laptop with a color-accurate external monitor for creation tasks.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 22 Jun (PC World)We have some excellent news: our top-pick portable SSD is currently on sale! The Samsung T7 Shield is heavily discounted at Amazon right now, with the 1TB version’s price down to $100 from its MSRP of $170 for a cool savings of $70.
The T7 Shield is a super-fast storage option that’s sleek, gorgeous, and rugged enough for almost anything you throw its way. It was designed to withstand the elements—IP65 rating for water and dust resistance—making it a solid portable SSD for when you’re out and about.
When we reviewed the Samsung T7 Shield, we found it to be excellent, granting it 4.5 out of 5 stars and our Editors’ Choice award.
Thanks to PCIe NVMe technology, the T7 Shield offers blazing-fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s. “The T7 Shield was also the fastest 10Gbps external SSD we’ve tested writing 450GB, and somewhat surprisingly, bested two of the 20Gbps drives we’ve tested,” wrote our expert Jon Jacobi in his review.
Compatibility isn’t an issue with this tiny portable SSD, either. Samsung’s T7 Shield works just as well with Windows PCs, speedy Macs, Android devices, gaming consoles, and more.
The 1TB version is the most affordable, but there are also larger storage options: the 2TB version is $195 (down from $285) and the 4TB version is $318 (down from $500). We also recently spotted the non-Shield version of the T7 on sale at a significant discount that’s still available.
But the best deal is the 1TB version of the Samsung T7 Shield, which you can grab right now for just $100. Don’t miss it!
Save $70 on Samsung`s T7 Shield right nowGet this deal on Amazon
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 22 Jun (PC World)Having a single wall charger for all your devices can save you time and keep your space decluttered. Need a charger like that? The Anker 747 Wall Charger is it, and it’s currently available for its best price yet.
Down from its normal $110, you can get it for just $70 right now—a spectacular 36% discount for a powerhouse device.
Imagine this: Your laptop is running low on battery, your smartphone isn’t far behind, and your wireless headphones are about to die, too. But there’s only one power outlet and no power strip.
One option is to plug in your laptop, then charge your phone and headphones through the laptop. But that would take a while. Why do that when you could instead fast charge all three at once?
The Anker 747 offers high-speed charging for two simultaneous laptops, four simultaneous smaller devices, or an impressive 100W output for a single device. It has four total ports: three USB-C and one USB-A. Altogether, it can deliver 150W total power.
Powered by GaN technology, this charger isn’t just fast—it’s also more energy efficient than traditional chargers. And it’s pretty darn compact, about 38% smaller than Apple’s 140W charger.
So, whether you’re a frequent traveler, a tech enthusiast, or someone who just hates clutter, the Anker 747 Wall Charger is a game changer. It’s small, it’s versatile, and, most importantly, it’s on sale right now!
This 4-device Anker wall charger is 36% offGet it now on Amazon
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| ![](/n.gif) | | - 22 Jun ()Hackers attempted to commit credit card fraud against UN Women Australia, but its chief executive says the group managed to beat the attackers with the help of its technology partners. Read...Newslink ©2024 to | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 21 Jun (PC World)Gaming laptops are some of the most exquisite in their class, combining fast processors with speedy storage and ultra-powerful graphics chips for serious visual performance.
Even so, no gamer has ever said they don’t need even more performance, that they’re perfectly content with their frame rate and visuals. Nope. More is almost always better!
But what can you do? Upgrading a gaming laptop isn’t as straightforward as upgrading a gaming PC. Unless you’re gaming on a Framework Laptop, you can’t just slot a new graphics chip in there and call it a day. You have to be a little more creative.
Here are several features and settings you can tweak to make your gaming laptop run even faster and make your games look better.
See also: The best gaming laptops worth getting
Use dynamic upscaling
One of the biggest advances in PC gaming in recent years has been in dynamic upscaling, where AI is used to enhance picture quality without demanding more resources, thereby improving performance while making the game look better, too.
This feature is available via Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), AMD’s FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), and Intel’s XeSS (Xe Super Sampling), and you can use dynamic upscaling in a range of games across various hardware.
More on this: AMD FSR 3 vs. Nvidia DLSS 3, compared
Whatever upscaling solution you have available, consider using it. DLSS in particular makes games look almost indistinguishable from higher native resolutions, and all of them deliver a big uplift in frame rates.
Enable frame generation
AMD
AMD
AMD
The most advanced graphics performance boosting technology in 2024 is, without a doubt, frame generation. This is an AI-powered technique that takes two rendered frames and AI-generates an in-between frame, making a smooth transition and boosting frame rates.
Frame generation is available via AMD’s Fluid Motion Frames feature and Nvidia’s DLSS 3 Frame Generation feature.
There are some concerns with frame generation—it isn’t ideal for latency and the image quality isn’t always the best—but there’s no denying that frame generation can take a sedate frame rate and make it much, much higher with no real effort.
The list of supporting games for each technology is still in the low double digits, but it’s growing! The feature is well worth enabling if you need a frame rate boost and your hardware and game support it.
Enable ReBAR/SAM
This is a feature that everyone should have enabled—especially if you have an Intel graphics card, as it’s almost mandatory to make Intel’s latest GPUs competitive with AMD and Nvidia.
It’s generally called ReBAR (Resizeable BAR), but AMD calls theirs SAM (Smart Access Memory) even though it’s essentially the same thing. Either way, the technology allows your CPU to access much more of your GPU’s video memory at a time, making it much more efficient.
Further reading: What is Resizeable BAR and how does it work?
ReBAR/SAM doesn’t tend to boost performance dramatically, but for a simple toggle in your driver suite or BIOS, it’s a great feature that’ll net a few more frames per second for near-zero effort. It’s even possible to get with a BIOS update on particularly old gaming PCs.
You already have ReBAR support if you have an Nvidia or Intel GPU, but you’ll need both an AMD CPU and GPU to enable SAM. Enable whichever one you can for a notable performance bump in most games.
Enable Windows Game Mode
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Windows Game Mode is a special PC state that tells Windows you’re gaming so it should de-prioritize background applications.
Game Mode won’t stop those background apps entirely, though, so you might actually get better results by manually closing any apps that are particularly resource intensive. However, Game Mode only takes a second to turn on and it’s way more convenient.
Navigate to Settings > Gaming, then toggle Game Mode to On.
Want to tweak Game Mode a little more to make it even better? Check out our guide on fine-tuning Windows Game Mode.
Enable XMP/EXPO
Most RAM is capable of running far faster than stock settings, so manufacturers include a factory overclock setting known as XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) or EXPO (Extended Profiles for Overclocking).
This setting can be enabled in the BIOS to give your memory a real boost, improving overall system performance.
Not all laptops support XMP/EXPO, however, so if you find that your BIOS has no option for enabling this, you may be out of luck. Check the manufacturer’s website as it’s possible a firmware update will give it to you, but there’s no guarantee.
See also: The best gaming laptops under $1,000
Plug in before playing
Gaming on a laptop is often a tale of two experiences: gaming while plugged in and gaming on battery.
When your laptop is plugged in, it can bypass the battery entirely and draw all the power it needs right from the mains power. That doesn’t mean it’s going to suddenly become more powerful than it was before, but it does mean performing at full potential.
In other words, there’s no compromise made to save power or optimize efficiency—it’s pure, as-good-as-it-gets gaming performance. If you’re going to be gaming in one spot for an extended period of time, make sure to plug the laptop in. The difference can be dramatic.
Set the right power plan
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
What if you’re gaming on the go and can’t plug in? In that case, you must consider how long your battery is going to last. To help you manage that, Windows has several power plans to pick from, allowing you to prioritize performance or battery life as needed.
The efficiency-oriented power plans tend to put the CPU and GPU into lower power states, though, potentially locking you out of greater performance in an effort to keep the battery going for longer.
If you don’t care about that, or feel you can manage your battery life yourself, then switching to either Balanced or High Performance power plan (instead of Power Saver) can make a real difference.
When gaming while the laptop is plugged in, these power plans are unlikely to have as dramatic an effect—Windows may even switch to the High Performance plan automatically—but it’s still worth checking to make sure.
Note: Higher performance power plans can also affect other areas of operation, such as preventing your USB ports from sleeping, so your laptop may feel less responsive in lower performance power plans.
Adjust driver settings
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Jon Martindale / IDG
Nvidia, Intel, and AMD graphics cards all have a number of settings in their driver suites worth tweaking. Often that’s where you’ll find ReBAR/SAM, but that’s far from the only tweak worth making.
For AMD gamers, you have AMD Chill, which can dynamically lower frame rates when there’s no motion on screen (e.g., in menu screens or when listening to dialogue). This keeps your laptop’s temperature down, allowing it to boost harder for longer when you actually need it.
AMD also has Radeon Boost, which can dynamically adjust resolution and other in-game factors for improved performance.
For Nvidia gamers, it can be a good idea to set the Power Management Mode to Prefer maximum performance and G-Sync to On (if your laptop supports it) to maximize performance and avoid screen tearing.
Both AMD and Nvidia have their own anti-lag technologies, too. If you’re playing competitive games or want to reduce input lag as much as possible, enable them to improve your reaction times.
Overclock CPU/GPU
Overclocking is when you manually increase the clock speed of a component—in this case, CPU and/or GPU—so that it runs even faster, unlocking greater performance.
Overclocking is typically better suited to desktop PCs because they’re better equipped for cooling and they don’t have as much concern for battery life or fan noise. But if your laptop’s components support overclocking, it can be a great way to boost performance.
Overclocking your CPU and/or GPU will produce more heat, leading to greater fan noise, and it’ll drain your battery faster. It may also reduce system stability, causing it to crash more often. So make sure to take your time and overclock your components safely.
Learn more in our guides to fine-tuning AMD Radeon graphics cards and fine-tuning Nvidia GeForce graphics cards.
Still not enough? More performance!
With all the above features and settings tweaks, your gaming laptop should be running faster than ever. That’s not all you can do to fully min/max performance, though!
See our guide to boosting laptop performance for a few extra tips on making your laptop as performant as possible.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | RadioNZ - 21 Jun (RadioNZ)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) The start-up technology sector appears to be thriving despite the downturn in the wider economy. Read...Newslink ©2024 to RadioNZ | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 21 Jun (PC World)Picture this, you’ve settled down to enjoy your favorite adult content, you’re alone, you’ve set the mood, everything is ready. But before you can click play, you’re asked to provide multiple pictures of yourself and official ID in good lighting with the documents clearly visible. Then upload all of this and pass it through an age verification system. And then still be in the mood to get back to your original business.
This is the recent reality for many in the U.S. after certain states have passed age verification laws for adult websites. In March of this year, the popular adult site PornHub went dark in Texas in order to protest new strict laws imposed by the state requiring just such verifications, following similar standoffs in other states.
Now, Pornhub is set to block access to five more states including Indiana, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska in response to similar age verification laws in those states as well. Fortunately, even if you live in one of these states, getting around site-specific geographical restrictions is easy enough with the right VPN. Below you’ll find more info about these new laws, how to use a VPN to access mature content, and why you should use a VPN no matter what websites you visit.
What are age verification laws and why do they matter?
AndrewFall/Shutterstock.com
AndrewFall/Shutterstock.com
AndrewFall/Shutterstock.com
In recent years, age verification laws have emerged in response to a growing concern that minors can too easily access adult content online. Regulations have long struggled to keep up with the rapid pace of technology and this is seen as a belated response to the current widespread availability of online pornography.
Porn and other adult content have been labeled by some as a public health crisis, with increasing rates of porn addiction and other negative psychological impacts seen as a concerning consequence, particularly to the younger generations.
It’s always been illegal for minors to visit a porn site, but previously this has usually been enforced with a simple self-verification check, asking users to confirm that they are over 18 years of age. Some officials see these as too simplistic and ineffective leading to a call for stricter age verification methods.
The first state to enact such a law was Louisiana in 2022. Since then, more states have followed suit and many more are considering them in their respective state legislatures as we speak.
The reason why this matters is that it has far-reaching effects not just for minors, but all of us. Beyond the possible First Amendment infringements, these laws can have serious consequences for a user’s personal data.
Most of these age verification systems require users to submit pictures of themselves and personal identification, which are uploaded and stored on a third-party database. Anytime personal data such as this is collected, it’s at risk from data breaches and exploitation by cybercriminals (or sovereign governments).
Furthermore, there’s the issue that these restrictions will drive people away from well-regulated and legal adult content sites to less secure, shady sources potentially further endangering users. It’s not dissimilar to previous attempts to regulate pirated content — most people won’t stop pirating content if you take down the site; they’ll just find an even dodgier site to access what they want.
Which states have an age verification law for adult websites?
PornHub’s official statement to those trying to access its content in Texas.
PornHub’s official statement to those trying to access its content in Texas. Sam Singleton
PornHub’s official statement to those trying to access its content in Texas. Sam Singleton
Sam Singleton
Currently, nine states including Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia have already enacted laws requiring verification to access adult content sites.
Six more states, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, and South Dakota, are all poised to join them. Age verification bills in these states have cleared their respective legislative houses and appear on their way to becoming law soon.
Currently Pornhub is blocking traffic from residents in all nine of the states with active age verification laws. On June 12 they announced further restrictions, which will take effect in July, for residents of Indiana, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska.
How to use a VPN to access adult websites
When sites like PornHub are no longer accessible in your state, the best option to turn to is a VPN. By connecting to a VPN server located in a location that isn’t affected by the ban, you’ll once again have access to all of the site’s content.
When you connect to a VPN, all of your traffic is encrypted and routed through an independent server operated by the VPN provider. These servers can be located in different U.S. states, or different countries. While connected to one of these remote servers, your web traffic will exit through that server, appearing as if you’re browsing from that remote physical location instead.
If you find that you’re unable to access the adult content you want in your location, you can boot up your VPN and connect to a remote server. For example, if you’re located in Texas, where PornHub has a self-imposed ban, you can connect to a VPN server in another state and then go back to PornHub and, voilà, the content should be available once again.
As a side note, it’s also recommended to have a strong antivirus and ad-blocker installed and browse in incognito mode while accessing adult content. Adult websites are notorious for having annoying pop-ups and dubious links. Plus, incognito mode will save you the blushes of having these sites show up in your browser history — nobody needs to see your kinks laid out in Google’s autocomplete recommendations.
If you don’t already have a VPN or are in the market for a good option, check out our roundup of the best VPNs to help you decide.
PCWorld`s pick for best vpn
ExpressVPN
Read our review
Is it legal to use a VPN to access adult content?
Here is where the issue becomes tricky. There’s nothing inherently illegal about using a VPN in the U.S. The problem arises in what you do while connected to a VPN. Think of it like this, if it’s illegal to do without a VPN, then it’s still illegal to do with a VPN. For example, if you’re underage, accessing adult content is illegal with or without a VPN.
Since some laws vary state to state, it’s important to research and properly understand the laws and regulations surrounding adult content in your own legal jurisdiction before attempting to access any of this content — via VPN or not.
The content in this article should only be used as guidance to get around certain adult sites’ restrictions, such as PornHub’s recent embargo. It should not be construed as advice nor advocacy to circumvent any state or federal laws.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 21 Jun (PC World)I hate having to search the house for that “one” wall charger that actually has enough oomph to fast charge my phone. But that issue is easily solved with a handful of fast chargers around the house.
And now’s a great time to stock up because Belkin’s Dual Wall Charger is currently on sale for $18 at Walmart, down from its usual $25.
This compact and speedy Belkin charger is perfect for when you need a reliable charging plug, whether at home or out and about.
This charger features dual USB ports—one 25W USB-C and one 12W USB-A, for a total output of 37 watts—and it has Programmable Power Supply (PPS) technology that dynamically adjusts voltage depending on what kind of device is plugged in.
It’s ideal for charging multiple devices simultaneously, and it’s versatile enough to work with iPhones, Samsungs, and more.
Another nice point: it’s tiny! While the prongs don’t fold away, it’s still small enough to toss in a bag and take with you while traveling if needed. Otherwise, keep it plugged in at home without being an eyesore.
If I were you, I’d hurry because this deal won’t last forever. With the Belkin Dual Wall Charger for just under $18, this is a great opportunity to save money on something you won’t regret.
This dual-USB Belkin wall plug is so cheapGet it now at Walmart
Mobile Phone Chargers Read...Newslink ©2024 to PC World | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | ITBrief - 20 Jun (ITBrief)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) SmartBear has unveiled two AI-driven innovations for API and functional testing, integrating HaloAI technology to enhance software development efficiency. Read...Newslink ©2024 to ITBrief | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | BBCWorld - 20 Jun (BBCWorld)This week Tech Life has a special programme about the technology of artificial limbs. Read...Newslink ©2024 to BBCWorld | ![](/n.gif) |
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