The best Linux distros for beginners in 2025 make switching from MacOS or Windows so easy

The best Linux distros for beginners in 2025 make switching from MacOS or Windows so easy

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways Linux offers more security, privacy, and freedom from vendors. Modern Linux distros are user-friendly — even for non-techies. Linux Mint, Zorin OS, MX Linux top beginner distro list. Why would you want to switch to the Linux desktop? There are many reasons, but the…

I answered the million-dollar question about buying laptops – here’s the ultimate guide

I answered the million-dollar question about buying laptops – here’s the ultimate guide

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET Choosing the right laptop can feel overwhelming — even for someone like me who’s lived and breathed laptops for years. You get all these options, configurations, and feature lists that it’s impossible not to know up from down. So, to make things easier for you, I’ll be breaking down laptops and their essentials…

3 portable power stations I travel everywhere with (and how they differ)

3 portable power stations I travel everywhere with (and how they differ)

Manufacturers typically offer different runtimes for lamps, refrigerators, CPAP machines, and so on, but if you want to work this out for yourself, you may need two figures, and a bit of math! First, you need the power rating of the device you plan on running, which can usually be found on a label on…

5 iOS 26 features that made updating my iPhone worthwhile (and how to try them)

5 iOS 26 features that made updating my iPhone worthwhile (and how to try them)

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Apple has been busy prepping iOS 26 for its likely debut in September. Until then, the iPhone’s upcoming new OS has been accessible for anyone to try via a developer beta (now up to version 5) and the initial public beta. Though iOS 26 still has at least a month of tweaks before it’s…

I tried Lenovo’s new rollable ThinkBook and can’t go back to regular-sized screens

I tried Lenovo’s new rollable ThinkBook and can’t go back to regular-sized screens

ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable ZDNET’s key takeaways The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 is available now, starting at $3,300. The 120Hz, OLED, portrait-style 16.7-inch display delivers an expansive workspace, supported by a haptic touchpad. It has limited I/O, has some visible creasing on the rollable display, and has a sky-high price. Lenovo unveiled its “rollable”…

Google tests revamped Google Finance with AI upgrades, live news feed

Google tests revamped Google Finance with AI upgrades, live news feed

Google announced on Friday that it’s giving Google Finance, its tool that provides financial information and business news, an AI update. Users will now be able to research their financial questions with AI, access advanced charting tools, and get real-time data and news. With the update, users can now ask detailed questions about finance and…

SoftBank reportedly bought Foxconn’s Ohio factory for the Stargate AI project

SoftBank reportedly bought Foxconn’s Ohio factory for the Stargate AI project

The mystery buyer of the former General Motors factory owned by Foxconn in Lordstown, Ohio, is apparently SoftBank, according to Bloomberg News. SoftBank wants to use the factory to build AI servers as part of the Stargate data center project being spearheaded by the Japanese conglomerate, OpenAI, and Oracle. The report comes just a few…

Pinterest CEO says agentic shopping is still a long way out

Pinterest CEO says agentic shopping is still a long way out

Pinterest CEO Bill Ready told investors on the company’s second-quarter earnings call that the social app and inspirational bookmarking site could be considered an “AI-enabled shopping assistant.” However, he thinks that the agentic web, where AI agents shop on users’ behalf, is still far in the future. The remarks were made in response to a…

How to use Instagram Map and protect your privacy

How to use Instagram Map and protect your privacy

Following Wednesday’s launch of Instagram’s new Snap Map-like opt-in “Instagram Map” feature — which lets U.S. users share their most recent active location with others and discover location-based content — Instagram head Adam Mosseri is having to reassure people that their location is only visible to others if they decide to share it. Although Meta…