Stories by Mark Hachman

All Windows 10 users will get their own news feed, courtesy of Bing

Microsoft will add a new icon to your Windows 10 taskbar in the coming weeks, which will reveal a feed of news and interests, such as traffic and sports.

4 Windows Hello webcams you can buy right now

Windows Hello webcams are relatively rare outside of laptops—not even Microsoft sells one. We've rounded up several PC cameras that do support Windows Hello, so you can add facial-recognition login to your PC.

Google overhauls Meet to thrust participants into the spotlight

Google Meet's user interface is adding features like auto zoom, low-light enhancement, and video backgrounds.

Apple iPad Pro (2021) vs. Surface Go 2 and Surface Pro 7+: The specs, compared

We compare the specs of the new Apple iPad Pro (2021) versus two of the best Windows tablets: the Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ and Surface Go 2.

Apple's new M1 iMac still doesn't know you can use your face to log into your PC

Apple once again introduced a line of new devices—iMacs and iPads—without Face ID, its version of Windows Hello.

New Outlook setting cuts video meetings short to reduce stress

Microsoft researchers have proven that back-to-back meetings without a break can increase stress, so it's building breaks into Outlook.

What are the new Surface Edition chips in the Surface Laptop 4?

Microsoft has published the specifications of both the semi-custom Ryzen 5 4680U Surface Edition, and the Ryzen 7 4980U Surface Edition chips found in the Surface Laptop 4.

Microsoft launches Kids Mode for Edge: Here's how to use it

The new Microsoft Edge Kids Mode provides a whitelisted web for your kids to browse, complete with some fun, custom themes.

Chip shortages will continue until 2023, according to world’s largest chip foundry

TSMC makes the chips that Nvidia, Qualcomm, Apple, and others design. And it has bad news: The chip shortage will continue for another couple of years.

Surface Laptop 4: Should you buy the AMD or Intel version?

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 is available with either an Intel 11th-gen Tiger Lake Core or an AMD Ryzen Surface Edition chip inside. Which should you buy? Microsoft has some fairly specific advice.

Why doesn't the Surface Laptop 4 have the latest Ryzen processors?

Microsoft and AMD have continued to develop Surface Edition processors based on the AMD Ryzen 4000 Mobile processor generation.

Microsoft didn't lie: The Surface Laptop 4 really is twice as fast

We put the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 and its Ryzen 7 4980U Surface Edition chip through a battery of early tests. How fast is it? Is it worth your money? Check out our benchmarks and decide.

Microsoft unveils Surface Laptop 4 with huge performance, battery life claims

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 promises performance and battery life improvements over a range of Intel Core and AMD Ryzen Surface Edition chips.

Microsoft's Modern peripherals include a 1080p webcam, headsets and a speaker

Microsoft's Modern lineup of PC peripherals include a webcam, two headsets, the Surface Headphones 2+, and a USB-C speaker.

Should you buy a Thunderbolt display: Pros, cons, and what to buy

Thunderbolt is appearing more on laptops, docks, and displays. Should you buy a Thunderbolt display? We'll go over the pros and cons.