I'm a big fan of Linux-based operating systems, and I try to convert people whenever I can. No, Linux isn't right for everyone, and Windows 10 isn't a bad operating system, but many computer users are better served by a Linux distro such as Ubuntu. After all, many people live in the web browser these days, so they don't need the bloat of Windows. Not to mention, Linux is arguably more secure.

Of course, there are always people that fight me on the benefits of Linux, and two pieces of software often enter the conversation -- Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. Thankfully, I have some great ammunition in those arguments -- LibreOffice and GNU Image Manipulation Program (aka GIMP). True, both of those programs are also available on Windows and not Linux-only, but still, they make Linux a viable Windows alternative for many.

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Windows 10 was not a surprise, nor was the fact that support was ending for Windows 7. Both home and Enterprise users were well informed of Windows 7's impending doom and given ample time to upgrade or buy new machines. Guess what happened? Smart people left Windows 7 before support ended while stupid people did not.

Look, I hate name-calling, but anyone still on Windows 7 is, in fact, stupid. OK, I suppose they could instead be lazy or indifferent, but ultimately, it is stupid behavior to run an unsupported operating system -- especially for a business. And that's why it is very disappointing to learn Google is extending Chrome support for Windows 7.

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I am currently testing the TCL 10 5G UW smartphone, and it is absolutely unreal how great it is for only $400. Not only do you get a huge 6.53-inch FHD+ display, but a Snapdragon 765 processor, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (plus microSD slot), and an impressive 4500 mAh battery.

The phone comes pre-loaded with Android 10, but TCL promises an upgrade to Android 11 too. Hell, it even has a 3.5mm headphone jack. And yes, the cameras take excellent photos. This is seriously a lot of value for such a paltry price -- especially since it is compatible with Verizon's super-fast 5G UW network.

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In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus was the god of thunder. With that said, "Zeus" makes a really cool product name for PC gaming components, as gamers are sure to enjoy the rumble of bass coming from their speakers as they set off bombs and fire guns in their favorite games.

And so, TEAMGROUP has selected the aforementioned god's name to represent its new DDR4 gaming memory. Called "T-FORCE ZEUS," there are sticks of RAM available for both desktop and laptop computers. Not only should they perform well, but they are quite attractive too. Keep in mind, while the SO-DIMM sticks are technically designed for laptops, they will also work with mini computers, such as the Intel NUC.

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Apple's new Mac computers have changed everything. These machines are powered by the company's own ARM-based "Apple Silicon" processor called "M1" instead of Intel's chips. You know what? The M1 is delighting both consumers and professional reviewers thanks to the excellent battery life and impressive performance. It's really exciting stuff, folks.

There are two new Mac laptops that are powered by the Apple M1 processor -- the MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The Mac mini is the only desktop powered by the M1, and thanks to its lack of a display, it is incredibly affordable. Just how much is the new Mac mini? Well, it starts at only $699.

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Banking is great for the bankers, but not so much for their customers. For many people, dealing with a bank can be a nightmare -- full of overdraft fees, poor service, and terrible location hours. Quite frankly, even the customers with huge balances aren't making out too good these days, as interest rates are almost non-existent.

And so, Google is looking to reinvent banking with a focus on regular folks -- the ones that aren't wealthy. Called "Plex," it is a special mobile-focused bank account coming in 2021 that does away with the predatory fees that seem to target middle- and lower-class people. These fees are why many people in America don't even have a bank account -- a sad reality. No, Google isn't becoming a bank with Plex -- it is instead partnering with several financial institutions to offer these accounts.

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The weather is finally getting colder -- do you know what that means? We computer nerds and PC gamers don't have to feel bad about staying indoors while playing on our computers. During the spring and summer, you can sometimes feel bad about playing video games all day instead of enjoying the weather. In the fall and winter, however, it is totally justified!

You know what else is in the winter? Holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah. This means you can ask friends and family to buy you new PC hardware as gifts. It is the perfect time to ask mom or dad for a new keyboard or mouse, for instance.

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Because of the recently released AMD "ZEN 3" Ryzen 5000 processors, many people are building new PCs lately. Both gamers and enthusiasts are opting for these new AMD CPUs. Not to mention, in just a couple days, the all-new Radeon RX 6000 Series graphics cards will hit stores too. It is a very exciting time to be a system-builder -- especially if you are an AMD fan.

Many of these PC builders will be buying new RAM, and HyperX (Kingston's gaming division) is one popular brand that will surely be considered. Today, HyperX unveils new FURY DDR4 RGB memory kits that are quite exciting. Why? Because these sticks are single-rank 16Gbit variants.

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Well, folks, Thunderbolt 4 is no longer the future -- it is the present. What does this mean? It is time for manufacturers to start flooding the market with TB4 docking stations! Make no mistake, Thunderbolt 4-enabled computers should work fine with existing Thunderbolt 3 hardware, including docks. With that said, if you get yourself a TB4 computer, and you don't already have a TB3 dock, you should absolutely try and buy a TB4 dock.

Today, Kensington unveils its first such product. Called "SD5700T," it is a Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with 90W power delivery. For video, it can output dual 4K or single 8K. It is loaded to the gills with useful ports, such as USB-A, Gigabit Ethernet, and USB-C/Thunderbolt 4. But also, it features an SD card reader and a beautiful aluminum chassis. This should be a great way to transform a new TB4 laptop into a proper desktop computer.

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Google's Pixel line of smartphones provides the purest Android experience, but for whatever reason, they aren't huge sellers. For many consumers, it is Samsung or nothing, and that is totally understandable -- that company does make good phones. If you prefer regular and timely Android updates, however, you pretty much have to go with a Pixel.

We are now halfway through November, and Christmas shopping is in full swing. Many people will be buying new smartphones for loved ones -- or themselves. And if you want a Pixel, you have a very hard decision -- do you opt for the Pixel 5 or Pixel 4a 5G? Both are 5G smartphones, yes, but they are not the same.

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All Linux users are the same, right? No way, José! Linux users are a diverse bunch, with differing opinions, tastes, and personalities. In fact, that is probably a contributing factor to the fragmentation of the Linux community. Linux users have lots of options between distributions, desktop environments, and more -- they are not stuck in a box like Windows 10 users.

To highlight how different Linux users can be, Canonical has released some data about the installation of Snaps, categorized by distro. It chose six of the most popular Linux-based operating systems for its analysis -- Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, Arch Linux, and Manjaro. It then shared the top five most popular snaps for each distribution in 2020.

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It is November 12 and macOS 11 Big Sur is officially released today -- yes, sir, indeed. Why does the date matter? Well, I suppose it doesn't in the grand scheme of things, but still, it is rather surprising that Apple didn't release it yesterday, when the date was 11/11. Boy, that was missed opportunity, eh? Oh well.

But yeah, if you are a Mac owner, you can finally install the latest version of the macOS operating system. This is most notable for being the first version of macOS that will run on Apple's new M1-powered Mac computers. And yes, Big Sur on these new Macs can run both iOS and iPadOS apps too.

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Christmas is fast approaching, and AMD recently released new processors, making this a prime time for people to start building PCs for themselves or for others as gifts. This means people will be searching for components like SSDs, RAM, Power Supply Units, and more.

Of course, all of these things must be housed in a case, and while it is largely superficial (it can impact cooling, however), a chassis is still a very important part of any build. Nowadays people seem to like small computers, but I still prefer full-ATX so I can get a motherboard with plenty of expandability. Thankfully, there are compact PC cases that will accommodate a full-ATX board.

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There have been many great Linux distro updates lately, such as Ubuntu and Fedora. Today, yet another great operating system gets updated to a new version, this time it is MX Linux 19.3. The Debian-based distribution offers a choice between Xfce 4.14 and KDE Plasma 5.15 for the desktop environment and comes with MESA 18.3.6.

MX Linux 19.3 comes loaded with some great software, such as GIMP 2.10.12, Firefox 82, VLC 3.0.11, Clementine 1.3.1, and Thunderbird 68.12.0. The reliable LibreOffice 6.1.5 is installed by default, but you can easily update to version 7.x from a repository.

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ARM is the future of computing -- there's a reason Microsoft keeps trying to switch Windows to the new architecture. Unfortunately, Windows on ARM has not been a success, as consumers have largely rejected Microsoft's attempts. I have a Surface RT tablet that I keep in a drawer which serves as a constant reminder of what could have been.

Apple is in the midst of this switch with Mac, but it looks to have a huge success on its hands. Why? Because the iPhone-maker developed its own chips rather than just work with partners. More importantly, Apple has a very precise plan on transitioning, and consumers seem to be on board.

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