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10 laptops that caught the attention of Consumer Reports. Best of all, these portable devices are equipped with built-in screens and keyboards, allowing you to position them almost anywhere. Unless, of course, that positioning leads to discomfort. Just like with mistakes related to desktop computer monitors that can adversely affect your posture, ergonomics should be the primary consideration for where you place your laptop.

Whenever you can, arrange your laptop so that its screen is directly at eye level. If it’s positioned too high or too low, staring at the display for extended time can put a strain on your neck and shoulders, potentially resulting in musculoskeletal issues like chronic back pain. However, even after you determine the ideal height for your laptop screen, it’s crucial to also consider the keyboard.

Since laptop keyboards are built into the casing, their angle in relation to you shifts when the device is moved. It’s well known that prolonged computer use can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, and although you can alleviate the issue by having a keyboard at hip height, doing so on a laptop forces the screen into a position that can be detrimental to your back.

**New Research Uncovers The Common Vehicle Feature That Could Track You**

Having your vehicle monitored and being followed home or having an unfamiliar person learn your habits is a frightening concept. While you may be cautious about noticing who trails you, your vehicle might actually broadcast a trackable signal from your tires that you’re oblivious to. It’s your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). TPMS continuously sends out wireless signals, and each tire has a distinct signal. Although it is intended to relay tire pressure to your car, this signal can also be intercepted by would-be criminals to monitor your movements.

Most modern vehicles come equipped with TPMS. Its aim is to enhance your safety, since improperly inflated tires can lead to vehicular accidents, though TPMS may not always be completely trustworthy. This system is indicated on your dashboard with a yellow warning icon featuring an exclamation mark.

This issue was highlighted in a study conducted by researchers at the IMDEA Networks Institute located in Madrid, Spain. The research titled “Can’t Hide Your Stride: Inferring Car Movement Patterns from Passive TPMS Measurements” is set for publication through IEEE WONS in 2026, with preliminary findings already illuminating this serious concern.

**Insights from the TPMS Study**

Researchers from the IMDEA Networks Institute initiated a 10-week study investigating the wireless signals transmitted by TPMS. They constructed radio receivers at a cost of under $100 each. Over the duration, these receivers gathered more than six million TPMS signals from over 20,000 vehicles. These devices could capture TPMS signals from more than 164 feet away, even penetrating walls and capturing signals from moving vehicles. The tire pressure data collected was also analyzed to distinguish whether the vehicle was a cargo truck or a smaller family car.

The study demonstrated that an individual utilizing a basic device can track the unique signals emitted by tires, thus identifying if the same vehicle has been monitored previously. Over time, this could establish a pattern of someone’s daily activities, such as their work schedules, their return home, or their shopping patterns. The researchers stressed the necessity for automotive manufacturers to address this issue.

When thoughts of surveillance arise, you might consider the possibility of ICE tracking your vehicle or surveillance from traffic cameras. The fact that your own vehicle tires can emit trackable signals is a startling revelation, especially given the numerous instances where criminals have monitored people’s vehicles through simpler methods.

**Significance of This Research**

This study reveals yet another means by which criminals can track individuals, presenting a new obstacle for both law enforcement and automotive manufacturers. The issue of individuals following others home already exists, and it does not require sophisticated technology to accomplish. A woman in Ohio, while driving around to view fireworks in 2025, heard something strike her car and assumed it was a rock. In reality, it was a phone affixed with a magnet that had been thrown. The individuals who hurled the phone tracked its signal to the woman’s residence and attempted to coax her to open the front door. She contacted the police, who then intervened.

There have also been instances of individuals utilizing Apple Air Tags to monitor vehicles. Cases have arisen where individuals discovered these devices attached to their cars upon receiving alerts from their phones. One woman in Michigan realized that an Air Tag had been secured underneath her vehicle while she was inside a Walmart. Tracking a vehicle through TPMS signals is as straightforward and inexpensive as these other methods, but it does not necessitate the criminal being in close proximity to the car.

According to statistics from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), over three million individuals are stalked in the United States annually, primarily by someone they know. Regrettably, this TPMS system flaw presents stalkers and other criminals with another method to monitor you.

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**There Are Concealed Traffic Cameras Located In Places You’d Never Anticipate**

While driving, you might be accustomed to spotting traffic cameras atop signal lights, knowing you are being monitored. However, there exists a concealed network of cameras throughout the United States that you might never realize you’ve passed. This network is overseen by the U.S. Border Patrol, which has stretched its operations beyond its usual jurisdiction. These cameras are camouflaged within traffic cones, power meter boxes, and other locations.

The function of these cameras goes beyond merely looking for suspicious behavior. They come equipped with license plate recognition systems and have developed a database reflecting the specific travel habits of each vehicle. With the Border Patrol’s budget now soaring into the billions, artificial intelligence (AI) is being employed to assist in vehicle tracking and flagging any activities the system considers unusual. Notable locations for these cameras include Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Charlotte, and the border of Michigan and Indiana.

Significant efforts have been made to keep the whereabouts of these cameras hidden, even within judicial and police reports. Nonetheless, there has been a growing number of instances where individuals have been pulled over after being monitored by these cameras, leading to increasing criticism of what is termed a tool for mass surveillance.

**How these concealed cameras lead to traffic stops**

These hidden cameras examine your vehicle’s movements and identify any suspicious or irregular patterns. Consequently, you may find yourself pulled over under a more ordinary pretext, such as speeding or window tint issues. The officer who stops you may then conduct a records check and inquire about your activities and destination. This process mirrors how ICE is tracking vehicles.

This was the experience of Alek Schott, who was returning from a business trip in the San Antonio area in March 2022. He was stopped by local law enforcement who alleged he crossed the fog line while driving. Schott disputed this and provided video footage that he claimed corroborated his statement. After being questioned about criminal records, he was asked to wait in the police vehicle. The officer indicated he was searching for border smuggling activity, to which Schott explained he was on a business trip. A K-9 unit was summoned, and Schott’s vehicle was searched, but nothing was found.

The official report regarding the incident asserts Schott was stopped for lane violation and states no vehicle search occurred, despite video evidence proving otherwise. Schott initiated a lawsuit concerning the incident, feeling he did nothing wrong to warrant being pulled over due to these secret traffic cameras.

**Opposition to these concealed cameras**

The intent behind this camera network by the Border Patrol is to apprehend criminal conduct. However, as illustrated by Alek Schott’s experience, many others are being ensnared in this framework. Detractors argue that this resembles mass surveillance more than typical law enforcement, akin to the new AI tracking systems in video footage.

American Civil Liberties Union analyst Jay Stanley remarked, as reported by ABC 7 News, “I think we should all agree that we shouldn’t let immigration become an excuse for the government to set up vast surveillance systems that monitor everybody all the time.” One Reddit user shared that her daughter, residing in Canada, and her daughter’s boyfriend in Washington state, frequently visit one another. One visit resulted in detainment by border officials due to their frequent crossings.

In February 2026, a class action lawsuit was launched against the Border Patrol and related agents regarding the treatment of ordinary citizens in Maine. The suit alleges that individuals present outdoors while Border Patrol agents conduct searches or arrests have had their faces captured by cameras and were threatened with being placed on domestic terrorist watchlists. The lawsuit further claims one agent intimidated a woman by stating he would visit her house later that evening.

When buying a new laptop, it’s essential to take into account aspects like cost, operating system, processor, display size, and weight. Nonetheless, brand dependability is also vital to ensure your laptop remains effective over time. Consumer Reports (CR), an unbiased entity, carries out yearly surveys to evaluate the reliability and user satisfaction of different laptop brands. Regrettably, not every brand performs well in these evaluations. Here are five prominent laptop brands to steer clear of based on CR’s conclusions:

1. **Alienware**: Renowned for its high-performance gaming laptops, Alienware, which is a Dell subsidiary, provides machines with robust specifications. However, CR’s statistics reveal that Alienware records one of the lowest reliability ratings, making it a questionable investment, especially considering their steep prices.

2. **Dell**: Although it is a significant force in the PC industry, Dell’s reliability ratings are not commendable. While some models, such as the XPS series, are well-respected, numerous laptops, including Inspiron and Latitude models, exhibit low reliability scores.

3. **MSI**: Mainly recognized for its gaming laptops, MSI also provides business laptops like the Prestige series. In spite of its standing for high-performance gaming devices, MSI’s reliability scores are lacking, indicating possible problems within the initial years of usage.

4. **Acer**: Presenting a broad array of laptops from economical Chromebooks to premium gaming options, Acer’s reliability ratings rank among the lowest. The Aspire series, in particular, has faced criticism for inadequate performance and display quality.

5. **Asus**: Celebrated for its creative designs, including the dual-screen Zenbook Duo, Asus has a range of laptops at various price levels. However, its reliability scores are low, signifying possible concerns after the initial years of ownership.

These brands were identified based on CR’s surveys conducted between 2023 and 2025, encompassing 75,923 laptops. The brands mentioned display the lowest reliability ratings among leading manufacturers, rendering them less fitting options for those in search of durable laptops.

extensive efforts to shield users from text scams, the data indicates that scammers continue to seek ways to bypass those protective measures. One method that malicious actors have become particularly interested in is utilizing a device known as an SMS blaster, which compels devices to connect to it by reverting them to 2G networks. This necessitates the perpetrator to transport the blaster to a specific location, but once a device connects, it can inundate the user with a stream of phishing scam messages.

Google has previously advised users to disable 2G connectivity on their smartphones. However, a recent analysis of the latest Google Messages beta by the team at Android Authority implies that the company is making additional strides in safeguarding Android users. Google has incorporated code indicative of a specialized “SMS blaster protection.” Currently, the code appears to specifically reference a toggle, indicating that users will have the option to enable or disable it. Regrettably, information on its functionality is largely lacking at this time.