Top 4 Budget-Friendly Laptops Suggested by Consumer Reports

which laptop brands stand out as the most dependable in selecting the appropriate specifications and operating systems.

This is where reliable sources like Consumer Reports (CR) come into action. CR is recognized for its thorough assessments and impartial insights. Similar to a variety of other products, CR evaluates laptops, assessing their processing power, screen quality, battery longevity, and various other essential aspects, subsequently selecting a few as its recommendations for the finest laptops of the year. Therefore, to assist you in finding a reliable budget laptop, we have sifted through CR’s recommendations and identified the following five choices. Each of these laptops is priced below $1,000 and encompasses a broad spectrum of costs and specifications to cater to various budget tiers and needs.

Acer Aspire Go 15 Laptop AG15-51P-510U

The Acer Aspire Go 15 ranks among Consumer Reports’ best selections for those in search of an affordable laptop. It labels the Acer laptop as a “fantastic option for daily web surfing, email correspondence, and streaming.

How to Conquer the Most Difficult Captcha in the World

I’m Not a Robot invites players to tackle 48 levels filled with progressively intricate CAPTCHA tasks. It begins simply: tick the box, identify the squares featuring a stop sign, interpret the twisted text — the basics. Then, things take a strange turn, as you’ll need to win at tic-tac-toe, engage in whack-a-mole, and locate Waldo. Soon enough, you’re descending into a chaotic realm of Rorschach tests, eye examinations, trigonometry, and a sequence of “park the car” tasks that will ignite road rage from the coziness of your own residence!

By the time the game puts you to the test with a “reverse Turing test,” you may start to doubt your grip on reality, but should you succeed, a certificate of humanity from Luis von Ahn, co-creator of CAPTCHA (and Duolingo!) awaits you as a reward. The experience is witty, whimsical, and thoroughly maddening. It’s also a brilliant demonstration of the genuine technology driving CAPTCHA.

How CAPTCHAs function

HBO Max Features Keanu Reeves’ Overlooked Comic Book Horror Movie

While “Constantine 2” has yet to receive the green light, despite the interest expressed by both Reeves and Lawrence, the initial film began streaming on HBO Max in early 2026, offering fans of the action-horror genre an opportunity to revisit it. Those who have skipped the film all these years, or were simply unaware, can now discover it from the comfort of home — possibly joining the ranks of fans advocating for a sequel to the tale.

“Constantine” serves as an instance where the Rotten Tomatoes rating from film critics (46%) does not accurately reflect the reaction of the general audience. The Rotten Tomatoes Popcorn Meter score is significantly higher, sitting at 72% from over 250,000 ratings, consistent with the film’s IMDb rating (7.0/10 based on over 402,000 reviews). While critics may have had legitimate criticisms of “Constantine” upon its release, it remains an enjoyable film to watch. Keanu Reeves plays an exorcist/investigator specializing in the supernatural. John Constantine possesses the ability to see, speak to, and confront demons and/or angels already embroiled in their conflict over humanity. He navigates this while bearing his own metaphorical burden as he heads toward his imminent day of reckoning.

It’s not solely centered on Keanu Reeves

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Five Cutting-Edge Robots for Sale at Costco

robot vacuum cleaner, or a digital aide for your kids and pets, available at the local warehouse club. These robots are far from mere toys. They are impressively intelligent, functional, and filled with charm and personality.

Costco’s selection of robots is attractive as it balances between cutting-edge technology and reasonable prices. These well-thought-out devices are supported by Costco’s renowned generous return policy. In simpler terms, you shouldn’t hesitate to invest in a gadget that can assist with household tasks or monitor your pets’ wellbeing — should the device fail to meet your expectations, returning it to the warehouse club is hassle-free.

Miko Mini+

Miko Mini+ is an AI-driven robot made for children, intended not only to be their companion but also to facilitate their learning. It serves as an ideal gift for youngsters aged 5 and up, who are growing up in a world enriched by AI. Miko is small and conversational — an inquisitive friend who engages and learns alongside your child. Safety and parental control are prioritized with Miko Mini+. Using the Miko app, parents can directly oversee the robot and even view their child via the Miko camera. All interactions with the robot are suitable for their age and comply with kidSAFE+ COPPA regulations.

The highlight is that Miko Mini allows for two-way dialogue, meaning it’s capable of more than just basic responses to commands. This fantastic new robot features STEM-focused learning games that will introduce your child to subjects like space or the ocean. Storytelling, music, and interactive dance sessions are included in its educational offerings. The adorable little robot is built with a durable body meant for lively play, so

Maximum Quantity of Phones Supported by Apple CarPlay at the Same Time

Apple CarPlay serves as an excellent method for utilizing your iPhone’s applications and functionalities – including Siri — on your vehicle’s infotainment display. Although certain automobile manufacturers may eliminate CarPlay from their upcoming models in favor of proprietary solutions, it remains highly sought after, with companies like Tesla even contemplating the introduction of CarPlay support after years of avoiding it. All that is required is an iPhone, and you are set to enjoy all the advantages of CarPlay while driving.

Nonetheless, if your relatives or friends frequently join you in the vehicle, you can expect requests from passengers eager to connect their iPhones to CarPlay to enjoy their preferred tunes, podcasts, or other content. Hence, the query emerges: how many iPhones can connect to CarPlay at the same time, and is it feasible to utilize Apple CarPlay with several phones? The concise answer is that while you can pair multiple iPhones for wireless CarPlay, only one can function as a CarPlay source at any given moment.

Only a single CarPlay connection at a time

Amazon Fire TV’s Significant Update Coming Sooner Than Expected

If you possess an Amazon Fire TV streaming device or a television operating on Fire OS — get ready — because the platform is undergoing its first significant UI redesign in five years. This update introduces fresh visual layouts, smart color palettes, and enhanced app experiences — including the ability to pin your frequently used applications to the home screen. This is an excellent method to guarantee quick access to your most vital Fire TV apps. However, the key point is that the redesign aims to provide what Amazon describes as an interface that “gets you to what you want to watch even faster.”

The new update is set to debut in February 2026 and will be available on devices such as the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen), and Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series TVs. Later in spring 2026, Amazon plans to roll out the update to “more countries and more devices,” which will include older Fire TV streaming media players. They explicitly mention the Fire TV 2-Series, Fire TV 4-Series, Fire TV Omni QLED Series, and televisions produced by partners including Hisense, Insignia, Panasonic, and TCL. The Fire TV mobile application is also receiving enhancements, coinciding with the launch of Amazon’s new Ember Artline series, featuring premium lifestyle televisions. Ember Artline closely resembles Samsung’s The Frame series, providing a QLED TV capable of showcasing fine art and visually appealing imagery.

### What kind of redesign is coming with the new Fire TV update?

Amazon indicates that its development team has revamped the Fire TV UI to be more streamlined, quicker, and better organized, allowing you to minimize the time spent sifting through vast content libraries and, ideally, maximize your time watching quality media. They also specify that this has been accomplished by modernizing the design with enhanced layouts, rounded corners for media cards, new color gradients, updated typography, and improved spacing. It appears that some app icons have been made smaller and appear cleaner in the previews. A new shortcut panel — accessible by long-pressing the Home button on your remote — will offer quick access to your frequently used controls, settings, connected smart home devices, and more. You can view it as a multi-functional tool or app tray.

Additionally, Alexa+ — Amazon’s generative AI-powered assistant — is now integrated into the Fire TV platform. You can request Alexa to play content that aligns with your mood, search for media from specific directors or actors, or simply find something enjoyable to watch. Ultimately, as Amazon portrays it, the new Fire TV update is designed to deliver a more streamlined and intuitive experience for Fire TV users. If you have an older Fire TV device and wish to experience the new update sooner, remember that you can save money on upgrades by trading in your old device(s).

Prime Video Currently Broadcasting Leading Conspiracy Thriller Series from the 2010s

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Rotten Tomatoes. This truly serves as a testament to its creative narrative, captivating cast, and unpredictable storyline. The show’s success wasn’t solely due to its exploration of covert government operations, obscure biotech conspiracies, and moral ambiguity. It’s because it wove together a narrative that feels unsettlingly feasible and profoundly innovative.

The combination of stylish imagery, dark motifs, and genre-defying storytelling contributed to Utopia’s status as a cult classic. Yet it continues to be alarmingly underrated. Those who stumbled upon this hidden treasure embraced it ardently, sharing theories, analyzing its visuals, and mourning its untimely cancellation.

The Storyline

“Utopia” is an incredibly original British conspiracy thriller featuring an eclectic group of protagonists who stumble upon the unpublished sequel to their cherished comic book, which may contain the key to an impending disaster. Suddenly, those in authority are determined to eliminate these heroes. “Utopia” somehow fuses the oddity of a fantastical comic book universe with authentic political unease. This results in an exhilarating and gritty masterpiece of a comic book series that is deserving of your attention.

The follow-up to the cult graphic novel “The Utopia Experiments” appears to throw chaos into the existence of four improbable friends. Becky, an ambitious post-grad, Ian, a socially awkward IT professional, Wilson Wilson (not a mistake), a conspiracy theorist/survivalist, and Grant, a troubled teen hacker, join forces to unravel the enigma. Almost instantly, they find themselves pursued, framed, and fleeing for their lives.

Hot on their heels is a clandestine global entity known ominously as The Network. They will go to any lengths to reclaim the manuscript and prevent its secrets from getting out. Ruthless enforcers, hidden agendas, and gruesome twists await at every corner, pulling our heroes deeper into a reality they never anticipated. And just when despair seems to engulf them, a mysterious woman appears to turn the mission on its head. Jessica Hyde has her own history with the Network and can assist the group of friends in discerning what’s unfolding and who is orchestrating the world’s most significant conspiracy.

Conspiracy Realism

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Premier New Technology Items at Costco for January 2026

browsing Costco’s latest tech offerings. In addition to the attractive pricing associated with a Costco membership, you may discover items that you wouldn’t encounter while perusing other prominent retailers. You might find the ideal portable monitor to accompany you on your next trip, or the perfect soundbar to enhance your home theater experience. Both of these items are currently available for members to buy on Costco’s online store.

espresso Displays 15.6 Portable Monitor with Stand + Case Bundle

The use of dual-monitor setups has gained traction in recent times; when applied with the right configurations, dual monitors are ideal for desk professionals aiming to boost their efficiency. Nonetheless, full-size monitors can be quite expensive, and if your tasks aren’t particularly demanding, purchasing one might seem over the top. If you seek a straightforward, compact monitor that can be seamlessly integrated into your existing setup or utilized alone while traveling, the espresso Displays Portable Monitor stands out as a practical choice. It is currently available at Costco for $249.99.

This portable monitor is made for quick setup and can be used nearly anywhere, whether at your workstation or in the hubbub of an airport terminal. It connects with most devices using a single USB-C cable that also provides power, helping to minimize mess. The monitor includes a detachable magnetic stand that allows the screen to be positioned at various angles to suit your space and viewing preferences. It spans 15.6 inches, delivering