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I built a PC for a colleague in January of 2025. At the time, the cost for the three main components — the motherboard, the processor, and the DDR5 memory — was about $800. A few weeks ago, I had to buy the same components, more or less, for another coworker’s PC build. The bill: $1,200. And it’s all thanks to AI. Whether you use AI or not, it’s probably going to impact your life this year — and I’m not just talking about search results or slop. The land war to build AI data centers is driving up the price of the computers and other devices you may try to buy this year, and the best values are likely to be the first casualties. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/TM6UIu8 via IFTTT

Conjure an image in your mind of any one of the most dashing men of the past century — Cary Grant, Sidney Poitier, Sean Connery, Tony Leung, Duke Ellington, George Clooney — and he’s probably wearing a suit. People look good in suits, and even in our exceedingly casual era, everybody should have at least one. Fortunately, there’s never been a better time to find a quality suit. Our research led us to dozens of brands offering stylish, well-made suits at a variety of prices. We spoke with five menswear experts, considered hundreds of styles, and tried more than 25 suits in person. Our picks range from around $400 to $1,800. Cheaper suits exist, but you’ll sacrifice quality and looks. And if you can spend over $1,800, consider made-to-measure or bespoke options . The suits we recommend run the gamut from conservative and classic to casual and fashion-forward. The common thread: They’re all stylish, well made, comfortable, and intended to serve the wearer well for many seasons to come...

You spent a pretty penny on a beautiful cashmere sweater , wool blanket, or down jacket. But when your investment piece needs a good cleaning, suddenly you’re faced with another expensive prospect: paying for dry cleaning. Fear not! Many pricey, delicate textiles are actually better off being cleaned at home in the washing machine or the sink — even if the label reads “dry-clean only.” And doing so not only saves you money but also extends the life of the fabric. Below, we’ve rounded up all of our expert-backed advice on what fabrics don’t have to be dry-cleaned. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/IlHvrN7 via IFTTT

Working from home is all about flexibility — in scheduling, sure, but also in how you set up your workspace. Whereas an IT department might assign your equipment in the office, at home you probably get to choose many of the apps and peripherals you use to get work done. If that sounds like your situation, you’re in luck. We’ve spent more than 10 years finding the best gear across a wide range of categories, and we’ve collected our picks here to save you time and stress. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/uPlkM6T via IFTTT

Hearing loss is a growing problem — not just for rock stars but also for people all over the world . Eventually, everyone will lose some of their hearing. One of the first times people tend to notice the difference is when they have trouble understanding dialogue while watching TV, a situation they often attempt to correct by turning up the volume — and in the process, driving other family members out of the room. Soundbar and TV manufacturers have tried to address this problem by adding voice-enhancement modes intended to make the dialogue in movies and TV shows easier to hear and understand. These modes usually boost midrange frequencies, where voices reside, and sometimes emphasize the center (dialogue) channel of surround-sound mixes. They may also compress the sound to make quiet voices sound louder. These modes seem like a great idea, but as a former product-design consultant, I know that audio engineers sometimes put only token effort into creating special listening modes. W...

Tablets are indispensable tools for productivity diehards, artists, photographers, vigorous note-takers, and other creative professionals. But the best tablet for your situation depends on whether you plan to use it as a secondary device alongside a laptop or as a laptop replacement. Apple’s iPad Pro (11-inch, M5) is the most well-rounded tablet we tested, as the latest version of iPadOS makes it far better for multitasking, and it also has a great ecosystem of apps that are updated frequently. But if you’re looking for a slimmer laptop replacement, the ARM-based Microsoft Surface Pro (13-inch) is best for a full Windows experience. If you don’t want to pay iPad Pro prices, we also recommend the Apple iPad Air (M3) . You miss out on only a few “pro” features while saving hundreds of dollars — the 11-inch iPad Air is $400 less than the comparable iPad Pro model and offers a similar experience. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/b8qg6W0 via IFTTT