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A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Friday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, July 3 (game #852).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #853) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Ooh!

NYT Strands today (game #853) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• SING
• LURK
• FOUR
• RAIL
• PAIR
• DARE

NYT Strands today (game #853) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 9 letters

NYT Strands today (game #853) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 4th column

Last side: top, 6th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #853) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #853, are…

• BRIGHT
• COLORFUL
• DAZZLING
• EXCITING
• SPARKLING
• SPANGRAM: FIREWORKS

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

Talk about a theme that could mean absolutely anything at all.

Totally in the dark, not an entirely unusual feeling to be truthful, I worked my way around the board in search of non-game words to earn a hint. Instead, I saw the spangram FIREWORKS and remembered today’s date.

I went to a fireworks display recently that was underwhelming, in part due to the murky conditions but also because the drones that made up a large part of the display had to be viewed from a particular angle in order to impress; a case of “uh?” rather than “ooh!”. 

Meanwhile, it was nice to see a bit of color in Strands for a change. A rare treat.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday, July 3, game #852)

• OBSTINATE
• STUBBORN
• WILLFUL
• FIRM
• HEADSTRONG
• SPANGRAM: NOTBUDGING

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Fireworks nights are full of pure magic. The bright, colorful explosions, loud whizzes, and the heavy smell of gunpowder in the air always make me feel like a kid again. They are also the perfect excuse to pull out your camera!

Last year, the iconic Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular over the Brooklyn Bridge reportedly cost $6 million. And for this historic 250th Independence Day on July 4, 2026, your own photos really could look a million bucks!

Taking pictures in low light, however, is no easy feat. Add in the complication of fast-paced explosions going off haphazardly and a tight time restriction, and capturing the perfect shot can feel stressful.

Fear not! I’ve compiled my favorite tips to help you take better photos of fireworks. Whether you shoot on a professional DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or plan to capture everything on your iPhone – I’ve got you covered.

1. Find a vantage point

(Image credit: Dan Mold)

Rather than shooting close up details of singular fireworks, it’s better instead, to include them in a wider landscape for extra context. You’ll only have a limited time to capture your shots before the fireworks display is over, so it pays dividends to do your research beforehand – try to figure out where the fireworks are going to be set off from and plan your shoot to make sure you can capture a wide landscape plus the fireworks in the sky above.

Some of the best vantage points for fireworks displays are well known and very popular so it can be well worth getting to the location well in advance of the display and setting up your gear to stake your claim in the best position before the crowds arrive.

2. Steady your camera or phone

For the best quality photos a dedicated camera such as an interchangeable mirrorless or DSLR camera is preferred. You’ll want to set up on a tripod to remove camera-shake caused by the vibrations picked up when shooting handheld. It’s also beneficial to switch off and disable any image stabilization your camera may have as this can actually introduce blur when your camera is locked off on a tripod as it might try to correct for motion that isn’t there.

Rather than trying to focus on each and every firework exploding, you’re best bet is to shoot a wider landscape and manually focus on something in the scene so that your camera isn’t struggling to autofocus on the fast action of a firework. If your scene has street lights in it, for example, use these as a guide to lock focus, thus preventing the camera from hunting in those high stakes split-second moments.

Apple’s latest iPhones automatically enable Night Mode in low light environments, as do most leading Android phones. While it is easier than ever to shoot handheld with recent phones, thanks to the latest and greatest image processing and stabilization tricks, for best results I'd still recommend using a tripod, fixing your phone to it with one of the best smartphone tripod adapters. Failing this, try to find a fence, railing or wall you can prop your phone up on to make it steadier.

3. Starting settings: DSLR & mirrorless cameras – the ‘card’ method

One of the best tricks to create incredible fireworks images is to use the ‘card’ method, for which you set your tripod-mounted DSLR / mirrorless camera to its bulb mode, in which the shutter is open for as long as the shutter button is held down. To minimize vibrations caused by your hand, you’ll want to use a tripod and plug in a shutter release cable to your camera, which allows you to keep the shutter open without directly touching the camera.

It’s called the ‘card’ method because you place a black piece of black card in front of the lens while the shutter is open. When a firework goes off you can quickly whip the card out of the way to expose for the firework and then cover the lens again.

It's possible to repeat this process multiple times for multiple fireworks, to build up a single exposure with lots of the best fireworks going off in it for a more impressive photo.

4. Starting settings: iPhone & Android – long exposure & burst modes

(Image credit: Dan Mold)

To capture an entire firework, with its long trail and then vibrant colorful burst when it explodes, go into your iPhone’s Live Photo mode and tweak the setting from Live to Long Exposure. To capture the split-second action with better sharpness your best bet is to use your iPhone’s Burst Mode and slide the shutter button to the left to take a brace of photos in fast succession. I’ll show you how to blend your best shots together in Photoshop in my final tip.

Android smartphones may also have something similar to the iPhone, for example my Android has a Light Painting picture mode which extends the shutter time in a similar way to the Long Exposure mode on the iPhone, while recent Pixel phones have a long exposure setting. Camera apps in Android phones vary between manufacturers, do the best settings will vary depending on the model. You should be able to find tips specific to your model through a simple internet search.

5. Blend your best fireworks together

To make your fireworks photos more impressive, it can be a good idea to blend the best fireworks into a single image with editing software — I recommend Adobe Photoshop or, if shooting on a phone, apps such as Photoleap, Snapseed or Adobe Photoshop Express.

If you use a mirrorless or DSLR camera I highly recommend shooting in the RAW file format as this will provide much more exposure information – essential for editing images especially in low light situations like a fireworks display. Select and edit all of your RAW files at once to make sure your edits are consistent, then stack them all together in Adobe Bridge using Tools>Photoshop>Load files into Photoshop Layers.

Now select all of the fireworks images in the layers panel and go to Edit>Auto Align Layers, to make sure all of the pictures are lined up perfectly (which only works if you have a consistent landmark in the frame, hence my advice for shooting wide and including the landscape).

Then in the layers panel, change each of the firework blending modes from Normal to Screen and you’ll see them become blended with the layer below. You may also want to add a Layer Mask and mask off each layer so only the firework is blended with the layer below and not the landscape – you can mask off unwanted areas with a soft black brush tool.

Et voila! You now have a single scene with all of your best firework explosions lighting up the night sky.

You can find more software options in the photography sections of our best Android apps, best free Android apps, best iPhone apps and best free iPhone apps guides.

(Image credit: Getty Images / Gary Hershorn)

Hayao Miyazaki has been at the helm of Studio Ghibli, the legendary Japanese animation studio, in one way or another for 40 years – now serving as honorary chairman and continuing to direct feature films. Over the last few decades, he's seen a dramatic change in culture and technology while sticking to his traditionalist guns.

The death of creativity

Miyazaki is known for aggressively high standards and a dedication to the craft of animation.

Quote of the day

This article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.

For years, he has overseen teams of artists hand-painting beautiful visuals from films such as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away frame by frame. His reaction to learning that artists on his team were experimenting with AI was pretty much as you'd expect.

Filmed speaking to his team during the filming of the 2016 documentary Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki, the animator was unequivocal in his condemnation of the use of AI for an experiment during the production of the short film Boro the Caterpillar.

Rage against the machine

Miyazaki shared his thoughts in this documentary a year before Google released the seminal paper on the transformer architecture that now underpins today's dominant AI models – and six years before OpenAI first launched ChatGPT.

Despite airing his views so bluntly, nearly a decade on, OpenAI's image generator became embroiled in controversy when thousands of people took part in a viral craze that involved generating Ghibli-esque graphics within seconds.

The trend raised serious concerns about the role that AI plays in the modern creative landscape. While it was used primarily for fun in this instance, it's easy to see how executives may see the time-saving potential of automation tools and the allure of removing the blood, sweat, and toil that humans put into their creative endeavors.

• NASA's AI medical tool works where Earth-based doctors simply cannot reach
• Deep space has no signal — so NASA built its own offline doctor
• RamaLama runs AI models the same way containers run software — predictably

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) currently rely heavily on Earth-based doctors whenever medical issues emerge hundreds of kilometres overhead.

That arrangement works reasonably well in low Earth orbit, where communication delays remain short enough for near real-time consultation sessions.

It becomes far less practical once crews travel beyond Earth orbit, where signals can take minutes rather than seconds to arrive.

An AI doctor built to work without an internet connection

Researchers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston are now testing a clinical decision support system called Crew Medical Officer Digital Assistant, or CMO-DA.

The system is designed to help astronauts diagnose and treat medical conditions during deep space missions, where real-time communication with Earth-based doctors could be limited or entirely impossible.

Powering it is RamaLama, a Red Hat-backed open source tool built to simplify how developers run and serve AI models across diverse hardware environments.

According to Red Hat, RamaLama treats AI models like container images, running them in isolated, security-first environments using Open Container Initiative-compliant containers that are portable and predictable across hardware.

This approach allows the CMO-DA to perform what the team calls multimodal inference — processing both large language models for complex medical reasoning and Vision Language Models for image-based symptom analysis.

The system can therefore evaluate both written symptom descriptions and visual data without requiring any connection to a terrestrial cloud server.

That offline capability is not a convenience feature but a mission-critical requirement, since deep space communication delays make cloud dependency genuinely dangerous for crew health outcomes.

Testing is currently running on HPE hardware — specifically the terrestrial twin of the Spaceborne Computer already aboard the ISS — giving researchers a reliable Earth-based replica of the actual deployment environment.

By using open-source tools throughout, NASA researchers have built a system that is reproducible and auditable, which the team describes as essential for human safety in mission-critical environments.

From Earth testing to the ISS and beyond

Once the terrestrial testing phase is complete, the CMO-DA will be demonstrated to NASA leadership for evaluation of further deployment aboard the International Space Station.

The next iteration of the system will integrate Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI, known as RHEL AI.

This is to provide a stable, hardened foundation for scaling and managing containerized AI applications in remote and extreme environments.

RamaLama itself was built with a stated goal of making AI "boring" — meaning reliable, predictable, and unglamorous in the best possible sense for mission-critical applications.

The same architecture being tested for astronaut health could eventually serve as a blueprint for delivering medical support in the most remote areas on Earth.

Whether the CMO-DA eventually evolves into something resembling Star Trek's handheld Tricorder remains unknown.

What is known is that an open source AI tool is already diagnosing symptoms aboard a replica of hardware currently orbiting Earth.

Superfans and sleuths appear to have their hunches confirmed on Friday, as dozens of black cars dropped off elegantly dressed guests outside of Madison Square Garden in New York City. The wedding bash is expected to last into Saturday morning.

(Image credit: Gregory Shamus)

The iconic celebration is set to go off with its biggest ever bang to mark the nation's 250th birthday.

Audeze's own Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator (SLAM, for short) tech has been a game-changer for the premium head-fi brand.

It's seen a superb boost for all its most recent lines of headphones and gaming headsets that have seen an enhancement to bass, a reduction in distortion, and a mastering of the pressure equalization within a headphone's architecture.

As Audeze describes it on its website, at its core, SLAM is a collection of "precisely engineered channels seamlessly integrated into the ring that connects the ear pads to the drivers."

This physically manifests in headphones as a "structure that you put between the ear part and the transducer that resonates," according to Audeze's chief technical officer, Dragoslav Colich ('Dr C' for short).

These channels relieve air pressure buildup — the air has somewhere to go — and also help with low-frequency response, to the point where it enhances bass significantly. It's proved so good and transformational for the brand; it's one of the biggest upgrades on offer in the Audeze Maxwell 2 over the original Maxwell, for example.

I started this for one primary reason; to relieve the pressure on headphones so we're not breaking diaphragms — that was the first objective"

But how did it come to be? Well, basically by accident, as I found out when speaking to Dr C last month when I visited Audeze's HQ in California.

"Well, I started this for one primary reason [and that] was to relieve the pressure on headphones, so we're not breaking diaphragms — that was the first objective," he began to tell me.

This is the characteristic of the SLAM channels funneling air out of the headphone and thus relieving pressure within; imagine the feeling of pushing your palm down on a headphone's ear cup, was the comparison Dr C gave me during our chat.

"Then when we were playing with these things, we kind of found out that we can tune these channels to resonate at low frequencies, and it was a really weird discovery."

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

It was this accidental finding that then led to a further 'SLAM-dunk' after Audeze discovered what these channels could do when sculpted purposefully: "We didn't plan for it, but I just [discovered by] surprise that when we shape the channels correctly [in terms of] cross section and length, we can tune the headphone chamber ... to whatever we want."

As a result, an even bigger 'SLAM-dunk' was the one-two punch the discovery offered: fixing reliability while tangibly changing and improving the sound output of Audeze headphones.

"What that does [is] basically solve the problem with reliability; diaphragms are not breaking anymore, because when you push it, basically air goes through these channels, there's no high pressure inside, but then we ended up having [a way] that we can tune the bass to get more output, pretty much for free — and it's not just bass, it translates into mid-range and high frequencies, [as] it's all connected to each other," he said, adding, "So, kill a couple of things at the same time: get more reliability, and we're tuning the headphones correctly for low bass extension."

And so SLAM was born. What started out as a means to stop diaphragms breaking "actually turned out into something spectacular," says Dr C, and from my ongoing use with the Audeze Maxwell 2 gaming headset as my everyday driver, and a new set of Audeze MM-520 headphones kept within arm's reach too, I'm inclined to agree.

Despite efforts by U.S. negotiators, Iran says it wants to charge a toll for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. It's yet another unresolved issue of the U.S.-Iran war.

There are a lot of standing desks out there, and from my research and conversations with people who use them day-to-day, quite a few don't use the standing function more than maybe once a week, which pretty much defeats the entire purpose of having a standing desk. ErgoDriven's Tempo Desk attempts to solve that by incorporating an automatic standing function as a core principle of its operation. Not just an add-on, not just a software update, not just a plug-and-play feature, but a core functionality of how it operates.

I'll admit I was a tad bit skeptical when I first heard about a desk that will do this automatically. I even thought through some of the other desks that I have in love and thought, how hard could it be to add this functionality with a plug-in or an adapter? While this could be done with some adapters and accessories, having it all built-in first-party is really what makes this thing shine. It has the sensors, the brain, and the processing already on board, so it can do all this without anything else needed. For any other desk, you need to add not just the controller that can automatically trigger the up and down, but probably a different control sensor as well, so it knows if you are actually sitting at the desk, just as this one does.

At the end of the day, that's really what sets the Tempo Desk apart: it moves itself. It uses an IR sensor to detect when you're at the desk and whether you're standing or sitting, and then it will raise or lower based on that information. The ErgoDriven CEO even claims that this is the first real innovation in standing desks in the past 15+ years, a bold claim in a world that seems to be ever-changing. However, perhaps they're not changing in the ways that ErgoDriven was desiring.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )ErgoDriven Tempo Automatic Standing Desk: Price and Availability

The ErgoDriven Tempo is available for $899 direct from ErgoDriven - although at the time of the review, it's discouinted to $599.

Because of the uniqueness of this frame and brand, this is probably one of those desks that makes the most sense to buy just the frame for, yes, or others that would look good or would help in certain areas.

If you're really looking to make your own custom version of this desk and you don't want to spend money on their tabletop, choose your own desktop, but then choose the $499 frame. If you do end up getting their desktop and some other features, your spend could go as high as $900, depending on the configuration.

The Tempo smart controller sells for about $99 on its own, but having it plugged in and built-in makes a huge difference, as I mentioned. If you want the first-party smart standing desk feel and you don't already have a desk you love, it's absolutely worth buying the full kit. If you already have a standing desk you love, decide whether you want to swap out the legs for a more integrated feel or just buy the accessory.

ErgoDriven Tempo Automatic Standing Desk: Unboxing and First Impressions

It took two of us about 43 minutes to fully assemble this desk. The assembly process is familiar if you have built others, but still has a little bit of uniqueness, of course. I do appreciate that we didn't need any drills for this, which was really nice, and it helped us with assembly even faster because I'd forgotten to grab one on the way up to build this in the office we were setting this up in.

The desk itself looks sharp and feels sharp. Now the materials feel well-built, and the joints feel solid. Even though this is a much lesser-known desk company, I'm impressed with the quality. It's not the highest, most bougie end, but it's definitely upper-middle tier in quality, so hats off to the team at ErgoDriven for that.

ErgoDriven Tempo Automatic Standing Desk: Design & Build Quality

As I briefly mentioned above, the build quality for this is quite nice. It's better than I expected, to be honest, but also, with a company that I don't know very well, I didn't really have many expectations at all.

One thing that I was curious about was if this desk experience would be app-first or app-second. Meaning, would it be clear that the design company intended this to be used solely with an app and not for the handset to work well at all, or vice versa? In reality, after utilizing this for a while, it's been working quite nicely in both respects.

Yes, the controller does have some adjustments I would like to make in a perfect world, but so does every desk. All around, this works pretty seamlessly. It did take a little while to learn some of the quick commands, just like with any custom keyboard or mouse that has specialty commands. After looking those up a handful of times and building some muscle memory, I can now perform them pretty accurately.

ErgoDriven Tempo Automatic Standing Desk: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

In using this desk for several weeks now, I can say that the motor is surprisingly quiet going up and down, so much so that I can raise it and lower it (or, should I say, allow it to raise and lower) whilst in a meeting, virtually or sometimes even in person, and not have it be a huge distraction. After a few times of adjusting to it, I actually got used to it. Now I just move with it rather than trying to fight it, unless I'm in a very important meeting or I'm presenting something.

Over the last few weeks, I definitely found myself sitting at this desk more than I normally did. The automation is just enough to help me stand without making it feel like I'm standing too much, or just constantly standing, which is a nice change of pace. I still get to enjoy my comfortable chair and take a load off every once in a while, but then I'm prompted to stand up so I don't end up sitting for an entire day. Focused at what I'm doing, I can still stay focused and stand.

ErgoDriven Tempo Automatic Standing Desk: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

My team and I are fairly active, so there are days when we have had heavy workouts or heavy other activity, and we don't appreciate the standing feature as much. I do believe this is probably more focused on people who sit for days on end, or on people with desk jobs at home who never leave and need some help getting more activity into their day.

If you're the kind of person who's already pretty active, this may feel a bit redundant or a tad frustrating because you know your body pretty well. For those looking to add more activity to their day due to their work schedule or low activity level, this may be the perfect solution.

It's a quality desk with a fun feature, and it's performed pretty well over the last several weeks. If you're looking for some more movement throughout your day, make sure to check this out.

Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future

For more office furniture, we've tested the best standing desks and the best office chairs.

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for July 4, No. 1,119.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for July 4, No. 1,841.

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for July 4, No. 853.

Primm, Nev., a once-thriving casino town on the border with California, was on the verge of fading away for good. The family it was named for has stepped in and faces the challenge of reviving it.

(Image credit: Krystal Ramirez for NPR)

The country's theocracy hopes to see millions flood the streets of the capital beginning Saturday in scenes reminiscent to the burial of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.

(Image credit: Vahid Salemi)

• Comet Q’s controls iPhones remotely without installing anything on the device
• Hardware-level access survives screen locks, sleep states, and network interruptions
• One USB-C cable replaces cables normally required for traditional KVM setups

GL.iNet, the Hong Kong-based networking company behind a range of popular OpenWrt routers, has revealed the Comet Q, what it says is as the world's first browser-based, pocket-sized remote-control device built specifically for USB-C devices, covering laptops, phones, tablets, and Mac minis.

What separates the device, also known as the GL-RMQ1, from conventional remote desktop software is that it operates at the hardware level, meaning it keeps working even when the controlled device sleeps, locks, or loses its network connection.

Its control runs through a single USB-C cable carrying video, data, and power simultaneously, eliminating the HDMI dongles and USB hubs that traditional KVMs demand. A built-in USB-C passthrough port keeps the controlled device charged throughout every session, and its video output reaches up to 2K at 60 fps with two-way audio.

A single cable that replaces an entire KVM setup

The Comet Q works with iPhones from the iPhone 15 onward, excluding the iPhone 16e and later budget models, alongside iPads and a wide range of Android phones and tablets, provided their USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode.

GL.iNet claims the Comet Q is the first KVM solution ever built specifically for mobile devices, a category that previously had no dedicated remote control hardware at all.

Accessing the device requires no downloads, as any browser pointed to glkvm.com delivers full control without requiring account creation.

The GLKVM app, available across Windows, macOS, the App Store, and Google Play, handles touch gestures more precisely when controlling from another mobile device.

The Comet Q includes a 1.8-inch circular touchscreen, which makes initial setup possible without needing to open a laptop.

Cross-OS control with security embedded directly into the hardware

One of the more unusual aspects of the Comet Q is that the operating systems involved no longer need to match at all.

Users can remotely operate an iPhone from a Windows browser, control a MacBook from an Android tablet, or manage an iPad from a Linux device without complexity.

Wi-Fi credentials can also be preset before shipping, which means the person receiving it needs no technical knowledge to get started.

Developers can access testing hardware remotely, while IT teams can supervise multiple devices from a single interface without remaining physically present.

Security measures operate at the hardware level through support for WireGuard, Tailscale, and ZeroTier, alongside optional two-factor authentication.

GL.iNet also says that remote sessions terminate immediately after the dongle is disconnected, leaving no lingering background services or residual access permissions.

The Comet Q retails at $129.90 but is currently available on Kickstarter for $89, a 31% discount.

As of the time of writing, it has raised over $1 million from 6,628 backers against a $10,000 goal with just over two weeks remaining on the campaign.

Disclaimer: We do not recommend or endorse any crowdfunding project. All crowdfunding campaigns carry inherent risks, including the possibility of delays, changes, or non-delivery of products. Potential backers should carefully evaluate the details and proceed at their own discretion.

I spotted a lot of laptop deals on Amazon today - and I need to tell you this: So many of them are equipped with an impossibly sluggish 4GB RAM and vague 'Intel Processor' that aren't worth even a discount price if you're buying a new work laptop or one for the back to school season.

One laptop that I do fully recommend is the Dell 15 Laptop for $550 (was $640) at Amazon. This one of my favorite laptops for professionals and students, and it has all the right components for most users, including an Intel Core i5 chip and 16GB of memory.

This setup is going to make a lot more sense than buying an ultra-cheap laptop if you don't want to get frustrated by slow machines struggling to load a few browser tabs and office software. As we've warned before, avoid Windows laptops with Intel N-series, Celeron, Pentium, older AMD A-series, or Ryzen 3 3200U/3250U processors. I'd also recommend buying a model with at least 16GB of RAM, as 8GB is no longer enough for most people in 2026.

Today's best Dell laptop deal

A 15.6-inch Full HD 120Hz display, Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of memory, and a fast 512GB SSD make this an excellent everyday laptop for work, study, multitasking, and entertainment.View Deal

At the heart of the laptop is Intel's 13th Gen Core i5-1334U processor, which provides more than enough power for office work, web browsing, studying, and light creative tasks.

Paired with 16GB of DDR4 memory, it has plenty of headroom for juggling multiple applications and browser tabs without ever feeling sluggish.

A fast 512GB SSD keeps Windows 11 Home running problem free, helping the laptop boot quickly and providing plenty of free space for documents, photos, applications, and everyday files.

The 15.6-inch Full HD display has a 120Hz refresh rate which makes scrolling feel noticeably smoother than a standard 60Hz panel, while the anti-glare coating reduces distracting reflections when you're working near windows or under bright lighting.

Dell's ComfortView technology also helps reduce blue light emissions during long study or work sessions.

The full-size keyboard includes a dedicated numeric keypad for faster spreadsheet work and data entry, while the backlit keys make it easier to work in the evening or in dimly lit environments.

A lifted hinge also creates a more comfortable typing angle during extended sessions.

Modern connectivity is covered with built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and to round things off, Dell includes a one-year onsite service plan, meaning support comes to your home or workplace if a hardware issue can't be resolved remotely.

Students also receive a free bundle worth more than $500, including one year of Microsoft 365 Premium, one year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a customizable Xbox Wireless Controller. A valid college .edu email address is required to redeem the offer.

For more top choices, we've also tested the best business laptops and the best Dell laptops.

• See all laptop deals at Amazon

There are a lot of monitors out there these days, and every one of them is touting how great it is in one way or another. Whether that is visual clarity or resolution, aspect ratio, custom zoning, colors, anything like that.

However, what isn't said is that even though there are iPads that you can buy with tandem OLED displays, most people in a business context or professional context just don't need that and probably don't even understand what they're looking at, even if they had all of the monitors at their disposal. I'm saying this from experience as well. It's not just me saying that as a tech reviewer isolated in a box, but as somebody who procures monitors for a growing business.

I've had several people who, when trying to figure out what they want for a monitor, simply just say they want a 27-inch screen because that's what they're used to and that's all they need and want. I've set up several workstations with much nicer setups, only to see the settings toned down to the point where they are using it as is: a 27-inch HD monitor rather than a fantastic 4K display with color accuracy.

The USB-C feature adds a layer of simplicity to this monitor: instead of needing a dock or an HDMI plug-in, you can simply train your team to plug in their company laptop with a single USB-C cable. One-cable setups are super easy, and this monitor does that very, very well.

For those who need simple and those who don't need anything fancy, this may just be one of the perfect monitors that fits that gap, while every other monitor seems to be trying to push for the best of the best of the best in some other area that may or may not matter to the masses.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Price and Availability

The Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C S2725DC is widely available from Dell in all regions, as well as retailers such as Amazon. It retails for around $250 / £250.

For what you're getting, that feels like a phenomenal price to me. Especially when buying these out in bulk across multiple locations, offices, or similar setups.

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Unboxing and First Impressions

Right out of the gate, the unboxing for this one is very similar to the last Dell 27" HD monitor that I tested. It's a very simple white box. Inside is just as simple. There is a monitor, a three-piece stand, and some included cables. The only difference is that this box includes a USB-C cable as well. That is actually a surprising length, making it long enough for you to route into a desk, pull away, or mount somewhere as well, if needed. I would have expected probably a meter or two, but this one seems to be quite a bit longer in a good way.

Once set up, I was able to plug in a test device via USB-C to confirm it had power. Then I tested it with all sorts of different devices that I had. I tested it on my MacBook, my iPad, another iPad, and my iPhone. I tested it with several other laptops and a couple of desktops, and all of them worked out great. This USB-C is quick and responsive. The screen looks sharp, and the few times that you need to use the OSD, it works well.

One thing worth noting on this is that the pop-out ports on the bottom actually work really well. Of course, they're not Thunderbolt 5 speeds, but they're fast enough to get the work done you may need to do on this: charge quick devices, transfer some smaller files, things like that. Of course, it doesn't need to have crazy high-speed transfer rates, because that's not the design of this monitor. That would be like trying to cram 57 cup holders into a Ferrari. That's just not necessary, because that's not what that vehicle is designed for. Same thing here. Why would Dell spend money and time and resources on crazy high-speed USB-C on a device that isn't designed to work that way?

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Design & Build Quality

I've already mentioned it a little bit, but the design is simple. It's clean, and it's very work-friendly. This isn't the kind of monitor that's going to turn heads, and that's exactly what Dell was hoping for. This is the kind of monitor you would see on the desk of a data admin or an executive admin at a coworking space. Perhaps a hot desk scenario, maybe an accountant, account manager, or things of that nature.

The stand has some slight upgrades from past ones that I've griped about. Instead of a cable pass-through through the base, it actually has a little clip on the back. It's still not perfect, but it seems a little clearer and cleaner to use if you opt not to use the built-in stand. One thing to note is that the monitor is extremely light, so you will need to aggressively adjust your monitor arm to compensate for the reduced weight, which is not usually the case. Usually you have to account for heavier monitors.

There is an OSD joystick for selecting inputs, adjusting USB-C settings, or even choosing the original language when first setting up the monitor. Lastly, I do appreciate that this is a USB-C monitor, as that one-cable setup without needing another dock, another power, or another place to put a docking station really helps clean things up.

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This monitor has functioned well for everyday work. I’ll be the first to note that it wouldn't be ideal for color-accurate creative work. Nor would it be great for those who try to fit everything on their display at once, expecting a high-resolution screen to help by scaling. It’s not for video editors, photo editors, creatives, gamers, or those.

But for people who work on spreadsheets, project management, emails, web-based content, writing documents, working with AI, perhaps even basic coding, and things in this realm, those who don’t have a specialty niche when it comes to displays, this will work great. I immediately thought of my friends who work in finance and Insurance. These guys would kill for a monitor like this, as it does exactly what they need without any fluff. It’s not going to take their time to set up and understand.

Well, of course, the single USB-C is a huge benefit for this monitor. It's also super great for IT professionals who need a simple setup to run a server or plug into a server room or something like that. Other devices can be plugged into the HDMI ports, and then when they walk in with their laptop, they can plug in with USB-C. You could, of course, also plug in other devices via USB-C, like desktops, but that would also be just as easy to plug in an HDMI cable. That's not necessarily a huge selling point.

One of the many things that USB-C can transfer is audio, and while this monitor does have speakers, do not expect them to be anything fancy. You can potentially get away with some background audio, maybe some lo-fi beats on Spotify or a virtual meeting, but I wouldn't expect these to be anything crazy or clear. They'll get the job done in some scenarios, but not in many.

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

All in all, I think it's pretty clear that this is a simple monitor for simple needs for those who don't have a niche need. Nor do they want to spend what some people spend on a car on a monitor.

Monitor technology has gotten incredible. I would know. I've tested most monitors out right now, and while I do love a fancy monitor, there is something to be said for a simple one that is just plug-and-play, without any bells and whistles, that still costs a very reasonable $200-$250.

There's still plenty of demand for that kind of display, and Dell putting out this monitor shows exactly that.

Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future

For more top-performers, we've tested the best business monitors.

There are a lot of monitors out there these days, and every one of them is touting how great it is in one way or another. Whether that is visual clarity or resolution, aspect ratio, custom zoning, colors, anything like that.

However, what isn't said is that even though there are iPads that you can buy with tandem OLED displays, most people in a business context or professional context just don't need that and probably don't even understand what they're looking at, even if they had all of the monitors at their disposal. I'm saying this from experience as well. It's not just me saying that as a tech reviewer isolated in a box, but as somebody who procures monitors for a growing business.

I've had several people who, when trying to figure out what they want for a monitor, simply just say they want a 27-inch screen because that's what they're used to and that's all they need and want. I've set up several workstations with much nicer setups, only to see the settings toned down to the point where they are using it as is: a 27-inch HD monitor rather than a fantastic 4K display with color accuracy.

The USB-C feature adds a layer of simplicity to this monitor: instead of needing a dock or an HDMI plug-in, you can simply train your team to plug in their company laptop with a single USB-C cable. One-cable setups are super easy, and this monitor does that very, very well.

For those who need simple and those who don't need anything fancy, this may just be one of the perfect monitors that fits that gap, while every other monitor seems to be trying to push for the best of the best of the best in some other area that may or may not matter to the masses.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Price and Availability

The Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C S2725DC is widely available from Dell in all regions, as well as retailers such as Amazon. It retails for around $250 / £250.

For what you're getting, that feels like a phenomenal price to me. Especially when buying these out in bulk across multiple locations, offices, or similar setups.

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Unboxing and First Impressions

Right out of the gate, the unboxing for this one is very similar to the last Dell 27" HD monitor that I tested. It's a very simple white box. Inside is just as simple. There is a monitor, a three-piece stand, and some included cables. The only difference is that this box includes a USB-C cable as well. That is actually a surprising length, making it long enough for you to route into a desk, pull away, or mount somewhere as well, if needed. I would have expected probably a meter or two, but this one seems to be quite a bit longer in a good way.

Once set up, I was able to plug in a test device via USB-C to confirm it had power. Then I tested it with all sorts of different devices that I had. I tested it on my MacBook, my iPad, another iPad, and my iPhone. I tested it with several other laptops and a couple of desktops, and all of them worked out great. This USB-C is quick and responsive. The screen looks sharp, and the few times that you need to use the OSD, it works well.

One thing worth noting on this is that the pop-out ports on the bottom actually work really well. Of course, they're not Thunderbolt 5 speeds, but they're fast enough to get the work done you may need to do on this: charge quick devices, transfer some smaller files, things like that. Of course, it doesn't need to have crazy high-speed transfer rates, because that's not the design of this monitor. That would be like trying to cram 57 cup holders into a Ferrari. That's just not necessary, because that's not what that vehicle is designed for. Same thing here. Why would Dell spend money and time and resources on crazy high-speed USB-C on a device that isn't designed to work that way?

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Design & Build Quality

I've already mentioned it a little bit, but the design is simple. It's clean, and it's very work-friendly. This isn't the kind of monitor that's going to turn heads, and that's exactly what Dell was hoping for. This is the kind of monitor you would see on the desk of a data admin or an executive admin at a coworking space. Perhaps a hot desk scenario, maybe an accountant, account manager, or things of that nature.

The stand has some slight upgrades from past ones that I've griped about. Instead of a cable pass-through through the base, it actually has a little clip on the back. It's still not perfect, but it seems a little clearer and cleaner to use if you opt not to use the built-in stand. One thing to note is that the monitor is extremely light, so you will need to aggressively adjust your monitor arm to compensate for the reduced weight, which is not usually the case. Usually you have to account for heavier monitors.

There is an OSD joystick for selecting inputs, adjusting USB-C settings, or even choosing the original language when first setting up the monitor. Lastly, I do appreciate that this is a USB-C monitor, as that one-cable setup without needing another dock, another power, or another place to put a docking station really helps clean things up.

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This monitor has functioned well for everyday work. I’ll be the first to note that it wouldn't be ideal for color-accurate creative work. Nor would it be great for those who try to fit everything on their display at once, expecting a high-resolution screen to help by scaling. It’s not for video editors, photo editors, creatives, gamers, or those.

But for people who work on spreadsheets, project management, emails, web-based content, writing documents, working with AI, perhaps even basic coding, and things in this realm, those who don’t have a specialty niche when it comes to displays, this will work great. I immediately thought of my friends who work in finance and Insurance. These guys would kill for a monitor like this, as it does exactly what they need without any fluff. It’s not going to take their time to set up and understand.

Well, of course, the single USB-C is a huge benefit for this monitor. It's also super great for IT professionals who need a simple setup to run a server or plug into a server room or something like that. Other devices can be plugged into the HDMI ports, and then when they walk in with their laptop, they can plug in with USB-C. You could, of course, also plug in other devices via USB-C, like desktops, but that would also be just as easy to plug in an HDMI cable. That's not necessarily a huge selling point.

One of the many things that USB-C can transfer is audio, and while this monitor does have speakers, do not expect them to be anything fancy. You can potentially get away with some background audio, maybe some lo-fi beats on Spotify or a virtual meeting, but I wouldn't expect these to be anything crazy or clear. They'll get the job done in some scenarios, but not in many.

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

All in all, I think it's pretty clear that this is a simple monitor for simple needs for those who don't have a niche need. Nor do they want to spend what some people spend on a car on a monitor.

Monitor technology has gotten incredible. I would know. I've tested most monitors out right now, and while I do love a fancy monitor, there is something to be said for a simple one that is just plug-and-play, without any bells and whistles, that still costs a very reasonable $200-$250.

There's still plenty of demand for that kind of display, and Dell putting out this monitor shows exactly that.

Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future

For more top-performers, we've tested the best business monitors.

There are a lot of monitors out there these days, and every one of them is touting how great it is in one way or another. Whether that is visual clarity or resolution, aspect ratio, custom zoning, colors, anything like that.

However, what isn't said is that even though there are iPads that you can buy with tandem OLED displays, most people in a business context or professional context just don't need that and probably don't even understand what they're looking at, even if they had all of the monitors at their disposal. I'm saying this from experience as well. It's not just me saying that as a tech reviewer isolated in a box, but as somebody who procures monitors for a growing business.

I've had several people who, when trying to figure out what they want for a monitor, simply just say they want a 27-inch screen because that's what they're used to and that's all they need and want. I've set up several workstations with much nicer setups, only to see the settings toned down to the point where they are using it as is: a 27-inch HD monitor rather than a fantastic 4K display with color accuracy.

The USB-C feature adds a layer of simplicity to this monitor: instead of needing a dock or an HDMI plug-in, you can simply train your team to plug in their company laptop with a single USB-C cable. One-cable setups are super easy, and this monitor does that very, very well.

For those who need simple and those who don't need anything fancy, this may just be one of the perfect monitors that fits that gap, while every other monitor seems to be trying to push for the best of the best of the best in some other area that may or may not matter to the masses.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Price and Availability

The Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C S2725DC is widely available from Dell in all regions, as well as retailers such as Amazon. It retails for around $250 / £250.

For what you're getting, that feels like a phenomenal price to me. Especially when buying these out in bulk across multiple locations, offices, or similar setups.

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Unboxing and First Impressions

Right out of the gate, the unboxing for this one is very similar to the last Dell 27" HD monitor that I tested. It's a very simple white box. Inside is just as simple. There is a monitor, a three-piece stand, and some included cables. The only difference is that this box includes a USB-C cable as well. That is actually a surprising length, making it long enough for you to route into a desk, pull away, or mount somewhere as well, if needed. I would have expected probably a meter or two, but this one seems to be quite a bit longer in a good way.

Once set up, I was able to plug in a test device via USB-C to confirm it had power. Then I tested it with all sorts of different devices that I had. I tested it on my MacBook, my iPad, another iPad, and my iPhone. I tested it with several other laptops and a couple of desktops, and all of them worked out great. This USB-C is quick and responsive. The screen looks sharp, and the few times that you need to use the OSD, it works well.

One thing worth noting on this is that the pop-out ports on the bottom actually work really well. Of course, they're not Thunderbolt 5 speeds, but they're fast enough to get the work done you may need to do on this: charge quick devices, transfer some smaller files, things like that. Of course, it doesn't need to have crazy high-speed transfer rates, because that's not the design of this monitor. That would be like trying to cram 57 cup holders into a Ferrari. That's just not necessary, because that's not what that vehicle is designed for. Same thing here. Why would Dell spend money and time and resources on crazy high-speed USB-C on a device that isn't designed to work that way?

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Design & Build Quality

I've already mentioned it a little bit, but the design is simple. It's clean, and it's very work-friendly. This isn't the kind of monitor that's going to turn heads, and that's exactly what Dell was hoping for. This is the kind of monitor you would see on the desk of a data admin or an executive admin at a coworking space. Perhaps a hot desk scenario, maybe an accountant, account manager, or things of that nature.

The stand has some slight upgrades from past ones that I've griped about. Instead of a cable pass-through through the base, it actually has a little clip on the back. It's still not perfect, but it seems a little clearer and cleaner to use if you opt not to use the built-in stand. One thing to note is that the monitor is extremely light, so you will need to aggressively adjust your monitor arm to compensate for the reduced weight, which is not usually the case. Usually you have to account for heavier monitors.

There is an OSD joystick for selecting inputs, adjusting USB-C settings, or even choosing the original language when first setting up the monitor. Lastly, I do appreciate that this is a USB-C monitor, as that one-cable setup without needing another dock, another power, or another place to put a docking station really helps clean things up.

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This monitor has functioned well for everyday work. I’ll be the first to note that it wouldn't be ideal for color-accurate creative work. Nor would it be great for those who try to fit everything on their display at once, expecting a high-resolution screen to help by scaling. It’s not for video editors, photo editors, creatives, gamers, or those.

But for people who work on spreadsheets, project management, emails, web-based content, writing documents, working with AI, perhaps even basic coding, and things in this realm, those who don’t have a specialty niche when it comes to displays, this will work great. I immediately thought of my friends who work in finance and Insurance. These guys would kill for a monitor like this, as it does exactly what they need without any fluff. It’s not going to take their time to set up and understand.

Well, of course, the single USB-C is a huge benefit for this monitor. It's also super great for IT professionals who need a simple setup to run a server or plug into a server room or something like that. Other devices can be plugged into the HDMI ports, and then when they walk in with their laptop, they can plug in with USB-C. You could, of course, also plug in other devices via USB-C, like desktops, but that would also be just as easy to plug in an HDMI cable. That's not necessarily a huge selling point.

One of the many things that USB-C can transfer is audio, and while this monitor does have speakers, do not expect them to be anything fancy. You can potentially get away with some background audio, maybe some lo-fi beats on Spotify or a virtual meeting, but I wouldn't expect these to be anything crazy or clear. They'll get the job done in some scenarios, but not in many.

Dell 27 Plus QHD USB-C Monitor: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

All in all, I think it's pretty clear that this is a simple monitor for simple needs for those who don't have a niche need. Nor do they want to spend what some people spend on a car on a monitor.

Monitor technology has gotten incredible. I would know. I've tested most monitors out right now, and while I do love a fancy monitor, there is something to be said for a simple one that is just plug-and-play, without any bells and whistles, that still costs a very reasonable $200-$250.

There's still plenty of demand for that kind of display, and Dell putting out this monitor shows exactly that.

Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future

For more top-performers, we've tested the best business monitors.

I spend a lot of time traveling for work, testing laptops, accessories, and other hardware, so I've become very selective about what earns a permanent place in my bag.

These five gadgets are the ones I reach for every trip because they solve real problems without adding much weight, and right now they're all reduced in price on Amazon.

The first thing I never leave home without is Anker's compact 10,000mAh power bank. It's small enough to slip into any bag yet has enough capacity to keep my iPhone 17 Pro and Dell 15 Laptop running through long flights, delayed trains, or full days away from a power outlet. Fast USB-C charging makes topping up devices quick and convenient.

My top business travel gear

A slim, lightweight 10,000mAh power bank with fast USB-C charging, capable of recharging smartphones multiple times. Its durable, scratch-resistant design, two-way USB-C port, and compact size make it ideal for travel and everyday use.View Deal

Create a secure private Wi-Fi network wherever you travel with this compact Wi-Fi 7 router. It supports up to 90 devices, offers VPN protection, multi-mode connectivity, and fast 2.5GbE wired networking for work and entertainment.View Deal

Expand your workspace anywhere with this ultra-slim 15.6-inch Full HD portable monitor. It features an IPS display, built-in adjustable stand, USB-C and HDMI connectivity, HDR support, and a protective sleeve for travel.View Deal

Enjoy quiet, distraction-free working with this compact Bluetooth mouse, featuring 90% quieter clicks, smooth optical tracking, an ambidextrous design, and up to 18 months of battery life for laptops, tablets, and desktops.View Deal

Transfer, edit, and back up files at speeds of up to 2,000MB/s with this rugged portable SSD. It offers 1TB of storage, hardware encryption, advanced thermal management, and broad compatibility with PCs, Macs, cameras, consoles, and smartphones.View Deal

Don't travel without these devices

Reliable internet is incredibly important for me, and while I'll often opt for an eSim on my phone, TP-Link's Roam 7 BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Portable Travel Router lets me create a secure private network from hotel, airport, or public Wi-Fi.

Built-in VPN support adds another layer of security when I'm working remotely or accessing sensitive files.

InnoView's 15.6" portable monitor is another essential piece of my travel setup. The Full HD IPS display gives me a second screen for editing, writing, or managing multiple applications at once, while the integrated stand and protective sleeve make it easy to pack and use anywhere.

I always stow Logitech's compact M240 Silent Bluetooth Mouse in my bag. It's useful for navigating my screen and silent clicks are welcome when working in cafés, airport lounges, or shared workspaces.

The long battery life means I rarely need to think about replacing batteries between trips.

Finally, I always carry a Samsung T9 Portable SSD. With transfer speeds reaching up to 2,000MB/s, it's ideal for backing up photos, moving large video files, or carrying projects between devices.

Its rugged construction, hardware encryption, and broad compatibility with laptops, desktops, cameras, and even smartphones make it one of the most useful accessories I own.

None of these products are particularly flashy, but every one of them has earned a place in my travel bag by making work easier, more secure, and more productive.