Computing
Understand computers, memory, displays and useful upgrades.
Check TPM for Windows 11: TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and PC Health Check
Run tpm.msc to see your TPM version, then check UEFI and Secure Boot before the Windows 11 upgrade.
Mac FileVault recovery key: turn it on safely
Turn on FileVault, choose an iCloud or recovery-key route, and store the recovery details away from the Mac.
Windows Nearby sharing: send files between PCs
Turn on Windows Nearby sharing, send files over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and fix a PC that does not appear.
Find BitLocker recovery key: where it's stored and how to back it up
Where to find your BitLocker recovery key, and how to back it up before Windows asks.
How to wipe a laptop before selling it, on Windows or Mac
Back up, reset and sign out: the Windows and Mac steps to clear a laptop properly before you sell or give it away.
Windows 10 End of Support Options: Upgrade, ESU or Replace?
Choose between Windows 11, Extended Security Updates and replacing a Windows 10 PC after support ended.
Choosing a home-office monitor: size, resolution and ports
Choose a home-office monitor by checking desk fit, native resolution, laptop output, USB-C and stand adjustment.
How to check laptop battery health on Windows and Mac
Read laptop battery capacity on Windows or macOS, judge the percentage and slow wear with charge settings.
NBN Speed Tiers Explained: Which Plan Fits Your Home?
Every NBN speed tier from 12/1 to 2000 Mbps, by technology, with Fixed Wireless speeds.
How much RAM do you need in a new laptop?
Match laptop memory to your apps, then check whether you can upgrade it later.
USB-C cables: understand power, speed and displays
Read the labels separately and trace the complete connection before buying another cable or dock.
Wi-Fi 7 at home: find the bottleneck before upgrading
Use a simple network diagram and repeatable checks to find what is really slowing your connection.
Surface business refresh splits Intel and Snapdragon
Microsoft’s business laptops and tablets arrive in stages, with important configuration differences.
Chrome adds vertical tabs and full-page Reading Mode
Two optional layouts give open tabs and long articles more room on a desktop screen.
JetStream 3: what the new browser benchmark measures
The updated benchmark expands WebAssembly workloads, but it cannot judge your entire browsing experience.
MacBook Neo brings Apple's A18 Pro to a lower-priced Mac
Apple's 13-inch MacBook Neo uses A18 Pro and starts at US$599.
MacBook Air M5 starts with more storage and Wi-Fi 7
Apple's MacBook Air M5 adds a 512GB starting SSD, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
A computer should be chosen for the applications it needs to run. ULKA’s Computing guides explain memory, storage, displays, ports and compatibility in terms of everyday work and study. We look at where an upgrade helps and where another specification is unlikely to change the experience. Use the guides to prepare a shortlist and check the exact configuration before buying: a familiar model name can cover several very different machines.
Start with the applications you rely on, then check their requirements against the specific laptop configuration you are considering.
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