Chris Hoffman

Contributor, PCWorld

Chris Hoffman is the author of The Windows Readme, a newsletter that brings Windows PC tips, tricks, and experiments to more than 10,000 email inboxes each week. He's also the former editor-in-chief of How-To Geek and a veteran tech journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, PCMag, Reader's Digest, and other publications.

Articles by Chris Hoffman

Windows 11 is packed with AI now. Here’s how to take back control

Microsoft wants to put AI everywhere on your PC, but you can take back control.

By Chris Hoffman 2 days ago

10 overlooked PC upgrades that transform your desk setup

Don't let old and crappy accessories drag your PC down! Snag these awesome upgrades to kick your system up a level or two.

By Chris Hoffman 2 days ago

Touchscreen laptops sounded futuristic. Now they just feel unnecessary

To laptop makers and Microsoft, the Windows touchscreen experience is an afterthought.

By Chris Hoffman 3 weeks ago

Acer Swift 16 AI review: An incredible OLED laptop that lasts all day

The Acer Swift 16 AI delivers incredible performance and even manages to provide a decent gaming experience thanks to Intel's Panther Lake hardware. But, while the display is beautiful, it's also prone to reflections.

By Chris Hoffman 1 month ago

Acer Swift X 14 AI review: Fast, creator-focused OLED laptop

The Acer Swift X 14 AI delivers high-end performance, a premium display, and an incredible trackpad. But the rest of the machine doesn't feel quite as premium.

By Chris Hoffman 1 month ago

Put a PC in your living room. You won't regret it

The Windows desktop is great on a TV. Here's everything you need to know about why you should give it a try.

By Chris Hoffman 2 months ago

5 secrets to getting a good PC deal in 2026

The current RAM crisis is painful, but many prices on the shelf are still good.

By Chris Hoffman 2 months ago

Samsung's 30-hour claim is fantasy—but Panther Lake battery life is still wild

You won't get 30 hours of runtime, but this Intel Panther Lake laptop still rules.

By Chris Hoffman 2 months ago

Acer Aspire 16 AI review: Seriously good value

The Acer Aspire 16 AI is seriously good value, with lots of capable hardware at a good price. But this machine trades some of Lunar Lake's battery life for higher performance.

By Chris Hoffman 2 months ago