Skip to main content
Jon Martindale

Jon Martindale

Computing Coordinator

Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to guides, best-of lists, and explainers to help everyone understand the hottest new hardware and software in desktops, laptops, and on the web.

Jon also writes for Forbes, Lifewire, and Microcenter, has authored two novels, and provided back story and dialogue for a handful of games.

 

Motherboard CMOS battery.

How to reset your BIOS

Resetting your BIOS can be a great way to fix common boot problems, undo a broken overclock, or undo a system change you regret. Here's how to do it.
Computing Guides
A person using a laptop while lounging on a couch.

How to password-protect an Excel file on Windows and Mac

Sending Excel files containing crucial financial and business data has risks. To add a layer of protection, you should learn to password protect an Excel file.
Computing Guides
Spreadsheet on a laptop on a table.

Here’s how to quickly and easily convert a PDF to Excel

Excel gives you tons of options for editing, but what if your file is a PDF? Here's how to convert a PDF into an Excel file with ease. Just follow these steps.
Computing Guides
Intel Core i5-13600K installed in a motherboard.

Intel Arrow Lake: everything we know about the 15th-gen chips

Intel Arrow Lake is slated to launch in 2024, even if that wasn't the original plan. Here's everything we know about Arrow Lake so far.
Computing News
PowerPoint Slide Sorter view on a Windows laptop.

How to create a Powerpoint Presentation

Powerpoint presentations are a great way to share information with a team or to make a presentation to a group. Here's how to make one.
Computing Guides
Microsoft Teams chat.

Microsoft Teams online vs. desktop: Which is best?

You can use Microsoft Team on your PC using the web app or the desktop app. Which is best? Let's take a look.
Computing Guides
An Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chip embedded in a piece of glass.

Intel Lunar Lake CPUs: everything we know about release date, performance, and specs

Intel's Lunar Lake is a mobile-first generation of energy-efficient CPUs that are arriving in a matter of weeks. Here's everything we know so far.
Computing Guides
A person using a laptop that displays various Microsoft Office apps.

Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs

Microsoft Word or Google Docs? The decision may seem simple if you're already integrated into either service, but there are other factors to consider.
Computing Best Ofs
A woman holding the Samsung 870 Pro NVMe PCIe SSD in her hands.

What is NVMe? Everything you need to know about high-speed storage

NVMe drives are everywhere, from your mom's laptop to your high-end gaming PC. These extremely slim drives are superfast, and now they're super affordable too.
Computing Guides
PowerPoint Slide Sorter view on a Windows laptop.

How to change the background in Powerpoint

Changing the background in a Powerpoint presentation can be a great way to make it more dynamic and engaging. Here's how to do it.
Computing Guides
PDFGear conversion.

How to convert PDF to PowerPoint

Converting a PDF to PowerPoint is quick and straightforward if you use the right tools. Here's how to do it.
Computing Guides
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i laptop on a desk.

How long do laptops really last?

Laptops can last a long time, but the experience of using them will worsen over time, so regular updates are still a good idea.
Computing Guides
A close-up of someone using Microsoft Teams on a laptop for a videoconference.

What is Microsoft Teams? How to use the collaboration app

If you're looking for a new online collaboration tool, Microsoft Teams is one of many options. Here's why it might be the best meetings tool for your workplace.
Computing Guides
A person using MS Word.

How to delete a page in Word (including a blank page)

If you need to know how to delete a page in Word, this guide will show you tricks for deleting pages at the end, in the middle, and anywhere else.
Computing Guides
A man holds a Corsair MP600 PRO LPX PS5 SSD next to an open PS5.

The best SSDs for PS5 that you should buy

Sony's PlayStation 5 offers full support for an additional internal SSD for greater console storage capacity. These are the best solid-state drives for the PS5.
Computing Buying Guides

The best free Midjourney alternatives you can try out today

Midjourney is a great AI art tool, but it's not the only one. Here are some great alternatives you can play with for free right now.
Computing Best Ofs
Collection of SSDs, RAM, and CPUs.

SSD vs. RAM: What’s the difference?

SSD and RAM are two terms thrown around PCs and laptops, but what are they exactly, and how do they differ? Here's what you need to know.
Computing Guides
AMD showing Curve Shaper in the BIOS.

What is the BIOS and how to use it

The BIOS or UEFI is an interface you can use to examine core settings on your PC and make important boot changes. Here's how to access it and what you can do.
Computing Guides
A digital image of Elon Musk in front of a stylized background with the Twitter logo repeating.

What is Grok? Elon Musk’s controversial ChatGPT competitor, explained

Grok is the Elon Musk-backed AI offshoot of X that he's hoping will compete with ChatGPT and Midjourney.
Computing Guides
The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo DDR5 memory seated on a motherboard.

DDR6: everything we know about the next-gen RAM

DDR6 is the next generation of memory that's coming down the pipe, and though it's early days, the performance potential of this RAM is exciting.
Computing Guides

What is RAM? Here’s everything you need to know

RAM, or memory, is one of the most important components of your PC, but what is RAM? We explain what RAM does, how much you need, why it's important, and more.
Computing Guides
The Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5 memory modules in white.

How to clear your RAM cache (and why you probably shouldn’t)

Clearing your RAM cache is often touted as a way to improve system performance, but it can actually slow it down. Here's how to do it anyway.
Computing Guides
A hand holding AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X.

AMD Zen 5: everything we know about Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen AI 300

AMD's first Zen 5 CPUs are finally here. Here's everything you need to know about Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen AI 300 processors.
Computing Guides
An SSD installed in a PC motherboard.

SSD not showing up in Windows? Here are some easy fixes

Is your new SSD failing to register on your Windows PC? Here’s a few troubleshooting and repair methods you can try.
Computing Guides
A man holds a Corsair MP600 PRO LPX PS5 SSD next to an open PS5.

What is an SSD? Here’s everything you need to know

Most PCs use exclusively SSDs for just about every kind of storage these days. But what about hard drives? What is an SSD, really?
Computing Guides
The Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 memory for AMD Ryzen 7000.

DDR5 vs. DDR4 RAM: Is DDR5 worth it?

DDR5 stands as the contemporary RAM standard for modern PCs. However, the question remains: Between DDR5 and DDR4, which one is better?
Computing Guides

The best RAM for 2024

There are a lot of RAM kits on the market, but only a select few made the cut in our roundup of the best RAM kits. Here are the top options in 2024.
Computing Best Ofs
The cover art for Minecraft.

How to allocate more RAM to Minecraft

Minecraft Java can run out of memory quickly if you heavily mod the game. Here's how to allocate more to boost performance.
Computing Guides
Person using Windows 11 laptop on their lap by the window.

How to show hidden files in Windows

If you've hidden certain files away, they aren't lost. Here's how to show hidden files so you can more easily interact with them again.
Computing Guides
ram prices are increasing until third quarter 2017 corsair vengeance led ddr4 memory

How much RAM do you need for a laptop, gaming PC, or tablet?

How much RAM do you really need? It's a question that plagues many PC buyers, and in this guide, we break it down for tablets, laptops, and desktops.
Computing Guides
RED Ripjaws RAM.

How to install RAM

Sometimes, all you need to make your PC feel like it's new is a new RAM kit. Here's how to install RAM step by step.
Computing Guides
Canon's Pixma TS6420a handles double-sided document printing reliably.

The best cheap printers for 2024

Searching for a budget-friendly printer option? Take a look at our collection of the finest affordable printers currently on the market.
Computing Best Ofs
The WD Black SN850P 2TB Internal PS5 SSD before insertion into a ready PS5.

How to install an SSD in your PC

Installing an SSD in your PC is quick and straightforward, and can give your PC a big performance boost. Here's how to do it.
Computing Guides

How to clone a hard drive or SSD for free

Cloning a hard drive is a great way to get your PC back up and running. Here's how to do it with a great free app.
Computing Guides
1234567
Next