Amazing Gaming Laptops Below $1,000

We all know that gaming laptops are ridiculously expensive and can cause a big hole in our pockets. You may find some fancier models costing around $3,000. Here you will find affordable gaming laptops that offer impressive graphics that handle the latest games, smooth frame rates, and excellent audio.

And the best part of that is you can get all those cool features without worrying about lag and heating problems. So if you're currently on the lookout for a competitive yet affordable gaming laptop, then you better check out this list.

Acer Aspire VX5-591G	This laptop has everything you need to look for in a gaming laptop. It has fast memory, sharp graphics, and a quality design. Wrapped in an aggressive design of red lines, large fan exhausts and a sturdy silver plastic hinge, you'll know that it's a machine that's built for gaming. The speakers have a decent sound, and the 1080 HD screen is high quality providing clear images with accurate color. It has 16 GB DDR4 RAM from the latest generation running at 2133 Mhz, as well as the recently released (7th gen) Intel Core i7-7700 HQ processor. It also has a 256 GB solid state drive for that super fast boot and load. You may need to get an external storage for this because there's no HDD, which means all the included memory is the 256 GB from the SSD. The Acer delivers what is most important in a gamin laptop -- the graphics card. Backed by the Nvidia GTX 1050Ti, the computer can run all the latest games with solid fps on medium-high settings. Price: $999.99 from Amazon
Lenovo Y700 14-inch	Carbon fiber, powerful audio, and an Intel Core i7 processor make the 14-inch Lenovo Y700 a formidable multimedia/gaming laptop. Its underperformance compared to its Nvidia-powered competitors, its AMD graphics is compensated with the loud JBL speakers, which punch well above their weight class. If you're looking for something portable and affordable, the Y700 is worth a look. Price: starts at $599 from Lenovo
Dell Inspiron i5577	The Dell Inspiron i5577 offers a deal you just cannot resist -- included SSD, a potent graphics card, powerful processor and a saving of $200. This laptop is lightweight for a gaming laptop but with a modest and professional look. It has a sturdy matte black plastic housing, diamond curved edges, and red details. The palm rest has a slide-resistant coating that feels great. The screen provides crisp, vibrant graphics. The speakers sound good although it's not this laptop's strongest point. With a RAM of 8 GB, you don't to worry about a thing if you're just looking for a gaming laptop; 8 GB of RAM is sufficient enough for gaming. The i5577 comes with a 256 GB SSD, which will make booting up, transferring, adding or loading files fast. If you can afford having a smaller hard drive and less RAM, you will love the Dell Inspiron i5577. Price: $749.99 from Amazon
Acer V17 Vn7-792G	A big round of applause to Acer for doing a great job with their 17-inch Nitro Black Edition. It gets the same looks and slender body as the smaller versions, but performs smoother under load, runs cooler and can be paired with excellent screen options. Most models are also competitively priced, and even the top-tier models offer a lot for the money, but they are just not for everyone. Looks aside, this laptop is also well built. Lifting the lid reveals the 17.3-inch, 1080p display with its significant bezel, an aluminum deck, the Tobii eye-tracking IR camera, and a red, backlit keyboard. (The latter is the only giveaway that it's a gaming notebook, but you can turn it off.) There’s little flex in the screen and the keyboard frame, and in fact this 17-inch model actually feels a bit sturdier built than the 15-inch variant. That’s good. The hinges are smartly designed as well and allow users to easily lift the screen with a single hand, but also keep the screen firmly in place when needed. On to more practical aspects, the laptop’s interior is roomy, with a large palm-rest, as expected from a 17-inch laptop. The screen is great for watching videos, reading text , browsing or performing tasks that require a color accurate panel and it’s also bright and with decent blacks. Hardware wise, the Nvidia 960M graphics chip with 4 GB of video memory is paired with a quad-core Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor, 16 GB of DDR4 RAM (up to 32 GB of RAM supported in the two available slots) and dual storage, with a 2.5-inch hard drive and an M.2 SATA SSD. Overall, the Acer Aspire V17 Nitro VN7-792G checks many of the right boxes. It’s built well and looks really good, sleeker than most of its rivals. It also gets a splendid display, it offers the performance expected from such a device and runs fairly cool, even under load. Price: starts from $999
Asus K501UW	Is having a larger solid state drive one of your requirements for a gaming laptop? Do you prefer a solid but not too flashy design? Do you also want it to have a power-packed hardware? Then, the ASUS K501UW can answer all of these questions with a "Yes." This laptop has a rather discrete design. With an elegant yet sturdy gray metal cover, you'd be surprised what's hidden underneath. Inside, you find just like most of the laptops in the list the Nvidia Gtx 960m graphics card.  The CPU is the Intel Core i7-6500U, about equally powerful as the top rated processor, the i7-6700HQ. The 8GB RAM is of the modern type DDR4. One of the weaker parts of the laptop is the screen. It’s a decent display, but there are far better screens on other laptops in this price range. The main thing that makes this laptop stand out is the 512GB SSD. With this much memory, you can store a lot of files and program and always have quick access to them with the help of the solid state drive. Unfortunately, there is no included HDD so for some people that like to install a lot of programs and store a lot of files, the rather small amount of memory could be an issue. Price: $819 from Amazon

Block Those Annoying Spam Calls With These 5 Android Apps

Everywhere you can find spam -- it can be in your inbox, mailbox, and now it can also be on your Android phone. Spam comprises of information or products that don't interest you and just use up space on your device. Even so, you still have to deal with these things. You have the choice for not answering calls from unknown callers, but then there's also the risk of missing an important phone call.

It's actually not difficult to get rid of these spam calls/SMS on your Android device provided that you use the right app to do the job. These apps will make those annoying calls go away and will finally let you have peace of mind.

Mr. Number (Block Calls & Spam)

Mr. Number is one of Android's most popular spam blockers. You don't need to set anything up when you launch the app for the first time in order to get rid of those spam calls. This app already has a list of reported spam numbers that other users have reported.

If you get a spam call from a number that hasn't been reported, you can block that number by going to Settings > Call Blocking > Check the suspected spam option. To report the spam call, just tap on the Report Spam option on the bottom-right when you select the number.

If the spam call you get is on the app's spam list, you'll get a notice and can even see what other users have said about that number. There will also be options to block or report that number so you never have to deal with it again.

TrueCaller

The main purpose of the TrueCaller app is to identify all the calls that you receive on your phone. Even though the app works similarly as a Caller ID, it also has a feature that will prevent you from having to deal with spam calls.

The app will identify telemarketers and spam calls since it has a large telemarketer database. You only need to make sure that the feature is on when you first install the app, and it will automatically block any call that will be identified as spam.

If there is a number that the app doesn't identify as spam but you consider it as such, you can block it by going to Settings > Block > View My Block List and tapping on the blue circle on the bottom-right.

Call Blocker (Blacklist App)

Not only will Call Blocker block unwanted spam calls, it can also filter SMS as well. Spam can reach your phone as SMS, but it won't anymore with this app. (Spam SMS will still reach your phone, but it will be filtered out before you have a chance to look at it.) You can choose from options such as text SMS filter, do not disturb mode, personal blacklist, block call log, community blacklist, etc.

When the app blocks a call, you won't get a notification or any type of notice. Say goodbye to telemarketers, robocalls and any phone number based on their area code or number.

If a number that has violated the FRC/FCC Do Not Call list tries to call you, rest assured that they won’t get through. It’s also possible to sync online and back up locally any personal lists you have in the cloud for safekeeping.

Call Blocker Free Blacklist

Call Blocker Free will help you eliminate those annoying spam calls. A feature that makes this app stand out from the rest is that it has an option to block those one-ring phone scams. You don't need to manually activate this feature since it's already enabled by default.

You also have the option to choose how you would like these calls to be blocked by choosing hang up, hang up and send a text message, or mute without hanging up. You also have an option to get notifications for all blocked calls and messages your phone will receive.

Hiya

Hiya is a spam-blocking app that has the ability to identify about a million spam numbers. As soon as a call comes in, the app compares the number with its database and lets you know if it's spam or not.

Aside for keeping spam out of your phone, it can also detect viruses and malware in your text messages. The Hiya app also has a reverse phone lookup feature that can help you fill in some missing information on certain contacts on your phone.

To add a certain number to your block list, go to Settings > Call Protection > Numbers on my block list. Tap the red button at the bottom-right corner and you're done.

Getting to Know the Windows 10 Creator’s Update

Basically, the Windows 10 Creator’s Update is just another of Microsoft’s numerous updates that it has been known for in order to keep an operating system and its functions updated. Most of these updates are security updates that prevent malware and cyber attacks to be able to read an OS like a fixed manual, while some of the updates are meant to fix existing bugs, if there’s any.

Windows 10 Creator’s Update however, is a big update for the Windows 10 OS because it is meant as a sort of damage control stemming from complaints from Windows 7 and 8 users who decided to take advantage of the free switch and downloading of Windows 10. But Windows 10 tended to gather a lot of information from its users and silently leaked it back to Microsoft servers.

Thus, the Creator’s Update is meant to update the privacy settings on Windows 10 so people can choose if any information can be gathered by the OS and sent back to base, or not. Microsoft insists that the information they gather is meant to be studied in order to improve their marketing and products, and that no personal information is gathered whatsoever. However, the row has reached the courts since customers point out that any information leaked back to servers from their devices is a clear-cut violation of privacy, especially if the information was taken without their permission.

Of course, the other purpose of the Creator’s Update is to add new features that were not in the original Windows 10 OS. Aside from the Microsoft privacy dashboard for the privacy issue previously stated, there is also the addition of Cortana – Microsoft’s Windows Assistant – as well as the Microsoft Edge, new tab management features, built-in game broadcasting, and 3D in Windows 10.

The 3D feature will bring new creativeness through 3D art and paint and can convert 2D images to 3D. The new gaming features will definitely improve gaming play, gaming connection, streaming, and with playing together online. Of course, Microsoft Edge is the new browser built for Windows 10 that 99% of users generally ignore, preferring to use the already proven reliability of Chrome and Firefox. But the company claims that Edge is faster, more secure, and offers longer battery life even while using the browser when streaming video or browsing for long periods. The Creator’s Update will also bring a new set of browser apps that will prove useful.

As for the Windows Store, the Creator’s Update will give more choices and categories for games, apps, movies/TV, music, and a new addition, books. And probably the most awaited addition in the latest update is that digital assistant called “Cortana.”

7 Must-Add Widgets For Your iOS Device

One of the great features in iOS is widgets, which have been around since iOS 8. When a user swipes all the way to the left of their home screen or of the notification screen, they are presented with the Today View and a variety of widgets. Here are some of the best iOS widgets you definitely should have on your device.

Adding Widgets

First, you should learn how to add these widgets to your iOS device. Unlock your device, then scroll all the way to the left where you will be presented with the date, a variety of preset widgets, and an Edit option at the bottom. Tap Edit, then from there you can add, remove, ands move widgets to fit your needs.

1. Traffic Monitor

Traffic Monitor offers two widgets -- speed and usage. Speed displays the Wi-Fi network name and the current upload and download speeds. Usage, on the other hand, shows data usage on both cellular and Wi-Fi with a daily or monthly view. If you need to keep track of data usage in order to avoid overages, the Traffic Monitor app is a must-have for any device that includes cellular.

2. SurfEasy

SurfEasy is an iOS widget that allows you to easily switch your VPN on or off, as well as select your preferred region -- all without having to open the full app. Amongst all the VPN services available, SurfEasy keeps things simple.

3. Carrot Weather

Carrot gives weather updates at a glance, including an hour by hour forecast. It has a great level of simplicity and yet manages to pack a lot of useful information.

4. Go Launcher

Dock space is limited, and app folders can be pretty messy at times. Because of this, Go Launcher is developed so that users can select a series of frequently used apps, and then just tap to launch one.

5. Commit to 3

Commit to 3 is a basic iOS app where users can set three commitments daily and check them off as they are completed. The iOS home screen widget is a simple and quick way to check off these commitments, which you can do without having to open the full app. Commit to 3 offers an Apple Watch for even quicker access.

6. ESPN

Once you have added your favorite teams in the ESPN app, the ESPN widget will display upcoming matches/games and scores. Tap on Show more to bring up more matches/games and scores. If you would like even more stats, tap the widget to launch the full app experience.

7. Coinbase

Coinbase provides the current rates for both Bitcoin and Ethereum and whether or not the current value is up or down. Tapping the widget will quickly open the full Coinbase app. The app enables users to send bitcoin to friends or shop with merchants who accept bitcoin. It also enables you to access your Coinbase wallets, vaults, and transaction details even when you're on the go. You can also buy and sell bitcoin directly from your phone by connecting your bank account.

Check Out These Awesome 4k Laptops

More laptops now are coming out with 4K screens, which is the highest resolution currently available in the market. Sporting an Ultra HD panel, you can watch movies and TV shows in 4K resolution, as well as enjoy more detail when editing photos and videos. Also, there is an increasing number of games that support this resolution.

At the moment, there is only a few selection, but you'll find these super-sharp displays on premium notebooks and 2-in-1s, gaming systems and workstations. Check out some of these awesome 4K laptops.

Razer Blade Pro	Aside from its stunning 4K display with G-sync technology, the Blade Pro is the slimmest desktop replacement around. You'll be amazed by its mechanical keyboard with Chroma backlighting and tear through games with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 GPU. Price: from $3,699.99
Asus ZenBook Pro UX501VW	This ZenBook laptop is a great value because it has a 4K display, aluminum chassis, Thunderbolt 3 and USB Type-C support and Nvidia 960M graphics for less than a competing MacBook. Creatives who are looking for a 4K laptop shouldn't look anywhere else. Price: from $1,499.00
HP Spectre x360 15-inch	Besides getting a 4K display, the HP Spectre x360 can provide a full day's charge on a battery, a premimum gray and copper chassis, Nvidia 940MX GPU, and great speakers tuned by Bang & Olufsen. If you want to use it as a tablet, just fold this 2-in-1s keyboard behind its screen. Price: from $1,279.99
Dell Precision 5510	The Dell Precision 5510's 4K display looks like it's floating in thin air, because of its InfinityEdge bezel. Not only does it look great, the Precision laptop has a blazing fast SSD and shares a premium chassis with the Dell XPS 15. Its Intel Xeon CPU and Nvidia Quadro GPU will make programs like Photoshop or AutoCAD run speedy and smooth. Price: from $1,329.00

Watch Out for These New Cool Updates Coming to Your Android Devices

This year, Google wasted no time in coming up with new features that Android users will surely enjoy. So if you're a proud owner of an Android device or are planning to get one, you might want to know these huge updates that you will soon get to experience.

Google's pace of change has always been impressive, and expect that there will always be new updates like the ones below that you can look forward to on your Android device.

No More Now Launcher

With the fancy new Pixel Launcher basically doing the same job but with a slicker look, the Now Launcher will soon be no more. This however, will be a little frustrating for non-Pixel/Nougat users in the meantime, since the Pixel Launcher isn't yet in the know of everyone, but eventually switching to it may probably makes the most sense.

Offline Reading in Chrome

From Chrome 56 onwards, you will be able to save pages for offline reading simply by tapping the Chrome's menu icon at the upper-right corner, and then tapping the down arrow button (or Download button). The page will then be saved in the Downloads section of Chrome for your offline reading enjoyment.

Useful New Tab Page on Chrome

Another new and helpful feature you will see from Chrome 56 onwards is a New Tab page, which now shows your downloads (including those pages you saved for offline reading), recent bookmarks, and favorite websites. It's a marked improvement on the pretty barebones New Tab page that existed before and makes everything on Chrome that much more interclickable.

Progressive Web Apps

Progressive Web Apps have been Chrome's useful features since 2015, which lets users to add their favorite websites to their Android homescreen, provided the site in question meets certain usability criteria.

Google is now introducing its next stage, which will integrate your favorite websites deeper into Android. If a site develops one of these web apps, and then someone adds it to their home screen, it will now also appear in the user's app drawer (with fully customizable icons) and be treated by Android just like an app. This will allow users to access its App Info page, control its permissions, and have it interact with other apps.

Update to My Apps Screen

If you've owned an Android device for years, then it's safe to assume that you've built up a pile of apps linked to your account over the years. However, the current way the My Apps section of Play Store is designed fails to reflect that, as the only limited organization in it is to toggle between lists of installed and owned apps.

That's all changed with Play Store 7.4, and Google will now have three categories in the My Apps section, namely -- Updates, Installed, and Library. The important part here is that you'll now be able to organize your lists of apps alphabetically, by size, by Last Used, and by Last Update. You will also be able to open them directly from the list, as well as see their size.