Want to use your own set of headphones with the Xbox One rather than a headset? Here's how to make it happen.

You don't have to purchase a sometimes very expensive gaming headset to get the most from your Xbox One audio experience. Especially not if you've already invested in a set of good, sometimes very expensive headphones.

There are some features you'll lose, but ultimately it might well be the way to go for you. Here's everything you need to know.

Connecting your headphones

This part is super simple as long as you're using the more recent versions of the Xbox One controller. These have the 3.5mm headset jack in the bottom, and so to use them all you have to do is plug the headphones into the controller.

If you're using one of the very first generation Xbox One controllers, there is no headset jack on it. As such you'll need to invest in the Stereo Headset Adapter. It's about $20 and connects to the bottom of your controller with your headphones hooking up to the bottom of the adapter.

You also get added handy features like volume adjust, chat/game audio mix adjust and a big old mute button. Even on the later versions of the Xbox One controller (with the headset jack), you can gain a fair bit from using one of these.

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Controlling audio without the adapter

If you don't have inline volume controls, something which is pretty common on a headset or the adapter, you'll have to control the audio on the console directly. It's not difficult, though with the forthcoming update to the Xbox One dashboard, the audio controls are a little more hidden.

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
2. Scroll all the way to the right to action center.
3. Select audio.

You'll now have options for enabling and disabling any microphone attached, adjusting volume, mic monitoring and the mix of game audio to party chat.

Adding a microphone

There are some really easy, really solid ways of adding a microphone to your headphones so you can indulge in a little party chat action on your Xbox One.

One is the Turtle Beach Stream Mic. It's never going to win awards for outright sound quality, but it has one huge selling point: You can plug it directly into the Xbox One console. It's probably still going to be better than any headset microphone, and it's now pretty affordable, too. For more on that be sure to check out our full review.

More: Turtle Beach Stream Mic Review

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An alternative is to invest in something like the Antilion Modmic. This is a microphone that you can clip to your headphones and create your own gaming headset. With a splitter to attach the headphones and the microphone, you've then got a full gaming headset plugged into your controller.

The bonus is that you can take the microphone off and then just keep on enjoying your headphones. Not all gaming headsets have a detachable microphone. It's about $50, which isn't cheap, but it's also not bad considering it's also a noise canceling microphone.

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Getting more advanced

If you want to get really fancy, particularly if you're a streamer, you can use something like Astro's Mixamp to integrate your headphones with your PC, console and even mobile devices audio.

Hook up to the console over optical audio, stick the USB into your PC and connect headphones or a music player like your smartphone over 3.5mm.

The Mixamp gives you control over the mix of audio, for example, your level of game audio to party chat. If you use one of Astro's more expensive headsets you can get the Mixamp thrown in, but it's also available to purchase on its own for about $130.

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Is OneNote 2016 refusing to sync? Use these tips to resolve most issues that may prevent you to sync your notebooks or sections on Windows 10.

Microsoft OneNote is one of the best apps for taking notes, compile research data, organize information you need on a regular basis, and best of all, it works virtually everywhere. You can use it on your Windows 10 devices, as well as on Android, iOS, macOS, and on the web.

However, due to its cross-platform design, sometimes syncing your data to the cloud using the desktop version of OneNote on Windows 10 can be a problem.

Luckily, if your notebooks or a particular section won't sync, you experience syncing conflicts or storage related issues, there are a few things you can do with OneNote 2016 to get everything working again.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to resolve common sync problems using OneNote 2016.

• How to fix notebook not syncing on OneNote
• How to fix section not syncing on OneNote
• How to fix misplaced sections on OneNote
• How to fix content sync conflict on OneNote
• How to fix storage sync errors on OneNote

How to fix notebook not syncing on OneNote

If a particular notebook is not able to sync, you can try a few things to troubleshoot and resolve this problem.

Checking notebook on the web

You can quickly find out if there is a service problem by trying to open the notebook using a web browser.

1. On OneNote, click File, and select Info.

2. On the right side, right-click the link, and click Copy (or right-click the notebook and select Copy Link to Notebook).

3. Open your web browser.

4. Right-click and paste the link in the address bar and press Enter to open the notebook.

Once you've completed the steps, if the notebook opens in the browser, then it may be a problem with the desktop client.

Reopening a notebook

If it's a problem with the application, opening the notebook again is likely to fix the sync problem.

1. On OneNote, click File, and select Info.

2. Click on Settings, and select Close (or right-click the notebook and select Close This Notebook).

3. Click File, and select Open.

4. Click the notebook you want to open.

After completing the steps, the connection will reset, and your notebook should start syncing again.

Checking sync status

If you can open the notebook online, but you don't see the changes, you'll need to check the sync status to find out the particular error to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

1. On OneNote, click File, and select Info.

2. Click the View Sync Status button (or right-click the notebook and select Notebook Sync Status).

3. If available, click the Get Help button to access additional steps to troubleshoot the particular issue.

If you don't see the button, you'll need to note the error or message and research online. Remember that you can always use the Windows Central forums to find answers to software problems.

It's critical that in this type of scenario you keep OneNote open and signed-in. Otherwise, you could lose your changes.

Checking service status

If you can't open the notebook using the web browser, it's possible that there is a problem with the OneDrive service. Using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, you can quickly see the service status using this link.

In the case OneDrive is up and running, you may need to contact Microsoft support for assistance.

How to fix section not syncing on OneNote

Usually, when sharing a notebook with other people, you may experience that sections will sync except for one in particular. In this case, you can try two things: You can manually try to sync the section in question, or you can copy the pages to a new section and then delete the one causing the problem.

Syncing section manually

When a section isn't synchronizing automatically, OneNote includes an easy way to sync a particular section manually.

1. On OneNote, click on File, and select Info.

2. Click the View Sync Status button (or right-click the notebook and select Notebook Sync Status).

3. Under "Shared Notebook Synchronization," click the Sync now button for the section with the problem.

Copying pages to a new section

If the OneNote section refuses to sync, you can try copying the pages to a new section, and then delete the old section with the problem.

1. On OneNote, click the Create a New Section button from the navigation bar.

2. Use a descriptive name for the new section.

3. In the section with the sync problem, right-click each page, and select the Move or Copy option.

4. Select the newly created section as the destination, and click Copy.

After completing the steps, you can use the steps mentioned earlier to sync the section manually, and if everything works correctly, you can safely right-click and select Delete in the old section.

Emptying OneNote Recycle Bin

Sometimes, removing a section that isn't working, or you no longer need, may also cause syncing problems, which is why it's also important to remove deleted sections from the recycle bin.

1. On OneNote, click the History tab.

2. Click the Notebook Recycle Bin button.

3. Right-click the section and select Delete.

If the section contains pages that you want to keep, make sure to refer to the above instructions to copy pages to a new section, and then empty the content from the recycle bin.

How to fix misplaced sections on OneNote

When sharing a notebook with other users and OneNote tries to sync changes of a section, but it's unable to find the section file, it'll appear as misplaced with an icon in the Notebooks list.

If you come across this issue, you can move the section to another notebook or you can simply delete the section in question.

Moving misplaced section to another notebook

In the case you see a misplaced section, OneNote allows you to manually address the issue by moving a particular section of a notebook.

1. On OneNote, right-click the tab for the misplaced section, and click Move or Copy.

2. Under "Move or Copy Section," click the target notebook from the list.

3. Click the Move button, or Copy button, depending on the action you want to take.

Deleting misplaced section from notebook

If you don't need the section, instead of moving it, you can simply remove the misplaced section.

1. On OneNote, under your Notebooks list, click the Misplaced Sections.

2. Right-click the name of the section, and select Delete.

How to fix content sync conflict on OneNote

While collaborating in real-time with another person trying to edit the same piece of text can cause synchronization conflicts. When OneNote detects a conflict, it'll create copies of the same page, and you'll see a yellow message indicating the problem.

If you're having sync conflicts, you'll need to copy the content to the main page, and then delete the page.

1. On OneNote, at the top of the page, click the yellow message.

2. Copy the content from the temporary page that shows the error, and then paste the content in the primary page.

3. Right-click the page causing the error, and click Delete to remove it.

In the future, you can minimize the chances of merge conflicts by having only one person working on one page at a time, or coordinate with other users the section of the page you'll be editing.

How to fix storage sync errors on OneNote

In the rare case that you see an error code, such as 0xE00015E0, it means that either your device doesn't have enough space or the notebook is too big to sync.

Although the problem can just happen because you have a ton of stuff stored in the notebook, typically, storage related errors with OneNote happen because of a large number of backup files.

You can quickly address the problem by adjusting the backup settings on OneNote.

Optimizing files

One way to prevent syncing issues is to optimize the space used by notebooks.

1. On OneNote, click on File, and select Options.
2. Click on Save & Backup.

3. Under "Optimizing files," click the Optimize All Files Now button.

Reducing automatic backups

In addition to optimizing files, you can also set the number of OneNote automatic backups to a lower number to save space to prevent future syncing problems.

1. On OneNote, click on File, and select Options.
2. Click on Save & Backup.

3. Under "Backup," make sure to reduce the number for the Number of backup copies to keep.

Removing unnecessary backups

You can also save storage space by deleting some of the existing backup files and get OneNote syncing again.

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.

2. Type the following path and click OK.

   %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneNote\

3. Double-click the folder that corresponds to the version number you have installed, for example, 16.0 for OneNote 2016.

4. Double-click the Backup folder.

5. Delete the backup files you no longer need.

After completing the steps, OneNote should start syncing those large notebooks without problems.

Wrapping things up

While this guide covers some of the ways to resolve syncing problems using OneNote, remember that sometimes it could be an issue with the program itself. This is why it's always important to install updates as they may include fixes and improvements to get syncing working again.

You can quickly check for updates on desktop version of OneNote on File> Account> Office Options, and clicking the Update Now button.

Also, it might be obvious, but before trying to troubleshoot OneNote, you should first check your internet connection. You'll be surprised the times a bad connection can be the root of problems on your computer.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

How do I run an app that Windows 10 has blocked for my protection?

Yes, it is a good thing that Windows 10 has security features like Defender SmartScreen built in, but sometimes they get in the way. You really want to install this app — you know there's nothing wrong with it — but you're locked out.

Windows Defender SmartScreen acts as a sort of guard dog while you use Windows 10. It will block you from opening some apps if they come from an unknown place or are created by an unknown publisher. While these steps will get you around the Windows 10 block, you should use them with care. Some apps really are harmful and really will get you in a mess. Only go around the Windows 10 app block if you know for sure that the file is safe.

• How to open a file blocked by Windows Defender SmartScreen
• How to disable Windows Defender SmartScreen
• How to enable Windows Defender SmartScreen

How to open a file blocked by Windows Defender SmartScreen

If a file you know is safe is going to give you trouble when you attempt to launch it, you can quickly give it permission to open.

1. Navigate to the file or program that's being blocked by SmartScreen.
2. Right-click the file.

3. Click Properties.

4. Click the checkbox next to Unblock so that a checkmark appears.

5. Click Apply.

The file should now be treated as safe by SmartScreen and you'll be allowed to open it. If you're running into further problems, try running the program as an Administrator in addition to the steps above.

How to disable Windows Defender SmartScreen

Although not recommended, SmartScreen can be disabled through Windows Defender. If you must completely disable SmartScreen, we recommend re-enabling it soon after.

1. Launch Windows Defender Security Center from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
2. Click the App and browser control button on the left side of the window.

3. Click Off in the Check apps and files section.

4. Click Off in the SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge section.

5. Click Off in the SmartScreen for Windows Store apps section.

SmartScreen is now completely disabled. If you'd like to still receive a warning when a potentially malicious file or program is detected, you can choose Warn in each SmartScreen section.

How to enable Windows Defender SmartScreen

Once you've done everything that SmartScreen was preventing you from doing, you should immediately go back and re-enable it. Even if the file or program you were working with was known not to be malicious, forgetting to enable SmartScreen could lead to big problems in the future.

1. Launch Windows Defender Security Center from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
2. Click the App and browser control button on the left side of the window.

3. Click Block in the Check apps and files section.

4. Click Block in the SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge section.

5. Click Warn in the SmartScreen for Windows Store apps section.

More resources

When attempting to download a file through Microsoft Edge, you might sometimes run into a SmartScreen block. Use this guide to get around it and download the files you want.

How to bypass or disable Microsoft Edge's SmartScreen filter

Updated August 28, 2017: We've refreshed this guide to ensure you're still getting current information about SmartScreen and how to get around it.

Everything you need to know about Destiny 2's Titan, Warlock, and Hunter subclasses available both in the beta and at launch.

Since its 2014 debut, Destiny's responsive shooter gameplay has become synonymous with the franchise. One of the game's most defining traits is its class-based mechanics, separating players into three groups, with their own associated play styles.

Everything we know so far about Destiny 2

Destiny 2 is just around the corner, bringing back Titans, Warlocks and Hunters, and the associated subclasses that define your abilities in battle. While entirely new subclasses are being introduced, three existing fan favorites are also being revived with their own set of changes. We've broken down what subclasses mean in Destiny 2, and details on all six available at launch.

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What is a subclass in Destiny 2?

While classes somewhat outline your personal playstyle in Destiny 2, subclasses are an additional choice to be made, which determines your in-game abilities. At launch, two subclasses are available for Titans, Warlocks, and Hunters – each based on one of the game's three energy types. Each of these subclasses come with their own unique skill trees, which serve as one of the main forms of progression in your early days of playing Destiny 2.

Each subclass is hugely defined by its "Super ability," which allows players to charge up and utilize a single powerful move during combat. This is now complemented by a "Class ability," which also grants access to a secondary less powerful talent, with a fast recharge time. The choices within your subclass tree also determine your available grenade types, movement options, and passive abilities. These are the six subclasses available at launch for Destiny 2, across all classes.

• Sentinel (Titan)
• Striker (Titan)
• Dawnblade (Warlock)
• Voidwalker (Warlock)
• Arcstrider (Hunter)
• Gunslinger (Hunter)

With only two energy types available per class it's also assumed three more will be added later down the line, via DLC. For veterans from the first game, the Defender, Sunbreaker, Stormcaller, Sunsinger, Bladedancer and Nightstalker classes are all removed for the sequel.

Sentinel (Titan, Void)

The Sentinel subclass is the latest addition for Titans, offering abilities that leverage multiple traits of the class. This Void light class can be used for both aggressive and defensive play, with abilities that incentivize melee kills and heavy weapon use. The "Void Shield" Super ability makes this one of the most unique subclasses in Destiny 2, through a throwable shield, which serves as a fast projectile dealing heavy damage.

Super Ability

• Sentinel Shield: Press "LB and RB" to summon a shield of Void Light. While Sentinel is active, press "RB" to attack. Hold "LT" to guard. Press "LB" to perform a Shield Throw.

Class Skill

• Towering Barricade: Press and Hold "B" to create a large barrier that can be used to reinforce a position with cover from enemy fire.
• Rally Barricade: Press and Hold "B" to create a small barrier that allows you to peek over it while aiming down sights, and which instantly reloads your equipped weapon when you take cover.

Grenade

• Magnetic Grenade: A grenade that attaches to enemies and explodes twice.
• Voidwall Grenade: A grenade that creates a horizontal wall of burning Void Light.
• Suppressor Grenade: An explosive grenade that prevents enemies from using abilities for a short time.

Movement Mode

• High Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air at greater heights.
• Strafe Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air with strong directional control.
• Catapult Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air with a strong initial burst of momentum.

Code of the Protector

• Turn The Tide: Your Overshield from Defensive Strike lasts longer and increases melee damage and reload speed.
• Rallying Force: Melee kills restore Health for you and nearby allies.
• Ward of Dawn: When Super energy is full, press and hold LB and RB to create a shielding dome to protect you and your allies.
• Defensive Strike: Kill an enemy with this Melee Ability to create an overshield around you and nearby allies.

Code of the Aggressor

• Shield Bash: After sprinting for a short time, use this Melee Ability to unleash a devastating Shield Bash that disorientates enemies.
• Superior Arsenal: Grenade kills recharge your Grenade energy.
• Second Shield: Gain an additional Shield Throw charge while Sentinel Shield is active.
• In The Trenches: Kills while surrounded by enemies reduce the cooldown of your Super.

Striker (Titan, Arc)

Strikers are making a return for Titans in Destiny 2, with some tweaks upon the first revision. While some minor changes have been made across the board for this Arc-based class, the biggest overhaul affects its super ability, "Fists of Havoc." Unlike in the original Destiny, where players would receive a single supercharged ground-pound, the ability now activates over a period, allowing for multiple attacks in rapid succession. Overall this class is now better suited for an offensive play style, taking full advantage of the Titan's damage-dealing properties.

Super Ability

• Fists of Havoc: Supercharge your fists and slam the ground with the force of a maelstrom.

Class Skill

• Towering Barricade: Press and Hold "B" to create a large barrier that can be used to reinforce a position with cover from enemy fire.
• Rally Barricade: Press and Hold "B" to create a small barrier that allows you to peek over it while aiming down sights, and instantly reloads your equipped weapon when you take cover.

Grenade

• Flashbang Grenade: An explosive grenade that disorients enemies it damages.
• Pulse Grenade: A grenade that periodically damages enemies inside its explosion radius.
• Lightning Grenade: A grenade that sticks to any surface and emits bolts of lightning

Movement Mode

• High Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air at greater heights.
• Strafe Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air with strong directional control.
• Catapult Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air with a strong initial burst of momentum.

Code of the Earthshaker

• Magnitude: Gain an additional grenade charge. Increases the duration of grenade effects.
• Aftershocks: Damaging enemies with Seismic Strike recharges your grenade.
• Terminal Velocity: Fists of Havoc's ground slam attack leaves a damage-dealing field in its wake and deals more damage the longer it's in the air.
• Seismic Strike: While sprinting, activate this melee ability to slam shoulder-first into your target and release an Arc explosion on impact.

Code of the Juggernaut

• Frontal Assault: Strike an enemy with this Melee Ability to reload your weapon and increase your weapon stability.
• Reversal: Melee kills immediately trigger health regeneration.
• Trample: Killing enemies with Fists of Havoc extends its duration.
• Knockout: Critically wounding an enemy or breaking their shields increases your melee range and damage.

Dawnblade (Warlock, Solar)

Warlocks now have access to "Dawnblade" in Destiny 2 – a new subclass centered around Solar light. The new super ability, "Daybreak," allows players to levitate for a brief period while throwing flaming blades woven with light. Under the hood, this ability works similarly to the Sunbreaker Titan subclass available in the third Destiny expansion, The Taken King. Other abilities available to this class build on its Solar damage abilities, and agility in combat.

Super Ability

• Daybreak: Weave Solar Light into blades and smite your foes from the skies.

Class Skill

• Healing Rift: Press and Hold "B" to conjure a well of Light that continuously heals those inside it.
• Empowering Rift: Press and Hold "B" to conjure a well of Light that increases weapon damage for those inside it.

Grenade

• Solar Grenade: A grenade that creates a flare of Solar Light that continuously damages enemies trapped inside.
• Firebolt Grenade: A grenade that unleashes bolts of Solar Light at nearby enemies.
• Fusion Grenade: An explosive grenade that deals bonus damage when it attaches to a target.

Movement Mode

• Strafe Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with strong directional control.
• Burst Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with a strong initial boost of speed.
• Balanced Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with both moderate speed and directional control.

Attunement of Sky

• Heat Rises: Airborne kills recharge your Grenade and Melee energy. Casting Daybreak instantly refills all your ability energy.
• Winged Sun: Engage your enemies mid-flight. Fire weapons and throw grenades while gliding.
• Icarus Dash: Press "B, B" while in midair to dodge.
• Swift Striker: Strike an enemy with this Melee Ability to burn your target and temporarily increase your movement and reload speed.

Attunement of Flame

• Igniting Touch: Strike an enemy with this melee ability to burn them and cause them to explode when killed.
• Phoenix Dive: Hold "B" while in midair to quickly descend and restore your health. While Daybreak is active, Descend cause explosive damage.
• Everlasting Flame: Killing an enemy with Daybreak extends its duration.
• Fated for the Flame: Daybreak projectiles seek targets as they travel and, upon impact, launch a streak of deadly flames.

Voidwalker (Warlock, Void)

The Voidwalker subclass is also being revived for Destiny 2, and while some changes have been made, its mechanics are almost unchanged from the first game. The subclass' devastating Nova bomb still serves as its super ability, dropping an explosive ball of Void light, damaging enemies in its blast radius. Otherwise, the recommended approach to using the Voidwalker subclass is the same – encouraging a more offensive style of play. This subclass is also the only class to offer the blink ability, which allows for a short-distance teleport.

Super Ability

• Nova Bomb: Hurl an explosive bolt of Void Light at the enemy, disintegrating those caught within its blast.

Class Skill

• Healing Rift: Press and Hold "B" to conjure a well of Light that continuously heals those inside it.
• Empowering Rift: Press and Hold "B" to conjure a well of Light that increases weapon damage for those inside it.

Grenade

• Vortex Grenade: A grenade that creates a vortex which continually damages enemies trapped inside.
• Axion Bolt: A bolt of Void Light that forks into smaller bolts on impact that seek out enemies.
• Scatter Grenade: A grenade that splits into many submunitions and covers a large area with multiple explosions.

Movement Mode

• Strafe Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with strong directional control.
• Blink: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with a strong initial boost of speed.
• Burst Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with a strong initial boost of speed.

Attunement of Chaos

• Bloom: Void ability kills cause enemies to explode.
• Chaos Accelerant: Hold "LB" draw power from your Super to overcharge your grenade, making it deadlier and more effective.
• Cataclysm: - Nova Bomb travels slowly and seeks enemies. Detonations shatter into smaller seeker projectiles. Fire your weapon at the Nova Bomb to detonate it early.
• Entropic Pull: Strike an enemy with this Melee Ability to drain your enemy's life force and use it to recharge your grenade.

Attunement of Hunger

• Devour: Kill an enemy with this melee ability to fully regenerate your health. For a short time afterward, kills restore additional health.
• Feed The Void: Hold "LB" to consume your grenade energy to regenerate your health. Grants the Devour effect.
• Insatiable: While the Devour effect is active, killing enemies extends its duration and recharges your grenade.
• Vortex: Nova Bomb creates a singularity which continually damages enemies trapped inside.

Arcstrider (Hunter, Arc)

Arcstriders are the new stylish melee subclass for the Hunters, sporting Arc-based abilities. This new class bears strong similarities to the Bladedancer class, although swaps out its blades of a stylish staff. The Arcsrtider Super ability also activates of a period of time, allowing for multiple repeated melee attacks while activated. This class' moves mostly specialize in its sleek melee attacks, alongside swift locomotion.

Super Ability

• Arc Staff: Form a staff of pure Arc energy and acrobatically take out your foes.

Class Skill

• Marksman's Dodge: Dodge "B, B" to perform an evasive maneuver with a steady hand. Dodging automatically reloads your weapon.
• Gambler's Dodge: Dodge "B, B" to perform a deft tumble, avoiding enemy attacks. Dodging near enemies fully recharges your Melee Ability.

Grenade

• Skip Grenade: A grenade which splits upon impact, creating multiple projectiles that seek enemies.
• Flux Grenade: An explosive grenade that deals additional damage when attached to enemies.
• Arcbolt Grenade: A grenade that chains bolts of lightning to nearby enemies.

Movement Mode

• High Jump: While airborne, jump a second time to reach greater heights.
• Strafe Jump: While airborne, jump a second time with strong directional control.
• Triple Jump: While airborne, sustain your air control with a second or third jump.

Way of the Warrior

• Deadly Reach: Dodging increases your melee range, allowing you to lunge further to strike enemies.
• Combat Flow: Melee kills recharge your dodge ability.
• Lethal Current: After dodging, each Arc Staff hit creates a damaging lightning aftershock.
• Combination Blow: Kill an enemy with this melee ability to trigger health regeneration and increase your melee damage temporarily.

Way of the Wind

• Disorienting Blow: Strike an enemy with this melee ability to disorient the target and nearby enemies.
• Focused Breathing: Sprinting recharges your dodge ability. Increased maximum sprint speed.
• Lightning Reflexes: You are harder to kill while dodging.
• Combat Meditation: While critically wounded, melee and grenade recharge drastically faster.

Gunslinger (Hunter, Solar)

Gunslingers are also back in Destiny 2, although a new approach to its Solar light capabilities makes for a slightly new style of play. The "Golden Gun" ability has seen the biggest change, allowing for up to six solar revolver shots, rather than the first game's three. This can be a huge help when taking on multiple enemies, although the individual damage of each shot has been reduced.

Super Ability

• Golden Gun: Summon a flaming pistol that disintegrates enemies with Solar Light.

Class Skill

• Marksman's Dodge: Dodge "B, B" to perform an evasive maneuver with a steady hand. Dodging automatically reloads your weapon.
• Gambler's Dodge: Dodge "B, B" to perform a deft tumble, avoiding enemy attacks. Dodging near enemies fully recharges your Melee Ability.

Grenade

• Incendiary Grenade: A grenade whose explosion catches enemies on fire.
• Swarm Grenade: A grenade that detonates upon impact, releasing multiple drones that seek nearby enemies
• Tripmine Grenade: A grenade that sticks to surfaces and detonates upon enemies who pass through its laser trigger.

Movement Mode

• High Jump: While airborne, jump a second time to reach greater heights.
• Strafe Jump: While airborne, jump a second time with strong directional control.
• Triple Jump: While airborne, sustain your air control with a second or third jump.

Way of the Outlaw

• Deadshot: Significantly improves your ability to hit with Golden Gun.
• Chains of Woe: Precision kills increase weapon reload speed for you and nearby allies.
• Six-Shooter: Golden Gun can be fired quickly up to 6 times, but has a short duration.
• Explosive Knife: Throw a knife from a distance that explodes shortly after impact with this Melee Ability.

Way of the Wind

• Knife-juggler: Throw a knife from a distance. Precision knife kills with this Melee Ability immediately recharge it.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Enter a trance with each precision hit, reducing the cooldown of your Super.
• Line 'em up: Precision hits with Golden Gun increase its damage and extend its duration.
• Crowd-pleaser: Enables precision damage with Golden Gun. Precision hits with Golden Gun generate Orbs of Light.

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Further reading

• Everything we know so far about Destiny 2
• Destiny 2 Exotic weapons guide
• What you need to know about the Destiny story so far

This is everything you need to know about Mint SIM in one easy place.

Buying phone service or changing carriers is never fun. But it should be! Saving money or having a better data connection is great.

Mint SIM takes the process of buying and setting up your new account and makes it simple. Even so, there are always a few things you should know before you get started.

We're here to help with that. Read on for a few tips and answers to help you get the most from Mint SIM!

Best phones

One of the best things about using an MVNO for your phone service is that there are plenty of unlocked phones that just work. Mint SIM is no exception, and most any modern phone built to use on T-Mobile works with everything Mint SIM has to offer — including Wi-Fi calling.

Modern Windows 10 Mobile devices like the HP Elite X3 and Alcatel Idol 4 Pro should work, as do many iOS and Android devices.

More: Alcatel Idol 4 Pro review

Best deals on Mint SIM

Mint SIM offers several different ways to pay for your plan, and that brings a few compelling deals. You buy in advance, and plans with 2GB per month of high-speed data as well as 5GB per month and a whopping 10GB per month are available.

You can pay for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months in advance and get service as low as $15 per month for 2GB of high-speed data. If you want the convenience of paying for the whole year in one shot, a 2GB per month plan still comes out at just $15 a month. The value scales well, too: 10GB per month plans are just $25 per month.

Compare that to others and you see why buying "in bulk" makes sense.

We track extra deals and savings codes for Mint SIM all in one spot, so be sure to take a look before you click any buttons!

More: Mint SIM deals and promo codes

Mint SIM FAQ

It's normal to have a few questions when you switch carriers. Things like international rates and extra data add-ons can be confusing for even the seasoned mobile enthusiast.

Mint SIM knows this and has a broad set of support options. You'll find the answers to most questions right in Mint's FAQ pages.

Another option is your fellow users! Cheap data pricing means plenty of people are using Mint, and there's a good chance you'll get an answer to any question quickly through online forums.

A few common questions and their answers:

• Q:Will my existing phone work on a Mint SIM plan?

  • A: You'll need a phone that's GSM compatible (with U.S. radio bands (1700/2100 MHz (AWS), 1900 MHz, 850 MHz), is SIM unlocked and in working order. For full compatibility, including 4G LTE data connectivity, you'll need a phone that supports the AWS bands (1700/2100 MHz) as well as Band 12 (700 MHz). Phones that only support 1900 MHZ and 850 MHz will be able to use the service, but you won't have access to high-speed data in as many places. If you're not sure the phone you have will work, give Mint a call at 844-646-8746 (6-6 PT Mon-Fri, 8-5 PT on Saturday) or you can chat with a specialist at the Mint SIM website.

• Q:What's the return policy?

  • A: You can get a refund for a service plan anytime within 7 days by filling in a form at the Mint SIM website. You can get a refund for any unused SIM cards within 10 days of purchase. The returned cards must be in their original, unopened packaging. To start the return process for phones purchased through Mint SIM, email returns@mintsim.com.

• Q:How do I set up my phone?

  • A: Visit Mint SIM's phone setup page for all the details and full instructions.

To see more questions and their answers, visit Mint SIM's FAQ pages.

Mint SIM FAQ: Let's get you sorted out!

If you're still searching for the right answer, you can reach support by email or phone. Send a message to support@mintsim.com anytime, or call (844) MINT-SIM (844-646-8746) for live support Monday-Friday between 6 AM and 6 PM (PT) or Saturday between 8 AM and 5 PM (PT).

How to cancel Mint SIM service

Like all MVNO prepaid plans, you're paying in advance and once paid for, the service is yours to use for the duration. You won't be getting your money back. Mint SIM does have a seven-day guarantee so if things don't work out for you you can get a refund, but consider the money spent once that passes.

Actually canceling your service is easy. Once the months you've paid for are over, you'll get a text notice letting you know. You can reactivate by adding funds to your account to continue the service for 30 days. After 30 days, your number is released and you'll lose it and after 60 days you can consider your Mint SIM account closed.

The important thing to remember here is that you'll lose your number if you don't act. Porting phone numbers is fairly easy no matter where you end up, but you'll need to be sure to go through that process before your number is returned to the pool for someone else to get.

You'll find information about porting your number from Mint SIM to a new carrier at that carrier's web site.

How to port your number to Mint SIM

When you get your Mint SIM SIM card, you will need to activate it. That's a simple process you can do online and all you need is the 11 digit number printed on the card. If you would rather talk to a live person during the activation process, you can call (844) 646-8746 from any other phone to get started.

Activate your Mint SIM account

During the activation process, you'll have the option to use your existing number. You'll need to provide the number to Mint SIM as well as the account number from the carrier you're using now. If the account has a PIN or other access code, you'll need to supply that, too. You'll be able to get all this information from your current carrier if you need any help/

Once you supply the information needed, Mint takes it from there. Mint SIM contacts your existing carrier and gets the number freed so they can assign it to your SIM card.

This can take up to 24 hours for the process to complete, but usually, it doesn't and you'll be up and running quickly. During the actual number porting, you will not be able to use your number. Prepare for this just in case it takes a full day. You can set up an emergency Google Voice number and use it on a phone or even a computer with a Wi-Fi connection, and this makes a great backup if you need one.

We think Mint SIM is a great deal, and use the service ourselves. We're here to help get you started and answer any questions that might come up so your transition to great phone service on the cheap is pain-free. If you need any help and are unsure where to look, drop a comment below and the awesome user community can help!

You can customize exactly how Quick actions appear in Windows 10's Action Center. Here's how.

On Windows 10, Quick actions are located inside the Action Center experience, and they're useful shortcuts to quickly access certain Settings and Network options, and to enable features, such as Quiet hours, Night light, and Airplane mode with just one click.

While you can't customize the experience within Action Center, it's possible to change the order of commands, remove those shortcuts you don't need, and add new ones using the Settings app.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to add, remove and rearrange the Action Center shortcuts for faster access to features and settings on your device.

How to organize Quick actions buttons on Action Center

Here's how to get started:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Notifications and actions.

3. Under "Quick actions," you can rearrange and decide which shortcuts appear on Action Center.

   • Rearrange: The layout you see under "Quick actions" is the same currently available in Action Center. You can quickly rearrange the buttons by simply dragging and dropping each item to the location you want. The top-four items are always visible even if the Quick actions section is collapsed, so it's a good idea to align the buttons you use most in this row.

   • Add or remove: On Windows 10, you can have up to 13 shortcuts listed in Action Center, and at any time you can decide which ones you'll be using. Simply click the "Add or remove quick actions" link, and turn on the toggle switch for the shortcuts you want.

   • Quick Tip: If you don't use any of the shortcuts, you can turn them all off to disable the experience in Action Center.

Once you complete these steps, your changes will be reflected as you open Action Center (Windows key + A).

If you only see one row of shortcuts, you'll need to click the Expand link to see them all or click Collapse to hide them all but the top four.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

Looking to buy a new laptop? There are so many options available, and you must choose whether to go new or used or refurbished, but we can help.

Should you wish to squeeze as much value out of your next laptop purchase, a refurbished or new option may appear rather enticing. While there can be some degree of risk involved with purchasing a used product, even from reputable retailers, we'll provide some helpful tips to ensure you're purchasing a laptop you'll be happy with.

Here are some things you should bear in mind when analyzing your options.

The savings

Buying a refurbished (or used) laptop can allow for some serious savings. While you're likely not going to be able to find each and every laptop model available for purchase, this option is worth considering for those seeking a system for work, studying or general use. Companies like Dell make it easy to see just what is available second-hand on their websites.

• See Dell Outlet
• See Lenovo Outlet

As an example, at the time of this writing, a Latitude 3000 (3180) priced new at $699 is only $336 at Dell's Outlet, and there are a scratches and dents listed on the product page. A fully working laptop with only a few physical defects is more than 50 percent less than the new asking price.

The downside to going with official outlet stores is you'll be relying on available stock. Wanting to pick up the latest XPS 13 from Dell is likely going to warrant a full purchase if there's a specific configuration you had in mind that isn't available as used. Using official channels like company stores have benefits, including warranties, less risk, and buyer protection.

Many enterprise customers hand back units, which are then sold at more consumer-friendly prices, making it possible for you to easily snag a deal.

On the other hand, we have platforms like Amazon that make it simple to find a deal before adding a laptop to the shopping cart. Just keep an eye out for "new & used" prices on product pages. Generally speaking, if you're strapped for cash or do not wish to spend more than $1,000 on a new laptop, going refurbished or used is a solid solution.

Used is NOT refurbished

The terms used and refurbished can not really be used interchangeably. Refurbished laptops generally come from companies like Dell, as we covered above, and are restored by professionals to as good condition as possible. Steps may include taking units apart to check various components, including the battery, internal storage, power supply, ports, and other parts.

You'll generally need to go through manufacturers and select retailers for trustworthy refurbished laptops.

Laptops that are classified as "used" are sold by consumers after they've upgraded to a better model, decided the laptop wasn't quite what they need, or they simply need to raise some funds. Used laptops aren't checked in-depth, and as such, there could potentially be an issue with a component. Platforms like eBay and Craigslist also do not check products prior to listing.

Retailers like Amazon offer the best of both worlds. Sellers can list a used laptop, but it's also possible to locate certified refurbished laptops that come with a limited warranty. It's recommended you spend significant time doing research. Here are some handy tips to buying a refurbished or used laptop:

• Check the laptop right away for any defects that weren't listed by the seller. This includes opening up the devices to have a quick peek inside.
• Check for any warranties.
• Read the fine print to see what's covered by the warranty.
• Consider using a credit card to pay for used laptops.
• Check return policies.

If you plan to do work, watch videos, write up email and documents, and engage in general internet usage, a refurbished or used laptop is an ideal option.

Brand new

Buying a laptop is much like purchasing a car as it depends on personal preference. You may not have any desire to own a brand new laptop, and if you're also looking to save some money, refurbished and used options are certainly the way to go. That said, there's really nothing better than receiving original, sealed packaging, knowing you're the first person to use the laptop. That's just like a new automobile when you sit in the vehicle for the first time at the dealership.

Keep an eye out for sales, particularly on the Amazon which holds discounts across a range of laptops. Buying new can be considered the best choice for those seeking high-end hardware, notably gaming and professional laptops.

In summary, here's a quick recap:

• New: Buying new is costly, but you'll be the first to use the laptop with full warranty.
• Refurbished: These PCs are discounted by manufacturers and retailers with good QA. They are usually covered by at least a limited warranty.
• Used: These are cheapest, but without QA or guarantees, relying solely on the word of the seller.

Further reading

• Best Windows laptops
• Best Windows laptops under $300

It's not as easy to watch a DVD on Windows 10 as it probably should be, but these apps will get the job done.

Back in the day, there was Windows Media Center, which, while not available on all versions of Windows, did allow you to freely watch DVDs on your PC. Microsoft killed off Windows Media Center in Windows 10 and left some folks who use a home theater PC (HTPC) with a dilemma.

If you upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8 with Media Center, there was at least a free option to play DVDs. That's not the case if you bought a new Windows 10 machine.

So, if you're wondering about the best way to play DVDs on Windows 10, read on. (Note: You obviously need a DVD drive on your PC to watch DVDs on Windows.)

Windows DVD Player

This is Microsoft's official app for watching DVDs in Windows 10, but it's not very good. In fact, you should only consider this as one of your options if you're able to get it free having upgraded from a previous Windows Media Center-enabled version of Windows.

It's a barebones $15 app even when it works properly, and the Store reviews alone are enough to send a giant red flag. Do not buy this app. Only try it if you get it for free. Otherwise, check out the two options below, which are leaps and bounds more reliable.

Download from the Windows Store

VLC

The first thing you need to know here is that the VLC app in the Windows Store does not play DVDs. You need to get the traditional desktop client from VideoLAN directly. It doesn't look as fancy, but it's more powerful.

VLC is the free Swiss Army Knife of media players because it can play basically anything. Simply pop in the DVD, open up the media menu and select the option to play the disc. VLC is much more than just a way to play DVDs, but even if that's all you want you can't go wrong.

Download VLC desktop from VideoLAN

Kodi

An alternative that's perfect for watching DVDs on an HTPC is Kodi. Windows Media Center was designed for use on a TV and Windows 10 desktop really isn't. But Kodi is an easy way to fix that.

It's free to download from the Windows Store, and playing DVDs is really easy. The added bonus to using Kodi is that you can set it to autoplay, skip the boring trailers before the DVD menu, and use a remote control.

There's so much you can do with Kodi besides watching DVDs, but even if that's all you want it offers a very good, very user-friendly experience.

How to watch DVDs in Kodi

Download from the Windows Store

Bottom line on Windows 10 and DVDs

There is an official app for watching DVDs in Windows 10, but for most people it costs $15 and is pretty rough. You should only try that if you get it free.

If you're not in that category, go with VLC or Kodi. If you're using a HTPC, Kodi is the best bet. If you just want to watch on your main PC or a laptop on the go, VLC is probably the one to go for.

If you have a recommendation we didn't mention, be sure to drop it into the comments.

It's possible to enable the dark mode automatically on Windows 10, and in this guide, we'll show you how.

Windows 10 comes with two personalization modes ― the light mode, which is the bright default mode on every installation, and it works very well during daytime; and the dark mode that tints parts of the OS and supported apps with a dark color scheme, and it's more suitable for low-light conditions, such as when working late at night.

Although you can quickly change modes using the Settings app, unlike Night light, Windows 10 doesn't include an option to use the light mode during the day and automatically switch to the dark mode at night. However, it's still possible to create an automated process using a couple of PowerShell commands and Task Scheduler to automatically switch to the dark mode at a particular time of your choosing.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to configure your computer to switch to the dark mode automatically using PowerShell and Task Scheduler.

How to switch between light and dark mode on Windows 10

In order to switch back and forth between light and dark mode automatically on Windows 10, you'll need to schedule two tasks, each one running a different PowerShell command that will change the Registry setting that controls the personalization modes.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

Creating task to switch to the dark mode

The first thing you need to do is to set up and schedule a task to enable the dark mode at a specific time at night, which you can do with the following steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Task Scheduler and click the result.
3. Expand the Task Scheduler Library folder.

4. Right-click Task Scheduler Library and select New Folder.

5. Enter a name for the folder (e.g., MySchedules), and click OK.

   Quick Note: We're creating a new folder to keep yours and system tasks separate, which makes it easier to manage tasks.

6. Right-click the newly created folder and select Create Task.

7. On the "General" tab, under "Name," enter a descriptive name for the task (e.g., switch_dark_mode).
8. Under "Security options," select the option Run whether user is logged on or not option.

9. Check the Do not store password option.

10. Click on the Triggers tab.
11. Click the New button.
12. Under "Begin the task," select On a schedule, but you can configure any trigger you want.
13. Under "Settings," select the Daily option.
14. Set the time (e.g., 6:30 PM) you want Windows 10 to switch automatically to the dark mode.

15. Click OK.

16. Click on the Actions tab.
17. Click the New button.

18. Using the "Start a program" action, under "Settings," copy and paste the following path:

    %SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe

19. Under "Add arguments (optional)," copy and paste the following PowerShell command:

    New-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name AppsUseLightTheme -Value 0 -Type Dword -Force

    The above command will try to create a AppsUseLightTheme DWORD in the Registry and set its value to 0, which disables the light mode and enables the dark mode.

20. Click OK.

21. Click on the Settings tab.
22. Check the Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed option, which should help to run the command if Task Scheduler misses the schedule because your computer was asleep. (Just remember that according to Microsoft's documentation, using this option, Task Scheduler can take up to ten minutes or so to run missed tasks.)
23. Check the If the task fails, restart every option, and make sure it's set to 1 minute and only 3 restart attempts.

24. Click OK.

Once you've completed the steps, every day at the time you specified, Windows 10 will switch to the dark theme automatically.

Creating task to switch to the light mode

The last thing left to do now is to create another task to change from the dark to the light theme, which you can do with the following steps:

1. Right-click the folder created to store your tasks and select Create Task.

2. On the "General" tab, under "Name," enter a descriptive name for the task (e.g., switch_light_mode).
3. Under "Security options," select the option Run whether user is logged on or not option.

4. Check the Do not store password option.

5. Click on the Triggers tab.
6. Click the New button.
7. Under "Begin the task," select On a schedule, but you can configure any trigger you want.
8. Under "Settings," select the Daily option.
9. Set the time (e.g., 6:30 AM) you want Windows 10 to switch automatically to the light mode.

10. Click OK.

11. Click on the Actions tab.
12. Click the New button.

13. Using the "Start a program" action, under "Settings," copy and paste the following path:

    %SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe

14. Under "Add arguments (optional)," copy and paste the following PowerShell command:

    Set-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name AppsUseLightTheme -Value 1

    The above command will update the AppsUseLightTheme DWORD in the Registry with the value of 1, which enables the light mode and disables the dark mode.

15. Click OK.

16. Click on the Settings tab.
17. Check the Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed option, which should help to run the command if Task Scheduler misses the schedule because your computer was asleep. (Just remember that according to Microsoft's documentation, using this option, Task Scheduler can take up to ten minutes or so to run missed tasks.)
18. Check the If the task fails, restart every option, and make sure it's set to 1 minute and only 3 restart attempts.

19. Click OK.

After creating both tasks, Windows 10 will automatically switch between light and dark theme on the schedule you specified without having to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

If you no longer want to use this feature, you can simply go to the Task Scheduler folder you created, right-click, and delete each task. Then you can continue to use the Settings app to switch modes from the Personalization section.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

Should I get a laser or an optical mouse? Which one is better?

Mechanical ball mice are dead; long live optical and laser mice. While both are basically shaped the same and achieve the same purpose, what exactly are the differences between optical and laser mice? They've become quite similar over the last few years, but let's take a close look to help you decide which one is for you.

What is the technical difference between laser and optical mice?

Both laser and optical mice technically shine a light off a surface and measure the reflection in order to provide precision tracking. An optical mouse usually uses an infrared LED (sometimes photodiodes), while a laser mouse uses, you guessed it, a laser to illuminate a surface.

Optical mouse with infrared LED.

Both mice use a complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor to record the reflection from the laser or LED. Since both technologies are so similar, the laser vs. optical debate is quite muddied, made even more difficult by how mouse manufacturers are making high-quality laser and optical mice that are often difficult to choose between.

Is there any difference between laser and optical mice?

What surfaces do laser and optical mice work on?

In order to track movement, optical and laser mice shine a light, the CMOS sensor records the pattern, and the process is repeated while comparing the pattern to the previous image. This can happen thousands of times per second.

Traditionally, since an LED can't really permeate a surface, it's best used on non-glossy surfaces. Mousepads work best, although recent strides in infrared LEDs are making it easier to use some optical mice on more surfaces.

Razer Lancehead (laser) and Logitech G903 (optical).

Lasers, on the other hand, do a better job of permeating a surface for a more precise look and are thus able to work on more surfaces, including glass. However, because laser mice can permeate deeper into a surface, they are more susceptible to picking up too much information and becoming inaccurate, especially at high speeds. Many people view this problem as having to do with acceleration, but in reality, it's more like a scanning problem.

As a basic example, if you swipe your laser mouse quickly in a horizontal line, you should be able to pull your hand back slowly to its starting point and have the cursor on your screen in the same position. However, because a laser mouse picks up more of a surface (and can't read as accurately when traveling quickly), it's also going in different directions than horizontally, resulting in less overall travel in one direction. The bottom line is that a laser mouse is going to have about a five times larger discrepancy in tracking between high and low speeds than an optical mouse.

Do DPI and polling rates matter for laser and optical mice?

Dots per inch (DPI) is the measurement of how sensitive your mouse is to movement. If you have a high DPI setting on your mouse, your cursor will move further on the screen for the same hand movement than if you have a low DPI setting.

In the past, CMOS sensors were less accurate than they are now, which often resulted in a mouse tracking better when it had a higher DPI. Now, however, many CMOS sensors on high-end mice are so accurate that they can work accurately with any DPI. In the past, laser mice were found with higher DPI options, and while this is still generally true, you can find optical mice with high DPI options.

Polling rates are essentially the response time of a mouse, measured in hertz (Hz). If a mouse has a polling rate of 500Hz, that means it is sending its position to your PC 500 times every second. While a high polling rate means you're getting more accurate tracking, your processor might not be able to keep up, and you'll experience a hit to performance.

A lot of bargain mice have a 125Hz polling rate, while gaming mice — both optical and laser — often have a polling rate of 1000Hz. The polling rate is really based on preference, and many people go for a middle ground of 500Hz.

Whether you're choosing a laser or an optical mouse, high-end options should always let you choose a suitable DPI and polling rate.

What is the price difference between laser and optical mice?

Whereas in the past laser mice were, in most cases, more expensive, this divide has also narrowed to be pretty much non-existent. For example, you can buy this highly-rated Redragon Mammoth laser gaming mouse for about $27. Similarly, a highly-rated optical gaming mouse from Logitech is about $30.

What price comes down to now is less about the tracking technology and more about the added buttons and lights. Massively multiplayer online RPG fans or those into multimedia editing can take advantage of mice with plenty of extra buttons on the sides, while others prefer a mouse with a ton of color combinations to match their tower and keyboard's lighting.

• Best wireless mouse of 2017
• Best wireless mouse for Surface PCs

How long do batteries last in wireless laser and optical mice?

The battery life in wireless mice is less about the tracking technology and more about what the manufacturer uses for power and the specs the mouse is sporting.

In general, a high-quality laser mouse will last longer than a budget optical mouse, whereas a high-quality optical mouse will last longer than a budget laser mouse. If you have a gaming mouse with RGB lighting, a high DPI, and a high polling rate, the battery will no doubt need charging every few days.

If you have a standard mouse with no extra features, however, you might go months without changing the battery. Before buying either a laser or optical mouse, be sure to read plenty of reviews to figure out what has the best battery life.

Wired or wireless: which mouse is right for you?

More resources

Do you have anything to add that can clear up some misconceptions about laser vs. optical mice? Let us know! For more information about mice, be sure to check out these links.

• Best gaming mice for MOBAs
• Best mice for PC gaming
• Best portable mouse for PC
• Best gaming mousepads of 2017

Here's how to avoid motion sickness in VR before buying!

Although many developers are trying their hardest to avoid motion sickness, it's still a huge problem for virtual reality. Even with accurate head-tracking, fully body experiences and specially designed games, some experiences just don't work out for those prone to motion sickness.

If you're one of the many who suffers from motion sickness, finding games that work for you is half of the problem. Here's how to find suitable games on your virtual reality platform!

Read more at VR Heads!

At its core, Outlook 2016 is one of the most powerful email and personal information managers. Are you using one of these features?

It may seem strange to get excited about an email client but Outlook 2016 is worth the hype. From SharePoint integration to adding an email signature, there are a plethora of features to use. Here are some that can and should be frequently used.

• Focused Inbox
• OneDrive Integration
• Events from an email
• Voting Buttons
• Schedule your sent emails
• Moving faster with Quick Steps
• Using Quick Parts for easy composition

Focused Inbox

Focused Inbox is one of the newest additions to Outlook 2016. The more you use it, the more focused it will become. It will eventually replace the Clutter feature and sort your messages between the Focused and Other tabs.

How to manage your messages

To turn on and use Focused Inbox:

1. Click on the View tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Click Show Focused Inbox in the Focused Inbox group. This displays the Focused and Other tabs.
3. Click on Focused or Other to switch between views.
4. Click on a message in the current view.
5. Right-click on the message.
6. Select Move to… to move the specific message to the inactive view.
7. Select Always Move to… to move all messages from the sender of the message to the inactive view.

The Focused and Other tabs can be deactivated by clicking again on Show Focused Inbox option in the View tab.

OneDrive Integration

Being able to access files in OneDrive rather than content that is saved locally allows your colleagues to see the most current version of the file. You can also control what type of access they have.

How to upload a file from Onedrive

To attach a file:

1. Click the Home tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Click New Message in the New group.
3. Click on the Message tab in the ribbon of the new email window.
4. Click Attach File in the Include group.
5. Select OneDrive to select the files to be attached.

How to upload and attach a local file as a OneDrive file

To upload and attach a file:

1. Click New on the top bar.
2. Select Email message from the dropdown list.
3. Click the Attach icon.
4. Select Computer on the left pane.
5. Select a file and click Open.
6. Select Upload and attach as a OneDrive file under How do you want to attach this file?.
7. Click the down arrow next to the attachment.
8. Click Change permissions.
9. Choose to allow editing or view only for either recipients or the entire organization.
10. Click Send.

If choosing to upload and attach, the file is uploaded to the OneDrive Email attachments folder. Those you choose to send the email to will be able to participate in real-time collaboration.

Events from an email

Outlook 2016 for Web automatically adds important events from messages into your calendar. While extremely useful, you may not want items displaying in the calendar for others to potentially see. Luckily, Outlook can help you modify your view.

How to modify events in your calendar

To manage calendar events:

1. Select the Settings icon in the top right corner.
2. Select Calendar in the Your app settings section.
3. Select Events from email under Automatic processing.
4. Choose to click Don't add events to my calendar from email.
5. Select/deselect Flights, Hotel reservations, Car rentals and Package delivery.
6. Select/deselect Mark events as private so only I can see them.

Voting buttons

Rather than asking open ended questions and expecting direct answers, you can create a poll to help you gather quick, to-the-point responses. This saves you, and those voting, a fair bit of time.

How to access voting buttons

To use voting buttons:

1. Select the Home tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Click on New Message.
3. Click on Options in the new message pop up.
4. Click Use Voting Buttons.
5. Select from the presented options or choose Custom.
6. Delete the text in the drop down list in the Voting and Tracking options.
7. Type in specific values.
8. Select alternative recipients under Delivery options.
9. Click Close.
10. Click Send.

You can then use the Tracking option in the Message tab to gather the poll results.

Schedule your sent emails

Timing is everything, even when it comes to messages. Outlook offers a way to delay specific messages to be sent or all messages entirely.

How to delay a single message

To delay a message:

1. Click the Options tab in a message window.
2. Select Delay Delivery from the More Options group.
3. Select Do not deliver before under delivery options.
4. Select the delivery date and time.
5. Click Close.

The message will sit in your outbox until it is time to send. You can use Rules to apply the delay to all out going messages.

How to delay all sent messages

To delay outgoing messages:

1. Click the Home tab
2. Select Rules in the move group
3. Select Manage Rules and Alerts in the drop-down.
4. Select New Rule.
5. Select ****Apply Rule on messages I send in Step 1: Select a template.
6. Click Next.
7. Select conditions to apply to all sent messages under Step 1: Select condition(s).
8. Click Next.
9. Select Defer delivery by a number of minutes in the Step 1: Select action(s) list.
10. Select a number of in the Step 2: Edit the rule description (click an underlined value) box.
11. Enter a time value up to 120 minutes.
12. Click Ok, then Next.
13. Insert a name for the rule.
14. Select the Turn on this rule check box.
15. Click Finish.

Moving faster with Quick Steps

What used to take multiple steps can now be covered in one with Quick Steps. Your frequent, repetitive actions in Outlook can be completed with a single click, such as moving an email to a specific folder while marking it as read.

How to create a Quick Step

To create a Quick Step:

1. Click on the Home tab in Mail's navigation ribbon.
2. Select Create New from the Quick Steps group.
3. Enter a name for the quick step in the Name field.
4. Select an action to perform.
5. Click Add Action to add up to 11 additional actions.
6. Optionally choose a shortcut key.
7. Enter a tooltip text.
8. Click Finish.

How to delete a Quick Step

To delete a Quick Step:

1. Click on the drop-down icon in the quick steps group.
2. Select Manage Quick Steps.
3. Select a Quick Step from the left pane.
4. Click Delete.
5. Click OK.

How to edit a Quick Step

To modify a Quick Step:

1. Select Manage Quick Steps from the Quick Steps drop-down.
2. Click on a Quick Step on the left pane. Select Edit.
3. Modify the Quick Step name and possible actions.
4. Click Save.
5. Click OK.

Using Quick Parts for easy composition

Quick Parts is an essential feature for those who rely on sharing similar messaging to a different recipient. You can create reusable texts known as building blocks. You can combine multiple building blocks to quickly compose a message.

How to create building blocks

To create a building block:

1. Highlight the text or object you wish to store.
2. Click on the Insert tab in the message window.
3. Select Quick Parts in the Text Group.
4. Select Save Selection to Gallery Name Gallery in the dropdown list.
5. Enter values for the building block name, location gallery, category, and description.
6. Select a template to save the building block to.
7. Choose to insert the building block as its own paragraph or insert as content only.
8. Click OK.

How to delete a building block

To delete a building block:

1. Click on Quick Parts in the Insert tab.
2. Right-click on the selection in the gallery pane.
3. Select Organize and Delete.
4. Make sure the correct building block is selected.
5. Click Delete.
6. Click Yes to confirm.
7. Click Close.

Wrapping Up

With so many features built into Outlook, you'll be discovering new ways to be more productive all of the time. Which features are your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Microsoft Office 101: Help, how-tos and tutorials

Buying a new laptop? Here are some common mistakes to avoid.

You covet that amazing new Ultrabook with a ridiculously thin form factor, 4K display and a chassis made of unobtainium. You want it so much.

But hold on a second. Even if you can afford the asking price for the latest, hottest piece of laptop tech, it doesn't mean you should buy it. Manufacturers want you to buy it, but we want you to buy the right laptop for you.

Here are five mistakes to avoid making when you're buying a new laptop.

More: Windows Central Laptop Buyer's Guide

1. Get an unnecessary high-resolution screen

Do you need a 4K touch display on your laptop? Really? If you're a content creator dealing with photos and video, then yes, you probably want the very best, highest resolution display you can get. But if you're doing spreadsheets and writing email, it's a complete waste.

Not only will it make the price of the laptop go up, it'll make the battery life go down. By contrast, a 1080p display will mean fewer pixels to push, better battery life and a lower asking price. Don't be fooled into thinking a 4K display is for you if it really isn't.

2. Pay manufacturer prices without shopping around

The manufacturer will always be the most expensive place to buy any laptop. Those companies want to sell the laptop at the price they decide, and you're always paying top dollar.

Instead, shop around. Hit up places like Amazon online, or go to local stores and see what deals are available. You won't always find one, but if you don't look you definitely won't, and you may find yourself paying more than you need to.

3. Don't consider connectivity

That sleek Ultrabook with a single port sure does look nice. But wait, where do you plug in a mouse, phone, or an SD card?

These are all points to consider when buying a laptop. Don't just go for the newest, fanciest, thinnest design without thinking about what you need to plug into it. Are you prepared to carry around a bag full of dongles just to use USB accessories or connect to an external display? If you need a card reader or an HDMI-out connection, get a laptop that has them.

4. Don't consider the future

That new laptop you're looking at will be great for you now, but how about a few years down the road? Laptops are like new cars, as soon as you take them home the value plummets.

Make sure you cover your bases. One handy trick is to find out if you can upgrade parts like RAM and storage down the line. You may need more in the future as your computing needs intensify. If you can add more instead of buying a new laptop, your wallet will thank you.

5. Don't see it for yourself before you buy

If there is any physical chance you can see your preferred laptop in a store before you drop your money, GO SEE IT. Reading reviews and buyer's guides online is a great place to start, but what they won't tell you is how you feel about it.

Do you like how heavy it is? Is it comfortable to type on? Is the screen bright enough? Can you fit it inside your bag? There are lots of questions to ask yourself before making a purchase, and many are best answered with the hardware in front of you.

Your tips

Those are five mistakes we recommend you avoid when buying a laptop, but what about you? How do you make sure you're buying the best laptop for you? Let us know in the comments.

It's possible to modify Windows 10's Action Center Note button to open other apps. In this guide, we show you how.

On Windows 10, Action Center includes Quick actions, a collection of buttons for rapid access to common settings and features. One of these buttons is "Note," which opens the mobile version of OneNote to quickly start taking notes.

The only caveat is that you're stuck with the most limited version of OneNote, because Windows 10 doesn't offer an option to change its action to open the desktop version of OneNote 2016, or any other note-taking app. However, it's possible to edit a Registry string to customize the Note button to open virtually any note-taking app you want, including OneNote 2016, OneNote on the web, Google Keep, Microsoft To-Do, and Wunderlist.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to customize the Note button in Action Center to open another note-taking application.

How to change Note's action on Windows 10

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. We recommend making a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

If you want to change the default action of the Note button in Action Center, use these steps:

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry.

3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ActionCenter\Quick Actions\All\SystemSettings_Launcher_QuickNote

   • Quick tip: Starting with the Windows 10 Creators Update, you can now copy and paste the path in the new Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.

4. On the right side, double-click the Uri string.

5. Make sure to note the original value (onenote-cmd://quicknote?onOpen=typing) in case you want to roll back the settings.

6. Enter the Uri for the application or service you want. (My notes are usually to-do tasks, so for the purpose of this guide I'll change the action button to open the Microsoft To-Do app by entering the ms-todo: value.)

7. Click OK.
8. Restart your computer.

Once you've completed the steps, in Action Center (Windows key + A), you can now click the Quick action Note button, and it'll open the Microsoft To-Do app.

At any time, you can revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 6, make sure to change the Uri string to its original value.

Selecting the default Note's action

It's also possible to open another app or service, but you need to know the exact Uri or URL.

Here are some examples of other applications and web services you can use with the Note button.

Google Keep

If you're already using Google Keep on your Android phone or tablet, you can change Note to open Keep in the web browser using the URL https://keep.google.com on step No. 6.

SimpleNote

On SimpleNote, like with Google Keep, you can just enter this URL https://app.simplenote.com on step No. 6 to open your notes in the web browser.

OneNote desktop

If you want to use the Note button to open the desktop version of OneNote, right-click the section you want, and click Copy Link to Section.

Then open Notepad, paste the link, copy the second line that starts with onenote:, and paste it in step No. 6. If you only use onenote:, clicking the Note button will simply open OneNote normally.

If you paste the full length of the link on step No. 6, it'll open the section of the notebook using your web browser.

Wunderlist

If you're an avid Wunderlist user, on step No. 6 you can simply type wunderlist: in the Uri field to open Wunderlist when clicking the Note button.

You can also configure the Quick action to open Wunderlist on the web. You just sign-in to Wunderlist, navigate to the list you want, select, right-click and copy the link. Then you paste the full URL in the Uri field on step No. 6.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

Path of Exile is a free to play Diablo-style action-RPG with seven playable character classes and lots of deep gameplay mechanics. This guide will explain the basic systems and offer plenty of helpful tips to get you started on your quest to return from exile!

See Path of Exile on the Xbox StoreSee the First Blood Bundle on the Xbox Store

Find the starting character that's right for you

Path of Exile has seven playable characters, although only six are initially unlockable. The seventh, the Scion, can be permanently unlocked by rescuing her from a cage in the Upper Scepter of God area of Act 3.

• Duelist: He fights with melee attacks and can also summon an AI minion to fight alongside him.
• Templar: Fires projectiles, including three balls of lightning at once and a chain lightning attack.
• Witch: A female spellcaster with high intelligence.
• Ranger: She uses a bow and is extremely dexterous, but can wield swords as well. Despite being a glass cannon, the ranger is my class of choice.
• Marauder: A melee fighter with tremendous strength.
• Shadow: A dexterous and intelligent fighter, he uses short-range weapons and traps during battle.
• Scion: She can develop into any character build thanks to Path of Exile's skill system. This makes her an advanced character, and she must be unlocked later in the game.

Picking your first character is important, but not as big a deal as in other Diablo-style games. Path of Exile provides an unusually high number of character slots, so you can play and switch between all seven classes if you so choose. Also, the time-limited nature of leagues (which we'll describe below) and the likelihood that you might unwittingly create a flawed character build the first time you play all mean that you'll probably be creating new characters before too long anyway.

Follow a character build, but don't sweat it if you're making your own way

Many players prefer to create their own unique character build the first time they play, experimenting with different passive skills. But if you do that, keep in mind that full-character respecs are not an option in Path of Exile. You'll earn a limited number of respec points through natural progression and grinding, but not so many that quickly transforming one build to another is a viable option.

Thus, my advice is to follow a well-regarded build created by experienced players. This will focus your character growth and ensure that you have an endgame viable character when the time comes. Here are some quick beginner-friendly build recommendations (current as of launch):

• Duelist:Sweep or Die by Chayman
• Templar:Quad Glacial Cascade Totems by Weallgotissues
• Witch:Whaitiri's Arc Witch
• Ranger:NeverSink's In-depth Tornado and Archer Guide
• Marauder:Double Strike Tank Guide by ShihanPiotr
• Shadow:Say_Ten's Melee Shadow
• Scion:Dark Pact Self-Cast Ascendant by Zarasi

If you're making up your own build, be sure you understand these features of the passive skill tree:

• Starting Areas: Your character starts with points in a certain area, but you can also feel free to work towards other classes' nodes.
• Paths: Much of the skill three consists of paths that offer a +10 bonus to one of the three core stats. Try to pick up the stat you need as you work towards other features on the tree.
• Clusters: Groups of similarly themed nodes, often with an icon in the center of them. Clusters come in many sizes and often have a gold-colored skill that is especially powerful and desirable.
• Keystones: Unique nodes that change the balance of game mechanics for your character. Each one has an amazing buff but also a significant penalty to consider.

Join the league that best meets your needs

Leagues are game world variations that affect how the game plays. There are several types of leagues, although not every type is available at all times. These include:

• Standard: The basic game without any modifications. Despite the name, standard is not the most populated league.
• Hardcore: Standard and other league variants can be played in Hardcore as well. This challenges players to complete the game without dying. Should you die, your character will be demoted to the standard league. Note that hardcore leagues are less populated than non-hardcore leagues, and thus make it harder to group up and trade with other players. There are currently no Xbox Achievements for completing the game on hardcore, so only play hardcore if you really want the challenge.
• Challenge: These offer special prizes for completing league-specific challenges, with numerous challenges available to go after. These are generally available for three months, after which point any characters created for the challenge league will be moved to the standard league.
• Solo Self Found: These league variants lock the game to single player, preventing all trading and grouping. Naturally, this increases the challenge. Solo Self Found leagues are not available on Xbox One at launch.

Even though standard sounds like the default mode, it isn't. Path of Exile players generally concentrate on the current challenge league. Thus, you'll want to consider how important difficulty, multiplayer features, and the economy (item trading, etc.) are to you when selecting a league.

Learn the gem system and take advantage of support gems

To gain new skills in Path of Exile, you'll usually need to equip gems into sockets in your gear. Any class can use any skill, but gems do have stat and level requirements. Gems can only be equipped in slots of the same color.

There are two types of gems:

• Skill gems: These add an attack, spell, projectile, or trap/mine.
• Support gems: These gems modify supportable skills when equipped in a linked socket (one that has a line drawn to another socket). The support gem must be compatible with the gem in the linked socket in order to have an effect. For instance, a support gem that affects projectiles won't do anything to a linked melee attack gem. Make sure your linked gems are compatible!

Equipped gems also level up as you earn XP, receiving ten percent of the base XP awarded from monster kills. Your character experiences an XP penalty when revisiting lower level areas, but that penalty doesn't apply to gems. Thus you can quickly level gems by replaying areas that are a few levels lower than your current level.

Don't pick up every single piece of loot you find

Every piece of loot you acquire takes up varying amounts of space in your bag. To carry as many possible things at once, you have to move items around and squeeze things into the allotted spaces. Even then, your bag is bound to fill up quickly if you pick up every single item you encounter.

The trick, then, is to ignore items that your character can't use or are of low value. Item rarity is indicated by colors:

• White: Normal
• Blue: Magic
• Yellow: Rare
• Orange: Unique

You can pretty much ignore white items unless you're about to head back to town and have the room to spare for them. Rarer items are usually worth picking up and selling, even if you have to hold onto them for a while. And of course, any item that looks better than your current gear is worth grabbing – even if you have to drop something else temporarily while you equip it.

Don't neglect life and mana regeneration

By default, characters don't regenerate life but they do regenerate a tiny amount of mana every second. You can manually refill life and mana by using the appropriate type of flask. Flask charges automatically refill when visiting a town or hideout. They also gain charges from killing enemies. Equipping better flasks increases the amount of life or mana regained, and can have other effects as well.

Still, you'll have a hard time if you only rely on flasks for life and mana. Gear and passive skills can increase regeneration for either stat or even steal life and mana from hits and kills. Considering the life and mana restoring properties of gear is important to keeping your health and mana pool up. At bare minimum, you want to have some life regeneration so you can recover health between battles.

Begin your return from exile

These tips should start you on the path towards returning home and exacting revenge on those who exiled you. One more tip to consider: if you're struggling with the game solo, you can usually invite a friend or player from town to help. Don't take your exile sitting down!

As our review declares, Path of Exile is one of the best Diablo-style action-RPGs around. It won't break the bank either, as it's free to play on Xbox One and Steam. The microtransactions are unusually fair as well, so you don't have to buy anything to succeed. But if you want to support the developers, there are several optional microtransactions – including limited edition premium bundles.

The First Blood Bundle costs $19.99 and includes $20 worth of currency, an extra stash tab, and a weapon effect. The Oriath Supporter Pack costs $29.99 and packs $25 worth of currency, a weapon effect, and a special social frame.

See Path of Exile on the Xbox StoreSee the First Blood Bundle on the Xbox StoreSee the Oriath Supporter Pack on the Xbox Store

Are you getting annoyed hearing the same sound effects every day on Windows 10? In this guide, we'll show you the steps to customize the experience or disable sounds completely.

Alongside all the personalization options, Windows 10 includes sound effects for system and apps events, such as for connecting and disconnecting peripherals, notifications, battery alerts, errors, and more.

While they can be useful, listening to the same sounds every day can quickly get annoying. However, you don't have to mute your system if you don't like them, as it's possible to customize each sound or disable the experience with just a few clicks.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the easy steps to customize or disable sound effects completely on your computer.

How to customize Windows 10's sound effects

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. Click on Themes.

4. Click on Sounds.

   • Quick Tip: You can also get access to these settings by right-clicking the speaker icon in the notification area and clicking Sounds.

5. In the "Sounds" tab, you can disable system sounds completely or customize each one just the way you want:

   • Disable sound effects: Using the "Sound Scheme" drop-down menu, select No Sounds.

   • Enable sound effects: Using the "Sound Scheme" drop-down menu, select Windows Default.

   • Changing sound events: Under "Program Events," click the event you want to change, and using the drop-down menu select a sound from the list. You can even click the Test button to know exactly the sound you're selecting, and it's also possible to click the Browse button to add a custom sound as long as it's a .wav file.

6. Click Apply.
7. Click OK.

Once you've completed the steps, Windows 10 will use the new custom configuration. However, remember that when applying Windows Themes, sometimes some of them may include custom sounds that can override your settings (even re-enable sounds if you've previously disabled them), and these steps can also come in handy if you don't like the new sounds and you want to go back to the default settings.

If you're using custom sounds for a number of events, it's also a good idea to click the Save As button to create a custom sound scheme, in case settings ever change, and you want a way to re-apply you prefered configuration.

Wrapping things up

Sounds for Windows and applications events have been around for years, and if you didn't know or simply forgot about them, this guide can help you to personalize sound effects on your Windows 10 device.

While we're focusing this guide on Windows 10, you can also refer to these instructions (but using Control Panel) to change the sound effects on Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

Is there a best time to buy a new laptop? Absolutely.

Buying a new laptop is usually a hefty investment, and, if you're like us, you prefer to save money wherever you can without sacrificing performance and build quality. On the other hand, you might want to buy a new laptop with the latest hardware and want it to remain relevant for as long as possible. To help make sure you're satisfied with your purchase, we've put together some general suggestions on when to start looking for a new device.

Wait for a newer version of the laptop you're interested in

Whether you're deal hunting or just want the latest hardware in your laptop, waiting until a refreshed version is released is good practice. Manufacturers generally release new laptops in the spring, mid-year, and closer to the holiday season, during the fall. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, and we often see devices being released between those periods.

Refreshed laptops usually feature an updated design (often slimmer), the latest processor (CPU) from Intel or AMD, and, potentially, a new graphics card (GPU). In fact, advancements in CPU and GPU technology is largely what helps push manufacturers to refresh their laptop lineups. If you'd like to get your hands on the newest laptop, it pays to watch the big tech conferences, including IFA, Microsoft Build, and CES, where new laptops and their release dates are often announced.

When a newer version of a laptop is released, you can often expect the older version to drop in price for the remainder of the time on the market. These older devices often have only marginally lesser performance, and, if you don't mind a bit larger body or a lack of the newest ports, it will serve you well.

For example, the Surface Pro 4 is still sought after even though the newer Surface Pro has been released, thanks to a lower price. The older Surface Pro 4 is still a formidable device, and many don't see the need to spend the extra dough on the updated version.

Should you buy the Surface Pro 4 instead of the new Surface Pro?

When shopping for an older laptop, it's important to pay attention to exactly what's being offered and at what price. Older models sometimes don't actually drop in price very much even though they're discontinued, so at that point you have to measure the cost versus the upgrade. Is it worth spending a bit more and getting the new version? Hard to say, but reading laptop reviews is a great way to identify the changes.

Wait for a particular season

If you have the luxury of holding out on your purchase until you find a decent deal or the exact model you want, the back-to-school and holiday seasons are usually the two times where we consistently see the biggest dips in laptop prices. Students headed back to school can usually find great deals at the end of July and start of August, while holiday shoppers should keep an eye out at the end of November and start of December.

Laptop manufacturers know that there's a huge demand for their devices at these times, and a bit of healthy competition drives the prices down. Looking at Amazon sales trends at CamelCamelCamel, we can see that this seasonal trend holds true.

Using the Dell XPS 13 as an example, the price dropped by about $100 dollars at the end of November 2016, and again by about $100 at the end of July and beginning of August 2017. Following these dips, the price went back to about where it started.

Keep an eye on deal websites

While you can usually expect new hardware and good deals around the same times every year, you don't necessarily have to wait around, especially if you're in need of a new laptop now.

Specialized deal websites, like Thrifter, are a great place to find impromptu sales on laptops from all manufacturers. Do like we do when we're hunting for a deal: check Thrifter often, or, better yet, subscribe to their Twitter account.

If you're looking for a laptop from Dell, we also have a regularly updated page that rounds up the best deals of the month on both laptops and desktop PCs.

See the best deals on Dell laptops and desktops

Visit our Laptop Buyer's Guide

If you still aren't sure where to start when shopping for a laptop, we don't blame you. It's a huge market with more acronyms than you can shake an active pen at, and it's easy to lose your way. To help take some of the guesswork out of buying a laptop, we've put together a comprehensive buyer's guide with roundups of the best devices based on manufacturer, price, feature, design, and size. After reading our guide, you'll have a much better idea of what laptop you'd like to buy.

See our Laptop Buyer's Guide

Here's what's new for the HTC Vive for September 2017!

A number of interesting titles are set to release for the HTC Vive this month, fit for the fan of any of virtual reality genre. Although we won't be getting any highly anticipated releases from big studios, some indie gems are on the horizon. Here's an in-depth breakdown of all the HTC Vive games releasing over the month of September 2017.

Note: This list is compiled from Steam store listings at the start of the month.

Read more at VRHeads

Microsoft's Mixer Create is out of beta but predictably on Apple's iOS devices, there are hoops to jump through.

Mixer Create on Android is a breeze to use. Because you're able to just record the entire contents of the screen whenever you like, broadcasting games to Mixer require nothing more than a couple of taps. And you can broadcast any of the games on your phone or tablet.

Enter Apple's iPhone and iPad. The platform is teeming with quality games, but you probably can't stream most of your favorites games to Mixer.

Here's the lowdown on the what, the why and the how.

Mixer Create and ReplayKit

To broadcast using Mixer Create on iOS you need to be playing a game that first supports Apple's ReplayKit. Because on iOS, just recording the screen would be way too easy.

Apple has ReplayKit available to developers to allow you, the app user, to capture content from within your apps or games. The trouble is, if the developer doesn't support it, then you can't.

And that also means you can't stream it using Mixer Create. Inside the app on iOS you have only one gameplay related control, and that's a slider to alter the balance of game audio vs microphone audio. One thing the iOS version has over the Android one, at least, is that it's able to pull audio directly from the app rather than relying on capturing the speaker audio with the phone's microphone.

So which games can I stream?

There aren't, it seems, that many titles out there that seem to support ReplayKit. A couple of big names do, though, like Star Trek Timelines and Modern Combat 5: Breakout.

Our buddies over at iMore have a round up of the best games you should be playing that support ReplayKit.

Best ReplayKit games for iPhone and iPad

How to stream using Mixer Create

For the purposes of this guide we'll be using Gameloft's Modern Combat 5: Breakout as the example. The steps may vary slightly from game to game, but the overall process should be about the same.

1. Launch the game on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the broadcast button on the home screen.

3. From the popup window select Mixer Create.

4. Add a title for your stream.

5. Tap on start broadcast.

The nice thing about the integration on iOS is that you don't have to go back to the Mixer Create app to do anything. You can handle the broadcast from within the game environment.

When streaming either a game or yourself, you have the same options to control the resolution of your stream, or have the app handle it automatically, adjusting it to compensate for weak connections on the fly.

There might not be a huge range of titles right now, and that's disappointing considering how long ReplayKit has been around. But, assuming your favorite mobile game does, you can now share it with the world with minimal effort on your part.

Download Mixer Create from the App Store

Not long left until you'll be shootin' and lootin' across the solar system.

Following up to one of the most successful new franchises debuted this decade, Destiny 2 is only a few hours away from hitting Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles worldwide. Building upon the strengths of the original, Destiny 2 embraces its shooter gameplay, with improved systems across the board for earning loot and online play. Furthermore, the game also promises a deeper narrative intertwined into its Story mode – a change welcomed after the criticisms of Destiny's lore so far.

As one of the biggest launches of this year, many of those eager to jump in have already laid down their preorders. By doing so, not only will you be securing additional bonus content – you'll be guaranteed access to Destiny 2 from the moment it goes live. Here are all the details on when Destiny 2 will launch in your region.

See at Xbox StoreSee at Amazon

When Destiny 2 for Xbox One unlocks worldwide

For those who have preordered digital versions of Destiny 2 via the Xbox Store, the game is set for staggered release on September 6, depending on your locale. Your copy will unlock at 12 a.m. (midnight) in your region, meaning servers for those located eastward will go live earlier than western countries. However, copies in the United States will all go live at midnight Eastern Time, meaning those on the west coast can gain access up to three hours before midnight. To ensure you're able to gain access to the game as fast as possible, we recommend preloading the digital copies prior to release.

As for physical copies, these can be inserted into your console and installed once in your hands. Many major retailers are offering midnight launches in-store, but make sure to check beforehand, to ensure a late-night launch event is taking place.

Not all content will be available at launch

Once Destiny 2 has launched in your region, you'll then be able to play through the Story content, access cooperative modes and play competitive Crucible matches. However, some features are being held back for the days ahead.

• The first of these is the new cooperative raid, which has been kept mostly under wraps before launch. Various leaks have pointed toward the raid being titled "Leviathan," and facing players against some type of space-based fish creature. However, it has been confirmed that this mysterious raid will be available in its entirety at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. UK time, on September 13.

• Trials, Destiny 2's extension of its competitive Crucible mode, will also be returning shortly after launch. Similarly to the first game, this high-stakes PvP mode allows players to gain access to rare rewards. This mode will be available just over a week after launch at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. UK time, on September 15.

• Finally, one of Destiny 2's latest additions for multiplayer matchmaking, Guided Games, will be delayed until after launch. As announced at the Destiny 2 reveal event earlier this year, Guided Games allows solo players to match with smaller clans, to allow all players to explore the depth of Destiny's cooperative content. This will kick off with a "soft beta" on September 12 for a limited subset of active players, before a full-scale rollout scheduled for September 26.

Destiny 2 will be available on September 6 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, with a PC release scheduled for October 24. Are you planning to pick up Destiny 2 at launch? Let us know if you're looking forward to the game in the comments.

Destiny 2 for Xbox One buyer's guide

See at Xbox StoreSee at Amazon