How-To Geek - Should You Use a TV as a PC Monitor?

December 23, 2022

Did You Know?

Elephants cannot jump; they weigh so much that it is physically impossible for them to lift their bodies completely off the ground (and in fact they always have at least one foot on the ground at all times).

It’s Friday! The recent LastPass security breach was worse than initially reported. If you use LastPass, it’s time to change your master password… and maybe the rest of your passwords.

In other news, there’s a cool new transparent backplate for the Steam Deck, and NFL’s Sunday Ticket is coming to YouTube and YouTube TV. The Steam Winter Sale has also started, so now’s a great time to buy some PC games.

– Corbin

Large, high-resolution computer monitors are expensive, so why not use a TV instead? There are good reasons to consider using a TV instead of a monitor, but at the same time, there are important tradeoffs to consider before you commit. Read More »

Winter is here, but you needn't succumb to the cold. Banish frigid air from your home (and beyond) with Fara, a compact electric heater with a hot design and even hotter output. With a small footprint and mighty performance, Fara can be used almost anywhere. Get yours today for just $79 ($20 off)–or add smart capabilities for an extra $36–and keep winter's cold grip at bay all season long.

Even as the company’s Mac lineup of computers is stronger than ever, Apple still really wants you to use your iPad as a computer too. Now, you can bring some of your video editing over to your tablet, as DaVinci Resolve is now officially available on iPads as well. Read More »

Click the button below to enter our giveaway of a smart clock that our reviewers loved! Stay tuned for more giveaways exclusive to newsletter subscribers.

Digital gifts are more popular than ever, but there’s something to be said for unwrapping something tangible. Here are some easy ways to give a digital gift and still hand over something they can unwrap. Read More »

Looking to keep your information more secure? A hardware security key might be a good solution! These keys are a good replacement for two-factor authentication (2FA), and give you an additional means of keeping your device secure.

The OnlyKey FIDO2 takes it one step further, though, with a built-in password manager. The key allows you to store up to twelve passwords, which you can input into a text field by pressing one of the buttons on the key. You can also secure these passwords with an additional pin code, so you don’t need to worry about your information falling into the wrong hands.

Take your online safety to a whole new level with ESET Internet Security. The world-renowned cybersecurity company prides itself on anticipating new threats and ensuring protection for their customers to promote a positive digital future around the globe. For a limited time, you can get the same internet protection relied on by the Google Play Store for 20% off, making this an extremely cost-effective investment at only $39.99 for an annual subscription. Read More »

Smartphones come with a fairly powerful built-in flashlight that is so convenient and easy to use. But you should stop relying on it (and putting your phone in peril) right now. Read More »

Roku sells many of the best streaming devices, but the Roku Ultra sits at the top of the pack with even more features. It’s now on sale for $69 at Amazon, a discount of $31 from the original price, and $1 cheaper than on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Read More »

The second Avatar movie is the latest in a (very) short list of major films to use HFR or High Frame Rate footage. This hyper-smooth frame rate is divisive, but some filmmakers are gaga for it, yet it’s quite unlikely to become mainstream. Read More »

Whether you’re a musician, looking to upgrade your streaming rig, or starting a podcast, you need an audio interface. But what are they, what do they do, and what features should you be looking for when you buy one? Read More »

LastPass used to be one of the best password managers, but more recently, its reputation has taken a hit from multiple security breaches. Now the company has confirmed the last one was really bad. Read More »

Christmas and horror have been an unlikely (but winning) combination for decades. Now, scary movies set during the holidays are a thriving subgenre. Here are 10 of the best Christmas horror movies you can stream to add some fear to your holidays. Read More »

Smart light switches are a great way to control multiple lights in your home with voice assistants and apps—without needing to replace your bulbs. We’ve found the best ones to suit your needs. Read More »

Like biting into a fresh sugar cookie loaded with holiday frosting, the best Christmas comedy episodes are comfort food for your holiday-worn soul. So sit back, tune out the family mayhem, and let yourself float into the ether with these hilarious holiday classics. Read More »

If you’re shopping for somebody with an iPhone, you’re in luck. There are an astounding number of accessories, both useful and quirky, for the popular phone platform. Read More »

Trying to dive into the world of games is tricky, whether you’re interested in video games or tabletop games. You have to look at cooperative versus competitive games, solo versus group games, and so on. Throw niche terms into the mix, like “Living Card Game,” and it’s easy to get lost. Read More »

Whether you had a rough time putting up your Christmas lights this year or you’re dreading taking them down after the holiday, there’s a solution to your problems: Permanent Christmas lights. Here’s what you need to know. Read More »

Science fiction films don’t always age well, what with rapidly evolving special effects and a limited amount of rubbery stuff we can put on people to make them look like aliens. But, even if our current wallpapers looks more futuristic than sci-fi films of yesteryear, many were overlooked at the time and still work (for the most part). Read More »

If you’re willing to tinker with your Steam Deck, there are some impressive hardware mods available. One of them is a sweet new transparent backplate, produced by JSAUX. Read More »

For the last three decades, the NFL Sunday Ticket, a must-have package for any American football fan, has been a DirecTV exclusive. But the tide is changing, as Google has now snagged the rights for the package. Read More »

Valve’s Steam PC games store revealed back in September that it was changing its yearly schedule for major sale events, but the annual winter sale was staying in place. Right on schedule, the Steam Winter Sale has started. Read More »

Almost everybody has a spot somewhere in their home that isn’t as brightly lit as they’d like. With LEDs cheaper than ever, there’s no time like the present to light the place up like a stadium. From shop lights to can light retrofits, here are our favorite upgrades. Read More »