
That's a savings of $34 and an all-time low. Buy Now at Amazon
- 14,500 MB/s read speed
- 12,700 MB/s write speed
- 2TB storage capacity
- Includes 1mo Adobe Creative Cloud
- Designed for gaming and creativity

Get deals on a large selection of laptops as part of Amazon's Black Friday Sale. Discounted brands include Apple, ASUS, MSI, and HP. Shop Now at Amazon

It's back at the second best price we've seen. It's available in three color options. Buy Now at Amazon
- 2.4GHz wireless connection
- 8 keyboard shortcut keys
- requires 2 AAA batteries and 1 AA battery
- Model: MK270

With prices starting at $899.99, Amazon has Black Friday deals on the Microsoft Surface Pro and Microsoft Surface Laptop. Scroll past the Featured Deals at the top of the page if you're looking for more discounts. Shop Now at Amazon

That's a drop by a buck from last week and tied as the best deal we've seen. Buy Now at Amazon
- 11" liquid retina display
- A16 chip
- 12MP wide camera, 12MP Centre Stage camera
- WiFi 6
- Model: MD3Y4LL/A

Take $200 this Black Friday deal. It's the best-ever price. Buy Now at Amazon
- 13th Generation Intel Core i5-1334U 3.4GHz Raptor Lake 10-core CPU
- 15.6" 1920x1080 (1080p) 120Hz display
- 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: DC15250

As one of its daily deals, AntOnline via Best Buy has this ASUS Vivobook for $509.99, making it one of the lowest prices we've seen for this build. This deal ends today. Buy Now at Best Buy
- 16" 1920 x 1200 display
- Intel 13th Generation Core i7-1355U CPU
- 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- Windows 11 Home

As one of its Black Friday Doorbuster deals, Best Buy has dropped the price on this laptop by $50 from our mention earlier this week. Besides being $420 off the list price, this is a strong price for an AI ready touchscreen laptop with this much storage. These doorbusters end November 29, 2025. Buy Now at Best Buy
- 16" LED touchscreen 1900x1200 2K display
- AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series 8-core 5GHz CPU
- 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD
- Model: 16-ar0013dx

That's the best deal we've seen for this laptop by $20. It's also a low price for an Intel Core i7 with a 512GB SSD. It's available for free shipping and may be available for pickup at your local Best Buy. Buy Now at Best Buy
- Intel 13th Generation Core i7 10-core CPU
- 15.6" 1920 x 1080 (1080p) IPS touchscreen
- 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: 15-fd0127dx

Best Buy has early Black Friday deals on Apple brand products including AirPods, MacBooks, AirTags, Mac Minis, and more. Plus, you'll find deep discounts on accessories and refurbished devices. Shop Now at Best Buy

That's $180 off and a strong price on a gaming desktop with these specs. Considering the upgradeable RAM slots and design, you'd have a hard time finding a similar machine for much less. Buy Now at Best Buy
- AMD Ryzen 5 5000 6-core 12-thread CPU
- 16GB RAM (upgradeable) + 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
- AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB GPU
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: GMA5600BSTV4

This Best Buy Early Black Friday Doorbuster Deal has dropped by $220. It's a massive $340 under Amazon's best price (and around the same price as they're charging for a refurb).
Plus and Total members also get a $5 bonus reward for every $50 spent on the store's Doorbusters (up to $25). Buy Now at Best Buy
- Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 2 processor
- 16GB RAM & 1TB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Windows AI Copilot
- Model: M03-0044

Apply promo code "CYBERWEEK20" to drop the price to $482.99, the best deal we've seen. It includes a 2-year Allstate warranty. Buy Now at eBay
- Auto Focus, Built-in Speakers, Color Correction, HD Ready, Keystone Correction, Portable
- Bluetooth, HDMI Standard, USB, USB-C, AUX
- 1080p 1000 ANSI Lumens
- Model: AKD2333

Best Buy via eBay has over 100 new and refurbished laptops and desktops discounted up to 50% off (many prices drop in-cart). This sale includes Apple, HP, ASUS, CyberPower, and more. Shop Now at eBay

Shop this selection of certified refurb computers, laptops, tablets, monitors and more. Plus, they are discounted by an extra 10% when added to cart. Shop Now at eBay
- A 2-year Allstate warranty applies to these certified refurbished items.
- We've pictured the Certified Refurb Acer Predator Helios 300 12th-Gen i7 15.6" Laptop w/ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti for $899.99 in cart (back down to the best price we've seen).

It's the best price we could find by $130. Buy Now at eBay
- MediaTek Helio G99 processor
- 11.5" 2000x1200 IPS display
- Android 12
- Model: ZABF0060US

It's $90 off and the best deal we could find. Buy Now at eBay
- 1920x1080 (1080p) resolution
- one HDMI port
- Model: 24MR400-B.AUSQ

Shop Walmart's Black Friday discounts on TVs, headphones, laptops, cell phones, and more — new and refurbished deals are availalble, with brands including Apple, HP, Acer, Vizio, Sony, and Nintendo. Shipping adds $6.99, but orders of $35 or more get free shipping. (In-store pickup may be available.) Shop Now at Walmart

At 7pm, Walmart+ members get early access to the Walmart Black Friday sale. Then, at midnight, the sale goes live for everyone else. Walmart is advertising Black Friday prices on LEGO, Apple, TVs, appliances, and more. While the landing page advertises up to 50% off, the discounts listed further down show up to 75% off. To get the most out of Black Friday at Walmart, we encourage you to sign up for Walmart+. Shop Now at Walmart

This is the lowest price we've ever seen for this 2017 MacBook Pro. You'd pay between $240 and $295 for a refurb at Amazon today. The warranty information isn't clear on the product page. Buy Now at Walmart
- 7th-gen. Intel Core i5-7360U 2.3GHz Kaby Lake dual-core processor
- 13.3" 2560x1600 IPS LED Retina display
- 8GB RAM; 128GB SSD
- Model: MPXQ2LL/A

That's sure to be one of the best deals we'll see on an HP gaming laptop this season. It's also the best deal we've seen this year. Buy Now at Walmart
- 13th Generation Intel Core i5-13420H 3.4GHz Raptor Lake quad-core CPU
- 15.6" 1920x1080 FHD 144Hz IPS Display
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB graphics
- 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: A2BZ9UA#ABA

That's the best deal we've seen this year. Buy Now at Walmart
- 7" 1024 x 600 resolution IPS LCD touchscreen
- 2.2GHz processor + 3GB RAM
- 32GB expandable storage
- 2 MP front-facing camera + 2 MP rear-facing camera

Upgrade your gaming experience with this incredible monitor deal offering $420 in savings! It's also just a great price on a well-rated, name-brand monitor in general. It offers tilt and is height adjustable to ensure that your setup is perfect no matter what kind of games you want to play, and is also VESA mount compatible. Buy Now at Walmart
- 3440 x 1440 Quad HD 2K Resolution
- 1ms Response Time
- 144Hz (GTG), 160Hz (OC GTG) Refresh Rate
- 2 x HDMI (2.0), DisplayPort (1.4) Video Inputs
- 2 x USB 3.0 Type A, 1 x USB 3.0 Type B Ports
- Radeon FreeSync 2 Technology
- NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible
- Flicker Safe Technology
- Model: 34GN850-B.AUS

Shop discounts on 20 configurations in this section of Dell's Black Friday sale. Prices start at $230. We've pictured the Dell Inspiron 15 12th-Gen. i7 15.6" Laptop w/ 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD for $470 ($230 off).
Need some new streaming entertainment options for your laptop? Check out the Hulu, Disney, ESPN bundle if you want sports coverage. And if you don't care about sports, check out another Disney Plus discount for the plan that suits your needs! How much is Disney Plus in 2024? Well, it'll depend on which plan you choose - and whether it was affected by the Disney Plus price increase in 2024. Shop Now at Dell Technologies

That's within a buck of the best price we've seen. Buy Now at Dell Technologies
- 3840x2160 (4K) native resolution
- AMD FreeSync
- USB 3.0
- 1 DisplayPort & 2 HDMI inputs
- Model: S3221QS
- UPC: 884116405900
- UPC: 884116375685
- UPC: 884116375623

That's a savings of $300, $150 under our July mention, and the lowest price we've seen. Buy Now at Dell Technologies
- 13th-generation Intel Core i7-13620H 2.4GHz/1.8GHz 10-core CPU
- 15.6" 1920x1200 display
- 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home

Save on latops, monitors, desktops, gaming bundles, and more. Pictured is the Dell XPS 15 13th-Gen. i9 15.6" Laptop w/ RTX 4060 for $1,999 ($500 off). Shop Now at Dell Technologies

Accessories start from $50, monitors from $100, printers from $265, and laptops from $300. Shop Now at Dell Technologies

That's within $10 of the lowest price we've seen, and the best deal now by $53. Buy Now at Dell Technologies
- 1920 x 1080 (1080p) resolution
- 4ms response time
- AMD FreeSync
- Model: SE2722HX

This Black Friday deal brings this graphics card to $30 less than you'd pay at Amazon. Plus, you'll get a promo code by email for a free graphic T-shirt.
If you're shopping through the app on Black Friday, you can save an extra 20% on this item (a maximum discount of $40 will apply). Buy Now at Woot! An Amazon Company
- 2.66GHz base clock
- 3 DisplayPort & 1 HDMI input
- Model: TUF-RTX5060TI-O8G-GAMING

This Doorbuster sale has everything from Lenovo small form factors to iMacs. These Woot desktop sales tend to sell out fast, so act quick. These deals end December 16, 2025. Buy Now at Woot! An Amazon Company

Stay tuned to Woot today, October 31, as they have lots of tricks and treats in store. At 12pm ET, you'll have an hour to shop WTF pricing deals with big savings. Then, at 1pm ET, you can check out OMG mystery deals. And finally to end the day, the Woot-Off will go from 2pm ET to 5pm ET. Shop Now at Woot! An Amazon Company

Get Black Friday savings on nearly 130 desktops. Select items are priced as marked, while others are discounted via the on page coupon. Prices start as low as $350. We've pictured the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 13th-Gen. i7 Desktop PC for $1,379 (60% off). Shop Now at Lenovo

Use code "HOLIDAYTHINKDB" to get this deal. Buy Now at Lenovo
- 13th-Generation Intel i7-1365U Raptor Lake 3.9GHz 10-core CPU
- 14" 1920x1200 display
- 32GB RAM & 512GB SSD
- Backlit Keyboard
- Windows 11 Pro

Use code "EXTRAFIVE" to get the extra 5% off. Save on headsets, keyboards, mice, laptop bags, docks, adapters, headphones, and more. We've pictured the Lenovo Gen 2 Wired ANC Headset for $62 after the coupon ($68 off). Shop Now at Lenovo

Find savings on nearly 60 monitors, with prices starting as low as $85. The coupon code "EXTRAFIVE" gets an extra 5% off. We've pictured the Lenovo L24i-40 23.8" 1080p LED Monitor for $85 after the coupon ($85 off). Select items are priced as marked, while others are discounted via the on page coupon.
If you're looking for fun things to watch on your new monitor, be sure to take a look at the Disney Bundle price in 2024 to find the best deal. And if you need more options, the 2024 Disney Plus deals likely have something to suit your needs. Shop Now at Lenovo

Shop almost 100 doorbusters, including laptops from $350, and monitors from around $100. Shop Now at Lenovo

That's $31 off list, $1 under our Black Friday mention from last year, and the lowest price we've seen. Buy Now at Lenovo
- spill-resistant keyboard
- 2.4GHz nano-USB receiver
- 1200-DPI wireless mouse
- Model: GX30N81775

That's tied with our mention from two weeks ago as the best deal we've seen by over $200 and a buck less than the price at Best Buy. It's one of the Home Depot Black Friday deals, so act quickly. Buy Now at Home Depot
- max speeds over 100Mbps
- WiFi 5 & Ethernet
- WPA2 encryption
- service plan required
- Model: 02535001-HD

That's the best deal we've seen by over $200 and a buck less than the price at Best Buy. It's one of the Home Depot Black Friday deals, so act quick. Buy Now at Home Depot
- max speeds over 100Mbps
- WiFi 5 & Ethernet
- WPA2 encryption
- service plan required
- Model: 02535001-HD

If you're looking to upgrade or build a new PC, this is a solid pick and $100 off list. It's ideal for heavy computing, high resolution graphics ,and PC gaming. (It can also be used in a PlayStation 5.) Get it sooner with in-store pickup at your local Best Buy. Buy Now at Samsung

That's a $14 drop from last week's mention, and the best price we've seen. It's also at least $44 less than you'd pay anywhere else. Buy Now at HP
- compatible with most devices and OS
- USB-C passthrough
- Ethernet, USB-C 3.2, two USB-A, HDMI, and DisplayPort
- Model: 50H55UT

Get that home office (or work office!) in shape for the new year without breaking the bank. For example, grab a new keyboard and mouse combo set for just $20 or a USB-C multiport hub for $73. Monitors also will start at around $109, while a laptop will start around $230 in this sale. Shop Now at HP

Shop deals on computers, accessories, tablets, storage, and more at Adorama as part of its Black Friday sale. Shop Now at Adorama

That's 25% off and a great price low for a core i7 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Buy Now at Adorama
- FHD 1920x1080 resolution
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU
- 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD
- Windows 11 Home
- Model: NX.ADDAA.00M

New users can activate or install a Verizon Fios 1 Gig, Fios 2 Gig, 5G Home Ultimate, or LTE Home Plus home internet plan and score a Nintendo Switch With Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con for free - a savings of around $250. Some exclusions and terms apply. Shop Now at Verizon Home Internet

New users who activate and install a Verizon Fios 1 Gig or 2 Gig Home Internet plan can score this TV for free - a $400 value. Some exclusions and terms apply. Shop Now at Verizon Home Internet

Starting November 29, you'll get an Apple gift card worth up to $200 with select purchases. Some highlights include:
- Up to $200 Apple Gift Card w/ MacBook Air M3 13" or 15", or M2 13"
- Up to $100 Apple Gift Card w/ 10th Gen. iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro
- Up to $75 Apple Gift Card w/ iPhone 15, 14, or SE
- Up to $75 Apple Gift Card w/ Airpods 4, Pro 2, or Max
But there are lots more ways to get a gift card. This offer is available online, at Apple Stores, and in the Apple App. Shop Now at Apple

That's $5 less than our mention from a few days ago at Amazon. Add to cart to get this price. Buy Now at B&H Photo Video
- 2560x1440 (1440p) resolution
- DisplayPort & HDMI
- Model: LS27B610EQNXZA
- UPC: 887276620565

You'll find special offers on portable SSDs, gaming, desktop storage, memory cards, and USB flash drives. Shop Now at Western Digital
- Members get free shipping on all orders. (It's free to sign up.)

SanDisk has released some early Black Friday deals on storage drives and memory cards, discounted up to 40% off. Also, check out some of the bundle offers to stack extra savings. Shipping is free on orders over $50. Shop Now at SanDisk

The Stacksocial Early Black Friday Sale 2025 is now live with big price drops on best sellers and doorbusters and discounts of up to 94%. It includes Microsoft software, AI programs, and VPNs, as well as MacBooks and headphones at price lows. Shop Now at StackSocial
Computers: The Basics
Shopping for computers doesn’t have to drain your savings — if you know how to find the best prices. Our team of experts review the sales and publish the best computer deals so you don’t have to work half as hard.
How to Save on Streaming Services
Computers: The Basics
Shopping for computers doesn’t have to drain your savings — if you know how to find the best prices. Our team of experts review the sales and publish the best computer deals so you don’t have to work half as hard.
Basic Computer Terminology
You don’t have to be a tech wiz to buy your next computer. Make note of these common terms to help you when you’re shopping computer sales!
- Operating System (OS): This is the system that controls how your computer performs basic functions. The most common operating systems you’ll see right now are Windows 10 and Mac OS X. They perform comparably, so picking one relies on personal preference.
- Random-access memory (RAM): The short-term memory of your computer. Your RAM controls how quickly and efficiently your computer is able to switch between tasks. The higher the RAM, generally, the better the performance.
- Processor (CPU): The powerhouse or “brain” of the computer, your processor handles your computer’s basic instructions, such as using your mouse and keyboard, or running applications. The two most popular CPU manufacturers are AMD and Intel. You can read about which processor is right for you in this article from Digital Trends.
- Storage: There are two types of physical computer storage, hard drives (HD) and solid state drives (SSD). SSD storage is more common these days because they are more stable and faster. While it’s ideal to aim for greater storage space, a bigger drive will cost more money. Determine your storage needs based on how you plan to use your computer. Abt recommends starting with at least 500 GB of storage space.
Additionally, some providers, like Verizon, offer streaming perks with select plans, giving you months of access to services like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ at no extra cost. Annual payment options can also help you save, as they often come with a discount equivalent to getting one or two months free. For those on a budget, ad-supported plans provide the same great content at a fraction of the cost. Visit our Disney+ Subscription Cost page to explore pricing and options.
What Deals Are Available on Disney+ Bundles?
Disney+ bundle deals provide significant savings when combining services. For example, the Verizon Disney Bundle offered six months of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for free with select Unlimited plans. Bundles like the Disney+ Premium annual plan ($159.99) save you the cost of two months compared to monthly payments. Bundle options like the ad-supported Duo Basic plan (Disney+ and Hulu) start at $10.99 per month, while ad-free Duo Premium is $19.99. Learn more on the Disney+ Bundle Deals page.
You can also explore seasonal and promotional deals during events like Black Friday to maximize your savings. Check out the Best Disney+ Deals page for current offers.
How Much Is a Disney+ Subscription?
Disney+ subscriptions currently start at $8 per month for the ad-supported Basic plan, while the Premium ad-free plan is priced at $13.99 per month or $139.99 annually. Prices will increase beginning October 17, 2024, with the Premium plan rising to $15.99 per month or $159.99 annually. Explore all pricing options on the Disney+ Subscription Costs page.
Best Disney+ Deals
Disney+ offers value-packed streaming bundles, such as the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle starting at $17 per month with ads or $30 per month ad-free. Disney+ also supports paid sharing, allowing you to add one extra member for $6.99 per month with Basic or $9.99 per month with Premium. Prices are increasing on October 17, 2024, so finding deals like these is more important than ever. For more information, visit our Best Disney+ Deals page.
Best Disney+ Deals
Disney+ offers value-packed streaming bundles, such as the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle starting at $17 per month with ads or $30 per month ad-free. Disney+ also supports paid sharing, allowing you to add one extra member for $6.99 per month with Basic or $9.99 per month with Premium. Prices are increasing on October 17, 2024, so finding deals like these is more important than ever. For more information, visit our Best Disney+ Deals page.
Annual Disney+ Subscription Costs
Disney+ Premium annual plans cost $139.99 but will rise to $159.99 on October 17, 2024. Opting for the annual plan saves you the equivalent of two months compared to monthly billing. Note that annual payments are only available for standalone Disney+ Premium plans and not for bundles. Customize your subscription to include ad-supported or ad-free options with Hulu, ESPN+, or Max. See all pricing details on the Disney+ Subscription Cost page.
Basic Computer Terminology
You don’t have to be a tech wiz to buy your next computer. Make note of these common terms to help you when you’re shopping computer sales!
- Operating System (OS): This is the system that controls how your computer performs basic functions. The most common operating systems you’ll see right now are Windows 10 and Mac OS X. They perform comparably, so picking one relies on personal preference.
- Random-access memory (RAM): The short-term memory of your computer. Your RAM controls how quickly and efficiently your computer is able to switch between tasks. The higher the RAM, generally, the better the performance.
- Processor (CPU) : The powerhouse or “brain” of the computer, your processor handles your computer’s basic instructions, such as using your mouse and keyboard, or running applications. The two most popular CPU manufacturers are AMD and Intel. You can read about which processor is right for you in this article from Digital Trends.
- Storage: There are two types of physical computer storage, hard drives (HD) and solid state drives (SSD). SSD storage is more common these days because they are more stable and faster. While it’s ideal to aim for greater storage space, a bigger drive will cost more money. Determine your storage needs based on how you plan to use your computer. Abt recommends starting with at least 500 GB of storage space.
Basic Software for Your PC
When you start using your new computer, you’ll want to install some basic software to get going. Most pre-built computers come with a suite of software pre-installed with the OS.
Productivity Tools
Whether you opt for a package like Microsoft Office or iWork, opt for freeware like Open Office, or choose an online software pack like G Suite, it’s always a good idea to install a productivity software to help you with tasks like making spreadsheets, word processing, and viewing PDFs.
Internet Browser
Microsoft Edge and Safari are the standard browsers that come with a new computer, but many shoppers rely on browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Cloud Storage
Not only does cloud storage give you more space than the limited physical storage on your PC, but it also gives you access to your files anywhere. Many companies like Google or Dropbox offer a limited amount of free cloud storage.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus tools do more than simply keep viruses at bay; they also protect against malware, phishing, adware, spyware, and more. Windows 10 comes with Microsoft Security Essentials as a default, and security options are built into Mac OS X (as opposed to a standalone program). That said, antivirus suites like Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender may offer you more protection.
Media Player
Many laptops and desktops no longer include a physical media drive. If you plan on watching any videos locally (not streamed online), it’s useful to have a media player. Typically, this software is built in, but check out this list for some info on the best media players for Windows 10 and this one for Mac.
Music Player
Not to be confused with a media player, a good music application is worth installing on your computer. Spotify, iTunes, and Pandora are some common favorites that give you access to a practically limitless selection. The desktop versions make it easier to browse and build playlists.
Computer Deal Subcategories
DealNews offers the best deals on computers and computing accessories. You can browse our deals in different categories including, but not limited to:
Whether you’re looking for a new work laptop, or want to find a quality gaming system, check out our selection of the best laptop deals here.
Did you know you should replace your computer every 4 to 5 years to keep up with the latest performance and security updates? Check out the best computer deals for your next desktop here.
Did you know that DealNews first launched as a deal website for Apple Macintosh products? While we’ve grown significantly since then, we still know how to find the best Apple computer deals!
Maybe you’re in the market for a larger streaming device for your kids, or maybe you’d like a device to serve as your e-reader (with a few extra perks). Whatever you’re searching for, check out the best tablet and iPad deals here.
- Peripherals
Routers , monitors , input devices , and more! These devices make using your computer more comfortable and practical. Be sure you search our site to save big!
When shopping computer sales, check out DealNews before going anywhere else, so you know you’ll always find the best deals!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I purchase a laptop or desktop?
It’s important to review your needs before buying a laptop or desktop computer.
- What’s your budget? Because they’re bigger and more modular, desktop computers tend to outperform laptops. A desktop’s customizability means your budget can go a lot further. However, laptops have other advantages over desktops.
- Do you need portability? High-end laptops are generally more expensive, but a laptop will always win the portability debate.
- How much power do you need? Desktops have more room to work with, so you can add more RAM, more storage, a bigger graphics card, and other performance improvements. But if you don’t need all that, then a mid-tier laptop may be the cheaper choice.
- Are you a gamer? Laptops that are built for gaming are among the most expensive on the market. That said, if you’re not comfortable selecting individual pieces to build a gaming desktop, you may be willing to pay a premium to get that performance.
- Don’t forget the repairs. If you’re handy, you can often repair or replace parts in a desktop computer with the help of online guides. Most laptops require specialized tools and skills to repair, so desktop fixes tend to be cheaper.
Overall, desktop computers have a lot of advantages, but the lack of portability can be a deal breaker. No matter what you decide, be sure to check out specs and buying guides from the DealNews Blog and other reputable sources like CNET or PCMag. Then shop DealNews for the best computer deals!
How do I get my external hard drive to show up?
Once you’ve ensured that your external drive is plugged in and powered on, check out these steps from PCMag:
- Try a different USB port.
- Try a different PC.
- Update your drivers.
- Format the drive.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for “virtual private network.” A VPN protects your internet usage by routing your internet connection through a private server. Using a VPN keeps your online browsing more private and also grants you access to websites and content that may not be available in your country.
For more information about VPNs, visit our NordVPN Free Trial Guide and our NordVPN Subscription Cost Page.
How can I boost my WiFi signal?
When your internet connection seems impossibly slow, the cause isn’t your provider, but your WiFi signal strength. Check out these options to boost your WiFi signal:
- Update your router firmware. Each router is different, but you can typically use the steps found here to run updates.
- Place your router in the most optimal space. You want to place your wireless router away from walls or obstructions. If possible, put it in the most central place in your home.
- Pick a different frequency. If you have a dual-band router, try using the 5GHz band. This band offers higher speeds and may get an additional boost if fewer devices are connected to it.
- Change the channel. While most routers will automatically choose the channel with the least congestion, some cheaper routers may require you to manually update it.
- Upgrade your router. How old is your current router? If it's a previous-generation 802.11b model, upgrading could improve your wireless signal. If you already have a newer 802.11n or Wi-Fi 6 router, you're in good shape.
- Replace the antenna. You may boost your signal by adding or replacing an external antenna. PCMag recommends purchasing one marked “high-gain” and opting for a directional antenna rather than an omnidirectional one.
- Add a wireless range extender. If you only want to boost coverage in one or two rooms, a WiFi extender can help you eliminate dead spots. Check out this guide from the DealNews Blog.
Switch to a mesh WiFi system. Wireless mesh networking is becoming more popular because it can provide more complete coverage throughout the home. Mesh systems replace your router and work seamlessly to eliminate coverage gaps.
A Georgia girl with three years of experience in IP Law and grounded in understanding marketing and consumer motives. When she's not working with the fabulous staff of DealNews, you can find her whining at rowing practice and browsing the Hot Deals on the site.