Alex Wawro
Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering the movers and shakers in both industries for media outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to printers, keyboards and mice. If you plug it into a PC, he's probably the person to talk to.
Latest articles by Alex Wawro
![Man typing on Windows 11 laptop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DNH5hoXQPdjiHCzBzrwhCM-320-80.jpg)
How to set up parental controls on a Windows 11 PC
By Alex Wawro published
Here's how to access Windows 11's built-in parental controls
![Xbox logo on iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v6npcMpr72aV3JTXiXY94P-320-80.jpg)
Apple is finally allowing Xbox Game Pass streaming on the App Store — this is a huge deal
By Alex Wawro published
Apple is finally allowing developers to submit game streaming apps to the App Store which let you play multiple games from a catalog in one app. This could be huge—here's why.
![Acer Swift Go 14 Meteor Lake hands-on](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2PckcM3RHCprHqFdjLkogQ-320-80.jpg)
Acer Swift Go 14 review: The AI laptop has arrived
By Alex Wawro last updated
This is the first laptop we've tested that packs in Intel's new Meteor Lake chips, and our initial testing shows it's a solid ultraportable—but some key areas leave room for improvement.
![Framework Laptop 16 review unit on desk running Doom Eternal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2rfUKtvQAo7hPNcapHd2ye-320-80.jpg)
Framework Laptop 16 review: This is the laptop I'd buy for myself
By Alex Wawro last updated
The most upgradable, repairable gaming laptop on the planet
![Windows Copilot key](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yvkdgPgnazUMRxASPCg3BA-320-80.jpg)
Microsoft unveils Copilot Pro for $20 per month — here’s everything it can do
By Alex Wawro published
The upgraded version of Copilot will cost $20/month
![Intel Core logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rCm4GSzheGN6cwyRgPjzQN-320-80.jpg)
Intel brought some of its fastest laptop chips yet to CES 2024 — here's what you should know
By Alex Wawro published
Everything you need to know about Intel's latest chips
![AMD "Hawk Point" CPUs](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6XLCyonLaK5hoRTeF3MSg9-320-80.jpg)
AMD drops new bargain-minded CPUs and GPU with an AI focus at CES 2024
By Alex Wawro published
AMD brought some new desktop CPUs and a new Radeon GPU to CES 2024, and they're all pretty easy on your wallet.
![Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super and RTX 4070 Super promo image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aJ6LyzXTx386XMcpBWGa86-320-80.jpg)
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super and 4070 Super launching January for under $1k — what you need to know
By Alex Wawro published
Get ready for three Super new Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-series GPUs to hit the market in January, all costing $999 or less.
![Google Maps app icon on iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LURKc5PVuYrsZooZUyDPed-320-80.jpg)
Google Maps is getting a big 3D upgrade to make driving easier — what you need to know
By Alex Wawro published
Google Maps users are reporting a new feature rolling out which changes the way buildings look when you're on a route, potentially making navigating a little bit easier.
![Windows Copilot key](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yvkdgPgnazUMRxASPCg3BA-320-80.jpg)
Windows 11 keyboards are getting a new AI button in the form of a Copilot key
By Alex Wawro last updated
Microsoft is adding a new Copilot key to the Windows keyboard. Here's how that will change things for you, and what to expect when it does.
![Windows Mac Linux logos all together](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g7hHU83wkWtj5m4Hcfresg-320-80.jpg)
Windows 11 vs macOS in 2024 will be a mess, so I'm learning Linux
By Alex Wawro published
With Windows 11 and macOS getting ever more alike and swamped with AI-like features that take away your control, one writer is giving up and learning Linux in 2024.
![Alienware Aurora R15 review unit on a desk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/evdsLJwwUjZvajFnPVHKUZ-320-80.jpg)
I review computers for a living — and this is my favorite gaming PC of 2023
By Alex Wawro last updated
Our computing editor lavishes praise on the Alienware Aurora R15, one of the best gaming PCs of 2023.
![LG Gram 17 shown on bench](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tc4DnbxA2NF73S7xhHBQRo-320-80.jpeg)
Act fast! Best Buy just knocked $600 off one of my favorite laptops of 2023
By Alex Wawro published
Get an ultralight LG Gram 17 for $600 off at Best Buy, but move quick — we don't know how long this great deal on an easy-to-carry, long-lasting productivity laptop will last!
![Acer Swift Go 14 Meteor Lake hands-on review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8xHfwSoTu7iQd3H5VftUGi-320-80.jpg)
Meteor Lake AI laptops are on sale now, but read this before you buy
By Alex Wawro published
Why you shouldn't rush out to buy an AI laptop — yet
![Intel Meteor Lake unveil moment from the Intel AI Everywhere livestream](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8bxzS5rQzDQJjckJiAMvLc-320-80.jpg)
Intel 14th gen Meteor Lake: Release date, AI features, laptops and more
By Alex Wawro last updated
We got our first look at Intel's upcoming 14th Gen Meteor Lake CPUs, with a whole new VPU designed specifically for AI workloads. Here's why that's a big deal.
![Intel Meteor Lake laptops](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/huhf9bmqx4vKVRm5HbD2hZ-320-80.jpg)
Intel Meteor Lake has arrived: Here’s what these new ‘AI laptops’ can do
By Alex Wawro published
After seeing Intel's Meteor Lake chips unveiled and going hands-on with the "AI laptops" which will feature them, here's all the most interesting applications we're expecting to see in 2024.
![Intel Meteor Lake unveil moment featuring Intel exec Michelle Holthaus holding up a chip from the Intel AI Everywhere livestream](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8bxzS5rQzDQJjckJiAMvLc-320-80.jpg)
Intel Meteor Lake — all the big Intel Core Ultra news and new AI laptops announced
By Alex Wawro last updated
Intel just introduced us to its big new chips for 2024, and the new Intel Core Ultra "Meteor Lake" laptop chips promise big AI innovations in the year ahead.
![Dell Precision 5680 review unit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tg48A6qTco5PiSXRWGtvZa-320-80.jpg)
Dell Precision 5680 review: This beefy workstation is surprisingly easy to carry
By Alex Wawro published
The Dell Precision 5680 is a remarkably attractive and well-designed 16-inch workstation, and the 4K OLED upgrade is great. But you can get better performance elsewhere.
![Intel Meteor Lake CPU on blue background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8YNQC87d39NvpSnb9DRk3J-320-80.jpg)
New Meteor Lake laptops from Samsung, HP and more could arrive as soon as next week
By Alex Wawro published
The first Meteor Lake laptops from Samsung, HP and more could arrive as soon as this month.
![Echo Dot with Clock review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LSTpXUEqVCDDDAe5RCXRf-320-80.jpg)
By the way, did you know Alexa's annoying suggestions can be turned off? Here's how
By Alex Wawro published
One simple phrase can put an end to Alexa's annoying "By the way, did you know..." suggestions for good. Here's how.
![Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED review unit on desk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wMjM6vYyhWTYzNVvKtJsRm-320-80.jpg)
Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED review
By Alex Wawro last updated
This slim, stylish Windows 11 ultraportable offers a great webcam and beautiful OLED display, but don't expect great performance.
![iPhone 13 image zoomed in at the notch.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/96ixUBjeZB7yDujgcNZz9G-320-80.jpeg)
Apple just landed a patent that could kill the iPhone notch for good — here’s how
By Alex Wawro published
Apple's latest patent lays out ways to embed a camera beneath a display, which could spell the end for the dreaded notch on your iPhone and MacBook.
![Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Cyber Monday deal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uo3gqMCsUoYkMFfoLEC775-320-80.jpg)
Hurry! Our favorite gaming laptop is cheaper than Cyber Monday — get $450 off now
By Alex Wawro last updated
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is one of our favorite gaming laptops, and right now it's still on sale for $450 — but hurry, who knows how long this Black Friday gaming laptop deal will last!