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
![Panos Panay at surface event](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Kfyy5WnhmpwunL5q6MTncf-320-80.jpeg)
Panos Panay is out at Microsoft — what it means for Surface and Windows 11
By Alex Wawro last updated
Windows and Surface frontman Panos Panay is leaving Microsoft, raising questions about the future of those products.
![Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oVc97TaJagPNvKnyzmwx6E-320-80.jpg)
The Surface Laptop Studio is Microsoft's coolest laptop in ages — and it demands a sequel
By Alex Wawro published
The Surface Laptop Studio is the most interesting laptop Microsoft's ever made, and it demands a sequel which iterates and improves on its strengths.
![a17 pro chipset](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hfLweDqUU4Uk8sCXZNpQBB-320-80.jpg)
iPhone 15 Pro A17 Pro: Everything we know about Apple's fastest iPhone chip yet
By Alex Wawro published
Apple's powerful A17 Pro chip is its first built on a 3-nanometer process, and features a redesigned GPU that looks capable of ushering in a new era of gaming on iPhone.
![MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 Plus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/79AeSjqGeYVuhvQC6MjoVP-320-80.jpg)
Laptops are getting smaller and smaller every year, and I can't take it anymore
By Alex Wawro published
Size matters, and there is such a thing as too thin
![LG Gram 17 Pro (2023) review unit on table outdoors running Windows 11](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ynU5BuH6Taj5rNfWw8mmpV-320-80.jpg)
LG Gram 17 Pro (2023) review: Serious power, seriously light
By Alex Wawro last updated
The LG Gram 17 Pro delivers strong performance from its 13th gen Core i7 CPU and Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU and wraps it up in a very light 3.2-pound package.
![Windows 11 logo on a laptop screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nM2QA9SAJTB9Hq3ATzrtdC-320-80.jpg)
Microsoft is fixing one of the things I hate most about Windows 11
By Alex Wawro published
Microsoft has finally released a build of Windows 11 that lets you use a different browser than Edge for OS-level tasks—but it's currently only available in Europe.
![and image of the Google Chrome logo on a laptop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/62aHxnvmKJvfMzFqKzR96H-320-80.jpg)
Google Chrome is getting a big redesign —here's what's new
By Alex Wawro last updated
Google marks Chrome's 15th anniversary with a bold new look, new features and a revamped storefront.
![A flatscreen monitor displays the Windows 'blue screen of death' indicating a system failure.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xk63uudefpEpXrxZN3csEf-320-80.jpg)
Windows 11 update causing Blue Screens of Death: What you should know
By Alex Wawro last updated
A new update for Windows 11 and Windows 10 is causing PCs to crash, and the only common link seems to be MSI motherboards.
![Windows 11 wallpaper with blue Windows 11 logo superimposed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/umdPthehHepBEbXDRJGdp9-320-80.jpg)
Windows 11 problems and fixes — everything we know so far
By Alex Wawro last updated
Windows 11 has some known issues at launch. Here's a rundown of the most common we've seen, and what to do about them.
![gaming pc](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gbTYzm8EbGEez2vyWMRRAh-320-80.png)
Should you buy a cheap gaming PC off Amazon? Read this first
By Alex Wawro last updated
Is it a good idea to buy a gaming PC off Amazon from a vendor you don't recognize, if the deal is good? Maybe — but there are some red flags you want to look for before you buy.
![A laptop running Windows 11](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eLwm3CRPxvUCFxnXG5QAcF-320-80.jpg)
Microsoft is killing WordPad in Windows 11: What you need to know
By Alex Wawro published
Windows 11 will likely be the final version of Windows to ship with a copy of WordPad, according to Microsoft.
![MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021 sitting on a patio table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wKaEoNvjNpRkyZH74YAq2B-320-80.jpg)
7 macOS keyboard shortcuts you've got to know
By Alex Wawro published
Apple's macOS keyboard shortcuts are incredibly handy, but there are so many it can be hard to keep track. These are the most important ones you should know.
![Dell XPS 13 Plus open viewed from front side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sJUAmbBLMmhEPcMqtQGGGg-320-80.jpg)
I'll never buy a 4K laptop and you shouldn't either — here's why
By Alex Wawro published
4K screens are more and more common on laptops, but is paying extra for pixels you can barely see worth it?
![Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) review unit on a coffee table running Windows 11](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iP8ZYG9bTvpwajf8E8byLP-320-80.jpg)
Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) review: A stunning step backwards
By Alex Wawro published
The Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023) looks and feels just as premium as its predecessor, but it still has the same weaknesses — and in some cases, it actually performed worse in our tests.
![Macbook Pro 16 vs. XPS 15](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w2ANok76mgp4KLs8hAdAcf-320-80.jpg)
When should you upgrade your laptop? Here's how long it should last
By Alex Wawro published
How long should your laptop last, and is an extended warranty all it's cracked up to be? We did some digging and asked some experts to get the answers, and the results may surprise you.
![Baldur's Gate 3 how to leave camp lead showing a camp to leave](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nJ9Tn2GWkf47NUuLBDhAmA-320-80.jpg)
Baldur's Gate 3 — how to leave camp
By Alex Wawro published
The camp in Baldur's Gate 3 is the place to be if you want to talk to your companions, rest or change your spells. Here's how to leave it once you're ready to continue adventuring.
![Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) review unit on a desk playing Doom Eternal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bkx4rN2PDXfZxtJPDzSaw7-320-80.jpg)
Acer Predator Orion 7000 (2023) review
By Alex Wawro published
The Acer Predator Orion 7000 is a top-tier gaming PC, and the 2023 model delivers killer performance at 4K thanks to its RTX 4090 and Raptor Lake CPU—but it's also the loudest PC we've ever tested.
![Baldur's Gate 3 how to dye lead](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bh3jrb9nifGQitjqRhAyaV-320-80.jpg)
Baldur's Gate 3 — how to dye clothes and armor
By Alex Wawro published
Want to change the look of your outfit in Baldur's Gate 3? It's easy, and this brief guide will walk you through step by step.
![Baldur's Gate 3 how to change die color lead](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PoJAJ44WCzb4SYAj32P6pD-320-80.jpg)
Baldur's Gate 3 — how to change dice
By Alex Wawro last updated
Want dice of a different color in Baldur's Gate 3? This brief guide will walk you through how to change the color of your dice.
![baldur's gate 3](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WRfkVZGdCSKhWdXiGBQJh4-320-80.jpg)
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a love letter to Dungeons & Dragons — and it’s all I want to play right now
By Alex Wawro published
Baldur's Gate 3 is finally released out of Early Access, and already it's clear this is one of the best PC RPGs of the year—especially if you love D&D.
![Lenovo Tab Extreme review unit on a desk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DGHjfkyJd9BTqRUse8tb5V-320-80.jpg)
Lenovo Tab Extreme review: Big and beautiful
By Alex Wawro last updated
Lenovo's biggest Android tablet yet offers a gorgeous 3K OLED display, an elegant design and a great stylus at no charge—but the Tab Extreme couldn't match competitors in our testing lab.
![Lenovo Tab Extreme on desk with stylus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fdM6TgnCjNjboh2zsMneUU-320-80.jpg)
This new Android tablet comes with the best stylus I’ve tested — and it puts iPad Pro to shame
By Alex Wawro published
The Lenovo Tab Extreme comes bundled with a stylus and software that lets you use it in innovative ways, including as a remote DJing device.
![LG Gram 17 Pro (2023) review unit on a table outdoors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sN6famZzB72kSNZMLrvXs3-320-80.jpg)
5 ways to get your Windows 11 laptop ready to go back to school
By Alex Wawro published
Taking a laptop back to school with you or someone you love? Run down this quick checklist to make sure it's in tip-top shape first.