WELCOME

From the Editor

Will anyone be able to afford a new PC in 2026?

Soaring memory costs are causing huge price increases

Protect your tech

Scams and threats to avoid, plus new security tools

Consumeractive

We stand up for your legal rights

Grow Your Family Tree

If your ancestors fought in World War 2, you’ll like Ancestry’s newly digitised collection. Follow Richard Holt’s advice to…

Best Free Software

Robert Irvine recommends new programs that won’t cost you a thing

SHOULD I PAY FOR…?

Choose the right version of software

What should I download?

We advise you which software and apps to use

Named & Shamed

Keumars Afifi-Sabet puts the boot into tech villains, jargon-spouting companies and software trying to trick you

Clankers

Be careful how you use this insult – robots have a long memory

Ditch Your LAPTOP

Tablets are bigger, better and more popular than ever, so why not replace your laptop with a more portable alternative? Robert Irvine recommends the best devices to buy

Your favourite software of 2025

Our Snipca links tell us how many times shortened URLs have been visited, so we can see which programs you like. Robert Irvine reveals your top 10 tools from the last year

Check your PC can run LINUX

Linux can give your old PC a new lease of life – but only if your hardware is compatible. Jonathan Parkyn explains what to check, what to avoid and what to do if things go wrong

Problems Solved

Our experts solve all your tech problems

Reader Support

Having a problem with our recommended software or expert tips? Email editor@computeractive.co.uk and we’ll do our best to help

Jargon Buster

1080p High-definition video: 1920x1080 pixels. 32bit/64bit A measure

Add calendar events using AI

Hoping to plan his year ahead with a minimum of effort, Robert Irvine tries to…

Govt says “no plans” to axe mid-contract price rises

The top stories in the world of technology

UK fines LastPass £1.2m for 2022 data breach

T he UK’s data watchdog has fined LastPass

Amazon removes tool that lets you install banned apps

A mazon has removed a tool from its

Block kids from using VPNs, say Lords

A cross-party group of peers in the House

£227 MINI PC CAN WORK AS A NAS DRIVE

Chinese manufacturer YouYeeToo has released a mini PC

EE BECOMES FIRST ISP TO OFFER Wi-Fi 7 TO ALL EE

has become the first broadband provider to offer Wi-Fi

TOMORROW’S WORLD

In Issue 724 we tittered at Russia’s robot AIdol

THREE CLOSES FINAL 3G MOBILE SITES

Mobile network Three has confirmed it switched off

THE WORLD’S GONE MAD!

You’ve heard of the wrong type of leaves

Most Brits don’t feel free to air their views online

O nly 35 per cent of people think

Apple and Google make it easier to switch between iOS and Android

A pple and Google are working together to

Freely TV box back in stock with new 12-month free offer

T he first Freely TV box, Netgem’s PLEIO,

TiVo FREELY BOXES COMING IN 2026

You may soon have a much wider choice

UPDATE NOTEPAD++ TO AVOID MALWARE

The developers of Notepad++, a more advanced alternative

Amazon Alexa now automatically buys items when prices fall

A mazon’s smart speakers can now automatically buy

SKY STOPS SELLING Q TV ONLINE

Sky has stopped selling its Q TV set-top

1PMOBILE OFFERS eSIMs TO CUSTOMERS

1pMobile is now offering eSIMs to customers. The MVNO

Letters

Tell us what’s on your mind

STAR LETTER

Why I fear for the BBC’s future

Alienware 16X Aurora

LAPTOP | £1,799 from Dell www.snipca.com/57396

Medion Erazer Recon P40

DESKTOP PC | £899 from Currys www.snipca.com/57374

Apple MacBook Pro M5 (14in)

LAPTOP ❘ £1,599 from Amazon www.snipca.com/57363

Nothing Phone 3

SMARTPHONE | £899 from Amazon www.snipca.com/57317

Amazon Echo Dot Max

SMART SPEAKER | £100 from Amazon www.snipca.com/57318

Cherry Xtrfy K33

KEYBOARD | £40 from Currys www.snipca.com/57357

70mai Dash Cam 4K T800

DASH CAM ❘ £450 from Amazon www.snipca.com/57358

Samsung UE43U8000F

SMART TV ❘ £239 from Amazon www.snipca.com/57351

Buy It

Our pick of products that have won the Buy It award

Buy It

Our pick of products that have won the Buy It award

HOW TO...

Switch from GIMP to Affinity Photo

Workshop

Block mobile ads using AdGuard DNS

Readers’ Tips

TIP OF THE FORTNIGHT Read all ebook formats

Browser Tips

Secret settings and the best extensions

AI Tips

Clever new tools and tweaks

Phone and Tablet Tips

Brilliant things to do on your device

Make Windows Better

Expert tips for every version

Make Office Better

Top tips for the best office programs

Use ChatGPT’s group chat to collaborate

Run a club or society? Here's how your tech can make it easier