Peripherals

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A desktop gaming PC desk with a monitor light, mechanical keyboard, wireless mouse, and numerous other gadgets.
6 ways I've upgraded my desktop PC without buying new hardware

In this economy, we are choosing free upgrades

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The rear I/O of a NZXT motherboard, showing nine USB-A ports and just one USB-C port.
7 things you should never connect to your PC's USB ports
USB

Just because the port is there doesn't mean everything that fits should be plugged in

Plugable UD-MSTH3 PC dock with external monitors
This PC dock gives you dual 4K 60Hz monitors without using Thunderbolt

Plugable offers a sharp multi-display setup with USB-C and no drivers.

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The case for becoming a USB-C maximalist (and why it's finally worth it)

As USB-C ports become more versatile, the time has come to fully embrace this universal connector.

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A close up of a USB hub with some buttons pressed in
These 4 cheap USB accessories instantly upgrade any PC without any tinkering
USB

Your PC is missing these 4 accessories, and they cost less than you think.

A desk with a gaming setup showing Quake on screen and a trackball mouse.
Why I still use the '90s most ridiculed desktop accessory in 2026

Another good idea from the '90s that just needed some modern polish.

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USB cable tester
I tested every USB-C cable in my drawer and finally figured out why some are useless

USB-C all looks the same, but testing my cables and ports showed me the true state of things

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USB-C isn't just a charging port—here's everything it can actually do

There's a lot more to USB-C than meets the eye

HP OmniBook 3 left-side HDMI USB-A and dual USB-C ports.
5 surprising gadgets you can connect to your PC's empty USB ports
USB

Your USB ports aren't just for keyboards and USB drives.

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Two mechanical keyboards crossed over with a red cross.
Stop buying mechanical keyboards—my membrane keyboard is better

Somehow, mechanical keyboards returned.

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usbccables2-2
USB-C cables look identical, but one simple spec separates the slow ones from the fast ones

I thought all USB-C cables were equal until this one broke my workflow

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A closeup shot of the Steam Controller.
I tried five Steam Controller projects—the self-charging one is hilariously ambitious

Valve made the new Steam Controller open-source, and the results are completely unhinged

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You're using your laptop's USB-C port wrong: Here's what it can actually do

Your USB-C port does way more than charge—here's what you're missing

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Your devices keep disconnecting from that USB-C hub—here's why cheap ones can't handle it

Cheap USB-C hubs fail because of one invisible component inside

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Plugable Thunderbolt 4 set up on a desk.
Why Plugable still matters in a world full of generic USB-C docks

Everything is universal, so what problems are left to solve?

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Flash drive plugged into the USB-A port on the back of a Synology DS425+ NAS.-2
I spent 10 minutes testing the USB ports on my PC to finally find out which one is actually the fastest
USB

USB ports don't tell you much by themselves, but you can learn a lot by running a few simple tests

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A USB4 cable plugged into a microphone.
Your USB-C cable might be holding back your laptop's best feature

USB-C cables look identical, but this one difference changes everything

Popout USB ports on a Dell Ultrasharp 27 Thunderbolt Hub monitor-1
Please stop using your monitor as a USB hub

Monitor USB ports are nothing more than extension cords.

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Ports on the rear of the Plugable USB4 Dual HDMI Docking Station.
That USB4 label is lying to you—here's what it should actually say
USB

You'd think that buying a USB4 dock is pretty straightforward, but it caught me by surprise

A GIGABYTE M32U 16:9 4K gaming monitor on a desk with a keyboard, controllers, and other accessories.
Wider isn't always better: Why I went back to 16:9 from ultrawide

Goodbye ultrawide, hello traditional.

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