As PCMag's editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.
I believe tech corporations are bad, but you might as well know how to use technology in everyday life. Want more how to content delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the tips and tricks newsletter that I curate twice a week.
My job as how to guru means I use just about every gadget under the sun so I can figure out how everything works. I work from a Lenovo Thinkpad running Windows 10 but also have a very large Dell Inspiron 17 3000 at the ready for any necessary Windows 11 coverage. I own a 2017-era MacBook Air that I only use these days for FaceTime therapy sessions and whenever I need a screenshot of some macOS feature (this will be my last Apple product).
I have a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE glued to my hand all day and night because I am constantly reading Slack, checking email, searching Google, and researching SEO data from everywhere in my house. I have only own Samsung smart devices, but I do think I'm about ready to change Android phone brands. For iOS coverage, I use my wife's old iPhone X, and it works like a charm (when I remember to charge it). We also have a 2017 iPad that is constantly dead because we never charge it.
My desktop situation includes a dual monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I also use a Logitech mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I love it but my wife hates it!) I'm a recent convert from wired headphones; I have Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wireless earbuds for personal use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work. And by work, I mostly mean listening to video game music on YouTube.
Whenever I have a second to myself, I'm probably gaming on my Nintendo Switch or Xbox Series S. I also still have a bunch of classic consoles lying around as well. I also have an Instax mini 11, which I have been using to document the first few months of my children's lives.
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