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Jon Martindale

Jon Martindale

Evergreen writer

Jon Martindale is a freelance evergreen writer and occasional section coordinator, covering how to guides, best-of lists, and explainers to help everyone understand the hottest new hardware and software in desktops, laptops, and on the web. He's also written articles on how to make your PC more efficient for the summer, and how he fixed his backpain with an annoying pop-up app.

Although Jon covers a wide range of topics at DigitalTrends, his particular focus is on PC components and peripherals, keeping our lists of best power supplies and best ergonomic mice up to date, as well as breaking down how to install the latest graphics cards to boost your gaming performance. He's also written gaming performance guides, and made sure that the crypto traders out there are using the best wallets for their digital tokens.

Alongside DigitalTrends, Jon also writers for Forbes, Lifewire, and Microcenter, has authored two novels, and provided back story and dialogue for a handful of games. He's an amateur game developer, and has made a few game prototypes in his spare time -- with a little help from ChatGPT. Jon's also an avid board gamer, getting in regular games of epic tabletop fare like Twilight Imperium and War of the Ring where he can. He's a father to two kids who recently discovered the joys of Pokémon, and keeps his aging French Bulldog cross busy on regular walks.

 

corsair i5100 review 09

Corsair Vengeance i5100 review: falling short of its potential

The Corsair i5100 has all the hallmarks of a top-tier gaming PC, but it doesn't quite match the pace of the competition.
Fortnite man.

Fortnite PC performance: best settings, fps boost, and more

Now in Chapter 2 Remix, it's great time to refresh yourself on the best PC settings to use in Fortnite for the best performance.
A man holds a Corsair MP600 PRO LPX PS5 SSD next to an open PS5.

The best SSDs for PS5 that you should buy

Sony's PlayStation 5 offers full support for an additional internal SSD for greater console storage capacity. These are the best solid-state drives for the PS5.
Call of Duty Black Ops 6.

The best PC settings for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a game that's great to look at, and quite demanding to run on even high-end gaming PCs. Here are the best settings to use.
A MacBook Air is shown with the Bitdefender for Mac dashboard open.

I tested the most popular free antivirus apps for Mac. Here are the very best

Your Mac is at risk from malware, so we made a list of the best free antivirus software to protect your personal and financial data from hackers.
Pads on the bottom of the Ryzen 9 7950X.

AMD vs. Intel: which makes the best CPUs?

With AMD's Ryzen 9000 here and Intel's Arrow Lake now here, the rivalry between AMD and Intel is hotter than ever. Here's how they compare.
The new MacBook Pro seen from the side.

Everything you need to know about buying a laptop in 2024

If you're unsure about what you need in a laptop, this laptop buying guide can help. In our breakdown, we'll explain specs, pricing, model types, and more.
logitech mx vertical 4

The best ergonomic mice of 2024: comfortable, accessible, and affordable

Want to ease carpal tunnel or repetitive strain without reducing computer time? An ergonomic mouse might help. These are the best options in 2024.
PC power supply in a case.

The best PSU to buy in 2024

The best power supplies have a high wattage, great efficiency, and modular cabling. Here are some of our favorite PSUs you can buy in 2023.
Dell UltraSharp 43 4K USB-C Hub monitor showing display and laptop.

How to use a laptop with a secondary monitor

Using a monitor to extend your laptop's display, or to give you a bigger screen for work or play can be super useful. Here's how to do it.

Spilled water on your laptop? Here’s how to fix it

You've just spilled water on your laptop. What now? Turn your system off right away, and then follow these steps. If you're lucky, you might be able to save it.
A render for an Intel Arrow Lake CPU.

Intel Arrow Lake: everything we know about the 15th-gen chips

Intel Arrow Lake CPUs are launching in October. Here's everything we know about these next-gen processors so far.
The Satechi M1 Wireless Mouse on a desk next to a MacBook.

How to connect a wireless mouse to a laptop

You can connect a wireless mouse to your laptop with its bespoke USB receiver or by using Bluetooth -- or both! Here's how to do it.
The cover art for Minecraft.

How to allocate more RAM to Minecraft

Minecraft Java can run out of memory quickly if you heavily mod the game. Here's how to allocate more to boost performance.
How to clean a laptop screen

How to clean a laptop screen without scratching it

Over time, dirt and dust build up on your display, which can then leave grimy, ugly deposits. Here's how to clean a laptop screen safely for a clearer view.
GPU inside the Dell XPS Desktop 8960.

How to install a graphics card

Replacing a graphics card can be an enthralling and meticulous endeavor. Here’s a guide to help you replace or upgrade a GPU.
Roccat Kone Pro gaming mouse.

Best budget gaming mice

The best budget gaming mice still offer fast and accurate sensors, great lighting, and excellent build quality. These are our favorites.
The Lenovo IdeaCenter Gaming 5i Gen 7 gaming PC with a monitor, keyboard, and headset.

How to reset graphics drivers in Windows 11

Are you having issues with your Windows 11 graphics? A simple reset of your drivers could put a pin in this pesky glitch. Here’s how to do it.
The RTX 4080 in a running test bench.

What graphics card do I have? How to find out what GPU is in your system

If you want to check compatibility with games or look into upgrades, it's important to know what GPU you have. Here's how to find out.
graphics card shortage

How to overclock your graphics card GPU

Learning how to overclock your graphic card GPU can be simple. With the right tools and a little patience, you can overpower your graphics card in no time.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900x pins.

How to install an AMD processor

Learning how to install an AMD processor is little different from any other desktop chip, but there are a couple of additional considerations to take in the process. But it needn't be difficult. Just follow this step by step guide and your new AMD CPU will be powering your system in now time.
Coffee Lake

How to install an Intel processor

Learning how to install an Intel CPU is the first step in building your new PC and it's going to be great. Don't sweat touching the heart of your system. CPUs are more robust than you think and with a few tips and tricks, the installation process can be smoother than you might think.
AMD Ryzen processor going into a socket.

The best AMD processors for 2024

The best AMD CPUs are some of the best processors in the world, period. Here are our top AMD chips, whether you're a gamer, worker, or a little bit of both.
Heatpaste buildup on a Ryzen 7000 CPU.

What is a CPU? Here’s everything you need to know

What is a CPU? That's not an existential question, but your device would be lost without it. Here's what it does and why picking the right one is so important.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D held between fingertips.

The best CPU to pair with the RTX 4070 or 4070 Ti

If you have an RTX 4070 Ti or RTX 4070, you want to pair a strong CPU with either of them to get the best performance. Here are our top picks.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D installed in a motherboard.

What CPU do I have? Here’s how to easily check

If you want to find out what CPU your PC or laptop is running, you don't need to take it apart. Here's how to check your processor in just a few quick steps.
Acer ROG Strix Review CPU

How to check your CPU temperature

Learning how to check your CPU temperature is a great way to troubleshoot PC problems and make sure you're getting maximum performance from your processor.

How to safely overclock your Intel or AMD CPU

Knowing how to overclock your CPU is essential for any PC enthusiast. We've gathered step-by-step instructions for AMD and Intel so you can overclock your CPU.
Logitech K650 wireless keyboard.

Keyboard buying guide: everything you need to know

Want to buy a new keyboard? From wired to wireless, rubber dome to mechanical switches, and everything in between, here's what to look for.
hail your mechanical overlord why keyboards arent just for geeks anymore keyboard mem 4

The best mechanical keyboards you can buy

Selecting the right keyboard can be difficult given all the available options. These are the best mechanical keyboards for fast and accurate typing experiences.
The Razer Huntsman Quartz Edition Mechanical Gaming Keyboard next to a traditional keyboard.

The best keyboards for 2024

Choosing the best keyboard can be difficult given all the options begging for your bucks. Check out our favorites for gamers, creatives, the office, and more.
A woman holding the Samsung 870 Pro NVMe PCIe SSD in her hands.

What is NVMe? Everything you need to know about high-speed storage

NVMe drives are everywhere, from your mom's laptop to your high-end gaming PC. These extremely slim drives are superfast, and now they're super affordable too.
Collection of SSDs, RAM, and CPUs.

SSD vs. RAM: What’s the difference?

SSD and RAM are two terms thrown around PCs and laptops, but what are they exactly, and how do they differ? Here's what you need to know.

SSD vs. HDD: What’s the difference, and which drive type is best?

What's the difference between SSD vs. HDD? What kind of drive is right for you is going to depend on your situation, but we'd suggest you get at least one SSD.