Computers these days are an indispensable part of most people, but most people won’t make the most of them. If you’ve always wondered how to get more out of a trusted PC, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the key ways you can improve your life, from using a computer to keep in touch with your friends to working and playing more effectively. In many cases, we have put together the best tips, websites and apps to help you achieve more for free.
It’s no less important to stay connected with friends and family during these uncertain times while relaxing with a laptop or computer.
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CONNECT WITH LOVED ONES
The world can be conveniently accessed through a computer and internet connection. This makes it easier than ever to keep in touch with your friends or loved ones, and there are many ways to do so without paying any money.
One of the best options is Skype. It’s a video calling app that comes with Windows 10, so you don’t even need to download it to get started. You can make free calls by voice or video chat to someone with a Skype account (if both PCs have webcams).
You can do that even if you want to chat with a friend via text. WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are better known as mobile apps, but you can use both on your computer as well.
How to Raise Hand in Zoom Meeting and How to use if Effectively
You can send messages to your friends and relatives for free by downloading the WhatsApp Desktop app or using Messenger on Facebook.
Elsewhere, Google has integrated the Hangouts chatbox into its Gmail email service. If you have a Gmail account, you will see options in the lower left corner of the screen. You can send text messages through your contacts or initiate a video call if you wish.
HAVE FUN AT HOME
Many people use their computers primarily for work, but the PC can also function as an all-in-one entertainment center of music, TV, movies, and games.
There are many popular music streaming services out there that allow you to play as much music as you want for a monthly fee. Services like Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music are all here. If you pay for individual tracks or albums and want to keep them forever, both the Amazon Digital Music Store and Apple’s iTunes Store are great choices.
TV shows and movies don’t need a television to enjoy Star Wars and Picky Blinders at home. There is no shortage of streaming services available, from Netflix and Disney Plus to Now TV and Amazon Prime Video. Each program allows you to watch as many shows and movies as you like for a monthly fee.
Finally, your computer can host a variety of fantastic PC games. There are many different online marketplaces where you can buy games, including Steam, Epic Games, Humble Bundle, and more.
You can play with a controller (as in a game console) or with a mouse and keyboard. This flexibility is a real advantage of playing games on your computer. Please make sure your PC meets the gaming requirements before buying.
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
One of the great things about owning a computer is that you can learn almost anything from anywhere. You don’t have to be in the classroom and you don’t have to enroll in expensive college courses. Sit at your laptop and learn at the time and place that suits you.
If you want to learn something on your computer, you have two main options: downloadable apps and online resources. When it comes to apps, there are many choices. For example, if you want to learn a language, apps like Duolingo and Rosetta Stone are your best bet. It breaks down language learning into manageable chunks to help you understand a new language without feeling depth.
On the other hand, if you are interested in online courses, there are a variety of websites that offer useful tuition fees. Open University is one of the best known names, and websites like FutureLearn and edX have many courses like Harvard University and Oxford University.
Don’t forget tons of free educational resources, including websites like Wikipedia and BBC Bitesize. YouTube has a lot of great video tutorials for free. You don’t have to cost anything to learn something new.
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
For many people, computers are a useful tool to be more productive than ever before. Whether you are working or being creative, it may be the same for me.
Getting a good office suite is often essential when doing business. This suite includes word processors, spreadsheets, presentation apps, and more. One of the best known is Microsoft Office, which can be purchased directly or paid for as an annual purchase. There are also free alternatives including OpenOffice and LibreOffice.
Computers are also a great way to get creative. Edit photos with Adobe Photoshop Elements, create videos for free with Lightworks, or create detailed drawings in apps like Affinity Designer and Corel Painter. If you’ve got a creative spark, your computer is the perfect partner.
If you want to go on the artistic path, you can also buy a drawing tablet and stylus to make your digital tablet more natural. Wacom has a wide range of art products to choose from, making it easy to create a piece of art. Alternatively, you can buy a 2-in-1 laptop (such as the Microsoft Surface Book 3) that can also be used as a tablet, giving you the flexibility to work the way you want.