How to pick the best gaming console

There are several gaming consoles available on the market in 2016, but the reality is that only three systems deserve our attention: PS4, Xbox One and Wii U. Read on to discover which one of them is the one that can fulfill all your gaming needs.

Let’s start with a simple question: what type of games do you like? Wii U, which is produced by Nintendo, focuses on offering delightful gaming experiences to children and teenagers. It doesn’t have a very fast processor or video card, but it’s got several unique game titles that will delight most kids. I am talking about the Mario series, the Donkey Kong series and so on.

Xbox One and PlayStation are for people who prefer better graphics, similar with what modern PCs can offer these days, but without the hassle of installing programs, keeping them updated, and so on. In addition to this, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have stores that are filled not only with games, but also with various applications like Netflix.

Here are the key features for each one of these top gaming consoles.

PlayStation 4 has games with amazing graphics and includes a fantastic controller. It can also stream lots of legacy games via its dedicated PlayStation Network service. And it can also be used as a Blu-ray player, even though it lags a bit behind Xbox One when it comes to what it can do. Here’s a short video review that emphasizes its pros and cons.

Microsoft’s Xbox one has great graphics as well, even though their quality is a bit behind the ones provided by PlayStation 4. Still, Microsoft has managed to get an impressive array of exclusive games for its console, which is something that needs to be considered seriously if you are a fan of its titles.

One of the key features when it comes to Xbox One is its backwards compatibility. Microsoft now boasts with over one hundred Xbox 360 games (the previous console generation) that are able to run flawlessly on its latest game console. Still, Xbox One doesn’t have the straightforward interface that can be found in PlayStation for consoles.

We have said it at the beginning of the article, and we will say it again: Nintendo’s Wii U is a great gaming console for kids. The included mini console allows your kids to play games even when mom and dad are watching TV. It also works with older Wii games and accessories.

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not just a console for kids! Mom and dad can play as well, because there are a variety of old-school games that can be downloaded straight to your console for a small fee. Still, we are not impressed by Wii U’s lack of Blu-ray support, especially when you take into account that the rooted Wii U consoles are able to do that.

Armed with all this information, you should be able to take an educated decision. And no matter what you choose, I guarantee that you are going to enjoy your gaming experience. Just make sure that you pick one of these three gaming consoles!

How to boost Wi-Fi in your home

Wi-Fi can surely be a blessing, but it can also be very frustrating. If your home network is slow and your devices get disconnected every hour, you will be glad to know that there are several easy methods that you can apply to significantly boost Wi-Fi signal.

The easiest and probably the least expensive way of making sure that your network works fast and is reliable is to make sure that you have the latest firmware updates for your devices. Believe it or not, by applying this simple method you can increase Internet access speed by as much as 300%.

Discover your router manufacturer’s website address, and then navigate to the section that lists the firmware update downloads. While you are at it, it may also be a good idea to change your router’s password, as well as your network password. You can never be too careful when it comes to protecting your home network.

Let’s move on to the next Wi-Fi boosting methods that won’t cost you a dime. It’s as simple as finding the perfect spot for your router! And if you have been placing your router on a table until now, you will be glad to find out that it’s much better to position it as high as possible in the room.

Maybe you have a cabinet that has only collected dust until now. Well, the time has come to use it for something much more useful: your router! For best performance, keep the router away from walls and other obstructions that may block the Wi-Fi signal. The antennas should point towards the ceiling, to get a Wi-Fi range that’s as big as possible.

Did you know that your router can operate using several channels? Very few people are aware of this, but your router can make use of a less crowded Wi-Fi channel, and thus give its owner a highly needed speed boost.

avoiding-wifi-interference

But why is that happening in the first place? Having other people’s routers and devices operate on the same frequency will lead to interference. Fortunately, there are several apps that can quickly show which channels are less crowded. And from there on, it’s just a matter of choosing the best channel from using the routers options.

Who would have thought that the microwave oven can interfere with your Wi-Fi? It is weird, I know, but several appliances operate on frequencies that are very close to those used by your router. We’ve got dual band routers these days, which can solve this problem, but they aren’t the most efficient solution to the problem. In addition to this, they can be quite expensive! A much better approach is to buy a new cordless phone, which operates on a different frequency, for example.

Sometimes people you may not know about utilize your Internet connection to download huge files, to watch movies or play bandwidth consuming online games. Yes, I am talking about your evil neighbor, who has somehow discovered your password and is now using your Internet connection. Or maybe it’s one of your kids?

using-qos-to-boost-wifi

The good news is that most routers can make use of a feature named quality of service (QoS) to stop bandwidth waste. With QoS, you can set priorities, allowing a particular application that you intend to use to get access to fast Internet access, while making the less important apps use less of your bandwidth. Simply log into your routers menu, and then you should discover the QoS option – if your router supports it, of course.

Did you know that your router uses low quality antennas? This is especially true if, like most of us, you have purchased a least expensive router. The good news is that you can build your own Wi-Fi high gain antenna. Sure, you will need some cables and Wi-Fi adapters as well, but you can either build them or purchase them.

The last method is one of my favorites and you’ve guessed it, it won’t cost you a penny. It’s as simple as rebooting your router once a week! By doing this, you are disconnecting any villains that are trying to get into / use your network, while also cleaning up any problems and getting your router in good shape again. You can do this manually, but if you are lazy like me you can use an old school outlet timer to do the job. Pick a cheap device, it will do its job perfectly.

As you can see, most of these methods are 100% free. So take the time and apply them today, for the benefits of your entire family. Good luck!