DIY network media player

A Raspberry Pi 2 is a cheap and easy way to build a powerful media player.

The launch of the original Raspberry Pi was a bit of a phenomenon. It was a super-cheap computer board that could be used to build a variety of devices. It could also be used to build a network media player, but it was sluggish and not really great for the task.

Hardening your VPN

When it comes to network security, using a VPNs service is a very good start. But it’s not perfect.

VPNs by default provide excellent security and anonymity, but that doesn’t mean they’re uncrackable. If you want to be truly secure, there’s more you can do.

Linksys RE6500

Not the fastest in all scenarios, but a versatile extender that’s packed to the brim with features

There are two things that might put you off the Linksys RE6500. The first is that it’s a little more expensive than most 802.11ac extenders, coming in at around $130. Second, it isn’t a neat all-in-one unit that plugs into a mains socket, but a device that looks a little like a scaled-down router, complete with its own power supply.

Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Extender

Superb features and performance justify the Nighthawk’s premium price

Even the most cursory glance will tell you that the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 is no ordinary wireless extender. For a start, it looks more like a router, with a 252 x 174mm footprint and three sizeable antennas sticking out at the back. You can use it in its horizontal orientation or place it vertically on the supplied stand, but either way it’s a formidable piece of networking kit, with a distinctive, angular design.

Fast fixes your keyboard & mouse

Calm your jumpy mouse cursor, make special keys work properly and stop random scrolling on a laptop

Cursor jumps around your laptop screen

If your laptop’s cursor won’t stay still on screen, chances are the touchpad is the culprit: one wayward brush of your wrist and your cursor zooms all over the place. If you have a modern multi-touch touchpad, you may even experience a lot of unwanted scrolling or zooming.

To take control in any Windows version, press Win+R then type main.cpl and press Enter. Now select the Device Settings tab, click to select the touchpad and then click the Settings button. Available options vary, but you’ll definitely be able to disable the touchpad completely, or even just tweak its sensitivity so it ignores accidental input.

Dell E514dw

A cheap, quick laser printer for home or office

This multifunction printer (MFP) can print, scan and photocopy. Faxing isn’t included, but the 1990s are over, after all. It’s essentially an E310dw A4 laser printer with a flatbed scanner on top, and on top of that is a 35-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF), so you can scan or copy a long document in one go. Or you can lift the lid and place single item on the glass.