Kimber Streams

Senior Staff Writer at Wirecutter

Senior staff writer @wirecutter. Tweets, subtweets, and subpar tweets are my own. https://t.co/dyyu3cZlzZ

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Articles

We’ve Tested Hundreds of Windows Laptops. This Is the Best One.

4 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams

As prices rise, it’s even more difficult to decide which laptop will do what you need for the best price. Laptop companies are making big promises about AI features, and the end of support for Windows 10 is looming later this year. You shouldn’t buy a new laptop just for AI, but if you’re still using Windows 10, it’s time to consider an upgrade.
How to Avoid a Huge Customs Bill on a Cheap Online Order

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams

I might be the only person in America who recently placed an online order hoping to get a huge tariff bill. Let me explain. The de minimis exemption — which previously allowed all shipments under $800 to enter the US without additional fees — ended on May 2 for packages from China and Hong Kong. (For now, this exemption remains in place for other countries.) You may have seen some of the eye-popping customs bills posted by shoppers across Reddit and TikTok over the past couple of weeks.
The 7 Best Bluetooth and Wireless Keyboards of 2025

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams

A great wireless keyboard can reduce clutter on your desk and help you type faster and more comfortably—on your computer as well as on your tablet, your phone, or even your TV. After testing more than 80 wireless and Bluetooth keyboards over the years, we’ve found the Logitech Pop Icon Keys to be the best wireless keyboard because it’s enjoyable to type on, it’s versatile, and it has years-long battery life.
The 9 Best Brooms, Dustpans, and Dust Mops of 2025

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams |Ellen Airhart

Why you should trust usOver the years, we’ve researched 467 brooms, dustpans, and dust mops, and we’ve tested 69 models firsthand. We interviewed Debra Johnson, a home-cleaning expert with Merry Maids, and Green Cleaning Coach’s Leslie Reichert, a housekeeping expert who teaches people how to clean effectively and in environmentally friendly ways. We also surveyed hundreds of Wirecutter readers and organized a four-person testing panel for this guide’s debut, in 2014.
How to Make Your Old Computer Feel New Again

Feb 27, 2025 | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams

If you’ve had your computer for more than a few years, it might not feel as responsive as it did the day you bought it. Perhaps it’s slow to boot up, or apps take longer to launch and seem sluggish to use. But you might not need to buy a brand-new PC. In fact, to fix this problem you might not even need to spend any money at all. First, try these steps to clean up your old computer, and it may feel brand-new once again.
Why I Fell in Love With This Phone-Sized E-Reader

Dec 19, 2024 | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams

This phone-sized e-reader runs on Android, so you’re not limited to any one ebook store. You can also listen to music or audiobooks or use it as a distraction-free writing device. The Palma’s phone-sized form is friendlier and comfier to hold than a traditional e-reader, and it’s even more convenient to travel with and read on the go. (Or on the toilet, to be honest.)This thing is so dang cute—everyone who sees me with it asks about it.
The 50+ Best Cyber Monday Laptop Deals, According to Our Computer Expert

Nov 30, 2024 | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams

If you’ve been waiting to get a new laptop, this is the moment. We’ve seen some excellent sales on our picks, and we expect Cyber Monday to be the last big sale on computers this year. The challenge, of course, is making sure you’re getting a laptop that suits you and your work or gaming needs, as the case may be. That’s one reason I don’t recommend buying a so-called “AI PC” for promised features that haven’t yet launched. Instead, check out our picks for the best Cyber Monday laptop deals.
The 25+ Best Black Friday Laptop Deals, According to Our Computer Expert

Nov 28, 2024 | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams

Despite the confusion surrounding “AI PCs” and whether or not you need one, Black Friday is a great time to buy a laptop. We’ve seen some excellent sales on our recommended laptops this year, as manufacturers try to offload excess stock that accumulated in the years when fewer people needed to upgrade their laptops. Our main piece of advice as you look through these Black Friday laptop deals is to make sure you’re not buying a laptop for what it might do in the future.
The Best Laptops You Can Buy During October Prime Day, According to a Tech Expert

Oct 7, 2024 | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams

Right now is a particularly confusing time to buy a laptop. This year alone, laptop makers have released dozens of so-called “AI PCs” that make big claims about improving your creativity and productivity with fancy artificial intelligence features. The thing is, many of those promises are still just that. So don’t buy a laptop for what it might do in the future. Instead, we recommend buying one of our picks: They’re reliable, they feel great to use every day, and they’ll last for years to come.
Every Device Will Die Eventually. Here’s How to Shop for a New One More Sustainably.

Apr 22, 2024 | nytimes.com | Kimber Streams

No matter how well you treat your phone or laptop, eventually you will need a new one. And every gadget has an environmental impact. Most of that impact comes from the raw materials that are extracted from the earth and the energy used to turn those materials into a device that you can use. There are also the impacts of shipping it to you, the effects of using it daily, and what happens to a device when it becomes e-waste.