Need recommendations for the best Chromebooks, board games, USB-C docks, and more?

[View this email in your browser]( [Open Ars Technica in your browser]( [Ars Orbital HQ] [Chromebooks]( We'd love the Wirecutter even if its staff didn't include a bunch of Ars staffers emeritus. A site with a passion for hardware and the know-how/means to put said gear through practical, rigorous testing is a site near and dear to our hearts. (We even formerly [co-published Wirecutter guides]( once upon a time.) Ars will never be the Wirecutter—we do way too many in-depth single device reviews and cover plenty of topics beyond consumer tech—but last year we were inspired to take the site's lead and create our Guidemaster series, essentially compilation reviews of a bunch of releases within a single gadget topic in order to let readers know Ars' top few recommendations. So far, these have included some of what you'd expect: laptops ([Chrome OS]( or [Windows]( [earbuds]( [smartwatches]( [devices with Amazon's Alexa]( etc. But our Guidemasters can get more esoteric, too. Need to know what a [home office requires]( or [every Alexa skill worth enabling]( perhaps? So for this week's Orbital Transmission, we're rounding up a few of our favorite Guidemasters thus far (yes, you can consider this newsletter a Guidermaster to Ars' Guidemasters). If you have a particular product category stumping you currently that deserves the Ars treatment, [let us know](mailto:social@arstechnica.com). But in the meantime, brace yourselves for some imminent Amazon wish listing. Note: Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through [affiliate programs](. —[@NathanMattise]( [Advertisement]( [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Powered by Live Intent]( [Ad Choices]( Orbital Transmission 04.25.2019 [Wireless charging pads]( [Qi wireless charging pads]( are a no-brainer, choosing one is not Wireless charging has a long way to go before it replaces wired charging, but the technology has advanced dramatically in the past few years. It really can be as easy as those new Samsung ads imply—simply place your device on a charging pad or stand and let it sit. Within a few minutes, you'll have more battery power. Quite a bit of technology goes into making an accessory that makes your life that much easier, so don't be fooled by these minimalist exteriors—there are a number of things you should know before investing in a wireless charging pad. Luckily, Ars [tested out some of the most popular devices]( available to see which are worth buying. [The world of Android phones]( Over 400 Android devices arrived last year alone, [so pick these]( It's often said that a strength of the Android ecosystem is the sheer number of manufacturers out there producing devices, but that also means there is an absolutely intimidating amount of devices to pick from. Over 400 Android devices were released just in 2018—and the idea of buying a single device and then living with it for years can be daunting. Throw in tons of different price points, carrier compatibility, and user preferences, and "What Android phone should I buy?" can be a very complicated question. (We haven't even mentioned the varying degrees of crapware or varying time frames for security updates, sigh.) Luckily, Ars Android Guru Ron Amadeo has tinkered with virtually all of the notable new Android phones in recent years, and he took the time to share [his favorite devices for a wide range of needs](. [Behold: USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 docks]( Allow Ars to connect you with a [capable connectivity dock]( As built-in ports continue to disappear and USB standards become even more of [an alphabet soup]( the need for basic connectivity docks—boxy devices punctured by USB-As, HDMIs, DisplayPorts, and SD card readers that connect to your PC through USB-C—is growing. While this may appear to be a straightforward situation (what's the difference between one SD card box and another, anyway?), we've found [not all docks are created equal](. There are definitely a few key features users should look for when determining which option is best to bridge the gap between your PC and everything you want to use with it. [Board games]( Everything [you need to know (and play)]( in modern board games Our rigorous testing isn't limited to tech hardware—sometimes the Ars team goes analogue, too. Since the inception of Ars Cardboard (our board game reviewing team), we've put together [annual guides that cover the gamut of genres]( family and new games, two-player titles, party favorites, cards, heavier strategy, etc. Gift-giving season isn't the only time to study up, either. Sometimes modern classics you should be aware of—like [Gloomhaven]( on sale unexpectedly. Build your dream library now. [Advertisement]( [Image not meant for display] [Image not meant for display] [Powered by Live Intent]( [Ad Choices]( [Facebook Logo]( [Twitter Logo]( [YouTube Logo]( [Instagram Logo]( Copyright © 2019 Ars Technica / Condé Nast, All rights reserved. You are receiving our newsletter because you signed up at Ars Technica (). 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