A few weeks ago, I purchased an old 11-inch MacBook Air. While it's handy to have a small and light computer to carry around when I travel, I ahem to admit I have a soft spot for good tech that gets superseded or dumped. And while that MacBook passes the "good enough" test for most jobs, I have found the battery life to be less than I need. So, I embarked on the process of replacing the MacBook Air's battery.

Even if you are building a brand new computer, odds are you have some old gear around the house you'd like to get as much life out of as possible. From phones to old laptops to old TVs, here are some tips to speed up and clean up your older tech.

Apple sauce is an excellent accompaniment to many treats (latkes, ham, roasted pork), but the store-bought stuff can be a little lacking. Luckily, you can easily jazz it up with stuff you probably already have in your fridge.

Ever been tempted to buy the latest shiny thing just because it has more features than its competitor? We call this "checkbox syndrome". It involves jumping at a new product just because it's an "upgrade", not because it's better. Before you fall for a list of tech specs designed to impress an audience during a big flashy announcement, stop and think about whether it's really an upgrade for you.

Dear Lifehacker,
Sierra is out today and some of the new features, like Siri, look pretty great. Of course, it seems like a small enough upgrade, but that doesn't mean things won't go bad. You've been using it, what do you think? Should I upgrade, or wait?

Apple's set to announce its new model of iPhone next week, which means it's time for that yearly upgrade consideration. If you do want to upgrade, selling off your old one before Apple's announcement is your best bet to get the most cash.

Sure, you can fly first class if you're willing to fork over the cash or your travel rewards. And it may be worth every cent. Even better than paying for first class, though, is getting it for free. If this has happened to you, we want to know your secret.

Dear Lifehacker, I'm trying to toss up whether it's worth upgrading my laptop from windows 8.1 to Windows 10. I've heard mixed reviews and don't want to make the wrong decision! Should I take the plunge? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Lifehacker, My phone's screen and battery are still great, but the dual-core processor is getting long in the tooth. Is there any way I can either upgrade the processor, or get it to draw on the much more powerful processor in my phone?

What's better than a fabulous holiday overseas? A fabulous holiday that kicks off with a complimentary upgrade so you don't have to endure the journey in cattle class. Here are 10 tried and tested ways to make that more likely.

Windows 10 is finally here. By now, you've seen some of its best new features and are probably wondering when to upgrade. For some, it's free, a great update, and a foregone conclusion. For others it's better to wait, or think about other options. Let's see where you fall.

Microsoft's new operating system officially launches on July 29. If you own a copy of Windows 7 or 8, you could be in line for a free upgrade. However, first you need to check whether your machine is up to the task. Here are the minimum hardware requirements for each version of the new OS.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is not a sensible policy when you're dealing with crucial IT gear. Follow these basic guidelines to ensure you're getting the maximum value from your equipment while minimising risk.

If you still have an old PC, you're in luck. A new Linux distribution based on Lubuntu will give any old PC a new lease on life, designed for non-technical users and optimised for popular web sites.

The question of whether or not to go for the upgrade or stick with the devil you know is an increasingly common contemporary dilemma; the lure of new features against the threat of potentially disabling a device that plays an important role in our lives.

Aching for a business-class upgrade? Qantas now has a new option called Bid Now Upgrades that give you a second chance at a better seat -- but it will cost you both points and money. Here is how it works.

On 8 April, Microsoft will officially cut off support, service, and security updates for Windows XP. It's been a long time coming, but depending on where you stand, it's either overdue or absolute Armageddon. If you're just coming out of the Windows XP world and need help, here are some tips to help you get your bearings.

Hi Lifehacker, I have an early 2011 15" MacBook Pro which is just about to hit its three-year anniversary. I have been thinking about upgrading it with a 500GB SSD, which will cost me about $380. I'm just not sure if it's worth the investment, or if I'd be better off selling it on eBay and putting that money plus the $380 towards a new Retina 13" MacBook Pro. Any thoughts?

Management invariably wants IT to be faster and cheaper and more reliable. Delivering that trifecta is almost impossible, but it's worth bearing in mind that improving raw performance doesn't always have to be the goal. You may need speed, but you probably don't need speed everywhere.