Ben Stegner

Location

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

School

Grove City College

Expertise

Windows troubleshooting, Jargon explainers, Scam breakdowns

Ben has written more than 1,800 articles over a 12-year career, covering every aspect of tech from OS explainers to new security threats to the latest gaming consoles.
He attended CES 2019 and 2020 to report on the coolest hardware releases, filtering through the noise and hype to show readers what's actually worth caring about.
He's built several desktop PCs and helps friends with computer problems regularly, working through the same issues he writes about in articles.

Experience

Ben began writing for MakeUseOf while he was still in college, becoming a full-time freelancer after a short stint in IT. Over 12 years, he took on a variety of roles, from Deputy Editor to Onboarding Manager and eventually Editor in Chief. He's as comfortable writing and editing himself as he is training people to build those skills. Now as a freelancer for Engadget, Ben explains how to get more out of the tech you use every day. He cuts through hype to help you get familiar with your devices and troubleshoot problems, and he makes the world of gaming more accessible too — all in his signature approachable style. Elsewhere on the web, Ben got his start with an independent gaming podcast called "A Secret to Everybody", and has written for Nintendo Life.

Education

Ben earned a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems from Grove City College, along with a minor in sociology.

Engadget Editorial Policies

The unique content on Engadget is a result of skilled collaboration between writers and editors with broad journalistic, academic, and practical expertise.

In pursuit of our mission to provide accurate and ethical coverage, the Engadget editorial team consistently fact-checks and reviews site content to provide readers with an informative, entertaining, and engaging experience. Click here for more information on our editorial process.

Stories By Ben Stegner

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Accessories

Accessories By Ben Stegner

Which USB adapters should you actually keep in 2026?

As USB-C becomes the standard across most devices, it's time to go through that drawer full of USB adapters and toss those you no longer need.
By Ben Stegner Read More
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Entertainment

Entertainment By Ben Stegner

Common problems with Bluetooth speakers and how to fix them

Struggling with audio dropout or finnicky pairing? Ensure these common Bluetooth speaker problems aren't getting in the way of your auditory delights.
By Ben Stegner Read More
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Apple

Apple By Ben Stegner

How to create and delete stickers on your iPhone

iPhone stickers are a clever way to make conversations more personal and fun, but a good sticker library requires creating new and deleting old, overused ones.
By Ben Stegner Read More
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Apple

Apple By Ben Stegner

Apple CarPlay isn't working in your car? Here's what to check first

Apple's CarPlay is a convenient way to listen to music or safely use navigation, but it can be a finnicky system that requires the occasional troubleshooting.
By Ben Stegner Read More
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Apple

Apple By Ben Stegner

How long is a new MacBook actually supposed to last?

Hardware obsoletion or ended support are significant considerations when buying a new laptop, so just how long can you expect a new MacBook to last?
By Ben Stegner Read More