Technology

It's a classic question in the world of electronic devices: can it run Doom? For a Raspberry Pi 3B+, the answer is a resounding yes. Doom is now more than 30 years old, so a more pertinent question is: can it run a local LLM? I took an LLM for a spin on a Raspberry Pi to see what was possible.

Most people who step outside of Windows and macOS assume Linux is the only alternative worth taking seriously. That's understandable, since Linux has a loyal community and many different distros. The operating systems covered here each exist because they solve something Linux can't. They also do it on hardware you already own without handing data to Microsoft or Apple.

Flashforge has been a stalwart in the 3D printer industry for many years now, but the Creator 5 Pro is the 3D printer to put them back on the map. With a heated (and HEPA13 filtered) chamber and four independent direct-drive print heads, the Flashforge Creator 5 Pro will be what ushers in a new era of 3D printing, and I'm here for it.

It's been another death-filled episode on House of the Dragon, with Season 3 so far doing a sterling job of upping the body count.

And speaking of body counts, how many men does moody Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) manage to single-handedly chop his way through in episode 6's opening sequence, before he's eventually slain by three arrows?

We rewatched the sequence and counted to see whether or not he really was "the realm's greatest warrior," as he professed to Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) in episode 5.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 3 family tree: How the Targaryens, Hightowers, and Velaryons connect What happens to Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 6?

First, a quick recap. After being in full emo mode for the entirety of the season so far, Cole finally reveals his plan to Ser Gwayne at the end of episode 5.

"Our fate was always assured, Ser Gwayne," says Cole. "When we set out we were doomed to death, and defeat."

Ser Gwayne tries to protest, repeating his offer of service to House Hightower. But Cole is having none of it.

Featured Video For You 'House of the Dragon' cast unpack Season 3, episode 2's biggest moments

"You have offered me service to your house," says Cole. "And I am grateful. But I've been a servant my whole life. To green or to black. I have defined myself by oaths. Through unyielding devotion. And the highborn have made much of me while it pleased them to do so. But I will not let them diminish me now. I will not return spurned, rejected. I am the realm's greatest warrior and I will die as such. Clear-eyed. Unbent. Glorious in battle. And not in their service. Finally. But in my own. And they will sing songs of it. And Queen Alicent herself will hear them."

It's a memorable speech, but how does Cole's vision of his own demise compare to the reality he faces one episode later?

How many men does Ser Criston Cole kill before dying?

One thing you can't deny when watching episode 6's opening sequence is that Cole clearly is a great warrior.

After he's ambushed by Oscar Tully's (Archie Barnes') troops he manages to single-handedly kill at least 10 men in under two minutes of fighting, while injuring multiple others.

Finally, after being surrounded and called out by Tully and Roddy the Ruin (Tommy Flanagan), Cole offers to fight both of them himself. Based on his performance in the preceding minutes it's a fight he'd likely win, but we never get to see it: Cole is instead shot dead by an archer, collapsing on the battlefield before his surviving men are swarmed.

So, does he die in the way he predicted one episode previously? Essentially, yes. He may have been one of the show's most hated characters, but the former Hand certainly goes out swinging.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

For all things House of the Dragon, Mashable has you covered.

TL;DR: Justice has launched a Garfield-themed back-to-school collection, including denim, character hoodies, and graphic tees. It's priced $14 to $38, available in kids' sizes XS to XLP exclusively at Walmart.

Does anyone else remember absolutely loving Garfield as a kid?

He's Monday-hating, lasagna-obsessed, and the most relatable cat in pop culture — and now Justice is bringing him back for a whole new generation of tweens. Justice just launched a Garfield-themed collection at Walmart, and Garfield has a timeless appeal that'll land with tweens even if they've never watched old cartoons.

The character-inspired collection features Garfield and friends across a range of apparel and sleep pieces built for lazy-Monday comfort with standout denim, cozy character hoodies, and graphic tees with fun designs.

Credit: Justice

Here's the full lineup:

• Girls Garfield X Justice Collab Baby Tee — $14

• Girls Garfield X Justice Fleece Short — $14

• Girls Garfield X Justice Plaid Skirt — $18

• Girls Garfield X Justice Skirt with Chain — $18

• Girls Garfield X Justice Graphic Hoodie — $22

• Girls Garfield X Justice Plaid Dress — $25–$38

• Girls Garfield X Justice Collab Jeans — $26

• Girls Garfield X Justice Collab Denim Shortall — $35

• Girls Garfield X Justice Collab Bomber Jacket — $38

Justice built its reputation on giving tweens fun, expressive fashion, and pairing that with a character as universally loved as Garfield feels like an easy win. It's also priced affordably and available exclusively at Walmart, so it's an easy add to your back-to-school shopping list.

Grab the full Garfield X Justice collection at Walmart while it's in stock.

TL;DR: Blvck Paris and UNO have launched their second collaboration, headlined by a fully blacked-out UNO deck featuring a new "Black Out" gameplay rule — players race to slap the card, with the slowest drawing four. It's priced from $25 and available online at Blvck Paris.

Blvck Paris and UNO are back for round two, headlined by an all-black UNO deck that reworks the game itself. It's not just a color swap either — Blvck reworked the deck with monochromatic detailing, premium packaging, and introduced a brand-new "Black Out" rule that adds a fun twist to how the game plays.

Here's how it works: when the Black Out card gets played, every player has to race to slap it, and whoever's slowest ends up drawing four cards. It also doubles as a Wild Card, so whoever plays it also gets to pick the next color. It's a small addition that turns a casual round of UNO into even more chaos in the best way.

And honestly? UNO deserves this level of attention. It's one of those rare games from childhood that never actually left — we all still play it as adults, whether it's at a family gathering, a game night with friends, or just killing time on a trip. This isn't just a one-time novelty either — it's a collab that's earned a second round.

Credit: Blvck Paris / UNO

The collection also includes apparel and accessories: an oversized Reverse Hoodie and a Reverse Tee, both reworking UNO's directional arrow branding through Blvck's minimal aesthetic, a vegan leather Mini Travel Bag, and a small headwear collection, including a baseball cap with subtle co-branded detailing.

Prices range from $25 to $160, with sizes running XS to 2XL, and everything's available now at Blvck.

Some black cards? Cool. All-black cards? Iconic. Grab the all-black deck at Blvck Paris before it's gone.

TL;DR: The Samsung 40-inch Odyssey G7 curved gaming monitor is on sale for $649.99 at Amazon, down from its $999.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung 40-inch Odyssey G7 (G75F) $649.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $350   Get Deal

A 40-inch ultrawide monitor can usually bump the cost of upgrading your gaming rig, but Amazon is now ready to save you hundreds of dollars on Samsung’s curved Odyssey G7. 

As of July 27, the Samsung 40-inch Odyssey G7 G75F curved gaming monitor is available at Amazon for $649.99, with $350 knocked off the $999.99 list price for a huge 35% discount. Sold and shipped directly by Amazon, you’ll get free delivery, scheduled for Aug. 1 (at the time of writing), or July 28 for Prime members. That’s with free 30-day returns.

With its 40-inch VA panel, using a 21:9 aspect ratio and 5,120 x 2,160 WUHD resolution, you’re buying a much wider field of view than a regular 16:9 monitor while keeping the vertical detail of a 4K screen. Add the 1,000R curve, and anything you play — between League of Legends and the upcoming Beast of Reincarnation or Marvel: TOKON Fighting Souls — will be more immersive and jaw-dropping than ever. 

SEE ALSO: The best monitors in 2025

The Odyssey G7 is quick enough for all manner of sessions with other multiplayer games. Its 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms GtG response time should make movement feel smoother and far more immediate in games like Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, or Call of Duty. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro helps keep the monitor and a compatible GPU in check by reducing screen tearing, stuttering, and distracting frame breaks when the action speeds up multiple fast-moving assets.

What’s more, visual quality gets a further boost from VESA DisplayHDR 600, which is designed to produce brighter highlights, deeper blacks, and clearer detail in darker areas. That should help cinematic games make even better use of their lighting, while the 3,000:1 contrast ratio gives the VA panel more depth than a basic office screen. 

There is practical value outside gaming, too. Picture-by-Picture can display two sources side by side, while Picture-in-Picture lets you keep a smaller input visible over the main screen. Auto Source Switch+ can also jump to a newly activated device without making you cycle through inputs manually. 

SAVE $80: As of July 27, the GoPro LIT Hero is on sale for $189.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: GoPro GoPro LIT Hero $189.99 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $80   Get Deal

GoPro has been the go-to brand for action cameras for years, and for good reason. They're built to handle all kinds of activities, from extreme sports to more daring water activities.

If you've been wanting to treat yourself to a GoPro for your next outing, check out this new Amazon deal on the GoPro LIT Hero. As of July 27, this camera is now priced at $189.99, saving you $80 on the list price. And according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the best-ever price for this model.

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If you've never used an outdoor camera or similar equipment before, this one is a great choice to start with. It's an entry-level action camera with simple, easy-to-use controls. It lets you easily switch between video, photo, and slow-motion modes using an easy touchscreen interface, and its robust, waterproof design allows it to be used in mud, snow, and water at depths of up to 5 meters.

The camera quality is great too, recording 4K Ultra HD video at up to 60fps for smoother footage and supporting 2x slow-motion playback. It can also capture 12MP images, and you can also extract photos of up to 11MP from recorded videos through the GoPro Quik app.

Find this GoPro deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $270: As of July 27, the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's a 49% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum $279.96 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $270.03   Get Deal

There’s a reason robot vacuums are becoming a staple in so many homes. Who can resist a device that reduces your housework and keeps your floors clean all day long?

If you're shopping around for something, there are many devices to consider, with prices ranging from the low hundreds to thousands of dollars. But if you're looking for a reliable option from a trustworthy brand, check out this latest Amazon deal on the Shark AV2501S AI Ultra robot vacuum.

As of July 27, this robot vacuum is down to $279.99 from $549.99. That saves you $270, almost half off the full price.

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And this vacuum really does make life easier for you. It even has a self-emptying, bagless design that can hold up to 30 days of dirt and debris. And if you have pets at home, loose hair stands no chance against its self-cleaning brushroll and strong suction.

You'll also get a runtime of up to 120 minutes, so you'll get a large area cleaned before it automatically returns to recharge. When it's back up and running, it remembers where it left off and will resume the clean again. You can even schedule cleans or start cleaning sessions and control the robot using voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, so you don't need to get up to run this machine.

Convinced yet? Get this robot vacuum deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $600: As of July 27, the Aiper Scuba V3 is on sale for $799.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Aiper Aiper Scuba V3 $799.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $600   Get Deal

Robot pool cleaners are a welcome assistant when summer arrives, and pool maintenance becomes a more regular task.

Designed to tackle dirt, leaves, and debris with minimal effort, they can help keep your pool swim-ready throughout the season. There are many to choose from, but if you're looking for an impressive model at a great price, then the Aiper Scuba V3 is currently on sale at Amazon. Normally $1,399.99,this model is currently reduced to $799.99. That's a $600 savings, and it's the lowest-ever price.

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So how does it work? This cordless robotic pool cleaner uses an AI-powered camera system to navigate and identify more than 20 types of debris, helping to clean your pool floor more efficiently. Its Cognitive AI Navium Mode analyzes factors such as pool size, weather, and previous cleaning history to create automatic weekly cleaning schedules, too.

After it's done cleaning, the robot returns to the waterline and sends you a notification through the app to tell you it's ready. It also comes with a wireless charging dock that requires no installation, so when it's done, you can just place the cleaner on the dock to recharge and store it between uses.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

SAVE OVER $20: As of July 27, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids 16GB (in select covers) has been marked down to $154.99 at Amazon. That's $25 off its full price of $179.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (16GB) $154.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $25   Get Deal

The Kindle is a great investment for avid readers, as a digital library means you can stock up on tons of exciting books without clogging up your shelves. Kindles are some of our favorite e-readers, and if you're shopping for a younger reader in your life, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is our top pick.

For a limited time, you can save on the 16GB model at Amazon. The retailer has knocked the Kindle Paperwhite Kids with select covers — cyber city and starfish — down to $154.99. That saves you $25 off their original price of $179.99.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

With 16GB of storage, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids has plenty of space for children to fill up with their favorite novels. It features a glare-free, 7-inch Paperwhite display with a higher contrast ratio and an adjustable warm light that makes reading at all times of the day feel comfortable on the eyes. Plus, it's waterproof, which is a big win if you're taking it on a summer trip to the beach or pool.

Mashable's Samantha Mangino had high praise for this model in our roundup of the best Kindles, writing: "What makes it great for kids is that it's a distraction-free device. It doesn't come with ads, notifications, or the temptation of games or video." She adds: "Parental controls are easy to use and set up, and the device also comes with a six-month free subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides unlimited access to thousands of age-appropriate books."

This limited-time deal may not last long, so act fast to save on the Kindle Paperwhite Kids 16GB at Amazon.

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Props to Elizabeth Meriwether. The creator of New Girl and Dying for Sex had me hooked with the opening sequence of her latest, Furious.

Set in New York City, a quaint but posh block of brownstones is peopled by trick-or-treaters in costumes. On one stone stoop sits a redheaded woman, wearing a plastic cat mask. It'd be a cozy scene, except the opening shot has shown us what lies behind the door she's sitting in front of. There, a white man wheezes in a bathroom spattered with blood and bile. Using one arm, he desperately pulls himself into a hardwood-floored hallway decorated with crown moulding. All around him are silent indicators of wealth, but he is covered in the squalid fluids of sweat, vomit, and blood.

The woman will come inside to find him falling down the stairs in a pathetic attempt to escape her. She'll kill him swiftly, getting close and taunting him as death rattles creep from his dehydrated lips.

"I don't really like listening to you," she says softly, curling up close, like a lover might on a soft bed. "I don't like the sounds you're making. But I love your smile."

And just like that, I was hooked.

While Hulu subscribers will get to watch the first three episodes of Furious when it premieres on July 27, critics were given the whole first season, which is eight episodes long. And I watched them all in one day.

Be warned: This show is a brutal binge-watch. But also a deeply satisfying one.

What's Furious about? Emmy Rossum and Quincy Tyler Bernstine in "Furious." Credit: Disney / Sarah Shatz

Furious centers on former Brooklyn detective-turned-FBI agent Alice Black (Emmy Rossum). She's a new recruit to the New York office, but has her eye on a spot in the sex crimes unit, run by tough-talking veteran agent Nora (Quincy Tyler Bernstine). She and Nora team up once Alice spots a strange connection between the aforementioned crime scene and the supposed overdose death of a suspected child trafficker.

Turns out the guy in the opening is the son of a billionaire philanthropist. So both the FBI and the Brooklyn PD are on the case. This tosses Alice back into her old squad, where she's made enemies over a domestic violence allegation against another detective. Still loyal to her is detective Danny Kelly (Scoot McNairy), who's eager to follow her on what she believes is a serial killer case. And with a female suspect, it's an unusual case indeed.

Meanwhile, the unnamed killer (Lola Petticrew) drifts from one identity to another. Over the first three episodes, she changes her hair, speech, affect, and name to move from the brownstone to a domestic violence shelter to a catering gig that gets her close to her next target.

Meriwether found inspiration for the series in the 1987 neo-noir Black Widow, which centered on the cat-and-mouse dynamic of a female investigator and a female serial killer. The chaotic chemistry of that setup blossoms in Furious. But in place of the gold digger turned black widow narrative, Meriwether's murderess is soon revealed to be a former sex worker, seeking vengeance against those who exploited her as a child.

Furious tackles horrid realities with a shrewd sensitivity. Credit: Disney / Sarah Shatz

While this series deals in child exploitation and sexual assault, Meriwether and her team of sharp directors won't make a spectacle of rape. Rather than flashbacks of the killer's past, Meriwether uses other storytelling devices to land the horrors of what happened without showing them.

Some things are subtle, like when Alice and Nora speak to a 15-year-old fast food employee, urging her to testify against other traffickers. The girl's playful attitude reflects her youth, and when she's later found beaten nearly to death, her stillness on a hospital bed expresses the potential consequences of trying to escape a sex-trafficking ring. Likewise, in episode 2, the killer, whose name is eventually revealed to be Catherine, unexpectedly encounters Mira (Riley Vinson), the baby-faced daughter of her current victim.

Rather than attacking her, they bond over food, boy talk, and hairstyling. And in these moments of girlhood, Catherine tells Mira about her past. Specifically, Catherine reveals how she was this child's age when men had sex with her and hurt her, over and over. We don't need to see a flashback of Catherine's life to understand that. We need only to see her fury and the shock in Mira's face.

As the title suggests, fury motivates more than just Catherine. Alice and Nora are also urged on by ire. Meriwether pulls inspiration from Greek mythology, with Nora delivering powerful speeches about the Furies — deities of vengeance — as well as Medusa, and the culture's belief that all forms of anger might lead to madness.

This poetry enhances the complexities in Furious, where both hero and villain have trauma over violence committed against them, and a capacity for violence in response. Who is seeking payback, and who is seeking justice? As corruption creeps into the plot, playing by the book feels certain to fail in terms of catching the show's biggest bads. So, Alice begins to take risks and break rules, making for sequences that are breath-stoppingly tense.

Rossum and Petticrew lead a knock-out cast. Lola Petticrew in "Furious." Credit: Disney / Sarah Shatz

For her part, Rossum, who also serves a producer, shoulders the series. As Alice, she carries a hardened exterior as a shield. But she swaps it for a smile when appealing to young victims. Then, with Nora, her eyes grow wide, eager to drink up her wisdom and any motherly guidance. With Danny, she's playful, but in the way of an older sister, always with an edge of "Don't fuck with me" menace. Faced with her abuser (Jake Lacy), she transforms again — to say how would be a spoiler. So, who will she be when she finally meets Catherine? All I'll say is that that episode is absolutely electrifying.

Like Rossum, Petticrew is playing a role of many sides. Catherine is practically a shapeshifter, a survival mechanism that allows her to slide into anonymity or stand out as suits her needs. One moment, she's a sneering murderess. The next, she's a flirty cater waiter with a submission kink. Then, she's a sultry cam girl or a committed nurse's aid. In each incarnation, Petticrew keeps us guessing, trying to understand who the real Catherine is.

Along the way to this discovery, Furious introduces an array of characters who, like the leads, are morally complex and fascinating. McNairy is heartbreaking as the earnest Danny, who'd die for Alice — and just might. With a hang-dog countenance and sparkling eyes, his yearning is so palpable you can practically grab onto it and feel a heartbeat within.

As Nora, Bernstine is a consistent scene-stealer. She delivers hard-hitting monologues about the shortcomings of the justice system with a profound world-weariness. But in moments of seeming victory, she has a childlike glee with a mature sense of righteousness. She sings — a bit inexplicably — throughout the series, and it's always a delight. And even in the darkest moments, she's wickedly funny. Nora is perhaps the clearest distillation of the curious concoction Meriwether has made with Furious. She is not easily defined as good or bad, hopeful or cynical, kind or cruel. And this is true for many of the show's "good guys," and even some of its "bad guys."

At her side, Rob Yang is hilarious as an ambitious but easily riled agent, whose brown-nosing practically becomes physical comedy. Rob Delaney, who also appeared in Meriwether's Dying for Sex, is likewise a crack-up, but also sleazy as a pricey lawyer with a creepy hypocrisy at his core. Then, the biggest surprise in the supporting case is Steve Way.

Ramy fans will recognize Way, but he was new to me. In episode three, he's introduced as Alden, who Catherine cares for as a nurse's aide. As the season goes along, their relationship becomes crucial to understanding Catherine. Together, they laugh, flirt, and talk in a way that's bracingly honest and accepting. When someone challenges him about her potential for violence, he alludes to a classic closing line from Some Like It Hot, saying, "No one's perfect." But Way's delivery is perfect. He's brilliantly funny, bringing a welcomed levity and defiance to Furious's grim content.

Altogether, this collision of talent, richness, and humanity in front of and behind the camera makes Furious an absolute stunner. Meriwether has built a slow-burn thriller, where the cop and the killer share a complicated relationship with violence. The murder scenes of men are brutal, but this provides a strange balance to the flood of media where the rape of women is treated like a naughty spectacle. The exploration of trauma and the messiness of healing is thoughtful and thought-provoking. The humor is dark yet humane. And the finale will have you cheering, gasping, and craving more.

Without spoilers, I will promise this: Furious answers the biggest questions its first season raises. Then, it gives a glimpse of where it could go next. And — to quote another TV heroine who's complex and funny — I want to go to there.

The first three episodes of Furious debut on Hulu on July 27, with new episodes every Monday through Aug. 31. 

TL;DR: uTalk teaches practical vocabulary with recordings from native speakers across more than 150 languages. Get lifetime access for $69.97 (reg. $300).

Opens in a new window Credit: uTalk uTalk Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (150+ Languages) $69.97
$300 Save $230.03   Get Deal

Some language apps are great for keeping a streak alive. uTalk is built to help you actually communicate. Learn practical words and phrases from native speakers across more than 150 languages with a lifetime subscription for $69.97 (reg. $300).

Knowing individual words is one thing. Being able to order dinner, ask for directions, or make small talk on your next trip is another. uTalk focuses on the second approach, teaching practical words and phrases spoken by actual locals.

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Instead of asking you to spend weeks mastering grammar before saying your first sentence, uTalk starts with vocabulary you’ll use in the real world. Lessons cover more than 60 real-world topics, from introducing yourself and asking for help to navigating airports, restaurants, hotels, and everyday conversations. Every word and phrase is recorded by native speakers, so you’re learning how the language actually sounds, not just how it looks on the page.

The app also lets you learn at your own pace with speaking games, progress tracking, and bite-sized lessons that fit into a commute or coffee break. Whether you’re preparing for an overseas vacation, relocating for work, connecting with relatives, or simply picking up a new hobby, it’s easy to squeeze in a few minutes of practice without feeling like you’re back in school.

A single lifetime subscription offers more than 150 languages, including widely spoken options like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Arabic, and Japanese, alongside less commonly taught languages such as Hawaiian, Greenlandic, Breton, and Ancient Greek. From a weekend in Paris to a business trip in Seoul, you’ll already have the language tools waiting.

Normally $300, you can grab a lifetime subscription to uTalk for only $69.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Upgrade to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for $9.97 through Aug. 2 and unlock enterprise-grade features with a one-time purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97
$199 Save $189.03   Get Deal

Some upgrades just feel right. This is one of them.

If your PC has been running a little sluggish or you’ve been meaning to bring your system up to speed, Windows 11 Pro is just $9.97 (reg. $199) through 11:59 p.m. PT on Aug. 2 — a rare, time-sensitive offer that rewards quick, savvy decisions.

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This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s more about giving your computer the modern foundation it deserves. Windows 11 Pro brings a sleeker UI, better multitasking, and enhanced security — all in a one-time lifetime license.

Think of it as the difference between driving a reliable car and suddenly upgrading to one with a smarter dashboard, smoother handling, and built-in security features.

For professionals, creators, and power users, this upgrade also unlocks features like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, and seamless Azure AD integration — tools that make a real difference when you’re working across projects or managing sensitive data.

And yes, Windows 11 comes with Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant that can summarize pages, change settings, or even help you generate code on the fly. It’s like having a co-pilot (literally) inside your OS.

But you don’t need convincing — you already know a smart upgrade when you see one.

Get Windows 11 Pro for just $9.97 (reg. $199) through Aug. 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Score your own Apple MacBook Pro for only $429.97 (reg. $1,999) now through August 9, while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 2020 (Refurbished) $429.97
$1,999 Save $1,569.03   Get Deal

Whether you’re headed back to school soon or you’re just trying to power through a serious summer slump, sometimes you just need a new laptop. When it comes to powerful and portable devices that help you get things done, you can’t beat the MacBook Pro — but it usually comes with a sky-high price tag.

Fortunately, just in time for the end of summer, you can now get one for $429.97.

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If you’re looking for a laptop that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, you can’t beat the MacBook Pro. This one is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with a 2 GHz base speed for smooth multitasking and Turbo Boost up to 3.8 GHz, so it’s ready to keep up with demanding workloads.

1TB of SSD storage gives you plenty of space to store files locally and download your favorite apps, with room to grow. You’ll also have 16GB of RAM that can keep up with video editing and coding.

A 13.3-inch display delivers bright colors and sharp details with a 2560×1600 native resolution, and Intel Iris Plus Graphics offer enhanced visuals when you need to work on anything creative. Apple’s signature True Tone Technology even helps reduce eye strain by adjusting the screen’s color based on your lighting.

This model has a Magic Keyboard complete with the Touch Bar, so you’ll experience responsive typing and easy access to shortcuts right at the top. Touch ID also keeps your device safe, so you’ll need fingerprint authentication to log in.

You’ll have an impressive 10-hour battery life on a full charge, with four Thunderbolt 3 ports for easy connectivity.

You’re saving big on this device thanks to its Grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition, while you score a deep discount.

Bring home this Apple MacBook Pro for only $429.97 until Aug. 9, while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

AdultFriendFinder has been hooking people up for 30 years, having long established itself as the top adult dating site — and the go-to place for singles who want casual flings and hookups. AFF has stayed strong through major changes in the dating game and online culture. It's survived the emergence of dating apps, weathered the dominance of apps such as Tinder, and maintained a unique identity to stand out in the hugely crowded and competitive field of online dating. 

If you're looking to let your freak flag fly — and why not, we say, go for it — AFF offers you the best variety of ways to explore and indulge in kink-based fun. To help get you started, here's a round-up of six great features on AdultFriendFinder — features you won't find on any other dating sites.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Naked content

The first thing to notice when you register for an AFF account (and you could hardly miss it) is that the site doesn't exactly shy away from nudity. You'll find it in every corner of AFF and throughout its interface. Indeed, it's very common for users' profile photos to contain genitalia close-ups or full-frontal nudity rather than the usual headshot you get on more typical dating sites. 

You can also post videos on your profile, including explicit videos, and there are webcam feeds live at any given time with amateur and professional models in various states of undress and pleasure. 

If you find yourself distracted by all of the nudity or just want to browse the site in public without having NSFW imagery all over your screen, you can turn on the adult content filter by navigating to your profile settings in the top right of the screen, then scrolling down to Content Filter and selecting either No Nudity, Some Nudity, or Everything (the default setting, naturally). Though it's worth adding that it's probably best to avoid checking AFF while you're out in public, no matter what filters you have in place.

Live webcam feeds

We know that webcam sites are rife — there's no shortage of options for cam-based naughtiness — but it's rare to find an actual dating site that hosts live webcam feeds. Indeed, you'll find not just professional models but also regular users on AFF webcam feeds.

All you need to do is go to the Live Action menu at the top of your AFF window and click either Member Webcams or Pro Models. Once you've selected your preference, there are even more specific search filters, including gender (Men, Women, or Trans), Nude or Non-Nude, and even by proximity to your location.

SEE ALSO: The Looksmaxxing Glossary: Every term you need to understand the internet's most unhinged subculture

One thing to note, however: while free members can view webcam feeds (including more than one at a time), only Gold members and above can actually chat with models.

Discussion forums, blogs, and group chats

Unlike traditional dating sites, which only seek to match people in one-on-one interactions, AdultFriendFinder encourages group dynamics, especially in their Community section. Here you'll find not only personal blog posts by AFF users commenting on their experience, sharing stories, or posting queries, but also group discussion boards organized around literally hundreds of interesting topics. 

Many of these are sexual in nature (there's a polyamory group, for example, and a "women who like older men" group), but many are organized around interests and hobbies, including politics, tech, travel, movies, and music. 

Best of all, you can participate in these communal discussions without having to subscribe to AFF's Gold membership, which helps to keep these places more lively than they would otherwise be if only paying members could access these spaces. 

Erotic stories

Fun fact: erotic fiction now accounts for approximately 25 percent of all fiction sold in the United States, so it's hardly surprising that erotic writing ("literotica" for those in the know) would be a major draw. What is surprising, however, is how few online dating sites take advantage of it.

AdultFriendFinder members who wish to read or write sexy stories, real or imagined, can navigate to the Community menu and select Stories, where they'll uncover a near-unlimited array of stories, novels, fan fiction, and even erotic poetry. 

SEE ALSO: The 10 best free dating apps to find your spring fling

If you're feeling adventurous, you can explore the stories at random, but AFF also deploys a clever tagging system that allows you to search by topic, with popular options including First Time, Sci-Fi, TSTV (trans and transvestite), and Voyeur. 

Popular stories achieve higher ratings and greater on-site visibility, and popular authors can actually build a large following on the site, so whether you're eager to read more erotic fiction or aspire to write some, AFF has you covered. 

Contests

One of the more fun aspects of AdultFriendFinder is that it genuinely seeks to cultivate a sense of community and actively encourages its users to spend more time on the site, especially in the public-facing sections. Their on-site contests are a fantastic example of this in action. 

About once per month, the site hosts a themed photo contest, asking members to submit photos and then allowing the rest of the site to vote on which submissions best reflect or embody the contest caption. 

SEE ALSO: All your Tinder questions, answered

The most recent photo contest theme was "Velvet Secrets: Valentine's Masquerade," while prior contests included "Naughty & Nice" for the holidays and "Midnight Mischief." Winners get a special badge they can display on their profile, plus tons more profile visibility, so there's a strong incentive to participate. 

To enter, scroll to the Community menu and then find Contests at the very bottom of the options list. If there's an active contest and you are logged in to your account, you'll be given the option of participating.

Kink-based profile search

Every online dating site or app has a profile section, where you can fill out pertinent personal information such as your sexual orientation, level of education, and whatever hobbies, interests, or special skills you have that might make you stand out from the crowd, but AdultFriendFinder takes things a step further by offering members the opportunity to list their kinks.

If you navigate to your profile name in the top right of your AFF screen and then select Dating Profile and Edit Profile, you'll have the opportunity to add to your My Kinks section. Popular options here include BDSM, voyeurism, and cross-dressing, but the full list is far more extensive.

SEE ALSO: How to use the internet to figure out what you’re into in bed

Best of all, these kink lists aren't merely decorative. If you have a premium account, you can actually search out other members by their chosen kinks, allowing you to find the people in your area who like exhibitionism or have a foot fetish, for example. 

There's no shortage of online dating sites, and even no shortage of hookup-first sites, but when it comes to adult dating, AFF clearly separates itself from the competition with its wide array of kink-friendly features and accommodations. 

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Commander Deck Bundle is on sale for $209.95 at Amazon, down from its $299.96 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Commander Deck Bundle $209.95 at Amazon
$299.96 Save $90.01 Get Deal

Building one Commander deck in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game can take plenty of time, but this Marvel Super Heroes bundle skips straight to the part where everyone chooses a side and actually starts playing. 

As of July 27, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Commander Deck Bundle is available at Amazon for $209.95. That's $90.01 off and the lowest price this four-deck set has ever been, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

The listing is sold and shipped directly by Amazon, with free delivery currently scheduled for Aug. 1, or July 29 for Prime members. Amazon is also marking the bundle as a final sale with no returns, so it is worth checking that you want all four decks before ordering. 

At this price, the bundle works out to roughly $52.49 per Commander deck before tax. What’s more, this new deal is even undercutting the market price value of $218.36 on TCGplayer, with listings only going as low as $218.90. 

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The bundle includes Avengers Assemble, Wakanda Forever, The Fantastic Four, and Doom Prevails. Each is a ready-to-play 100-card Commander deck, meaning four players can pick a Marvel team or villain lineup and get into a multiplayer game without building anything first.

Every deck also contains 30 cards that are entirely new to Magic: The Gathering, along with 10 double-sided token cards, a deck box, a strategy guide, and a reference card. Altogether, that gives you 400 playable cards and 40 tokens across the bundle.

The foil treatment differs slightly between the four decks. Avengers Assemble, Wakanda Forever, and Doom Prevails each include one Traditional Foil Borderless commander, while The Fantastic Four comes with four — one for every member of the team.

For anyone still getting used to parts of MTG, Commander is designed as a free-for-all multiplayer format and is generally best with three to five players. That makes this bundle a particularly easy way to put together a complete Marvel-themed game night, with four distinct decks already built around their own heroes, villains, gear, and strategies.

Among other deals in MTG right now, you can still grab the Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Draft Night on sale for just over $80. Plus, you can pre-order the 30-pack Magic: The Gathering Reality Fracture Play Booster Box at $10 off on Amazon. 

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is on sale for $48.43 at Amazon, down from its $59.99 list price. 

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle $48.43 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $11.56   Get Deal

The Chaos Rising expansion has been fluctuating around the $50-60 mark in the Pokémon TCG market lately, but Amazon’s latest third-party listing has pushed the six-pack Booster Bundle down for a limited time.

As of July 27, the Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is available at Amazon for $48.43. That's $11.56 cut from the $59.99 list price.

Sold at that price by third-party sellers, delivery is set between July 30 and Aug. 17, although a slightly more expensive listing by J & M Collectibles (shipped by Amazon) for $52.49 will get to you by Aug. 1 at the time of writing. At $48.43, each of the six included Chaos Rising booster packs works out to roughly $8.07 before tax. 

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Each booster pack contains 10 trading cards and one Basic Energy. The headline valuable chase cards you can pull (or buy individually on TCGplayer) include SIR Mega Greninja ex, MHR Mega Greninja ex, SIR Cinccino ex, and SIR Mega Dragalge ex. 

For even more from this expansion, you can score the 36-pack Chaos Rising Booster Display Box for around $200. As for the Pokémon TCG’s new expansion, you can buy the Pitch Black Booster Bundle for just over $40 on Amazon. 

TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Alternatively, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free   Get Deal

Samsung is the center of attention at the moment, and that makes total sense. Samsung just dropped three new foldables smartphones, two smartwatches, and smart glasses. But can we hold some space for Apple?

Apple prices are bumping in the face of RAMageddon, but you can still secure a limited-time offer on iPhones from T-Mobile. This popular mobile carrier has just dropped a fresh batch of free iPhone deals on the latest handsets.

You can switch to almost any T-Mobile plan and get a free iPhone 17e with no trade-in required. Alternatively, you can score the iPhone 17 for free when signing up for 24 months of an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan and trading in an eligible phone. For power users, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

T-Mobile will charge taxes on these free deals and a $35 device connection fee. That's mildly irritating, but that's how it often goes with this kind of deal.

If you’re still rocking an iPhone 12 or 13, you’re missing out on some genuinely game-changing features. The iPhone 17 is the first base model built specifically to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." That's enough for us to consider upgrading.

Get the Apple iPhone 17 for free this week with T-Mobile.

Shopping for clothes is hard enough, but it's even tougher when shopping online. Outfits that look great on TikTok and Instagram don't always translate well to real life, and screens can easily hide thin fabrics and poor construction. As such, it can be difficult to spot quality pieces, and scary to spend your hard-earned cash on clothes you can't inspect in person.

SEE ALSO: How to cut ties with fast fashion when you really, really love clothes

Fortunately, you don't have to dive into the world of online shopping completely unarmed. Here are some tips to help you separate flimsy fast fashion from quality clothes you can pass to your grandkids.

Compare a garment's purpose with its material Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable / Adobe Stock

When shopping for clothes online, one of the best and most immediate indicators of quality is its fabric composition. For Dr. Rachel Lamarche-Beauchesne MA PhD, senior lecturer of Fashion Marketing and Enterprise at Torrens University Australia, her number one tip is to look at a garment's fibre content.

"I take offence to 'premium' products being sold with poor fabrics such as a blazer lining made of 100 percent polyester within a blazer retailed for multiple hundreds [of] dollars," Lamarche-Beauchesne told Mashable. "I would never buy this."

This doesn't mean you should only be buying high-end fabrics such as silk and cashmere. Rather, consider whether the fabric a garment is made of is suitable for its intended purpose. 

Office attire should be made of materials that are comfortable on the skin for all-day wear, such as cotton or linen. Synthetic fibres such as polyester are generally less breathable, making them uncomfortable in warm environments. However, polyester does have the advantage of being durable, easy to care for, and typically more affordable than natural fabrics. This makes them well suited to workout outfits instead of corporate clothes.

"For activewear or swimwear, bar from a few brands, it will be difficult to find alternatives to true synthetics, like nylon, polyester, and spandex, and those products will likely perform very differently than what people have come to expect from the category," said Lamarche-Beauchesne. 

You can usually find the fabric composition of clothes listed online in the product description. If you're buying second-hand, see if there are any close-up photos of the garment label. Platforms such as Depop or eBay let you message sellers, so don't be shy about asking about the fabric if the information isn't in the listing.

You should also consider exactly what part of the garment each listed material is being used for, such as whether they're in a jacket's shell or lining. Lamarche-Beauchesne states that while polyester may not be suitable for a lining, semi-synthetic material rayon (also known as viscose, Tencel, Lyocell, and a variety of other names) serves this purpose well.

"All [rayon materials] are derived from cellulose, and are very comfortable on the skin, including for linings or satin weaves closer to the body," said Lamarche-Beauchesne. "If odour is a concern, polyester lining traps odours much quicker than their cellulose counterpart."

Lamarche-Beauchesne also looks for fabrics that are completely made from one material where possible, such as 100 percent cotton knitwear. However, this isn't a hard and fast rule, as it heavily depends on what the materials are, what qualities they impart to the garment, and what percentage of it they make up.

"A pair of jeans with over two to three percent spandex to cotton ratio has a high likelihood of becoming distended, as the spandex fibre can stretch further, and are more prone to breakage," Lamarche-Beauchesne explained. "I would not buy a pair of jeans with polyester in it, but I would consider a two percent spandex to 98 percent cotton ratio."

Zoom in on the details and design Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable / Adobe Stock

Choosing appropriate fabrics will go a long way toward spotting quality pieces when shopping online. However, materials can also vary in quality — even synthetic ones. IDA+S co-founder Kinsen Siu told Mashable that not all polyester is equal, varying in quality just like natural materials. IDA+S is an Australian clothing brand that focuses on versatile, practical, and long-lasting pieces, and is named for Siu's mother: Lafayette 148 co-founder Ida Siu.

"[Polyester can have] tighter weaving that gives it a more luxury handfeel, finishing treatments that improve softness or add features such as moisture wicking, [or] anti-microbial in categories like performance wear and athleisure wear," Siu listed. "The problem is that high quality and bad quality polyester is indistinguishable as a content [listed in a garment's description]."

As such, you should also look at clothes' details and design. In addition to potentially offering more information on the fabric, such details help indicate the care and attention put into making the garment. Online stores may include close-up photos of high quality clothes, showing off buttonholes and lining, or allow you to significantly magnify product shots without loss of detail. Other times, you'll only have a handful of full-body photos that don't allow for such scrutiny, and may be hiding lacklustre finishes.

"A simple [tip] is: can you zoom in on the product photo?" said Siu, comparing the maximum zoom on a faux leather jacket to that of IDA+S' Isolde Leather Bomber Jacket. "One gives you the overall look of a garment. The other shows you the minute grain of the leather and the button detail. If you look at the pattern of the button [on the Isolde Leather Bomber Jacket], this is what's called a horn button, which is a pricier but more sustainable and stronger button option.

"In general, the more detail a brand has put into their product, the more effort and confidence they'll have in showcasing those details. Along the same lines, those details allow you to see the detail and the density of the stitching." 

While being able to magnify product photos will tell you a lot, full body shots are useful as well. Look at the model's pose, and whether they're positioned in a way that might be hiding details such as its drape. Carefully examining the garment's design, how it's cut, how the fabric falls, as well as how it sits on the model can help you determine if a purchase is worth it or a waste.

"[Look for] product design that adapts to the body in some way," said Lamarche-Beauchesne. Back waist elastics on bottoms are a non-negotiable for her, as they are comfortable and help clothes last longer. "It is very difficult to get a sense of the construction quality online, but the garment design, how it sits on the model, and considering additional design decisions, can support better decision-making when purchasing online."

Pricing is an indicator of quality, not a guarantee Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable / Adobe Stock

Higher prices can indicate that a garment is of higher quality. Lamarche-Beauchesne stated that pricing often plays an important role in the type of materials used, and that a garment's price-to-fibre ratio is "the biggest red flag" when shopping for clothes online. It's highly unlikely that your $10 Shien dress was crafted with the care and materials needed to ensure it withstands the test of time.

However, while an expensive price tag means a garment is more likely to be well made, it isn't a surefire promise of quality.

"Fashion overwhelmingly functions on a perceived-value model, and that model means that we assign to garments the value that we assign to its brand," said Lamarche-Beauchesne. "A brand sold at a premium price is a branding decision first. It is about marketing and does not always translate to a durable fibre selection or manufacturing quality. Consumers always have to be vigilant here."

Last September, popular TikTok fashion influencer Wisdom Kaye posted a video of his new Miu Miu vest losing a button as he undid it for the first time. This was actually a replacement that the luxury brand sent Kaye after his first vest also lost a button shortly after he brought it home, with the zip on a jacket breaking as well.

The video went viral, racking up over 11 million views, and sparked conversations about perceived quality decline in luxury fashion. Few shoppers would have expected such issues from a designer like Miu Miu, which charges several thousand dollars for a single shirt. 

It's a helpful reminder that a famous brand name and hefty price tag aren't necessarily guarantees of a garment's quality. Pricing is a useful indicator to help you draw a conclusion. Even so, you still need to do your own due diligence, and inspect clothes' material, details, and design.

Examine and take advantage of return policies Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable / Adobe Stock

Unfortunately, there are limits to how much you can discern about clothes by scrutinising photos online. The quickest and easiest way to determine quality is to actually see and feel a garment in person. As such, Siu says your best bet may simply be to buy clothes with the intent to return them if you're underwhelmed.

"There are brands that are confident in their quality but understand that their clothes can't fit everyone," said Siu, speaking on return policies. "Check that return policy, buy it, try it on, and be diligent about returning it if it doesn't work for you."

When examining a store's return policy, look at whether they accept change of mind returns, how long you have to return your items, who's responsible for return postage costs, and whether there's a restocking fee. IDA+S' Try Before You Buy service gives customers three days to try on clothes while their payment is put on hold. However, you must remember to actually return them within the time limit, or else be out of pocket for clothes you don't want.

"Treat online shopping as if you are taking clothes into a fitting room," said Siu. "Be prepared to start the return process. Yes, it's inconvenient, but it is equally inconvenient for the brand. High returns is the signal to them that something is remiss in their product quality and it forces them to investigate it."

Siu advised comparing clothes from new brands to ones from designers you already know and trust. Look at details on garments from your favourite labels, consider the quality and features you like, and compare them to garments from new brands you're interested in. 

He further suggested digging into unfamiliar brands' backgrounds to determine whether you can trust them. In Siu's view, a label with no visible face behind it may be cause for suspicion.

"My personal habit is to look at the 'about us,' find the founder's name, and google them. In particular I look them up on LinkedIn," said Siu. "This is an extraordinarily difficult business to succeed in [the] long term. Every single brand has a challenge of driving awareness of which the founder is responsible for. No details in the 'about us'? Nothing about the founder? That is a major red flag."

Buy clothes you'll actually wear Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable / Adobe Stock

Fabric, details, drape, and pricing are all significant considerations when shopping for clothes online. These factors will help you find garments that not only look and feel good to wear, but will last you for years to come. However, the most important factor when shopping for clothes is whether you'll actually wear a piece, and have the capacity to care for it as needed.

"Given a poly blend that you wear on a regular basis for years vs a 100 percent linen shirt that you can't bring yourself to wear because you can't be bothered to iron it, it's clear that one has far greater utility," said Siu.

Fast fashion-fuelled clothes hauls and fashion trends can be fun to follow online. But if you want to get the most bang for your buck, help protect the environment, and elevate your look while at it, mindfully shopping for quality clothes will go a long way toward helping you achieve those goals.