Mashable

Recently, Mashable sat down with Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, who said that the next-gen Xbox console would offer a premium, high-powered experience. Now, Windows Central reports that the future console "will indeed run full-bore Windows, with a TV-optimized, console-style experience layered on top."

In effect, the next Xbox console would combine a traditional console experience with the benefits of both cloud and PC gaming, allowing gamers to access a wider variety of experiences and, crucially, a wider variety of storefronts. So, rather than being locked into Xbox Game Pass or Xbox-compatible games, players could also access Steam and other gaming libraries.

When Mashable spoke to Bond, we asked about the rumors that the next Xbox will be more like a gaming PC than a console.

“Well, I can tell you you're right that the next-gen console is going to be a very premium, very high-end, curated experience. You're starting to see some of the thinking that we have in this handheld. But I don't want to give it all away," Bond said.

In its report, Windows Central cites "trusted sources" at Microsoft, who reportedly confirmed that the console will offer a full Windows gaming PC experience.

As Bond told Mashable, the newly released (and currently sold out) ROG Xbox Ally shows the overall direction Xbox is heading. And in our conversation, Bond emphasized the importance of not locking players into a single storefront or type of experience. Likewise, she stressed the importance of Xbox Play Anywhere titles, as well as cross-platform games in general.

The ROG Xbox Ally looks and feels like an Xbox console, only in a handheld form factor. However, users can also switch between this Xbox UI and a traditional Windows experience.

Look closely, and you can see the Windows experience available in the ROG Xbox Ally. Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

Some gamers were initially surprised to find that the new ROG Xbox Ally came with tools like Microsoft Teams and OneDrive. However, a closer integration between Windows and Xbox makes sense, considering their common parentage.

Likewise, as Xbox focuses less on exclusives (Bond called exclusives "antiquated" in our interview), Xbox will need an OS that allows users to access games outside the Xbox ecosystem, and Windows would make that possible.

LMAOOO WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE NEW XBOX HANDHELD COMES WITH MICROSOFT TEAMS AND ONEDRIVE INSTALLED??? this is the fucking goofiest company in games

[image or embed]

— Jai (@lowercasejai.bsky.social) October 15, 2025 at 3:24 PM

For those nostalgic for the days of big Xbox exclusives like Halo: Combat Evolved, this may be a disappointing direction. But based on the popularity of the ROG Xbox Ally and cloud gaming platforms like Xbox Game Pass, despite recent price increases, this could help futureproof Xbox for a new era of gaming.

On the downside, given how often the word "premium" is mentioned in conversations about the new Xbox, gamers should probably prepare themselves for a high price tag.

Xbox can't seem to stay out of the news lately, with the announcement that Halo: Combat Evolved is coming to PlayStation next year and, in response, a detente called in the console wars. Things took a darker turn on Sunday night when President Trump launched into an AI slop meme war with GameStop that has now spiraled into the Department of Homeland Security using Halo imagery to compare undocumented immigrants to parasitic aliens.

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Early Monday morning, the official DHS X account — already infamous for its cruel, brain-rotting posting history — shared an image of Xbox's iconic mascot, Master Chief, standing on a Warthog with the Halo ring world in the background. The caption read, "Finishing this fight," a nod to the final line of Halo 2 and the marketing tagline for Halo 3. The image itself included the phrase "Destroy the Flood," alongside a link to an ICE recruitment page.

SEE ALSO: For Trump officials, social media is war

The post is problematic on several levels — the most glaring being that DHS appears to be equating the Flood, the main antagonists of the Halo series, with immigrants. For context, the Flood are a parasitic alien species that infect and consume sentient life across the galaxy.

This isn't the first time ICE has co-opted video game imagery for its recruitment posts on social media. Just last month, the agency used the "Gotta catch 'em all" Pokémon theme for videos of arrests, complete with custom-made cards of individuals captured by ICE. That's on top of the many crass, bizarre, and meme-heavy "Dark MAGA" posts the agency has shared — including ones featuring Trump with laser eyes or reposts originating from neo-Nazi accounts.

SEE ALSO: President of Xbox Sarah Bond talks Ally X, next-gen console, and recent price increases

It's not clear why Trump and DHS are fixated on Halo as of late. It is worth noting that Microsoft, which owns Xbox, is one of several tech giants that reportedly helped fund construction of Trump's $300 million ballroom — a project that has already required the demolition of the East Wing. Critics say the investment is part of a broader push by major tech firms to stay in favor with the administration as they compete for lucrative federal contracts.

ICE's goal seems to be grabbing the attention of younger audiences — ostensibly for recruiting — but also to continue dehumanizing undocumented immigrants and other groups targeted by the administration.

It's a bold strategy for an agency hoping to look heroic, but it seems ICE missed the part where the good guys fight to protect all of humanity.

Mashable has contacted Xbox for comment, but has yet to receive a response as of this writing.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

Despite U.S. regulators currently investigating Tesla over "Full Self-Driving" traffic violations and safety concerns, Elon Musk's EV company rolled out a new full self-driving (FSD) mode earlier this month, ominously called "Mad Max."

Now, according to a new report from Reuters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has contacted Tesla to inquire about the newly released "Mad Max" mode. 

"NHTSA is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information," the agency said in a statement. "The human behind the wheel is fully responsible for driving the vehicle and complying with all traffic safety laws."

An NHTSA inquiry would be the first step into a formal investigation of Mad Max mode.

What is Tesla's new Mad Max Mode?

Mad Max is a reference to the film franchise of the same name, which originally starred Mel Gibson but has since been revived with actors such as Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Anya Taylor-Joy. In the Mad Max movies, "road warriors" navigate an apocalyptic wasteland, and the movies are famous for their fiery car stunts and chase sequences.

It's an unsettling name for a self-driving car mode, to say the least.

Electrek reported that the Mad Max driver assistance mode allows the vehicle to ignore speed limits and navigate through traffic more quickly.

"Introduced new speed profile MAD MAX, which comes with higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than HURRY," reads the Tesla release notes for the feature, according to Tesla Oracle.

One Tesla owner on X posted a video of their vehicle in Mad Max mode and noted how it is "going to speed like crazy" on an open road. The video also showed the Tesla rolling through a stop sign while in Mad Max mode.

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Another Tesla owner published a YouTube video of their vehicle hitting up to 79 miles per hour in a 50-mile-per-hour zone. They noted that their Tesla was passing all of the other vehicles on the road.

As previously mentioned, Tesla is already being investigated by the NHTSA over vehicles in FSD mode allegedly running red lights and driving the wrong way down roads.

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As the EV news site Electrek points out, Musk teased a version of Mad Max mode back in 2018 when FSD was in its development stage.

"We considered going beyond Mad Max to 'LA Freeway' level, but that’s too loco," Musk said at the time.

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Seven years later, Tesla has decided to publicly release Mad Max mode in the midst of an ongoing safety investigation.

Microsoft Teams might just be the new office snitch, thanks to a feature rolling out soon that can track a worker’s location.

The update, set to arrive in December, will let Microsoft’s communication platform automatically detect when an employee arrives at the office by monitoring their connection to the building’s Wi-Fi. If you’re working on-site and step out, Teams will automatically change your work location once it notices you’ve disconnected.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Copilot’s version of Clippy gets a name

It sounds a little unsettling, but according to Microsoft’s 365 roadmap, the feature will be off by default. However, tenant admins will have the option to enable it and require users to opt in — meaning your boss could still decide how closely Teams keeps tabs on you.

On one hand, it could be convenient for managers who don’t want to wander the office looking for coworkers. On the other, as the return-to-office trend continues, it also gives employers an easy way to see who’s actually showing up. Details on how precisely the feature determines your location are vague, but a similar Amazon policy sparked pushback when employees spoofed their home Wi-Fi SSIDs to mimic the company network. Don’t expect that trick to work this time.

The location tracking tool is just one of several new Teams features rolling out soon, alongside the ability to save messages in chats and customizable keyboard shortcuts.

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 27, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon, down 33% from its new list price of $299.99. That's a new record-low price for the 45mm smartwatch with WiFi connectivity.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm, WiFi) $199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100   Get Deal

A new Google Pixel Watch debuted a few months ago at the Made by Google 2025 event, which means the previous generation Google Pixel Watch 3 got a huge price drop. The starting price for the third-generation smartwatch in the larger 45mm option is now just $299.99 instead of $399.99. And that's not all. As of Oct. 27, it dropped to a new record-low price at Amazon, making it perhaps the best smartwatch deal we've seen since Prime Day.

You can grab the 45mm Google Pixel Watch with WiFi connectivity for just $199.99 instead of $299.99 for a limited time. That's $100 or 33% in savings and its best price ever by a long stretch.

While the Google Pixel Watch 3 isn't the most revolutionary pick when it comes to smartwatches, we are more inclined to recommend it at this ultra-low price. The third-generation didn't make any sweeping hardware changes compared to its predecessor, but Google did go all out with improving the software — particularly with workout features and more personalized AI enhancements. It also features a brighter display with better clarity in different lighting conditions. "Although I was standing in a brightly lit room with sunlight pouring in, the smartwatch screen was still remarkably clear," Mashable's Kim Gedeon wrote in her hands-on review.

The newer Pixel Watch 4 promises better battery life, faster charging, more advanced health and fitness features, and new color options. However, it'll cost you $399.99. If you'd rather save $200 and can deal with not having the latest and greatest device, we recommend going with the older generation.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4)   Shop Now

Apple MacBooks have been on sale all year at Amazon. Over the last few months, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air has come down in price on a regular basis, reaching the all-time low of just $799. With Black Friday fast approaching (yep, it's that time of year again), we're hoping for an even better discount.

Why we love the MacBook Air

The MacBook Air has always offered a sleek design, perfect for working on the go, and this latest model is no different. Weighing just 2.7 pounds, the 13-inch version is super lightweight and portable. And it comes in four signature Apple colors: starlight, sky blue, silver, and midnight. It starts with 16GB of memory and has SSD options ranging from 256GB to 2TB, so it's even suited for heavy storage needs.

The current MacBook Air is powered by Apple's M4 chip, so it's faster than previous models. This really comes into its own when you're working across different apps, multitasking through multiple tabs, or editing lengthy videos.

SEE ALSO: Apple M4 MacBook Air review: A really good deal

Display wise, the M4 MacBook Air is stellar. It has a bright Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1664 pixels and support for 1 billion colors, so everything looks sharp and vibrant. The 12MP camera with Center Stage is impressive, too, and ensures you always look your best on video calls, automatically keeping you in the center frame. This goes hand in hand with the three studio-quality mics and four speakers with Spatial Audio, so you get a really professional sound at all times. (If you want even better audio quality, upgrade to the 15-inch model, which has six speakers.)

The M4 MacBook Air comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charging port, and a headphone jack. Plus, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 will make sure you're getting fast, reliable wireless connections. And if you like to extend your screen setup, open-lid support for up to two external displays means you can easily expand. And it has an incredible all-day battery life, promising to last up to 18 hours.

Product integration is a big plus for Apple, and if you're already deep in the eco-system, this MacBook will fit in seamlessly, especially with your iPhone. With Mirroring, you'll be able to control your iPhone directly from your laptop, reply to messages, and use apps. You can even copy text, images, or files on your iPhone and instantly paste them on your Mac, answer FaceTime calls, and send texts straight from your laptop. My favorite feature is being able to share a web page directly from my phone to Mac, handy for filling out forms or tasks that need a bigger screen.

Black Friday deal we hope to see on the MacBook Air M4

The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air M4 has been priced as low at $799 in 2025, but we think Black Friday can do better. Based on recent pricing during October Prime Day, we hope to see this model hit $799 at the very least. If you do see this record-low price (or better), we recommend jumping on the deal and not looking back.

The whole point of Spotify Wrapped has become to show your friends — and, often, the internet at large — that you have impeccable taste in music. The question is: How long does the company track your listening for the super-popular year-end product?

We don't know, exactly, when Wrapped will be released — though we do have a good idea — but there clearly isn't too much time left to affect your top songs.

Unfortunately, Spotify has been tight-lipped about when it stops tracking your listening habits to include them in your Wrapped. The best practice would be to assume Spotify is including your listening up until the day of Wrapped, but we do have more info about when they might actually stop tracking.

SEE ALSO: Why artists are leaving Spotify — and how you can, too When does Spotify stop tracking for Wrapped?

There was a persistent rumor that Spotify stopped tracking listening habits for Wrapped once October ended. The streaming giant outright denied that rumor a few years back, so it feels safe to assume the tracking goes into November.

We here at Mashable have actually asked Spotify about the tracking period and, well, the company is not sharing the exact timeline. It does say, however, that it tries to include as much time as possible.

"We start at the beginning of January with all of your listening that begins right then at the beginning of the year, and it goes all the way through collecting data up until a few weeks before we launch the Wrapped product," Molly Holder, the senior director of product for personalization at Spotify, told Mashable last year.

"We aim to get as much of your year in listening covered as possible," Holder added.

We do know for sure that the period after Wrapped is released and before Jan. 1, 2026, is an untracked no-man's land. So once Wrapped does drop, feel free to fire up your guilty pleasures.

SAVE 20%: As of Oct. 27, the NatureNova Personal Water Filter Straw (1 Pack) is on sale for $10.38, down from a typical price of $12.99, at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and $2.61 in savings.

NatureNova Personal Water Filter Straw (1 Pack) $10.38 at Amazon
$12.99 Save $2.61   Get Deal at Amazon

Having a way to get safe drinking water is a must for any emergency kit or serious hiking trip, and personal filter straws are a pretty popular solution. While LifeStraw tends to dominate the conversation (it's always a top-seller during Prime Day), there are other, often much cheaper, options out there if you're looking to stock up without spending a ton.

As of Oct. 27, the NatureNova Personal Water Filter Straw (1 Pack) is on sale for $10.38, down from a typical price of $12.99, at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and $2.61 in savings.

SEE ALSO: Sip safely with a discounted LifeStraw Go water bottle

For just over $10, this NatureNova straw uses a four-stage filtration system (including hollow fiber membrane, activated carbon, and PP cotton) that claims to remove 99.999999% of tiny contaminants down to 0.01 microns. According to the product page, each straw can filter up to 1,500 liters (or 396 gallons) of water, which is a pretty standard lifespan for these types of filters.

It's designed to be super portable and weighs less than 3.5 ounces, so it's easy to stash in a bag. It also comes with a few handy accessories you don't always get with budget straws: an extension tube so you don't have to get quite so close to the water source, and a backwash syringe to help clear out the filter and potentially extend its life. You can also screw it onto standard water bottles.

SAVE $500: As of Oct. 27, you can grab an LG 83-inch B5 OLED 4K TV for $1,996.99 instead of $2,496.99. That's a savings of 20% and the lowest price to date on this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 83-inch B5 OLED 4K TV $1,996.99 at Amazon
$2,496.99 Save $500.00   Get Deal

Upgrading your TV to an OLED display can completely transform your entertainment space. But, as with most tech upgrades, it'll cost you — especially in the age of tariffs. If you're new to the OLED TV world, the entry-level LG B5 model is a good place to start, and as of Oct. 27, you can grab the massive 83-inch version for $500 cheaper than usual.

The LG 83-inch B5 OLED 4K TV is typically $2,496.99, but Amazon has knocked the price down to just $1,996.99. That's 20% in savings and its best price on record since its release earlier this year. FWIW, the upgraded mid-range model, the 83-inch C5 OLED 4K TV (one of our top picks), is over $3,000 on sale.

If you want a vibrant, detailed, and truly immersive viewing experience, OLED TVs are the best choice. And when it comes to OLED TVs, LG is our favorite brand. The B5 is the brand's cheapest OLED in 2025 (as opposed to the mid-range C5 and high-end G5 models), making it an excellent choice for anyone wanting a big screen with the best picture quality and the best price. It features Dolby Vision, 120Hz gaming support, HDR10 Pro, Dolby Atmos and Filmmaker Mode, NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility, and a host of AI features like Concierge for content recommendations and Personalized Picture & Sound Wizard to tailor your viewing experience.

Whether you're excited to watch the latest theatrical releases or the biggest games of the week, you'll be floored by the difference an OLED TV makes. And with this deal, you don't have to spend a fortune.

After years of litigation, arguments, and presidential administration changes, the U.S. and China have officially struck a deal: the U.S. version of TikTok is finally being sold.

On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on CBS’s Face the Nation that the two countries have "reached a final deal on TikTok."

"We reached one in Madrid, and I believe that as of today, all the details are ironed out, and that will be for the two leaders to consummate that transaction on Thursday in Korea," Bessent said.

SEE ALSO: President Trump finally inked a $14 billion TikTok deal to keep the app alive

He added that while he is "not part of the commercial side of the transaction," he was responsible for getting the Chinese government "to agree to approve the transaction, and I believe we successfully accomplished that over the past two days."

This comes about a month after President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring that the new TikTok deal met the requirements of the 2024 law that banned TikTok from operating in the U.S. At the time, Vice President JD Vance said the deal values the U.S. TikTok assets at $14 billion, as Deadline reported.

The new deal means that data for U.S. users will be managed by Oracle; the U.S. algorithm would be controlled domestically; and TikTok's U.S. operations would be under the control of a board of directors likely including Oracle's Larry Ellison, Fox Corp, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake Management, according to TechCrunch.

Calling all Innies and Outies! If you're missing Severance and yearning for some Choreography and Merriment in your life, you're in luck. Mashable has your first look at the premiere physical release of Theodore Shapiro's Severance Season 2 score.

SEE ALSO: 21 burning 'Severance' questions we have after the Season 2 finale

The release comes courtesy of Austin-based pop culture art, music, and collectibles shop Mutant, in collaboration with Lakeshore Records and Severance production company Fifth Season.

Pressed on 140gm exclusive color vinyl, the deluxe edition of Shapiro's Emmy-winning Season 2 score comes in a custom Lumon envelope along with artwork by Greg Ruth, which includes seven double-sided character portraits and a printed inner sleeve.

Great, now I need to rewatch the Season 2 finale for the umpteenth time. Credit: Mutant

On top of that, the release also features "exclusive in-universe ephemera" that any Severance fan will recognize immediately. There's a printout of the "Missing" Gemma (Dichen Lachman) posters that Irving (John Turturro) made, along with his drawing of the dark hallway leading down to the Testing Floor and the note he left Dylan (Zach Cherry). There's also an Innie Resignation Request form and a goat-themed eye chart. Rounding out the ephemera is my personal favorite: a set of postcards styled after the motivational posters Lumon made for the Severed Floor. Sometimes, we really do need reminders to "Grin & Baird It." It's what Kier Eagan would want.

Remember to "Bee Ever Merry!" Credit: Mutant

"The music of Season 2 of Severance is true to what came before in Season 1, while also developing new themes, new sounds, and new variations," Shapiro said in a statement. "The season's bold expansions into new storylines and new locations, along with the incredible filmmaking and performances, provided plenty of inspiration.”

The track list is as follows:

Side One

1. The Ballad of Ambrose and Gunnell

2. Elevator Down

3. The Fourth Appendix

4. Beast With Two Backs

5. The Eternal Dark

Side Two

1. Salt's Neck

2. Three's a Crowd

3. Trains Running

5. The Equator

5. Knock Down Drag Out

6. Together Again

Consider this your perfect soundtrack as we settle in for the (hopefully not too long) wait for Severance Season 3.

The Severance Season 2 soundtrack retails for $50. It is available for pre-order on Mutant’s website starting Thursday, Oct. 30.

Severance Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV.

SAVE $300: The Anker Solix C800 Plus portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $349, down from the standard price of $649. That's a 46% discount and the best price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C800 Plus portable power station $349 at Amazon
$649 Save $300   Get Deal

You might be packing away the summer camping gear now that we're almost to November, but there's something important to do while packing. It's an ideal to take inventory of what's in good shape to come on 2026 adventures and what needs improvement. If you haven't yet dabbled in the wonderful world of portable power stations, there's an excellent model on sale today.

As of Oct. 27, the Anker Solix C800 Plus is on sale at Amazon for $349, marked down from the normal price of $649. That works out to a $300 savings from 46% discount. It's also the best price we've ever seen at Amazon.

If you or someone on your holiday shopping list likes to spend time outdoors camping, a portable power station is a must-have item. Anker Solix makes some of my favorite models like the C1000 and the C1000 Gen 2, but today's deal on the C800 Plus is incredible for camping.

The Solix C800 Plus comes with 768Wh of battery capacity from long-lasting LiFePO4 cells. It includes five standard AC ports, two USB-A, and two USB-C, one of which can output 100W. Like all Anker portable power stations, the display is easy to read and you have several options when it come to recharging, including solar.

One of the coolest and most camping-friendly features on the Solix C800 Plus is its upper storage compartment that's full of lighting options. It comes with a light that can be used as a floodlight, a flashlight, or in a mood-setting candle mode. The power station itself also includes a lightbar, so you'll be able to illuminate your path when you're walking around with the station.

SEE ALSO: Some of the best Anker Solix portable power stations have never been this cheap

The thoughtful light additions on the Solix C800 Plus make this model perfect for camping in any season. If you don't care about the extra light in the storage compartment and would rather use it to store your own goods, go for the Anker Solix C800 (without the Plus) which is also on sale at Amazon for $329, down from the list price of $599. Personally, I think camping with both a portable power station and a built-in light is awesome, but if you have plenty of other camp lighting, it might be worth the extra $20 savings to opt for the standard Solix C800.

In either case, the Anker Solix C800 or C800 Plus are perfect for camping. If you've been thinking too hard about what to gift your camping-included family member this holiday season, you can't go wrong with a portable power station. Now that the Solix C800 Plus is down to a record-low, this is a great time to snag the camp-worthy model.

You might need to act soon to keep accessing your X account.

Elon Musk's website, formerly known as Twitter, quietly announced it was killing off the old Twitter.com domain. That means the company is requiring users who use a hardware security key or passkey to re-enroll, otherwise they will be locked out of their account.

X's safety account posted a statement alerting folks to the change. It read:

"By November 10, we’re asking all accounts that use a security key as their two factor authentication (2FA) method to re-enroll their key to continue accessing X. You can re-enroll your existing security key, or enroll a new one. A reminder: if you enroll a new security key, any other security keys will stop working (unless also re-enrolled).

After November 10, if you haven’t re-enrolled a security key, your account will be locked until you: re-enroll; choose a different 2FA method; or elect not to use 2FA (but we always recommend you use 2FA to protect your account!)."

You can check the status of your 2FA on X by navigating to Settings & privacy > Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication. If your account is affected, however, X should prompt you to re-enroll. The change, X said, is being made so that everything can migrate away from Twitter's old domain.

"To clarify: this change is not related to any security concern, and only impacts Yubikeys and passkeys - not other 2FA methods (such as authenticator apps)," the safety account wrote. "Security keys enrolled as a 2FA method are currently tied to the twitter[.]com domain. Re-enrolling your security key will associate them with x[.]com, allowing us to retire the Twitter domain."

So Twitter really, truly is being killed off — and you might need to act to stay on X.

Save $200: The 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is back down to its lowest price of $799 ever at Amazon and Best Buy. This markdown saves you 20% on the $999 laptop.

Where to buy the MacBook Air deal Amazon Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 (save $200) Get Deal Best Buy Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $799 (save $200) Get Deal

We just wrote about how we hope to see the M4 MacBook Air at a new record low price this Black Friday season, but with sales still a little ways off, we're glad to see it return to its existing record low price as of Oct. 27.

That's right — you can pick up the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $799 at Amazon and Best Buy. The deal brings the laptop's price down $200 from its $999 list price, and is available in all four colorways at Best Buy, and in the sky blue and midnight colorways at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Laptop specs explained: A jargon-free guide to what's inside your computer

The 13-inch Air is Mashable's favorite MacBook model for students, thanks to the combination of its affordability (even at full price), portability, and M4-level power (which can easily take you through most school tasks). Mashable's resident laptop expert Haley Henschel wrote this laptop "usurps the M1 MacBook Air as my top budget pick whenever it's marked down to $799, its lowest price on record."

Even for non-students, this is a great everyday laptop (especially if you don't find yourself needing the upgrades of the 15-inch Air, our MacBook recommendation for most people). In addition to what's outlined above, like its larger display counterpart, the 13-inch Air can be support two external displays with its lid open, is quiet, and has a great webcam.

The biggest drawbacks of this budget model are that you might have to pick up an external hard drive at some point due to the 256GB of storage space, and the 60Hz refresh rate. The port setup includes two USB-C ports, one MagSafe 3 charging port, and a headphone jack.

TL;DR: Get a reliable refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch for just $179.97 (reg. $999) through Nov. 2, with free shipping.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3-Inch 2017 (Refurbished) $179.97
$999 Save $819.03   Get Deal

If you’ve been craving the convenience and simplicity of a MacBook but not the thousand-dollar price tag, here’s your moment. For a limited time, you can score a refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ for just $179.97 (reg. $999) — and that includes free shipping through Nov. 2.

Sure, it’s not Apple’s newest model — but that’s exactly the point. This Air delivers everything you need for daily work, streaming, and browsing, minus the premium price.

SEE ALSO: Get the M4 MacBook Air with upgraded storage for under $1,000 in any color

Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 128GB SSD storage, and Intel HD Graphics 6000, it’s built for smooth, reliable performance on the go. You’ll get a crisp 13.3-inch display, a 12-hour battery, and dependable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity — ideal for freelancers, traveling, or anyone who needs a solid laptop without spending a fortune.

Its Grade A/B refurbished rating means it’s been fully tested and cleaned, with only light to normal signs of use — so you’re getting a device that looks and performs well.

Lightweight and durable, this MacBook Air is proof that you don’t need the latest release to get that complete Apple experience.

Get the refurbished Apple MacBook Air (2017) while it’s just $179.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping through Nov. 2.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE 18%: As of Oct. 27, you can get the 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV (2025 model) on sale for $1,649.99, down from its $1,999.99 list price, at Amazon. That's an 18% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen for this behemoth.

100-inch Hisense Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV (2025 model) $1,649.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $350   Get Deal at Amazon

Shopping for a massive TV (like, 100-inches massive) usually means holding out for Black Friday and hoping for a decent discount, though "decent" for a TV this big can still be a fortune. But, an early deal just popped up on a gigantic Hisense QLED that might save you the wait, because it just hit its lowest price ever.

As of Oct. 27, you can get the 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV (2025 model) on sale for $1,649.99, down from its $1,999.99 list price, at Amazon. That's an 18% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen for this model.

SEE ALSO: What's the best time of year to buy a TV? Yes, there's an answer.

The QD6 uses a QLED panel, which means you get that Quantum Dot color boost for over a billion shades (it should make everything look more vibrant and realistic compared to standard LED TVs). It's a 4K screen, naturally, and runs Fire TV, so all your streaming apps and Alexa voice control are built right in.

Gamers should take note too: this model has a native 144Hz refresh rate panel and supports AMD FreeSync Premium, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) to further reduce lag and screen tearing. Plus, it handles Dolby Vision for HDR and Dolby Atmos for sound, giving you a more immersive experience for movies and shows. Getting a 100-inch TV with these kinds of specs for under $1,700 is pretty wild, especially now that it's hit its lowest price yet.

SAVE $250: The Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $549.99. That's a 45% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop $299.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250   Get Deal

It's spooky season on so many levels. We have high-tech Halloween decor frightening the neighborhood and the iconic 12-foot skeleton watching over our homes. But inside, horrors are happening, too. It's the season of tracking all of those crunchy fall leaves and pine needles inside. Once the pine needles come in, they never seem to disappear and can end up all over the house, magically moving super far away from the door they entered through. Instead of battling the debris, offload the task to a trusty robot vacuum. There's a powerful model on sale today.

As of Oct. 27, the Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $299.99, marked down from the normal price of $549.99. That's a 45% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

With impressive specs like 10,000Pa suction power and a self-emptying base that can hold up to 70 days worth of debris, the Roborock Q10 S5+ might be your best option for clean floors this fall. Plus, it's down to a new record-low price.

In testing for the best robot vacuum, Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter and vacuum expert Leah Stodart said, "I think the Roborock Q10 S5+ is the best bang for your buck near $500 that Roborock has whipped up in a long time." And now that it's under $300, we're even more impressed.

SEE ALSO: Our vacuum expert loved this smart robot vac at $400 — now it's only $269.99

Stodart was also impressed with its overall performance and wrote, "It has reliably completed all missions in my apartment for weeks, and isn't nearly as obnoxious when self-emptying as most other robot vacuums I've tested — it barely reaches 70 decibels, which isn't much louder than competitors while they're just cleaning." This could be ideal if you have pets that tend to get frightened by loud noises or kids who nap mid-day.

The Roborock Q10 S5+ is designed with accurate and quick LiDAR smart mapping and it should be able to avoid pet waste and obstacles like toys or socks. You can even set the charging base to recharge during off-peak times if your electricity prices vary throughout the day.

While it's sitting at a new record-low price, snag the powerful Roborock Q10 S5+ robot vacuum and mop at Amazon for just $299.99. Our vacuum expert likes this model at full-price, which means it's an even better pick at this epic sale price.

Still reeling from IT: Welcome to Derry's terrifying first episode? Wishing you could catch the next episode right away to see what in the world comes next after that unexpected ending? Well, you're in luck, because IT: Welcome to Derry episode 2 is dropping several days early.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry's shocking episode 1 ending, explained

Episode 2, titled "The Thing in the Dark," will premiere Friday, Oct. 31 at 3 a.m. ET on HBO Max. That means you can ring in your Halloween with Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) and all the poor children he's terrorizing.

"The Thing in the Dark" will also air on HBO during IT: Welcome to Derry's regularly scheduled time slot: 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 2. The following installments of the eight-episode series will continue to air at 9 p.m. ET on Sundays, all the way up until the Dec. 14 season finale.

Based on HBO's trailer of the coming episodes, IT: Welcome to Derry is only going to get gnarlier from here. The look ahead teases the military's mysterious involvement in Derry, including the presence of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), who while most known for his role in The Shining, does appear briefly in Stephen King's IT. Also on the table is a trip to the sewers, a police investigation into the bloodbath at the theater, and Pennywise wreaking fiery havoc on Derry. Bring on the scares.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

SAVE $200: As of Oct. 27, the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is on sale for only $999 at Amazon. That's $200 or 17% off its usual cost of $1,199. That's the lowest price on record for most colors.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $999 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $200   Get Deal

If you're looking to upgrade your laptop for cheap, the M4 MacBook Air is an incredible value — even at full price. When it debuted earlier this year, its price tag made us do a double take. In a world where everything — especially tech — is getting more expensive, the base model M4 MacBook Air is $100 cheaper than its predecessor. And as of Oct. 27, you can get it for even cheaper.

The upgraded M4 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage usually goes for $1,199, but right now, it's down to only $999 in every color. That's $200 or 17% off its list price and matches the lowest price on record for most colors. Not to mention, it's the same cost as the base model with 256GB of storage when its not on sale. In other words, you'll get double the storage for the same sub-$1,000 price.

Besides the ultra-low cost, we love the M4 MacBook Air for its impressive processing power, improved 12MP FaceTime camera, and open-lid support for two external displays, meaning you can still use its own screen even when it's hooked up to monitors. It's earned a top spot on our list of the best laptops for 2025, best MacBooks, and best cheap laptops. So long as you don't need the more advanced specs of the MacBook Pro for things like video editing or graphic design work, the M4 Air will treat you wonderfully.

As Mashable's resident laptop expert Haley Henschel writes, "This is a no-brainer recommendation for budget-conscious Apple users in need of a fast and portable laptop for everyday tasks."

Once again, Walmart has decided that a 24-hour Black Friday sale just isn't enough. Today, the big-box retailer announced its plans to host two Black Friday Deals events starting in mid-November. Walmart+ members will get first dibs on the deals, as per tradition.

"We’re dropping up to 60% off top brands and offering thousands of deals under $20," John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., said in a press release, adding that the company aims to help shoppers have their "most budget-friendly holiday yet."

Walmart's first Black Friday sale will run online and in stores from Friday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 16. Paid (non-trial) members of its Walmart+ membership program will get five hours of early access to the deals online beginning Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. ET.

The top deals from that first sale will include a 98-inch TCL QLED 4K TV for $998 (was $1,798), the Dyson V12 Detect Slim vacuum for $399.99 (was $729.99), a Keurig iced coffee machine for $44.97 (was $79), and a Lego Speed Champions two-pack set for $25 (was $44.98).

Credit: Walmart

Shoppers will have just over a week to relax before Walmart's second Black Friday Deals event, which runs from Tuesday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 30. (Early access for paid Walmart+ members opens on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. ET.) That sale will be shoppable exclusively on Walmart.com for the first 72 hours; on Nov. 28, aka Black Friday proper, the deals will be available both online and in stores.

A Walmart rep couldn't confirm whether its stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27), which has been the company's policy since 2020.

Walmart's festivities will wrap up with an online-only Cyber Monday sale on Monday, Dec. 1. Paid Walmart+ members will, of course, get five hours' worth of early access the evening before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ membership $98/year Learn More

According to the company's press release, all three holiday sales will include giftables from Walmart's toys, electronics, home, fashion, and beauty departments. The release named brands like Apple, Dyson, Lego, De'Longhi, and Barbie.

Walmart is the second major retailer to announce its plans for Black Friday 2025, following Best Buy. For its part, the tech retailer will start rolling out some early Black Friday deals on Halloween — sooner than ever before.