Blogroll

The Nintendo Switch has dominated the conversation around handheld gaming consoles for several years now thanks to its innovative hybrid design, relatively accessible price point, and monumental, still-growing lineup of games. It's now one of the bestselling consoles of all time, and a new iteration just launched in June 2025 — but it's not the only handheld worth buying these days.

After dozens of hours of hands-on testing, our favorite handheld consoles include the glitzy Nintendo Switch OLED, the AI-enhanced MSI Claw 8 AI+, the slick Valve Steam Deck, and the delightfully nostalgic Analogue Pocket, among a few other options. These are unmistakably different systems in terms of their overall designs, features, and/or use cases, but they all excel at making great games playable on a portable level and offer solid specs for the money.

Here's a more intensive breakdown of each console to help you figure out which one's best for you — whether you're hunting for a portable PC setup, sitting on a pile of old Game Boy cartridges, or just desperate to play the latest and greatest games on the best system available.

And don't worry, we've included the Nintendo Switch 2 as well.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo raises Switch 2 sales forecast to 20 million units

SAVE $400: As of July 3, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 50% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Plus 405 $399.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $400 Get Deal

If a robot vacuum has been on your wishlist for a while, chances are you've come across the name Roomba. And with Prime Day around the corner, we're already seeing discounts on almost every single new Roomba.

As of July 3, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 is on sale for $399.99. This deal saves you $400 on list price, and is the lowest-ever price according to camelcamelcamel. Our robot vacuum expert has hand-picked this deal as one of the best ahead of Prime Day.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 25+ robot vacuums. These are the only ones I'd tell you to buy in 2025.

And for under $400, you're getting a lot. It has seriously powerful suction, as well as intense cleaning with its dual mop pads and SmartScrub tech. It even has a rubber brush that works across surfaces alongside an edge-sweeping brush to get right into corners. The dual mop pads also spin and create a downward pressure scrub, so even the hardest of messes are no problem.

And it can map out your home quickly and efficiently with ClearView LiDAR, avoiding stairs and navigating around any obstacles.

You can control everything in the Roomba app; just open it up to schedule routines, check filter health, or tell it to focus on certain rooms. You can choose between vacuuming, mopping, combo cleaning, or vacuuming before mopping, and the mop pads lift automatically when your carpet is detected. All from the push of a (smartphone) button.

You can find this incredible deal at Amazon now.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote (2023 Model) — $24.99 (List Price $49.99)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 1070Wh Portable Power Station — $448.98 (List Price $799.00)

• Ring Indoor Cam 2nd Gen 1080p Camera With Cover (White, 2-Pack) — $59.98 (List Price $99.99)

• Blink Outdoor 4 XR 2 Camera Kit With Mini 2 Camera — $129.98 (List Price $219.98)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $269.00 (List Price $348.00)

• Shark AV2511AE AI Robot Vacuum With XL Self-Empty Base — $297.99 (List Price $599.00)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB Tablet (2023 Release, Black) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99)

• Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2023 Model) — $139.99 (List Price $229.99)

• Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote (2023 Model) — $34.99 (List Price $59.99)

• Ring Battery Doorbell Pro With Ring Battery Outdoor Cam Plus — $329.98

• 55" Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2024 Model) — $699.99 (List Price $819.99)

Flying was never the most stress-free way to travel, but thanks to never-ending airline delays, unruly passengers, and the incredible shrinking airline seat, it can be a nightmare. Not to mention the added anxiety of recent airplane crashes. If you're ready to add some peace to your flying experience, picking up a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can go a long way.

You definitely have options: plenty of headphones, from over-ear headphones to wireless earbuds, offer active noise cancellation. And in 2025, it's not too hard to find ANC headphones for under $100. That said, we do recommend spending a little more to enjoy maximum calm at 35,000 feet. With Prime Day just around the corner, it's an especially good time to invest in Mashable's favorite tried and tested headphones.

SEE ALSO: When does Amazon Prime Day end? Here's how long you have to find the best deals. How much should I spend on noise-cancelling headphones?

If you want to find the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying, you should be prepared to pay $250 to $500. During Prime Day, you can expect some flexibility in that arena. Typically, we see markdowns of $50 to $100 for headphones that have been out for at least a few months, and more modest markdowns on newer headphones (if they receive any at all).

Why invest? Premium headphones offer better active noise cancellation, customizable settings, and transparency modes that allow you to hear those all-important gate announcements.

Many cheap headphones claim to offer "noise-cancelling" features, but a random pair of $50 over-ear headphones with passive noise cancellation will let a lot of sound through. They'll also struggle to connect and switch between devices easily, or simply feel uncomfortable.

SEE ALSO: Shop the best Prime Day headphones and earbuds deals

At the end of the day, going for that good all-around pair is worth it, because on a flight, ANC on its own won't save the day — otherwise, we'd just direct you to our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones. For long flights, comfort is also key. It won't matter if your headphones block sound if you only want to wear them for two out of five hours of your flight. And because this is a flying-focused roundup, we did give extra points to headphones with thoughtful design that makes storage easy.

If that $250-plus price range feels totally out of the question, we've included a couple of budget earbuds in the under-$100 category, but they come with tradeoffs. If you're okay with a mid-range pick, consider buying wireless earbuds with ANC instead of over-ear headphones.

If the cost of a pair of headphones is off-putting, you can always wait for a sale to start. We see headphones from Bose, Sony, and Apple get marked down year-round — if you don't want to keep your eyes peeled yourself, Mashable's deals coverage is a great place to find any noteworthy headphone deals. For the picks on our list, we recommend waiting to buy at the following prices:

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones — At least $349, if not $329

• Sony WH-1000XM5 — At least $329, if not $299

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 — At least $189, if not $179 or lower ($199 is technically a sale price, but typically what these earbuds go for at Amazon)

SEE ALSO: The best gifts for people who love to travel What are the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying?

Noise-cancelling headphones are at their most useful on airplanes. It's difficult to find a moment's peace when so much is going on around you. Frequent flyers may prefer to rest or work, and the best way to prepare for either is by using the best ANC headphones to block out the chaos. 

Because shopping for headphones shouldn't be as stressful as heading to the airport, we've done extensive testing to bring you the top options. Our top pick is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, but read on to see other great picks for the best noise-cancelling headphones for airplanes in 2025 — all based on Mashable's hands-on testing.

Recent testing updates

In July 2025, we swapped the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for the newer Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

As of May 2025, we're evaluating whether the Panasonic Technic AZ100 are a better pick for earbuds over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and whether the new Skullcandy Method ANC 360 earbuds might be a good budget option.

After testing them for a few weeks, we decided in February 2025 that the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds earned a spot on our guide as our top budget pick, knocking out the cheaper but inferior Anker Soundcore P3i earbuds. Shortly after, we added the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones as one of our recommendations, thanks to their long battery life.

For September 2024, we didn't change our lineup, deciding against including the Dyson OnTrac headphones — although we really like their long battery life, the 55 hours of charge might be overkill for air travel. Plus, they're a little too bulky and expensive to recommend as travel headphones.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for July 3, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Pigskin displays

• Green: Torch destinations

• Blue: Colorful clubs

• Purple: Homophones

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: NFL broadcasters

• Green: U.S. Olympic host cities

• Blue: Teams with the color blue in their nicknames

• Purple: Homphones of baseball hall of famers

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #283 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• NFL broadcasters - CBS, ESPN, FOX, PRIME

• U.S. Olympic host cities - ATLANTA, LAKE PLACID, LOS ANGELES, ST. LOIS

• Teams with the color blue in their nicknames - CHELSEA, COLUMBUS, CREIGHTON, TORONTO

• Homophones of baseball hall of famers - BOS, MAIZE, MANTEL, RAINS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

SAVE $70: As of July 3, Apple AirPods Max are on sale for $479.99 at Amazon. That's a 13% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max $479.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $69.01 Get Deal

You don't need to wait until Prime Day kicks off to get a great deal on AirPods; check out this Apple AirPods Max deal that's live right now at Amazon.

As of July 3, Apple AirPods Max are discounted by 13% to $479.99. But why Apple AirPods Max over other headphones? Well, designed with Apple-specific drivers and powered by the all-encompassing H1 chip, you can expect a completely unmatched listening experience.

SEE ALSO: The new Apple iPad mini has hit its lowest-ever price ahead of Prime Day

Impressive noise-blocking technology helps you choose your level of immersion. The Active Noise Cancellation mode will block outside noise so you can focus on your music, and Transparency mode lets you stay aware of your surroundings, keeping you safe and alert while out and about. The Personalized Spatial Audio function adapts to your ear shape to help give you a much more immersive and personalized sound, and it includes dynamic head tracking, which uses a built-in sensor to adjust audio based on your head movements, creating a 3D sound experience.

And who could forget the comfort? The knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions provide a snug fit that seals in sound and keeps your ears happy and comfortable for hours of listening.

This model also boasts up to 20 hours of battery life and comes with a slim Smart Case for storage.

Grab this great deal at Amazon ahead of Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote (2023 Model) — $24.99 (List Price $49.99)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 1070Wh Portable Power Station — $448.98 (List Price $799.00)

• Ring Indoor Cam 2nd Gen 1080p Camera With Cover (White, 2-Pack) — $59.98 (List Price $99.99)

• Blink Outdoor 4 XR 2 Camera Kit With Mini 2 Camera — $129.98 (List Price $219.98)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $269.00 (List Price $348.00)

• Shark AV2511AE AI Robot Vacuum With XL Self-Empty Base — $297.99 (List Price $599.00)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB Tablet (2023 Release, Black) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99)

• Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2023 Model) — $139.99 (List Price $229.99)

• Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote (2023 Model) — $34.99 (List Price $59.99)

• Ring Battery Doorbell Pro With Ring Battery Outdoor Cam Plus — $329.98

• 55" Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2024 Model) — $699.99 (List Price $819.99)

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, July 3, 2025:

AcrossGlaswegian or Edinburgher

• The answer is Scot.

2025 Pixar film about a boy who gets abducted by aliens

• The answer is Elio.

Strong string

• The answer is Twine.

Religious devotee with a shaved head, maybe

• The answer is Monk.

Calligrapher's assortment

• The answer is Inks.

DownAttach, as a button

• The answer is Sew On.

Sound of two glasses being "cheers-ed"

• The answer is Clink.

Noises from a pig

• The answer is Oinks.

"Little piggy"

• The answer is Toe.

"Did I overshare?"

• The answer is TMI.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

Despite the enthusiasm of actors in Swiffer commercials, few people are smiling at the workout that is manually mopping their hardwood and tile floors. So if you're already considering a robot vacuum because it'll take one major chore off your list, you can probably envision why a robot that vacuums and mops would be doubly worth it.

I'm not saying you can expect a hybrid robot vacuum to scrub your kitchen grout with the same tenacity you would get with a toothbrush. But mopping robots have gotten much better at mopping over the past few years. But arguably, the most pivotal shift that mopping robot vacuum cleaners have seen recently is actually related to their self-emptying docks. Past automatically emptying the dust bin, the best robot mop combos now also automatically wash and dry their mopping pads, then refill themselves with clean water from the dock. Some high-end hybrids can even dispense cleaning liquid on their own. That has been crucial in upping my own personal confidence in walking around barefoot.

SEE ALSO: Roborock Saros Z70 review: If you think you need the robot vacuum with an arm, no you don't

In theory, mopping pad maintenance should be nearly as automated as the cleaning itself. If it's too involved, you may subconsciously save yourself the hassle by avoiding mop mode — and then what was the point of getting a robot vacuum that mops in the first place?

If you're eyeing one of the super advanced robot vacuum mop combos but hesitating on the price, just know that Prime Day is running from July 8 through 11. Amazon's massive summer event is one of the best times of year to find a robot vacuum and mop on sale — I expect most picks in this list to go on sale, and am hopeful that the flagship Saros vacuums even see discounts. To get a feel, check out all of the robot vacuum deals that are already live at Amazon.

It's now been half a decade since most top robot vacuum brands started furiously innovating their robotic mopping skills, so there are a ton of robot vacuums that mop to choose from. I've personally tested more than 20 robot vacuum and mop combos in my own apartment — halfway through 2025, I've narrowed it down to these top four robot vacuums that also wash your floors.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I've tested several other robot vacuum hybrids that didn't make the cut. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra were top picks in this list at one point, but were merely upstaged in power and price tag value by newer models.

I've also tested some 2025 robot vacuum releases that were OK, but weren't contenders for this list. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). The Roborock Saros 10 and 10R were able to hoist over the few thick doorway thresholds in my apartment just as well as the X50 Ultra. Its mopping and vacuuming capabilities are better than most mid-range robot vacuums, of course, but they weren't impressive enough for me to suggest the X50 Ultra in this list over either Saros model.

I'm also in the process of testing the new fleet of 2025 Roombas. The Roomba Combo 205 DustCompactor wouldn't be a bad pick if you absolutely can't spare floor space for a self-empty dock. But for being one of iRobot's newest vacuums, I expected it to be a much smoother, smarter navigator.

There's definitely something to be said for the crisp handheld control of a powerful cordless Dyson. But if you're not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, why not outsource that tedious task? The best robot vacuums patrol your home to clear away dust, crumbs, pet hair, and sometimes even spills or stains on hard floors — no elbow grease required.

And after testing 20+ robot vacuums on my own personal floors (my apartment is very clean), I can confidently call out the top robotic vacuum cleaners that'll make your life easier.

Are Roombas the best robot vacuums?

Though some Roombas are really good robot vacuums, they're far from the only good robot vacuums.

iRobot dominated the robot vacuum realm from the early 2000s up until a few years ago, so it's no surprise that much of the general public forgets that "Roomba" isn't simply a generic term for any robotic vacuum.

But Roombas aren't in a league of their own anymore. I mean, you can't even Google "Roomba" without a question comparing Roombas to Shark robot vacuums popping up. I'm also here to put some respect on names like Roborock and Eufy — they're continuously releasing new contenders that are often a better value than Roombas in the same price range.

SEE ALSO: Roborock Saros 10 vs. 10R: I narrowly crowned a winner after head-to-head testing at home

I'm regularly testing the top robot vacuums at multiple price points and comparing them to top performers from previous years, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. As I test each robot vacuum, I keep notes on their overall suction power, scrubbing efficacy (if it's a robot vacuum that mops), pet hair pickup, self-emptying docks and self-washing mopping pads, smart mapping and navigation, obstacle avoidance, and the overall user experience. All of that is considered through the lens of cost efficiency. I'll be the first one to point out when a budget vacuum cleaner is solid for the price, or when a premium robot vacuum is actually worth the splurge — or not worth the splurge, in the case of Roborock's $2,599.99 robot vacuum with an arm.

Regardless of what you're aiming to spend, the pool of vacuums in your price range is bound to grow during Prime Day. Amazon's major summer event is just as big for robot vacuums as Black Friday is — every brand in this guide will likely discount a handful of models. In fact, many robot vacuum deals have already gone live at Amazon ahead of the official Prime Day window (July 8 through 11 this year).

Throughout my continuous testing, I've narrowed down your shopping list to six options. Here are the best robot vacuums for every home and budget so far in 2025.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I tested several other top robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and various versions of the Roomba j7 were my top recommendations at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck.

I've also tested some 2025 robot vacuum releases that were OK, but ultimately aren't a top pick for me. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). The Roborock Saros 10 and 10R were able to hoist over the few thick doorway thresholds in my apartment just as well as the X50 Ultra. Its mopping and vacuuming capabilities are better than most mid-range robot vacuums, of course, but they weren't impressive enough for me to suggest the X50 Ultra in this list over either Saros 10 model.

SAVE $60: As of July 3, Prime members can get the Fire TV Stick 4K and Luna Controller bundle for $59.98 at Amazon — 50% off its usual $119.98 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Luna Controller $59.98 at Amazon
$119.98 Save $60.00 Get Deal

For those hoping to upgrade their streaming setup with the option to dip their toes into gaming, Amazon’s rolling out the red carpet for Prime members with a killer early Prime Day deal: the Fire TV Stick 4K and Luna Controller bundle is down to just $59.98. That’s 50% off its regular price of $119.98.

This two-in-one bundle gives you everything you need to get started with Amazon Luna, the company’s game streaming service, which also comes with Amazon Prime. Letting you dive into a rotating library of titles — like Fortnite, Fallout New Vegas, Death Stranding Director’s Cut, or Resident Evil 2 — there's no need for a console if it isn’t in your budget or you aren’t prioritising the latest and greatest gaming tech. 

Just plug in the Fire TV Stick 4K, launch the Luna app, and start gaming right from the cloud.

SEE ALSO: These Prime Day deals landed early — save on Apple, Ninja, and Samsung gadgets

The included Luna Controller offers low-latency gameplay thanks to Cloud Direct technology, which connects the controller directly to Amazon’s servers via WiFi. If you prefer to go old-school, it also works via Bluetooth, making it a solid option for other devices like PCs, tablets, and smartphones.

Of course, you’re not just getting a gamepad — the Fire TV Stick 4K brings a world of entertainment to your screen, with support for 4K streaming, Dolby Vision, and hands-free Alexa voice control. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn any standard into a smart TV with top-tier streaming chops.

At half off, this is one of the best Prime-member exclusives we’ve seen ahead of the sale. Whether you're in it for the binge-watching or the button-mashing, this bundle delivers serious bang for your buck.

If you’re hoping to upgrade your TV while you’re at it, Amazon has dropped a massive range of solid early Prime Day TV deals. To ditch the chores to you can fully enjoying your gaming, check out the selection of budget-friendly robot vacuum deals ahead of Prime Day.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device With Remote (2023 Model) — $24.99 (List Price $49.99)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 1070Wh Portable Power Station — $448.98 (List Price $799.00)

• Ring Indoor Cam 2nd Gen 1080p Camera With Cover (White, 2-Pack) — $59.98 (List Price $99.99)

• Blink Outdoor 4 XR 2 Camera Kit With Mini 2 Camera — $129.98 (List Price $219.98)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $269.00 (List Price $348.00)

• Shark AV2511AE AI Robot Vacuum With XL Self-Empty Base — $297.99 (List Price $599.00)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB Tablet (2023 Release, Black) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99)

• Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2023 Model) — $139.99 (List Price $229.99)

• Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote (2023 Model) — $34.99 (List Price $59.99)

• Ring Battery Doorbell Pro With Ring Battery Outdoor Cam Plus — $329.98

• 55" Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2024 Model) — $699.99 (List Price $819.99)

Remember the "Storm Area 51" event in 2019 that started off as an internet meme, then took on a life of its own?

Well, Netflix has a documentary about it coming out. The footage above teases interviews with Matty Roberts, who created the meme that sparked the IRL event, as well as other attendees and people involved in a joke that quickly spiralled into something more.

Trainwreck: Storm Area 51 is streaming on Netflix from July 29.

The best Windows laptops run an impressive gamut, from Qualcomm-powered workhorses that refuse to die to dual-display stunners and subtle gaming stations. (Some of them, dare we say, will tempt even the most devoted Apple MacBook disciples.) Users who need a new laptop for everyday productivity, creativity, or entertainment have no shortage of options. And that's for better or worse.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops for 2025, tested by our experts

To help you pick out your next PC from the crowded Windows market, we've broken out our best laptops rundown into this separate guide to the best Windows machines of 2025. All of these laptops have been thoroughly hands-on tested by members of the Mashable team for performance, build quality, and battery life, and we stand by their value — or at least think they're worth hunting down on sale.

Best Windows laptop to buy 2025

As of July 2025, Mashable's favorite Windows laptop is the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, an elegant workhorse powered by the impressive Snapdragon X Elite processor. It's got enough power to handle demanding workloads, a premium design, interesting AI features, and the best battery life out of all the laptops we've ever reviewed. Even the latest M4 MacBooks can't keep up.

The scoop on Prime Day laptop deals

Amazon's flagship summer Prime Day sale is set for July 8 to 11 this year. For Windows users looking to save on an upgrade, the four-day event should get marked on your calendar. It's not because Amazon itself offers amazing deals on Windows laptops during the sale, though it does tend to heavily discount Surface laptops. No, it's mainly because Prime Day motivates other tech retailers and computer brands to run their own competing sales.

SEE ALSO: Help, I can't stop recommending Amazon's $849 M4 MacBook Air deal

The one to watch in particular will be Best Buy's Black Friday in July savings event from July 7 to 13. Best Buy has a much bigger selection of Windows laptops compared to Amazon, including an exclusive lineup of newer AI PCs. It's also free of pesky third-party sellers.

Be sure to bookmark our guide to the best Prime Day laptop deals on Amazon (and beyond) if you don't have the bandwidth to pore over every markdown yourself. In the meantime, read on to learn more about the best Windows models for your shopping shortlist.

FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.

What's on deck

Our team has several Windows laptops in hand for testing, including two AI-ready gaming laptops:

• the latest Intel-powered Framework Laptop 13, an upgradable and repairable PC

• the new Asus ZenBook A14, the "world's lightest Copilot+ PC" (and the winner of Mashable's Best of CES award in the laptop category this year)

• the latest Asus VivoBook S 15, a Copilot+ PC that comes in just under $1,000

• the latest Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9), a mid-range Copilot+ PC with an OLED touchscreen

• the Acer Predator Helios 16, a 16-inch gaming laptop with a 240Hz display and an RTX 4080 GPU

• the MSI Stealth A16 AI+, another 16-inch gaming laptop with a 240Hz display and an RTX 4070 GPU

What we've tested lately (that didn't make the cut)

I recently tested the Dell XPS 13 (9350), a 13-inch Lunar Lake Copilot+ PC with an anti-reflective tandem OLED touchscreen display. Above all, it's a gorgeous laptop: That display is one of the nicest I've ever seen, and its edge-to-edge design gives it a super premium, minimalist look. It also lasted more than 13 hours in our battery life test, which is great when you factor in that power-sucking display. 

However, the XPS 13 favors prettiness over practicality in certain ways that make it a pain to use. Namely, its zero-lattic keyboard felt cramped, its glass touchpad often misbehaved, and its port selection was dire. (There are just two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports — that's too much minimalism, IMO.)

Those might've been more forgivable if the XPS 13 didn't cost so much. My testing unit with a firmly mid-range Intel Core Ultra 256V CPU, 16GB of RAM, and only 512GB of storage goes for $1,849.99. You can knock that down to $1,199.99 if you go without the OLED display upgrade, which feels way more reasonable, but at the same time, that was the one thing I liked most about it. I rated it a 3.8/5 overall.

Earlier this year, I tested the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, a slick convertible with awesome build quality, an excellent 15-hour battery life, and a beautiful design that includes a 3K OLED touchscreen. It's a knockout, but its weird port placements and middling Geekbench 6 multi-core score kept it from earning a Mashable Choice Award. (I rated it a 4.4/5 overall — so close!)

To give more context to the latter point, my $1,899.99 testing unit had an Intel Core Ultra 258V processor with 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. (That's a brand-new upper mid-range CPU.) In our Geekbench 6 benchmark, it scored slightly worse than the 15-inch M2 Apple MacBook Air from 2023 and significantly worse than its predecessor, last year's HP Spectre x360 14, which had a mid-range Intel Core Series 1 CPU as tested. For nearly $2,000, I wanted way more oomph from the OmniBook.

I do think the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is a decent splurge for future-proofers, but it's not well-rounded enough to be one of our top picks. Stick with the Yoga 9i 14 if you're looking for the best hybrid laptop out there, or look into the Spectre x360 14 if you want to stay within the HP family — it offers better performance and audio quality for about the same price as the OmniBook model.

LLMs — the data models powering your favorite AI chatbots — don't just have social and racial biases, a new report finds, but inherent biases against democratic institutions.

A recent study, published by researchers at the MIT Sloan School of Management, analyzed how six popular LLMs (including ChatGPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek) portray the state of press freedom — and, indirectly, trust in the media — in responses to user prompts. The results showed that LLMs consistently suggested that countries have less press freedom than official reports, like the non-governmental ranking like the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI), published by Reporters Without Borders. ChatGPT, for example, ranked 97 percent of the 180 countries used in the test negatively.

SEE ALSO: X is about to let AI fact-check your posts

Chatbots have become an essential piece of infrastructure in the information environment — reaching levels of influence on par with that of social media — and they may also carry the weight of influencing how their users understand freedom worldwide. The MIT study found the LLMs distorting and under-counting the press freedom in nations that actually place relatively few restrictions on journalists.

"LLMs have millions of users around the world," Isabella Loaiza, postdoctoral researcher at MIT Sloan and one of the report's authors, told Mashable. "So their misrepresentations of the press, its integrity, and independence can distort the public's perception of civic rights and the freedoms enjoyed by reporters within and across countries."

LLMs may skew perceptions of their home country

In addition to generally skewed rankings of press freedom globally, the study found that LLMs have a natural "in-group bias" that swayed which countries received a more critical evaluation, with all six chat agents ranking countries with historically high ratings of press freedom, or "freer" countries, disproportionately lower than other countries. At the same time, the LLMs displayed natural in-group biases that resulted in more positive assessment of their home, or developer, countries.

Overall, the tests showed systematic, not random, biases in how LLMs assess press freedom. The reasons for this lie, as with all model bias, in their training data. "We refer to what some authors have called the democratic dilemma, whereby in societies with greater press freedom, journalists, and citizens can freely critique government policies and document press freedom violations, generating substantial negative coverage that becomes overrepresented in the training data," the report explains. As more "negative" news is disseminated in "freer" countries, countries with authoritarian or restricted media systems suppress critical reporting, misaligning data and the chatbot's response.

"While we find that the LLMs misrepresent press freedom similarly in two ways — both by underrating press freedom and by being more critical of freer nations — our third finding show that different models are misaligned in different directions," Loaiza explained. "This result is interesting because having these differences in the way that LLMs are misaligned makes it more difficult to spot these biases, and we also haven't seen other research that shows such diverging patterns. Additionally, this finding (the home bias) suggests that a particularly popular or widely used model could influence global narratives about its home country or countries similar to it, by being less critical about the state of its press freedom."

Studies have shown that users who interact with daily news mainly through social media have less confidence in the press, the report explains, but LLMs pose an additional set of problems. They are, on one hand, more similar to traditional print and broadcast news sources with centralized information streams. But AI chatbots are also influenced by algorithmic content mediation, just like social media feeds, creating similar echo chambers in addition to problems unique to chatbots, such as sycophantic behavior.

According to researchers, these biases pose the risk of downplaying press restrictions in more authoritarian countries in responses, while providing wealthier nations and developers with a means to "project soft power" in the global "AI race."

Chatbots could be problematic tools for human rights

Even chatbot enthusiasts have noted the unreliability of the most popular models and the ease with which they can fall into nationalist responses. Early DeepSeek users, for example, found that the chat agent censored prompts about Chinese politics and history, a limitation built into the model at the behest of Chinese state officials, which deter generative AI that violates the country’s "core socialist values" or “incites to subvert state power and overthrow the socialist system.”

The report's authors connect these findings to the increasing use of AI in official evaluations, including its integration within high-level international bodies like the United Nations, calling into question their reliability as tools for global human and civic rights assessments.

"As these systems become key cultural and geopolitical tools, they must ensure accurate representations of democratic institutions, like the press and human and civic rights," the report authors write. "Their alignment with democratic principles becomes not just a technical challenge but a fundamental requirement for preserving democratic societies in the digital age."

"Access to reliable information on the state and health of the institutions that uphold democracy is critical for civic participation," said report co-author Roberto Rigobon.

Whenever you think of gay dating apps, Grindr, Scruff, and Sniffies likely come to mind. These platforms thrive off of thirsty dudes looking to get laid. But a new report (aptly titled "The Naked Truth") from Archer, a relatively new dating app (owned by the Match Group, which also owns Tinder, Hinge, and other apps), suggests a shift in how gay men are using apps, and ultimately, how they're viewing dating itself. It turns out gay men on Archer are actually nearly six times more likely to be looking for a husband than a hookup!

SEE ALSO: From Grindr to Scruff: The best dating apps for gay, bi, and queer men

Launched in June 2023, Archer is what the company describes as a "social-first" alternative to some of those more hookup-focused, location-based apps out there, like Grindr and Sniffies. The app's main push is really about offering gay, bisexual, and queer men a more intentional dating experience, with a solid focus on building community and helping everyone stay safe with its in-app Health Hub.

Since its App Store debut, Archer has managed to get quite a bit of attention as a new player in the gay dating app scene. (Which it totally should — I've attended some great events that Archer has sponsored in NYC, and the team seems genuinely interested in helping people find their forever person!) With over 685,000 downloads by May 2024 (a feat considering the financial news in the dating app world has been generally bleak as of late), Archer is definitely backing up its claims with solid data.

What gay men really want, according to Archer’s survey of 550 of its users

Archer's first annual trends report, "The Naked Truth," shows that users aren't just looking for an afternoon delight. Here's what they found:

• Five and a half times more users are interested in finding a husband than a hookup.

• Users are three times more likely to say they're looking for a "love story" than "random sex."

• Fifty-seven percent of gay singles say that they're open to trying new things sexually, whereas 20 percent say that they've got their kinks and are happy sticking to them.

• Green flags like good communication and emotional intelligence are way more important than a steamy romp.

• Salt Lake City, Tampa, and Denver topped the list for the highest percentage of tops. Cincinnati, Columbus, and Minneapolis were the most bottom-heavy.

"Dating within the gay community is all about choice, fluidity, and the freedom to define what connection means in the moment," Michael Kaye, head of brand at Archer, said in a press release. "'The Naked Truth' shows us that our users value authenticity and intention. They're not just seeking endless matches — they're choosing their own journey on their own terms."

How Archer is meeting users where they are

Since its launch, Archer has been committed to creating a safer space for gay men to connect. Its newest feature, "Looking For Modes," is just one example of how it's doing that.

With "Looking For Modes," users can make their intentions known right away. As soon as daters open the app, they'll be able to choose between "Hookup," "Date," and "Friends Mode." They'll also be able to add temporary status updates, like "Looking for now," "Open to chat," or "Down to meet," in real-time.

With "Looking For Modes," users can make their intentions known right away. Credit: Archer

Archer has also taken a page out of Hinge's playbook with what it's calling "Ice Breakers." These are prompts that you can add to your profile for others to respond to. This way, you don't have to send an awkward "hey" just to be left on read. (Another cool thing about Archer's "Ice Breakers" is that any user who has them on their profile will get a visibility boost on the app.)

Some of the most popular "Ice Breaker" prompts include:

• Describe your favorite sex position using only emojis.

• If you had to lip-sync for your life, which song would you choose?

• Be famous for being messy on reality TV or famous for a one-hit wonder pop song?

• If we had to coordinate Halloween costumes, what duo are we going as?

• What's the most unhinged reason you've ever stopped talking to someone?

And, while Archer was free at launch, it unveiled a premium subscription service, Archer Gold, in May. It costs $29.99 for one month or $59.99 for three months. With Archer Gold, users can go incognito, change their location, access advanced filters, see who's viewed their profile, and receive read receipts.

WWDC has come and gone with plenty of iOS 26 announcements, including Liquid Glass and plenty of other stuff enthusiasts are exploring in the beta release. It turns out that more may be in store for iOS 26 before its official release later this year, including two new features that Apple hasn’t announced yet. 

The news comes via Mark Gurman’s “Power On” newsletter. Bloomberg’s Apple guru told a reader that there were still two features that he expects to be included with iOS 26 that have yet to be announced. The first is the long-awaited live translation feature coming to AirPods and the other is a method to sync public Wi-Fi login information across the device. 

Of the two, the AirPods' upcoming translation feature is by far the more interesting. Based on reports, it’ll work by using an iPhone app. The phone will listen for the other speaker and then route the translation directly through the AirPods. When the user responds, the phone will listen, translate it back into the other language, and then play the translation out loud for the other person. 

Apple’s Translate app can already do this without the AirPods, allowing two people to talk into the iPhone and have the conversation translated for one another with everything played through the phone speaker. With the AirPods support, it’ll be similar to how Google’s Pixel Buds and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 do it, which will put Apple on par with its biggest competitors. 

The other feature is a little less exciting but equally useful, especially for people who travel often. By syncing things like airport, hotel, or gym Wi-Fi login credentials across devices, you can log in with a MacBook, iPhone, or whatever else without needing to hunt down and input the login credentials for each device separately. 

Gurman didn’t mention when the new features would be announced. However, he did note that Apple had a focus on translation at WWDC and the existence of code bits that hint at the Wi-Fi sync feature. Gurman posits that Apple didn’t announce these new features in case they got delayed, like several features were after WWDC 2024, including Apple’s still-upcoming AI-powered Siri. 

TL;DR: Preserve your memories with the Kodak Slide N Scan Film and Slide Scanner, on sale now for $169.97 (reg. $189.99) through July 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Slide N Scan Film & Slide Scanner $169.97
$189.99 Save $20.02 Get Deal

You never really know what gems are trapped in your dusty old film negatives. Whether it’s a fun childhood vacation, a smile from a loved one no longer with us, or a snap of a beloved family pet, the Kodak Slide N Scan makes it easy to bring lost memories to life.

This handy device brings your film into the 21st century, helping you make digital copies, and it’s available for just $169.97 through July 15.

Turn dusty negatives into heartwarming digital keepsakes

Let the Kodak Slide N Scan Film and Slide Scanner take you on a lovely walk down memory lane as you scan your old color and black-and-white negatives and see them on the large 5-inch LCD screen. You can also make a night of it by connecting the scanner to your television, PC, or Mac and enjoying a slideshow experience as you scan.

Aside from giving you peace of mind by digitizing these precious memories, the Kodak Slide N Scan also allows you to enhance your film images with color adjustments, rotation, and resolution boosting from 14 to 22 megapixels, so your digital version is even clearer and more detailed than the original.

The Slide N Scan is easy to use, featuring quick-feeding tray technology that makes loading slides and film negatives effortless. It’s compatible with 35mm, 110, 126, and monochrome film and slide types — and there’s no darkroom required.

Clear out some space in your garage or attic and make sure your memories are never forgotten with the Kodak Slide N Scan Film and Slide Scanner, now $169.97 (reg. $189.99) through July 15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a Grade A refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for just $439.97 (reg. $1,799).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $439.97
$1,799 Save $1,359.03 Get Deal

At nearly 75% off the original price tag, this Grade A refurbished 2020, 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro 13 is a serious steal. Whether you’re upgrading your older laptop, building a dedicated home office setup, or finally getting a travel-friendly machine that doesn’t feel like a compromise, this is your moment. And yes — it’s loaded.

You’re getting a modern MacBook with a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a roomy 512GB SSD for just $439.97. In typical Apple fashion, the 13.3-inch Retina display is gorgeous, the battery life is long enough to carry you through the day, and the Magic Keyboard with Touch Bar and Touch ID makes it feel and perform as sleek as it looks.

It’s also a multitasking powerhouse. The quad-core chip can turbo boost up to 3.8GHz, so whether you’re editing video, running a ton of Chrome tabs (we see you), or just juggling Zoom, Slack, and Spotify, it can keep up.

And with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, you can charge it, connect displays, transfer data, and more — faster than ever. It’s future-ready without needing a monthly payment plan.

Grade A refurbished means this MacBook is in near-mint condition — think minimal to no cosmetic wear, tested for full functionality, and ready to go right out of the box. Basically, it’s everything you want in a MacBook Pro without the steep price.

Get this grade-A refurb MacBook Pro for just $439.97 (reg. $1,799) through July 15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Don’t miss a moment of a meeting, lecture, or conversation with this AI-powered recording tool, the Focais: Meet One, now just $59.97 (reg. $149) through July 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: Focais Focais: Meet One – Your AI-Powered Assistant to Capture & Summarize Notes $59.97
$149 Save $89.03 Get Deal

Ever wish you had a personal assistant just to keep track of everything you hear during the day? Then it’s time to meet Focais: Meet One, an AI-powered device ready to record, transcribe, translate, and summarize for you 24/7.

Right now, you can grab the Focais: Meet One for just $59.97 (reg. $149) through July 15.

Meet your new favorite tool for meetings, lectures, and brainstorms

Focais: Meet One is an AI-powered, lightweight device ready to change the way you record the world around you, making it a great option for meetings, lectures, and personal notes. This device automatically starts recording when it detects sound, saving you battery and memory. Plus, it captures crisp, high-def audio, so you won’t miss a word, even if it’s quiet.

You can attach it to any metal surface thanks to its magnetic attachment, making it easy to set up on the go. After recording, it transcribes your content in real time, powered by OpenAI’s Whisper transcription engine. Then, it uses GPT-4 to generate a clear, concise summary of your audio.

The Focais: Meet One packs a powerful battery that can handle up to 20 hours of nonstop recording. And if you need to translate on the fly, no problem — it can transcribe and translate over 120 languages with ease.

Use the integrated mobile app to easily organize, edit, and share your files. You’ll also get lifetime access, which includes all the recording and saving features, and 600 minutes of AI processing a month for life.

Record, transcribe, summarize, and translate with the Focais: Meet One, on sale now for $59.97 (reg. $149) through July 15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver lets you enjoy wireless listening without upgrading old devices, and it’s currently on sale for just $39.97 (reg. $59) through July 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: Adam Elements Adam Elements EVE ll Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver $39.97
$59 Save $19.03 Get Deal

Want the freedom of wireless gadgets without having to upgrade to the latest, greatest models? The Adam Elements EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver can turn your favorite old devices wireless, with no Bluetooth required. And right now, you can make this major change for just $39.97 (reg. $59) through July 15.

Stream audio wirelessly on flights, in your car, or at home

Think of the EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver as a Bluetooth translator — it’s equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 technology and uses bidirectional TX (send) and RX (receive) modes, so you can add Bluetooth to older devices that aren’t equipped with it. Just plug it into any 3.5mm jack, such as those on airplane seats, TVs, or car stereos.

Imagine listening to your TV wirelessly or enjoying entertainment on an airplane through your AirPods. It supports both single and dual AUX inputs, making it perfect for in-flight entertainment systems. And you won’t mind bringing it along on the plane, because this device is small and portable.

This convenient device has a 10-meter wireless range and an impressive 20-hour battery life, so it can get you through even a lengthy flight. Want to share the wireless love? You can simultaneously pair two sets of earbuds, allowing you to share music, movies, and more.

Upgrade older devices easily with the EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver, on sale now for just $39.97 (reg. $59) through July 15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The heat is on! And if you're looking to enjoy the summer while staying cozy in an air-conditioned home, we've got you covered.

Each week, our New to Streaming guide offers the best (and worst) titles new to streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and more. Beyond that, we offer watch guides for all of the above streamers, broken down by genres like comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're looking for something that just says "SUMMER" — we're here to help.

Looking across platforms, here are 10 movies that revel in vacation vibes, getaway thrills, and even some steamy romance. All you've got to do is click through and hit play.

Read on for the best summer movies now streaming, plus a wild card that's been heating up on social media.

10. The Sandlot (1993)

Want something family-friendly for a summer movie night in? The Sandlot is a home run.

Set in the summer of 1962, this beloved kids' movie is a look back at a formative summer in which a new kid on the block found his crew in a scrappy team of backyard baseball lovers. In the San Fernando Valley, Scotty Smalls is awkward and far from athletic. But to make friends, he'll do just about anything — even venture into the backyard of local legend The Beast (meaning a big, mean dog that's definitely eaten people before).

Yet this Beast plotline is far from the only summer adventure The Sandlot offers. With a collection of quirky characters like Benny the Jet, Ham Porter, Yeah-Yeah, and Squints, this nostalgic romp is full of fun and funny moments. It's also a charming coming-of-age story that happened to give us a catchphrase that's proved only more useful as we grow up: "You're killing me, Smalls!"

How to watch: The Sandlot is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

9. In the Heights (2021)

Cruelly, summer isn't all about vacations. But even if you're working hard, that doesn't mean love, friendship, and dreamy days of music and summer fun are off the playlist.

Adapted from Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda's other Tony Award–winning musical, In the Heights stars Anthony Ramos as Usnavi de la Vega, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who's living and loving in the Washington Heights. Directed by Wicked helmer Jon M. Chu, the stage show becomes a cinematic tour across the lively New York City neighborhood, where an ensemble of colorful locals break into song and dance with captivating verve.

Whether in a busy bodega, a popping beauty salon, on the bustling streets, or in a crowded public pool, In the Heights is a celebration of community and the immigrants who built it but are being forced out through gentrification. A story that's moving, timely, and crowd-pleasing, In the Heights will have you jumping out of your seat and singing along.

Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits

How to watch: In the Heights is available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

8. Dirty Dancing (1987)

"Iconic" is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days. But this summer romance starring Jennifer Grey and a rugged Patrick Swayze is truly iconic. Written by Eleanor Bergstein and directed by Emile Ardolino, Dirty Dancing was dripping with nostalgia for the 1960s with its torrid tale of a teen girl's first love.

Grey stars as Frances "Baby" Houseman, who is less-than-thrilled on vacation at a boring Catskills resort with her preppy family. Then she meets dance instructor Johnny Castle (Swayze), who inspires a fire inside her that makes her not just want to dance — but to dirty dance.

A sizzling soundtrack and steamy scenes of seduction to a still sexy score make for a movie that's almost too hot to handle. But heads up, the movie's themes of class conflict and a woman's right to her own body are going to feel less dated, and more horridly timely.

Starring: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, and Cynthia Rhodes

How to watch: Dirty Dancing is now streaming on MovieSphere+.

7. Girls Trip (2017)

There are several great comedies about girls' trips, from Bridesmaids to Rough Night, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. But Malcolm D. Lee's Girls Trip is undoubtedly the best when it comes to capturing the unique fun, thrills, and mayhem of summer good times.

Written by Kenya Barris and Tracy Oliver, Girls Trip follows a group of Black friends (Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Queen Latifah) who head to New Orleans for the Essence Music Festival. Praying and partying together since college, their lives have pulled them down different paths, both personal and professional. But on this trip, they'll see a whole new side to one another, and discover things about themselves, be it on a zipline or an absinthe trip!

A wild and warm film that powerfully celebrates Black joy, Girls Trip is side-splittingly funny, with sequences that'll have you cackling — and maybe inspire you to plan a girls' trip of your own.

Starring: Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Larenz Tate, Mike Colter, Kate Walsh, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Queen Latifah

How to watch: Girls Trip is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

6. A Perfect Getaway (2009)

This is one of those movies that just deserved better. Written and directed by David Twohy, A Perfect Getaway is the kind of summer thriller that's so twisted and sexy you're going to want to watch it again immediately. And yet when it came out, it fizzled at the box office and got mixed reviews from critics. But hear me out.

Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich star as newlyweds, flush with cash from their "wedding haul" and giddy to explore the natural wonders of Hawaii on a long hike into its tropical hiking trails. There's just one problem. News reports say there are a couple of killers on the loose on the island, and they seem to be targeting honeymooners. Several suspects pop up along the trail, like a hippie couple with a hostile edge (played by Chris Hemsworth and Marley Shelton), or the braggadocio veteran full of tall tales and his hillbilly girlfriend (Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez). Who's a threat and who's going to make it out alive?

There's only one way to find out. Watch and see.

Starring: Steve Zahn, Milla Jovovich, Chris Hemsworth, Marley Shelton, Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez

How to watch: A Perfect Getaway is now streaming on HBO Max.

5. Dìdi (2024)

Want to feel like a kid again? Are you sure? One of our favorite films of 2024, Dìdi captures what it felt like to be coming of age in the 2000s, capturing the good, the bad, and the AIM messaging.

Set in the summer of 2008, the directorial debut of writer/helmer Sean Wang follows a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy (Izaac Wang) who goes by several names (Chris/Dìdi/Wang Wang), all the better to code-switch for his family, skater friends, school crush, and beyond. As he looks to make the most of his summer, this eager-to-impress hero lays down little white lies, flirts poorly, alienates friends with off-putting anecdotes, and screams at his devoted mom (Joan Chen). And those of us who've lived through such hot, hormonal, and socially awkward days may cringe in recognition every step of the way.

Then, on top of all this, the emotionally intelligent filmmaker also captures the heartache and earnestness a generation first poured into MySpace and AIM Instant Messenger. Watching Dìdi is less like taking a vacation and more like time-traveling, because the director and his young cast so superbly recreate this era and its anxieties. It's not just a good summer movie, or a great coming-of-age movie, it's an excellent movie that's an absolute must-see.

Starring: Izaac Wang, Joan Chen, Shirley Chen, Chang Li Hua, Mahaela Park, and Raul Dial

How to watch: Dìdi is now streaming on Prime Video.

4. Independence Day (1996)

'Tis the season to revisit co-writer/director Roland Emmerich's national treasure, Independence Day. This Hollywood blockbuster was not only a hit in its own time, but also stood out as the best of a flood of '90s disaster movies. And it didn't hurt that this one was flooded with famous faces.

Jeff Goldblum (making his first appearance on this list, but not the last!) stars as a scientist who realizes there's something sinister in the arrival of a fleet of UFOs around the world. Naturally, he reaches out to his ex-wife, who is White House communications director (Margaret Colin) to the president (Bill Pullman). After some heart-racing destruction, he and a hot-shot Marine pilot (Will Smith) are pulled into a Hail Mary mission to save all mankind from a ruthless alien invasion.

It's a true ensemble piece that transports audience from the Oval Office to the bustling streets of New York City to humble trailer parks and the mysterious Area 51, along the way introducing a varied array of characters and making the action come to life with a backdrop of ardent humanity. It's a movie about overcoming our differences to fight a greater threat that would rather see us die than coexist. Between Bill Pullman's rousing speech to the explosive finale, Independence Day is a ray of hope, there whenever you need it.

Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid, Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner, Harry Connick, Jr., Robert Loggia, James Rebhorn, and Harvey Fierstein

How to watch: Independence Day is now streaming on Hulu.

3. Jurassic Park (1993)

Steven Spielberg would come to define summer movies with a series of epic offerings, two of which made this list. Based on the Michael Crichton novel, Jurassic Park dreamed up an absolutely epic amusement park, where families could come and ride rides, buy overpriced merch, and see actual living, breathing dinosaurs. But despite the "spared no expense" enthusiasm of Jurassic Park founder John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), life — uh — found a way. Basically, yeah, the ancient beasts broke loose of our puny modern containment units and turned would-be tourists into prey.

Among those on the run are a trio of experts that Hammond had hoped would endorse his venture. But grumbly paleontologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill), plucky paleobotanist Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and ruthlessly sexy mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) soon go from awed by these resurrected dinosaurs to running away from them. ("Must go faster!")

Spielberg not only managed to make a movie that was so wildly entertaining that other filmmakers are still plagiarizing his sequences 30 years later — looking at you Colin Trevorrow! — but also brought together a cast that was as utterly captivating as his jaw-dropping dinosaurs. Neill, Dern, and Goldblum have a hot and chaotic tension that's launched countless crushes and ships. And while you can also stream this movie's many sequels, none will hit quite as hard as the first.

Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, B.D. Wong, Ariana Richards, and Joseph Mazzello

How to watch: Jurassic Park is now streaming on Peacock.

2. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)

You might have missed this comedy gem, as the COVID-19 pandemic led to a serious Hollywood shake-up that pushed Barb and Star to a VOD release rather abruptly in Feb. 2021. But it was the summery friendship cocktail we craved in a dark time, and still do, over and over.

Written by and starring Bridesmaids' scribes Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is a madcap buddy comedy that balances a tale of middle-age besties looking to get their groove back on a joint vacation to a bubbly beach town with an Austin Powers-worthy supervillain who's looking to annihilate the titular destination. Mumolo and Wiig headline as Barb and Star, roomies who are seeking tit-flapping fun in the sun — and maybe romance! And they find both when they meet a handsome hunk (Fifty Shades of Grey's Jamie Dornan), who is secretly doing the bidding of the wicked, villainous Sharon Fisherman (also Wiig).

If that plot sounds bonkers, oh baby, you don't even know. From Josh Greenbaum, the director of the funny friendship doc Will and Harper, Barb and Star offers the kind of deeply dumb humor that's weirdly brilliant. There's physical comedy, celebrity cameos, quotable lines, and a musical number that's as inexplicable as it is awesome.

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan, Damon Wayans Jr., Andy Garcia, and Reba McEntire

How to watch: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is now streaming on Hulu.

1. Jaws (1975)

The historical blockbuster is a summer tradition for good reason. When it came out 50 years ago, it scared a generation into being afraid of sharks and the ocean. Since then, it's spawned three sequels (also all streaming) and an array of imitators. Some were good (Deep Blue Sea, 47 Meters Down, The Shallows, Dangerous Animals) and some were very, very bad (Under Paris, Sharknado, Shark Night).

The original was helmed by Steven Spielberg, who feared his unreliable robot shark Bruce would be the end of his burgeoning career. Spoiler: It was not. Instead, Jaws launched Spielberg and became one of the most iconic movies of all time. Roy Scheider stars as Sheriff Martin Brody of Amity Island, a place that absolutely depends on tourists' dollars come summer. When a swimmer turns up chewed to bits on their picturesque beach, the money-hungry mayor (Murray Hamilton) demands the beach stay open on the 4th of July. More deaths will follow, pushing the thalassophobic Brody into the sea aboard the Orca, captained by the surly Quint (Robert Shaw) and aided by the smug shark expert Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss).

Sure, on the surface, this is a creature feature, rich with blood, scary attack sequences, and an epic final showdown. But beneath this splashy spectacle, Jaws is also a tale of greed, masculinity, and family. Fifty years later, it's still making a big splash.

Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss

How to watch: Jaws 1-4 are now streaming on Peacock.

Wild Card: Copycat (1995)

A solid box office success in 1995, this serial-killer thriller somehow flew under the radar pop culture-wise until recently. I say this as someone who's been low-key obsessed with Copycat since I first saw it back in 1995, when I was definitely too young to be watching this R-rated movie, which features graphic scenes of sexualized violence against women. But hey, parenting was a lot different before everyone had the internet on their phones.

Anyhow, Copycat has hit Netflix, sparking new interest and audiences. And it's about time. Sure, some things about this '90s thriller feel a bit dated. But the core story is about true crime obsession and being maybe too online. So, it fits pretty well into our modern moment.

Sigourney Weaver stars as a criminal psychologist who has developed agoraphobia after being violently attacked by a stalker. Though he's been imprisoned, she's under threat once again when a new serial killer begins teasing cops by meticulously re-enacting the crimes of notorious serial killers like the Boston Strangler, the Hillside Strangler, and Jeffrey Dahmer. On the case is the unassuming inspector M.J. Monahan (Holly Hunter) and her flirtatious partner Reuben Goetz (Dermot Mulroney), who chase down every lead — including the captured stalker played by a Southern-fried, dirty-talking Harry Connick Jr.

Deranged, sexy, and surprising, Copycat is a juicy watch, whether you've seen it before or not. Weaver is riveting as a devastatingly intelligent woman whose fear of the outside world has chased her to live chiefly online through chat rooms. (Oh, the '90s!) Hunter and Mulroney have a crackling will-they-won't-they chemistry, while Connick (and his secret cohort) offer a chilling portrayal of villainy. It's not strictly a summer movie, but it is hot, sticky, and exciting — kind of like a rollercoaster!

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney. William McNamara, Will Patton, John Rothman, J. E. Freeman, and Harry Connick Jr.

How to watch: Copycat is now streaming on Netflix.

A laptop doesn't make a great impulse buy, like pack of gum in the checkout line or a weird thingamajig you saw in a TikTok livestream.

Of course, if the computer you depend on for work, school, or entertainment randomly decides to kick the bucket, the best time to replace it is immediately (after recycling or repurposing it). But most people can — and should — strategize before investing in a new machine they hope to use for years to come.

First, decide what's most important to you: a laptop with minty-fresh specs, or a laptop that costs less than usual? From there, we can point you toward several key times to buy based on our historical knowledge of past laptop launches and deals.

If you want the latest specs

For future-proofers and shoppers with cash to spare, splurging on the laptop of the moment can be more appealing than buying an older model at a discount.

Best time to buy: At launch

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a tech industry trade show that happens every year in January, is basically ground zero for next-generation laptops. Major manufacturers like Asus, Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, MSI, and Razer treat their booths as runways for new computers with the latest processors, graphics cards, and/or cutting-edge features. (Think rollable displays, weird lid attachments, and touchpads with built-in media controls.) And while some of these showcase laptops are just prototypes, many are fully fleshed-out devices, and a batch of them are available for preorder or purchase shortly after the event wraps. The rest typically hit the market by March or April.

Billed as "the world's first rollable display AI PC," Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 made a splash at CES 2025. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

There are two lone alpha wolves who don't make appearances at CES, one being Apple, which is known to take a couple different approaches to new laptop launches. Apple usually hosts formal keynote events to mark an upgrade, which the public can watch via livestream. Sometimes, it just drops an unceremonious press release. That said, the company is pretty consistent about updating its MacBook Pro and Air lines annually or biannually. While its exact launch schedule is pretty arbitrary, you can usually count on seeing new models in the spring (March or April), at its yearly Worldwide Developers Conference in June, or in late fall (October or November).

Microsoft also opts out of CES in favor of holding its own Surface laptop launch events, which almost always happen every September. They're livestreamed as well.

If you want a good deal

Any opportunity to save money is ultimately a win, but certain times of the year feature more (and steeper) laptop discounts that can justify a postponed purchase for those in search of a stellar value.

Best time to buy: On or around Black Friday

The fourth Friday in November isn't treated with the same sort of reverence it once was: Ever since Amazon started hosting Prime savings events in the fall, prompting other retailers to jumpstart their own year-end sales, "Black Friday" has become an informal season that lasts from early October into late November. Still, it remains the best time of year to grab a laptop on sale at a steal — and it's not just because stores like to take advantage of the holiday shopping surge.

Laptops get extra cheap around Black Friday (to the tune of 20 to 50% off) because it syncs up with when retailers and manufacturers are trying to offload their inventories ahead of next-gen refreshes at CES. For laptops that debuted at the beginning of the year, which are about to age out of their "current-gen" moniker, this often translates to year-round lows that knock hundreds of dollars off their normal sticker prices. Older laptops that are at least one generation removed, meanwhile, can plummet to the lowest prices of their entire lifespan as they're priced to move. (We've encountered some ancient Chromebooks on sale for less than $100 on Black Fridays past.)

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 was $200 off a month after launch as part of Amazon's 2023 Black Friday sale. Credit: Microsoft

While Apple and Microsoft don't operate on the same product cycles as everyone else, they both still have a strong presence on Black Friday at third-party retailers. Amazon and Best Buy are really good about putting older MacBooks and Surface laptops on sale at rock-bottom prices while also offering some initial deals on newer models that have only just launched. On Black Friday 2023, for example, they took $200 off the Surface Laptop Go 3 and $150 off the M3 MacBook Pro, respectively; both laptops had debuted a month prior.

Apple and Microsoft technically host their own Black Friday sales, too, but they usually aren't much to write home about. The famously stingy Apple Store only doles out free gift cards with the purchase of older MacBooks, and the Microsoft Store's prices are often trounced by its third-party peers.

SEE ALSO: The 20+ best Apple deals live ahead of Prime Day

The real debate concerning Black Friday laptop deals revolves around whether consumers should shop early or hold off on buying until Black Friday proper, in case prices get even cheaper, and the answer boils down to whether you're eyeing specific models or specs. Retailers still reserve some deals for the actual holiday (always the Friday after Thanksgiving) even if their sales are weeks or months long, so it can be worth waiting to see which laptops get featured in that primetime slot. The trouble is that we rarely know what those featured laptops are ahead of time — and by the time they're live, the model you really wanted may be backordered or back to full price.

If you're married to a certain spec sheet and don't just want a good deal, period, we generally recommend buying a laptop as soon as it gets added to a Black Friday sale's roster. In the off-chance its deal improves, you can always tap the retailer's holiday price-match guarantee and/or extended return policy as fallback plans.

Second best time to buy: During back-to-school season

Whether it's a multitasking MacBook for a college freshman or a basic Chromebook for a fifth-grader, a laptop is a given on most school supply shopping lists. As such, laptop prices dependably tank in the summer to tempt students, their parents, and teachers preparing for the upcoming semester — typically from mid-June to early September.

The back-to-school season is so major for laptop purchases that it's the only time outside of Black Friday when the Apple Store runs one of its "sales," throwing in free gift cards with MacBook purchases from early June through early October. That's in addition to its usual education pricing, which saves students, parents, and faculty $100 on select MacBooks year-round.

Apple runs one of its rare gift card promos during the back-to-school season; the other happens during Black Friday. Credit: Apple

It's worth mentioning that Amazon's flagship Prime Day sale falls smack-dab in the middle of back-to-school season in mid-July, and it's one of the only times when shoppers can source a slew of legitimately good laptop deals there besides Black Friday. (More on that later.) For instance, Prime Day 2023 featured a special invite-only deal that dropped the price of an Acer Swift X by over 40%.

SEE ALSO: Help, I can't stop recommending Amazon's $849 M4 MacBook Air deal

Crucially, Prime Day can also be lucrative for laptop shoppers because it goads other retailers into running competing sales, which often match or beat Amazon's prices. (Best Buy's Prime Day counter-programming tends to be Amazon's toughest rival when it comes to tech deals.) Prices aren't quite as low as they are on Black Friday, but it's still enough to make Prime Day worth marking on your calendar.

Third best time to buy: Over holiday weekends

Retailers are partial to offering deals on big-ticket tech purchases like laptops over federal holiday weekends, the big ones being Presidents' Day weekend (in mid-February), Memorial Day weekend (in late May), the Fourth of July, and Labor Day (in early September, coinciding with the end of back-to-school season). You won't find extreme discounts like you do in the thick of back-to-school season or Black Friday, but they're above average for the "off season."

Honorable mention: Buy right after new models are announced

Pay attention to new laptop launches even if you don't want the latest tech, as they often trigger quiet sales or price drops on the older models they're replacing. For most laptop brands, this usually means deals start trickling out after the CES dust settles in late January and into February.

Apple's 13-inch M2 Apple MacBook Air got two permanent price drops during its lifespan. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

Apple and Microsoft refreshes are, again, a little less predictable timing-wise, but they're just as reliable when it comes to previous-gen discounts. You might recall the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air getting a permanent $100 price cut when its 15-inch counterpart debuted, then another $100 chop once the latest M3 version materialized. And the original Surface Laptop Studio went on sale for $500 off the week after its successor was announced.

Not all retailers are created equal

Shopping for a new laptop is as much a game of "when" as it is "where."

Between major online retailers, we typically find the most laptop configurations (and the best laptop deals) at Best Buy. That includes current- and previous-gen MacBooks, plus a broad range of Windows laptops, Chromebooks, and gaming laptops across all major brands; it's the exclusive retail partner for a slew of current-gen Copilot+ PCs.

Amazon comes next. It consistently stocks and discounts recent MacBooks as well as a more random selection of Copilot+ PCs, Chromebooks, and entry-level to mid-range gaming laptops. Walmart has the most limited inventory out of the three and mainly dabbles in older Windows laptops, gaming laptops, and low-end Chromebooks.

With that in mind, we want to flag some quirks about these retailers that can complicate shoppers' buying experience in some way or another. One is that Amazon and Best Buy intermittently inflate laptops' original sticker prices, which can make discounts look better than they actually are. This also sometimes happens in the reverse, where a deflated MSRP is concealing better-than-advertised savings. But getting duped into a lousy deal is a less happy surprise.

Amazon listed this Acer gaming laptop on sale for $769.99, down from $844.99. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon The exact same model had an original price of $779.99 on Acer's website. You're actually saving $10, not $65. Credit: Screenshot: Acer.com Best Buy listed this Acer gaming laptop on sale for $1,099.99, down from $1,499.99. Credit: Screenshot: Best Buy The exact same model had an original price of $1,449.99 on Acer's website. You're actually saving $350, not $400. Credit: Screenshot: Acer.com

Furthermore, Amazon and Walmart are teeming with laptop listings from third-party merchants that shoppers should approach with caution. (Best Buy doesn't host them yet, but that's set to change in mid-2025.) Amazon's third-party sellers may use different customer service policies than their hosts, while Walmart's MarketPlace Sellers may have different return policies or warranty terms. And let's not forget that counterfeit products are an ongoing issue for both retailers.

This isn't to say that all third-party sellers are evil scammers. (You can usually tell based on their reviews.) It's also important to note that Amazon and Walmart both have guarantees in place to offer recourse if shoppers have problems with third-party sellers, provided they're eligible. Still, we don't think it's worth the risk or the hassle when it comes to a big-ticket purchase like a laptop. Reddit is filled with enough horror stories to reinforce this caginess.

In March 2025, you could buy a configuration of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 from a third-party Amazon seller for $1,349.99 (and get a free stylus)... Credit: Screenshot: Amazon ...Or you could buy the same laptop directly from Amazon for $40 more. Go with Amazon for peace of mind. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon A third-party Walmart seller was selling this Asus Vivobook S 16 Flip for a hair less than Walmart itself in March 2025. Credit: Screenshot: Walmart Just get it from Walmart. You're not technically getting the lowest price, but you know exactly who you're buying from. (The difference is negligible, anyway). Credit: Screenshot: Walmart

We'll give the big A and W some credit, though: They usually clean up their acts for Prime Day and Black Friday; we see lots more retailer-direct laptop listings on both sites during those major sales. Look for "Ships from/Sold by Amazon.com" and "Sold and shipped by Walmart.com" labels below the "Add to cart" buttons on their product pages. You can also filter your Walmart searches by seller.

It's important to remember that you can avoid these issues entirely by buying from laptop manufacturers themselves, which maintain their own online storefronts offer their own discounts year-round. At the very least, these are extremely useful for price checks against Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart listings to make sure their discounts are worthwhile.

How to tell if you're getting a good laptop deal

Being wary of third-party sellers and cross-checking listings between laptop retailers and manufacturers are two of the best ways to ensure you're making a smart purchase. We also recommend appraising discounts using price-tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel and Google's Shopping Insights feature. They can tell you whether a laptop you're considering has ever gone on sale for cheaper, if at all.

Finally, consider bookmarking Mashable's shopping experts' deals coverage. In recommending laptop deals, we personally vet every single discount and stick with trusted sellers. Whether the computer you wind up buying is brand new or just new to you, we strive to make sure you can confidently say that your money was well spent.