Blogroll

Forget the Toyota Corolla—this Italian sports sedan costs the same but drives like a $50K car

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 21:00

Buying a brand-new economy car is usually the sensible choice, but it isn't always the most rewarding one. Thanks to steep depreciation, the used market is full of luxury performance cars that cost no more than a new compact commuter, offering far more character for the same monthly payment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stalled Waymo cars involved in July 4 gridlock, company confirms

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 20:49

An hours-long traffic jam in San Francisco on Saturday July 4 was partly the result of stalled Waymo vehicles, the autonomous car company has confirmed.

Alleged videos of the gridlock surfaced on X, where drivers posted angrily about Waymo cars that wouldn't move.

SEE ALSO: Smooth, silent, strange: What it's really like to hail a robotaxi

A Waymo spokesperson confirmed to Mashable that the city's 4th of July celebration at the Golden Gate Bridge led to traffic disruptions, a high volume of travelers, and unexpected road closures nearby.

While some of the autonomous vehicles remained operational, others ran out of charge while idling and were towed as a result.

"Our priority is keeping San Francisco moving safely, especially during major city celebrations," the Waymo spokesperson said in a statement. "Our team is always evaluating ways to strengthen Waymo's resilience in major traffic disruptions."

This isn't the first time that stalled Waymo cars have caused traffic jams in the city by the Bay.

Last December, a power outage gave San Francisco Waymo vehicles trouble at intersections without functioning stoplights, and the company had to temporarily suspend its service.

Ironically, two days before the 4th of July gridlock, Waymo posted a video on X about the simplicity of hailing one of its cars.

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"Because after a night out, getting home should be the easiest part," the video's caption reads.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I stopped using spaces to align Excel cells—and it changed everything

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 20:45

Need to nudge text or numbers across an Excel cell? The quickest solution might seem to be tapping the spacebar a few times until everything looks aligned. I used to do exactly that. Unfortunately, it usually comes back to haunt you the next time you resize a column, change the font, or print the sheet.

Categories: IT General, Technology

DDR4 and DDR5 prices are absurd, so I’m building my homelab with DDR3

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 20:30

I'll be honest, I didn't expect to be writing anything positive about DDR3 RAM in 2026, but the RAM market had other plans. With DDR4 and DDR5 kits selling for out-of-this-world prices, buying DDR3 is suddenly a smart buy again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 exciting Netflix thrillers to watch this week (July 6-12)

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 20:00

Original movies are dominating Netflix's current top 10. Enola Holmes 3, the third adventure movie in Netflix's detective franchise, occupies the top spot, while Little Brother, a comedy starring John Cena and Eric André, is No. 2. Both movies are satisfying options, but if you're looking for more thrillers, we've got you covered.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Claires is betting Gen Alpha wants creators, not celebrities

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 19:41

For millennials, a trip to Claire's was practically a rite of passage.

It was where ears were pierced, friendship necklaces were split in half, and every trip to the mall somehow ended with an armful of glittery accessories you probably didn't need but absolutely had to have. Long before "girlhood" became an internet buzzword, Claire's had already built an empire around it.

But nostalgia alone isn't enough to sustain a retailer in 2026.

After years of financial struggles, shifting shopping habits, and the slow decline of the American mall, Claire's has spent the past several years redefining itself for a generation that's more likely to hang out with friends on Roblox than at the mall. Its newest customer isn't a millennial looking for a nostalgia fix — she's Gen Alpha, discovering the brand through YouTube, social media, and online gaming platforms.

SEE ALSO: A parent's guide to keeping kids safe on Roblox

That strategy was on full display at this year's VidCon, where Claire's unveiled its latest collaboration with Roblox YouTuber Lana's Life, which just hit stores nationwide. The collection, inspired by the wildly popular game Dress To Impress, is more than another creator merchandise drop. It's part of a broader effort to position Claire's as what Chief Brand Officer Michelle Goad calls "an inspiring playground for modern girlhood."

"Girls feel very rushed to grow up," Goad told Mashable at the convention. "Because they have access to everything on social. They're seeing grown women in their algorithm, and they feel this urgency to grow up faster. We took a counterculture position and said, 'We're actually going to take a beat and cherish girlhood.'"

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For Claire's, that starts with understanding how Gen Alpha differs from the generation before it. While Gen Z embraced louder colors, edgier aesthetics, and more maximalism, Goad says today's tween shoppers are gravitating toward something noticeably softer.

"They're really feminine," she said. "They like a very pastel aesthetic."

She believes part of that shift comes from growing up with millennial parents. "If mom is in her beige era," she joked, "your daughter is probably into something really girly."

That insight has shaped everything from Claire's merchandising to the creators it partners with.

Rather than signing a traditional celebrity ambassador, the company looked to Lana's Life, whose 9.5 million subscribers know her through Roblox roleplay videos, beauty content, and Dress To Impress. Claire's had already seen strong demand for Dress To Impress-inspired products in stores. Lana, Goad said, was the obvious person to help bring that audience into the physical world.

The decision reflects a broader shift in how brands think about influence. "This consumer demands a two-way conversation and a true relationship with their community," Goad said. "You're going to want to engage and be a fan of someone who's actually there, showing up in the comments and doing the work."

Claire's debuted its Lana's Life collaboration at VidCon 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Claire's

For Gen Alpha, creators often feel more accessible than celebrities. They're present in comment sections, livestreams, and community posts in ways movie stars and musicians rarely are. And that trust and connection hold more weight than a traditional celebrity endorsement. With millions of followers, Lana offers both the scale of a celebrity and the intimacy of a creator, which is exactly the combination Claire's is betting on.

The collaboration itself was designed to blur the line between digital and physical play. Fans visiting Claire's booth at VidCon could test products before they reached stores, meet Lana in person, and purchase items that unlocked digital rewards inside Roblox.

That feedback loop is central to how Claire's says it now operates. Instead of relying solely on trend forecasting months in advance, Goad says the company watches what young girls are actually talking about online and moves quickly. Internally, she describes the strategy as being "on trend, on time."

Whether it's the rise of squishies, Dress To Impress, hackey sacks making a comeback for a new generation, or another internet obsession waiting around the corner, Claire's increasingly treats Gen Alpha communities as its research department.

"I think our job is to listen," Goad said. "What are they saying in the comments? What are they asking for? What are they excited about?"

It's a notable evolution for a retailer once synonymous with mall culture. Instead of asking young shoppers to fit into Claire's vision, the company says it's rebuilding the brand around theirs.

For a generation growing up almost entirely online, Goad hopes Claire's can still offer something increasingly rare: a place — whether that's inside a Roblox game, on social media, or in one of its stores — where girlhood isn't something to rush through, but something worth celebrating.

Categories: IT General, Technology

SpaceX AI device prototype: What we know so far

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 19:41

Elon Musk's space exploration and AI company SpaceX may be looking to compete with Apple and the iPhone, even though Musk has denied the reports.

SpaceX has been showing off a prototype of a "handset-like device" to investors recently, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal.

The device is reportedly focused on bringing AI capabilities to users, running on the company's own operating system and integrating xAI's technology to power its AI features. It's been described as having a "sleek design" and being "slimmer than an iPhone." The device is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset.

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

However, Musk weighed in on the Wall Street Journal report, calling it "utterly false" on his social media platform, X, without elaborating any further.

Musk has previously denied reports from earlier this year that SpaceX was working on a phone that would connect directly to Starlink satellites. 

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

"We are not developing a phone," Musk said in a reply on X, directed at Reuters' report that the company was developing a Starlink phone.

However, this time around, the Wall Street Journal's sources claim that there is a prototype that has been physically shown to investors.

Musk has previously voiced his dissatisfaction with Apple's iPhone and its dominance in the mobile market. 

"Man, I sure hope we don't have to make a phone," Musk said at a town hall event in October 2024. "That's a lot of work."

"The idea of making a phone makes me want to die," he continued. "But if we have to make a phone, we will. But we will aspire not to make a phone."

It's possible that Musk doesn't view SpaceX's handheld device as a smartphone, as it seems more like an AI device. It's also possible that the device does have traditional smartphone functionality and Musk is just trying to deny its existence.

According to this most recent report, SpaceX informed investors that the device is in an early stage, so things can change, including whether it ever even reaches the public.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your old Android phone solves the one problem every traveler faces

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 19:30

Traveling in summer puts our phones through quite a lot. Whether it's running Google Maps all day, sitting in the scorching sun at the beach, or the battery dying moments before arrival, your phone simply can't always keep up with the demand.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The used hybrid that still holds nearly 75% of its value

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 19:00

The used hybrid market is hotter than ever in 2026. Sales are up 34 percent year to date, prices keep climbing, and the average new vehicle now costs $50,900—about the same as a new Honda Pilot TrailSport or Ford Explorer ST-Line.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Portugal vs. Spain online for free

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 19:00

TL;DR: Live stream Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with arguably the biggest game of the round. There's a spot in the quarter-final stage up for grabs as Portugal play Spain.

Portugal are led by Cristiano Ronaldo in possibly his last major tournament. Spain are Euro 2024 champions and among the favorites to win the World Cup. It's got all the makings of a classic. Fans will be expecting big performances from the likes of Lamine Yamal and Bruno Fernandes.

If you want to watch Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Portugal vs. Spain?

Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on July 6. This fixture takes place at the Dallas Stadium.

How to watch Portugal vs. Spain for free

Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Portugal vs. Spain for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Watch Portugal vs. Spain for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Portugal vs. Spain (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop wasting money on mesh routers—this enterprise Wi-Fi gear is actually cheaper

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 18:30

I finally got tired of the poor performance of my old standard mesh Wi-Fi network and replaced it with a UniFi setup. I wish I had done this years ago. UniFi might have been brutal to set up, but it was so worth it in the end.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new movies to watch this week across Netflix, Paramount+, and more (July 6-12)

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 18:16

With the Fourth of July weekend behind us, our attention now turns to a new crop of movies on streaming. My top pick is an adaptation of a novel that features William Shakespeare, his wife, Agnes, and an emotional ending. Plus, it features one of the best acting performances of 2025.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best microSD, portable SSDs, and hard drive deals to grab this week

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 18:11
Best microSD, portable SSDs, and hard drive deals to grab this week: Best microSD card deal Gigastone MicroSD Card (128GB) $49.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best portable SSD card deal Samsung T9 Portable SSD (1TB) $199.99 (save $88) Get Deal Best internal hard drive deal Samsung 990 PRO (2TB) $389.99 (save $250) Get Deal

If you've been shopping for any kind of storage device, then you're probably well aware of the ongoing global memory crisis (affectionately known as "RAMageddon"). And, like most crises, experts have confirmed that it's only going to get worse before it gets better, if ever. (Thanks, AI.)

SEE ALSO: The best budget tablets of 2026: Testing Apple, Lenovo, and Amazon Fire tablets

During Prime Day, we saw hundreds of microSD, portable SSDs, and hard drives go on sale. But now that those deals are gone, you'll have to dig deep to find a genuine discount (read: not some inflated list price BS).

To help you out, I tracked down the best memory and storage deals you can still grab this week to beat the price hikes.

Best microSD deal Gigastone MicroSD Card (128GB) $49.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

I know a $10 discount doesn't sound like much, especially if you remember buying these things for 20 bucks a few years ago. But thanks to RAMageddon, 17% off the Gigastone 128GB Micro SD Card is basically the best deal we're going to get this week.

Bonus: It comes with a five-year warranty that includes free data recovery. If you've ever lost hours of drone footage or game saves to a corrupted card, that safety net is worth every penny.

Best portable SSD deal Samsung T9 Portable SSD (1TB) $199.99 at Amazon
$287.99 Save $88   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If you're looking for laptop storage, the Samsung T9 (1TB) is down to $199.99 this week. That's not the lowest we've seen this portable SSD go for, but since it normally costs around $288, it's a pretty good deal considering (*gestures to everything*).

It delivers read and write speeds up to 2,000 MB/s, so you shouldn't have to wait too long on file transfers. It also features a built-in thermal guard to keep it from overheating, so that's nice. If you need even more space, you can grab the 2TB version on sale for $399.99 or the 4TB for $799.99.

Best internal hard drive deal Samsung 990 PRO (2TB) $159.99 at Best Buy
$199.99 Save $40   Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Attention gamers: The Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD (2TB) is on sale for $389.99 right now. That's a $250 price cut for a top-notch hard drive. Not only is the 990 PRO an "Amazon's Choice" product, but it has more than 13K reviews and a 4.7-star rating.

It hits sequential read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s, is about 50 percent more power-efficient than the older 980 PRO model, and Amazon reviewers say the performance is "unbeatable;" though some have noted that you may need a motherboard heatsink if you're going to be doing heavy video editing or 3D rendering.

More microSD, portable SSD, and hard drive deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurry to get the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box for the lowest price weve ever seen at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 18:06

SAVE $16.89: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is on sale at Amazon for $18.10, down from the list price of $34.99. That's a 48% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box $18.10 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $16.89   Get Deal

Just like Pokémon, getting into Magic: The Gathering can take a serious investment. Instead of fretting over the price of a starter pack, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of July 6, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is on sale for only $18.10 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $34.99. That's a major 48% discount that shaves $16.89 off the price. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Designed to help learn the basics of the game, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar set is the perfect option for a two-player adventure. The first game takes you on a guided battle between Aang and Zuko with two 20-card decks. There's a step-by-step guide booklet to take beginners through their first game with ease.

After that, players will combine any two of the eight 20-card half decks to form a full 40-card deck. That means players have tons of options to replay the game with new combinations and outcomes.

SEE ALSO: Score the Pokémon TCG: Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection for under $65 — save over $35

Today's box includes two packets of 100 cards, including the two 20-card tutorial decks with Aang and Zuko. The eight 20-card half-decks include Firebending, Earthbending, Waterbending, Allies, Big Creatures, Counters, Spells, and Attacking. Accessories include playerboards for both players, two spindown life counters, two beginner guides, and five double-sided tokens.

Since it's on sale for the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, snag the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box for only $18.10. It's a great intro to the game that comes with an affordable price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The compact sedan too many buyers are overlooking

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 18:00

Sedans may not dominate the roads like they once did, but they’re far from gone. As SUVs continue to steal the spotlight, the list of new four-door cars available in the U.S. has become a lot shorter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft cuts 3,200 Xbox jobs, spins off four studios in major layoffs

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 17:29

Microsoft laid off 4,800 employees Monday, with more than 30 percent of the cuts in its Xbox division, according to an internal email reviewed by IGN.

The reductions, described internally as an Xbox "reset," will affect roughly 1,600 employees immediately, with the company planning to eliminate about 20 percent of Xbox jobs by the end of its 2027 fiscal year.

SEE ALSO: Xbox hopes to win back disaffected gamers with new disc-to-digital program

As part of the shakeup, four studios are being spun off from Microsoft. Double Fine and Compulsion Games are returning to independent ownership under founders Tim Schafer and Guillaume Provost, respectively, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are being sold to new owners, with commitments in place to continue development on their respective titles, Senua and State of Decay 3.

In an internal memo obtained by IGN, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said the division's business "is not healthy," citing profit margins that are far below those of comparable platform and publishing companies. Sharma noted that Xbox lost 64 cents for every dollar invested in a typical year and pointed to oversaturation in the games market as a factor in the strategic pullback.

The memo also confirmed additional layoffs across Activision, Bethesda/ZeniMax, Blizzard, King, and Mojang, though Sharma said no first-party announced games are being canceled. As part of a broader management shakeup, Mojang and King will now report directly to Sharma, and Helen Chiang has been named Xbox's first Chief Operating Officer.

IGN, which is owned also reported that Microsoft is weighing the sale or closure of Arkane Studios, which has been developing the delayed, over-budget title Blade. According to the outlet, French labor consultations over Arkane's future could take months.

(Disclosure: IGN and Mashable are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

Categories: IT General, Technology

FIFA World Cup schedule today: Games, kickoff times, livestream info for July 6

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 17:22

The 2026 World Cup is now racing to the latter stages of the knockout rounds. The quarter finals are calling for the USA, now facing off against Belgium in the Round of 16. Portugal and Spain are also in action — a fixture that has the makings of an all-time classic.

It all kicks off at 3 p.m. ET. If yesterday's action is anything to go by — with Norway upsetting Brazil and England beating Mexico in an absolute thriller — July 6 could be another special day from this electric tournament.

FIFA World Cup schedule today: July 6How to watch FIFA World Cup games todayWatch Portugal vs. Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal in what is almost certainly the superstar's final World Cup campaign. But it won't be easy getting to the quarter finals. Spain are defending European Championship winners and have their own superstar in 18-year-old Lamine Yamal. It's truly a battle between two powerhouses. Expect fireworks — not to mention goals.

Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

Watch USA vs. Belgium

USA were facing this crucial game without Folarin Balogun after he received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. But his one-match ban has been controversially lifted, so USA will be at full strength against Belgium. Can USA ride the wave of home support and reach the quarter finals for the first time since 2002?

Live coverage will be on Fox and Fox One. Peacock will carry the live Spanish-language coverage.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One (3-Month Subscription) $39.98
$59.97 Save $19.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock (Spanish Language) Starting at $10.99/month Get Deal More live streaming optionsLive TV cable replacement

Not interested in signing up for a standalone streaming service like Fox One or Peacock? You can sign up for a live TV cable replacement service, like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.

These services carry over 100 live channels, but run off a WiFi connection. You'll get live access to Fox and FS1, plus a whole lot more. Here are some options to consider:

Watch the World Cup for free with a VPN

It's possible to watch the World Cup for free on international services like ITVX, BBC iPlayer, NOS, or RTÉ. Our global World Cup watch guide can walk you through the process.

You will need a VPN to live stream the World Cup on these free streaming services. We recommend ExpressVPN — a Mashable-tested service and an Official Tournament Supporter of the FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Europe — as our VPN of choice for sport. It offers servers in 105 countries, a user-friendly app available on all major devices, a speedy connection, and up to 10 simultaneous connections.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpresVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

People think Google is feeding their photos to Gemini, but the reality is worse

How-To Geek - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 17:16

I recently came across an interesting discussion about the strange things happening in Google Photos: children being made up as oil paintings or hand drawings, etc. People suggested it was most likely an AI filter, not an AI-generated image, but that got me thinking about what Google is actually doing with our pictures.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon is selling the 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED curved gaming monitor for over $550 off

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 17:11

SAVE $560.99: The 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED curved gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $1,439, down from the list price of $1,999.99. That's a 28% discount.

Your home gaming setup should be an oasis. It's a way to step out of real life and dive into an alterative life that serves as an enjoyable break. If you gaming station has less-than-ideal elements it can harsh the good vibes. Instead of dealing with a subpar monitor, check out this Amazon deal.

As of July 6, the 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED curved gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $1,439, marked down from the list price of $1,999.99. That's a 28% discount that shaves $560.99 off the norm.

The LG monitor is equipped with excellent stats. First off, it has an OLED display. Yes, that comes with a higher price point, but the quality of an OLED display is well worth the investment for many folks. On top of the display quality, there's the 800R curve for a fully-immersive experience.

LG also made this model with a glare-free design, low blue light, and a flicker-free screen. You'll be in line for a great 165Hz refresh rate and a zippy 0.03ms response time. All of these features will be great for summer weekends spent gaming.

SEE ALSO: The TCL NXTVISION Frame TV is over $500 off at Amazon — buy now for record-low price

The included base can swivel and tilt, and you can adjust the height to get the best fit for your gaming setup. In addition, it's a great model to have if you work from home. The 45-inch display is plenty of space for having two or three windows in full display at the same time. Zip through those e-mails thanks to the width.

While we're in the sticky summer months, upgrade to the 45-inch LG Ultragear OLED curved gaming monitor while it's on sale at Amazon for under $1,500. It'll be something you'll enjoy everyday for years to come.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apples prices are climbing, but these deals can still save you hundreds on MacBooks, iPads, and more

Mashable - Mon, 07/06/2026 - 17:07
The best Apple deals this week, at a glance: Best MacBook deal Apple 2026 MacBook Pro Laptop with M5 Pro chip $2,369 (save $130) Shop Now Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $222 (save $27) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) $599 (save $100) Shop Now Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $329 (save $70) Get Deal

There's no major sale on the calendar, but Apple deals are still popping up. With Apple recently raising prices across Macs, iPads, and other devices due to rising memory and storage costs, discounts feel less predictable than usual. That makes any price cut worth a closer look.

You won’t find markdowns on new Apple gear directly from Apple, so retailers like Amazon remain the best place to shop for savings. And despite the recent price hikes, we’re still spotting a handful of deals on MacBooks, iPads, Apple Watches, and AirPods — including some models priced better than expected even after recent hikes.

We’ve rounded up the best Apple deals you can grab for the week of July 6, whether you’re upgrading your laptop, grabbing an iPad for everyday use, or picking up AirPods while they’re on sale.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2026 MacBook Pro Laptop with M5 Pro chip $2,369 at Amazon
$2,499 Save $130   Get Deal Why we like it

The MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip is built for heavy workloads. It handles demanding tasks such as video editing, design work, coding, and large-file processing without slowing down. Battery life is strong, and it’s designed to last through a full workday depending on usage.

The new chip also handles on-device AI tasks more efficiently, so image generation and other AI tools work quicker than on older models. Performance stays steady whether the laptop is plugged in or on battery, which makes it dependable for working on-the-go. The display is still one of Apple’s best — sharp, bright, and accurate enough for both creative work and everyday media use.

More MacBook Pro dealsMacBook Air dealsBest AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods Pro 3 $222 at Amazon
$249 Save $27   Get Deal Why we like it

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple’s most refined earbuds yet, with improved noise cancellation and a more comfortable fit thanks to redesigned foam-infused tips in multiple sizes. Battery life holds up for long listening sessions, and the earbuds bring newer features like heart rate tracking, Fitness app integration, and live translation support.

Early reviews on the AirPods Pro 3 have been strong too, with Mashable calling them “without a doubt, one of the best products of the year” in 2025. Given Apple’s recent price increases across its lineup, any discount here is worth paying attention to — especially for a newer model that rarely sees much movement in price.

More AirPods deals Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) $599 at Amazon
$699 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

The iPad mini (A17 Pro) stands out as one of the best iPads for reading and everyday use. Its smaller 8.3-inch size makes it easier to hold for long periods than larger iPads, which start at around 11 inches.

In Mashable’s roundup of the best iPads of 2026, the iPad mini earned the “best for reading” spot because it hits a rare balance — feeling like an e-reader in the hand but still working like a full iPad when you need it. You can read, stream, and switch between apps without it feeling as limited as dedicated e-readers often do. The A17 Pro chip handles everyday tasks without slowdown and powers Apple Intelligence features like article summaries and basic productivity tools.

More iPad dealsBest Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 $329 at Amazon
$399 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch Series 11 brings more health data, stronger safety features, and better battery life without changing the core design. As a Mashable review by Stan Schroeder puts it, “The Apple Watch Series 11 isn't all that different from last year's model, but it has a significantly longer battery life, and that's a huge deal.”

In everyday use, that upgrade makes a difference. The watch now lasts through a full day and can stretch closer to a day-and-a-half depending on usage. Stan notes that this alone changes how usable it is for sleep tracking and daily wear, since older models often needed a charge before bed.

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