Author: Richard

Memorial Day is quickly approaching, bringing along a range of retail discounts. Despite 2026 being a pricey year for technology, there are still numerous chances to save if you know where to search, and these promotions can even apply to well-known brand-name products. Luckily, uncovering deals is one of our strong suits, and presently, two distinct retailers are providing a sought-after Apple item at an attractive price.

The Apple AirPods 4 are now discounted at Walmart and Amazon for under $100, although shoppers should note that the discounted model lacks Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Nevertheless, these AirPods feature several capabilities, including Apple’s Spatial Audio and a specialized audio processing chipset. Additionally, their compact charging case makes them incredibly portable, and certain attributes of these earbuds even make them suitable for the gym or various activities.

While there’s at least one consideration to keep in mind before purchasing the AirPods 4, it’s important to highlight that the AirPods 4 are compatible with Apple’s Find My service, meaning you can potentially locate them via the Find My app if they go missing. Given the price, these could definitely be worth a look if you’re searching for an entry-level option into Apple’s audio offerings. Of course, as appealing as this deal might be, keep in mind that it may not be available for long.

Save 23% on the AirPods 4 at Walmart or Amazon

In our review of the AirPods 4 in September 2024, we rated the earbuds highly for their comfortable fit, reasonable cost, and solid sound quality. Currently, both Amazon and Walmart are offering them for approximately $30 less than their usual price. Moreover, both retailers are providing an AppleCare+ protection plan with this item, roughly matching the discount amount, which is worth noting.

Independently, AirPods offer a five-hour battery life, which can be extended to 30 hours using the included charging case. Equipped with Apple’s H2 chip, the earbuds feature voice isolation that Apple asserts enhances phone call clarity in noisy settings while also isolating your voice when conversing with others. Compatible with Apple’s voice assistant Siri, these AirPods also come with customized Spatial Audio which Apple claims delivers a “theater-like” experience for your audio and content. In addition to USB-C and wireless charging support for the case, AirPods also boast dust, water, and sweat resistance.

On Amazon, the AirPods maintain a 4.6-star rating with over 29,390 reviews, while they hold a 4.3-star rating on Walmart’s website with over 71,800 reviews. Customers commend the AirPods 4 for their excellent sound quality, budget-friendly price, and reliable battery life. However, some users do mention that the earbuds may be uncomfortable (AirPods 4 utilize a one-size-fits-all design). Nonetheless, this can be a great deal for those seeking Apple products, and they could also make an excellent graduation gift for students.

In the initial stages of publicly accessible computers, desktops were the sole devices you required … or could financially manage. These machines were less integral to individuals’ lives and resembled status symbols more than anything else. Nonetheless, as time progressed and technology advanced, computers grew more robust and, crucially, more compact. The era of needing hard drives the size of washing machines has faded, and one could contend that so has the necessity for desktops. To be straightforward, the average user does not require a desktop as most laptops possess sufficient power to handle activities like web surfing, video streaming, and document editing.

In fact, I’m in the process of composing this article on a Lenovo Legion Pro 7. I could have opted for a less expensive laptop without giving up the functionality needed to do my job, but I sought a balance between cost and the ability to enjoy the latest computer games while traveling. Admittedly, a laptop will never rival a desktop in power, but the typical user does not demand that level of capability to start with. Furthermore, they can utilize a laptop dock to connect additional monitors and peripherals for enhanced productivity and ergonomics. Laptops also offer an essential advantage: portability.

These machines are crafted to fold up and fit into carrying cases, allowing you to take your work anywhere. Do you have a vital presentation for work? You could develop the PowerPoint on a desktop, store it on a flash drive, and transport the drive to your office. However, with a laptop, you can refine and enhance your presentation during your commute. Assuming your laptop features a robust battery, of course. Additionally, since laptops occupy less space than desktops, you have more area to personalize your workspace.

You may actually require less power than you believe

We just dedicated an entire segment on how laptops can perform tasks that desktops do, but that was a slight overstatement; technology has advanced to such a degree that you might not even need a laptop. Sort of. Numerous computer manufacturers produce a specific type of laptop called a notebook. These machines are even less powerful than laptops, so while notebooks may struggle with many tasks, their batteries tend to last longer due to their relatively weak components needing minimal power. Moreover, while notebooks usually feature fewer USB ports than standard laptops, you can always purchase a laptop docking station for extra connection options.

It is true that notebooks aren’t suitable for anything more demanding than word processing, but that limitation can save you money (despite the RAM shortage raising prices on laptops and desktops). For all other functions, there’s cloud computing. You can even stream games on a notebook if you subscribe to the right service … and can tolerate input lag.

Technically, you might not even require a notebook. Many tasks that previously needed a desktop (and later a laptop or notebook) can now be accomplished on a smartphone. While you can’t precisely code programs on Androids or iPhones, that’s more of an interface issue than a processing restriction. Smartphones possess ample power to stream videos, navigate the web, and even play games, although don’t anticipate graphical fidelity anywhere close to even the most basic gaming laptops.

Desktops still excel in terms of raw power

In this article, we have examined how the power disparity between desktops and laptops has diminished significantly. Nevertheless, this gap still exists, and it may never completely vanish. While you can utilize a laptop to perform elementary tasks like word processing (or use a phone to surf the web), desktops maintain a substantial edge in resource-intensive tasks. Just consider video gaming.

While a variety of laptops offer solid gaming experiences, desktops typically provide superior graphics and higher framerates, especially when equipped with the appropriate GPU, CPU, and RAM. The same principle applies to any work that demands considerable processing power. If you are a game developer or create CGI for films or shows, you likely use (or should use) a desktop for those projects. Desktops also come with one final and unavoidable benefit: they can be upgraded more easily.

True, you can swap out some outdated components in laptops, but the most crucial ones, the CPU and GPU, are often soldered to the motherboard. And that’s assuming you can even access the case. Desktop components, in contrast, are fundamentally designed to be removed and replaced, allowing desktop computers to have a longer lifespan. At least in a piecemeal, Ship of Theseus manner. Just ensure you transfer your files to new HDDs and/or SSDs when replacing them.

80s innovations that you’re still utilizing today. Its square, somewhat rectangular shape has rendered it a legendary artifact from that time and computer legacy, although operating one in modern times wouldn’t be particularly practical. You might find it difficult to acquire one, as an authentic Macintosh from the 80s holds significant worth today. Alternatively, for a touch of Macintosh flair on your workstation, consider the Uneede Maclock Retro Desk Clock, which can be found on Amazon for $29.99.

This digital timepiece intentionally mirrors the look of the original Macintosh computer, featuring a unique, yet copyright-compliant rainbow logo on the front. When activated, the display shows the current time, date, day of the week, and ambient room temperature. It turns on by placing a decorative floppy disk into the front disc drive, welcoming you with a pixelated smiley face reminiscent of the