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ESP32-P4 Rev 3.0 Adds Power Rail, Needs New PCB and Firmware

ESP32-P4 chip marking

Espressif’s ESP32-P4 revision 3.0 and greater converts pin 54 of the chip from NC (non-connected) to a power rail (VDD_HP_1), requires a few extra passives, and an updated firmware. Espressif Systems first unveiled the 400 MHz ESP32-P4 dual-core RISC-V SoC in January 2023, and the official ESP32-P4-Function-EV development board was launched in August 2024, with commercial solutions slowly ramping up last year. You’d think the silicon and related hardware would now be frozen, but apparently not. The pin 54 was likely converted from NC (not connected) to VDD_HP_1 to improve the stability of the high-performance digital domain. The old revisions 1.0, 1.1, and 1.3 are not recommended for new designs, and the company advises people to use revision 3.0 or 3.1. They also provided updated reference schematics with the following key changes: The main differences between chip revisions v1.0/v1.3 (not recommended for new designs) and v3.0 and later versions include […]

The post ESP32-P4 revision 3.0 gains new power rail, requires new PCB design and firmware appeared first on CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

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Three Budget-Friendly Ways to Convert Your Phone into a Mobile Gaming Console

mid-range smartphones today possess the capability to handle games with remarkable graphical fidelity due to their unexpectedly robust processors and sufficient RAM. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8GB of RAM, enabling it to run demanding games such as “Genshin Impact” and “Call of Duty: Mobile” at elevated settings. Now that the principal investment is taken care of, you don’t have to do much to begin enjoying excellent mobile gaming on it with ease.

Utilize a mobile game controller

All portable gaming devices feature controllers that respond well and are pleasant to use. Your smartphone, in contrast, mainly utilizes on-screen touch controls, which presents two significant issues that can diminish its perception as a portable gaming console. First, it does not provide the tactile feedback associated with pressing a button. This feedback is beneficial because it communicates to your brain that an action has been initiated, rather than relying solely on visual indicators, which can be unreliable.

Secondly, your fingers may cover certain areas of the display, potentially hindering visibility and increasing mistakes. A mobile gaming controller can address both of these challenges while enhancing the overall mobile gaming experience, making it feel more natural. The <a href="https://r.bttn.io?btn_ref=org-225e4e0aac880b8f&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRazer-Gaming-Controller-iPhone-Android-Smartphone%2Fdp%2FB0F231T7BG%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Ftag%3Dstaticmedia-bgr-custom-

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March 2026 Purchasing Guide: Best Available MacBook Offers

# The Budget-Friendly MacBook Era: An Overview of Apple’s Newest Products

In the age of Apple Silicon, MacBooks are more affordable than ever. The launch of the M1 and M2 processors has greatly decreased prices, enabling customers to acquire high-quality laptops at attractive costs. For example, you can now purchase a [MacBook Air](https://amzn.to/4rRKcPU) featuring 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM for $1099 straight from Apple, a setup that would have been priced at $1599 only a few years back. Additionally, the new [MacBook Neo](https://amzn.to/3Przulx) has lowered the starting price for Apple’s laptop offerings even further.

Despite these price cuts, discerning shoppers can still uncover many bargains if they invest time in their search.

## MacBook Air

Prior to the debut of the [MacBook Neo](https://amzn.to/3Przulx), the [MacBook Air](https://amzn.to/4rRKcPU) served as the entry-level model in Apple’s laptop lineup. While the arrival of the Neo has slightly diminished its appeal, the MacBook Air continues to be an outstanding option for those desiring a quality laptop without extravagant amenities.

Notable features of the MacBook Air encompass MagSafe charging, a P3 color screen, Center Stage for the camera, and extended battery performance. It is offered in a 15-inch version, unlike the MacBook Neo, which is limited to a 13-inch variety.

Current promotions on the MacBook Air range include:

– M4 MacBook Air 13-inch: 256GB storage, 16GB memory – [**$899 on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/4uMgFcT) ($100 off)
– M4 MacBook Air 15-inch: 256GB storage, 16GB memory – [**$949 on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/40O4gHJ) ($250 off!)
– M5 MacBook Air 13-inch: 512GB storage, 16GB memory – [**$1049 on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/4rRKcPU) ($50 off)
– M5 MacBook Air 15-inch: 512GB storage, 16GB memory – [**$1249 on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/3PU50bW) ($50 off)

These reductions render the MacBook Air a compelling selection, particularly with the significant savings on the previous generation M4 15-inch model.

## MacBook Neo

The [MacBook Neo](https://amzn.to/3Przulx) marks Apple’s inaugural budget-friendly MacBook, available for only $599. Though it presents some compromises relative to the MacBook Air, it still provides remarkable value for its cost. The construction quality, display clarity, and overall macOS experience remain excellent, making it a reliable choice for cost-conscious buyers.

The MacBook Neo is equipped with a slower A18 Pro chip, fewer ports, and 8GB of RAM, yet these sacrifices are justifiable considering the price. It comes in lively colors such as [Citrus](https://amzn.to/3Przulx), [Blush](https://amzn.to/4d3NAn2), and [Indigo](https://amzn.to/3Phq3VU). Although there are no retail discounts currently, students can enjoy [**$100 off from Apple**](https://www.apple.com/us-edu/store).

## MacBook Pro

At the pinnacle of Apple’s laptop selection sits the [MacBook Pro](https://amzn.to/40Nf1u2), which showcases the highest performance and features. Nevertheless, a major redesign is reportedly on the horizon, featuring OLED displays, touch screens, and slimmer designs, anticipated to launch later this year with the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips.

For those thinking of making a purchase now, the entry model with the M5 chip remains a superb choice, along with the M5 Pro and M5 Max, which continue to offer outstanding performance.

### Current Offers on MacBook Pro

**14-inch MacBook Pro:**
– MacBook Pro with M5: 1TB of storage, 24GB of memory – [**$1799 on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/40Nf1u2) ($200 off!)
– MacBook Pro with M4 Pro: 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory – [**$1799 on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/4lHF92O) ($200 off!)
– MacBook Pro with M5 Pro: 1TB of storage, 24GB of memory – [**$2149 on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/4bqmtkR) ($50 off)

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