Micron has showcased its colossal 256GB DDR5-8800 MCRDIMM memory modules at the recent Nvidia GTC 2024 conference.
The high-capacity, double-height, 20-watt modules are tailored for next-generation AI servers, such as those based on Intel‘s Xeon Scalable ‘Granite Rapid’ processors which require substantial memory for training.
Tom’s Hardware, which got to see the memory module first hand, and take the photo above, says the company displayed a ‘Tall’ version of the module at the GTC, but it also intends to offer Standard height MCRDIMMs suitable for 1U servers.
Multiplexer Combined Ranks DIMMs
Both versions of the 256GB MCRDIMMs are constructed using monolithic 32Gb DDR5 ICs. The Tall module houses 80 DRAM chips on each side, while the Standard module employs 2Hi stacked packages and will run slightly hotter as a result.
MCRDIMMs, or Multiplexer Combined Ranks DIMMs, are dual-rank memory modules that employ a specialized buffer to allow both ranks to operate concurrently.
As Tom’s Hardware explains, “The buffer allows the two physical ranks to act as if they were two separate modules working in parallel, thereby doubling performance by enabling the simultaneous retrieval of 128 bytes of data from both ranks per clock, effectively doubling the performance of a single module. Meanwhile, the buffer works with its host memory controller using the DDR5 protocol, albeit at speeds beyond those specified by the standard, at 8800 MT/s in this case.“
Customers keen to get their hands on the new memory modules won’t have long to wait. In prepared remarks for the company’s earnings call last week, Sanjay Mehrotra, chief executive of Micron, said “We [have] started sampling our 256GB MCRDIMM module, which further enhances performance and increases DRAM content per server.”
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Micron hasn’t announced pricing yet, but the cost per module is likely to exceed $10,000.
Although the Galaxy Z Flip 4 might be more fun to use than its successor because of its smaller screen, the phone is no longer available. If you have one, love it, and don’t want to upgrade to the Galaxy Z Flip 5 or sequel models anytime soon, you may want to cherish it.
Unfortunately, Samsung stopped selling not just the Galaxy Z Flip 4 through its online shop in most markets but also any Flip 4 accessories. If you want to buy a case or another accessory for your foldable flip phone, your only option is to go to third-party websites.
Fortunately, there are plenty of first and third-party options on retail sites like Amazon. Here are some we picked for your Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Best Galaxy Z Flip 4 accessories in 2024
Starting off with something official and special, you can still pick up the Galaxy Z Flip 4 Cover with Ring — Pokemon Edition from Amazon. This case has an iconic design inspired by Pokemon, and the ring offers extra grip. The Pokemon case for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 costs $14.93.
Another official case you can pick up for your Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the Silicone Strap Cover with Finger Grip. This one is available in black with a green strap and also ships with a microfiber cleaning cloth. It’s now available at Amazon for just $6.50.
A fantastic third-party solution for your Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the Spigen Tough Armor with hinge protection. It’s made from a combination of TPU and polycarbonate for dual protection against drops and scratches. It has Air Cushion technology for shock protection and is MIL-STD 810G-516.6-certified. You can pick it up now at a 6% discount for $31.99.
OtterBox also offers a fantastic and stylish case for the Galaxy Z Flip 4. It’s called the Thin Flex case, it’s made from polycarbonate, and it’s available in four color options, including Black, Blue/Clear, Clear, and Purple/Clear. The Thin Flex case usually costs $49.95, but you can now find them at Amazon at varying discounts, ranging from only $12.25 to $29.13.
Cases aside, if you’re looking for a different type of accessory for your Galaxy Z Flip 4, i.e., a wireless charger, you can pick up the SmartThings Station with Travel Adapter from Samsung for $79.99. It not only charges your Flip 4 but also acts as a SmartThings hub for your smart home.
Alternatively, you could pick up a third-party wireless charger from Amazon. It works with many phone models, including your Z Flip 4 and the newer Galaxy Z Flip 5. It’s available in three color options and costs $24.99.
Lastly, if you feel like your Galaxy Z Flip 4’s battery doesn’t last long enough throughout the day, you can pair it with Samsung’s new and stylish 10,000 Battery Pack. It’s lightweight, fast, powerful, and can charge two devices (wired) at the same time. You can pick one up from Samsung for $34.99.
In a recent interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shared details about the company’s upcoming Blackwell chip which cost $10 billion in research and development to create.
The new GPU, which is built on a custom 4NP TSMC process and packs a total of 208 billion transistors (104 billion per die), with 192GB of HMB3e memory and 8TB/s of memory bandwidth, involved the creation of new technology because what the company was trying to achieve “went beyond the limits of physics,” Huang said.
During the chat, Huang also revealed that the fist-sized Blackwell chip will sell for “between $30,000 and $40,000”. That’s similar in price to the H100 which analysts say cost between $25,000 and $40,000 per chip when demand was at its peak.
A big markup
According to estimates by investment services firm Raymond James (via @firstadopter), Nvidia B200s will cost Nvidia in excess of $6,000 to make, compared with the estimated $3320 production costs of the H100.
The actual final selling price of the GPU will vary depending on whether it’s bought directly from Nvidia or through a third party seller, but customers aren’t likely to be purchasing just the chips.
Nvidia has already unveiled three variations of its Blackwell AI accelerator with different memory configurations — B100, B200, and the GB200 which brings together two Nvidia B200 Tensor Core GPUs and a Grace CPU. Nvidia’s strategy, however, is geared towards selling million dollar AI supercomputers like the multi-node, liquid-cooled NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 rack-scale system, DGX B200 servers with eight Blackwell GPUs, or DGX B200 SuperPODs.
More from TechRadar Pro
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
If you’ve been following the somewhat curious tale of the global launch of the RX 7900 GRE – the ‘Golden Rabbit Edition’ graphics card that was initially exclusive to China – you may recall it was artificially limited to 2.3GHz for the memory clock speed by a bug, as confirmed by AMD. Apparently, this was an issue with an incorrect memory tuning limit.
Well, that glitch has now been remedied with AMD’s new Adrenalin Edition 24.3.1 driver. As Team Red says in the release notes, there’s a fix for the “maximum memory tuning limit [being] incorrectly reported on AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE graphics products.”
VideoCardz noticed this development and reports that with the new driver, Tech Powerup has found it can ramp up the memory clock by 300MHz, giving a sizeable leap in performance. Running at 2.6GHz rather than 2.3GHz results in a 15% boost in 3DMark (Time Spy).
Note that this is the memory clock, which is distinct from the GPU clock speed, and not to be confused with that. The GPU chip is also limited for overclocking as our previous report highlighted, but AMD hasn’t taken action on that front.
Analysis: Going GREat guns
This is just one synthetic test, so we need to be a bit cautious, but other benchmarking online from Hardware Unboxed shows similarly impressive results (in gaming tests, and a host of them, too).
However, we should point out that other reports online suggest that RX 7900 GRE owners are far from guaranteed to be able to run a VRAM overclock as ambitious as 2.6GHz, or even get past 2.5GHz (for that matter, cresting 2.4GHz is proving challenging for some graphics cards anecdotally).
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.
As ever with any chip, the mileage you’ll get out of your video memory will be different from others – but even so, everyone should be able to realize a worthwhile performance benefit here. If not 10-15%, there should still be some decent headroom now AMD has fixed this bug, and many folks are reporting around a 5% boost or close to that at the very least.
With this extra chunk of frame rates under its belt, the 7900 GRE is now looking an even more tempting proposition. Assuming, of course, that you’re confident enough with PC hardware to engage in overclocking shenanigans – not everyone will want to do so.
The RX 7900 GRE was already a great mid-range performer before this happened, anyway, and at its current price, this seems to be the best GPU in this price bracket now, for those willing to push it with an overclock, certainly. It’s looking better than the rival RTX 4070 Super with this new AMD driver, and the RX 7900 GRE is about 7% cheaper than Team Green’s graphics card going by current pricing on Newegg in the US (for the cheapest models in stock).
Relative pricing may be a different story in your region, but you get the point. Also, with the 7900 GRE being within 10% of the performance of the much pricier 7900 XT now, as Hardware Unboxed points out, it’s a possible alternative to the latter.
We’d be remiss to mention that with the Nvidia RTX 4070 Super comparison, you are losing out on the ray tracing and DLSS 3 front, of course – but for pure rasterization it’s the 7900 GRE all the way as pricing stands, with this extra driver boost. Nvidia and its partners may need to respond here…
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading that old TV – now’s the time. Not only do we have fantastic deals coinciding with March Madness, but Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart have all launched big Spring Sales.
Of the three, we’d single out Best Buy as the top retailer right now – not least because some of our favorite models are on sale for Black Friday-level prices. The outstanding LG C3 OLED is just $1,599 (was $2,499) right now, for example.
If you’re on more of a budget, then Best Buy’s also got some fantastic TV deals on lower to mid-range sets currently – particularly those offering big 65-inch and up displays. We’d recommend the Hisense A7 for $499.99 (was $579.99), the Insignia F30 Series for $519.99 (was $599), or the Samsung TU690T for $549.99 (was $599). All three of these are good budget options right now – and you can check them out in more detail just down below, alongside other high-end options.
While you’re here, don’t forget to check out our huge page on today’s Amazon Big Spring Sale, which includes more TVs, as well as other categories like appliances, laptops, and headphones, and our main March Madness TV sales guide.
iMac vs MacBook? Should your next Mac be a portable or a desktop? More than 90% of Macs sold are laptops, and it’s easy to see why — MacBooks are light while offering best-in-class performance and battery life.
But there are some compelling reasons to stick to the iMac, Mac mini or Mac Studio as well. You save money and you have a more reliable machine.
This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
iMac vs MacBook: Which should you buy?
1. It’s easier to take a MacBook with you
The biggest and most obvious reason to get a MacBook is that it’s easier to take with you.
Unplug it and put it in your bag — a ten-second process and you’re good to go. In a pinch, you can take it out, sit it on your lap and you can get some work done.
An iMac, being an all-in-one computer, is pretty easy to transport as far as desktop computers go. But it doesn’t have a battery and it won’t fit inside your backpack. A Mac mini can also be relatively easy to move around — provided you have a keyboard, mouse and monitor set up at both destinations.
But nothing can compare to the portability of a MacBook Air.
2. Most desktop Macs are considerably cheaper than MacBooks
The Mac mini starts at only $599. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
The one thing everyone knows about buying Apple products is that they tend to be expensive. I would strongly argue that buying a Mac is worth the price for the quality, power and longevity of the computer you get, but that may not be so reassuring if you only have a little bit of money to spend.
Buying a desktop Mac can save you a lot of money over buying a MacBook. If you compare like-for-like:
The base Mac mini is $500 cheaper than the MacBook Air.
The Pro-level Mac mini is $700 cheaper than the MacBook Pro.
And the Max-level Mac Studio is a whopping $1,000 cheaper than the MacBook Pro.
Add an extra $200 if you prefer the bigger 15-inch MacBook Air — or $300 for the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
MacBooks cost more for a reason. But do you really need the portability?
Most people with a laptop have a desktop display, keyboard and mouse to dock it to, anyways. Photo: Apple
Granted, the price differences are there for a reason: the Mac mini and Mac Studio don’t come with a built-in display, keyboard and trackpad like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. On the other hand, if you’re doing your daily work on a MacBook, you probably have it docked to an external display, keyboard and mouse anyway.
So if you don’t have as much money to spend — and you already have a display — you can save a lot of dough getting a Mac mini instead of a MacBook.
The iMac, Apple’s all-in-one computer with a built-in display (which comes with a keyboard and mouse in the box) is actually the same price as a comparable MacBook Air. But while you give up the portability, you trade the laptop’s small 13-inch screen for a desktop-size 24-inch display.
Or, you can use the price difference to get a more powerful Mac. Instead of getting the cheapest 14-inch MacBook Pro, you can get a Mac mini with a more powerful Pro-level chip, double the memory and double the storage — for $100 less.
3. Desktop Macs last longer
In my personal collection of computers, old and new, the desktops give me way fewer problems. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
If you only buy a new computer when yours literally stops functioning, you’ll likely get more years out of a desktop Mac than a laptop. Laptops contain more parts and, therefore, more things that can fail over time. (Plus, laptops typically take more abuse than desktop Macs.)
Assuming you don’t drop your laptop, the MacBook battery is the part most likely to go south.
Let me put it this way: If you’re the sort of person who’s still not sure if you should get an iMac or MacBook, you probably don’t use your laptop as a laptop too often. You probably travel for a weekend or the occasional work trip just often enough to make you unsure.
That kind of lifestyle — leaving a laptop plugged in and docked on your desk 364 days out of the year — is devastating to the lithium-ion battery inside a MacBook. My MacBook Pro held up fantasticly throughout college. But as soon as I graduated and kept it at home every day, the battery life plummeted. And now, it’s totally nonfunctional.
4. MacBooks are equally as powerful as their desktop counterparts
The Mac product family, as seen deep in the dark depths of the Intel era. Photo: Apple
When Apple put Intel chips inside Macs, the desktops would outperform the laptops — even with similar specs.
That’s because Intel packaged processors with manufacturing defects, which didn’t run as fast or as hot as better-manufactured ones, as laptop chips. Now that more energy-efficient Apple silicon powers the Mac lineup, the game has changed. Apple wants all of its processors to perform the same: The company puts its best-manufactured chips in MacBooks so the laptops can take advantage of their superior power efficiency, and puts underperforming chips in desktop computers at a higher power rate so they can run just as fast.
All of this means that Apple laptops are no longer second-rate computers. A MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip inside will run equally as well as a Mac mini with the same Apple silicon processor.
5. Only desktop Macs get the most powerful processors
The Ultra chip is two Max chips transposed into one. Image: Apple
While an iMac or MacBook can be identically configured to run the same, you can still buy a more powerful desktop Mac than you can a MacBook.
The MacBook Pro can be configured with up to a Max chip, but the Mac Studio gets the even more powerful Ultra chip. This is effectively two Max chips interposed together, delivering double the processing power, double the graphics power and double the memory.
It isn’t Apple’s style to sell a MacBook Pro with “half-day battery life,” and while Apple silicon chips run much cooler than others, they’re not magic. The MacBook Pro is simply too thin to house such power.
iMac vs MacBook? Mac mini vs MacBook Pro?
Get an iMac if you want good performance with a big screen. Get a MacBook if you need the portability. Go for a Mac mini to save the most amount of money. And choose a MacBook Pro for portability and power.
The real magic about Apple silicon is that these days, no matter what Mac you buy, you’re going to get a great computer that’ll last you years.
Check out the latest deals on Apple’s best products:
Samsung doesn’t usually sell accessories for Galaxy devices that are no longer on sale, but the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ are still available online, and so is the wide range of accessories with which they’re compatible.
And it’s a good thing, too, seeing how these two flagship phones offer some of the best and most diverse mobile accessories you can think of.
Best Galaxy S23 and S23+ accessories in 2024
Here are some of our favorite Galaxy S23 and S23+ accessories that are still available for purchase as of this writing. They may not be for much longer, as the 2023 flagship phones will eventually be phased out of the online store, but right now, you have a lot of choices. Starting with:
Galaxy S23 / Galaxy S23+ Frame Case — available for $39.99 in Black or White. This case is quite unique, in that it offers two looks. You can use the frame element attached to a clear backplate, or use the frame together with a thicker backplate that also has a credit card holder.
Galaxy S23 Clear Gadget Case — available for $44.99. You might be familiar with the Gadget Case concept. If not, it’s better explained as a standard transparent case that has a rear-mounted socket to which you can attach various accessories, which are sold separately. For example, you can attach a Tripod Camera Grip Gadget ($44.99) or a Tripod Slim Gadget ($34.99).
Galaxy S23 Silicone Grip Case — available in black or White for $39.99. This silicone case offers a soft silky texture and a strap that prevents you from dropping your phone The strap is also interchangeable with others you can buy separately. There’s even an Adidas Original Strap you can attach to it.
The Otterbox Symmetry case is not manufactured by Samsung but it is available through Samsung’s website. It costs $49.95 and it is available for both the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23+. It comes in the Desert Sage color and offers DROP+ protection (MIL-STD-810G 516.6) and flawless functionality for the side buttons. This case is slim and durable.
Another Otterbox case worth picking up for the Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S23+ is the Defender Pro Series, available on Samsung’s website for $64.95. It has a multi-layer defense against drops, dirt, scrapes, and bumps. It’s highly resilient against wear and tear, and it has covers blocking dust and dirt from entering the phone’s ports. The Defender Pro Series is available in three colors: Aquifer, Kombu Green, and Legion Blue.
Lastly, if you want to protect your phone’s screen for years to come, you can buy a Samsung screen protector. It’s available for $14.99, and Samsung says it’s fully transparent and offers great touch accuracy for your Galaxy S23 and the on-screen fingerprint sensor.
The Chromebook market has grown so much over the past few years that choosing the best Chromebook for you can be hard. The combination of years worth of software updates and manufacturers making laptops with more power, better build quality and long battery life means there are a ton of good Chrome OS machines that work well as everyday drivers. While Google did make things simpler last fall by introducing the Chromebook Plus initiative (more on that below), there are still multiple things to keep in mind when shopping for a new Chromebook. I’ve been testing and reviewing Chromebooks for years and know what you should be looking for, and what you can expect out of these laptops in 2024.
Editor’s note (3/22/24): We’re constantly testing and evaluating new Chromebooks for this guide, and there are two models on our radar for inclusion that we’re eager to test. Both Acer and ASUS offer 15-inch Chromebook Plus models for $399, and we think one (or both) could be good options for someone who wants a bigger screen for less cash.
What is Chrome OS, and why would I use it over Windows?
This is probably the number one question about Chromebooks. There are plenty of inexpensive Windows laptops on the market, so why bother with Chrome’s operating system? Glad you asked. For me, the simple and clean nature of Chrome OS is a big selling point. Chrome OS is based on Google’s Chrome browser, which means most of the programs you can run are web based. There’s no bloatware or unwanted apps to uninstall like you often get on Windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you can completely reset to factory settings almost as quickly.
Of course, simplicity will also be a major drawback for some users. Not being able to install native software can be a dealbreaker if you’re a video editor or software developer. But there are also plenty of people who do the majority of their work in a web browser.
Google and its software partners are getting better every year at supporting more advanced features. For example, Google added video editing tools to the Google Photos app on Chromebooks – it won’t replace Adobe Premiere, but it should be handy for a lot of people. Similarly, Google and Adobe announced Photoshop on the web last year, something that should bring much of the power of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Google has also added support for Android apps on Chromebooks, which greatly expands the amount of software available. The quality varies widely, but it means you can do more with a Chromebook beyond just web-based apps. For example, you can install the Netflix app and save videos for offline watching. Other Android apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly capable as well. Between Android apps and a general improvement in web apps, Chromebooks are more than just portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do well?
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Put simply, web browsing and really anything web based. Online shopping, streaming music and video and using various social media sites are among the most common daily tasks people do on Chromebooks. As you might expect, they also work well with Google services like Photos, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Keep and so on. Yes, any computer that can run Chrome can do that too, but the lightweight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and stable platform.
As I mentioned before, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so if you’re an Android user you’ll find some nice ties between the platforms. You can get most of the same apps that are on your phone on a Chromebook and keep info in sync between them. You can also use some Android phones as a security key for your Chromebook or instantly tether your laptop to use mobile data.
Google continues to tout security as a major differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s definitely a factor worth considering. Auto-updates are the first lines of defense. Chrome OS updates download quickly in the background and a fast reboot is all it takes to install the latest version. Google says that each webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its own sandbox as well, so any security threats are contained to that individual app. Finally, Chrome OS has a self-check called Verified Boot that runs every time a device starts up. Beyond all this, the simple fact that you generally can’t install traditional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer ways for bad actors to access the system.
As for when to avoid Chromebooks, the answer is simple: If you rely heavily on a specific native application for Windows or a Mac, chances are you won’t find the exact same option on a ChromeOS device. That’s most true in fields like photo and video editing, but it can also be the case in law or finance. Plenty of businesses run on Google’s G suite software, but more still have specific requirements that a Chromebook might not match. If you’re an iPhone user, you’ll also miss out on the way the iPhone easily integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the big downside is not being able to access iMessage on a Chromebook.
Finally, gaming Chromebooks are not ubiquitous, although they’re becoming a slightly more reasonable option with the rise of cloud gaming. In late 2022, Google and some hardware partners announced a push to make Chromebooks with cloud gaming in mind. From a hardware perspective, that means laptops with bigger screens that have higher refresh rates as well as optimizing those laptops to work with services like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass and Amazon Luna. You’ll obviously need an internet connection to use these services, but the good news is that playing modern games on a Chromebook isn’t impossible. You can install Android games from the Google Play Store, but that’s not what most people are thinking of when they want to game on a laptop.
There’s another potential change on the horizon, as Valve and Google are working to bring the massive Steam catalog to Chromebooks. Right now, Steam is only available as an early alpha on a handful of devices with higher specs, but it works a lot better than I expected. You’re still not going to run the most demanding games on basic laptops, but the Steam catalog is so vast that there are plenty of titles that worked on the Chromebook I tested it with. If you’re interested in giving it a shot, you can find the full list of supported Chromebooks and details on how to try Steam here.
What are the most important specs for a Chromebook?
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Chrome OS is lightweight and usually runs well on fairly modest hardware, so the most important thing to look for might not be processor power or storage space. But Google made it easier to get consistent specs and performance late last year when it introduced the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any device with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimum requirements, which happen to be very similar to what I’d recommend most people get if they’re looking for a laptop they can use every day.
Chromebook Plus models have at least a 12th-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor, both of which should be more than enough for most people. These laptops also have a minimum of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which should do the trick unless you’re really pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus models have to have a 1080p webcam, which is nice in these days of constant video calling, and they also all have to have at least a 1080p IPS screen.
Of course, you can get higher specs or better screens if you desire, but I’ve found that basically everything included in the Chromebook Plus target specs makes for a very good experience.
Google has an Auto Update policy for Chromebooks, and while that’s not exactly a spec, it’s worth checking before you buy. Last year, Google announced that Chromebooks would get software updates and support for an impressive 10 years after their release date. This support page lists the Auto Update expiration date for virtually every Chromebook ever, but a good rule of thumb is to buy the newest machine you can to maximize your support.
How much should I spend?
Chromebooks started out notoriously cheap, with list prices often coming in under $300. But as they’ve gone more mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being essentially modern netbooks to the kind of laptop you’ll want to use all day. As such, prices have increased: At this point, you should expect to spend at least $400 if you want a solid daily driver. There are still many budget options out there that may be suitable as secondary devices, but Chromebooks that can be all-day, every-day laptops will cost more. But, notably, even the best Chromebooks usually cost less than the best Windows or “regular” laptops out there.
There are plenty of premium Chromebooks that approach or even exceed $1,000, but I don’t recommend spending that much. Generally, that’ll get you a better design with more premium materials, as well as more powerful internals and extra storage space. Of course, you also sometimes pay for the brand name. But, the specs I outlined earlier are usually enough.
See Also:
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Screen size: 14 inches | Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,200 | Installed memory: 8GB | Weight: 3.52 lbs | Available ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, MicroSD card slot (SD 3.0), Headphone jack, Kensington Naon security slot | Drive capacity: 128GB | Battery life: 6 hours as tested
Lenovo has been making some of the best affordable Chromebooks you can buy for several years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i is an affordable laptop that provides just about everything you could want in a basic Chromebook. The 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen is both larger and taller than last year’s model. This means you get more vertical screen real estate, which is something I appreciate over a standard 1080p display. This Lenovo Chromebook hits the Chromebook Plus recommended specs with a 13th-generation Intel Core i3 processor plus 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. That’s a bump up from the 11th-generation processor in last year’s model, and the RAM and storage should be plenty.
Unfortunately, the battery life is fairly mediocre — I got about six hours of regular use out of it. My workflow includes a ton of Chrome tabs, plus web apps for things like Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Keep and YouTube Music. I usually take a few video calls during the day, so if you’re not on camera much you might get a bit more time from the laptop. I wish it lasted longer, but I can’t knock it too much considering the Flex 5i’s price.
The backlit keyboard and trackpad are very good and feel much better than I’d expect on a fairly affordable machine. The keys have nice travel and the trackpad is large and responsive. Despite the fact that it has a 1080p webcam, I can’t say that I looked all that great in the video calls I took. It does the job, but not much more.
Other things in the Flex 5i’s favor include both USB-C and USB-A ports, a microSD card slot and a security lock. At 3.5 pounds and 0.78 inches thick, it’s definitely not the lightest or slimmest option out there. It’s a utilitarian slab of a laptop, but that’s OK. Finally, the Flex 5i will receive software and security updates until June of 2032, so you can buy this computer and have it covered for years to come.
For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the ideal Chromebook. It’ll hit the sweet spot for a lot of buyers out there, providing a level of quality and performance that’s pretty rare to find at this price point.
Screen size: 14 inches | Screen resolution: 1,980 x 1,200 | Installed memory: 8GB | Weight: 3.02 lbs | Available ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C / Thunderbolt, HDMI, Headphone jack | Drive capacity: 256GB | Battery life: 7.5 hours as tested
Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 has long been one of the best premium Chromebook options out there, and the current model is no exception.
The Spin 714 features a 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen. Like the screen on Lenovo’s model, this works out to a taller 16:10 aspect ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on most laptops. I’m a big fan of taller laptop screens, and while this isn’t as luxurious as the few 3:2 ratio Chromebooks on the market, it’s still a comfortable and high quality screen. It’s also a little bit brighter than the screen on the Lenovo (340 nits vs. 300).
One noteworthy feature is the 2K webcam included in the Spin 714. In a world where we’re all doing more video calls than we’d like, having a camera that doesn’t reduce you to a blurry spot is definitely appreciated. It’s a far better camera than the one on our top pick.
As for the rest of the hardware, the Spin 714 bests the Lenovo in a few ways. It features a 13th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, along with 8GB and 256GB of storage. It also has better battery life in my testing — I typically got about 7 and a half hours when using it. That’s not exceptional, but it’s in line with what I’ve seen on other i5-powered Chromebooks.
Just as the name suggests, the Spin 714 has a 360-degree hinge which lets you use the laptop in tablet mode. I’m not a fan of this convertible design – I don’t know who wants to use a 3-plus pound tablet, but it’s there if you need it.
The latest Spin 714 costs $700 – not an unreasonable price for a computer with these specs and built quality. If you’re a serious multitasker, want a better display and keyboard, or just want a computer that’ll last as long as possible, the Acer Spin 714 is easy to recommend.
Acer introduced the Chromebook 516 GE in the fall of 2022 as part of Google’s push to make devices suitable for cloud gaming, but you don’t need to be a gamer to appreciate this laptop. For $650, you’ll get a 16-inch display with a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. NVIDIA’s GeForce Now gaming service supports up to 4K visuals at 120Hz on its Ultimate tier so you’ll get to see those benefits. This laptop also supports Steam, yet another reason gamers might be interested in trying it. But even non-gamers should enjoy the 516 GE’s crisp and clear screen and refined hardware.
It also includes Intel’s 12th-gen Core i7 1240P processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Given the laptop’s size, it’s good that Acer didn’t skimp on ports here: there’s an HDMI port, USB-C, USB-A, ethernet and a headphone jack. The keyboard has gamer-friendly LED lights that you can customize, but more importantly, it’s just a solid and comfortable keyboard for playing games or just typing up reports. The trackpad is large and responsive as well.
The 516 GE only weighs 3.75 pounds too – pretty light for a laptop with a 16-inch screen. Between the powerful hardware, solid design, good trackpad and keyboard and great screen, anyone who wants a bigger Chromebook will likely be happy with this model. As for support, Google says the 516 GE will continue receiving updates until June of 2032.
Pros
Large, high-resolution screen with a fast refresh rate
In good news for our wallets and the environment at large, many electronic devices like phones and tablets last longer now than they once did. If you’re considering buying refurbished, the gadget you get will likely have a good amount of life left in it. There are no laws governing the terms, but refurbished or renewed devices tend to be a level above just plain “used.” At minimum, refurbished tech should have undergone cleaning and diagnostics, and some sellers also replace components like batteries and screens. Once ready for sale, these devices should operate as if they were new, with only minor scuffs indicating their history.
Refurbished devices not only save you a bit of cash, they have a drastically lower carbon footprint since most of the environmental impact comes from manufacturing. It’s more efficient than recycling and helps keep e-waste out of landfills. But there are better places to shop refurbished tech than others. We’ve pointed out a few recommendations below, along with our advice on what to look for when you start shopping for refurbished gear.
What to consider when buying refurbished devices
Refurbished vs used
Refurbished is not the same as used. Used items tend to be sold “as-is,” which means you’re simply inheriting whatever mileage and quirks a device had when the previous owner said goodbye to it. It’s true that most refurbished items were previously owned, and many are a result of the growing trend of trading in your old device when you upgrade. But others were hardly used at all and are one of the millions of returns generated each year. Either way, a properly refurbished item has undergone testing to verify that it works, along with cleaning, repairs and parts replacement as needed.
Since there are no government regulations for renewed items, it’s up to the sellers to define what steps they take to ready a device for sale. And it’s up to the buyer to find out what those steps are before taking the plunge. The processes for refurbishing devices from Apple, Bose, Microsoft and Samsung, for example, include cleaning, inspection, parts replacement as needed and shipment in a new box with the originally supplied accessories. They also all provide a one-year warranty.
Warranties and returns
A refurbished device should perform as well as its new counterpart, but the only way to guarantee that’s the case is to make sure it comes with a warranty. All of the sites we recommend below include a warranty with the products they sell. If you see something labeled as refurbished, but doesn’t include some sort of guarantee as to its reliability – shop elsewhere.
Also, a good return policy will let you send the item back (preferably with the same free shipping a new item gets) for any reason — including that you just changed your mind. That way if a refurbished product doesn’t look as good as you thought it would, you can send it back without having to prove there’s something wrong with it.
Sanitation
Most refurbished tech was used before it made its way back on the market. And while renewed items are cleaned, you’ll still need to consider your comfort with sanitation issues when buying things like headphones and earbuds.
Polina Lebed via Getty Images
Where to buy refurbished tech
We recommend going directly to the manufacturer whenever possible, especially for more technical items like smartphones and laptops. If you need a new MacBook, check out Apple’s refurbished stock first; if you want a new Galaxy phone, hit up Samsung before anyone else. Repairs will be handled using genuine parts and you’re far more likely to get items that were properly unpaired from the original owner and all data wiped.
Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy are decent options if you’re on a tighter budget or if you’re looking for gadgets from a manufacturer that may not have its own refurbished outlet. Refurbished marketplaces like Decluttr and BackMarket can be useful if you’re looking for older, more specific items, or if price is the number one factor for your purchase.
Apple
They may offer less than they once did for trade-ins but Apple is still pulling in a decent inventory of refurbished MacBooks, iPads and other devices. Each refurbished piece undergoes an inspection and repairs using original Apple parts, with refurbished iPhones and iPads getting new batteries and outer shells. In addition to phones and tablets, Apple sells refurbished MacBooks, Watches, Apple TVs and accessories like the Apple Pencil. Everything is shipped in a new box with whatever cables, accessories and operating systems a new item would get. Items get the same one-year warranty and 14-day returns window that Apple offers on new products as well.
While they accept just about any device as a trade-in, Samsung only regularly offers refurbished smartphones on its site – you’ll have to look elsewhere for a renewed Samsung tablet or smartwatch. That said, a refurbished Galaxy phone can sell for as much as 30 percent off the standard price. The phones come with a new battery, are tested and repaired with Samsung parts and get new packaging, cables and the latest software. One-year warranties come standard, too.
On a given day, you’ll find between three and 30 on the company’s site, including speakers, headphones, soundbars and bundles. Savings range from 10 percent to 45 percent and each item undergoes measures similar to Apple and Samsung, with testing, repairs and cables in a new box. Bose also includes a 90-day, free returns policy and either a one- or two-year warranty, whichever the device would get if it were new.
Sonos devices don’t often go on sale, which makes the brand’s refurbished program even more enticing. You’ll typically only find a handful of the company’s renewed speakers and soundbars available at one time, so it pays to check the site regularly. Each refurbished device undergoes testing and repairs, ships in new boxes and includes all accessories and the same 45-day returns policy and one-year warranty as a new device. Plus in 2023, Sonos began donating a portion of refurbished annual sales as part of 1% for the Planet.
You’ll mostly find Surface tablets and laptops on . Renewed and consoles have their own destinations. All refurbished Microsoft products get tested, repaired and cleaned and come in new packaging along with the usual accessories plus a 30-day returns policy and year-long warranty for Surface devices and a 90-day guarantee on consoles.
Some smaller manufacturers like Dyson, Vitamix, Nintendo and JBL offer their own refurbished products, but for many other brands, you may need to head to a retailer.
Amazon
Amazon Renewed is different from Amazon Warehouse, which sells used items that have been tested and graded, but haven’t undergone any refurbishment. Items under the Renewed designation have been cleaned and professionally inspected and come with replacement accessories as needed.
Refurbishment isn’t always conducted by an in-house team, as Amazon mostly lists items sold by third-party refurbishers. The exception to that is with Amazon devices like Kindles, Ring doorbells and Echos, which are tested, shipped and sold by Amazon. Find those items on the certified refurbished Amazon device page, formerly called Kindle Refurbished.
The guarantee on all refurbished items sold on the site only extends for 90 days, but that’s a combined warranty and returns policy, which includes sending the device back because it simply wasn’t what you expected, regardless of whether there’s something wrong with it.
There’s a wider allowance for condition ratings with Amazon’s refurb program, allowing for the minor cosmetic imperfections of “premium” and “excellent” ratings, along with visible marks and scratches at the “good” and “acceptable” condition levels.
That said, Amazon Renewed offers a wide selection of products you might not be able to get directly from a manufacturer, including kitchen equipment, tools and gaming accessories.
Like Amazon’s program, Walmart Restored uses third party sellers and refurbishers and also grants a 90-day combined return and warranty period. The products are rated as having no cosmetic defects when viewed from one foot away, unless otherwise noted in the listing. Products include tools, tablets, kitchen appliances, TVs and video game consoles.
Unfortunately, the warranties for Target’s refurbished program varies by item. Depending on the listing, you’ll see warranties that extend six months, one year or have no warranty at all. However, all items we checked did include a return period ranging from 15 to 30 days – though you’ll need to bring the item back to a Target store. Obviously we don’t recommend going for any tech device (refurbished or not) without a warranty, but like Amazon and Walmart, Target’s program may offer a way to find deals on a wider selection of tech than going through a manufacturer. Just be sure to check the warranty details for the device you want. You’ll find them in the Specifications dropdown in the About This Item section on the product page.
Best Buy combines open box, clearance and refurbished items under the Best Buy Outlet umbrella. They even run a few brick and mortar Outlet stores that sell clearance, open-box and returned items. For the most part, however, those don’t include items that have undergone the refurbishment process. For that, you’ll want to look at items marked “Geek Squad Certified Refurbished” online. These are products that have been spruced up either by Best Buy’s own repair centers, by the manufacturers or by third-party refurbishers. The devices come with a 90-day warranty, which covers defects, in addition to Best Buy’s standard 15-day return policy.
Best Buy has a flash sale today offering $100 off select models of the Apple Watch Series 9, including both GPS and cellular models. These record low discounts are available to all shoppers and don’t require a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Starting with the 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 9, you can get this model for $299.00, down from $399.00. This one is available in Silver Aluminum with Winter Blue Sport Loop and Pink Aluminum with Light Pink Sport Loop.
Secondly, Best Buy has the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 9 for $329.00, down from $429.00. Colors on sale include Midnight Aluminum with Midnight Sport Band and Pink Aluminum with Light Pink Sport Band. These models are only available in the Small/Medium size; if you want an adjustable Sport Loop paired with a 45mm Series 9 those are also available in Midnight and Pink.
The only cellular model on sale at Best Buy today is the 45mm Apple Watch Series 9 for $429.00, down from $529.00. You can get this model in the Midnight Aluminum with Midnight Sport Loop, and you can choose from an unlocked model or activation via AT&T or Verizon.
Keep up with all of this week’s best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
The iPhone is Apple’s top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we’re expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be…
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23″>claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an…
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C…
Apple’s new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until “deeper” into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I’ve repeatedly said that new…
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple’s flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple’s iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company’s more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%…
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. …
Since Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma 14.4 on March 7, the transition to the latest software update has not been entirely smooth for everyone, and a number of issues have been reported by users that significantly impact their daily workflow. This article lists the most prominent challenges users have faced since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4, and offers potential solutions where available. USB…
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.