Antonio G. Di Benedetto | The Verge The Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts. 2026-07-17T14:40:04+00:00 https://www.theverge.com/authors/antonio-dibenedetto-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/rss https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1 Antonio G. Di Benedetto <![CDATA[Even Microsoft couldn’t make Windows 11 work well on 8GB of RAM]]> https://www.theverge.com/?p=966937 2026-07-17T10:40:04-04:00 2026-07-17T09:30:00-04:00 A Microsoft 13-inch Surface Laptop with performance monitoring in Task Manager open, showing the amount of memory in use.
Memory anxiety. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Last year, Microsoft’s 13-inch Surface Laptop quickly became one of my favorite thin-and-light Windows notebooks. At $900, it was easy to recommend to anyone wanting MacBook Air–like build quality and battery life on Windows — I even convinced my sister to buy one on sale. 

But that was last year. This year, thanks to RAMageddon, that same laptop costs $950, and now that price gets you half as much RAM — just 8GB. It’s the same great hardware on the outside, but it’s not the same laptop on the inside.

It’s been a long time since we tested a Windows laptop with so little RAM. We’ve been saying for years that 8GB isn’t enough. But this is Microsoft’s laptop, and Windows 11 is Microsoft’s operating system. Maybe it’ll be good enough. 

It’s not.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch (8GB, 2026)

Score: 6

ProsCons
  • Same great build, hardware, and battery life as last year
  • 8GB of RAM on Windows 11 isn’t enough
  • Costs more than last year’s model, and with worse specs
  • 256GB of storage feels more limiting now that SSD prices are through the roof

Where to Buy:

All the good things I wrote about last year’s hardware still ring true: The keyboard is nice and tactile, the trackpad is great (only outdone by ones that allow you to click corner-to-corner), the webcam is sharp and clear, and the battery goes and goes — easily lasting 10 hours. The processor, an eight-core Snapdragon X Plus, is nearly identical to the one in the Surface Laptop I reviewed last year. In fact, it has a slightly faster boost speed. In last year’s Surface Laptop, it was a solid performer and could even handle light photo editing in Lightroom Classic. But last year’s model had 16GB of RAM. It turns out that makes a big difference.

Component report card

  • Screen: B
  • Webcam: B
  • Keyboard: B
  • Trackpad: B
  • Port selection: C
  • Speakers: C
  • Number of ugly stickers to remove: 0

While the 8GB Surface was usually fine for basic web browsing or video streaming, I occasionally nudged it a bit too far in everyday use. I was on a Microsoft Teams call (using the app, not a browser) when the host streamed a brief video, which made the whole laptop hang for several seconds. At the time, I had about 10 Chrome tabs open across two desktops, alongside Slack and Signal — not an obscene level of multitasking. And we didn’t even have our webcams on.

The Surface Laptop would hang for a few seconds like this several times a day, even when I thought I wasn’t pushing it too hard. I’ve had these temporary freezes while just working in some Google Docs — no Teams call running or anything streaming in the background. It’s only a couple times a day on average, but that’s still too often.

Keeping the Performance tab open in Task Manager showed I was almost always using around 6.7GB of the available 7.6GB of available memory. After a fresh reboot with bare minimum startup apps running, Windows was using 4.2GB of RAM. That’s around the minimum Microsoft requires just to run Windows 11, highlighting how little headroom there is with 8GB of RAM. Limiting myself to about six Chrome tabs, closing Signal, and refraining from using any virtual desktops kept the memory usage to about 5.5GB. 

Is this all workable for light loads? Yes. Do I want to live my life being super cautious about how many apps I’m running and how many tabs I leave open on a brand-new $950 laptop? Absolutely not. And if it’s choking on day one, how usable is it going to be in five years?

The same concerns can be said of the MacBook Neo, which also has just 8GB of RAM. But macOS is a bit better with RAM — and more to the point, in my testing, the Neo could handle more multitasking. A Neo won’t have the shelf life of a MacBook Air, but it also costs $250 less than the Surface Laptop (even after Apple’s recent price increase).

Microsoft has claimed its focus this year is improving the performance of Windows 11 and making it more reliable, especially for lower-cost hardware, to compete with the Neo. But if we’re really going back to 8GB as the starting point for Windows laptops, there’s a lot more work to be done. It’s of course ironic that Microsoft needs to address this problem when it’s one of the major perpetrators of the ongoing RAM crunch. Perhaps Microsoft doesn’t care that its flagship Surface line will suffer for its AI obsession, but it still sucks to see.

We haven’t reviewed a Windows laptop with just 8GB of RAM in more than three years. Unfortunately, the Surface Laptop won’t be the last. The recent Computex show also brought announcements for upcoming laptops with 8GB of memory from Dell, Acer, and Asus. With the RAM shortage likely to last years, we’re going to see more and more 8GB offerings so manufacturers still have something “entry-level” to offer. 

But if even Microsoft can’t make a Windows laptop that runs well on 8GB RAM, what hope do OEMs have? 8GB is not enough for a Windows laptop in 2026. Barring Microsoft actually de-bloating Windows 11 enough to accommodate lower-spec computers, your best bet is to spend more and get something with 16GB of RAM — like the same Surface Laptop for $1,150, something from another manufacturer that still sees some decent sales, or look into refurbs and open-box models from reputable sources. Or just cop out and get a MacBook Neo.

Prices could still go up. The $950 8GB Surface Laptop of today could very well be the $1,050 8GB Surface Laptop of next year, or the $1,200 8GB Surface Laptop of the following year. 

This is our new normal for computing. The 13-inch Surface Laptop initially offered respectable tradeoffs for a fair discount — “a little less for a little less,” as I put it then. Now the new base model offers even less for more. RAMageddon has altered the deal. It’ll probably get worse.

2026 Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch (8GB) specs (as reviewed)

  • Display: 13-inch (1920 x 1280) 60Hz touchscreen
  • CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-46-100
  • RAM: 8GB LPDDR5X (non-replaceable)
  • Storage: 256GB UFS
  • Webcam: 1080p
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
  • Ports: 1x USB-A 3.1, 2x USB-C 3.2, 3.5mm combo audio jack
  • Biometrics: Fingerprint sensor in power button
  • Weight: 2.7 pounds
  • Dimensions: 11.25 x 8.43 x 0.61 inches / 285.8 x 214.1 x 15.5mm
  • Battery: 50Wh
  • Price: $949.99

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch (2026) / Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-46-100 / 8GB / 256GBMicrosoft Surface Laptop 13-inch (2025) / Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 / 16GB / 512GBMacBook Neo / Apple A18 Pro / 8GB / 256GBMacBook Air 15 / Apple M5 / 16GB / 1TBAcer Aspire 14 AI / Intel Core Ultra 7 256V / 16GB / 1TBLenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x / Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 / 16GB / 256GB
CPU cores8861088
GPUAdreno X1-45Adreno X1-45A18 Pro (5 GPU cores)M5 (10 GPU cores)Intel Arc 140V (8 GPU cores)Adreno X1-26
Geekbench 6 CPU Single234824373402417527692137
Geekbench 6 CPU Multi942111427850816567109309728
Geekbench 6 GPU (OpenCL)955493911979847661285569689
Cinebench 2026 Single442417518727Not testedNot tested
Cinebench 2026 Multi2458264314663413Not testedNot tested
PugetBench for Photoshop28874773Not tested11513Not testedNot tested
PugetBench for Premiere Pro (2.0.0+)CrashedCrashedNot tested61861Not testedNot tested
Blender classroom test (seconds, lower is better)509486Not tested46Not testedNot tested
Premiere 4K Export (lower is better)CrashedCrashed8 minutes, 30 seconds2 minutes, 53 seconds7 minutes, 28 seconds12 minutes, 59 seconds
Sustained SSD reads (MB/s)3804.313840.781735.917049.456391.515738.86
Sustained SSD writes (MB/s)3310.943476.621684.057480.555524.222801.02
Price as tested$949.99$1,249.99$699$1,799.00 $1,049.99$749.99
]]> Antonio G. Di Benedetto <![CDATA[The macOS 27 public beta is worth it just for the Liquid Glass tweaks]]> https://www.theverge.com/?p=964701 2026-07-13T16:51:32-04:00 2026-07-13T16:43:15-04:00 A screenshot of macOS 27 Golden Gate with Settings open.
Golden Gate’s public beta should be at parity with the third developer beta, which is pretty stable.

The macOS 27 Golden Gate public beta is here, and anyone with an M-series Mac now has easier access to test-drive Apple’s latest changes — including a more subdued Liquid Glass aesthetic. That’s reason enough to be at least a little excited for macOS 27 (particularly if you’re on Tahoe and disliking all the transparency). But there are other things that make trying out this beta a little more appealing than usual.

There was a rumor earlier this year that this new macOS would focus on performance optimizations, bug fixes, and a bunch of small quality-of-life improvements, rather than being a major overhaul. And aside from dialing down Liquid Glass, that is what Golden Gate feels like. Apple even leaned into this during its WWDC keynote with a wall of text listing such boring but practical tweaks as “Optimized CPU scheduler” and “Support for Mac mirroring in 5K resolution.”

The Golden Gate developer beta has proven stable in my everyday use on an M5 MacBook Air and M5 Max MacBook Pro, which is notable since dev betas often have side effects like tanking battery life or causing hardware to run hotter than normal. So if you’re interested in trying the public beta yourself (if you’re comfortable with the potential for bugs) let me walk you through a few new features — both good and middling alike.

The good stuff

As I covered in my initial developer beta hands-on, the new dialed-down Liquid Glass design, unified corner window radii, and visual improvements to File Explorer / app sidebars are all absolute wins for Golden Gate. Would I still prefer to go back to the flatter design of macOS Sequoia? Yes, unequivocally. But at least Liquid Glass is more tolerable and less distracting now. When the full Golden Gate release comes out in the fall, I’ll tell everyone I know running Tahoe to upgrade right away.

Siri’s new Expressive Voices are now available in preview as of dev beta 3. In addition to the existing canned voices, the public beta of macOS 27 allows you to customize the pacing and expressiveness of Siri’s speech. For now, it’s limited to a female and male American accent with five levels of pace and expressivity each.

While I’m far from the biggest Siri fan, I dig this feature. I immediately turned Siri’s talking speed to the maximum setting and expressivity to the lowest — making it as robotic and to-the-point sounding as it’ll go. I don’t think I’ll ever go back, and I can’t wait to make the change on all my Apple devices. Every voice assistant should have a setting like this. I’d even welcome a third slider for friendliness that lets me set it to DMV Clerk. Just give it to me straight and shut up as fast as possible.

Another nifty new feature I didn’t know I wanted is an overflow button in the Menu Bar. On macOS 26, if you had too many menu bar items, the leftmost ones could end up hidden beneath the left-hand app menus. Now, you can load the top Menu Bar with buttons and drop-downs, and Golden Gate keeps anything on the Menu Bar to the left of the notch hidden, with a double-arrow button temporarily expanding them.

As for all the new Photos app features, I think the best update is for Clean Up. It feels pretty reminiscent of Google’s Magic Eraser, and it did a good job removing a variety of subjects from photos I tested it in. I used it to remove a bit of greenery in the corner of a blue sky from one of my Sony RX10 V photos, but that’s easy and low stakes. What was more impressive was how it convincingly removed a fly from the center of a flower with lots of little details. It won’t replace Photoshop for people who need Photoshop, but it’s nice to have this feature for those who don’t.

The meh stuff

The other big Photos features for both macOS and iOS are Reframe and Extend, allowing you to turn and tilt the composition of your picture and expand the framing beyond what you actually shot. My colleague Allison already tested this on the iPhone, but I took a turn trying it on the Mac — again with photos I shot on non-Apple devices. 

Extend does a decent job of expanding your image with made-up content, but Reframe never looks quite right to my eyes. And both give Apple Intelligence way too much freedom to take liberties and slop things up a little: Reframing a picture of a plane in the sky turned it into a weird fake-looking AI mockup, and doing it to a photo of a bunny gave it odd proportions.

I don’t really use the Photos app on macOS since I’m a Lightroom Classic guy, but I wouldn’t touch these even if I did.

Another thing I still don’t find myself using much is Siri AI. My initial hands-on showed it’s more useful than it was (the bar was so low). But despite Siri’s big upgrade, I still struggle to find its usefulness. I don’t default to asking it questions or looking things up via Siri (either text-based or via voice searches). I still have a hard time trusting AI answers to even simple questions, and I don’t know if that worry will ever go away. Maybe when it stops being wrong so often.

The little annoyances to get used to

There’s a new Ask Siri menu item that sometimes appears at the top of the right-click context menu in the OS and in some apps. It doesn’t always show up, which makes it more jarring when it does, even though the context menu shifts higher to accommodate it. I’m sure I’ll adjust eventually.

The same goes for the updated battery percentage number in the Menu Bar, which matches iOS with a small number within the battery icon. I complained about it in my initial Golden Gate hands-on, and I still don’t prefer it. But I’m already used to it.

Even though I don’t care much for Siri AI and the new Apple Intelligence features, I much prefer Golden Gate to Tahoe. Will it win over those who stuck with Sequoia to avoid Liquid Glass entirely? Maybe not. But some of the little improvements are nice, and if you’re already living the glassy life on your Mac, it’s nothing but an upgrade.

]]> Antonio G. Di Benedetto <![CDATA[Sony brings back the superzoom RX10 with a stacked sensor and a high price]]> https://www.theverge.com/?p=962439 2026-07-09T10:43:59-04:00 2026-07-09T10:00:00-04:00 A Sony RX10 V camera on a cut mat.
The big boy is back. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Sony is bringing back the RX10 superzoom camera after a nearly nine-year gap between models. The newly announced RX10 V retains the same 24-600mm equivalent f/2.4-4 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 25x zoom lens of its last two predecessors, but it has lots of upgrades elsewhere. The new 20.1-megapixel 1-inch-type sensor is a stacked design, allowing up to 30fps continuous burst shooting without any blackout (up from the last-gen’s 24fps). That’s a nice improvement for a camera aimed at action, sports, and wildlife photography, but it will come at a steep cost of $2,299.99 when the camera launches in early August.

The RX10 IV launched at $1,700 in 2017. And, to be fair to the RX10 V, the pricing for the new model isn’t completely off the mark if you adjust for inflation. But what you get with the RX10 V isn’t just a sensor upgrade — the body has been revised to look and feel like Sony’s larger Alpha mirrorless cameras. It uses the same NP-FZ100 battery found in most current A-series models, offering over 50 percent more battery capacity.

The new RX10 V also inherits many noteworthy features and specs from its larger Alpha cousins, like an OLED electronic viewfinder, 4K 60p full-width video recording (4K 120p when cropped) with S-Log3 and S-Cinetone color options, and Sony’s top-notch real-time autofocus tracking system. Like larger Sony Alphas, the RX10 V has 575 autofocus points and can detect subjects as well as the human form — to better locate and latch onto faces and eyes during fast movement. It even has the Speed Boost function that debuted in the pro A9 III camera, allowing you to shoot at faster burst rates for short stints when you need it.

Since the RX10 IV came well before using a large camera as a webcam was a thing, the RX10 V now supports livestreaming at up to 4K 30p via a USB-C connection (with simultaneous recording) — which is ideal because its video-out port is still a flimsy Micro HDMI connector. While most of what’s new about the RX10 V is an upgrade over the last gen, the new model sadly lost a couple features: The lens no longer has a built-in ND filter and there’s no pop-up flash. Bummer.

I got to briefly test the RX10 V for a few days, and despite the reused lens, I came away impressed. It really does feel like a Sony Alpha camera with a big built-in telephoto zoom — though much smaller and lighter than attaching a huge lens to a full-frame mirrorless Alpha. I’m no birder or nature photographer (the longest lens I personally own is a 135mm), but Sony’s excellent autofocus and 30fps blackout-free burst shooting made it pretty easy to photograph birds in trees around my backyard or macro shots of bees moving from flower to flower. There’s a lot this lens and fast-shooting sensor can do. Of course, if you’re like me and used to full-frame cameras, you have to slightly dial down your expectations when it comes to sharpness and resolution — a 1-inch-type sensor is versatile, but it doesn’t hold up to the same pixel-peeping scrutiny.

The RX10 V seems aimed at deep-pocketed casual shooters who want a camera to take traveling without lugging around a bag full of lenses. In my years spent behind a counter selling superzoom cameras just like it (even the original RX10), the demographic was almost always parents photographing their kids’ sporting events or looking to take a versatile camera on vacation. But at $2,300, it might be more for a recently retired grandma or grandpa than it is for a couple 30-somethings with a kindergartener.

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

]]> Antonio G. Di Benedetto <![CDATA[Hey number pad lovers, this is a keyboard we can finally agree on]]> https://www.theverge.com/?p=960837 2026-07-02T22:10:29-04:00 2026-07-04T10:00:00-04:00 A top-down view of an Epomaker RT98 mechanical keyboard on a colorful desk mat with a repeating emoji pattern. The beige keyboard with multicolored keycaps has an 1800 layout with a southpaw-oriented number pad.
I’m right-hand dominant but a lefty at heart. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

I know a vocal group of people who swear by the number pad on their keyboard. And yet, for years I haven’t cared about using one — until I put my hands on the Epomaker RT98. It’s a mechanical keyboard with a charming retro aesthetic, a fun CRT-like screen, VIA compatibility, a nice typing feel, and most importantly, a modular number pad that can be moved to either side. It’s a clever compromise in a budget friendly-ish board, allowing you to further customize your setup without losing the functionality of the coveted “tenkey.” 

But like many mechanical keyboards out there, it’s got some unique quirks and tradeoffs.

Epomaker RT98

Score: 7

ProsCons
  • Ambidextrous number pad
  • Nice-feeling and -sounding silent switches
  • Even nicer creamy switches
  • Magnetic CRT-style screen is silly but fun
  • Plasticky build
  • Moving the number pad is a slightly fiddly process
  • Printed legends on the keycaps look low-quality and not sharp
  • Around the starting price of nicer aluminum keyboards

Where to Buy:

The RT98 is Epomaker’s most recently crowdfunded mechanical keyboard, costing $119 for a prebuilt model configured with either the brand’s own Creamy Jade linear switches or Sea Salt Silent V2 linears. You can also choose to have your number pad on the right or the left when it ships to you, but being modular, this is something you can change on your own. 

Southpaw keyboards with left-handed numpads aren’t new (Keychron has made them easily accessible for years), but this keyboard’s switch-hitter status is rare. There were a couple of old Asus ROG Claymores and the Mountain Everest Max with swappable / removable number pads, but they were costly and garish gaming keyboards. The Epomaker RT98 is much more understated and charming.

A little before and after. Left: The RT98 in right-hand numpad orientation. Right: Southpaw mode.

To fully test the RT98, I started off using it in right-handed mode with silent switches before moving the numpad to the left and swapping to the Creamy Jades. The typing experiences from both switches are solid. The RT98 is designed with the same hallmarks of most modern enthusiast keyboards: an internal gasket mounted design with layers of foam under the PCB to give the typing acoustics a fuller sound — even in a plastic chassis. It uses a solid PCB and polycarbonate switch plate without any flex cuts (cutouts allowing the whole board to flex under pressure). This makes the RT98 feel a touch sharper compared to other boards that have a pillowy bounce to their typing.

 

Here’s what typing sounds like on the Epomaker RT98 with Epomaker Sea Salt Silent V2 linear switches:

Whether you pick the RT98 with silent or creamy switches, you’re in for a fine typing experience that sounds nice. The Sea Salt Silent V2 linears have a smooth quietness to them, though that’s slightly betrayed by the louder plate-mounted stabilizers in the space bar, enter, shift, and backspace keys. It’s a fine setup for not bothering a desk neighbor or disrupting a video call with your on-the-down-low typing, but the Dry Studio ATM 98 I recently reviewed (while much pricier) is a better-sounding silent board with much nicer keycaps. Epomaker’s included PBT keycap set has nice beige nostalgia vibes, but their dye-sub printed legends look cheap and not very crisp.

 

Here’s what typing sounds like on the Epomaker RT98 with Epomaker Creamy Jade linear switches:

The RT98 is an absolute treat when you use it with Epomaker’s Creamy Jade linears, delivering a crisp, marbley tone that’s always pleasant. When I hear “creamy” I think of the super popular F75 and similar boards from Aula, a brand that collaborates with Epomaker on some keyboards. The F-series has a bit of that sought-after raindrops-on-a-window tone. The RT98 and its Creamy Jades play in that ballpark but have a richer, darker tone than the F75 Max I’ve briefly used. I prefer the Epomaker.

The typing and acoustics are very good here, but the main draw of the RT98 is that modular number pad. I don’t work in data entry, so typing the occasional digits on the number row is fine by me. But I don’t mind the idea of having a numpad off to my left and out of the way of my mouse hand, which I can always do with a dedicated wireless pad. So I was excited to use the RT98 in a southpaw layout. 

Changing the position involves removing the bottom screws, popping off the top cases from both the main section and numpad, swapping the internals, and reattaching everything. It’s not the most labor-intensive process, but you do have to temporarily unplug the cable for the detachable screen’s pogo pin connectors and reposition the numpad’s ribbon cable. I couldn’t find instructions in the box on doing this, but I found Epomaker’s step-by-step video tutorial and had it all done in about 30 minutes. I’m always slightly worried about messing up ribbon cables, but the process — while fiddly — was easy enough. But it did reveal an uncomfortable weakness: Prying this plastic thing open and pressing its clips back into place was nerve-wracking. I’d love to see this board made with metal.

I imagine most people will likely buy the RT98 in the numpad orientation they prefer and just leave it that way. Or, like me, change it only once. But there is something cool about not being locked into one form of 1800-layout board. Part of the fun of mechanical keyboards is how customizable they are, from the keycaps and switches to the stabilizers and down-the-rabbit-hole modifications you can make — especially if you’re an enthusiast who just mixes things up once in a while to feel alive. 

The RT98’s silly little detachable screen is another way to have some customizable fun. It can show the date, time, and connection statuses or loop some built-in cat GIFs. Connecting the keyboard to Epomaker’s web-based driver allows you to sync its clock and customize the three GIFs. It was easy enough to load up some silly GIFs of my own and watch them endlessly loop. There’s not much other use for this CRT-like keyboard screen, but it’s fun. The magnetic nature of it would be more useful if Epomaker creates an ecosystem of attachable accessories, but company reps never replied to our questions asking if that might be in the cards.

The RT98 is a very good keyboard with a cool and unique hook. But it costs anywhere from $40 to $60 more than various Aula or other entry-level boards, and its build quality is only a tad nicer. For $119, you’re around the starting price of fancier keyboards with aluminum cases. It’s just $10 shy of something like the Wobkey Rainy75, which also includes much nicer keycaps. You have to really want the modular numpad and retro vibes of the RT98.

There are so many mechanical keyboards out there, and between various sizes, layouts, and optional number pads and macro pads, you can arrange your workspace in limitless ways. The Epomaker RT98 is just another cool option with yet one more way to customize how you use it. It’s a fun thing to tinker with and enjoy, even if you’re likely to just set it and forget it.

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

]]> Antonio G. Di Benedetto <![CDATA[After covering Prime Day for 36 hours over four days, this is the one thing I bought]]> https://www.theverge.com/?p=958179 2026-06-26T18:19:12-04:00 2026-06-26T18:09:46-04:00 A person’s hand holding a pair of Vampliers stripped screw extractor pliers.
I’m ready for the Vamplier weekend. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

We’ve covered so many deals during Prime Day that my head is spinning. But after four days of doing our damndest to try and help folks save money, the thing I’m most hyped for is a simple tool for fixing my most egregious mistakes. I bought a pair of Vampliers.

If you’re unfamiliar, Vampliers are Japanese-made pliers designed for one simple task: removing stripped screws. I don’t even remember when I first heard of them, but I threw one on my wishlist long ago and thought, “I should get one of these eventually.” That time is now: the standard 6.25-inch VT-001 Vampliers is on sale for $25.58 (about $6 off) at Amazon.

Vampire Tools VT-001 Vampliers 6.25-inch screw extractor pliers

Where to Buy:

I recommended a smaller pair of Vampliers in our roundup of Prime Day deals under $25. I knew from people I trust how handy these things are. I even read Chris Person’s excellent ode to his Engineer “Neji-Saurus” pliers, which are the same thing with a green handle. (Engineer makes both sets of pliers; Vampire Tools distributes rebranded Engineer tools in the US.)

Over the years, I’ve abandoned far too many stripped screws in door jambs, junction boxes, and even under my desk. And now I finally have a means to correct my mistakes. Maybe it’s the full pot of coffee I’ve been drinking every day since Tuesday, but I’m done with Prime Day and I’m done with stripped screws.

]]> Antonio G. Di Benedetto <![CDATA[These are the best deals you can still get on MacBooks before Apple’s price hike kicks in]]> https://www.theverge.com/?p=956830 2026-06-27T00:23:19-04:00 2026-06-26T15:42:52-04:00 A lineup of MacBooks. The MacBook Neo (left), MacBook Air (center), and MacBook Pro (right).

Apple just raised the prices on Macs and iPads in response to the rising costs of memory chips, right in the middle of Amazon Prime Day. That means existing discounts (even small ones) on Apple laptops like the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro just became significantly better deals.

As an example, the 13-inch MacBook Air M5 that used to start at $1,099 and is currently on sale for $949.99 (at Costco) will soon carry a full retail price of $1,299. That initial $150 discount just became a savings of $350 compared to Apple’s upcoming pricing.

There’s no guarantee how long existing sales will stick around, and no official word on when major laptop retailers will reset all their Mac pricing to reflect the increases. Best Buy and B&H Photo have already updated their pricing, but some older prices or even cheaper deals are lingering at Amazon. Costco lists its member-only deals as valid through June 26th or 27th.

If you were considering an Apple computer purchase, it might be best to make a move while you can. We’re outlining all the deals we can find below.

MacBook Neo deals

MacBook Neo

Apple’s most affordable laptop, with a 13-inch display, A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, and optional Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

The base 256GB MacBook Neo is selling for $589.99 at Amazon and Costco (in the citrus color only). Normally that’d be a paltry $10 discount, but with Apple raising the Neo’s base price to $699 it’s now a savings of $110. The 512GB version with Touch ID is $689.99 (a $110 discount compared to the new price) at Amazon and Costco. Best Buy still has the base 256GB model and 512GB model for the old prices of $599 and $699, respectively. That at least saves you the $100 price increase for now.

MacBook Air deals

Apple MacBook Air (M5)

Apple’s 2026 MacBook Air has an M5 chip and starts with 512GB of storage that’s significantly faster than previous generations. It’s still as excellent as ever despite a higher base price. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

The base 13-inch MacBook Air with an M5 chip, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage is $949 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Costco. That’s such a better price than the $1,299 Apple is now charging, but you have to be a Costco member. The 13-inch Air with two more GPU cores and 1TB of storage is $1,149.99 ($449 off the new price) at Amazon The 15-inch Air with base 16GB / 512GB configuration is currently on sale for $1,149.99 (also $350 off its new price) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Costco.

As good as the Neo is, the Air is still Apple’s best all-around laptop. Its balance of performance, battery life, and portability is still unmatched. And for $949 or $1,149 you’re getting a laptop that should last you the better part of a decade for what’s sadly now such a good deal.

MacBook Pro deals

MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5, 2025)

Apple’s 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro takes everything we loved about the M4 model — including all-day battery life and a 12-megapixel webcam — and improves upon it with an M5 chip. It also offers faster storage and a 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU that’s up to 3.5x faster at AI tasks. Read our review.
A 2025 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 on a marble bar top with a dark mirrored reflection behind it.

Where to Buy:

The base 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip is my personal favorite sweet spot of Apple’s lineup if you do frequent content creation but can’t fathom paying much higher M5 Pro / M5 Max prices. It’s on sale for $1,549.99 ($450 off Apple’s new MSRP) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Costco. The base model revised for 2026 comes with 16GB of RAM, 1TB of faster storage, and has lots of ports. It’s the ideal step up from a MacBook Air, but paying Apple’s new price of $1,999 makes it much less attainable than it was.

Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro / Max, 2026)

The M5 Pro and M5 Max versions of the latest MacBook Pro deliver exceptional power and speed, making them ideal for creative work while offering best-in-class battery life. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

The higher-end M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros come in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes. Here’s a rundown of what each one’s base configuration starts at with Apple’s new pricing, and what you can currently buy it for:

  • 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro (15-core CPU / 16-core GPU, 24GB, 1TB): $2,049.99 ($449 off the new price of $2,499) at Amazon and Best Buy
  • 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro (18-core CPU / 20-core GPU, 24GB, 1TB): $2,549.99 ($449 off the new price of $2,999) at Amazon
  • 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max (18-core CPU / 32-core GPU, 36GB, 2TB): $3,299.99 ($800 off the new price of $4,099) at Amazon or $3,319 at Best Buy
  • 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max (18-core CPU / 32-core GPU, 36GB, 2TB): $3,649.99 ($750 off the new price of $4,399) at Amazon

There are of course many different configurations of current MacBook Pros out there, with RAM and storage upgrades that climb to crazy amounts — too many to neatly list without it getting overwhelming. But even base configs for all of the above models are excellent.

Mac desktop deals

iMac with M4 (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU)

The latest version of Apple’s all-in-one desktop computer features an M4 chip and support for Apple Intelligence. Unlike its predecessor, the base model now offers 16GB RAM by default, along with a new 12-megapixel webcam. Read our review.
Someone using M4 iMac

Where to Buy:

The M4 iMac from 2024 is going from a starting price of $1,299 to $1,499. You can still get a base model with 8-core M4 chip, 16GB of memory, and 256GB SSD in various colors for $1,149.99 ($350 off the new price) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Costco. The 10-core M4 iMac with four Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of just two is $1,349.99 ($350 off the new price) at Best Buy and Costco.

We may not all agree with why the 24-inch iMac still exists or who needs it, but it’s a lovely all-in-one computer. And the Mac Mini and Studio are impossible to find thanks to AI bros and their OpenClaw agents. Womp.

Update, June 26th: Revised copy where applicable to reflect that some retailers have transitioned to Apple’s new pricing. Removed or struck deals / old pricing that’s no longer available. Changed headline.

]]> Antonio G. Di Benedetto <![CDATA[Our 36 favorite gaming deals on Prime Day for Switch, PS5, and Xbox]]> https://www.theverge.com/?p=951901 2026-06-26T14:43:43-04:00 2026-06-26T14:43:39-04:00 A screenshot from Elden Ring Nightreign

There are some some sizable discounts on new and recent hits from the last few years for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and the Xbox Series X / S for Prime Day. Most Amazon game deals are physical copies, but every so often there’s a better or equivalent price on digital versions, as well as some matched deals at Best Buy.

In addition to game deals, we’re also on the hunt for discounted gaming accessories. This is usually a pretty good time to save what you can on things like gaming headsets, controllers, gaming mice, etc. While it’s a good time to get a microSD Express card for your Switch 2, don’t bank on any big discounts on SSDs for your PS5. Woof, those are expensive now. Thanks, RAMageddon.

The best deals on Nintendo Switch 2 games

Best Buy has discounted Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games — both physical and digital versions. It includes options like Street Fighter 6 Year 1-2 Fighters Edition on Switch 2 (physical) for $29.99 ($30 off) and Super Mario Odyssey (physical) and (digital) for $39.99 ($20 off).

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the first game in the main series with a real-time battling system instead of the traditional turn-based formula. You’re still catching pokémon, leveling up, trading, and battling in the game’s Paris-inspired setting, but the more action-oriented battles and smooth performance (on the Nintendo Switch 2) are very welcome.
Pokémon Legends- Z-A box art on a plain white background.

Where to Buy:

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Sparks of Hope dual pack

The Mario + Rabbids games are excellent turn-based strategy adventures that pair classic Mario characters with the chaotic Rabbids. The dual pack is a download code in a box that collects both the original Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and its sequel Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, both for the Nintendo Switch.

Where to Buy:

Resident Evil Requiem

The latest entry in the long-running survival horror series, with two different styles of gameplay via its dual protagonists. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

  • A preorder of the physical version of the upcoming Star Fox remake is $49.94 ($10 off) at Amazon. The game launches soon on June 25th. Check out our recent coverage.
  • Metroid Prime 4: Beyond for the Switch 2 is $44.99 ($25 off) at Amazon, and the original Switch version is an even cheaper $29.99 ($30 off). Read our review.
  • Kirby Air Riders, the high-speed racing game starring everyone’s favorite pink puff ball, is on sale for $49.94 ($20 off) Amazon. Read our review.
  • The Switch 2 version of Hades 2 is $39.99 ($10 off) at Amazon. The sequel to Supergiant’s popular roguelite stars a new character and all kinds of new gameplay mechanics and magical boons. Also the gods are still hot as hell. Read our review.

Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition

The Switch 2 Edition of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has the same technical enhancements as Breath of the Wild, but they’re more welcome here because the game struggled to run a bit on the original Switch. The game is set in the same environment as its predecessor, but Hyrule is more dense, so there’s even more to explore. Your physics-based powers help a lot with traversal. Read our review.
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom's case on a plain white background.

Where to Buy:

  • Mario Tennis Fever is on its first big discount, selling for $49.94 ($20 off) at Amazon. Mario sports games are always a good time, especially if you’ve got in-person or online friends to play with. Read our impressions.
  • Amazon is discounting a preorder for the physical version of Splatoon Raiders to $49.94 ($10 off). The single-player story driven take on Splatoon is set to launch July 23rd. Read our coverage.

The best deals on PlayStation and Xbox games

Elden Ring Nightreign (Deluxe Edition)

FromSoftware’s co-op title, Nightreign, pairs the visual flair and challenging combat of Elden Ring with a host of multiplayer elements, resulting in an ever-changing take on the beloved title. The Deluxe edition includes the game along with a digital artbook, The Forsaken Hollows DLC, and a soundtrack. If you buy it from Amazon, you also get a free poster. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

  • Nioh 3 for PlayStation 5 is selling for a new low price of $47.49 ($23 off) at Amazon. The brutally challenging action game from Koei Tecmo is filled with samurai and ninja combat. And lots of death — likely many of yours.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid Delta is a ground-up remake of the 2004 classic Metal Gear Solid 3. It features completely revamped visuals and modern controls, so moving Snake through the jungle feels just as smooth as it did in 2015’s Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. It retains the original plot and performances, along with various cutscenes, levels, and other gameplay elements. Read our review.
Metal Gear Solid Delta PS5 box art on a plain white background.

Where to Buy:

Silent Hill F

The survivor horror classic returns, now set in 1960s Japan. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

  • The Silent Hill 2 remake on PlayStation 5 is $19.99 ($20 off) at Amazon.

Octopath Traveler II

Octopath Traveler II is the latest game in the roleplaying video game series Octopath Traveler, where you play one of eight travelers exploring land.

Where to Buy:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

The turn-based RPG with Souls-like elements was the surprise hit of 2025. Read our review.
A screenshot from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Where to Buy:

The best deals on game accessories

  • Want some extra storage for your Switch 2? The 256GB Samsung P9 microSD Express card is $39.99 ($40 off) at Amazon. That doubles the Switch 2’s built-in storage, helping fit a lot more games.
  • Razer’s Kitsune arcade controller / fight pad for PS5 and PC is on sale for an all-time low of $149.15 (about half off its original price) at Amazon. All-button fighting controllers are much more common these days (even 8BitDo makes some), and they’re great for hardcore fighting game fans who want very precise cardinal direction inputs. They also travel much more easily than a traditional arcade controller with a big ol’ stick.

Sony InZone H9 headset

The original H9 is one of Sony’s premium InZone gaming headsets. It features active noise cancellation, compatibility with both PCs and the PlayStation 5, and can simultaneously connect to two devices (one over 2.4GHz wireless and one over Bluetooth).

Where to Buy:

  • The newer Sony Inzone H9 II is also on sale for $248 ($102 off) at Amazon. The sequel version of Sony’s flagship noise-canceling gaming headset has a detachable mic and uses the same drivers as the WH-1000XM6. It’s compatible with PC, PS5, and Switch. Read our hands-on impressions.
  • The 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth controller for the Switch 2 and PCs is $55.99 ($14 off) in purple at Amazon. The latest version of 8BitDo’s popular gamepad with a touch of retro stylings uses TMR sticks and programmable back buttons. Read our review.
  • For a low-cost controller for PC or Android that’s no-frills and wireless, check out the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C on sale for $22.79 ($7 off) at Amazon. It’s got Hall effect sticks and comes in some nice color combos (though the best deals are on the transparent black and green models).
  • One of our favorite gaming mice, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, is selling for a new low of $113.98 ($46 off) at Amazon. Read our hands-on impressions.
  • The Razer Viper V3 Pro is a great 8K wireless gaming mouse, down to $94.99, from the $130ish it was hovering near before.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

The Nova Pro Wireless aims to be the one headset to rule them all. It features multiple ways to connect wirelessly, active noise cancellation, great sound quality, and swappable batteries. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro

Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro is its first wireless controller for Xbox and PC. It features Hall effect sticks, mouse click-like hair triggers, swappable stick toppers, and six customizable buttons.

Where to Buy:

EasySMX S10

The EasySMX S10 is our favorite Switch 2 controller for people who don’t want to spend twice as much on Nintendo’s option. It offers an excellent take on HD rumble, along with amiibo support and the ability to wake the Switch remotely. It features a swappable eight-way (circular) D-pad, and can also work with PC, Steam Deck, and mobile devices.

Where to Buy:

PlayStation Pulse Explore

The Pulse Explore are PlayStation-branded wireless earbuds from Sony that deliver low latency, lossless audio. They’re compatible with the PlayStation Portal as well as the PlayStation 5, PC, and macOS via the included PlayStation Link USB adapter. Read our hands-on impressions.
A photo of Sony’s Pulse Explore wireless earbuds.

Where to Buy:

Other gaming hardware deals

Elgato Stream Deck XL

The Stream Deck XL is the 32-key version of the Elgato Stream Deck. It doesn’t feature a swappable faceplate like the MK. 2 version of the standard Stream Deck, but it has more than double the number of buttons to push.

Where to Buy:

8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard (Xbox Edition)

This mechanical keyboard is inspired by the original Xbox, with a translucent green color scheme and two large customizable buttons. Along with Bluetooth support, it offers a standard tenkeyless layout with clicky hot-swappable Kailh Jellyfish X switches.
8BitDo’s green Xbox-themed Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard in front of a matching green Xbox console.

Where to Buy:

  • The 8BitDo 18-key Retro number pad comes in the same color options as the keyboard. It has Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, plus a seven-segment display that lets it work as a standalone calculator. The Xbox version is on sale for $35.99, down from $45, at Amazon.

Nex Playground

The Nex Playground is a motion-controlled console that connects to your TV and uses a built-in camera and AI to track your movements as you play. Designed for ages five and up, it comes with games like Fruit Ninja and Whack-a-Mole Deluxe. You can download more games, including titles featuring popular characters like Elmo, with a paid Play Pass subscription.

Where to Buy:

Meta Quest 3S

If you bought a Meta Quest 2, you’re a prime candidate for the Quest 3S. It’s a faster, more comfortable VR headset that runs the same chipset as the pricier Quest 3. While its screen resolution hasn’t improved, nearly everything else about the hardware has. Read our review.
A side view of a white Meta Quest 3S headset. In the center is a a USB-C charging port with a white oval around it.

Where to Buy:

Update, June 26th: Struck expired deals and added new ones on an 8BitDo Xbox-themed keyboard, Mario + Rabbids games, and more.

]]> Antonio G. Di Benedetto <![CDATA[Apple’s AirPods Max 2 headphones are still $150 off — for now]]> https://www.theverge.com/?p=957605 2026-06-26T11:02:06-04:00 2026-06-26T09:06:02-04:00 A person holding a pair of blue AirPods Max 2 on a park bench.

One of the best deals this ongoing Prime Day has been on Apple’s latest flagship headphones. The AirPods Max 2 are still available for a heavily discounted price of $399 ($150 off) at Walmart, even though they sold out at Amazon.

Since the Amazon deal kicked and Walmart is out of stock on one of the Max 2’s five colors, it seems this deal is not long for this world. Even discounted to $399 the AirPods Max 2 are still pretty expensive, but it’s a much better price for some fancy headphones. The sequel version of the AirPods Max look the same as the original, but they offer better sound and upgraded internals. Apple’s noise cancellation is now competitive with the best offerings from Sony and Bose. The tradeoffs are, of course, that high price (especially if you’re cross-shopping its competition that’s also on sale), the heavy build that can cause fatigue, a lack of a proper power button, and an unorthodox “case” that doesn’t offer full protection.

Apple’s over-ears retain the premium design of the original while delivering improved sound quality and better noise cancellation. They also sport Apple’s H2 chip, which enables newer features like live translation. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

While the AirPods Max 2 definitely have their shortcomings, they’re still a quality pair of headphones that offer unique syling and colors. If their clamping force and weight work well for you then you’re treated to high quality audio that doesn’t get boomy with bass — you can actually hear those low tones. And they have some of Apple’s latest software features, like adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and live translation.

The last-gen AirPods Max (both the Lightning and USB-C versions) occasionally saw some great discounts, but it wasn’t always this good.

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You can get a great, color-accurate 5K monitor for half the price of an Apple Studio Display. | Photo by John Higgins / The Verge

RAMageddon has come for computers. The price of memory chips, hard drives, and solid state storage has skyrocketed. That’s led to price increases on desktop and laptop RAM, SSDs, spinning hard drives, and pretty much everything that uses any of those things. Consoles are more expensive. Desktops are more expensive. Laptops are more expensive. Tablets and phones are more expensive. Even MacBooks, which started out expensive but then started looking like a pretty good deal, just got more expensive.

All that sucks. But if (if) there’s a silver lining, it’s that most of the stuff you plug into a computer — keyboards, mice, webcams, monitors, and so forth — isn’t getting bananas expensive. Actually, there are some good deals out there.

Great keyboards on the cheap

8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard (Xbox Edition)

This mechanical keyboard is inspired by the original Xbox, with a translucent green color scheme and two large customizable buttons. Along with Bluetooth support, it offers a standard tenkeyless layout with clicky hot-swappable Kailh Jellyfish X switches.
8BitDo’s green Xbox-themed Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard in front of a matching green Xbox console.

Where to Buy:

  • Some of 8BitDo’s other Retro87 colors are on sale too, though it looks like it depends on the day. Right now the M Edition — which has an IBM Model M vibe — is down to $67.89, from $100. The Commodore 64, Famicom, and Super Nintendo-inspired colors aren’t on much of a sale as I type this, but they were yesterday, so keep an eye out.
  • The 8BitDo 18-key Retro number pad comes in the same color options as the keyboard. It has Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, plus a seven-segment display that lets it work as a standalone calculator. It’s down to $35.99ish, from $45ish, at Amazon. I (Nathan) bought one yesterday.
  • The fairly new Keychron V5 Ultra mechanical keyboard with Silk POM red linear switches is $107.99 ($12 off) at Amazon. The near-full-size 96-percent layout board has an incredibly long battery life thanks to its ZMK-based firmware, and it supports a fast 8,000Hz polling rate via its 2.4GHz wireless connection. Its plastic case isn’t as nice as ones with a metal chassis, but it’s a great no-nonsense keyboard for the money. Read our review.
  • The Iqunix Magi65 low profile mechanical keyboard is down to $108.30, from $130ish. I like the version with media keys and a rolling encoder, but that’s not on sale. Former video producer Vjeran Pavic likes this version. It’s the best-looking and best-feeling low-profile keyboard I’ve tried yet, and it has great battery life.

Asus ROG Falcata

A unique Hall effect gaming keyboard that actually takes ergonomics into account. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

Hot deals on mice in your area

Logitech MX Master 3S

The MX Master 3S is a favorite among many Verge staff members because of its comfort and customization. It can connect via Bluetooth, via its included 2.4GHz receiver, or wired with its USB-C cable.

Where to Buy:

Logitech MX Vertical wireless mouse

An ergonomic mouse especially designed to reduce muscle strain and enhance performance. It’s the mouse of choice for senior reviewer Victoria Song.

Where to Buy:

  • The slightly cheaper Logitech Lift is down to $56 from $65. Instead of recharging via USB-C like the MX Vertical, it uses a AA battery.
  • Not to overindex on vertical mice, but the Keychron M5 vertical gaming mouse is down to $39.99, from $49.99, at Amazon. I (Nathan again) use this on my desktop. Good mouse.
  • The Razer Viper V3 Pro is a great 8K wireless gaming mouse, down to $94.99, from the $130ish it was hovering near before.
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Monitors to watch (get it?)

Asus ProArt PA27JCV 5K monitor

The PA27JCV is a solid alternative to Apple’s Studio Display, especially for the price. The ProArt monitor features a built-in KVM switch, HDR support, and a bevy of connectivity options, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C (with up to 96W charging). Read our 5K monitor roundup.
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV 5K monitor on a wooden desk next to a MacBook with a notepad and pen in front of it.

Where to Buy:

  • OLED gaming monitors that offer super-fast refresh rates are cheaper than usual during Prime Day, and several of them are from Asus. The company’s Strix XG27ACDNG 26.5-inch 1440p QD-OLED with a 360Hz refresh rate is down to $534 at Amazon. Its previous best price was $599.99, and it didn’t come around often. The next step up is the Swift PG27AQDP WOLED 1440p monitor with 480Hz refresh rate. It costs $664 during Prime Day at Amazon, down from around $800. 
  • The Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM, a 4K QD-OLED with a 240Hz refresh rate, is $934 at Amazon — its best price yet. That’s $265 off its original price. I want this thing so bad.
  • LG’s 32-inch UltraGear 32GX850A-B OLED gaming monitor is $684.50 ($600 off MSRP) at Amazon, exclusively for Prime members. LG also has it for anyone for a slightly higher $699.99. The dual mode 4K OLED supports a fairly high 165Hz refresh rate but can dip down to 1920 x 1080 resolution to output a super fast 330Hz for specialized uses like competitive gaming.

Cases and stands, hubs and docks, and other stuff

Moft Adhesive Laptop Stand

If you don’t need a laptop stand all the time, Moft’s Adhesive Stand could be for you. It folds up nicely and has a low-profile design that’s great for putting in your laptop bag.

Where to Buy:

  • Moft has a variety of deals on its origami-style cases and stands. In addition to the Adhesive Laptop Stand, above, you can get its folding 2-in-1 Laptop Carry Sleeve, a sleek laptop case that doubles as a portable stand, for $51.96 ($13 off) at Amazon in four sizes and up to 11 different colors.
  • Ugreen’s Dock and Stand for the Mac Mini M4 / M4 Pro is $49.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, exclusively for Prime members. The dock sits below your Mac Mini and plugs in to a rear USB-C port, dramatically expanding the port offerings of your tiny desktop and making your power button more accessible with a tiny lever. It has SD / microSD card slots and two USB-A ports on the front, and three USB-C and three USB-A ports on the rear. Plus, inside is an M.2 SSD slot for extra built-in storage. (You’ll have to BYO SSD.)
  • This Lenovo 5-in-1 USB-C hub is down to $19.99, from $29.99, at Amazon. It has a 5Gbps USB 3.2 port, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port that supports 4K at 60Hz, and up to 100W USB-PD in. I haven’t tested it, but I did just buy it. It has good ratings, it’s from Lenovo, and it’s $20. I’ll roll the dice on that.

Elgato Stream Deck MK. 2

The MK.2 version of the standard Stream Deck comes with 15 programmable buttons, a swappable faceplate, and a detachable stand.

Where to Buy:

]]> Antonio G. Di Benedetto <![CDATA[54 Prime Day steals under $25 you won’t want to miss]]> https://www.theverge.com/?p=951852 2026-06-25T13:50:21-04:00 2026-06-25T13:09:43-04:00 A hand placing a Tile Slim into a leather wallet with a newspaper in the background.

We at The Verge love a good gadget or tchotchke, especially when it’s not too expensive. But with the rising cost of just about everything these days, many once-cheap gadgets aren’t so affordable anymore.

Amazon and other retailers sell all sorts of products from word salad brand names, but only some of it is handy and affordable enough to be worth telling you about. We’re highlighting some of our favorite picks that don’t suck and are on sale for Amazon Prime Day.

Some of them you’ve likely seen us recommend before, but there are newcomers, too. Some are simple desk items or note-taking tools that might help you in your work day, and others are purely just for fun — while being nicely giftable. Regardless, they’re all things we have tested or bought that we think are worth your money.

Tile Slim (2024)

The Tile Slim is thin enough to fit into a wallet, luggage tag, or similar items. It offers a 350-foot Bluetooth range, regardless of which platform you’re on, and up to three years of battery life.
A hand placing a Tile Slim into a leather wallet with a newspaper in the background.

Where to Buy:

Fanttik S1 Electric Screwdriver

This tiny cordless driver comes with five double-ended bits for most basic around-the-house projects and Ikea-level builds.

Where to Buy:

Hoto 24-in-1 Mini Screwdriver Set

A simple screwdriver for small projects and simple repairs, with 24 included bits stored in the chassis.

Where to Buy:

Blink Video Doorbell (second-gen)

The latest Blink Video Doorbell is a nice step up from its predecessor, offering a 1080p head-to-toe view and more accurate motion alerts. The second-gen model promises up to two years of battery life, while an infrared night vision mode allows you to get a beat on visitors when it’s dark outside. When someone does drop by, you don’t even need to get up to answer, as it supports two-way talk through the Blink app.
Blink’s second-generation Video Doorbell next to a door.

Where to Buy:

Nothing CMF Buds 2A

The CMF Buds 2A deliver decent sound and noise cancellation. They also offer useful extras like customizable EQ settings, multipoint connectivity, and IP54 water and dust resistance.

Where to Buy:

8BitDo Ultimate Mini Wired Controller for Xbox

A simple and affordable wired controller for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. It’s size is friendly to smaller hands and its sticks use anti-drift Hall effect sensors. The cute translucent colors are just icing on the cake.

Where to Buy:

Vampliers 5-inch Mini Stripped Screw Remover Pliers

An invaluable tool for those of us who make mistakes with screwdrivers. (All of us.)

Where to Buy:

Rak Magnetic Wristband

Losing a screw, washer, or drill bit during a repair is a pain, but magnets are here to help. The smarties at Rak designed a multi-section magnetic wristband that’ll let dad keep spares conveniently attached to his wrist, so he can easily grab what he needs (or stow pieces) while he’s at work.

Where to Buy:

Apple AirTag (2nd gen)

AirTags might be popular for tracking baggage at the airport, but they’re also handy for keeping tabs on EDC. Apple’s latest trackers can pinpoint items more precisely — and from farther away — than the OG model, and they have a louder speaker.

Where to Buy:

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus

The latest version of Amazon’s zippy Fire TV Stick 4K streams in 4K resolution, as its name suggests, and features support for Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Atmos / Vision, and HDR10 Plus.

Where to Buy:

Update, June 25th: Removed an expired deal and added new ones on the Tile Slim and a couple of screwdrivers.

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