Latest news with #Macmini
Tom's Guide
22-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Get up to $70 off Meta Quest 3S, M4 MacBook Air still at its lowest price and more — Power Picks
Today's power picks are massive — not only can you get up to $70 off the Meta Quest 3S, the M4 MacBook Air is still at its cheapest price (so is the Mac mini on that note), there's over $200 off a beasty RTX 5060 Ti gaming PC and more. History shows the biggest savings almost always happen at the beginning and end of every week, so to get all these Prime Day-matching or beating prices on a Tuesday is bonkers to me. Oh, and remember those power picks from yesterday? They're still available too! That means you can still get the impressive Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x with Snapdragon power for just $549, and $650 off a beasty AMD RX 9070 XT gaming tower. But for now, let's get into today's top deals. Whenever anyone asks 'what's the best VR headset for me to buy?' My immediate answer is 'Meta Quest 3S.' The system really does everything you'd want a headset to do with a huge library and plenty of performance, all at a low price. Now, it's even lower — with the 128GB version being $50 off and the 256GB model being $70 off for a limited time! Yes, this $150 saving is still on! Either Apple's forgotten this discount continues to exist or it's all part of the plan. Whichever way, this is a great chance to save big on one of the best laptops you can buy. That M4 chip is a screamer through any level of productivity, and it's crammed into a slim, lightweight chassis with a massive battery life to boot. Maybe you don't need the full laptop experience of a MacBook, and that's where the M4 Mac mini comes in — a tiny puck of a powerhouse sporting that same zippy M4 chip. We absolutely loved the Mac mini, and with 10% off the price, it's an absolute steal. Also, shoutout to getting over $150 off the M4 Pro version too, for those who want some additional horsepower for creative tasks like complex 4K edits. The RTX 5060 Ti is one of my personal favorite mid-range GPUs, and its been built into this all-round beast of a gaming PC that is now $350 off with code SS10PER4. Alongside the GPU, in this Cyclone case, you've got an Intel Core i7-14700F CPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB M.2 SSD. This is a packed PC ready for 1440p gaming. My personal favorite (and top-ranked best gaming laptop) has dropped to its lowest price with a huge $350 saving. Alongside that beasty RTX 5070 Ti, you've got an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD — all in a sleek aluminum chassis with a mesmerizing OLED display. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
17-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
This $300 Windows PC gives the Mac mini a run for its money
Mini PCs have been a mainstay in my home for well over a decade now and for good reason: they're affordable, they don't take up much space, and they pack a surprising amount of power in a compact package. That makes them an excellent choice for most people, whether you're a first-time computer owner or looking to upgrade your office. For years, the Mac mini has been my go-to recommendation for the best mini PC, but as a long-time user, I've found cracks in my pick. For starters, Apple doesn't allow you to upgrade your Mac mini's storage down the line, so unless you're willing to pay close to $1,000 up front, you will stumble into space issues later. In addition, the absence of USB-A on the latest model is puzzling, as though the majority of devices and appliances have embraced USB-C, there are still a couple at my work desk that feature the traditional port—like my monitor's light bar and my webcam. Blackview's new MP60 mini PC offers a compelling alternative. For about $300, the M60 comes equipped with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD that's easily expandable, plenty of ports, including a pair of HDMIs for a dual-monitor setup, and a four-core Intel N150 chip. This Blackview mini PC is reasonably powerful thanks to its quad-core Intel N150 chip, 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB SSD for storage. It also has a compartment on the bottom you can put a second SATA SSD with a capacity of up to 2TB if you want to expand it in the future. Best of all, though, is that the MP60 can fit in the palm of a (large) hand or even a loose pant pocket and weighs under a pound. I've been putting the MP60 through its paces for a few weeks now—does it have the potential to be the next default mini PC? Pulling the MP60 out of its box reveals an all-black, mostly plastic and unassuming shell. However, don't let it fool you: it hides a bunch of practical, exciting elements. The MP60's five-inch square footprint places it in the same league as the new Mac mini, but half of its two-inch height comprises a detachable storage extension. Unlock the pair of switches on its base, and a USB-C-powered expansion bay comes loose, leaving behind a mini PC that's just a hair over an inch tall. The one element of the MP60's design that does stand out right away is the gap running along the case's perimeter. It houses an open copper heat sink that allows the internal fan to dissipate heat and keep the PC from overheating at all times. That's not all: the gap lights up and gives an otherwise functional design an eye-catching trim. It beams blue when the PC's awake and turns red when you put it to sleep. What's more practical is the bundled VESA mount you can use to attach the MP60, say, to the back of your monitor or even under your desk out of sight. The MP60 also makes the most out of whatever compact real estate it's working with. There are a total of eight ports around it: a pair of USB-A 2.0 and USB-A 3.0 each, two HDMI slots, a standard headphone jack and another for gigabit Ethernet. I also found it handy that three of those USB ports are on its side rather than the back. The MP60 model I tested runs on an Intel N150 processor, an entry-level chipset with four efficiency cores. In day-to-day activities, however, I hardly felt the absence of any performance cores. The Windows 11 Pro OS it ships with flies on it, and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it boots up from sleep. Essential tasks, like multitasking between numerous browser windows and work apps like Slack and Zoom, were smooth as well, and rarely did I notice it heat up. Another highlight of the MP60 is the detachable expansion module. All you need is a run-of-the-mill screwdriver, and you can slot in a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD to boost its storage to up to 2TB. I do wish, though, that the USB-C port the module uses could be repurposed for other jobs, since the PC doesn't have other USB-C slots. While it supports Bluetooth connections, Blackview has omitted speakers entirely to keep the price low. Though not unusual for mini PCs, it would have been nice to have at least a set of basic speakers for notification sounds. Of course, the MP60's N150 is no match for its premium counterparts packing Apple silicon. On Geekbench, for example, it scored just 1151 in the single-core tests and 2279 in the multi-core one. Though I didn't face any stutters in most of my workflows, its performance struggles to keep up in more resource-intensive operations, such as editing an HD video. Similarly, the built-in Intel GPU isn't meant for gaming at all, and titles like Counter-Strike 2 failed to launch altogether. That said, for most people, the Blackview MP60 is a value-for-money mini PC, particularly thanks to its ultra-compact design and user-friendly storage expansion abilities. As long as your use is chiefly limited to office tasks and web browsing, the $300 MP60 is hard to beat.
Scotsman
08-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Apple Mac mini M4 now just £499 in Prime Day sale – my best home office buy
My Apple Mac mini M4 set up neatly under the monitor on my home office desk. | National World This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. This compact powerhouse transformed my home office — and it's now even cheaper thanks to Amazon Prime Day. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I'm amazed to see this brilliant mini Mac with such a good discount — and if you're thinking of upgrading your home office setup, this Prime Day deal is hard to beat. I bought mine when it launched last November, after realising my MacBook Air just wasn't up to the heavy lifting I was asking of it day to day. I'm not really a techie — I don't care about the finer points of chip architecture or benchmark scores — but I do know what it's like to lose your rhythm because your machine stutters or freezes while juggling Chrome tabs, a graphic editor and a podcast app. The Air is still great on the go or for sneaky sessions in the garden, but I knew I needed a proper rig for those full-on days when productivity is paramount. And that's what the Mac mini delivered. I ignored the temptation to splash out on maximum storage, for two good reasons. First, my Air's 256GB has never filled up, because everything lives in the cloud these days. Second, Apple charges a silly premium for more storage — about £200 for another 256GB — when you can pick up a decent SSD card for a tenner. What really matters here is the performance. The Mac mini's 16GB of unified memory, 10-core CPU and GPU, and Apple's magic M4 chip keep everything humming. Tasks that used to make my Air hang are now seamless, and I can keep Canva, iMovie, Riverside and a dozen tabs open without juggling apps. Blink and you'll miss it: my Mac Mini nestled under my iPad on the left of my office setup | National World It's not infallible — even this can slow down if you leave everything open — but it's by far the smoothest experience I've had on a Mac. And then there's the size. My home office is a glorified box room, and space is at a premium. With the Mac mini, my desk feels spacious again, even with a big monitor and an iPad second screen. Even before the Prime Day deal, I thought the Mac mini was a bargain — for less than £600, it offered better performance than laptops twice the price. Now, at just £499 on Amazon's Prime Day sale, it's genuinely astonishing value. If you're considering an upgrade, grab it while it lasts — this is a machine that makes every day at your desk smoother, faster and just that bit more enjoyable. Carly 20% off!! Unlock hidden features and save money with Carly's smart car diagnostic tool £ 50.00 Buy now Buy now Ever wondered what that warning light on your dashboard actually means? Basic OBD scanners might tell you the code – but Carly goes much further. This clever German-made device pairs with a powerful app to translate those fault codes, explain what's wrong, and even guide you through potential fixes. You'll also unlock bonus features, like hidden menus and digital speedos on compatible cars. Right now, you can get 20% off as part of Carly's Birthday Sale with code BDAY20. For more details click here. Amazon Amazon deal of the day: Ninja Creami £ 156.00 Buy now Buy now The Ninja CREAMi is a game-changer for homemade ice cream lovers – and it's currently on offer at Amazon for just £156, down from £199.99. This versatile machine makes everything from gelato and frozen yoghurt to smoothies and milkshakes using preset programmes and easy-freeze tubs. Just mix your ingredients, freeze for 24 hours, and let the Ninja do the rest. It's perfect for creative flavour combos and ideal for anyone with dietary needs – whether you're dairy-free, vegan or keto. Stocks are limited and the deal won't last forever, so grab one now and treat yourself to a summer of frozen delights.
Scotsman
07-07-2025
- Scotsman
Apple Mac mini M4 now just £499 in Prime Day sale – my best home office buy
My Apple Mac mini M4 set up neatly under the monitor on my home office desk. | National World This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. This compact powerhouse transformed my home office — and it's now even cheaper thanks to Amazon Prime Day. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I'm amazed to see this brilliant mini Mac with such a good discount — and if you're thinking of upgrading your home office setup, this Prime Day deal is hard to beat. I bought mine when it launched last November, after realising my MacBook Air just wasn't up to the heavy lifting I was asking of it day to day. I'm not really a techie — I don't care about the finer points of chip architecture or benchmark scores — but I do know what it's like to lose your rhythm because your machine stutters or freezes while juggling Chrome tabs, a graphic editor and a podcast app. The Air is still great on the go or for sneaky sessions in the garden, but I knew I needed a proper rig for those full-on days when productivity is paramount. And that's what the Mac mini delivered. I ignored the temptation to splash out on maximum storage, for two good reasons. First, my Air's 256GB has never filled up, because everything lives in the cloud these days. Second, Apple charges a silly premium for more storage — about £200 for another 256GB — when you can pick up a decent SSD card for a tenner. What really matters here is the performance. The Mac mini's 16GB of unified memory, 10-core CPU and GPU, and Apple's magic M4 chip keep everything humming. Tasks that used to make my Air hang are now seamless, and I can keep Canva, iMovie, Riverside and a dozen tabs open without juggling apps. Blink and you'll miss it: my Mac Mini nestled under my iPad on the left of my office setup | National World It's not infallible — even this can slow down if you leave everything open — but it's by far the smoothest experience I've had on a Mac. And then there's the size. My home office is a glorified box room, and space is at a premium. With the Mac mini, my desk feels spacious again, even with a big monitor and an iPad second screen. Even before the Prime Day deal, I thought the Mac mini was a bargain — for less than £600, it offered better performance than laptops twice the price. Now, at just £499 on Amazon's Prime Day sale, it's genuinely astonishing value. If you're considering an upgrade, grab it while it lasts — this is a machine that makes every day at your desk smoother, faster and just that bit more enjoyable. Carly 20% off!! Unlock hidden features and save money with Carly's smart car diagnostic tool £ 50.00 Buy now Buy now Ever wondered what that warning light on your dashboard actually means? Basic OBD scanners might tell you the code – but Carly goes much further. This clever German-made device pairs with a powerful app to translate those fault codes, explain what's wrong, and even guide you through potential fixes. You'll also unlock bonus features, like hidden menus and digital speedos on compatible cars. Right now, you can get 20% off as part of Carly's Birthday Sale with code BDAY20. For more details click here.
Tom's Guide
20-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I test audio gear for a living — and I found the perfect amp for those getting into HiFi
Look at this thing — the Wiim Vibelink amp is the same size and only slightly heavier than the Mac mini, and it only costs $300. All that, and it's got 100W of power on tap, so that you can power super-demanding speakers and subwoofers without it breaking a sweat. It's an absolute marvel, and I absolutely adore my unit and the place it now has in the house as a compact music unit. I also think, thanks to its relatively affordable price, decent array of inputs, and speaker-blowing power, that it also happens to be one of the best ways to get into HiFi and stereo in 2025. I've been testing the Wiim Vibelink Amp for the last few months, and here are my findings. The Vibelink Amp is packed chock-full of power and inputs for the perfect beginner HiFi amp. With up to 200W of power on tap for 4-ohm speakers and 100W available for 8-ohm, there's power aplenty for even the most demanding of speakers. All for less than a Nintendo Switch 2. Even down to the box that the Vibelink comes in, you can see the design inspiration for the little amp. The metal frame's shape and size are very much modelled around the previous generation Mac mini, and it makes the amp look simple, and I think pretty cool as well. I love the knob on the front for the volume, and it feels lovely under the finger as well. It spins with a nice, smooth resistance and provides plenty of feedback to ensure it has a satisfying feel. This is your only way to control the volume as well — there's no remote control in the box. The only other control you'll find on the front is the source select. Click the button, and you cycle through the various inputs on the back of the device. Simple, effective, and easy to use. No settings to play with here, just the amp and the inputs. Where's the power button? It's on the back, above the power connector. There are a grand total of three inputs on the back of the amp — an RCA connector, a coax connector, and an optical port. That's what you'll likely use to connect to a streaming device like the Wiim Ultra, which would also give you more potential inputs, including a phono, something lacking from the device itself. There aren't that many plugs on the back, but then it gives you pretty much everything you need to get playing some music. Just plug an aux cable into the RCA connector, a dongle into your phone, and you're away. If you want to plug in one of the best turntables, make sure you either buy one with a built-in pre-amp (like the excellent Rega Planar 1 Plus), or get a separate model. Most small amps tend to top out at around 30 watts. That's enough to power most bookshelf speakers, and plenty for smaller applications. "No," says the Wiim Vibelink. "I want to power all of the speakers." The Vibelink has 100W of output, so there's plenty of power available for even very large floorstanding speakers. That also means there's more juice for better sound at lower volumes for less power-hungry speakers — think better, smoother bass response, wider mids, and, you guessed it, better highs. The result is a small amp that plays much harder than its size and price would suggest. I've tested more expensive products that don't manage the same sound quality at lower volumes, so it's nice to see something like this be so cheap. That means, however, that you'll want to be careful with the vibelink. If you've got 4-ohm speakers that don't need loads of power to run, then you'll almost certainly blow them if you turn the amp up too high. Restraint with the volume control is key. The sound quality of the Vibelink will depend partly on the speakers that you plug in, as you might expect. Thanks to the power, it allows most speakers to sing at their best, and it presents a fairly neutral tone for the speaker to work with. That means good detail, great mids, and solid low-end. It's not going to hold a candle to multiple thousand-dollar amps, but pair it with some solid, inexpensive bookshelf speakers and you've a setup that's going to show the Sonos Era 300 the door. Look, when something costs as comparatively few dollars as this, there are going to be some compromises. It's very much designed to work with the Wiim Ultra, like I said above, because that fills some holes that amp alone is unable to fill. A lack of inputs and sub out for one are both solved by a Wiim Ultra. If you're willing to shell out another $329, that's not much of a problem, but it is if you don't want to spend much extra or if you've already got a streamer. It also has a habit of getting a bit toasty during use, although this is a 'problem' with just about any amplifier you'll lay your hands on. They get warm. All of these problems are very easy to forget when you consider the price. Toss in some $100 speakers or something second-hand, a $10 aux cable, and you've the beginnings of a very capable stereo system indeed.
