Latest news with #techupgrade
Gizmodo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
This HP 15.6″ Touchscreen Laptop Is Going for Pennies, Amazon Empties Its Stock on the Last Day of Prime Day
It's the last day of Prime Day, and you can feel the hurry coming on as brands drop prices just that little bit more in an effort to push you into that tech upgrade you've been eyeing. HP is joining the party with a deal that really is too good to pass up: today, one of their solid 15.6-inch laptops is at its lowest price ever at Amazon. If you're tired of settling for basic Chromebooks or just want something that makes daily tasks a breeze, this HP is a breath of fresh air. Now you can pick up the HP 15.6-inch laptop (AMD Ryzen 3 7320U, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, Windows 11 Home) for only $239, down from a price of $409. That's 41% off, and not many times will you see a fully featured Windows laptop drop that low. With this price, it's actually below many Chromebooks, but you get so much more in features and performance. See at Amazon This laptop is like it was designed for the actual world: The matte finish on the lid and keyboard bezel gives it a laid-back, every-day vibe and the patterned base means that it won't slide right out of your hands. The 15.6-inch HD touchscreen actually is sort of a blast to use: just tap, swipe, or pinch your way through your day. The anti-glare display keeps things easy on your eyes, and the brightness is perfect. Inside, you'll find an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor that keeps things running smoothly. With four cores and eight threads, and up to a 4.1 GHz boost, it handles multitasking like a pro. The 8 GB RAM allows you to have numerous tabs open at once without slowing down, and the 128 GB SSD keeps everything responsive. Streaming, gaming, and photo editing are all handled by AMD Radeon graphics so work and play are covered. Windows 11 Home (in S Mode) is installed preloaded for that extra layer of security and peace of mind, but if you do require more flexibility, you can exit S Mode. HP has really thought through the little things that matter: There is even a real camera shutter so you can rest assured with your privacy intact, and a microphone mute switch with a clear LED light. Video calls look sharp thanks to the HP True Vision HD camera and background noise is eliminated with AI tech, so you sound crisp even in noisy environments. It's simple to stay in touch with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4, and you've got all the ports you need: USB-C, two USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone/mic port. There's even a Copilot button, for quick access to Microsoft's AI assistant—perfect for fast answers or creative inspiration. If you're ready to make everyday computing easy, this is one Prime Day deal you'll be glad you didn't skip. See at Amazon
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The best laptop deals for Amazon Prime Day 2025, selected by a tech expert
The Amazon Prime Day sale is flying by, but don't panic, the event will be running until 11 July, so you've still got time to grab a bargain. If you're looking to upgrade your tech, it's one of the best times of the year to find a great deal on your next laptop. It's no mean feat filtering out genuinely impressive deals from the duds, though, which is where The Independent 's crack team of deal hunters and I come in. Throughout the sale, we've been checking (and re-checking) Amazon for the best deals, and we always try to track prices to ensure the best Prime Day laptop deals are as good as they first seem. As The Independent 's tech writer, I've personally tried a lot of laptops, so I know which brands and, more specifically, which models are worth your money. So far, some of the deals to come onto my radar include a £100 saving on the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, one of the best laptops I've ever used (now £849, and a rare 15 per cent discount on the MacBook Air (now £849, Whether your trusty old workhorse is finally giving up the ghost, or you're a student looking for a new device ahead of the university term, Prime Day is your chance to save hundreds of pounds. Keep scrolling for the best laptop deals as they happen. Our team of shopping experts have been covering Amazon Prime Day and other online sales for years. As well as tracking laptop prices and knowing how to spot a good deal from a bad one, I've spent all year testing and reviewing new and existing products to bring you recommendations on the laptops I think you'll love. I've tried laptops designed for everyday use as well as machines designed for more intensive tasks like gaming and editing, so I'll only recommend the laptop deals that I think are worth your investment. Deals on the very latest Apple tech are rare, making this £150 discount on the new M4 MacBook Air worth shouting about. For £849, you get Apple's latest and most powerful M4 chip, phenomenal battery life and an iconic lightweight design – tech critic David Phelan called it 'preposterously slim, sharply designed and appealingly light' in his MacBook Air review. Dubbed the best for battery life in IndyBest's guide to top-rated laptops, this Dell device features the Snapdragon X Elite chip and a 13.4in screen. It's practical and comfortable to use all day, but you only get two USB-C ports with this machine. The minimalist keyboard, haptic function row and invisible trackpad might split opinion, but you're getting a striking piece of design at a discount with this deal. Now less than half price, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a fantastic deal for anyone after a reliable everyday laptop. It's a great-value workhorse from a trusted brand, running on a decent Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM – that's plenty of power for browsing, emails and streaming, all for an unbeatable price. Here's a huge £300 saving on one of the best laptops I've tested. The Asus Zenbook 14 boasts a stunning OLED screen that makes everything from movies to spreadsheets look incredible, packed into a slim, lightweight, and premium-feeling chassis. 16GB of RAM alongside a powerful Ryzen 7 chip gives it top performance too, whether you're gaming or rendering video on the go. A gateway into the world of portable PC gaming that won't break the bank, the RTX 3050-powered Lenovo LOQ is now just £599.99 in the Prime Day sale. This affordable gaming laptop has enough graphical muscle to handle modern games, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking to play the latest titles or tackle processor-intensive tasks. Perfect for students, kids, or anyone needing a simple, no-fuss laptop for browsing and writing, this HP Chromebook is a bargain at just £139.99. With a long battery life and Google's straightforward web-based operating system, it's a hassle-free and affordable alternative to more powerful laptops in the sale. If you're in the market for an ultra-cheap Windows laptop, the HP Stream is a steal at just £119.99. It's ideal for basic tasks like sending emails, working on documents, and watching videos, and this £100 discount makes it one of the best-value laptops you'll find in the sale. Grab a premium 2-in-1 laptop for less with this excellent deal on the HP Envy x360. Its clever hinge lets you flip the screen around to use it like a tablet, offering brilliant versatility at home, at the office or while on the move. With a quality build and powerful performance, it's a do-it-all device with a hefty £270 Prime Day saving. If you're after a new work laptop, the MSI modern 15 is down from £449 to just £299 in the Prime Day sale. Designed to boost productivity, it features a 13th gen Intel Core processor and Intel UHD graphics which are ideal for multitasking. Despite this budget-friendly price, you're still getting premium features, such as a backlit keyboard, 180-degree lay-flat hinge, fast USB-C charging and more. If you've been eyeing up Microsoft's powerful new Surface Laptop but balking at the top-end price, this is the deal you've been waiting for. This isn't the entry-level model – this is the full-fat, top-spec configuration packing a monstrous 32GB of RAM and a vast 1TB SSD. Powered by the new Snapdragon X Elite processor, it's an exceptional deal for professionals, creatives or anyone who needs a top-tier Windows machine that doesn't compromise on power or portability. A step up from standard Chromebooks, this 'plus' model from Acer packs more power for smoother multitasking and a more responsive experience. If you live in your web browser but need a bit of extra oomph, this is a superb, budget-friendly option with a significant discount of more than £150. You also get one year of Google One AI membership included, giving you access to perks like advanced Gemini features, extra Google Drive storage and more. Hitting the sweet spot between price and performance, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 is a great and stylish-looking mid-range laptop for work or study. It packs a powerful Intel Core i5 processor and a generous 16in display into a slim and portable design and – this £220 price cut makes it an even more compelling choice. I dubbed the MSI Prestige 14 evo the best gaming laptop, and while it isn't on sale this Prime Day, a discount on a gaming laptop from the same brand has just come onto my radar, and it's worth taking a look. There's 39 per cent off the MSI Cyborg 15in FHD gaming laptop, which is powered by the speedy Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 155H, and features a futuristic design complete with a light-up keyboard, and a sharp 144Hz IPS-level display. A solid all-rounder for everyday computing, this 15.6in Asus Vivobook is now even better value in the Prime Day sale. Running on the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor and supported by 16GB of RAM, it's ideal for juggling demanding projects as well as daily tasks. The large screen is great for productivity or kicking back with a bit of Netflix. Here's a giant saving on the excellent Asus Vivobook S14, which is superb value at £459.99. The powerful but slim 14in laptop runs on the latest Snapdragon X Plus processor, giving it improved energy efficiency and an impressive 20-hour battery life, while the 16GB of RAM can comfortably handle multitasking the most demanding software. If you need a laptop for simple browser-based tasks, you can't go wrong with a Chromebook. This Asus model has a 10-hour battery life and access to the Google One AI Premium plan – the most advanced version of the Gemini large language model. Amazon reduced the price of this latest addition to the MacBook Air range back in May, and now, with another price slash, it's at its lowest ever price at the online retailer. The laptop impressed The Independent' s tech critic David Phelan, who called it 'preposterously slim, sharply designed and appealingly light' after putting it to the test. If you're on the hunt for a work-from-home laptop that delivers powerful performance, sharp graphics and versatility, the Acer Aspire 5 may be the one for you. What makes it a particularly great home office option is its ability to transfer data, charge and extend the screen across multiple monitors, all from one cable. There's 36 per cent off in the Amazon Prime sale right now, saving you a huge £249.99. You can save £250 on Samsung's Chromebook thanks to this Prime Day deal. It's a great choice for those who need a laptop for simple tasks without too many bells and whistles. Gemini, Google's AI personal assistant, is integrated into the machine, and it can help you to quickly summarise text, craft emails, create social media posts and more. Right now, it's the cheapest it's ever been at Amazon. For a laptop that can handle intensive tasks, from gaming to video rendering, you'll want to see this deal on the Acer nitro laptop. Acer has built cooling fans into the laptop, so it shouldn't overheat while you're in the middle of a game. I've never seen it discounted at Amazon before, so now's a good time to buy with more than 30 per cent off. Sure, it isn't the very latest MacBook, but this is still a very good laptop. In my guide to the best laptops, I found that this model is 'a masterpiece of design', and that hasn't changed just because there's a slightly newer version. This powerful laptop is great for heavy-duty tasks like video editing. Half price this Prime Day, the Samsung Galaxy Book3 features a display that's said to be responsive, immersive and vibrant, making it a good choice for those looking to use a laptop for gaming and watching movies. It's powered by the latest 13th gen Intel Core processor, so it should be speedy in use. What's more, it can also be used as a tablet thanks to the touchscreen on which you can use the Samsung stylus, the S Pen. Upgrade your gaming set-up for less with 32 per cent off this mid-range 15in laptop. With a 1080p and 144Hz display, it runs on an RTX 4050 paired with a 12th generation Intel Core i7 and 16GB of RAM. That's plenty of performance to handle the latest releases, and while still expensive, it's excellent value by laptop standards. Dell inspiron 16 5640: Was £729, now £685, Save on the Dell inspiron 16 laptop, currently reduced to just £685. With a 16in FHD+ display, Intel core 7 processor, 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, it offers smooth multitasking and everyday productivity. Sleek, lightweight and packed with extras like a fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard and wifi 6, it's a great all-rounder that won't break the bank.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National Lottery to suffer 36-hour outage in rush to deliver botched tech update
The National Lottery will be plunged into a 36-hour blackout this summer as its new owner rushes to deliver a botched tech upgrade. Allwyn, which is controlled by Czech billionaire Karel Komarek, has warned retailers their National Lottery terminals will stop working for around 36 hours while systems are updated. In a statement to shop owners this week, Andria Vidler, the chief executive of Allwyn UK, said: 'Technical switchover will happen over one weekend this summer, and to enable the new systems to go live, National Lottery terminals will be inactive for approximately 36 hours.' Ms Vidler did not provide a date for the shutdown, but asked retailers for their 'help and diligence to ensure a seamless transition'. It is understood that the upgrade will begin at about 11pm on a Saturday night to reduce disruption and loss of earnings. The National Lottery does not trade overnight and no draw-based games take place on a Sunday. Allwyn has pledged to overhaul the National Lottery's estate of 43,500 terminals at a cost of £350m. The update is critical to the company's promise to double the lottery's contribution to good causes. However, the IT upgrade has been plagued by difficulties and delays. Bosses are now racing to launch the new system amid pressure from the Gambling Commission. The complex update was supposed to be in place when Allwyn took over the running of the National Lottery from Camelot in February last year. However, this was delayed after the existing provider, International Games Technology (IGT), challenged the move in the High Court. The rollout has also been delayed by a separate legal challenge mounted by Richard Desmond, who is suing the Gambling Commission after missing out on the 10-year licence. He has argued the bidding process was unfair and is seeking £200m in damages. The delays have fuelled concerns that Allwyn will fall short of its ambitious pledge to funnel more money to good causes. The operator originally promised to increase its charitable donations from £17.9bn to £38bn over the course of the licence – equivalent to about £3.8bn a year. But it has now watered down these targets by pledging to double returns by the end of its licence, from £30m to £60m a week – or less than £3.2bn a year. The Telegraph revealed earlier this year that the National Lottery is already facing a £2bn shortfall toward its charitable donation target in its maiden year. This summer's outage, first reported by Better Retailing magazine, is also likely to spark concerns among shopkeepers who make commission by selling lottery tickets. Andrew Goodacre, the chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, said: 'My opinion is that anything that disrupts the normal running of a shop is not welcome. 'We also have to hope that the proposed works go to plan and that any switch is restricted to 36 hours – I fear this may overrun. I would also like to think that the retailers would receive some form of compensation for lost business or inconvenience.' A spokesman for Allwyn said: 'Allwyn is investing over £350m into improving the operations and technology of The National Lottery. 'This change is critical – it will give us the springboard from which we can continue to improve the player and retailer experience and enable us to deliver on our ambitious plans to double returns to good causes from £30m to £60m a week by the end of the licence.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
National Lottery to suffer 36-hour outage in rush to deliver botched tech update
The National Lottery will be plunged into a 36-hour blackout this summer as its new owner rushes to deliver a botched tech upgrade. Allwyn, which is controlled by Czech billionaire Karel Komarek, has warned retailers their National Lottery terminals will stop working for around 36 hours while systems are updated. In a statement to shop owners this week, Andria Vidler, the chief executive of Allwyn UK, said: 'Technical switchover will happen over one weekend this summer, and to enable the new systems to go live, National Lottery terminals will be inactive for approximately 36 hours.' Ms Vidler did not provide a date for the shutdown, but asked retailers for their 'help and diligence to ensure a seamless transition'. It is understood that the upgrade will begin at about 11pm on a Saturday night to reduce disruption and loss of earnings. The National Lottery does not trade overnight and no draw-based games take place on a Sunday. Allwyn has pledged to overhaul the National Lottery's estate of 43,500 terminals at a cost of £350m. The update is critical to the company's promise to double the lottery's contribution to good causes. However, the IT upgrade has been plagued by difficulties and delays. Bosses are now racing to launch the new system amid pressure from the Gambling Commission. The complex update was supposed to be in place when Allwyn took over the running of the National Lottery from Camelot in February last year. However, this was delayed after the existing provider, International Games Technology (IGT), challenged the move in the High Court. The rollout has also been delayed by a separate legal challenge mounted by Richard Desmond, who is suing the Gambling Commission after missing out on the 10-year licence. He has argued the bidding process was unfair and is seeking £200m in damages. The delays have fuelled concerns that Allwyn will fall short of its ambitious pledge to funnel more money to good causes. The operator originally promised to increase its charitable donations from £17.9bn to £38bn over the course of the licence – equivalent to about £3.8bn a year. But it has now watered down these targets by pledging to double returns by the end of its licence, from £30m to £60m a week – or less than £3.2bn a year. The Telegraph revealed earlier this year that the National Lottery is already facing a £2bn shortfall toward its charitable donation target in its maiden year. This summer's outage, first reported by Better Retailing magazine, is also likely to spark concerns among shopkeepers who make commission by selling lottery tickets. Andrew Goodacre, the chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, said: 'My opinion is that anything that disrupts the normal running of a shop is not welcome. 'We also have to hope that the proposed works go to plan and that any switch is restricted to 36 hours – I fear this may overrun. I would also like to think that the retailers would receive some form of compensation for lost business or inconvenience.' A spokesman for Allwyn said: 'Allwyn is investing over £350m into improving the operations and technology of The National Lottery. 'This change is critical – it will give us the springboard from which we can continue to improve the player and retailer experience and enable us to deliver on our ambitious plans to double returns to good causes from £30m to £60m a week by the end of the licence.'
Gizmodo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
Dell Offers Its 4.8 Rated 15.6″ Laptop for Almost 60% to Clear Out Stock, Loaded With Windows 11 Pro
When was the last time you upgraded your laptop? If you're still working off of a piece of ten year old tech, it may be time to start looking for a replacement. This Dell laptop is a super versatile option that can fulfill a lot of the needs of pretty much anyone, be it you're a student, small business owner, or just someone who wants to go online with something other than their phone. Dell has its 15.6-inch laptop with Windows 11 Pro installed on sale. It has different options for RAM and storage, but it's most affordable option is for 57% off, bringing it down from its listed price of $1,300 to just $560. That'll save you a full $740. See at Amazon With the Dell 3530 laptop, you have your choice of 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of RAM. Likewise, you can choose between 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage. The cheapest option is the 16GB memory with 512GB of storage at $560. Upping the RAM to 32GB and storage to 1TB will bring the price to just $630. Bringing the RAM up again to 64GB takes it to $759. And finally, upgrading to a full 2TB will make it $889. All options are running on an Intel 10-core i5-1334U processor to achieve fast and reliable speeds. Portability at Its Finest The display is nice and large at 15.6 inches across, capable of HD 1920 by 1080 resolution to accurately display all the info you need to see. There's hardly any bezel at all so you really maximize your screen real estate while keeping the laptop compact. And the laptop itself is thin and lightweight, keeping it easy to bring back and forth from home to work or to a nearby coffee shop. You can even take it outside with it's anti-glare screen. The laptop comes with Window 11 Pro preinstalled, so you can use the latest operating system from Microsoft to help attend to all your school needs. You also get Microsoft 365 which grants you access to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and more. It's many ports allow a lot of flexibility. Along its sides, you'll find a USB-C port, two USB-A ports, the power jack, an HDMI port to allow displaying on a second monitor, an SD card reader slot, and a headset jack. You can take them from my phone but you'll rue the day when you take the AUX off my laptop. For a limited time, you can save almost 60% on the Dell 15.6-inch 3530 laptop for home, business, and student-use—getting it for as low as $560. See at Amazon
