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  • Best Black Friday Roku Deals: Save on Streaming Devices and Smart TVs

    Best Black Friday Roku Deals: Save on Streaming Devices and Smart TVs

    With Black Friday rolling around soon, now is the perfect time to pick up electronics like a smart TV or streaming device. If you are planning to upgrade your TV experience, Roku is one of our favorite platforms and its streaming devices are a great option if you have an older TV without a smart platform or don’t want to go with the big names like Amazon’s Fire TV or Google TV. Luckily, you have a lot of choices when it comes to Roku; whether you’d like to go for a Roku TV or just a Roku streaming device, there’s an option for every budget.

    As such, we’ve scoured all the big retailers and collected all our favorite early Black Friday Roku deals so you don’t have to. That said, we’re still in the early days of Black Friday, and we’re likely to see many more deals in the coming days, so be sure to check back regularly. And, if you do end up going for a Roku device, take a look at these eleven little-known Roku tricks you can take advantage of.

    Black Friday Roku streaming device deals

    Black Friday Roku TV deals

  • HP Core i5 15-Inch Laptop Is Down to $329 With This Black Friday Deal at Walmart

    HP Core i5 15-Inch Laptop Is Down to $329 With This Black Friday Deal at Walmart

    Having a solid everyday laptop is a good idea for most people. But if you don’t need a laptop purpose-built for gaming or creative endeavors, grabbing an affordable model may be the biggest priority. Black Friday is just a couple of weeks away, and plenty of deals have already dropped on tech. If you’re seeking a budget laptop, great news — you can score this 15-inch HP laptop at Walmart for just $329 with this Walmart Black Friday deal. That’s a discount of $70, making this option even more affordable.

    This HP laptop has a sizable 15.6-inch, 1080p resolution anti-glare display with a 6.5mm thick bezel. Plus, it comes equipped with the Windows 11 OS and an Intel Core i5 processor, along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of solid-state storage. With all that power, this laptop should deliver fast performance and handle multitasking without an issue, letting you stream content, make video calls, use productivity apps and more.

    You’ll get a full-size keyboard with an integrated numeric pad, as well as access to HP QuickDrop for file transfers between your computer and your phone, along with an SD card reader and USB-A, HDMI and USB-C ports. It’s also lightweight and portable, which makes this a great laptop for working on the go. You can expect up to nine hours of battery life per charge, and when you’re low on power, this laptop can reach up to 50% in just 45 minutes of charging. At under $500, it’s hard to beat this laptop deal.

  • You Can Save $90 on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 With This Black Friday Bargain at Walmart

    You Can Save $90 on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 With This Black Friday Bargain at Walmart

    You don’t have to spend top dollar to get a decent laptop these days — especially with early Black Friday deals ramping up. You can snag $90 off this 15.6-inch Lenovo IdeaPad 1 right now as part of Walmart’s Black Friday sale. That drops the price to just $249. There’s no set expiration for this offer, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out.

    This Lenovo laptop won’t compete with pricey high-end models, but it’s a decent option if you just want something for checking your email, browsing the web and other basic tasks. It comes equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3 quad-core processor, as well as 8GB of RAM and a 256GB solid-state drive. It has a sleek, frameless 15.6-inch full HD display and a built-in HD webcam for video calls, along with a battery life of up to 14 hours on a single charge. Plus, it’s powered by the latest Windows 11 OS in S mode, which is optimized for security and performance. At around 3.5 pounds, it’s a little on the heavy side, but it’s also just 0.7 inches thick, so it’s still slim enough to easily slip in your bag and take on the go.

  • This MSI Gaming Laptop Drops to $479 at Walmart’s Black Friday Sale

    This MSI Gaming Laptop Drops to $479 at Walmart’s Black Friday Sale

    Gaming laptops are a great, semiportable alternative to desktop PCs that allow for gaming on the go (or at least, room to room). Though many gaming laptops tend to carry a hefty four-digit price tag, Black Friday is just around the corner, making now a great time to snag one for less. You can save $220 on this 15-inch MSI GF63 gaming laptop at Walmart’s Black Friday sale, which drops the price down to just $479.

    This MSI laptop has a speedy 144Hz, 15.6-inch FHD IPS display and comes equipped with Windows 11 OS, along with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. It also has an Intel Core i5-11400H processor and — the big win here — an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU.

    While these aren’t the latest and greatest specs out there, this MSI will still deliver solid performance for PC games across the board, and it should blow away older laptops that lack dedicated video cards. At under $500, it’s hard to beat this gaming laptop deal. Though there’s no guaranteeing how long this discount will be available, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

  • How to Watch ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ From Anywhere

    How to Watch ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ From Anywhere

    A new series from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan recently premiered on Paramount Plus. Executive produced by Sheridan and created by Chad Feehan, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is based on the real-life story of Reeves, one of the first Black deputy US marshals.

    The eight-episode season features David Oyelowo as Reeves and counts Donald Sutherland and Dennis Quaid among its cast members. The series adds to Sheridan’s long list of Paramount Plus shows, which in addition to Yellowstone and spinoffs 1883 and 1923 include Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Special Ops: Lioness and the upcoming entry Land Man.

    According to Paramount Plus, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is part of an anthology series, with future iterations following “other iconic lawmen and outlaws who have impacted history.” Stick around for how a VPN could potentially improve the streaming experience.

    How to watch Taylor Sheridan’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves

    Paramount Plus is the only way to watch the series. In the US, the first two episodes are available now, and the following six episodes are set to arrive one by one on Sundays.

    If you aren’t already subscribed to the streaming service, you can choose between $6-per-month Paramount Plus Essential, which is ad supported, or $12-per-month Paramount Plus with Showtime, which is mostly ad free and includes Showtime programming like the forthcoming show The Curse. We compared Paramount Plus’ ad-based plan to other streamers’ ad plans in this roundup.

    How to watch Lawmen: Bass Reeves with a VPN

    Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Paramount Plus while away from home. With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the series from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming, too.

    A VPN is the best way to encrypt your traffic to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.

    You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are allowed in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you can opt for another provider from our best list, such as Surfshark or NordVPN.

    Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation, and choose a country where Lawmen: Bass Reeves will be streaming on Paramount Plus. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream Lawmen: Bass Reeves on more than one device, it’s possible you’ll need to configure each one to ensure you’re signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you’re ready to open Paramount Plus to stream.

    If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and have picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.

  • AirPods 2 Hit New $69 Low at Amazon Ahead of Black Friday

    AirPods 2 Hit New $69 Low at Amazon Ahead of Black Friday

    If you’ve been holding out for an AirPods deal worth buying this year, now’s the time to whip out your credit card. Amazon has just dropped the price of the entry-level AirPods 2 down to just $69 in an early Black Friday deal you won’t want to miss.

    This deal is a match for a Walmart sale on the AirPods 2, though you’ll need a Walmart Plus membership to snag the savings there until 3 p.m. ET today, Nov. 8, when anyone can get in on the deal. Amazon hasn’t waited around on matching the price though, meaning you can score the $60 savings right now.

    The AirPods 2 sell for $129 at the Apple Store and go for nearer $100 at other retailers most of the year, so either way you look at it this is a stellar deal on some of the most popular earbuds on the market. This is a new all-time low price for the earbuds, beating the $79 price we saw previously during Prime Day.

    And though these are a slightly older model, the AirPods 2 remain the best AirPods for folks on a tighter budget — especially at this price. They have the same H1 chip found in the newer AirPods 3, so you get the same Siri hands-free experience and easy device switching across your iPhone, Mac and iPad. You’ll get up to 24 hours of playback time on a single charge (with the included charging case).

  • Walmart Plus Delivery Benefits: Everything You Get With Your Membership

    Walmart Plus Delivery Benefits: Everything You Get With Your Membership

    A subscription to Walmart Plus provides a bevy of benefits like discounted gas and rewards for spending, and the most popular might be the same-day delivery of more than 160,000 different items. But that’s not the only delivery perk you’ll get with a Walmart Plus subscription.

    Read more: Walmart Black Friday Deals: Score Early Savings on Tech, Home Goods and More

    Walmart Plus offers two types of shipping — free shipping with any purchase amount and free same-day grocery delivery, depending on where you live. We’ll explain below. You can also return items for free.

    We’ll tell you about the benefits you get as a Walmart Plus member when it comes to shipping and delivery. For more, here’s what you need to know about signing up for Walmart Plus.

    Free shipping with any purchase

    If you’ve got a Walmart Plus membership, you can get free shipping on any purchase — even if it’s as low as $3 or you’ve ordered several boxes worth of products. There’s no minimum or maximum. Plus, you can get your items as early as the next day with a Plus membership.

    For non-members, you have to spend at least $35 to get free shipping. So if you only need to order a set of sponges for the kitchen, you’ll either have to pay $7 in shipping or look around the house for other things you need to buy. Pickup is also a free option, but it’s not as convenient.

    If you typically buy things you need as you think of them rather than stacking your cart, a Walmart Plus membership, which costs $98 annually or $13 a month, could be beneficial just to get the free shipping benefit. You can also sign up for a free 30-day trial right now.

    shopping tips logo

    Free same-day grocery delivery

    Walmart Plus offers free same-day grocery delivery, depending on your location. For some subscribers, they’ll have to spend a minimum of $35 to get free delivery. Otherwise, they can expect to pay a $7 delivery fee for orders below $35. Check your location before signing up to find out if you’ll have to pay the fee.

    When you choose same-day delivery, you’ll have the option to select a timeframe by the hour for when your groceries arrive at your home. This convenience is to ensure you’ll be home when the food arrives so it’s not sitting outside, melting in the heat.

    To find items eligible for same-day delivery, you’ll need to select “delivery” before you begin shopping. Your other options are “shipping” and “pickup” so make sure you select the correct one. If an item doesn’t have “delivery” listed next to it, it’s likely not eligible for same-day delivery and you’ll instead need to have it shipped.

    Free returns without going to the store

    If after getting an item shipped to your home you find it’s not what you expected, you can return it to Walmart without paying a fee. But you have more options than just driving it back to the store. You can print out a label from Walmart.com and ship it back to the store, or Walmart can send someone out to pick it up from your home — even if it’s a grocery item — for free.

    The option to have someone pick up a return from your home is new as of March 2023. You don’t even need to print a label when you select this option. You do, however, need to be home when the person arrives to pick up the package. To select this return method, choose Returns from home. Note that not all items are eligible for return this way.

    Also, you have 90 days to return the item after it’s been delivered to your home.

    For more, don’t miss out on these student-only deals from Walmart Plus and more. Also, here’s what you need to know about Target Circle rewards and hidden Amazon Prime perks.

  • You Can Save $90 on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 at Walmart’s Black Friday Sale

    You Can Save $90 on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 at Walmart’s Black Friday Sale

    You don’t have to spend top dollar to get a decent laptop these days — especially with early Black Friday deals in full swing at the moment. Walmart’s sale officially kicks off today, and it knocks $90 off this 15.6-inch Lenovo IdeaPad 1, which drops the price to just $249. This deal is available to Walmart Plus members starting at 12 p.m. ET, and everyone else at 3 p.m. ET. There’s no set expiration for this offer, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

    This Lenovo laptop won’t compete with pricey high-end models, but it’s a decent option if you just want something for checking your email, browsing the web and other basic tasks. It comes equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3 quad-core processor, as well as 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. It has a sleek, frameless 15.6-inch full HD display and a built-in HD webcam for video calls, along with a battery life of up to 14 hours on a single charge. Plus, it’s powered by the latest Windows 11 OS in S mode, which is optimized for security and performance. At around 3.5 pounds, it’s a little on the heavy side, but it’s also just 0.7 inches thick, so it’s still slim enough to easily slip in your bag and take on the go.

  • Score This 30-Watt USB-C Wall Charger for Just $13, Before Black Friday Even Begins

    Score This 30-Watt USB-C Wall Charger for Just $13, Before Black Friday Even Begins

    Black Friday is just around the corner, and Amazon is already offering tons of excellent early deals. But pricey tech like TVs and tablets aren’t the only things you’ll find on sale right now. This is also a great chance to snag some discounted basics, like a spare wall charger or two.

    This Ugreen USB-C adapter supports 30-watt fast charging, and right now Prime members can grab it for 35% off, which drops the price down to just $13. Other colors are available at 30% off even without Prime. There’s no set expiration for these deals, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later.

    This Ugreen power adapter has a single USB-C port that supports up to 30 watts of power delivery. That’s enough power to recharge the latest high-end iPhone 15 Pro Max up to 55% in just 30 minutes. Plus, it has multiple built-in safety features, including protection against short-circuiting, overloading and overheating to prevent damage to your devices. And it has an ultracompact design with a foldable plug that makes it easy to slip into your bag or pocket and take with you on the go. You can also save an extra 5% when you bundle it with other Ugreen mobile accessories, many of which are also on sale right now.

    And if you’re looking for more tech and home discounts, be sure to hit up our massive Amazon Black Friday deal roundup.

  • Best 2-in-1 Laptop for 2023

    Best 2-in-1 Laptop for 2023

    Updated on Sept. 21, 2023

    Joshua_Goldman.jpg
    Written by Joshua Goldman
    Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.Reviews ethics statement
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    Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice
    Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn’t consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
    Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials

    • More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
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    CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. Read how we test products and services.

    If you need both a laptop and a tablet for specific tasks but hate carrying two devices around, there’s good news: There are tons of excellent two-in-one laptops out there that offer the best of both worlds with a touchscreen display that can easily fold flat so you can use it in tablet mode. The best two-in-one laptops are extremely versatile machines, and the best two-in-one laptops help you do more than a traditional laptop without a significant increase in size, weight or price.

    Most of the best two-in-ones are convertible laptops, with 360-degree hinges where the keyboard and trackpad rotate around to the back of the display. There are some excellent two-in-one laptops that are essentially Windows 11 or ChromeOS tablets with a detachable keyboard. They work better as tablets but are still good in laptop mode, and we’ve included models like the Surface Pro 8 and the Lenovo Duet Chromebook. Both styles of two-in-one feature touchscreens and typically support pen input. Most also include a headphone jack and backlit keyboard.

    And if you’re only thinking of a hybrid device as a detachable tablet and a laptop, here are five other uses for a two-in-one that you might not have considered. These are the best two-in-one laptops 2023 has to offer.

    Read more: Best Laptop for 2023

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    $668 at Walmart

    Best 2-in-1 for most people

    Lenovo Yoga 7i (14-inch)

    This thin, 3-pound convertible is a solid choice for anyone who needs a laptop for office or schoolwork. The all-metal chassis gives it a premium look and feel, and it has a comfortable keyboard and a responsive, smooth precision touchpad. Though it’s light on extra features compared to its premium linemate, the Yoga 9i, it does have one of Lenovo’s sliding shutters for its webcam that gives you privacy when you want it. And it has a long battery life to boot at 12 hours, 45 minutes in our tests. The latest version with 13th-gen Intel processors starts at less than $1,000.

    Read our Lenovo Yoga 7i Gen 7 (14-inch) review.

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    $989 at Samsung

    Best 15.6-inch 2-in-1

    Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360

    Samsung’s 16:9 big-screen two-in-one doesn’t look all too different from its predecessor, but inside is a 12th-gen Intel processor that gives it a sizable multicore performance bump. However, the other, smaller updates Samsung made to the Pro 360 improves the overall experience, making it one of the best two-in-ones available even more than a year after its release. And if you have other Galaxy devices, this is absolutely the two-in-one to get. Well, other than this year’s larger 16-inch version at least.

    The basic configuration lists for $1,500 but is currently sold out, so you’ll have to upgrade to the 1TB model, which starts at $1,650. Read our Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 review.

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    $775 at Amazon

    Best detachable 2-in-1

    Microsoft Surface Pro 8

    The Surface Pro continues to hit all the right notes if you’re looking for a do-it-all Windows tablet that doubles as a Windows laptop. Microsoft recently updated it for the Surface Pro 9, but little has changed beyond a processor upgrade from 11th-gen Intel Core processors to 12th-gen chips as well as an option for a Microsoft SQ 3 processor with 5G wireless. If you were contemplating a Pro 8, it’s still around but now with a lower price, and we recommend it for most people instead of the Surface Pro 9.

    Read our Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review.

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    $379 at Best Buy

    Best detachable 2-in-1 Chromebook

    Lenovo Duet Chromebook

    The Lenovo Duet Chromebook (aka Chromebook Duet 3) is an awesome little 11-inch ChromeOS tablet with a detachable keyboard and touchpad. Its small size and performance aren’t ideal for full-time use. But the Chromebook Duet 3 is a good pick if you’re looking for an affordable ultraportable device to get some work done on the go, sketch or jot down notes in class, or do simple stuff like email, web browsing, gaming, reading and streaming video.

    The original 10-inch version of the Duet Chromebook is also still available for $300 or less when it’s in stock.

    Read our Lenovo Duet Chromebook review.

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    $888 at Walmart

    Best 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook

    Acer Chromebook Spin 714

    Acer had one of the best Chromebooks available in 2021 with the Spin 713, and now it’s repeated that success with the Chromebook Spin 714. The premium two-in-one doesn’t stray far from its predecessor in terms of what it offers — sturdy design, nice-looking display, strong performance and long battery life — but Acer did make some changes to keep it competitive, like including a USI pen that stores and charges in the 714’s body. There are less expensive options, but if you want a Chromebook that’ll last for years, this is it. Keep an eye out for a sale on this one: Its normal price is $729, but can oftentimes be found on sale for less than $600.

    Read our Acer Chromebook Spin 714 review.

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    $1,300 at Best Buy

    Best 2-in-1 for gaming

    Asus ROG Flow X16

    Gaming laptops with 16-inch screens are common enough. What’s unusual is finding one with a 360-degree hinge to become a foldable two-in-one that can be a laptop, a tablet and a couple of things in between. Add another level of ingenuity and you’ve got the ability to plug in a more-powerful external GPU for even better performance. It’s expensive, to be sure, but the unique design and features as well as solid performance make it stand out.

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    $1,200 at HP

    Best 2-in-1 for creatives

    HP Spectre x360 16

    The HP Spectre x360 16 doesn’t have “pro” in its name, but it deserves to. It’s not a business laptop, so you won’t find an Intel vPro processor or IT management features. However, its premium features, beautiful OLED display, good looks and speedy performance are just about perfect for anyone looking for a versatile laptop with an awesome work-play-and-create design.

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    How we test computers

    The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computer-like devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device’s aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both those objective and subjective judgments.

    The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we’re currently running on every compatible computer include: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra.

    A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found in our How We Test Computers page.

    We run a battery of performance tests, and in the individual product reviews you’ll see more meaningful performance results than the ones we present here. In reviews, we provide apples-to-apples results — products from the same pool that you’re trying to choose from, with similar prices and configurations — rather than the fruit salad sampling of results here. However, this group does give you an idea of how varied in performance and battery life the category can be, depending on price and size.

    Primate Labs Geekbench 5: We run both single-core and multicore CPU tests, and either the Vulcan (Windows) or Metal (MacOS) Compute test. On Android, Apple devices and Chromebooks, we run the CPU tests and the Compute test. Geekbench’s CPU tests measure the performance of a mixed workload.

    Geekbench 5 (multicore) scores

    Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 9067Lenovo Yoga 7i (14-inch) 8378Microsoft Surface Pro 8 5257Acer Chromebook Spin 714 4369Lenovo Duet Chromebook 1741
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

    Battery life test: For all computers with a battery, we change the settings to keep the system from going to sleep or hibernating, disable pop-ups and notifications that may interfere with the test, and set screen brightness and volume (output to earbuds) to 50%. We then stream a looped, custom YouTube video over Wi-Fi in Chrome and use a timer app to track how long the system remains active.

    Online streaming battery drain test (minutes)

    Acer Chromebook Spin 714 818Lenovo Yoga 7i (14-inch) 765Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 735Microsoft Surface Pro 8 524Lenovo Duet Chromebook 490
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

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