It seems like the cost of having a phone just keeps going up as time goes on, but there are ways to avoid major price hikes if you get creative. That might include looking beyond the three major players in the US market — those being Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile — and scouting out some deals at the lesser-known carriers that piggyback on the larger carriers’ networks. Though your coverage and customer service experience may differ, it could open you up to a plethora of additional options you may not have known about and save you a decent chunk of change in the process.
Whether you simply want to lower your current bill or switch to something new so you can add some more lines, there are various cheap phone plans available and some great deals you should be aware of. Below, we’ll show you the best phone plan deals available right now below.
Get the best price with CNET Shopping.
Love shopping online but don’t have time to compare prices or search for promo codes? Our CNET Shopping extension does that for you, so you always get the best price.
One of the best deals in wireless service comes from Mint Mobile. You can sign up for service for as little as $15 a month (prepaid in three-, six- or 12-month blocks), which is just a fraction of what the big carriers are charging. Mint Mobile runs on the nationwide T-Mobile network, so you’ll have service all over the place and getting started is as easy as answering a few questions online. You can move your current number to Mint Mobile with your current phone, or look to get new of both. It’s entirely up to you. Mint Mobile just rolled out some new family plan options as well.
Visible is running several deals right now that are all worth considering depending on your current needs. If you bring in an old phone that’s not compatible with Visible’s network (which is built on Verizon’s nationwide network), you can get a ZTE Blade A7 Prime for free from Visible. If you finance your phone using Affirm through Visible, you can upgrade your phone once it’s paid off at least 50%. The final offer is a virtual gift card of up to $200 for people who transfer their existing number to Visible and complete three full months of service payments. After this, Visible will send a code to redeem for the virtual gift card.
Verizon is one of the largest carriers in the US. It offers both prepaid and contract plans, but on the prepaid side the company rewards people who keep using the service and paying for it. Verizon offers prepaid customers up to $10 off per month for loyalty discounts. You need to be a prepaid customer for 10 months to see the discount, but for months four to nine you can save $5. In addition, Verizon offers those who use Autopay an additional $5 monthly discount, meaning you can save up to $15 a month for sticking around.
Boost Mobile has been around for a long time and right now the carrier is offering a deal on a SIM card. New customers can try out Boost’s 5G network with 2GB of high-speed data and get the SIM Kit for just $1, making this deal a real no-brainer if you want to save some money. You can sign up for plans at Boost Mobile with prices as low as $15 a month, depending how much data you plan to use.
Metro by T-Mobile offers four different prepaid plans, with the top-tier option also including a one year subscription to Vix+, 20GB of hotspot data and a 100GB Google One membership. With this plan, you can also get four lines of service for $150 a month, which is cheaper than the price you’d normally pay to get only three.
Instead of offering a monetary discount each month on its contract plans, Verizon has just continued to expand the amount of free extra items that are included with the plans. Right now, select plans offer free subscriptions to things like Hulu, Disney Plus, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, TravelPass and more. The freebies that are included with Verizon’s 5G Get More plan total up to $65, plus Verizon offers a $10 discount for those who enroll in Autopay.
T-Mobile has a few different plan options that can save you money, but you have to meet certain requirements for some of them. For example, T-Mobile offers military, veterans, and first responders a discount as well as those who are over 55 years old. If you don’t qualify for either of those, everyone is eligible to buy two lines, get a third free, which means you can get three lines for as little as $85 a month. Like Verizon, T-Mobile also offers things like six months of Apple TV Plus a year of Paramount Plus for free, a standard Netflix subscription, and more.
On its Unlimited Premium Plan, AT&T offers up 50GB of hotspot data and unlimited talk and text in 19 Latin American countries. These are in addition to the other normal offers, like unlimited talk and text, 5G access, AT&T Active Armor advanced mobile security and more, plus discounts for military, veterans, and medical workers.
Love shopping online but don’t have time to compare prices or search for promo codes? Our CNET Shopping extension does that for you, so you always get the best price.
Many work from home workers have become aware of just how important it is to have a good monitor. Even if you already have one screen for your home office setup, adding a second can make a huge difference in your productivity. And fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to get a decent display for work, school or gaming. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best budget monitors on that you can grab for less than $200.
There are a few things to keep in mind: When buying a budget monitor, you should check out the listing to see what’s included. Make sure it’s not missing items that you would have to purchase separately and that would drive the price above that “cheap monitor” threshold, like a stand or cables. The stand might not be an issue if you’re planning to use the VESA mount to put it on a wall or arm. But in that case, you should ensure the mount screws on the back of the monitor match yours: The bulk of these have 100×100-millimeter mounts, but in some cases, they have 200x200mm or 75x75mm mounts — or they don’t support a VESA mount at all.
Got a Mac? If it’s an old MacBook Pro with an HDMI port, or an iMac or Mac Mini, you won’t have a problem. MacBooks with USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 connections will require an adapter or cable with conversion built-in because they won’t have a dedicated display port. You may also need to fiddle with the resolution and scaling settings in Mac OS, since it natively prefers a 16:10 aspect ratio, not the 16:9 aspect ratio that’s much more popular on Windows.
Now playing:Watch this:Watch me set up a TV review lab in my basement
6:17
Unless you’re a hardcore gamer or creative professional, many of the most technical specs — latency and color gamut, for example — won’t really matter to you (though many of these could serve as a budget gaming monitor). You should always take them with a grain of salt, anyway.
For less than $200, you can generally expect to get:
A maximum of 1,920×1,080-pixel screen resolution (dubbed by marketers as “Full HD resolution” and also referred to as 1080p or 2K for its roughly 2,000 pixels across). Below 27 inches, that’s fine. At 27 inches or larger, it’s not great except in one important case. Essentially, the reason you buy a 27-inch monitor over a 24-inch is usually because you want to fit more on to it. But if it’s using the same number of pixels, it just makes everything bigger — it doesn’t put more on the screen. And because it’s spreading them across a bigger screen, some people (like me) may get annoyed at seeing the pixel grid. I find a pixel density (the number of pixels per inch, or ppi) of at least 90 a good balance, but YMMV. The exception? If you actually need things like text to be bigger, such as if you have impaired vision.
A stand that lets you tilt the computer monitor, not raise or lower it. We want to reduce eye strain and optimize ergonomics wherever possible.
While there might be one or two larger, the monitors go mostly up to 27 inches.
Between 250 and 350 nits of brightness. That should be fine for most uses.
Up to 75Hz refresh rate for an IPS (which stands for in-plane switching) monitor or 144Hz refresh rate for a TN (twisted nematic). A high refresh rate matters if you’re planning to play a lot of FPS, racing, fighting or other motion-sensitive gaming. An IPS monitor is better for general-purpose use, since it’s superior for off-angle viewing and typically has better color. But the fastest IPS monitor you’ll find for the money is 75Hz. A TN monitor is better for fast gaming and a better gaming experience; it has a higher contrast ratio, but poorer viewing angle — color accuracy and contrast changes as you move further from looking straight-on.
If it comes with built-in speakers, don’t assume they’re a replacement for real standalone versions. They’re occasionally better than expected, but think of the speakers as a nice perk for basic system sounds or videoconferencing and consider it a windfall if they’re satisfactory for entertainment. (I’ve been relatively impressed with the speakers in BenQ’s EW series.)
A lot of these cheap monitors support AMD’s adaptive refresh FreeSync technology, which works with AMD’s graphics processors for syncing game frame rates with the display.
A curved monitor, which can make a wide display fit into your field of view without requiring you to sit too far back, isn’t worth paying more for in monitors 27 inches or smaller; then the bezels are too far within your field of view. One potential exception is if you plan to span across three identical monitors for gameplay. Then they wrap around you better than three flat screens.
Upping your budget to between $200 and $300 will bring more 32-inch screen size options and 2,560×1,440 resolution. And, of course, the more you’re willing to spend, the more you’re likely to find something in stock and ready to ship.
If you are looking for budget gaming monitors, this budget FHD monitor’s 75Hz refresh gives you a little latitude for gaming and has an IPS panel for better color and viewing angle in the sea of VA competitors; plus, this cheap gaming monitor option is pretty attractive with thin bezels and a stand that’s less clunky-looking than some. You’ll get an HDMI cable in the box, and it has a 100×100 VESA mount. There are some drawbacks, such as some backlight bleed that buyers have noticed, and it has an HDMI 1.4 connection instead of 2.0 (if you care), plus the stand only allows the screen to tilt, not raise or lower.
The LG is a solid, attractive general-purpose choice with some gaming perks. Though I’d hardly call it a gaming monitor, it has features for a good gaming experience, such as AMD FreeSync support, the ability to overdrive the response time, a 1ms motion-blur reduction mode and an optional center crosshair. It’s slightly brighter than most, and there’s a Photo mode that seems to improve the color accuracy. It’s got a VGA connector in addition to the two HDMIs (though that’s not uncommon in this price range) if you’ve got a really old device to connect. The 24-inch is a smaller version of the 27-inch monitor we tested which has since been discontinued (though still available in places at a much higher price).
This looks to be a more recent follow-up to the 27MK600M-B we tested, with a different stand and a DisplayPort connection instead of the second HDMI. Like that one, it’s got some gaming perks, identical to the 24-inch LG I mentioned above.
This big ‘un doesn’t have ultraskinny bezels or a curved screen — it’s four years old — but when you consider its size, a 75Hz refresh rate and USB-C DisplayPort connector (as well as two HDMI 1.4 ports), you get a lot for the money. It often lists for closer to $300, but right now at Amazon you can snag it for less than $200, making it a pretty good value for the features. There’s a slightly more game-oriented model for $230, the 29WP60G-B, with FreeSync support, thinner bezels and a slightly sleeker design, but don’t get FOMO over the “HDR” you’ll see in the name; it has the same color and brightness specs as the cheaper model. LG has simply added decoding hardware that lets it more-or-less intelligently cram real HDR content to the dim, small gamut display, which is never pretty.
I don’t like curved 27-inch monitors or VA panels much, but in a sea of 75Hz options, the Gigabyte is a refreshing 165Hz. That makes it a lot more suited to gaming than all the 75Hz models. It also has a greater-than-sRGB color gamut, low-power stereo speakers and a USB hub, which you rarely find together in this price class. The lowest price you’ll find on this monitor right now is $230, but we’re keeping it on this list for the moment as we’ve often seen it discounted to $200 or even lower.
Xbox and Bethesda Games will host the Developers Direct showcase on Jan. 25, the companies said Wednesday. Gamers can expect snapshots of upcoming releases for Xbox, Game Pass and PC.
When to stream it
Xbox and Bethesda will livestream the event at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Where to watch
Catch the livestream on Xbox’s YouTube or Twitch channels — or on Bethesda’s YouTube or Twitch channels.
What to expect
The Jan. 25 presentation will include information on The Elder Scrolls Online, Minecraft Legends, Redfall and Forza Motorsport. Starfield will not be part of this showcase, but fans can follow Bethesda’s social media pages for details about a standalone event at a future date.
Fans will learn details on the fresh features and expanded gameplay regions on deck for Elder Scrolls. Mojang Studios will provide a glimpse of the multiplayer experience for the new Minecraft Legends, due out this spring. Arkane Austin will preview Redfall, in which “you and your friends will take down bloodthirsty Vampires on the picturesque island of Redfall.” Turn 10 Studios, the company behind Forza Motorsport, is poised to share what’s to come for the next generation of the game.
The Jacksonville Jaguars knocked off the Tennessee Titans in the last game of the regular season to claim the AFC South and the right to host a first-round playoff game. It’s the first time the Jaguars have been to the playoffs since 2017. They begin their 2023 playoff campaign against the dangerous Los Angeles Chargers, who won 10 games this season (one more than the Jags) behind a high-powered offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert. The Jaguars and Chargers Wild Card game kicks off in Jacksonville on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT) on NBC and Peacock.
Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night in the second game of the NFL’s Wild Card weekend.
Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images
How to watch Chargers vs. Jaguars without cable
If you don’t have a cable or satellite TV subscription, you can watch the Chargers-Jags game on NBC with a live TV service or on NBC’s Peacock streaming service. The good news for football fans is that NBC is available on each of the five major streaming services. The catch is that not every service carries every local network, so check each one using the links below to make sure it carries NBC in your area.
If you live in an area with good reception, you can watch the broadcast on NBC for free on over-the-air broadcast channels just by attaching an affordable (under $30) indoor antenna to nearly any TV.
Peacock offers three tiers: a limited free plan and two Premium plans. The ad-supported Premium plan costs $5 a month, and the ad-free Premium plan costs $10 a month. You need one of the Premium plans to watch the NBC broadcasts of NFL playoff games, which includes Chargers-Jaguars on Saturday night and Ravens-Bengals on Sunday night. Read our Peacock review.
Hulu with Live TV costs $70 a month and includes NBC. Click the “View channels in your area” link on its welcome page to see which local channels are offered in your ZIP code.
DirecTV Stream’s basic, $70-a-month Entertainment package includes NBC. You can use its channel lookup tool to see which local channels are available where you live.
All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live-TV streaming services guide.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is no longer the latest foldable in Samsung’s lineup, following the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but the previous-gen clamshell foldable is still a great option for most people. If you’re looking to keep it in working order, you’ll want to make sure it’s protected with a proper case. And thanks to the Z Flip 3’s unique design, you’ll need to make sure you’re getting a case specifically designed for this model. To help you find the right one, we’ve rounded up the best Galaxy Z Flip 3 case options on the market right now.
Unlike the best cases for Apple’s iPhone 14 or even the Galaxy S22, the number of companies making cases for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is relatively small, thanks to its more recent release and folding design, so there are fewer options to choose from. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With competition as fierce as ever, and exacting customers weeding out the excess, our choices from the cases available focus on features, grip and uncompromising style. I’ll be updating this list as I try out more cases (yes, I’ve tried all the cases on this list), to help you find the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 case of your dreams.
Do Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases protect the entire phone, including the hinge?
The majority of Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases come in two pieces, with not many cases covering the hinge or offering some hinge protection. In my conversations with case-makers, designing a case that offers full hinge protection is a design challenge. But if that’s something you’re looking for, a few of these picks will protect the hinge.
Are there screen protectors for the Galaxy Z Flip 3?
No, Samsung doesn’t sell — or allow anybody to sell — screen protectors for the main front screen of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. The Z Flip 3 uses a high-tech bendable display that I assume could potentially suffer some damage if you put something on top of it. However, you can find a handful of screen protectors for the mini exterior display.
Do all cases allow wireless charging?
Most but not all the cases on this list allow you to wirelessly charge the Z Flip 3 with the case on. Those that feature an integrated kickstand, particularly if it’s made out of metal, may require you to remove the case to charge your phone wirelessly. That’s a shame — for theZ Flip 3, I like cases with an integrated kickstand.
Available in black or lavender, Spigen’s Thin Fit has a two-piece design with a soft-to-the-touch finish. It’s a straightforward, lightweight case that looks good on your phone. There’s no hinge protection.
Speck only makes one case for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and it’s a good one. The Presidio Perfect-Clear Fold is rated for 13-foot drop protection, and it’s the most protective clear case I tried, although there’s no hinge protection. Grip this Flip cover, and try it out.
I liked Samsung’s Silicone Cover with Ring. It’s protective, it has a nice soft-to-touch finish and there’s that built-in ring that helps prevent you from dropping the phone — and you can also clip the ring to a lanyard and wear the phone around your neck. Alas, while I could kind of prop the phone up using the ring on certain surfaces, I would have liked the case even more if it converted into a kickstand.
Gear4’s Bridgetown case shares some similarities with Spigen’s Tough Armor case (see below). It, too, is a tough case that only comes in black and has some nice hinge protection. One of the best protective cases for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. I only wish it were available in more colors, or a clear version.
Otterbox makes only two cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 3: the Thin Flex and this one, the Symmetry Flex. Alas, the Thin Flex Series feels cheap and is hard to get off your phone once you have it on. However, the sturdy and more attractive Symmetry Flex qualifies as a top case for the Z Flip 3. It’s a translucent case with a black border around it that shows off your phone a bit while offering good drop protection. I only wish it came in more colors.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G Leather Cover is its equivalent of Apple’s leather case for the iPhone. It’s expensive, but nice — and slim. While it doesn’t offer quite as much protection as some of the cases on the list, it’s one of my favorites and if you get it in a bright color like mustard, it makes your phone easy to spot. It’s also available in green and black. The biggest knock against it is that it’s expensive, but you can occasionally find it on sale for around $40.
This has the same soft-to-the-touch finish as Samsung’s Ring case, but instead of a ring it incorporates a strap. You slide your hand under the strap (and behind the phone), which allows you to get a grip and hold on to your phone without really wrapping your fingers around it. It’s essentially a security strap. The strap also offers a little bit of protection for the hinge when you fold up the phone. Additionally, you can attach the end of the strap to a lanyard or clip it to another strap (say, on a bag or backpack).
Aside from having some utility, the strap also seems designed to bring some attention to your phone. For better or worse, it does just that, so if you use this case, plan on having people ask you about your phone. It comes in a few colors.
Spigen makes a few cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 3. As its name implies, the Tough Armor is durable and offers the most protection in Spigen’s line. It’s also the only Spigen case that has an integrated protective covering for the hinge.
As far as protective cases go, it’s one of the best and is only missing an integrated kickstand. I also kind of wish it came in more colors. Black is the only option for now.
Part of Spigen’s Air Skin case line, the Crystal Clear version is a slim clear case that offers basic protection. There’s some adhesive that makes sure the case doesn’t slip off your phone (as you can see from the photo, I didn’t pull off the little tab to expose it). It’s hard not to get a dust particle or two trapped under the case when you’re putting it on — and those dust particles will show if you have an all-black phone like mine.
Aramid fiber is essentially Kevlar, so this case manages to be durable but slim. It has a soft-to-the-touch finish and is easy to grip. A lot of people like this case, though it looks simple and it’s expensive. It adds very little weight (and size) to the Z Flip 3 and seems protective.
This isn’t a phone case per se, but if you’re looking for some added protection for your Z Flip 3’s exterior display, Spigen sells an exterior screen protector in a two-pack. It fits around the lenses and over the back display and should work fine with most cases, although it does pair best with Spigen cases. (Not all Z Flip 3 cases’ cutouts around the back display are the same dimensions.)
If you’re looking for an affordable case with an integrated ring that converts into a kickstand, this Vego is a good option, though it looks more premium on the surface than it really is. It also sells under other brand names on Amazon. I can’t tell you how it will hold up over time, but it has some nice features, including a cover that slides up to protect the phone’s camera and it’ll stick to a magnetic car mount. The one big downside is that it does not support wireless charging.
Zagg brings its line of InvisibleShield screen protectors to the Z Flip 3’s exterior screen. This is probably the smallest screen protector Zagg’s ever made. However, it somehow costs as much as the screen protectors it makes for much larger screens.
Laptops and tablets may offer on-the-go convenience, but the best desktop computers provide incredible specs and features that aren’t easily outmatched. Despite this, only one-fifth of computerssold these days are desktops. Don’t let that number deter you, though, because once you see what a trusty desktop has to offer, you’ll realize why they’re worth considering for your next purchase. The best desktop computers are incomparable.
The best feature of desktop PCs is the durability and longevity they provide. Not only are desktops built more solidly, but not moving around much contributes to far less wear and tear than your conventional laptop will see. And another of the best desktop PC features is that you can get a decent bit more power and expandability than you could from a laptop, along with a powerful processor and a higher-quality hard drive or solid-state drive for storage. That processor power and storage potential are particularly crucial if you’re planning to use your personal computer as a gaming PC or a graphics-editing powerhouse.
A desktop computer is generally going to come in the form of either a tower or an all-in-one (with an integrated screen), though there are smaller designs for tighter spaces. And while you can find Windows and Macs for as little as $500 to $700, Chrome and Linux fans have plenty of affordable options, too.
While laptops still occupy the majority of our editors’ time and effort with CNET’s hands-on reviews, we’ve rounded up recent products to bring you the very best desktop computer options, which are listed below. This list starts with models we’ve tested, and then moves on to more generic configurations. We haven’t explicitly tested those specific models in the latter batch, but the specs listed should deliver considerable value for the price, based on our experience with similarly configured laptops we’ve tested. Unless otherwise indicated, the products listed below don’t include a monitor, keyboard, mouse or webcam. You’ll need to bring your own or buy them separately. We update this best desktop computer list periodically.
Desktop PCs: Tested and recommended
These are the best desktop PC models that we’ve recently tested and can recommend based on our hands-on experience.
Apple has fully redesigned the iMac with a body so ultrathin that it could easily be confused with a jumbo-screen iPad. It’s now built on the same superfast M1 chip found in Apple’s late-2020 MacBook Air and Mac Mini (see below), with a gorgeous 24-inch screen replacing the previous 21.5-inch version. The 1080p webcam is a big upgrade over the MacBook’s 720p model, and the rainbow of available colors — hearkening back to the 1999 iMac G3 — is a welcome addition. Just be prepared to spend up for the myriad storage and accessory upgrades. (Note that the larger 27-inch iMac has been discontinued as of March 2022.)
While we like all-in-ones for their convenience, they’re not easy to upgrade, if they can be at all. Dell’s XPS Desktop is compact and quiet enough for a small workspace but can be loaded with a 12th-gen Core i9 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card, up to 64GB of memory and 4TB of storage — and there’s still room inside for more. And if you have modest needs now, but want the room to add in components down the road, the base XPS starts at under $800. However, if you do plan to upgrade down the road, spend a little extra for its 750- or 1,000-watt power supply. Want to spend a bit less? Check out the more affordable desktop computer options recommended further down the page.
Both Apple and Microsoft have discontinued their bigger-screen all-in-one desktops, so as one of the sole remaining premium big-screen options (as far as I can tell), the HP Envy 34 AIO is almost the best choice in that class by default.
It’s a fine system with a nice 34-inch display and some useful features, like a magnetically attachable webcam and Qi charging pad in the base, although you’re paying for pretty and not for performance (but it does have a laptop-version Nvidia 3060 GPU). I like the HP Envy 34 AIO, and it certainly feels like a nice home or traditional office system for people who need big screens in a small space. — Lori Grunin
If you’re looking for the most affordable Mac out there, the news is good nearly all around. Apple’s smallest desktop computer was among the first to get upgraded to the lightning-fast M1 processor, which runs rings around comparable Intel-powered Macs in terms of speed and performance. Unlike MacBook laptops, the Mini boasts legacy ports like USB-A and HDMI, too. The 256GB and 512GB models will run you $699 and $899, respectively, at the Apple Store, but the good news is that they’re now frequently on sale at other retailers for $50 to $100 less. More and more Mac apps are adding compatibility for the M1 platform, and Apple’s Rosetta 2 software runs most legacy apps in a fairly speedy compatibility mode, but if you still want native Intel support, a Core i5 version of the Mini remains in the line for $1,099. Need more power? Check out the Mac Studio.
If you’re dissatisfied with the lack of configuration options available for prebuilt gaming desktops, going with a custom builder is the best way to sate your appetite. The $5,000-plus price of this custom-configured system is too rich for, well, most people’s blood. And many people don’t need everything maxed out, even for gaming. But you can get reasonable configurations for about half the price of my evaluation unit.
Origin PC builds good, solid systems. Unless you’re looking for something dirt cheap, you’ll be able to put together something you like at a price you tolerate.
The Mac Pro has long been the top dog in Apple’s computer lineup, but the current version is an aging Intel model that starts at a whopping $5,000. By comparison, the new-for-2022 Mac Studio is powered by the latest, greatest Apple silicon chips — the M1 Max or M1 Ultra — and starts at less than half that price. It’s basically a Mac Mini on steroids, and — for anyone who doesn’t want to wait for the eventual Mac Pro revision — it’s your best bet for running creative-centric Mac apps, including animation, graphics, video-editing and audio-editing software. Read our Mac Studio review.
Compact all-in-one desktops make good centralized family computers. The HP Chromebase takes it a step further by pairing one with the simple and secure Chrome OS — the same operating system found on the Chromebooks your kids are probably using at school. With a 21.5-inch touchscreen attached to a gray fabric-covered base, the desktop looks like a supersized version of Google’s own Nest Hub smart display (and with Google Assistant baked in, you can use it like one, too). Inside, though, is up to an Intel Core i3-10110U processor, up to 16GB of memory and up to a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD. The full-HD display even rotates vertically, perfect for viewing vertical videos, following recipes or scrolling your favorite sites.
You’re receiving price alerts for HP Chromebase 21.5″ All-in-One Desktop, Intel Pentium Gold 6405U Processor, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, Rotating Full HD IPS Touchscreen, Chrome OS, Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse Combo (22-aa0022, 2021)
Other recommended desktop PCs
We haven’t reviewed the specific models below, but we have reviewed systems using very similar hardware. These general configurations should serve you well, especially if you shop around for frequent deals.
Basic Windows PC tower (starting around $620)
The specs we’d suggest for a basic Windows 10 or Windows 11 machine:
Intel Core i5 (11th-, 12th-gen) or AMD Ryzen 5 (3000 or 5000 series)
Default integrated graphics (such as Intel 730 or baseline AMD Radeon)
512GB or larger NVMe SSD drive
12GB of RAM or more (16GB preferred)
Four or more USB 3.1 or 3.2 ports with USB-C and USB-A formats (at least one or two on the front)
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless
At least one PCI-E (x16) expansion slot (for adding a video card)
A DVD or Blu-ray optical drive (if you need it for legacy software or media)
With those specs in mind, you should be able to find a good PC tower from brands like Dell, Acer, Asus or HP for between $500 and $600. Here are some that fit the bill, offering a great bang for the buck if you don’t need a laptop:
Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 (under $710) Aside from a slightly older 10th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, this configuration otherwise includes everything listed above, along with Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and a keyboard and mouse, too.
PC tower for light gaming and creative duties (starting around $900)
Want to do some PC gaming, or do you spend time editing photos or video? You’ll want to level up the preceding configuration with more RAM and better graphics options. Expect price points to be between $800 and $1,200 — and even higher if you go for a more bleeding-edge video card.
Nvidia GTX/RTX or AMD Radeon RX graphics card (GPU)
16GB of RAM or more
350-watt (or more) power supply
Looking for a gaming computer with more muscle? Check out our list of best gaming PCs.
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop (under $1,000) This HP rig boasts an 11th-generation and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU and 16GB of RAM.
An “all-in-one PC” (also known as AIO PC) is basically a Windows version of an iMac. That means the PC “guts” are essentially built into a monitor or its base. Unlike the PC towers listed above, all-in-ones generally offer no ability to upgrade the graphics card, and maybe not even the storage or RAM. The advantage is having fewer cables, however, since everything is integrated into the body.
Recommended specs for an all-in-one are mostly similar to the basic tower above, albeit with compromises because of space considerations. Don’t expect an optical drive, for instance, and know that performance is often a step down from “real” desktop models because some all-in-ones use laptop components to better maximize available space. You’ll want a large screen with good resolution. The sweet spots we’d suggest are:
24 inches at 1,920×1,080 pixels (aka 2K or 1080p)
27 inches at 2,560×1,440 pixels (aka 1440p)
32 inches at 3,840×2,160 pixels (aka 4K)
The 24-inchers are good for kids, but adults should probably go for 27 inches and up. Expect to pay at least $800 at that latter size, especially if you want to avoid underpowered Intel Core i3 or AMD Athlon CPUs. The HP Envy 32/34 and Apple iMacs are examples of high end all-in-one computers, but here’s a more reasonably priced alternative.
Acer Aspire C27-962-UA91 ($995) (Update: Currently unavailable) While the screen on this Acer Aspire model is a spacious 27 inches, resolution is only 1080p (also known as 2K) — but that’s par for the course below the $1,000 price point. This model also lacks a DVD drive and USB-C ports. That said, you get a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, on-board Nvidia MX graphics (not as good as a GTX or RTX card, but better than average), half a terabyte of SSD storage and a built-in webcam (along with a keyboard and mouse).
HP All-in-ones (recommended models starting at $800)
Back in early 2020, we reviewed the HP Envy 32, a Windows take on the basic iMac design. At that time, it had somewhat dated specs: a ninth-gen Intel CPU and a spinning hard drive backing up the 256GB solid-state drive. The 32-inch model appears to have been discontinued, but HP maintains a stable of current models in 22- to 27-inch screen sizes, with a new $2,000 34-inch HP Envy 34 now living at the top of the line.
While you’re paying a big premium for the Apple name, an iMac is generally a great option for Apple fans who want an all-in-one computer with a superior display. And now that the 24-inch iMac has gotten a nice overhaul, complete with the M1 chip, that’s a great starting point. And while the 27-inch iMac is no more, the new Mac Studio starts at $2,000, and offers some serious power, especially if you ramp up to the M1 Ultra chipset.
Need even more power? While Apple has a Mac Pro living at the top of its desktop line, the current model is an aging Intel design, which the company has already pledged to replace with an Apple Silicon version. If the Mac Studio can’t handle your high-end Apple needs, we’d strongly recommend steering clear of the Mac Pro until that new version hits.
Chromebox, Mini PCs and other niche options
When it comes to desktop PCs, towers and all-in-ones represent the vast majority of the market. There are alternatives, but in the 2020s, they generally represent increasingly narrow slices of that market.
Left to right: The HP Mini, Acer Revo, Intel Compute Stick and Apple Mac Mini. The Mac is the only one that’s been recently updated.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Mini PCs: Following the debut of the Mac Mini in 2005, Windows PC makers experimented with similarly tiny designs. In the wake of likable small models like the Acer Revo One and HP Pavilion Mini, we even saw (woefully underpowered) “PC on a stick” offerings starting in 2015, but interest seems to have ebbed since then. Outside of specialty vendors like Beelink, the best choices in this mini PC size are probably the Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing), most of which are sold as hobbyist options, requiring some BYO additions like user-supplied storage, RAM and other components — including the operating system. See more bare-bones Mini PCs at Newegg.
Chromeboxes: If you’re looking for very basic computing — browsing the web, email, social media, YouTube and the like — the Chrome operating system is the most affordable route for home computing. This Google operating system effectively is little more than the Chrome web browser. That makes it easy for multiple users (only a Gmail address is needed to log in), and — because there’s no heavy operating system beyond the browser — viruses aren’t really an issue. Colloquially known as “Chromeboxes” (versus a “Chromebook” laptop), these systems don’t have beefy CPUs, RAM or storage requirements. That said, if you need any software beyond browser-based web apps, or if you don’t have excellent broadband, you’ll want to stick with Windows or Mac options above. Now, before you spend any money, you should check out the free version of the operating system known as ChromeOS Flex, which you can install on most old PCs (including running it from an attached USB drive). But if that’s not an option and you want to buy new, expect to pay between $200 and $500 for a Chrome-based desktop. However, the closer you get to that $500 price point, the more you should consider stepping up to a Chromebook laptop or a basic Windows tower (see above) for just a bit more. See Chromebox options at Newegg.
Linux PCs: No, Windows, Mac and ChromeOS are not your only operating system options. There’s a wide world of Linux operating systems out there, many of which are effectively free. You can get PCs with Linux preinstalled, but the better, more affordable option is probably installing it (or dual-booting) on a used Windows PC. See Linux PC options at Newegg.
Raspberry Pi: You may have heard of a small computer that’s no bigger than a paperback book, and can be had for about $150. That’s the Raspberry Pi, and it’s 100% real and very cool — if you’re a hobbyist looking to build your own Lego-style computer and install your own custom Linux operating systems. We just wouldn’t recommend it as a primary computer if you’re looking to run mainstream software. See the Raspberry Pi 4 kit at Amazon.
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.
While you’re eagerly awaiting those PS5 restocks from your favorite store, now’s the time to start thinking about picking up some expanded storage for it. It’s all too easy to burn through the allotted built-in storage with popular games like God of War: Ragnarök taking up nearly 85GB alone. With the best M.2 SSD for PS5, you won’t have to worry about choosing which games you have room for.
Sony unlocked the PS5’s extra internal storage drive slot in 2021. This option wasn’t available when the PS5 launched in fall 2020, but now you can access that extra space to beef up your console’s current storage capacity. Just grab the best M.2 SSD for your gaming needs. There are plenty of M.2 SSD PS5 storage options to give you that extra storage boost.
It can be hard to find a superfast M.2 drive, especially one with a built-in heatsink. That’s an essential feature to prevent overheating. So if your solid-state drive doesn’t have one, you’ll have to add it manually. We’ve made some suggestions below to help with that process.
Samsung’s high-end M.2 drive was a logical first choice for a lot of PS5 modders… but the original version didn’t include a built-in heatsink, which is required for operation. Sure, you could buy a separate one and attach it, but that’s a few extra steps.
Conveniently, this excellent Samsung 980 Pro SSD is now available with a heatsink, which makes it an all-in-one package. There are two current configurations, a 1TB model and a 2TB model, with the price roughly doubling for the larger model.
I got my hands on a big 4TB Seagate FireCuda 530, which includes a built-in heatsink, a requirement for an internal PS5 drive. There are 1TB, 2TB and 4TB models.
After I installed and set up the drive, I tried transferring a few games from the default drive to my new SSD. Call of Duty, which is nearly 200GB, transferred in about 2 minutes, 30 seconds. Returnal, around 50GB, transferred in about 40 seconds.
Normally I’d stick with M.2 drives with built-in heat sinks, so make the entire upgrade process easier. But I’ll make an exception for this PNY XLR8 drive, because PNY also makes a separate PS5 SSD cover panel, complete with built-in head sink.
Just slot the slim M.2 drive in the slot, then screw the new cover panel over it and you’re all set. We’ve tested the drive and added its transfer time scores to the chart below.
This is the PNY heat sink and cover combo, which makes it easy to install an M.2 drive that doesn’t have its own heat sink.
Dan Ackerman/CNET
The drives above have all been tested, and you’ll see there’s not a lot of difference in performance between them. The most notable thing is that writing to the M.2 drive is a lot faster than writing back to the internal PS5 drive.
PS5 M.2 file transfer time (in min:sec)
Console to M.2
M.2 to Console
FFVII (81GB)
Seagate FireCuda 530 (4TB)
1:05
6:00
Samsung 980 Pro (1TB)
1:08
5:56
Corsair MP600 Pro LPX (2TB)
1:04
5:54
PNY XLR8 CS3140 (1TB)
1:16
6:11
Spider-Man: Miles Morales (39GB)
Seagate FireCuda 530
0:33
2:57
Samsung 980 Pro
0:31
2:53
Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
0:33
2:54
PNY XLR8 CS3140 (1TB)
0:40
2:53
Below are some additional drives and accessories that we have not tested yet, but should all work fine.
Besides the Samsung and Seagate versions, this Western Digital drive is probably the most popular M.2 choice for the PS5. It also includes the needed heatsink built in, which I frankly recommend as a much easier way to get your console storage upgraded.
The WD Black comes in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB sizes, although I can’t see going through all the effort required to open the PS5 and install these for a mere 500GB of extra space, especially with some games getting close to 100GB in size. 1TB seems like the best bang for your buck, as the 2TB drive costs more than the PS5 itself.
This is the original Samsung 980 Pro 1TB drive that needs a separate heatsink. If you’ve got one and can attach it, it’s a less expensive option and easy to find. In fact, the price on this model has even dropped by a few dollars.
The advantage of adding an M.2 internal drive to your PS5 is that you can both store and play PS5-native games from it. Regular external hard drives can store PS5 games, but not play them. (Both store and play PS4 games.)
If you’re going down the add-your-own-heatsink route, this is one of the most popular parts for PS5 owners. Gamers have reported that it’s a perfect fit for the PS5’s M.2 slot, especially when paired with the Samsung 980 SSD.
To attach a heatsink like this, you usually need some thermal tape to connect the heatsink to the drive. In this case, there’s an included thermal pad that sticks the two parts together. That’s important because without the right kind of thermal management, the M.2 drive could get too hot in the tightly constricted PS5 internal drive slot.
You’re receiving price alerts for MHQJRH M.2 2280 SSD heatsink
FAQs
We update this list regularly, and below are answers to some of the most common PS5 M.2 SSD questions.
How do I remove the PS5 cover?
Both the front and rear panels of the PS5 are removable. To remove the bottom cover and expose the M.2 drive slot, Sony recommends positioning the console so the PS logo is facing up and the power button is facing away from you. Grip the bottom left corner of the cover and pull slightly up and to the right so the cover lists away. You can see the PS5 cover removal process in action here.
Does my M.2 drive need a heat sink?
Yes. Sony requires a heat sink (basically a chunk of metal) to dissipate heat and prevent the drive from overheating. Some M.2 drives include a built-in heat sink, others need to attach manually via tape or adhesive.
What games will run from a PS5 M.2 drive?
Unlike an external drive connected via USB-C, an internal M.2 drive can both store and run PS5 and PS4/PS Plus games. An external drive can store both, but only play PS4/older games.
How we test PS5 M.2 drives
To test these M.2 SSD drives for the very specific purpose of storing and playing PS5 games, our primary concern is data transfer speed. All the drives compatible with the PS5 will play and load games seamlessly. The only time you’re likely to notice the drive in action is when transferring full games either to or from it.
To test the speed of these drives, we downloaded specific games onto the PS5 internal drive, then transferred those games to the newly installed M.2 drive. Then we transferred the same games back to the internal SSD. The games we use for this test are Final Fantasy VII Remake, at 81GB; and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, at 39GB. We used a stopwatch to time the transfers and listed each result in the chart above.
Thanks to the rise of streaming services, you no longer need a pricey cable subscription to get access to live sports. There are quite a few different sports streaming services out there, and right now, one of our favorites of the year, is offering a deal to new members. For a limited time, when you sign up for an Orange, Blue or combined plan, you’ll get your first month for 50% off. There’s no set expiration for this offer, so we’d recommend signing up soon if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
With this deal, you can get your first month of Sling TV for as little as just $20 if you sign up for an entry-level Orange or Blue plan. Both plans are typically $40 per month, and come with a different selection of channels. Sling recommends the Orange plan for sports fans and families, and it includes channels like ESPN and ESPN2. If you’re primarily interested in football, Sling recommends the Blue plan, which gives you access to channels like Fox Sports 1 and Fox (in select markets). Sling also offers a combined Orange and Blue plan so you don’t have to choose. It’s typically $55 per month, but right now you can get your first month for around $28. After the first month of service, your subscription will revert back to the usual monthly price. Sling also offers a variety of add-ons so you can customize your plan with more channels.
Looking for a deal on your next movie night?
Compare prices or add promo codes to your next streaming service subscription with a single click when using the CNET Shopping extension.
We’ve rounded up some of the most promising chargers, docking stations, batteries and other USB-C accessories at CES. Take a look if you want a single multiport charger to sweep away a clutter of separate device chargers; a USB-C hub to expand the power of a single port on the side of a laptop; or if you want to prepare for the coming era of USB-C iPhones.
VisionTek offers a new range of USB-C chargers, including three two-port models at 35W, 45W and 65W. They’re very compact thanks to the newer and more compact GaN (gallium nitride) power electronics that have been sweeping the charger industry. I like the $50 65W model for its ability to capably charge both laptops and phones, and its slightly bulbous look is kind of cute. Power prongs flip into the charger for travel.
EZQuest has delivered solid value with its hubs, and I like this $60 model as a way to convert a single laptop port into something more versatile. The headline here for me is that it includes two USB-C ports for peripherals, a rarity at this price range, though they transfer data at only 5Gbps, useful but somewhat pokey by modern USB standards. It’s also got two USB-A ports, a 4K HDMI port running at 60fps, and a gigabit Ethernet jack with unusual but helpful status LEDs. It’ll pass along 100W from your external charger to your laptop. EZQuest also announced higher-end 8-in-1 and 10-in-1 models if you need other features like SD Card slots or faster USB-C ports.
You’re receiving price alerts for USB-C Multimedia 7-in-1 Hub HDMI 4K, 100 Watts USB-C Power Delivery with (FRS) or 5Gbps Data, 2 x USB-C Ports, 2 x USB-A 3.0 Ports, and Gigabit Ethernet
I’ve always liked Plugable’s cables: They’re pliable, durable and have a label that dispels all the confusion about what data transfer speeds and charging power levels they support. Many cheap USB-C cables intended for charging have only dog-slow 480Mbps USB 2.x data transfer speeds, so you have to read the fine print. Plugable’s new $25.95 USB4-240W-1M not only supports the new USB 4 speeds of up to 40Gbps but also is the first cable I’ve seen that can handle a whopping 240 watts of power. It’s 1 meter long and just as supple as lower-power models. You can order now for shipments starting Jan. 11. (For another $4, you can upgrade to a similar cable that’s certified for Thunderbolt 4, too.)
You’re receiving price alerts for Plugable USB4 / Thunderbolt 4 Cable with 240W Charging, 3.3 Feet (1M), USB-IF Certified, 1x 8K Display, 40 Gbps, Compatible with USB 4, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB-C
Satechi
Satechi 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger
If you’ve got a lot of devices, perhaps because you’re sharing one power plug in the wall with multiple family members or coworkers, take a look at Satechi’s $150 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger. I’ve seen six-port chargers that combine USB-C with old-school USB-A (I’m using one from Ugreen right now to charge my laptop, three phones, tablet and smartwatch) but Satechi’s is all USB-C all the time. It won’t ship until the second quarter of 2023, though.
Kensington’s $140 SD1700P dock offers dual 4K HDMI ports, dual USB-A ports for your older devices, a charging pad on top, an Ethernet jack and a USB-C power port to transmit up to 100W from your charger to your laptop. I prefer docks with multiple USB-C ports, but those are expensive and not what everybody needs. Conveniently, you can loop its USB-C cable back into a socket so it’s more compact for transport.
This rounded $70 charger is a good way to make the most of scarce power outlets while you’re traveling. It’s got dual USB-C charging ports and a single USB-A port that collectively supply a healthy 65W for laptops and smaller devices. And it’s got an AC power plug for whatever else you need to plug in (including whatever you unplugged to make room for the charger). Best of all, its 3-foot power cable retracts into the power strip’s body for transit. I love compact chargers, and a longer cable means I don’t have to sit so close to the power outlet while both using and charging my devices.
BioLite’s $400 SolarPanel 100 is actually four panels that crank out up to 100W of power and that fold down for storage or transport. The water-resistant design can charge devices directly with USB-C and USB-A ports or charge BioLite’s big BaseCharge batteries. A kickstand adjusts the tilt, and a built-in sundial helps you face it straight at the sun for best performance. Up to four can be linked together if you want to charge faster or have margin for error on days with intermittent sun.
This $120 portable SSD enclosure is a good way to dramatically beef up the storage capacity of your laptop’s pathetic built-in SSD. External drives are one of those peripherals where you notice the speed of your USB connection, and for this model, it’s a pretty fast 3,800 megabytes per second with a USB 4 connection. It’ll ship in the second quarter, Hyper said. It’ll accommodate SSDs up to 8TB in capacity, but those are sold separately.
This $300 hub, due to ship Feb. 1, offers a useful suite of ports, starting with dual 10Gbps USB-C ports for peripherals. It also has four old-style USB-A ports for your older gadgets, one gigabit Ethernet, one HDMI 2.0, two DisplayPorts. It’s a USB 4 device that can handle 40Gbps connection to your laptop using the included 1-meter cable. It’ll pass along up to 100 watts of power to your laptop and 30 watts to the dual USB-C ports.
This charging cable is good for situations where you might want to charge both USB-C devices and products with Apple Lightning ports like iPhones, iPads, AirPods and Apple keyboards and mice. Sure, you can use two cables, but you might not have enough ports or have that much tolerance for cable clutter — in your car, perhaps. This cable will cost $30 and will ship later this spring with a three-year warranty.
This $100 device combines a 10,000mAh battery with a 65W charger — a useful combination if you’re running around school classes, business meetings or a conference when power plugs are only intermittently available. The battery capacity isn’t huge, but it’s roughly enough to usefully extend your laptop’s battery life or to fully recharge your phone twice.
This charging spot is good for people who are coming to terms with the fact that they have a huge pile of devices to keep topped up. It’s a modular design that lets you snap together what you’ll need, including three USB-C ports, a MagSafe stand for iPhones and AirPods, an MFi stand for Apple Watches, and an AC power plug. The BaseLynx 2.0 will be available this spring at Apple Stores. Its modules cost $50 to $100 each, and the model shown here costs $250 including three power cables.
Technically this isn’t a CES device, but it just started shipping during the show and deserves a little attention. The $49 OneAdaptr MacMate turns plugs into your laptop charger’s cable so you can also charge an accessory and drop your phone on its wireless charging pad. It’s convenient for travel as long as it’s drawing juice from a sufficiently powerful charger.
This slim $75 design can deliver a total of 100W to two USB-C and two USB-A ports. It’s also got two AC plugs for other devices. Its five-foot power cord can be removed.
The hulking BioLite BaseCharge 1500 and costs $1,699, but its 1521 watt-hour lithium-ion battery can be appealing to campers, drone videographers working in the field and anyone worried about power outages. (I’m looking at you, northern Californians drenched by the atmospheric river.) The battery is big enough to run a power drill for 57 minutes, the company says. The battery offers three USB-C ports, one of which can also be used to charge the battery. It’s also got wireless charging on the top deck and three AC power plugs. (If you’re worried about power, though, it’s best to charge with a USB cable, since wireless charging is less efficient and converting a battery’s DC power to AC and then back again to DC with a device charger also wastes power.) There are other big batteries out there, but BioLite argues its battery is cheaper.
Verum Messenger developers have published a press release on the results of work for 2022. The document reflects information about application updates, innovations of the last year, as well as statistics on messenger installations by month and country.
In the past year, the Verum Messenger team celebrated more than one victory. Verum Messenger has become the fastest growing app in terms of downloads among messengers created between 2020 and 2022. The markets where Verum is most popular are the US, UK, Ukraine, the Balkans and Turkey.
However, the developers of Verum Messenger call their biggest achievement in 2022 the overfulfillment of the plan for app downloads – it exceeded all expectations.
“The events of 2022 positively affected the growth of installs. The first is the WhatsApp privacy policy change that was announced early last year. Users began to massively look for alternative messengers. This and other situations of recent years make people more and more concerned about the protection of their personal data. People around the world are making their choice in favor of information security,” the Verum Messenger team said in a statement.
Privacy is a fundamental principle of Verum Messenger. When creating the application, the developers focused on the maximum security of user data.
Well, as expected, the basic functionality of Verum includes all the necessary elements of an advanced messenger: group and individual chats and calls, the ability to send any files, an intuitive interface.
From the first seconds of acquaintance with Verum Messenger, the user understands that his personal data will not be available even to developers. To use the messenger, you do not need a phone number, since the application is not tied to it. Even if the phone falls into the hands of third parties, they will not be able to enter the application – on Verum you can set a passcode for each entrance, as well as protect Touch ID or Face ID data. Verum uses end-to-end encryption for all chats without exception, does not store correspondence and files in the cloud, and does not collect user data. In addition, Verum Messenger prevents screen recording and alerts you to screenshots taken in disappearing chats, message forwards, and file downloads so that the interlocutor knows that the conversation can be compromised.
And this is an incomplete list of protection tools that Verum Messenger has. The development team will continue to work on new ways to protect users’ personal data in the new year, as well. believes that communication in the application should be as safe and private as in person.
