Back to school soon? If you’re in the market for a new laptop, you can save $100 on Apple’s new M2-powered MacBook Air, our top pick for most people when it comes to laptops. It’s a relatively small discount, but it’s also the first we’ve seen on the new MacBook, which launched just last month. At present, you can buy the “starlight” model at Amazon and B&H Photo with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, an eight-core CPU and a 30W power brick for $1,099.
Although the new model costs $200 more than Apple’s last-generation Air, it’s a great laptop that’s a good investment. It can handle everything a general user needs and even some light gaming well. It’s also faster than its predecessor thanks to Apple’s new M2 chip and comes with a 1080p webcam, lighter build and a nicer display (which also has a notch). At the same time, the redesigned M2 Air retains many of the features we loved on the M1 model, including MagSafe charging, Touch ID, and an all-day battery.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the storage on the base M2 Air is slower than its predecessor, as it’s stored on a single NAND chip. This means that some tasks, such as copying large files, can take a while. In addition, the port selection is relatively limited and you can only connect the M2 Air to one external display at a time. Read our review.
Speaking of going back to school, if you don’t want to lug around heavy books and strain your back, you might want to invest in another pick from our back-to-school gift guide: the Kindle Paperwhite 2021. The e-reader can hold an entire library. with books in front of you, but you hardly notice it’s there, as it weighs only 7.2 grams. Plus, today is a particularly good time to buy one, as the Paperwhite is near the best price ever on Amazon and Best Buy.
Regularly $139.99, you can currently buy the new Paperwhite at Amazon in the ad-free configuration for $129.99 ($30 off) or in the ad-supported configuration at Amazon and Best Buy for $109.99. In terms of features, the popular e-reader offers months of battery life, support for adjustable color temperature and USB-C charging, which allows you to quickly recharge the device when it runs out of juice. It also features IPX8 waterproofing and comes with a 6.8-inch screen that’s larger than that of its predecessor, making it more in line with the high-end Kindle Oasis than anything else. Read our review.
Amazon’s new Kindle Paperwhite has a 6.8-inch E Ink display with adjustable color temperature for nighttime reading. It also features a faster processor, extra battery life, IPX8 waterproofing and – finally – a USB-C port.
If Amazon’s latest Paperwhite is out of your budget and you don’t need an e-reader with extra bells and whistles like waterproofing, you can also get the Entry-level Kindle for $59.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, which is $15 shy of its lowest price yet. The ad-free model is: also on sale for $79.99 ($30 off). The Kindle’s 167ppi screen isn’t nearly as pretty as Paperwhite’s high-resolution 300ppi screen, but it’s still readable, and the Kindle itself is smaller and easier to hold than the new Paperwhite. It also includes a front light and support for Bluetooth headphones so you can listen to audiobooks. Read our review.
Amazon’s most affordable e-reader that now includes a front light for the display. The tablet also offers support for Bluetooth headphones and is slightly more comfortable in the hand than its predecessor.
Not only do we see deals near Prime Day tier on Kindles, but also also other Amazon devices. Right now, for example, you can pick up Amazon’s new Echo Show 15 for $189.99 ($60 off) at both Amazon and Best Buywhich is just $10 below the record high we saw on the smart display during Prime Day and a discount we’ve only seen a handful of times.
As a large wall-mounted device, the Echo Show 15 differs from other Alexa smart displays. The 15.6 inch touchscreen is particularly suitable as a bulletin board to hang in your kitchen or home office or as a 1080p TV. While it looks different from the other Alexa-enabled displays, it shares much of the same functionality, meaning you can still use it to make video calls, control various smart home devices, watch movies, and more. Read our review.
The Echo Show 15 is a large wall-mounted device that acts as a shared hub for families to view upcoming calendar events, virtual notes, and more. The 15.6-inch device also features the same Alexa functionality as other Echo displays and smart speakers.
Roborock’s S7 shifts from Amazon devices to robot vacuums, once again matching its best price yet Amazon and walmart, where you can pick up the awesome robovac for $429.99 ($220 off). This is our favorite robot vacuum/mop hybrid, one that’s capable of scrubbing your floors and vacuuming your carpets without getting them wet. It also comes with a number of useful features, including the ability to map your home and designate zones, as well as support for Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri voice control.
Keep in mind, though, that the S7 doesn’t have obstacle avoidance technology, which means it can get stuck when navigating around cables and other small objects. Although it works with an auto-empty charging dock, you have to buy that separately.
This hybrid mop/vacuum cleaner robot is one of the best double-acting vacuum cleaners on the market. The sonic mop technology scrubs your floors, and the VibraRise function lifts the mop so it can still vacuum your carpets without getting them wet.
Don’t put your credit card away just yet…
- Prefer a tablet to a Kindle? Amazon’s Fire tablets are also on sale today, with the Fire HD 8 starting at $49.99 ($40 off) at Best Buy and Amazon. The Fire HD 10, one of our favorite budget-friendly tablets, also starts at $99.99 ($50 off) on both Amazon and Best Buy. Both tablets have a USB-C port and up to 64GB of built-in storage, but the 2021 Fire HD 10 comes with a larger screen with a higher resolution and a 5-megapixel camera on the back. Read our Fire HD 8 Plus and Burn HD 10 reviews.
- If you have the budget and need a standing desk, many are near The edge are fans of Fully’s excellent customizable offerings. And now, you can get 15 percent off your purchase if you use a promo code SUMMER15 at checkout.
- woo is selling third-generation AirPods for $109.99 only today in refurbished condition, while the refurbished AirPods Pro cost $134.99. Both come with a 90-day warranty. The latest pair of AirPods are water resistant, have shorter stems than their predecessor and support MagSafe, while the AirPods Pro feature active noise cancellation and better sound quality. Read our reviews of the AirPods (third generation) and AirPods Pro.
- If you’re looking for an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker, you can pick up JBL’s Clip 4 for $49.99 ($30 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The speaker sounds great for its size, offers 10 hours of battery life and is IP67 rated for dust and water resistance. And if you can’t see the name, you can attach it to anything – whether that’s your backpack or bike.
