We love multi-purpose laptops that aren’t just great when you’re working but also performant when you’re gaming. And when such laptops are on sale, that’s something worth jumping on! Like this MSI Stealth 14 AI that’s now $1,250 at Best Buy, which might seem like a steep price except it was originally $1,600. That’s a $350 discount on an AI-ready laptop that’s going to rock your productive hours and your chill-out time. The MSI Stealth 14 AI moves fast, loading up your apps in a flash and swapping between them with little effort, able to handle hundreds of open tabs without choking. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor is relatively recent from 2023, and the 16GB of DDR5 RAM gives it the high-performance memory you need to get things done. The 1TB SSD is plentiful on storage space and quick for booting up and loading data. And if you’re hoping to squeeze some gaming in as well, then you’re in luck because the MSI Stealth 14 AI Studio features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card. We know it’s not the newest and greatest GPU, even of the 40-series cards, but it strikes a good balance between speed, features, and affordability. The 14-inch IPS screen is all-around gorgeous, complete with 1200p resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. It comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed and ports include Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and 3.5mm headset jack. Beware that despite it having “AI Studio” in its name, this laptop is NOT a Copilot+ PC, meaning it doesn’t have enough AI power to handle Microsoft’s AI features in Windows 11. At 0.75 inches thin and 3.75 pounds light, it’s pretty portable—and it’ll last long enough with its 72 watt-hour battery as long as you aren’t gaming too heavily. The MSI Stealth 14 AI Studio was pretty expensive at retail, but it’s not bad at all now that you can get it for just $1,250 at Best Buy. If you want to hold out for even better, check out the best laptops for your money. Save $350 on this AI-ready work laptop with RTX for gamingBuy now from Best Buy Read...

It’s only been a month since Microsoft released version 136 of its Edge browser, and they’re already rolling out version 137. But according to Neowin, this update isn’t just adding new features per usual—it’s actually removing a handful of features at the same time. The Image Editor, Image Hover Menu, Mini Menu, Video Super Resolution, and Wallet Hub features have all been removed in Edge version 137. All of your personal data from the Wallet Hub has now been moved to the browser’s password manager. (Incidentally, Microsoft also killed Authenticator’s password manager last month and is transitioning those passwords over to Edge’s password manager, too.) In addition to nixing features, Microsoft has added some improvements to Edge with this update. The browser’s Picture-in-Picture mode has been boosted with new controls for scrubbing through the progress bar, and you can now set up web content filters to block inappropriate sites by selecting various filter categories. Lastly, Microsoft has fixed 8 security vulnerabilities in the browser, making it a little safer for all. Read...

TL;DR: If you manage timelines, budgets, or team workflows, this one-time deal gives you Microsoft Project 2021 Pro for life—just $15. Project managers, team leads, and spreadsheet warriors—rejoice. If you’ve ever stared at a chaotic to-do list and thought, There has to be a better way, you’re absolutely right. And it’s called Microsoft Project Professional 2021. Even better? Through this offer, you can grab a lifetime license for just $14.97 (reg. $249.99). Whether you’re managing a massive launch, juggling timelines and stakeholders, or just trying to stay ahead of deliverables, Microsoft Project Pro gives you everything you need to stay organized and keep things moving. With features like pre-built templates, multiple timeline views, budget tracking, and automated scheduling, it’s like having a project manager for your project management. This version is yours forever, meaning you’ll never be caught off guard by another price hike or renewal email. And because it’s a one-time download for Windows PCs, you’ll be up and running the same day—no delays, no IT help required. It’s perfect for freelancers, small teams, or anyone who’s sick of cobbling together apps that don’t quite get the job done. Pick up a lifetime of organizational support when you purchase Microsoft Project 2021 Pro for just $14.97. Microsoft Project 2021 Professional: Lifetime License for WindowsSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

For years, Notepad has existed as a bare-bones text editor. No longer. Microsoft keeps adding to it, including a new update that includes capabilities that you might have expected in another Windows application, WordPad. Microsoft said Friday that it is adding “lightweight formatting” in Notepad, including markdown input and file support, but also bold and italic fonts and even hyperlinks. They’re all accessible via a new toolbar that includes these new formatting options. Microsoft didn’t indicate that it is testing the new Notepad or offering these features in preview, so presumably these updates will arrive on your Windows PC soon. Two things seem to be going on here. In late 2023, Microsoft killed off WordPad, the rich text editor that served as a poor man’s alternative to Microsoft Word. (There’s a way to bring WordPad back, but you’d need access to an older version of Windows where WordPad still existed.) Traditionally, Notepad has been the Windows answer to a light text editor that coders can use or write in, although more sophisticated alternatives like vim exist. It seems that Microsoft is adding more features to try and help those users, while moving towards a WordPad replacement. Microsoft, meanwhile, is bringing the Edit app to Windows as well. Edit is an open-source app that was basically designed as a command-line interface, or CLI, and Microsoft specifically references how obtuse vim was to use when it announced it. Either way, by beefing up Notepad –heck, even with Copilot! — and adding the Edit option as well, Windows is offering a number of lightweight CLI and text-editing interfaces without bloating the operating system even further. Read...

Microsoft Edge Game Assist has worked its way through Microsoft’s development cycle, and has been released for everybody. It’s your new tool for solving those pesky puzzles in your favorite PC games. Even though we associate “Microsoft” with “Windows,” Microsoft has numerous little platforms that it bolts features on to. Microsoft Edge Game Assist is one of these: It’s a specialized hint tool for Game Bar, a Windows gaming feature that’s been around for over half a decade with a steadily advancing feature set that includes performance tools, screen capture, and more. Microsoft Edge Game Assist bolts Edge to Game Bar. Instead of forcing you to stop what you’re doing and start typing terms into search boxes, Game Assist “knows” what game you’re playing and opens up what you might call a specialized hint browser. I went hands-on with Microsoft Edge Game Assist in January, where I launched it alongside Baldur’s Gate 3 to see what sort of tips it could offer. At the time, Microsoft Edge Game Assist supported just a handful of games. Now, the list of games that Microsoft Edge Game Assist supports has grown quite long from newer games like Split Fiction, Avowed, and the “new” The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, to more interesting strategic choices like Hearts of Iron IV. Each of the games has been enhanced with tips and guides, Microsoft says. Personally, I find all of this fascinating, because Microsoft seems to be converging on an AI-powered game assistant that will steer you to some of your favorite games’ more challenging puzzles. Game guides are one thing; bringing them into the game is another. But combine this with the new (and somewhat mediocre) talents of Copilot Vision, and the future clearly is an AI assistant who can see what you see and offer advice. Give it a year or two. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Extends the range at which Blink Outdoor 4 cameras can be deployed Can store motion-triggered video recordings on up to a 256GB microSD card Much faster than the Blink Sync Module 2 Cons Extended range functionality reduces video resolution, and is limited to two Blink Outdoor 4 cameras Local storage still limited to 256GB Our Verdict If you’re using Blink home security cameras and you don’t already have a Blink Sync Module 2, the Blink Sync Module XR delivers a host of benefits. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Blink Sync Module XR Retailer Price $69.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket I’m a big fan of security cameras with the capacity to stream their recordings to local storage on my home network. Amazon’s Blink family of cameras, floodlight cameras, and video doorbells has long had one of the most inexpensive options thanks to its Sync Module series. And the all-new Sync Module XR is a significant improvement over the Blink Sync Module 2 that precedes it. Most security camera hubs must be hardwired to your router or to an ethernet switch connected to your router, but the 3.25-inch-square, 0.75-inch-thick Sync Module XR connects to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (5GHz networks are not supported). You can view live streams and recordings from up to 10 Blink cameras—one at a time—in the Blink app. The Sync Module XR provides a superior means of storing video recordings from up to 10 Blink cameras. Specifications The Blink Sync Module XR is easy to set up; just scan the QR code on the bottom of the device to get started.Michael Brown/Foundry The XR in the product’s name is related to a new Extended Range feature that works with the latest generation of battery-powered outdoor cameras, the Blink Outdoor 4. When you connect one of these to the hub, you can choose between a Wi-Fi connection; Extended Range (XR), to reach cameras up to 250 feet from the hub; or Extended Range Plus (XR+), to service cameras up to 400 feet away. The latter two connections use a Blink-proprietary network operating in the 900MHz spectrum. Note that these range estimates assume a single wall between the hub and the camera, and that you’re limited to using two XR-capable cameras with these settings. The longer-range features also entail trade-offs: Using an XR connection reduces video resolution from 1080p to either 720p or 360p, and using XR+ drops resolution down to 360p. You also lose the two-way talk feature with this setting. Performance You can install up to a 256GB microSD card in the Blink Sync Module XR for local storage of motion-triggered video recordings. Michael Brown/Foundry The Sync Module XR also provides a superior means of storing video recordings from up to 10 Blink cameras. Where you’d plug a USB thumb drive into the Sync Module 2, tempting curious toddlers to yank it out, this new model features a microSD card slot. You’ll need to provide the storage device in both cases. There’s been no improvement in capacity, however; the Sync Module XR still limits your storage to 256GB. If you find you need more storage than that, sign up for a Blink subscription plan that provides 60 days of cloud storage for all your Blink cameras (30 days in the EU and UK) in the cloud. Subscriptions cost $10 per month or $100 per year. There’s also a $3/mo, $30/year plan, but that only covers a single Blink camera. The Blink Sync Module XR supports up to 10 Blink cameras, but only two Blink Outdoor 4 cameras can use its proprietary extended range feature. Michael Brown/Foundry In addition to cloud storage, a Blink Subscription provides person detection (on cameras that support it), the ability to send video recordings via email or text message, extended live viewing (you get 5 minutes without a plan, and up to 90 minutes with one), automatic thumbnail image refresh, and a few other perks. I had been using three of Amazon’s impressively inexpensive Blink Outdoor cameras (two 4th-generation and one 3rd-gen) for the past couple of years, along with a Blink Sync Module 2. The cameras deliver impressive battery life of nearly a full year on a pair of AA Lithium disposable batteries. The Blink Sync Module XR comes with a power supply and a USB-A to USB-C cable.Michael Brown/Foundry Removing the old sync module and migrating the three cameras to the Sync Module XR was a snap. While I couldn’t migrate the old recordings to the new storage, I was able to plug the thumb drive I was using into my PC and watch the recordings and move them to my NAS box as unencrypted MP4 files. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. Should you buy a Blink Sync Module XR? Anyone who owns Blink security cameras will benefit from adding a Blink Sync Module XR to their home security portfolio. The increased range promise is genuine, even if it does compromise video quality. While the Blink Sync Module XR doesn’t offer any more storage capacity than the Sync Module 2, it initiates live streams and plays recordings with much less delay than the older model did. If you don’t already have a Blink Sync Module 2, the $20 difference in price between the second-generation model and the XR is fully justified. The calculus is a little more complicated for those who already own the earlier product. Personally, I don’t need the extended range, and the speedier performance and the support for a microSD card with the same storage limit as a USB thumb drive aren’t enough to justify the cost of the upgrade. My bottom-line score, therefore, is from the perspective of a Blink camera owner who doesn’t want to pay for a subscription and who doesn’t own a previous-generation Sync Module. Read...

Finding a solid computer at an affordable price can be tough because they have to tick so many boxes, and you can’t always get everything you need within your budget. But with this discount, the Acer Swift 16 AI might be the unicorn you’re looking for. It’s now just $850 at Best Buy, which is a crazy $400 off its original price! When we reviewed the Acer Swift 16 AI, it came close to being one of our favorites. We gave it a 4-star rating for its sleek and sturdy design, its sharp OLED display with 3K resolution, its lovely keyboard feel, and its long battery life. And keep in mind that this is a 16-inch laptop! Between that and the OLED panel, battery life usually suffers. But not here. The laptop runs on a brand-new Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor that’s AI-ready and compatible with Microsoft’s Copilot+ features on Windows 11. It also comes with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB SSD. All combined, this is the perfect workstation for daily work and browsing, with over 17 hours of battery life on a single charge. The Intel Arc integrated graphics are even good enough for some light gaming. Other features of note include two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports (both on the same side), two high-speed USB-A ports (one on either side), a full-sized HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The laptop itself is 0.63 inches thin and 3.37 pounds light, making it perfect as a thin-and-light for portable productivity. Windows 11 Home comes pre-installed. The Acer Swift 16 AI was a bit pricey when it first released, but it’s a darn good bargain now that it’s slashed down to $850! Take advantage of this deal soon because we don’t know when it expires. Save $400 on Acer`s AI-ready OLED productivity laptopBuy now from Best Buy Read...

If you’re looking to get a computer with a great performance without selling a kidney, you should look into mini PCs because these things deliver lots of power at a great price. The Kamrui AM21, for instance, is only going to cost you $360 now that it’s 25% off on Amazon. As tiny as this PC is, it’s packed when it comes to what’s under the hood. An AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX on a device that can fit in the palm of your hand? Yes, it’s true, and it’s what makes it ready to tackle your entire workload or your next passion project. The AM21 also features 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, which is pretty darn good for the price. But if that’s not enough for you, you can always upgrade it to 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD. Now that’s a powerful combo! There’s no dedicated graphics card, but you can get away with light gaming and video editing with the integrated Radeon 680M graphics. It’s powerful enough to connect up to four(!) 4K@60Hz displays via the two HDMI ports plus DisplayPort and USB-C video. Other niceties include four high-speed USB-A ports, double LAN, another USB-C for data, and a 3.5mm headset jack. It’s a multitasker’s dream! A powerful machine like this for just $360? That’s way better than you’d get in a comparable laptop, and good luck finding a full-blown desktop PC at this price. Get the Kamrui AM21 on Amazon before it expires! Get a 25% discount on this Ryzen 9 mini PC with quad 4K supportBuy now at Amazon Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Easy to use Works beyond expectations Very flexible format 300 minutes of free transcription Cons If you lose the charging cable, you’ll have to buy a new one, as it has a non-standard magnetic attachment. Our Verdict Plaud Note is a compact AI-powered voice recorder that automatically transcribes audio into text in 112 languages. It magnetically attaches to your phone, has long battery life, and saves time for both journalists and everyday users. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today The Plaude Note is built for users who want to capture conversations and quickly convert audio into text. If I’d had one of these when I started writing over 30 years ago, I could’ve saved myself weeks of work! But the Plaude Note isn’t just for journalists, it’s equally handy if you need to record a doctor’s advice during an appointment and later share it with the Social Security office, an insurance company, or anyone else who needs the information in writing. Plaud Note: Small but powerful Crafted from aluminum alloy, the Plaud Note takes up as much space as a credit card. In the package, you get a small credit card holder that attaches magnetically to the back of your phone. If you don’t have such a phone, take comfort in knowing it comes with a magnet you can tape to the back of your phone. Plus, at just 30 grams, it’s impressively lightweight. Petter Ahrnstedt The Plaude itself has two buttons: one to switch it on or off and one to start and stop recording. The charging cable is attached to the Plaude via a magnet while the other end plugs into any USB-C port. Plug it into the computer and it pops up as an external disc. I understand that it requires a special kind of cord, but if you lose it, you’ll have to buy a new one. When you want to record, press and hold the appropriate button. After a couple of seconds, Plaude will vibrate and a red light turn on indicating that recording is in progress. Plaud Note: Requires the app Like everything else these days, you need an app. Plaude supports both Android and iOS (I tested it on an iPhone) and it requires you to create an account to gain access to the AI features. Plaude supports transcription in up to 112 languages using AI models like GPT-4 and Claude 3.5 Sonnet. The basic package includes 300 transcription minutes per month. Transcription is done in the cloud, so you’ll need an internet connection to convert audio files into text. And it works better than expected! The different AI models have their own strengths. For example, Claude is better at transcribing text while ChatGPT is better at summarizing and analyzing text. You can choose which AI to use.Petter Ahrnstedt There are also paid subscriptions, though they’re not much cheaper than other online services already out there. Still, 300 minutes (five hours) is a long time and Plaude says the free service tier will be around forever. Plaud Note: Take the shell off The Plaude Note uses a dual recording mode system: an ambient microphone for in-room calls and a vibration sensor (V.C.S.) that records phone calls when the device is magnetically attached to your phone. You can switch between these modes depending on the situation. However, if your phone has a protective case, it won’t work. You’ll only hear your own voice. The battery is 400 mAh and reportedly provide up to 30 hours of active recording and 60 days of standby time. Recordings are stored in the cloud via AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Plaude Note: Final thoughts The Plaude Note Black is a really nice and useful little gadget, and you can supplement it with an external microphone kit if you want. It’s easy to use, lets you import recordings you’ve already made, and will save you loads of time! Specifications Manufacturer: PlaudeModel: Note BlackDimensions: 8.56 × 5.41 × 0.30 cmWeight: 30 gConnection: USB-C (proprietary cord, included) Battery: 400 mAh, 2 hours charging timeContinuous recording: Up to 30 hoursStandby time: Up to 60 daysRecording quality: 1 536 kbpsEffective recording range: 10 metersStorage space: 64 GB (up to 480 hours of recordings)Price at the time of testing: $159 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Read...

Summer vacation seems just around the corner and you have to decide what to pack for the trip. While you may want to limit your tech time, you’ll still need a few things, whether you’re heading on hiking trip or a family vacation by the beach. Here at PCWorld we’re continually testing the latest gadgets to sort the good from the bad. This means we’ve had the opportunity to find the best tech gear and accessories built for travel. From voltage converters to noise-canceling headphones, we’ve curated a list of the very best tech gear to optimize your next travel experience. The items below are worthy of any packing list and will help you prepare for anything you may encounter on the road—or in the sky. Manage electrical needs with a voltage converter BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter 220V to 110V Bestek, Mapambo When you’re traveling from the U.S. to Europe, for instance, you don’t just need a different type of plug for your chargers and gadgets, but also a voltage converter because Europe runs on different settings. The Bestek Universal Travel Adapter will convert 220V outlets to U.S.-standard 110V, thus ensuring that your devices don’t burn out. It’s not only affordable, but it has three AC outlets and four USB ports. Plus, the product comes with a couple of extra plug adapters. If a more compact version is all you need, then the Mapambo converter will work just fine with one AC plug, two type-C, and two type-A ports. Buy the BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter at Amazon Buy the Mapambo 220V to 110V Voltage Converter at Amazon Take control of tangled cords Rolling Square inCharge 6 Portable Keychain Charger Cable Rolling Square If you’re like most travelers, you bring multiple electronics to make the most of your experience—we’re talking camera, phone, laptop, headphones, etc. But along with all of these items, you’ll need to carry all of their charging cables. That can take up space and lead to a tangled web of cords in your bag if you’re not careful. With the Rolling Square inCharge 6 Portable Charger Cable on Amazon, you have the option of USB-C or USB-A inputs and Micro USB or USB-C outputs all in a cable that is small enough for your keychain. Buy the Rolling Square Portable Charger Cable at Amazon Or get a retractable cable Baseus USB-C Retractable Cable Baseus If you’d rather have a simpler cable, then this one from Baseus will do the trick. The retractable design ensures it’s going to be safe in your luggage, preventing any type of tangling issues and considerably lowering the chances of your cable breaking. You can get this one in two length versions—3.3ft and 6.6ft— and you can pay as little as $10 on the shorter one if it’s on sale. Buy the Baseus retractable USB-C cable at Amazon Keep your devices charged with a portable power bank Anker GaN Prime Power Bank 2-in-1 10,000mAh portable power bank with wall charger Anker Traveling is always fun, but ending up with a depleted phone battery in an unknown place can be terrifying. This Anker Prime power bank takes up two roles in one. On one hand, it can plug into a wall outlet and give you the recharge you need while you’re at your hotel, for instance, but it can also act as a power bank when you’re out and about exploring. 10,000mAh is enough to charge your phone twice over (or close to that). There are three ports on this Anker hybrid charger, two of which are type-C that can reach 65W charging. It’s available for $110, but you can often find it closer to $70 when on sale. Buy the Anker GaN Prime Power Bank 2-in-1 Charger at Amazon Make that hotel outlet actually useful Anker Prime 6-in-1 charging station Anker One of the main issues we all have when traveling is that it’s tough to find multiple outlets in your hotel room. You’ll get one by the bedside table and another that’s taken up by the TV. Well, this compact power strip from Anker makes good use of that outlet and turns it into six. You get two AC outlets, two USB-A and two USB-C ports and a maximum output of 140W via those type-C ports. That’s just about perfect for laptops, smartphones and whatever else you have on you. The cool part is that the power strip is flat and the power cord detaches, so it’s ideal for your tight-packed luggage. Buy the Anker Prime 6-in-1 power strip at Amazon Never lose your valuables again Apple AirTag, Tile Pro, Samsung SmartThings, Tile Slim Apple, Tile, Samsung We’ve all been there. You arrive at your destination and you’re waiting for your checked bag to show up on the carousel, but it never does. Baggage handling is at it again. With a Bluetooth tracker you can easily keep tabs on where your bag is and maybe even help TSA locate it, should it be lost. There are quite a few Bluetooth trackers on the market that you can get. Apple users should look into the AirTag, while Android users can choose Samsung’s SmartTag2. Anyone can go for the Tile Pro. If you’re more worried about your wallet, Tile’s Slim tracker will fit inside it neatly. These are all around $30 a piece, but you can quite often get them for less or in bundles, thus lowering the price even more. Buy the Apple AirTag at Amazon Buy the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 at Amazon Buy the Tile Pro at Amazon Buy the TIle Slim at Amazon Enjoy an in-flight movie without annoying headphone cables Twelve South AirFly Pro or Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver Ugreen, Twelve South Twelve South’s AirFly Pro Bluetooth wireless audio transmitter for $54.99 on Amazon (although it’s frequently on sale) allows you to turn any audio jack into a wireless Bluetooth transmitter. Simply plug in the device to the headphone jack on the back of the airplane seat and connect your wireless headphones. Then sit back and relax while you enjoy the in-flight entertainment on your sweet noise-canceling headphones. Alternatively, you can also go for the more affordable Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver, which is $36.99 but often drops below $30. Either will allow you to connect up to two earbuds or headphones. Buy the Twelve South AirFly Pro at Amazon Buy the Ugreen Airplane Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver at Amazon Drown out noise with noise-canceling earbuds AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 Apple, Bose Flying on an airplane is loud. Engines roar, babies cry, passengers snore. That’s why you need noise-canceling headphones, which have become essential tools in making your flight as easy as possible. And because you’re traveling and bag space is a premium, your headphones need to be small. Not just for iPhone users, but for anyone who needs good headphones, the AirPods Pro 2 for $225.00 on Amazon continue to be the best choice due to their convenient size and noise-canceling capability. If you’re an Android user, you may want to look into the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, which deliver something our buddies at TechAdvisor have called “astonishing noise cancellation” on top of superb sound quality and a secure fit. Get the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) at Amazon Buy the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at Amazon Or get some noise-canceling headphones Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max Apple, Sony If earbuds aren’t for you, then perhaps a pair of proper headphones will do the trick. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are easily some of the best noise-canceling headphones out there (as our friends at TechAdvisor attested with a 5-star review), delivering phenomenal audio and a comfortable build. Apple fans may want to look into the AirPods Max that are also known for what our friends at MacWorld call “industry leading active noise canceling”. Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 at Amazon Buy the Apple AirPods Max at Amazon Capture and print your favorite memories Fuji Instax Mini 12 instant camera Fujifilm Sure, you could bring a giant SLR camera with multiple lenses and an extra special carry-on bag to store everything. Or for those who aren’t professionals, you can opt for a small, retro instant camera such as the Fuji Instax Mini 12 for $143.95 on Amazon. Just like an old-school Polaroid, you can take a picture and instantly print it out to capture the moment. Just be aware that you’ll need to purchase and carry the film separately. Buy the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 at Amazon Keep your wires from getting crossed Bellroy Tech Kit Bellroy Bellroy is known for making great tech cases and kits, and the Bellroy Tech Kit for $59 on Amazon is our favorite. This well-designed, travel-friendly bag allows you to keep all of your cables and small peripherals stored and organized with ease. The folio style means that you can open the entire kit out flat for easy access to everything stored inside. Plus, the fabric is waterproof so you shouldn’t have to worry about a little liquid spilling on your precious gear. Buy the Bellroy Tech Kit at Amazon Game in-route to your destination Steam Deck, Switch OLED, or Backbone One Backbone, Nintendo, Valve The Steam Deck for $399 on the Steam store is a great handheld gaming system that allows you to play your favorite PC games on the go. It wasn’t so long ago that the Steam Deck was sold out everywhere and people were clamoring to get one. Thankfully, Valve has increased its supply and it’s easier than ever to get your hands on this excellent gaming portable. Play games from your Steam library on the go or load up on new titles for your next vacation. Gaming makes those long-haul flights a breeze. If you’d rather go for a different platform, the Switch OLED is an absolutely fantastic gaming console. And yes, we know the Switch 2 is en route, but good luck getting your hands on one of those anytime soon. If you’d rather just play on your phone, but have an upgraded experience, the Backbone One will mold to your phone, whether that’s an Android or iPhone model, and will help you play anything you want, including titles in your Xbox, PlayStation, or Steam libraries. Buy the Steam Deck at Steam Store Buy the Nintedo Switch OLED at Amazon Buy the Backbone One at Amazon Keep your hands and wrists happy while typing Logitech MX Keys Mini Logitech Laptop keyboards are cramped and can lead to some serious wrist pain if you type on them for long enough. Save yourself the carpal tunnel and grab a wireless keyboard like the Logitech MX Keys Mini. This compact keyboard is not only easy to travel with, but offers convenient features such as a semi-customizable layout, multi-device switching, and more. And the most important part is that it offers a great typing experience with comfortable and quiet keys that won’t bother your fellow travelers. The MX Keys Mini is currently $99.99 on Amazon. Buy the Logitech MX Keys Mini at Amazon Carry a library everywhere you go Kindle Paperwhite Amazon Books are a great thing to have around on vacation, but they’re heavy and they take up precious space in your luggage. Instead opt for an e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite for $159.99 on Amazon and bring an entire library worth of books in this lightweight tablet. Plus the Paperwhite version comes with an anti-glare screen and adjustable brightness settings, making it perfect for a bright beach or dark airplane. Not sure which Kindle to buy? Check out our handy Kindle buying guide to help you make the right choice. Buy the Kindle Paperwhite at Amazon Grab a mobile hotspot to stay in range of Wi-Fi range Solis Lite 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot Solis Those who travel a lot know that Wi-Fi is essential. From being able to work online while on the road or just looking up restaurant recommendations in another country, it’s an invaluable tool to get the most out of your travel experience. There are quite a few services nowadays offering pocket Wi-Fi for travelers, but Solis is one of the best with reliable global coverage across 135 countries. Plus, it has flexible plans depending upon your needs. You’ll need to purchase the Solis Lite Mobile Hotspot for $159.99 on Amazon before registering for a Wi-Fi plan, but it’s only a one-time fee and you can then use it on all of your future trips. Buy the Solis Lite Mobile Hotspot at Amazon Safe surfing NordVPN  Pexels: Stefan Coders If you’re going to travel anywhere, connecting to shady Wi-Fi networks, you absolutely need to have a VPN on your device. We’ve tested what feels like a million of them and recommend you go for NordVPN, which we found to be the best overall. There are tons of configuration options if you want to deep-dive, but you can also just take the easy route and press a single button every time. It even comes with a built-in antivirus and password manager, so you have a three 3-in-1 solution. Get NordVPN Never worry about safe tap water again Philips Water GoZero self-cleaning water bottle Philips No matter if you’re traveling to a new city or going camping, making sure that you have access to clean and potable water is a necessity. The Philips Water GoZero bottles bring in some smart technology to ensure the water is safe to drink. Available for $73.89 at Amazon (or lower when on sale), the bottle uses UV technology to eliminate up to 99.999 percent of bacteria and 99.9 percent of viruses in just a few minutes. Even when empty, the cap can disinfect your bottle and remove odors. Made out of stainless steel and double-walled, the bottle won’t just purify your water, it will also keep your drinks hot for up to 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. Buy the Philips Water GoZero water bottle at Amazon Mount your smartphone on anything Universal in-flight airplane phone holder mount Perilogics This Universal in-flight airplane phone holder mount for $13.97 on Amazon allows you to easily clip your phone onto an airplane seat for hands-free convenience. Maybe you loaded up that latest season of your favorite show or have a game to occupy that long-haul flight. Either way, holding your phone with a craned neck for hours and hours is bound to give you a strain. Just hook this bad boy up to the back of the seat in front of you on the airplane then sit back, relax, and enjoy. Buy the Universal in flight phone holder at Amazon Travel with an ultraportable laptop Asus ZenBook S 14 Thomas Rau If you’re going to get a super-light laptop, the Zenbook S 14 is a fantastic pick because it weighs just 2.65 pounds, which makes sit lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air. We gave this one a 4.5-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, appreciating the fantastic battery life and lovely large OLED screen. Plus, the laptop has an Ultra 7 processor, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. You can also check out our other best ultraportables or our best laptop roundup for even more options. Buy the Asus ZenBook S 14 at Best Buy Or opt for a 2-in-1 for even more versatility HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 IDG / Josh Hendrickson If you want a more versatile laptop, then a 2-in-1 model will do, like our very favorite HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14. The 360-degree hinge will make it easy for you to turn this laptop into a tablet and into a Netflix-watching tent in a blink. The 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED touch display is absolutely gorgeous and the 500 nits make it perfect to use everywhere you go. Buy the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 at Amazon Increase your screen real-estate with a travel monitor Azorpa A1 Gamut Matt Smith Sometimes you just need a second monitor, even when you’re traveling. The extra screen really helps productivity for business travelers and it makes for a great way to play your portable games on a larger screen while on the road. We really like the Azorpa A1 Gamut which delivers good image quality for an extremely budget friendly price—the A1 Gamut is usually about $70 on Amazon. It also comes with useful connectivity options and a solid build quality that will stand up to the rigors of travel.  Buy the Arzopa A1 at Amazon Grab some extra storage Crucial X9 Pro IDG If you plan on taking about a million pictures and videos and you want to have a safe way to back them up without relying on random hotel Wi-Fi, then you can also grab a portable SSD. The Crucial X9 Pro is the best external SSD for most folks because it’s not only affordable but also super fast. We gave the X9 Pro a near-perfect score and our Editors’ Choice award, utterly impressed with the 10Gbps performance and the small form factor. Buy the Crucial X9 Pro at Amazon Stream content in your hotel room Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Amazon If you’re going to travel, you may as well keep up with your shows. The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD makes it super easy to bring all your favorite shows with you anywhere you go. You’ll just need to pop this thing in the TV, connect it to the hotel’s Wi-Fi (or the hotspot you set up), and just have fun. It’s also super affordable, available for $35 (although it’s frequently on sale for $20 or less). Buy now at Amazon Read...