From Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” to “The Big Lebowski” and “Girls Trip,” Peacock has a comedy for every funny bone in your body.
Last Of Us Studio Says Goodbye To Another Exec
Another veteran executive is leaving Naughty Dog in what’s felt like a weird year full of ups and downs for the acclaimed studio behind The Last of Us. Head of technology Christian Gyrling is leaving after 17 years. He was appointed to the position just a few months ago—the last time a veteran Naughty Dog dev…
![](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_80,w_636/0d0387bf5bd9c1d5dd1e945eda402dd5.jpg)
5 Things we learned from the Epic-Google antitrust case this week
Though Match settled its antitrust case with Google over Play Store fees for north of $300 million, Fortnite maker Epic Games proceeded to take its case to trial […]
Wordle today: The answer and hints for November 10
Here’s the answer for “Wordle” #874 on November 10, as well as a few hints, tips, and clues to help you solve it yourself.
Black Friday gaming laptop deals 2023: Acer, MSI, more
The best Black Friday gaming laptop deals include discounts on the Razer Blade 14, the MSI GF63, and more.
UPDATE: Nov. 8, 2023, 4:00 p.m. EST This article has been updated with the latest gaming laptop deals from Black Friday 2023.
Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
(save $1,500)
![Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02RXRAseBzq89HYVKMCNwzb/images-1.fit_lim.size_156x133.v1699475901.jpg)
MSI GF63 15-inch Gaming Laptop (Intel i5-11400H, NVIDIA RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
(save $220)
![MSI GF63 15-inch Gaming Laptop](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02RXRAseBzq89HYVKMCNwzb/images-2.fit_lim.size_210x133.v1699476998.png)
PC gaming isn’t an easy hobby to get into. Complicated parts and big upfront costs create a pretty big barrier to entry for people looking to dip their toes into the medium. Thankfully, PC gaming laptops exist, and serve as a great introduction to PC gaming without requiring you to commit thousands of dollars to something you may not even end up liking. (Gaming laptops are also really good supplemental devices for already experienced PC gamers.
And with Black Friday around the corner, a ton of gaming laptops are discounted across a wide array of price ranges. If you were at all thinking about trying out a gaming laptop, now is the time to get one.
We scoured through all the gaming laptop deals we could find ahead of the big event, and put together a list of all our favorites for you. Check them out below, and keep checking back throughout the holiday season — we’ll be updating this page with new deals as they go live.
Black Friday gaming laptop deals
![Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02RXRAseBzq89HYVKMCNwzb/images-1.fill.size_256x218.v1699475901.jpg)
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Our pick: Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
Why we like it
Razer’s line of gaming laptops contains some of the best portable PCs on the market. This 14-inch version packs a powerful punch with its AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti GPU combo, and it’s a whopping $1,500 off ahead of Black Friday. This is a steal, so snag yours before it jumps back up to $3,499.99.
Gaming laptops under $500
-
HP Victus 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $449.99
$799.99(save $350) -
MSI GF63 15-inch Gaming Laptop (Intel i5-11400H, NVIDIA RTX 3050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $479
$699(save $220) -
Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $499.99
$569.99(save $70)
Gaming laptops under $1,000
-
HP Victus 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS Processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $665
$699.99(save $34.99) -
Lenovo LOQ 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i5-13420H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $679.99
$949.99(save $270) -
Asus TUF A17 Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 4600H, GeForce GTX 1650, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $686
$799.99(save $113.99) -
Acer Nitro 5 (Intel Core i5-12500H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $749.99
$999.99(save $250) -
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $749.99
$1,049(save $299.01) -
Gigabyte 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop (Intel i7-12650H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $799.99
$1,099.99(save $300) -
Lenovo Legion 5 (AMD Ryzen 7 7735H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99
$999.99(save $100) -
Acer Nitro 17 Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS Octa-Core, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $969
$1,199.99(save $230.99) -
Asus ROG Strix G16 (Intel Core i5-13450HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $999.99
$1,199.99(save $200) -
HP OMEN 16.1-inch Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $999.99
$1,399.99(save $400)
Gaming laptops $1,000 and up
-
MSI Raider GE76 (Intel Core i7-12700H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,049
$1,599.99(save $550.99) -
Asus TUF Gaming F17 Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS, GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99
$1,249.99(save $150) -
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 9, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299.99
$1,599.99(save $300) -
Dell G15 5530 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-13650HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,313.34
$1,449.99(save $136.65) -
MSI Stealth 16-inch Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7 13620H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499.99
$1,849.99(save $350) -
MSI Vector GP68HX (Intel Core i9-12900H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, 16GB. RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,699
$1,899(save $200) -
Lenovo Legion Slim 7i Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i9-13900H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,749.99
$2,099.99(save $350) -
Asus ROG Strix G17 Gaming Laptop (AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX, GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,899
$2,199.99(save $300.99) -
Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop (12th Gen Intel 14-Core i9, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1999.99
$2,199.99(save $200) -
Razer Blade 17 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,999.99
$3,199.99(save $1,200)
How to share photos from your iPhone with Airdrop
Here’s everything you need to know about sharing pictures, documents, and more via Airdrop.
Apple’s AirDrop functionality on its Mac and iOS devices can be used, for free, to share and receive photos, documents, and more with other Apple devices that are physically nearby. It’s a nifty, speedy option that saves you the need to message or email content, instead sending it wirelessly with a few taps of your mobile device or a few clicks on your Mac.
It’s fairly straightforward to utilize. Here’s a walkthrough if you’re struggling to get your head around how it all works. (But also remember: AirDrop has its own privacy flaws.)
Getting started with Apple’s AirDrop functionality
AirDrop uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to transmit the content you want to send (or receive), so you need to ensure that the person you’re sending to is nearby and within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.
If the person you’re sending to has their AirDrop settings set to receive from “Contacts Only,” they need to have your Apple ID’s email address or mobile number in a contact card for AirDrop to work.
Check that both you and the person you’re sending to have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have “Personal Hotspot” turned on, you need to turn it off.
If you aren’t in the person’s Contacts, they need to set their AirDrop receiving setting to “Everyone” in order to be able to receive the file from your device.
How to use AirDrop on an iPhone 11 or later
- 2 min
- iPhone 11 or later
Step 1:
If you want to share from an iOS app, such as the native Photos app, open the app and hit the share option, then tap the AirDrop option.
![Screenshot of an iPhone with the AirDrop button highlighted.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06kki5sh6iUYqaMlHaOMR8V/images-66.fill.size_468x750.v1630469408.jpg)
Credit: screenshot: Apple
Step 2:
If the person you want to share with also has an iPhone 11 (or later) model, position your iPhone in the direction of the other iPhone.Tap the profile picture of its user at the top of the screen. If you see a red numbered badge on the AirDrop button, there are multiple devices nearby to share with.
Step 3:
Tap the AirDrop button, then tap the user that you want to share with. If the person you’re sharing with is in your iPhone’s Contacts, you’ll see a photo with their name. If they aren’t in your Contacts, you’ll see their name with no image.
SEE ALSO: What to do if someone AirDrops you an unsolicited dick pic on public transport
How to use AirDrop on an iPhone XS or earlier, an iPad, or an iPod touch
- 2 min
- iPhone XS or earlier or iPad or iPod touch
Step 1:
Open the app you want to share from. Tap the “Share” option, then tap the “AirDrop” button.
Step 2:
Tap on the name of the AirDrop user that you want to share with.As with iPhone 11, if the person you’re sharing with is in your Contacts, you’ll see an image with their name. If they aren’t in your Contacts, you’ll see just their name.
![Screenshot of an iPhone with an AirDrop user's name highlighted.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06kki5sh6iUYqaMlHaOMR8V/images-68.fill.size_685x750.v1630469408.jpg)
Credit: screenshot: apple
How to accept an AirDrop share
When someone shares something with you using the AirDrop function, you’ll get a notification on your phone with a preview of what they are sharing. You can tap “Accept” or “Decline.”
![Screenshot of an iPhone displaying AirDrop's "Accept" or "Decline" dialog box.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06kki5sh6iUYqaMlHaOMR8V/images-70.fill.size_635x750.v1630469408.jpg)
Credit: screenshot: apple
If you AirDrop something to yourself, like a photo from your iPhone to your Mac, you won’t see an option to Accept or Decline. It’ll be automatically sent to your device as long as you’re signed in with your Apple ID on both devices.
How to adjust your device’s AirDrop settings
It’s simple to change who can “see” your device and send you AirDrop content. Go to your iPhone’s Settings menu, then open the “General” menu and tap on AirDrop.
![Screenshot of AirDrop with the "Contacts Only" option highlighted.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06kki5sh6iUYqaMlHaOMR8V/images-72.fill.size_2000x1422.v1630469409.jpg)
Credit: screenshot: apple
From here you can change between “Receiving Off,” “Contacts Only,” and “Everyone.” We’d recommend going for the “Contacts Only” option to protect yourself from spam or harmful content when out and about.
Stephen King teases extract from upcoming ‘Cujo’ sequel
Stephen King shared an excerpt from “Rattlesnakes”, the “Cujo” sequel short story in his upcoming collection “You Like It Darker”.
It’s been over 40 years since Stephen King‘s rabid dog classic Cujo was published, but it’s about to get a sequel.
OK, so it’s not another novel we’re looking at, but a short story from King’s newly announced collection You Like It Darker, the title of which is “Rattlesnakes”.
The author linked to an Entertainment Weekly article that has the extract from the story.
“A grieving widower travels to Florida for respite and instead receives an unexpected inheritance — with major strings attached,” reads the description, but anyone familiar with Cujo will immediately recognise the story’s protagonist: Vic Trenton, now an old man in the 2020-set story, who was married to Donna Trenton in the 1981 novel. Donna is Cujo‘s protagonist, a mother who becomes trapped in her car along with her young son, Tad, while the rabid dog waits outside.
The excerpt and story description don’t give too much away, other than the fact that Donna is now clearly dead. Cujo himself is dead at the end of the 1981 novel, so it remains to be seen what threat her husband will face in this new tale.
You Like It Darker is available to pre-order now. It releases on May 21, 2024.
15 memes for when you’re feeling sad as hell
Here are the best wholesome memes for when you’re feeling low, from Bongo Cat to the Really Nice Pornhub Guy.
Words aren’t always sufficient when you’re feeling low. Sometimes, humor can be the best medicine for a case of The Sads.
We’re all well aware of the internet’s potential to be a little dumpster fire-adjacent at times. But at this point we can’t just click away — many of us frequently use our social media spheres as tools for coping with everything from mental health struggles to the never-ending nonsense that is the political news cycle.
But even the most well-intentioned use of internet culture for mood lifting can be fraught with bad vibes. While there are tons of self-deprecating and depression-related memes circulating the net, we think you deserve something a bit more uplifting.
Wholesome memes aren’t just heart-warming, they’re helping to shape a better, more positive online space. So if you’re feeling down, just know, these memes are here to surround you with a warm blanket of love and support.
Because sometimes, all you can really do is laugh.
1. Houseplant positivity
It’s hard to keep plant babies alive, it’s true. But when they do flourish, so do our spirits.
2. Bongo Cat
Watch this funky little internet sensation pat the drums to a number of songs, and feel your worries melt away.
3. Your Friend Doge
The Your Friend Doge account is full of a new, wholesome take on the old-school meme.
4. The Boys on the Train
Bonus! The adorable follow up comic shows their summer wedding.
5. Pokémon Center reviews
They’re shaped like a FRIEND.
6. Uptown Girl Rock
“Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO just so happens to have the same (or almost the same) beats per minute as a lot of songs, actually. This is simply a personal favorite.
7. Land of Boggs
This whole account is a gem of relatable feels.
8. Strange Planet
9. Really Nice Porn Man
Ryan Creamer, otherwise known as the Wholesome Pornhub Guy, has a channel full of hilarious and non-sexual “porn” videos.
10. Thoughts of Dog
Seeing dogs on the internet is good. But you know what’s even better? Dog thoughts that show our puppers love us too.
11. No time for The Sads
It’s simply not allowed.
12. Kids Write Jokes
Half of these kids should have a deal for a stand-up special on Netflix by now..
13. Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart’s friendship
Snoop and Martha are true friendship goals.
14. Guy Fieri Go
Guy Fieri already looks like a Pokémon character — all that’s left is imaging him taking on Ash and Pikachu in the world’s spiciest Pokémon battle.
15. The Duality of Cat
If Anfisa, the cat behind the Angry Cat No Banana meme, can learn to love bananas, you can make it through this tough time.
Don’t worry, these feelings will pass. But in the meantime, if we can offer you some memes in this trying time, we hope they can provide at least a little bit of relief. If not, there’s always Cookie Monster’s AMA.
UPDATE: Nov. 6, 2023, 4:41 p.m. AEDT This article was originally published in Mar. 2019, and has since been updated in Nov. 2023.
38 Years Ago, Nintendo Changed Pop Culture Forever
At the start of the 1980s, video games were mostly relegated to coin-gobbling arcade machines, but their surging popularity prompted a Time Magazine cover story in January 1982 with a cringeworthy warning: “GRONK! FLASH! ZAP! Video Games are Blitzing the World!”
![](https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_80,w_636/764e485996ab654d23d2fe33c837de28.jpg)
Why are masked characters so hot? Sex therapists weigh in.
Why are masked characters so hot? Sex therapists weigh in.
From thirsting over “Daddy” Michael Myers to simping for Scream franchise villain Ghostface, the internet is really into masked men. Last month, the phrase “Ghostface kink” trended on Google search because TikTok users were in the (horny) Halloween spirit. Some creators made videos from the point of view of someone being murdered by him (for sexy purposes), while others bought their partners Ghostface masks to spice up their love life.
Over the past few months, content creator Brittany Broski has waxed poetic about her attraction toTikTok cosplayers who dress up as masked character Ghost from Call of Duty as well as the masked band Sleep Token. A video of her talking about “jerkin’ it” to the mysterious rockers has half a million views on TikTok.
“If I see a man in a mask,” Broski has said, “it’s over.” That’s because, she admits with tongue-in-cheek self-awareness, “I have a mental problem, I have a mental lack somewhere… and I’m not really motivated to do anything about it.”
Our curiosity has been piqued by these feral FYP posts, so we asked two professionals to weigh in on the erotic possibilities of masks. What’s so enticing about them, even (or especially) when they’re worn by murderous characters? What does our attraction to masked figures tell us about our greater sexual desires?
Fear and uncertainty
Fear and arousal can be strange, sexy bedfellows. That’s because they “come from the same base emotion [of] physiological arousal.” says Gigi Engle, a certified sex and relationship psychotherapist and resident intimacy expert at dating app 3Fun. The adrenaline that accompanies fear increases heart rate and blood pressure. “It’s a state of euphoria so intense that we chase it and seek it out,” she says. “Think of people who absolutely love rollercoasters or scary movies. They genuinely enjoy the feeling of being afraid.”
With all that excitement, blood flow to the genitals also increases. “This is why people in fearful states sometimes report experiencing a genital response despite not feeling turned on,” says Engle. “Consensual encounters designed to amplify the ‘near-death’ feeling are not literally putting you in a life-threatening situation, but your nervous system doesn’t know how to make the distinction.”
So, those TikToks that make it kind of hot to be killed by Ghostface? The fun is all in the fantasy. “Even though fear can amplify sexual excitement, you also need to know that the ‘fear’ or perceived ‘danger’ is grounded in real safety,” Engle notes. “In order to become fully aroused, we need to feel safe.”
Anonymity and confidence
“Sometimes a mask grants the opposite of fear and can help someone feel safe and confident,” says Bobby Box, certified sex educator at b-Vibe. “Similar to how trolls who feel comfortable being rude online but not in person, there is a veil that can make someone act more bold or out of character.”
“When you obscure even a portion of someone’s face, their identity is immediately changed,” Box explains. Plus, masks can alter the voice, “further removing any identity from an individual.”
Then, the possibilities for sexy fun multiply. “This person can be anyone and do anything, which can be incredibly sexy given the scenario,” he says. “I know many gay men who prefer anonymous sex or ask that you wear a blindfold so their identity isn’t revealed. While some men do this because they are closeted, others are merely turned on by the fact they’re having sex with a stranger.”
A study from early in 2023 found that people who think they are attractive are less likely to still wear a mask in hypothetical situations like a job interview or while walking their dog than someone who does not think they are attractive. Box says this extends to the bedroom, where masks can make someone who isn’t confident in their appearance feel more comfortable and adventurous.
Role-play and fantasy
When it comes to role-play, masks are “a simple way to visually assume a role without much effort,” says Box. “I mean, Clark Kent wore a measly pair of glasses as a disguise and nobody knew he was Superman.”
Bad boy tropes and forbidden trysts up the ante of a sexual encounter with any partner, whether they’re a stranger or a long-term love. Masks are often crucial to the believability of this kind of role-play and help with immersion, says Box. If our desire to make out with a tragic character is motivated in part by our belief that our love can fix him (ex. the Phantom of the Opera, Kylo Ren), then removing his mask is a sign of deepening trust and connection.
When people are attracted to fictional characters they see in horror films and media, that attraction can get mixed up with fear in interesting ways. Engle explains that when fear is “coupled with an erotic cue or image,” for example, “a sexy actor starring in the scary movie you’re watching (think Brad Pitt in Seven)… [T]he physiological arousal produced by fear can be mistaken for sexual arousal because people are misattributing the true source of that arousal.” Basically, “they’re linking it to the sexy person rather than to the fearful situation.”
And this happens for people you’re attracted to IRL, too. Engle says that “riding a rollercoaster with a date you’d fancy seeing naked later,” for example, can also make it hard to separate fear from attraction.
Ironically, covering up in the bedroom may be one of the easiest ways to set yourself free from insecurities or expectations. As long as you feel safe, incorporating masks into sex is totally normal.