Score a Microsoft Surface Pro 9 for just $799.99 at Amazon, marked down from $1,099.99. That’s a 27% discount.
Refurb MacBook Pro: Just $355
Get a 2017 MacBook Pro for only $355. This refurbished MacBook is in good condition.
15-inch M2 MacBook Air review: Should you upgrade your laptop this Black Friday?
Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon spent a month with the M2 MacBook Air; here are her critical thoughts.
Acer Nitro 5 review: Is it the best cheap gaming laptop of 2023?
This Acer Nitro 5 review dives into all the pros and cons of this sub-$1,000 laptop.
Grab a new-to-you 13-inch MacBook Air for only $330
Get a refurbished MacBook Air under $350 with this exclusive Apple deal.
OpenAI hosts a dev day, TechCrunch reviews the M3 iMac and MacBook Pro, and Bumble gets a new CEO
Hey, folks, and welcome to Week in Review (WiR), TechCrunch’s newsletter covering the past week (or so) in tech industry happenings. This week marked OpenAI’s first-ever dev conference, […]
Using Affirm on Amazon: How to buy now, pay later this Black Friday
This Black Friday, using BNPL tools like Affirm on Amazon help with budgeting…or romanticize overspending.
Affirm is the first BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) service to be available directly through Amazon Pay, and shoppers love it. Last year, BNPL orders increased by 85 percent during Cyber Week compared to the week before, while revenue increased 88 percent. And just a few months back, Amazon Prime Day saw a 20% increase in BNPL use from the previous year. With inflation still wreaking havoc, it’s no stretch of the imagination to guess that Affirm use will remain high for Black Friday 2023.
The ability to pay for items in installments can sweeten your Black Friday prospects. But before going BNPL-wild on your Cyber Week haul, there are some factors to consider about Affirm versus other BNPL apps, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using these tools in general.
Amazon will drag out Black Friday and Cyber Monday into 11 days of deals beginning Nov. 17
Why Buy Now, Pay Later is so appealing
Layaway programs were popular with shoppers in the ’90s until they were overtaken by credit cards. But there is a key difference between layaway and BPNL. When you put an item on layaway, it was held for you until you paid it off, at which point you could take it home. With BPNL, you get the goods shipped to you right after you order and then pay off that item in installments.
When combined with Amazon‘s typically lightning-fast shipping and Affirm’s lack of late fees, BPNL can make big purchases feel easier to stomach.
Affirm’s interest rates typically range from 0 to 30% APR based on your credit and on the number of payments you select across three to 48 months. Different plans are available for different purchase amounts, and the minimum purchase amount to use Affirm is $50. Affirm’s APR calculator can help you estimate how much interest you’ll rack up on a certain purchase, which could hit $100 or more if you get a loan for, say, a pricey piece of furniture.
When it’s wise to buy now and pay later
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For some big purchases, using BNPL services may make sense. Breaking up the cost of big investments like a new MacBook Pro or premium robot vacuum can be easier to manage over time than laying down the whole amount in one go.
-
Using BNPL services on necessities like groceries depends on your habits. Habitually funding little daily expenses (like Starbucks) with an installment app can trigger a domino effect of debt, but may work better if you’re buying something like toilet paper in bulk.
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When used responsibly, apps like Affirm can also help you work around the timing of your paycheck and monthly costs that require an up-front payment, like rent. Be aware that Affirm’s “soft inquiry” to determine your credit won’t affect your credit score, but the company doesn’t promise not to report your payment history to credit bureaus. To make sure you pay on time, we recommend turning on automatic payments and confirming that your payment method won’t expire over the pay period.
When you shouldn’t buy now and pay later
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Before purchasing with BPNL, consider whether you’d buy that item if you didn’t have the option to break up the payment.
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Don’t snag something just to hit Affirm’s $50 minimum.
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Make a wishlist ahead of time if you have to, and hold yourself accountable. The devil on your shoulder saying “You need this, though” can get louder when something is on sale. Especially during Black Friday, you don’t want to cancel out your savings with a serotonin booster that you didn’t know existed five minutes ago.
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Impulse purchases may feel less risky at the moment, thanks to tools like Affirm. But they can swiftly feel unnecessary once the Affirm reaper returns for payment month after month. Making a series of small payments can create the harmful illusion that you’re spending less money. While that’s technically accurate (and admittedly blissful) for the first few months, you’ll still be spending the same amount of money by the time you’ve paid out every installment.
Viture One review: These XR glasses turn your phone into a 120-inch TV
This Viture One review dives into how it can benefit your everyday life, whether you’re a gamer, a worker bee, a night owl, or a privacy-conscious traveler.
I plugged the Viture One glasses into my brand spankin’ new iPhone 15 Pro Max and my jaw dropped.
There it was. One of my favorite shows – Netflix’s Selling Sunset in all of its glory – hovering before my very eyes on a 120-inch virtual TV via a funky pair of XR glasses.
![A couple wearing the Viture One XR glasses](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-2.fill.size_2000x1125.v1699324857.png)
Credit: Viture
And guess what? Not only can you plug the Viture One into your phone, but you can also connect it to your MacBook and Windows laptop. Hell, you can even stick it into your Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch to enjoy a blown-up gaming experience, which may be particularly useful while traveling.
However, the Viture One XR glasses don’t come cheap.
Viture One XR glasses price and availability
The Viture One XR glasses have an MSRP of $549, but as of this writing, they’re down to $439 on Amazon.
Alongside the XR glasses, you’ll get four nose pads. You can swap ‘em out to test which one feels most comfortable on your honker.
![What's inside Viture One packaging](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-3.fill.size_2000x1125.v1699324857.png)
Credit: Viture
You’ll also get a USB-C to magnetic connector cable, which lets you plug your XR glasses into your devices. And finally, a spiffy case ships with the Viture One XR glasses, too, so you can keep ‘em protected while you’re on the go.
I don’t typically talk about packaging in my reviews, but unboxing the Viture One XR glasses was a swanky, premium experience. A couple of “oohs” and “ahhs” escaped my lips while unwrapping the spectacles.
The box opens up like French doors and the quality of the black-and-orange case is top-notch. Even when I tried to deliberately scratch it or leave fingerprints, it was resistant to my attacks.
![Viture One case](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-4.fill.size_2000x1125.v1699324857.png)
Credit: Viture
The Viture One XR glasses come in two colors: Jet Black and Matte Indigo.
What I love about the Viture One XR glasses
If you wore the Viture One without the cable attached to it, people would be none the wiser that you’re wearing a pair of badass XR glasses that can maximize your viewing experience into a dazzling 120-inch screen.
Sleek, sophisticated, lightweight design
However upon closer inspection, the Viture One looks bizarrely futuristic. It’s what I’d imagine VR glasses to look like in the year 2050 once we’ve reached Ready Player One nirvana. The top-edge of the glasses – the rims – are thick AF to accommodate two adjustment wheels.
![Viture One XR glasses](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-5.fill.size_2000x932.v1699324857.jpg)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
These dual dials allow you to adjust the lenses for crystal-clear clarity. I played around with the dials to see if I could enhance the virtual display, but I didn’t need to – the glasses’ out-of-the-box settings were perfect for me.
The glasses’ temples are thick, too, to accommodate the cool tech that facilitates its XR prowess. On the end of the right temple, you’ll find some pogo pins that invite you to magnetically attach its companion cable.
Viture thought ahead about design flaws
While the glasses itself felt lightweight on my face (it’s only 2.7 ounces), the default nose pad felt uncomfortable – as if the weight of spectacles rested on the bridge. Luckily for me, Viture included three other nose pads. I opted for the largest one – it now feels cushy, snug and weightless.
![Viture One pogo pins](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-6.fill.size_2000x1140.v1699324857.png)
Credit: Viture
I also noticed that, while the glasses were connected to the cable, something kept snagging the wisps of hair that fell around my ears. As it turned out, Viture thought ahead about that, too. The Viture One XR glasses also includes something called an Anti-Clip Hair Cover that surrounds the magnetic pogo pins, which puts an end to all the irksome hair snagging.
Transforms my iPhone 15 Pro Max into a cinematic experience
Apple finally got with the program and added USB-C when it debuted the iPhone 15. This means you no longer need to use an adapter while using any current-generation iPhone (though you will need one for the iPhone 14 and older).
![iPhone 15 Pro Max and Viture One](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-7.fill.size_2000x1124.v1699324857.jpg)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
I connected the Viture One XR glasses to my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and within seconds, the spectacles mirrored my display. At first, I was concerned – the glasses were mirroring my display in portrait orientation. I thought, “If I launch Netflix right now, will it stay in portrait mode, too?”
Fortunately, that’s not what happened. When I fired up Selling Sunset, the image flipped to horizontal orientation. Before my eyes, I saw reality TV actresses Christelle Stause and Amanza Smith having an emotional conversation on a 120-inch virtual screen, thanks to the micro-OLED screens. The display is 1080p and runs at 60 frames per second.
The show – known for sweeping, drone-facilitated, bird’s eye views of luxurious, million-dollar homes across LA – looked crisp and sharp on the Viture One. It showed off vivid, rich hues of verdant, lush landscaping and textured, colorful roofs.
Viture One worked its magic on my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
I plugged the Viture One into my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, too, but it required a few extra steps to ensure it’d work as smoothly as it did with my iPhone 15 Pro Max. First, while the XR glasses were connected, I had to turn off Samsung DeX, which launched by default. The issue with this feature is that it overrides screen-mirroring mode and splashes an unwanted desktop-like experience to your virtual monitor.
![Viture One XR glasses on a bench](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-12.fill.size_2000x1126.v1699326433.jpg)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
You also must go to “Media Output,” which you can find by swiping down from the top of the screen, and switch it to the Viture One – or else you’ll find that the audio will play from the smartphone, not the XR glasses.
With these minor tweaks, I fired up The Wolf of Wall Street and watched Leonardo DiCaprio – clear and crisp as ever — cleverly convince a chump to buy junk stocks.
It supports laptops and tablets, too
I typed this very section using the Viture One with my M2 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro — and the experience was seamless.
![Viture One XR glasses with MacBook Pro](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-8.fill.size_2000x933.v1699324857.jpg)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Unlike my streaming experience, smudges and other blemishes are less forgiving when it comes to reading text on the Viture One’s virtual monitor. As long as you take a microfiber and clean the lenses, the text on these spectacles are crisp.
What’s the use case for plugging the Viture One XR glasses to your laptop? You can work late nights on it without disturbing your partner. For example, I can darken the screen on my MacBook to its lowest setting, but with the spectacles connected, the virtual monitor is still bright and illuminated, allowing me to navigate on the Viture One without any issues.
This bad boy also works on tablets such as the iPad Air and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9.
What’s ‘eh’ about the Viture One glasses
There’s a lot to love about the Viture One glasses, but there’s one thing I’m indifferent about: the sound.
The sound is just OK
Viture boasts that that the XR glasses, packed with Harman-tuned audio, deliver an impressive spatial sound experience – and I concur. While watching The Wolf of Wall Street on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, for example, it felt as if I was sitting in a surround-sound theatre. However, the sound quality is just OK. It’s not remotely terrible, but doesn’t give me an “eargasm” either. However, this is expected because there’s only so much tech you can pack into a tiny pair of XR glasses.
What I don’t like about the Viture One glasses
One of the best use cases for the Viture One is gaming, particularly for those who love to travel with handheld PC consoles like the Steam Deck.
![Viture One on a plane](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-9.fill.size_2000x1125.v1699324857.png)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Do you know how annoying it is to have to crane your neck over the Steam Deck while you’re on a plane? With the Viture One, you can lay your head comfortably on your reclined seat. No matter where you look, you’ll find the 120-inch display before you while playing your favorite triple-A titles.
I ran Cyberpunk 2077 on my Steam Deck and had a blast picking off enemies one by one while trying to escape goons during a car chase. It’s worth noting that I had to use the adjustment dials to sharpen the display’s clarity, but once I did, I was kicking ass and taking names. I could also see myself using the Viture One for privacy reasons while traveling. Once the smart glasses are connected to the Steam Deck, the screen turns black, so nosybodies can’t see what you’re playing.
![Playing Steam Deck with Viture One](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-10.fill.size_2000x933.v1699324857.jpg)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
However, I discovered one small grievance while gaming with my Lenovo Legion 9i.
Viture should offer longer cables
An ideal gaming session with the Viture One XR glasses would allow me to plug ’em into my Legion 9i gaming laptop that sits on my coffee table. After that, I can lie on my back and play my favorite Steam games like Dishonored and Prey – as if I had a 120-inch TV attached to the ceiling. However, I couldn’t fulfill that dream because the cable is too short.
Final thoughts
Keep in mind that the Viture One XR glasses aren’t compatible with every device. For example, when I plugged ’em into the Xiaomi 13T Pro and the Google Pixel 8 Pro, nothing happened. Check the compatibility list to make sure the Viture One XR glasses support your device of choice.
The Viture One is my favorite tech device I’ve tested this year. It has so many use cases, from transforming your smartphone into a 120-inch TV experience to upgrading your comfort while traveling with your Steam Deck. The only thing I’d change about it is the short cable, but other than that, these XR glasses are totally worth the $500 price tag.
![Viture One XR glasses](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/07jT6kKUqPuSsc6Vgas8f2B/images-11.fill.size_256x144.v1699324857.png)
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Early Black Friday MacBook deals 2023
Pick up a 15-inch MacBook Air for $250 off or grab an M2 Mac mini for $549 while early Black Friday sales are on.
Here are our favorite early Black Friday MacBook deals as of Nov. 7:
15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
(Save $150)
![starlight 15-inch macbook air](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02yCDJPn5qZCgiwMhwOiMZx/images-2.fit_lim.size_219x133.v1699308656.jpg)
2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
(Save $150)
![space gray 2022 macbook air](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02yCDJPn5qZCgiwMhwOiMZx/images-1.fit_lim.size_133x133.v1699292318.jpg)
It’s no secret that Apple MacBooks aren’t the cheapest laptops out there — especially with the release of the $7,199-plus MacBook Pro.
While that particular model hasn’t gone on sale just yet, plenty of other early Black Friday MacBook deals are already live. Though you’ll probably have minimal trouble picking up a discounted MacBook on the actual day of Black Friday on Nov. 24 or Cyber Monday on Nov. 27, there are plenty of options worth checking out ahead of the holiday.
As of Nov. 7, most configurations of the 15-inch MacBook Air that came out in 2023 are on sale for at least $250 off. You’ll also see savings on newer and older MacBook Pros, as well as M1 and M2 iMacs and Mac minis, respectively. You can check out all the discounts live so far below.
Mac and MacBook deals
![starlight 15-inch macbook air](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02yCDJPn5qZCgiwMhwOiMZx/images-2.fill.size_256x156.v1699308656.jpg)
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Why we like it
Check out our full review of the 15-inch MacBook Air.
The 15-inch MacBook Air is an official recipient of a Mashable Choice award. Why? Its M2 processor will power you through everyday tasks to multimedia editing with ease, and gives you the proper display space to actually do it. Its long-lasting battery life doesn’t hurt either. Though it’s not quite as light and portable as the rest of the Air line, it’s an exceptional upgrade pick that doesn’t quite reach the $2,000-plus heights of the Pro line. At the time of writing, the 256GB configuration of this laptop does have the more significant discount, but the power and display size of this laptop is best suited for the creative person who will probably appreciate the extra built-in storage. Grab it on sale at Amazon and Best Buy.
![space gray 2022 macbook air](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02yCDJPn5qZCgiwMhwOiMZx/images-1.fill.size_256x256.v1699292318.jpg)
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Why we like it
Check out our full review of the M2 MacBook Air.
If you’re looking for a zippy work-from-home machine or the perfect school companion, look no further. Though Apple did just release the new M3 chip to its iMac and MacBook lineup, the M2 is still plenty powerful. You’ll also get 13.6 inches of display (as opposed to the 13.3 inches of the previous gen Air), a near-perfect keyboard, and best of all, this laptop is just $50 away from its lowest price ever. Grab it from Best Buy or B&H.
More Mac and MacBook deals
MacBook Air
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2020 MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $849
$999at Amazon (save $150) -
2020 MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $849
$999at B&H (save $150) -
2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $949
$1,099at B&H (save $150) -
15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,049
$1,299at Amazon (save $250) -
15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,049
$1,299at Best Buy (save $250) -
2022 MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,249
$1,399at Best Buy (save $150) -
15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,249
$1,499at Amazon (save $250) -
15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,249
$1,499at Best Buy (save $250) -
15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,449
$1,699at Best Buy (save $250) -
15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,649
$1,899at Best Buy (save $250)
MacBook Pro
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2021 14-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Max, 64GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $2,599
$4,099at B&H (save $1,500) -
2021 16-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,949
$2,699at B&H (save $750) -
2022 MacBook Pro (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,199
$1,299at Amazon (save $100) -
2022 MacBook Pro (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299
$1,499at Amazon (save $200)
Mac
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Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $549
$599at B&H (save $50) -
24-inch iMac (M1, 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,049
$1,299at B&H (save $150)
WhatsApp’s new Mac app is now available in the App Store
WhatsApp’s new desktop app for Mac computers is now available in Apple’s App Store.
In August 2023, WhatsApp launched an entirely new app for Mac computers. It was redesigned from the bottom up (the previous app was basically a web app in a window, while the new one is a native Mac app), and brought a few new features such as group video and audio calls.
For some reason, however, the app was only available from WhatsApp’s webpage; it wasn’t on Apple’s App Store for Mac, potentially confusing users.
Now, the new WhatsApp for Mac has finally been launched on the App Store as well. According to WhatsApp, the new app is available “globally,” and you can get it here.
I tried it out and it works as advertised; most importantly, and unlike the previous WhatsApp app for Macs, it works out of the box with my M1 Max MacBook Pro, without the need to download additional software to make it work.
Perhaps even more importantly, WhatsApp is also testing an iPad version of the app. WhatsApp, like Instagram (both are Meta properties), has never natively been available on the iPad, which is an inexplicable omission given how popular these apps are and how widespread Apple’s tablet is.
WhatsApp has been adding tons of new features lately across all platforms. A month ago, it started letting users with two SIM cards log into two WhatsApp accounts at once. A few days before that, WhatsApp also launched passkey logins on Android. The company also recently launched an HD setting for sending photos and videos, as well as an AI sticker generator.