Tech / Technology

Apple event October 2023: Every single MacBook Pro, iMac announced

Posted on:

Apple refreshed the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models and debuted a new iMac.
new M3 MacBook Pro

Trick o’ treat! Apple dropped some new M3s!

The Apple October 2023 event, also known as the “Scary Fast” live stream, dropped four iDevices this spooky season while introducing a new generation of three-nanometer chips: M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max.

The M3 Pro, compared to the other two chips, would be considered a mid-tier processor while the M3 is an entry-level pick and the M3 Max is the best money can buy.

Curious to see which new products these chips will power? Stick around to find out.

1. 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and M3 Max

Apple introduced two refreshed 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models and they come in two flavors: M3 Pro and M3 Max. Just like the predecessor, if you want the maximum amount of performance out of your laptop, you can snag the M3 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro or 16-inch MacBook Pro.

14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro

14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and M3 Max
Credit: Apple

If you don’t need herculean muscle, you can snag the M3 Pro for either the 14-inch or the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

The M3 Pro, according to Apple, is up to 40 percent faster than the M1 Pro. The M3 Max, on the other hand, is 2.5 faster than the M1 Max.

Apple claims these models will deliver up to 22 hours of battery life. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro chip starts at $1,999. The 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499.

2. 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 chip

You may be wondering, “Didn’t you just mention a 14-inch MacBook Pro in the last section?”

M3 MacBook Pro

M3 MacBook Pro
Credit: Apple

I did, dear reader, but this one is different. This 14-inch MacBook Pro does not come with an M3 Pro chip nor an M3 Max processor. Instead, it comes with an M3 chip. It may not have the same “oomph” as the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, but it’s a significant leap over the M1 chip. In fact, Apple boasts that the M3 chip up to 60 percent faster than the M1 chip.

It starts at $1599.

4. New Space Black MacBook Pro

You can now get the MacBook Pro in a new color called “Space Black” that consists of a dark aluminum finish – and less fingerprints.

New Space Black MacBook Pro

New Space Black MacBook Pro
Credit: Apple

This is only available among the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips.

For your information, the M3 and M3 Max models are also available in silver. The M3 14-inch MacBook Pro, on the other hand, is available in space gray and silver.

3. iMac with M3 chip

The iMac hasn’t received an update since 2021 when Apple announced a new 24-inch colorful lineup with the M1 chip. Before the Scary Fast event, people have been scratching their heads wondering, “Will Apple pack it with M2 chip or will it leapfrog over to the M3 processor?”

New M3 iMac

New M3 iMac
Credit: Apple

As it turns out, Apple opted for the M3 chip, which is also packed inside the 14-inch MacBook Pro. The Cupertino-based tech giant claims that it’s two times faster than an M1 iMac. It still comes with the same seven colors of last generation, as well as the same size and 4.5K Retina display.

It has a starting price of $1,299.

Tech / Technology

Target Black Friday deals are rolling in — shop deals and gift card promos

Posted on:

Target’s Black Friday sale is live. New deals will drop every week, including a $259.99 50-inch QLED TV and over 50% off Sony headphones.
Chromebook in tent mode, Keurig, Beats headphones, and QLED TV on orange and pink abstract background

UPDATE: Oct. 30, 2023, 2:17 p.m. EDT Target’s Black Friday sale, which contains its biggest savings of the season, kicked off Oct. 29 and will span four weeks leading up to Black Friday. This story has been updated with the deals that are live so far.

Best early Target Black Friday deals:
Best Apple deal

9th generation Apple iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$269.99 at Target
(save $60)

Apple iPad with colorful blobs as screensaver

Best TV deal

Philips 50-inch QLED Roku TV

$259.99 at Target
(Special Purchase pricing plus save $20)

Philips TV with neon light abstract screensaver

Best headphones deal

Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass noise-canceling headphones

$119.99 at Target
(save $130)

Black Sony wireless headphones

Best toy deal

Toys from Play-Doh, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, Our Generation, more

BOGO 50% off

Play-Doh dinosaur toy set in box

It’s news to no one that the “Black Friday” — singular day — nomenclature isn’t even close to an accurate depiction of how long Black Friday season actually spans. What’s still taking some getting used to, however, is Black Friday starting so early that we’re seeing the deals arranged alongside last-minute Halloween candy deals on a retailer’s home page.

Take Target, for example: It officially began releasing early Black Friday deals on Oct. 29, with new ones materializing in the following four weeks leading up to Thanksgiving weekend. All of this is part of what Target says are its best savings of the year. Best Buy is similarly ahead of the game.

SEE ALSO:

Best Buy Drops will tell you about high-profile product launches, limited edition bundles, and deals before they drop

If it feels like you were just reading about all of these deals Target was dropping, you were — Target Circle Week was just a few weeks ago. While the product categories seeing price slashes for Circle Week and Black Friday (TVs, video games, headphones, kitchen and cleaning appliances) are similar, you don’t need to be a Target Circle member to access a majority of Target’s early Black Friday deals as you did with Circle Week deals.

We’re keeping tabs on the best early Black Friday deals at Target as they show up:

Apple deals


Apple iPad with colorful blobs as screensaver

Credit: Apple


Our pick: 9th generation Apple iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$269.99 at Target (save $60)

Why we like it

The 9th generation iPad is already generally cheaper than its successor, the 10th generation — but to really rub it in, the 9th generation model is also seeing a better discount ($60 or 18% off versus just $50 or 11% off the 10th generation). This isn’t the iPad to choose if you plan on using your tablet for feature-intensive work like video editing or gaming, but for way less than $300, you’re still getting a solid device for casual everyday use. We’d recommend putting your savings toward the Logitech Crayon stylus, which is 15% off with this iPad purchase.

More Apple deals

TV and gaming deals


Philips TV with neon light abstract screensaver

Credit: Philips


Our pick: Philips 50-inch QLED Roku TV

$259.99 at Target (save $20)

Why we like it

A 50-inch 4K TV in the $259.99 realm is already a pretty dang good deal, let alone a QLED model. This Philips model is labeled as a special purchase, which means this is an item that may not be on Target’s website year-round and was listed at an already-low price just for the early Black Friday event. So while the 7% discount is hardly a Black Friday-level chunk off, the price is stellar to begin with.

QLED TVs feature quantum dots, which produce a much wider, brighter array of colors than non-QLED models, making colors noticably more vibrant. Because of their brightness, QLED TVs are particularly great for watching TV (especially sports) in the daylight. This particular Philips model is Dolby Vision compatible and has the Roku platform built in.

More TV and gaming deals

TVs and sound bars

Gaming

Headphone deals


Black Sony wireless headphones

Credit: Sony


Our pick: Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass noise-canceling headphones

$119.99 at Target (save $130)

Why we like it

Sony’s Extra Bass headphones aren’t for everyone — but anyone in the EDM or bass-heavy hip-hop crowd is going to be psyched to find them for over 50% off. Though these headphones specialize in low-end frequencies, they’re not so thumpy that the rest of the notes get completely drowned out, and tweaking the sound with EQ is an option. What does get drowned out, however, is background noise when ANC is on. You can also turn on Ambient Sound Mode to let background sound, like announcements at the airport, squeeze through.

More headphone deals

Toy deals


Play-Doh dinosaur toy set in box

Credit: Hasbro


Our pick: Toys from Play-Doh, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, Our Generation, more

Buy one, get on 50% off at Target

Why we like it

Cross gifts for several kiddos off of your list with Target’s BOGO offer on a ton of toys spanning several age ranges. Shop learning, motor skills building, and problem-solving toys from B. toys and VTech, action figures from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Jurassic World, Our Generation dolls and accessories, and all things Play-Doh.

More toy deals

More miscellaneous deals

Tech / Technology

Echo Show 5 deal: Save $50 at Amazon

Posted on:

The Echo Show 5 is on sale at Amazon for 56% off today, Oct. 30. That gives you $50 in savings.
A woman and child make a video call with Echo Show 5

SAVE $50: Today, Oct. 30., the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is on sale for $39.99. That’s 56% off its list price of $89.99.


An Amazon Echo Show 5 displays an ad for Jack Ryan.

Credit: Amazon


Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)

$39.99 at Amazon (save $50)

Having an Amazon Echo device in your home is kind of like having your very own virtual assistant.

Today, the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is listed for 56% off at Amazon. This takes its list price down from $89.99 to $39.99. While the smart home device is known to go on sale, the last time we saw its price this low was over Prime Day. If you’ve been thinking about expanding your smart home collection, we recommend acting on this today before it’s gone.

As Amazon shoppers know, there are plenty of different Echo devices to choose from: it can be hard to know which one is best suited for meeting your home’s needs. Earlier this year, our very own SaVanna Shoemaker compared the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 for Mashable readers, emphasizing that the greatest difference between the two models is their size: The Echo Show 5 has a 5.5-inch screen and 6-inch by 3-inch footprint, while the Echo Show 8 is much larger. She writes, “The Echo Show 5 would be better in places where you want the device’s functionality, without it being front and center — like your desk or nightstand.”

The Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) has also gotten some fresh upgrades since its 2nd Gen predecessor. The 3rd Gen model has two times the bass and greater voice clarity for a better music listening experience, plus an improved screen that makes nighttime viewing more comfortable on your eyes. It also has been given an extra mic, making Alexa even more responsive.

Save 56% off the Amazon Echo 5 when you shop at Amazon today and enhance your smart home for a budget-friendly price.