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Best early Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks‎

Amazon’s Prime Day 2025 sales event is almost here and there are already early-bird deals to be found on chargers and power banks. This year, Prime Day runs from July 8 through July 11, and will include some great bargains. So, whether you’re looking to snag a travel-friendly pocket charger or upgrade to a high-capacity drive, there is no better time to get discounted chargers and power banks. You’ll need to be a Prime member to take advantage of Amazon’s steep discounts. If you aren’t a member already, check out our guide for how to get Amazon Prime for free. As a tech editor, I’ve been following and writing about the latest tech deals professionally for years, and have developed a keen eye for finding the best sales from all over the internet. My picks take into account a combination of online reviews from tech sites like PCWorld (when available), user feedback, and pricing history. Read on for all of the best deals on chargers and power banks, and be sure to check out our Amazon Prime Day Tech Deals 2025 hub for more great sales across all the tech categories. Best early Prime Day 2025 deals on chargers & power banks Anker 622 MagGo, 5,000 mAh/1x USB-C/Magsafe-compatible, $33.99 (29% off on Amazon) Blavor Solar Charger Power Bank, 10,000 mAh/2x USB-C/1x USB-A, $23.99 (40% off on Amazon) Anker 621 MagGo, 5,000 mAh/1x USB-C/Magsafe-compatible, $31.99 (20% off on Amazon) Anker Nano 3-in-1 Portable Charger, 10,000 mAh/1x USB-C/Wall plug, $34.99 (22% off on Amazon) Baseus Picogo Power Bank, 10,000 mAh/1 xUSB-A/2x USB-C/PD 45W Fast charging technology, $25.99 (35% off on Amazon) Baseus Laptop Power Bank, 20,000 mAh/1x USB-A/3x USB-C, $79.99 (20% off on Amazon) UGREEN Laptop Power Bank, 25,000 mAh/1x USB-A/2x USB-C, $99.99 (23% off on Amazon) INIU Portable Charger, 10,000 mAh/2x USB-A/1x USB-C, $17.99 (18% off on Amazon) Charmast Portable Charger, 10,000 mAh/2x USB-A/1x USB-C/1x micro-USB/1x Lightning, $19.99 (33% off on Amazon) OHOVIV Portable Charger, 50,000 mAh/2x USB-A/1x USB-C/1x micro-USB, $34.99 (83% off on Amazon) LoveLedi Portable Charger, 40,000 mAh/2x USB-A/1x USB-C, $20.15 (28% off on Amazon) This Prime Day 2025 early deals are already heating up. The Anker 622 MagGo Battery for $14 off on Amazon is a personal favorite thanks to its charging stand as well as its Magsafe charging compatibility for convenient on-the-go charging. If you need something rugged and reliable that you can bring on even the harshest of adventures, then look no further than the Blavor Solar Charger Power Bank on sale for $17 off on Amazon. This absolute tank of a power bank can recharge without the need for an outlet thanks to its built-in solar panel, and its IPX5 waterproof rating. FAQ 1. What should I look for in a portable charger and power bank? Quality can differ greatly among power banks, so it’s best to stick to recognizable brands like Anker, Mophie, Belkin, and the like. That said, there are a few things you should always look for when shopping for a power bank. First, make sure the battery pack is Quick Charge 2.0, 3.0, or PD certified. Next, don’t put too much confidence in a company’s claims that it can charge certain devices in a specific amount of time, such as the pack can charge an iPhone 15 in two hours. Focus more on the battery capacity, along with weight and size. Larger capacities in the 20,000 mAh or higher range should be enough for most small devices such as tablets or smartphones. Finally, make sure that the power bank comes with all of the correct connectivity options you need—USB-A or USB-C, etc. 2. What battery capacity should I look for in a charger? For a portable power bank that you can easily travel with, you should look for a minimum of 10,000 mAh. Most models these days even offer 20,000 mAh for reasonable prices. The more mAh, the better. Just be sure to weigh your capacity needs against the physical size of the power bank. Generally, the more mAh a power bank has, the larger its physical size and the heavier it is, as well. Therefore, we recommend when looking at a power bank, you first consider the amount of power you need to charge your devices, and then adjust your expectations according to the size and weight you are willing to carry around with you. 3. What is mAh capacity? The mAh (milliampere per hour) capacity rating refers to the available storage capacity for a battery. A higher number means that the battery can store more energy and has a longer battery life when charging a device. So for example, an iPhone 13 Pro Max’s battery is rated at 4,352 mAh. This means that a power bank with 10,000 mAh can fully recharge that phone a little over twice before running out of power. 4. Will tariffs affect portable charger and power bank prices? Yes, it’s likely that any tariffs on foreign imported power bank products or their component are going to lead to an increase in prices for the consumer. Many of the most common portable charger and power bank brands are located in, or are produced in China and other various Asian countries facing heavy tariffs. Since companies typically don’t want, or can’t afford, to eat these increased costs they usually shift the burden to consumers. At this point it’s still hard to tell how much prices will increase; just because a 20% tariff is imposed on a country’s goods doesn’t mean power banks and chargers will become that much more expensive. Every company will adjust prices differently and products with individual battery components—included in power banks—will vary due to the tariff effects on each component. 5. Is now a good time to buy a portable charger or power bank? The prospect of tariff-induce price increases may seem daunting, but I believe the timing on this Prime Day may actually make for a great time to buy a new portable charger or power bank so long as you time it right. Currently, tariffs have been paused until July 9 with many countries scrambling to make deals exempting technology products. This means that you might have a small window to get in and snag a good deal on a power bank during Prime Day before any additional tariffs take effect.

05:00
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PCWorld

Best early Prime Day PC computer deals: Gaming & mainstream desktops‎

Amazon’s Prime Day 2025 sales event is just around the corner but there are already tons of great deals on desktop PCs. This year, Prime Day will kick off on July 8, and include solid discounts on everything from gaming PCs to all-in-ones to traditional mainstream desktop computers. You’ll need to be a Prime member to take advantage of Amazon’s steep discounts. If you aren’t a member already, check out our guide for how to get Amazon Prime for free. I’ve been tracking and writing about the best computer deals year-round for a long time now, and at PCWorld I’ve used my this knowledge to curate a list of the best available computer deals across the internet specifically for this Prime Day. Other retailers have jumped in on the Prime Day action, and some of the best desktop PC deals can even be found outside of Amazon, so I’ve included those deals too. Best early Prime Day deals on gaming desktop computers Skytech Shadow, Core i5-13400F/RTX 5060/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,029.99 (9% off with coupon on Amazon) Alienware Aurora, Core Ultra 7 265F/RTX 5070 Ti/32GB/1TB SSD, $1,999.99 (13% off on Dell) Alienware Area-51, Core Ultra 9 285K/RTX 5090/32GB RAM/2TB SSD, $4,849.99 (12% off on Dell) Skytech Azure, Ryzen 5 7600X/RTX 5070/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,749.99 (17% off on Amazon) Skytech Azure, Core i7-12700F/RTX 4070 Ti/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,499.99 (25% off on Amazon) MSI Aegis ZS2, Ryzen 7 7700/RTX 5070/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,699.99 (15% off on BestBuy) Ningmei Gaming PC, Ryzen 7 5700X/RTX 4060/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $949.59 (21% off on Walmart) My top picks: The budget-friendly Skytech Shadow is a solid deal at $100 off on Amazon with the included coupon. The Core i5-13400F CPU and RTX 5060 GPU combo will have you running good framerates at 1080p for most games and it also comes with a generous 1TB of SSD storage to locally store your game library. Dell is running a great 4th of July deal on the Alienware Aurora for $300 off on its website. Rocking a Core Ultra 7 265F and RTX 5070 Ti, this is a killer value for a strong midrange build with a latest-gen GPU. Best early Prime Day deals on all-in-one & mainstream computers All-in-one desktop computers combine a PC’s hardware with a modern display to make a desktop computer that has both form and function. Since everything is built together, you can save precious desktop space with an all-in-one. They make capable work computers and they can also be excellent home computers with the wide range of features appealing to the whole family. Dell 24 AiO, Core 5 120U/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/24-inch 1080p touch display, $849.99 (24% off on Dell) HP OmniStudio X AiO, Core Ultra 7 155H/16GB RAM/1TB SSD/27-inch 1080p touch display, $1,029.99 (28% off on HP) Dell 24 AiO, Core i5-1334U/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/24-inch 1080p display, $699.99 (18% off on Dell) iMac M4, M4/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/24-inch 5K display, $1,541.88 (9% off on Amazon) My top picks: Dell’s reliable 24 AiO is $200 off on its website right now. The always dependable all-in-one comes loaded with the latest-gen Core 5 120U and a handy 1080p touch display. Alternatively, the new HP OmniStudio X AiO model for $410 off on HP’s website is a step up from the Dell if you prefer spending a tad more for more power. The latest all-in-one from HP still comes with a nice 1080p touch display but is powered by the beefier Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and twice the onboard SSD storage. FAQ 1. What type of desktop computer should I get? You’ll see a ton of options when searching for a desktop computer, but they all mainly fit into four main categories: gaming PCs, mainstream PCs (towers or mini PCs), and all-in-ones (AiO). Which you should end up buying is entirely dependent upon what your needs are and what you want to do with your computer. If you’re looking for something that will work in a home office or family room, then a mainstream PC or AiO with a solid CPU and a decent amount of RAM and storage is probably the way to go. If gaming is your main concern, a gaming desktop PC can offer a lot more bang for your buck than a laptop and you should prioritize getting the best GPU possible. 2. How much processing power will I need in a desktop computer? If you’re after CPU power, look for processors with higher numerical labels. Intel processors are available in the newer Core Ultra 3, 5, 7, or 9, and the older Core i3, i5, i7, and i9. AMD processors are available in the Ryzen 5000, 7000, 8000, and 9000 versions. Generally speaking, the higher the number, the more powerful the CPU for both manufacturers. If you don’t need a ton of power, Intel Core Ultra 5 or Core i5 processors are your best bet, as they offer good performance at a decent price. You can get along just fine with a Core Ultra 3 or Core i3 for basic office and web browsing. A Core Ultra 7 or Core i7 is more suited to gaming and more intense work than everyday tasks. Also, if gaming is your concern, you may want to consider opting for the older Core i-processors as the newer Core Ultra processors are optimized for AI performance rather than gaming. As for AMD options, the Ryzen 5000 chips rival Intel’s Core i5 as solid all-arounders. If you need more power, the Ryzen 7000 or 8000 chips are well suited for content creation like video editing. Finally, if you’re dealing with 4K video or want peak gaming performance, spring for a Ryzen 9000. 3. What GPU should I get for a desktop computer? If you don’t intend to do any gaming on your computer, then feel free to save some money by going with integrated graphics. However, if you are looking to get your game on, then we recommend at least an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 or RTX 5060 as these are the least expensive discrete graphics cards that can handle 1080p gaming on High graphics settings in most games. For 1440p gaming you’ll typically want to aim for an RTX 4070/5070, and for 4K gaming you’ll need to shell out for at least an RTX 4080/5080 or upgrade to the RTX 4090/5090 Thankfully, the latest-gen GPUs have dropped significantly in price in pre-built systems so opt for those if you have the money and want a performance boost. But if you’re on a tight budget, then opting for a rig with a previous-generation card can allow you to save some money while still providing decent graphics quality. 4. How much memory do I need in a desktop computer? As for RAM, nowadays I think it’s best to shoot for 16GB at the minimum for all systems. If you’re on a budget or just need a basic browsing machine then 8GB may suffice but you’ll likely notice a performance drop if you tend to have multiple applications or browser tabs open. Those looking to do heavy content creation such as video editing should aim for at least 32GB or go for 64GB for 4K editing. 5. What is a good amount of storage for a desktop computer? Storage size is dependent upon your personal needs, but it is generally a good idea to opt for an SSD over a standard HDD as they are much faster and don’t significantly affect the price of a desktop. Before deciding, it’s best to consider what your intended use of the computer will be. Are you just storing documents or doing web browsing? Then something like 512GB will be plenty. If you want to load up a lot of large files such as games or content creation projects, then you’ll need at least 1TB to 2TB of storage. However, just remember that even if your computer doesn’t have enough storage built-in you can always upgrade your SSD or go with an external drive to increase your available storage options. 6. Will tariffs affect desktop computer prices? Yes, it’s likely that any tariffs on foreign imported computer materials or products is going to lead to an increase in prices for the consumer. As the U.S. still heavily relies on China and other Asian countries for the production of desktops and computer hardware, a tariff on imports from these countries will mean someone has to pay more. Companies typically don’t want, or can’t afford, to eat these increased costs so they shift the burden to consumers. At this point it’s still hard to tell how much prices will increase; just because a 20 percent tariff is imposed doesn’t mean computers will become that much more expensive. Every company will adjust prices differently and products with many individual components—such as computers—will vary due to the tariff effects on each component. That being said, a recent independent Consumer Technology Association study concluded that desktops may see price increases of up to 24% or an average of $287 per computer if the latest round of tariffs hold. 7. Is now a good time to buy a desktop computer? While the prospect of tariff-induce price increases may seem daunting to consumers, I believe the timing on this Prime Day may actually make for a great time to buy a new desktop if you time it right. Currently, tariffs have been paused until July 9 with many countries scrambling to make deals exempting technology products. This means that you might have a small window to get in and snag a good deal on a desktop PC during Prime Day before any additional tariffs take effect.

05:00
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PCWorld

Intel’s excellent Unison PC-to-phone app shuts down for good‎

Intel’s ambitious plan to tie together your laptop and phone into a single, unified platform — Intel Unison — is dead, unless you own a particular brand of PC. Intel’s Unison page notes that the program “will soon be discontinued,” and a related Intel Knowledge Base article also claims that the app has reached its end of life. Dell puts it even more plainly: “The Intel Unison application is being discontinued and will no longer function correctly or be available for download after June 30, 2025.” Intel had said earlier this year that it planned to discontinue the Unison app, probably because the company is working to cut costs in the midst of a downturn that has produced company layoffs and a reported recalibration in its manufacturing processes that will see its next-gen 18A process assigned to internal use only. For a time, device makers were obsessed with making mobile devices interact with laptops. Dell’s Mobile Connect — which still appears to be alive, for now — was one option. Intel Unison was another, and one that wasn’t confined to any specific device maker. Intel talked boldly about Unison becoming not just an app, but a platform for cross-device connectivity. Microsoft, however, had other plans, with the Your Phone app for Windows, which was later renamed Phone Link. Unison offered closer connectivity between Windows and Apple iPhones than Phone Link originally did, but Phone Link covers all Windows PCs, and not just Intel-powered ones. Phone Link not only can oversee iPhone messages and calls, but it’s also being integrated into the Windows Start menu itself. However, there is one PC vendor which will continue using Unison: Lenovo. “Lenovo Aura PCs will retain service,” Intel said, apparently throughout the remainder of the year. These Aura Edition PCs will still use Unison: the Lenovo Slim 7 14ILL10, ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13, ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1, ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1, Yoga 9 2-in-1 14ILL10, Yoga Pro 7 14IAH10, Yoga Pro 9 16IAH10, Yoga Slim 7 14ILL10, and the Yoga Slim 7 15ILL9. Intel once made Unison a key feature of its Evo program for premium laptops. While Intel’s Evo appears to still be alive and well, one of its selling points is officially going away.

22:13
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PCWorld

Best laptops for engineering students: Top 5 picks for power and portability‎

Being an engineering student isn’t just about having a fast laptop–it’s about having one that can actually keep up with everything you’re throwing at it. Classes, projects, and all those heavy-duty programs like CAD or simulations? Your machine needs to handle it all. You’ll want something that’s got a good mix of power, portability, and battery life. A fast processor, enough RAM, decent storage so you’re not always clearing space, and a screen that’s easy on the eyes. Also, don’t forget a decent keyboard, a wide selection of ports (because dongles are the worst), and a battery that lasts all day. Asus Zenbook 14 OLED – Best overall Pros Robust build quality Attractive OLED touchscreen Good CPU and integrated GPU performance Outstanding battery life Cons Uninspiring design Keyboard isn’t memorable Mediocre connectivity options Price When Reviewed: 1199 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Kaufland 2.339,00 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED? The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED tops our list thanks to a winning combination of power, portability, and solid battery life. The AMD Ryzen 7 chip inside (eight cores and 16 threads, by the way) can handle heavy stuff like CAD without slowing down, even if you’ve got a bunch of tabs open. The 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen also looks fantastic and will make your diagrams and projects really stand out. One of the standout features is its battery life. It lasted over 16 hours in our standard battery test, so that means you can get through a full day of classes and not worry about scrambling for an outlet. The audio is also quite good and it should offer you good volume and clarity during remote lectures. Asus Zenbook 14 OLED: Further considerations The build quality’s pretty good, especially considering it’s just $850 right now. It’s also thin (0.59 inches) and light (2.82 pounds), by no means back-breaking. While the keyboard isn’t the best we’ve ever used due to the undersized keys, it’s totally fine for daily tasks. Read our full Asus ZenBook 14 OLED UM3402YA-KM452W review Acer Aspire Go 15 – Best budget option Pros Affordable Decent battery life Good display visibility Cons Cheap build Limited performance Price When Reviewed: 499 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Acer Aspire Go 15? If you’re on a strict budget and need a straightforward laptop for note taking and running light coding software, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a fantastic choice. The Intel Core i3-N305 processor can easily run basic tasks like research, basic coding, and video streaming. You can also count on solid battery performance here, with up to 12 hours on a single charge. The port selection is pretty generous as well, offering USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI. Acer Aspire Go 15: Further considerations This Acer Aspire Go 15 laptop is made of all plastic, so it may feel a bit flimsy to some. There’s no backlit keyboard or fingerprint reader, either (if that matters to you). That said, for students doing just general coursework, this laptop will get the job done very affordably. Read our full Acer Aspire Go 15 (2024) review Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition – Best battery life Pros Over 24 hours of battery life (in our standard test) Solid build quality Snappy desktop performance 2-in-1 experience with pen Cons On the expensive side Lunar Lake’s low multithreaded performance is an issue for some workflows Price When Reviewed: 2.679 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Lenovo 2.679,00 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition? If you need a laptop that just won’t quit, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is an excellent choice with its incredible battery life–PCWorld recorded up to 25 hours on a single charge. That means you can power through long study sessions without constantly searching for an outlet. Weighing just under three pounds, it’s actually pretty portable for a 2-in-1 device. The switch between laptop and tablet modes is truly seamless. This is great if you’re sketching out engineering diagrams or taking notes with the included Lenovo Yoga Pen. The keyboard is comfortable to use, and you’ve got the classic ThinkPad TrackPoint there if precision is your thing. The 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen is also bright (500 nits) and has an anti-reflective coating, making it easy to see even when you’re outside in the elements. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition: Further considerations This laptop is a premium business machine and the price definitely reflects that ($2,336). But keep in mind that you’re paying for good build quality and a battery life that only a select few can match right now.  Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition review Acer Nitro V 16 – Best for work and gaming on a budget Pros Solid performance Competitive price Dedicated button for quick performance mode switching Fast 165Hz display with good colors Cons Fully plastic build Mushy keyboard Weak battery life Price When Reviewed: 1199 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price 1.079,99 € View Deal 1.299,00 € View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Acer Nitro V 16? If you want something that can handle school and gaming without fuss, the Acer Nitro V 16 is a pretty sweet pick. It’s got a Ryzen 7 CPU and an RTX 4060 GPU, so most modern games run smooth on medium to high settings. Plus, if you’re into 3D modeling or any heavy graphics work, the GPU has got your back. The 16-inch 1920×1200 screen with a 165Hz refresh rate also makes faster paced games look super smooth too. Acer Nitro V 16: Further considerations Design-wise, it leans into a gamer aesthetic with its orange backlit keys and noticeable branding but it’s not overly flashy. Still, it might not suit everyone’s taste. As you might expect from a gaming rig, the battery life doesn’t last too long–around four hours on average. The keys also feel somewhat mushy. Read our full Acer Nitro V 16 ANV16-41-R961 review Microsoft Surface Pro (2025) – Best ultraportable Pros Compact and well-built Good office performance All Copilot Plus features available Good battery life Cons Narrow screen to work on No HDR support No charger included Price When Reviewed: 979 Euro Best Prices Today: Retailer Price €945 View Deal €979 View Deal €1142 View Deal €1200 View Deal 979,00 € View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who should buy the Microsoft Surface Pro (2025)? If you’re an engineering student with a jam-packed schedule, often needing to run from class to class, the Surface Pro 2025 is so lightweight (just a little over a pound) you’ll hardly notice its presence. Inside this laptop you’ll find a Snapdragon X Plus chip and Intel Arc 130V graphics, so you can expect it to deliver a quiet, fanless experience (perfect for working in libraries and lecture halls) and it should handle basic coding and homework just fine. The 12-inch 2196×1464 screen offers sharp colors and touchscreen capabilities, allowing you to draw and take notes with the (optical) Slim Pen. Microsoft Surface Pro (2025): Further considerations Though we really vibe with the high-resolution display, it’s a bit small if you’re the kind of person that has many windows open at once. Battery life is also all over the place, ranging from two to three hours under heavy loads to 19 hours with light usage. You’re also limited to just two USB-C ports, so you’ll probably want to pick up a dock or hub. Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 2025 review Other notable laptops we’ve tested A couple of laptops just missed the cut but are still worth a look. The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2‑in‑1 has got a stunning OLED screen as well as marathon battery life, which is great for design work and long study sessions, though the high price tag may deter budget-conscious students. Then there’s the Framework Laptop 13 (2025), which is super cool if you’re into repairability and customizing your gear (perfect for tinkerers), but battery life and initial upfront cost kept it from nabbing a top spot. Another standout is the Asus ZenBook A14. It’s impressively lightweight at just a little over two pounds and it delivers truly incredible battery life (24 hours!), making it ideal for students always on the move. How we test laptops The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops. Why you should trust PCWorld for laptop reviews and buying advice It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget. Who curated this article? Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld. While you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also really into the broader world of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the world of tech, you’ll probably find me gaming, getting lost in a good book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound, Allen. How to choose the best laptop for engineering students The following are important questions to ask before making a purchase. How much power do you need? You’ll need a good amount of power. Engineering classes usually have you running some pretty heavy stuff like CAD, MATLAB, SolidWorks, and simulations. That stuff can slow your laptop down if it’s not up to the task, especially if you’ve got a bunch of apps open. A Core i5 or Ryzen 5 will get you through most of it, but if you want things to run smoother, a Core i7 or Ryzen 7 is where it’s at (so long as your wallet agrees). Is RAM important? For sure. You’ll be using code editors, compilers, simulation tools, sometimes all at once. RAM keeps your laptop from freezing up when you’ve got a ton going on. 8GB might work if you’re just starting out, but 16GB is way better—especially later on when your classes get more intense. How much storage should you get? You’ll collect a ton of files–project folders, software installs, maybe some video editing or game dev work depending on your focus. We’d say go for at least 512GB SSD so you’re not constantly clearing space. If you can get 1TB, do it. It’s faster and gives you more breathing room for whatever your classes (or side hobbies) throw at you. FAQ 1. What is the best laptop for engineering students? If you’re an engineering student who needs something light, fast, and reliable for coding or writing papers (plus a great screen and battery), the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is a dang fine pick. 2. What is the best budget laptop for engineering students? If you’re on a tight budget and just need a no-fuss laptop for lighter coding programs, the Acer Aspire Go 15 gets the job done for under $500. 3. Is battery life important for engineering students? Heck yeah! Long battery life means you can power through those long nights at the school library. 4. What’s the ideal screen size for an engineering laptop? We’d say the best screen size is anywhere from 13- to 15-inches. It can’t be too cumbersome otherwise it’ll get too difficult to carry around. Related content PCWorld laptop reviews What’s new when shopping for a laptop in 2025? 8 things to keep in mind When PC vendors tell you what’s going on with tariffs, pay attention How to try a new laptop at home before you commit to buying it How to properly wipe your laptop data before getting rid of it 4 eco-friendly ways to get rid of a laptop Battery life on gaming laptops doesn’t have to suck anymore Best laptops for college students 2025: Top picks and expert advice Best gaming laptops under $1,000: Expert picks that won’t break the bank

21:06
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PCWorld

Best early Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs‎

Amazon’s Prime Day sales offer one of the year’s best opportunities to score deals on USB-C hubs and docks and their more powerful cousins, Thunderbolt docking stations. All offer important, necessary ways to expand your laptop’s ports and connect legacy devices like printers and mice. Officially, Amazon’s Prime Day begins on Tuesday, July 8, and will run through Friday, July 11. But sales on USB-C hubs, docks, and Thunderbolt ports will run up until and through the four Amazon Prime Days. Early Prime Day deals are on now, and we’ve begun checking Amazon and its top competitors for the best deals. I write, test, and recommend the best USB-C hubs and dongles, and do the same for the best Thunderbolt docks. For the past several years, I’ve been responsible for seeking out the best deals in both categories for Amazon’s Prime Days, Black Friday, and more. I think it’s fair to say that you’ll find the best USB-C and Thunderbolt docking station deals right here. Below, you’ll find a list of deals, as well as a list of frequently-asked questions explaining what you should look for. This is an interesting transitional period! I don’t expect anything unusual in terms of USB-C hub prices. Thunderbolt docks, however, are a different story: Thunderbolt 5 is arriving in the market, and older Thunderbolt 3 products (which are still somewhat viable) are being phased out. And yes, there are tariffs, which are in flux — although some just kicked in today and more may take effect on day 2 of Amazon’s Prime Day sales. At that point, who knows? Last updated at 9:58 AM on July 3. Best Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks StarTech USB4/Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station, 98W charging, $248.36 (25% off at Amazon) Ugreen Revodok Max 208 8-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 85W charging, $169.99 (32% off at Amazon) Plugable 16-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Dock (TBT4-UDZ), 100W charging, $269.95 (16% off at Amazon) Microsoft Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock, 96W charging, $199.99 (33% off at Amazon) Ugreen Revodok Max 2131 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock, 140W charging, $299.99 (25% off at Amazon) Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station, 90W charging, $158.32 (27% off at Amazon) CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock: 98W charging, $379.99 (16% off at Amazon) I value flexibility in my docking station choices, and right now StarTech’s dock offers the most port flexibility. (I reviewed an earlier StarTech dock, but not this one.) I really like Ugreen’s hardware as well, but it’s more of a hub, and you’ll need to buy display cables that take its USB-C video connections and translate them to HDMI. Those are about $20 per cable. Weirdly, I still haven’t reviewed Microsoft’s Surface docking station. But I’ve either used these specific docks or one that’s very similar, and I think you’ll be happy with every one on this list. Just make sure they offer the ports you need at the price you want. I was expecting closeout deals on older Thunderbolt 3 hardware, but I haven’t seen them yet. Hopefully some pop up during Prime Day proper! Best Prime Day deals on USB-C dongles and hubs Ugreen Revodok Pro 6-in-1, $13.99 (30% off at Amazon) Ugreen Revodok Pro 8-in-1, $19.99 (20% off at Amazon) Anker 11-in-1 USB-C Hub, $45.99 (30% off at Amazon) Baseus 9-in-1 Laptop Docking Station, $39.98 (38% off at Amazon) Baseus 11-in-1 Laptop Docking Station, 100W charging, $119.98 (25% off at Amazon) I was expecting all sorts of pre-Prime Day deals…and there really aren’t. Instead, you’re better off picking and choosing from what you need from the list above. There are some deals, and anything less than $20 won’t strain your wallet. I’ve reviewed the Baseus Spacemate 11-in-1 dock listed here, and I rather liked it, even though it felt a little unnecessarily over-engineered. Note that the price when I reviewed it was $199.99, so the discount is a little deceiving — it’s closer to half off the initial price. Note that the 11-in-1 supplies its own charger; the 9-in-1 does not. That’s an added cost you’ll have to pay for. FAQ 1. How do I know whether to buy a USB-C hub or a Thunderbolt docking station? USB-C hubs and Thunderbolt docks use the same physical USB-C connection. A USB-C port (and USB-C hub or dongle) use a basic 10Gbps connection, while a Thunderbolt port increases the throughput to 40Gbps. Ideally, you should see a small “lightning bolt” icon signal a Thunderbolt port, while an unmarked port may be just a generic USB-C port. Manufacturers, though, aren’t forced to label their ports. Your best bet is to haul out your laptop’s manual and check. Thunderbolt docks will only work with a Thunderbolt connection. You can buy a USB-C hub or dongle and connect it to a Thunderbolt port, but it will only run at the 10Gbps speed. 2. Why should I buy a USB-C hub or Thunderbolt docking station? Laptops have generally begun replacing all of the legacy ports (the boxy USB-A plug, HDMI, SD card slots, and more) with generic USB-C ports. That’s fine, but what if you have a wired printer or mouse or external SSD? You’ll need to connect it to your laptop, and you might need the right physical port connector. If you have a fast external SSD or hard drive, the external throughput will certainly help you get the most out of your peripheral. And if you want to connect multiple displays, you’ll need a USB-C hub (and preferably a docking station) with support for two display connectors. 3. USB-C hubs, dongles, and docking stations: what’s the difference? I use hubs and dongles interchangeably to describe the small devices that hang off your USB-C port with a short cable. A docking station is generally large and heavy enough that it will remain on your desk. Virtually all Thunderbolt devices are large enough to be considered docking stations. You can buy USB-C docking stations that lack Thunderbolt connections, but those are a bit rarer. A docking station also usually includes a charger so you can use it instead of your laptop charger. 4. My laptop has USB4, not Thunderbolt. Can I use a Thunderbolt dock? USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 are functionally the same. Intel refuses to certify non-Intel platforms like AMD’s Ryzen for Thunderbolt, and the new Copilot+ PCs from Microsoft powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips are in the same boat. USB-C hubs work with basically anything with a USB-C port on it. Don’t worry about those at all. 5. How do I know whether to buy Thunderbolt 3, 4, or 5? Thunderbolt is backwards-compatible, so you can own a laptop with Thunderbolt 4 and connect it to a Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 dock without worry. It’s not forward-compatible, however. While Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 both transfer 40Gbps, you’re probably best to play it safe and match the specs of your port to the specs of the device. 6. How will tariffs affect the prices of Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs during Prime Day sales? This is the big wild card. The United States has paused its reciprocal tariffs on foreign goods until July 9, the second day of Amazon’s Prime Day deals. At that point, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen. Many hubs and docks are made in China, which has been a prime tariff target for this administration. On the other hand, dock makers like Plugable have specifically told me that they’ve moved manufacturing out of China, too. But consider: CalDigit announced its TS4 docking station in 2022 for $359.95. Its current list price: $449.95, and it’s “on sale” at Amazon for $379. Unfortunately, it’s become even more complicated, practically overnight. Some dock and hub makers have moved their manufacturing out of China and Taiwan to Vietnam, and the Trump administration just set a 20 percent tariff on goods imported from Vietnam, and 40 percent on goods routed through the country. It’s just not clear exactly which company makes its products in Vietnam or China, however. There’s probably one sure answer to avoid tariffs: buy early to avoid paying the possibility of extra import tax. 7. Some of these docks have had bad reviews on shopping sites. Why? While Macs adopted Thunderbolt first, some of the Apple M1 silicon couldn’t keep up with Intel Thunderbolt controllers used by Windows PCs, and the Apple MacOS experience suffered as a result. If you see a negative comment, try and determine if it’s a Windows user making it. The experience may be totally different. 8. Are the best Thunderbolt dock and USB-C dongle deals at Amazon? Historically, yes. I check other sites, but over the past few years Amazon has consistently offered the best deals on these two product categories. Thats not always the case; Best Buy, for example, is often very competitive in Chromebooks.

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