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  • MacBook Air 2018: Is it Worth the Price?

    MacBook Air 2018: Is it Worth the Price?

    While Apple continues smartphone dominance with the iPhone X line, they’ve been struggling with their laptops recently. Competitors like Microsoft have been out-performing them for the past few years. Is the MacBook Air 2018 poised to change that, or will it fall flat?

    MacBook Air 2018 Review

    Design

    At first glance this is very clearly a new beast than previous generations. It’s incredibly thin and light and stows away in a bag very easily. It’s a bit bigger than the 12-inch MacBook Pro, oddly, though it’s a bit smaller than the 13-inch model. It’s something of an in-between of those two laptops in more ways than one.

    The screen is big and gorgeous, as you’d expect from any Apple product. The bezels around the screen have been pulled back significantly, making this a much more modern-looking device. The keyboard is a bit shallower than the previous MacBook Air but it still feels fine for typing.

    Performance

    This is an upgraded machine from its previous incarnation in many ways. Notably, this version is sporting an 8th-Gen i5 processor, more RAM options and generally more power. It’s not quite as mighty as the 13-inch MacBook but it’s much more portable. Likewise, it blows the 12-inch MacBook out of the water but it’s a bit bulkier than that device.

    For most common tasks this is going to be an excellent productivity machine. If you want a device from which you can type up assignments, listen to music, do research and watch YouTube, you won’t be disappointed. Photo and video editing are a dream, as usual for Macs. Professionals, college students and entrepreneurs alike will find this device plenty powerful enough for most tasks.

    Bottom Line

    This is an excellent entry into the MacBook line. Acting as a midpoint between the 12-inch and 13-inch designs, the MacBook Air 2018 comes in a full $100 cheaper than either of those devices. It retails for $1200, though you can likely find it on sale for up to $100 less in some places. All in all, this is a great productivity laptop with a good balance of portability, power and sleek design that will impress any Mac fans.

  • Black Friday iPhone Deals that You Have to See

    Black Friday iPhone Deals that You Have to See

    It’s no secret that Apple makes some of the best smartphones, hands down. They also charge some serious dough for their elite smartphones. That changes on Black Friday, though: the company is offering some great discounts on several of their top-of-the-line smartphones. You can’t mess these Black Friday iPhone deals!

    Black Friday iPhone Deals

    Walmart Deal

    Walmart’s offering a very straightforward deal on iPhones. If you buy an iPhone X, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus and activate it you get a $400 Walmart gift card. You have to activate through Verizon, AT&T or Sprint to get the gift card. Essentially, you’ll pay full price for the iPhone but you get to spend another $400 in Walmart for your trouble.

    Alternatively, if you want this year’s models, you can go through the same process for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or iPhone XR and get a $300 gift card. Not quite as much, but you’re getting a much newer phone in the deal!

    Target Deal

    Target is offering a similar deal to Walmart. After buying an iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max and activating with Sprint, AT&T or Verizon you get a $250 gift card. This isn’t quite as good of a deal as Walmart but Target can often offer a different array of things than Walmart can. Some of Target’s other Black Friday sales might even make this the deal you opt to go with.

    T-Mobile Deal

    T-Mobile is offering straight-up free iPhones. If you trade-in your old phone and open a new line on your existing bill you can get a free iPhone XR, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. If those aren’t your thing, you can get $750 off the iPhone X, XS or XS Max. These savings come in the form of bill credits over a 24-month period.

    This deal is notable as it’s the counterpoint to the Target and Walmart offers. While those offers require you activate the phone through Verizon, AT&T or Sprint, T-Mobile is offering a much better deal over a 24-month period. Their deal simply doesn’t take place as immediately as the other two on this list.

  • Time to Buy a New TV…Best TV Deals!

    Time to Buy a New TV…Best TV Deals!

    Don’t miss out on the year’s best deals on flat screen TVs! Big flat screen TVs have been getting better and less expensive year after year. Unlike pretty much everything else, TVs have fallen well below the inflation line in terms of price.

    If you’ve been looking to buy a new HD TV, or even a 4K panel, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Cyber Week is a great opportunity. Even after the big shopping holidays are over deals on flat screen TVs are still ample.

    Before settling on any one deal, it’s important to know exactly what kind of viewing experience you want to create. For an impressive home theater experience, 50-inch to 90-inch televisions are the latest for living rooms, while 33-inch to 49-inch TVs work well in smaller areas.

    Shoppers should also decide whether they want a 4K or Ultra HD at 2160p of resolution, or if 1080p or 720p would work better. Another choice that shoppers need to make is between popular LED and OLED TVs; LED TVs provide superior brightness and affordability, while OLED TVs are more energy efficient and better to view at different angles.

    Regardless of which features are chosen, there are sweet deals to be had!  Here are some of the best flat screen deals of Black Friday 2019!

    Best Flat Screen Deals

    The best three Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on flat screen TVs are offered by Target, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, and Sam’s Club. Read on to find out how you can score the best deals on flat screen TVs during these hot shopping days and the top brands in TVs today.

    Sony TVs

    Amazon has some awesome deals on Sony 4K panels. For the 55-inch Sony XBR55X900F Smart TV the sale price is $1098. For the 65-inch model it’s a stellar $998! The absolutely massive 75-inch version of this TV, the sale price is $1,798.

    Sony is well-known for their excellent TVs, especially when it comes to 4K. 4K is the future of high definition displays, so expect to see plenty of great content in that resolution in the days to come. Game consoles like the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro take full advantage of 4K displays. There’s no time like right now to take advantage of these awesome prices!

    Samsung TVs

    Samsung’s name is synonymous with excellence when it comes to TVs. This Black Friday you can find their UN43NU6950 43″ 4K TV for an incredible $279.99 at Costco. That’s one of the best prices you can find on 4K!

    If you’re looking for something a bit bigger, you can find the UN50NU6900 50” 4K TV for $327.99 at Best Buy. That’s another awesome deal for a huge 4K screen that will look good in any room in the house. This is the sort of deal you can’t afford to miss!

    Toshiba TVs

    For mid-level TVs, Toshiba has you covered. If you want a steal on a TV, look no further than Amazon’s deal on a 32” 720p Toshiba Smart TV. For Black Friday this TV is on sale for $130. If you’re looking for a good TV for a kid’s bedroom, this is the one!

    If you’re looking for a smart TV for the living room, try the Toshiba 50” 4K Smart TV for $300 from Amazon. This is about as good a deal on a 4K smart TV as you can find.

  • The Hottest Toys of 2018

    The Hottest Toys of 2018

    The holidays are almost upon us and that means its time to start shopping. But of all the people on your Christmas list, kids can be some of the most difficult people to shop for, because what they like always seems to change by the season and what they want usually costs a pretty penny.

    If you are getting ready to do your holiday shopping right now but aren’t sure what to buy or how to get the best deals, doing some shopping around will help you save a lot this holiday season. Stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon offer the hottest toys for kids at the best prices. Get deals on the most popular toys just in time for Christmas.

    The Hottest Toys Kids Want this Christmas

    Video Games

    If you have a kid that loves play games, you’ll find a ton of great options for them this holiday season. If you want to give a kid on your shopping list an awesome video game, consider some of Nintendo’s Classic Mini consoles. The SNES Classic only costs $80, and it’s loaded with classic games that kids of any age would love. The NES Classic only costs $60 and comes with over 30 retro games. With retro being cool again, there are plenty of kids who would love one of these mini-consoles for Christmas!

    The PlayStation Classic Mini comes out this year. It can play all your old PlayStation games that you loved growing up, so now you can share them with your kids. Get it for just $99 from Target.

    Meanwhile, Fortnite is one of the most popular new video games among children right now, played by millions across the country. And with tons of merchandise available already, it’s no surprise that there’s now a Fornite edition of Monopoly. Kids can take a break from the video games for a while and sit down with their family to play a round of Fornite Monopoly – available for just $15.88 at Walmart.

    Hoverboards

    Want your kids to get outside for a while? It was only a generation ago when everyone whizzed around on low-tech skateboards and roller blades. These fun contraptions and alternative modes of transport are still popular. The difference today is that they have some serious competition. I’m talking about the new hoverboards of course, though not in the science fiction sense.

    Hoverboards are exceedingly popular and you can get one like the MEGAWHEELS Hoverboard at Amazon for just $136. There’s also Air Hogs, hand-controlled flying orbs suitable for kids 8 and older – available for $40 at Amazon.

    Lego Sets

    Disney properties like Star Wars, Marvel and Princesses are all very popular right now. Kids love Lego Star Wars and Lego Marvel sets especially! You can find sets of various prices, ranging from smaller sets of single characters to larger chests full of bricks.

    The coolest thing about the Lego sets is that they encourage creativity. Watching a little one expand their creativity and imagination as they build and play with block is a really great treat! Whether your budget is smaller or larger, you can find Lego sets in your price range for all the little ones on your shopping list.

    Building kits are a great way to advance your child’s mind and fine motor skills. You can find terrific toys like the Magna-Qubix building set for less than $30 at Amazon. Of course, Potterheads will prefer the Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit that allows kids to build their own ones, as well as learn and develop coding skills as they create their own magic. Get the complete set for $99. Of course, if your child is not quite advanced enough for that, you can find Lego Harry Potter sets on sale at Target for as low as $12.99 and Frozen sets for as low as $15.29. Kids can follow the instructions and build the set as directed or use their imagination for their own unique creations. Who says Elsa can’t fly a spaceship?

    Other Toys

    Toys will always be popular, and right now Avengers are about as popular as it gets. Iron Man, Hulk and Thor action figures are available at stores like Target and Walmart, and you can even find them online at sites like Amazon. There are also larger toy sets for characters like Spider-Man and Captain America!

    Many places will also have sales on Blu-Rays if you want to get the kids on your shopping list Marvel movies for Christmas. The biggest Marvel super-fans will love all the behind-the-scenes extras found on the Blu-Rays of their favorite movies.

    Of course, you can find a ton of other excellent options for younger children. The Wowee Fingerlings Hugs plush toy can hug, be thrown around or twisted in interesting ways, and can also record and play back messages. Released later this month, Target will have this toy for just $29.99. Based on the popular children’s show, the PJ Masks Headquarters Playset can be purchased from Amazon for less than $40.

    Meanwhile, the Poopsie Slime Surprise Unicorn for $50 at Amazon is an extremely popular choice for girls that includes food packets, sparkle packets, a diaper, and a hairbrush, so your children can take care of their baby unicorn just like a human baby – but one that poops glitter. Kids that love sounds will love the Crate Creatures Surprise! line-up from Blizz. It’s available from Walmart for as low as $31, but be careful, because your child may just want them all. Check out this or any of the other toys mentioned above.

  • New Chevy Traverse: Affordable and Fun to Drive

    New Chevy Traverse: Affordable and Fun to Drive

    2018 model year cars are being sold at huge discounts at dealerships across the country to make room for the 2019 models. If you’ve been holding off buying a new Chevy Traverse, now’s the time to head to your local dealership. This affordable and fun SUV is a great value for any family, and there’s never been a better time to buy.

    New Chevy Traverse: A Great Deal for an SUV

    Why Chevy Traverse?

    The Traverse was redesigned in 2018 to sport a bigger interior and more powerful engine options. Now that the 2018 model is being reduced in price it’s one of the best deals on the market for a new SUV. If you enjoy a powerful engine in an SUV, there are options for a V6 with 310 horsepower. The massive, helpful infotainment system also ensures you’ll have plenty of control over your car’s systems.

    Which Trim Should You Buy?

    There are a number of great trims available for the Chevy Traverse. There are so many great options that it can be hard to decide which one is right for you! If you’re having trouble picking one, we suggest the LT Trim.

    The LT Trim is a great option for those who want premium features at an affordable price. These features include a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel and second-row captain’s chars. If you love that infotainment system, the LT has an even bigger screen, too!

    Entertainment options don’t stop there, with the LT Traverse sporting a 10-speaker Bose audio system and satellite radio. You can even opt for leather upholstery and safety features like blind spot monitoring.

    Pricing

    Right now, eligible customers can get some pretty awesome deals on the 2018 Chevy Traverse. For those who want a low monthly payment, they can pay $4.689 at signing to get a $289 per month payment. That’s for a 36-month payment plan. If you want a lower up-front cost, you can opt for $4,099 at signing for a $329 monthly bill.

    Whichever way you go, you can’t go wrong with this awesome SUV! Not only will your family love your new Chevy Traverse, but you’ll love driving it, too!

  • Microsoft Surface Headphones: Worth the Money?

    Microsoft Surface Headphones: Worth the Money?

    Microsoft is entering the headphone market with their new Surface Headphones. This is yet another move by Microsoft to compete directly with Apple as an electronics manufacturer. Priced at $350, are the Microsoft Surface Headphones worth their price tag? Let’s get into the specifics.

    Microsoft Surface Headphones Review

    microsoftsurface
    Microsoft

    Design

    The Microsoft headphones sport a sleek, white design reminiscent of Apple and Google’s preferred aesthetic. The clean lines and smooth curves are quite attractive, and the headphones look great as a fashion accessory. That’s a good thing since they cost nearly as much as high-end Bose headphones.

    The headphones are light on the head and noticeably comfortable to wear. They feel great on the ears and don’t pinch or cause headaches like some lower-quality headphones will.

    Features

    Notably, each earcup has a dial on the outside. The right ear dial is for volume, and the left is for the amount of noise canceling you want the headphones to exert. Additionally, there are touch zones that you can tap to pause or resume music. If you tap twice, the music skips ahead. If you tap three times, it skips back.

    If you take the headphones off, they automatically pause your music. When you put them back on, they resume. This is a neat little feature, but one that you will quickly be thankful for. In general, these headphones feel very premium in both design and features. Lots of small things make these thoughtfully-crafted headphones feel well-worth the price tag.

    Sound Quality

    The most important part of any headphones is the sound quality. The Microsoft Surface Headphones sound okay, but not quite as great as competitors in the same price range. For the price, they could be a bit clearer and crisper. Bass levels aren’t quite as deep as we’d like, and the sound isn’t as big or impressive as, say, Bose’s comparable headphones.

    Bottom Line

    If you’re a Microsoft faithful who enjoys using Cortana and wants a set of headphones to pair with your Surface device, these are for you. However, for casual music listeners, these are a bit too pricey. For serious audiophiles, Bose or Sony makes stronger headphones in this price range. That said, these are still solid headphones, and Microsoft fans will be pleased with them.

  • Electronics Black Friday Sales You Can’t Miss

    Electronics Black Friday Sales You Can’t Miss

    Black Friday is the time of year to hit all the best sales on electronics you may have been holding off on. Even if you’re not shopping for gifts, you might want some of these deals just for yourself! If you’re looking to save some serious money on video games and electronics, try some of these great Black Friday sales.

    Black Friday Sales on Electronics

    consoles
    GameRevolution

    PS4 Bundle

    One of the best sales out there this year is a huge discount on a PS4 bundle with Spider-Man. The standard PS4 usually goes for $300, but on Black Friday the console and $60 game will be bundled together for just $200. That’s $160 in savings! It’s hard to beat a deal that good. You’ll be able to find this bundle at several stores, such as Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart.

    The PS4 is likely nearing the end of its life-cycle, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of surprises yet. There are some stellar exclusives on the system, including God of War, Horizon: Zero Dawn and Bloodborne. Spider-Man is the latest in a long string of excellent AAA exclusives Sony has been releasing, and we don’t expect that momentum to slow any time soon.

    Nintendo Switch Bundle

    The Nintendo Switch has been on the market for nearly two years now and it’s showing no signs of stopping. This little hybrid console has reignited interest in Nintendo as a whole, making huge waves in the gaming industry. Last year the system was too new for Black Friday sales, but this year it’ll be discounted.

    A bundle with a Nintendo Switch console and Mario Kart 8: Deluxe will be on sale this Black Friday for just $300. That’s a $60 savings over buying them separate. Additionally, expect to see the console by itself discounted to $250 at most retailers during the sale.

    Xbox One X

    The mega-powerful Xbox One X, with 4K graphics and awesome framerate, is going to be on sale for $400 this Black Friday at some retailers. Target is one such retailer, who will begin the discount price on Friday. If you or someone on your shopping list wants to play Microsoft exclusives like Sea of Thieves and Halo, this is the perfect gift for them!

  • Best Details you Missed in Red Dead Redemption 2

    Best Details you Missed in Red Dead Redemption 2

    Red Dead Redemption 2 has been out for a few weeks now and has made some huge waves in the gaming world. This deep, engrossing Wild West adventure may be one of the best video games ever made. Odds are you’ve missed a few awesome details from this huge world, so here are just a few of the best details you missed in RDR 2. Warning: mild spoilers await!

    Details you Missed in Red Dead Redemption 2

    rdr2
    Rockstar Games

    Gun Detail

    While this is a slower-paced game, especially by AAA standards, a huge emphasis is still given to action and shooting. What you may have missed are great little details about guns and shooting. For instance, when you use a revolver, when you hit the right trigger to fire, Arthur has to pull the hammer back before he lets a bullet rip. You can manually rock the hammer back with a half-press of the trigger. Similarly, after firing a rifle, you have to load a new shell in before firing again.

    Other little details, like engravings and wood grain, as highlighted in gunsmiths as customization options. It’s still neat to see Arthur cleaning the dirt off of his guns when you manually maintain them, though.

    Animal Decomposition

    If you kill a wild animal in this game and leave it on the side of the road, it will slowly decompose. When you return to the area after a few in-game days, you may see a deteriorating body. After a few more days, you might find nothing more than a pile of bones. The same goes for when you carry a slain beast back into town on your horse. If you tarry for too many days, it’ll fetch a lower price as it decomposes.

    Arthur’s Well-Being

    If you skip sleep and eat infrequently, Arthur will begin to look haggard. You’ve likely noticed that your avatar’s hair and beard grow at a natural rate, and you can style his hair unless you grow it out long enough. Similarly, if you overeat and don’t get enough exercise, you’ll see Arthur begin to put on weight.

    The same, interestingly, goes for your horse! If you give your companion too many treats, it’ll get fat and become slower on the open road. Keep that in mind while you’re adventuring!

  • Gotta Play ‘Em All? Pokémon Let’s Go Review

    Gotta Play ‘Em All? Pokémon Let’s Go Review

    It’s been quite some time since a major Pokémon release came to home consoles. The latest Pokémon main series entry, Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee, have arrived for Nintendo Switch. Are these more casual-focused entries worth their price tag, or are they just pandering to the Pokémon Go craze?

    Pokémon Let’s Go Review

    pokemon-lets-go
    Nintendo

    Graphics

    As much as some people will tell you graphics don’t matter, they really do. These are video games after all, and the visual element is the most striking. The Let’s Go games look absolutely wonderful on the Nintendo Switch. Brightly-colored, well-drawn models navigate sleek landscapes and the titular Pocket Monsters look better than ever. Battles are bright and frenetic, with strong moves having a ton of flashy on-screen effects.

    Of special note are the wonderful little sprites that indicate your Pokémon in menus and at the Pokémon center. The series’ iconic sprites would have been sorely missed, so it’s nice to see them making an appearance this time out.

    Gameplay

    The major sticking point for some long-time veteran trainers is the updated gameplay of this new entry. The traditional random encounters with wild Pokémon are gone, as are battles with them. Instead, you see wild critters on the overworld screen and can choose to encounter them. When you do, you play a Pokémon Go-style minigame where you throw a ball and try to catch the creature.

    This is a fun, if gimmicky, mechanic. While the ball-throwing with motion controls is very unreliable, it feels fine in handheld mode with normal controls. That said, we’re hoping future releases ditch the ball-throwing mechanic and bring back wild battles. We’re okay with the Pokémon being on the overworld screen, though. Random encounters should stay out of modern RPGs in our opinion.

    Trainer battles are the same as in core games in the series, with the exception of some deeper mechanics from past entries. In all, this version is heavily simplified. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, making this a great jumping-on point for newcomers.

    Bottom Line

    The bottom line is that Pokémon fans the world over and going to love this game. It’s a bit simplified and the series still has a long way to go in terms of tightening the core gameplay. The gorgeous presentation and nostalgic music make this one worth checking out, though, so we can recommend it to even passing fans of the franchise. Now, get out there and capture some cute creatures!

  • Tired All the Time? Here are the Best Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

    Tired All the Time? Here are the Best Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

    It’s not normal to feel tired and exhausted all the time. No matter how rough your job is, a healthy person shouldn’t always feel like they’re about to fall over. If you feel this way, you might be making it through your day only with help from coffee and energy drinks. Here are some natural ways to increase your energy. These methods are way better for you than energy drinks, too.

    Best Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

    Eat Better

    Stop eating junk food, stop drinking soda and cut processed sugars out of your diet. Processed foods are worse than just being bad for you, they drain your energy. If you’re always filling up on empty calories and junk then you’re not getting the nutrients you need. Similarly, if you drink to excess often then your body will rarely be getting good rest.

    You get out what you put in. If you put good, clean food into your body then you’re going to just feel better. That’s really all there is to it! While fatty junk foods might taste great, are they worth your health?

    Work Out More

    This one goes hand in hand with the previous point. If you’re eating better then you can start working out to up your natural energy. By building up your muscles and getting into better shape you’re naturally going to just feel better. If you’re constantly eating junk and letting yourself laze about all day then you’re absolutely going to have lower energy.

    Consider getting a workout buddy to keep you committing to hitting the gym. People naturally work harder when their friends are keeping them accountable. While you’re at it, consider quitting any harmful lifestyles you may have with the help from your gym buddy. This includes smoking and heavy drinking.

    Get More Sleep

    This one sounds like a no-brainer, but it bears pointing out. If you’re eating better and working out more, the final pillar of good health (and natural energy) is good sleep. Sleep at least eight hours every night and try getting to bed (and getting up) earlier. It might sound lame to go to bed at 10 PM, but when you awake at 6 and crank out a great workout before work, you’re going to feel so much better.