Guests complained they were met with cheap decor, undercooked food and just a stripper for entertainment. Read...

Although Amazon is currently readying the troops for its Prime Big Deal Days event (aka October Prime Day), which officially begins October 8, we’re already seeing a number of early laptop deals. I’ve curated a list of the best laptop deals below. Why should you listen to my recommendations? Valid question! I oversee PCWorld’s laptop review program, so I handle everything from assignment to publication. I also carefully maintain our best laptop deals roundup on a day-to-day basis as well as our best laptops of 2024 roundup on a weekly basis. Since I spend a good amount of time every day searching the web for the best laptop deals, I’m pretty tuned in to popular trends and able to pluck the good deals from a sea of bad ones. To assemble the list below, I looked at everything from graphics and storage space to design and form factor. I also checked out Amazon’s pricing history with Camel Camel Camel. Don’t forget to check out our Prime Big Deal Days 2024 hub for more great deals in other tech categories. First published on Sept. 24, 2024. Last updated on Sept. 24, 2024. Best Prime Big Deal Days deals on budget and mid-range laptops HP Stream 14, includes 16GB of RAM and an Intel Celeron N4120 CPU, $309 ($90 off at Amazon) HP Envy 360, includes a convertible form factor and an Intel Core Ultra 5 125U CPU, $759.99 ($240 off at Amazon) Acer Swift Go 14, includes an OLED display and an Intel Core Ultra processor 155H, $799.99 ($200 off at Amazon) The HP Envy x360 is a great laptop with a powerful Intel Core Ultra 5 125U processor and a versatile convertible form factor. It’s zippy enough for general browsing and productivity tasks, and the convertible form factor means you can fold the screen all the way back. Being able to use a laptop in different positions is useful if you’re a frequent traveler, especially when using the device in a cramped space like an airplane seat. The 15.6-inch 1080p display is also nice as it has touch capability. This is good news if you’re a regular doodler or note taker. Best Prime Big Deal Days deals on premium laptops Asus VivoBook S 16 OLED, includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU and a 3200×2000 OLED display, $999.99 ($100 off at Amazon) Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro, includes an OLED touchscreen and an Intel Core 7 Ultra CPU, $1,371.99 ($78 off at Amazon) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6, includes Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and a Snapdragon X Elite CPU, $1,604 ($95.99 off at Amazon) The above laptop deals are all fantastic, but there’s one that really stands out from the rest. For under a grand, you can pick up the Asus VivoBook S 16 OLED, which boasts a powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU as well as a stunning 3200×2000 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The CPU has 16 cores, 22 threads, and can run up to 5.1GHz. That means it should blitz right through day-to-day tasks and office work. The OLED display is ideal for entertainment or graphic design work, as this type of panel is capable of producing inky blacks and rich colors. The laptop itself also weighs just 3.31 pounds, which is perfect if you travel often. Best Prime Big Deal Days deals on high-end gaming laptops Asus TUF Gaming A15, includes a 1080p 144Hz refresh rate display and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, $1,034.99 ($365 off at Amazon) MSI Katana 17, includes 32GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, $1,259 ($140 off at Amazon) Asus ROG Strix G16, includes a 165Hz refresh rate display and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, $1,282.76 ($117.23 off at Amazon) MSI Katana A17, includes a 240Hz refresh rate display and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, $1,699.99 ($300 off at Amazon) If you’re looking for a great gaming experience at a reasonable price point, the Asus TUF Gaming A15 is definitely worth checking out, as it’s a very well-rounded machine. Between the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, this laptop should fly through most games on the higher graphics settings. The 1080p display is also quite spacious at 15.6-inches and the 144Hz refresh rate should keep things looking nice and smooth in the heat of battle. It also comes with 1TB of SSD storage, which is a good amount of space if you’ve got a massive games library. Best early Prime Big Deals Day deals on gaming laptops under $1,000 HP Victus, includes an Intel Core i5-12450H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 GPU, $589.99 ($110 off at Amazon) Gigabyte Aorus 15, includes a 360Hz refresh rate display, an Intel Core i5-12500H CPU, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, $979 ($120 off at Amazon) Acer Nitro 16, includes 1TB of SSD storage, an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, $957.47 ($342.52 off at Amazon) Acer Nitro V 16, includes a 165Hz refresh rate display, a AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, $967.49 ($162.05 off at Amazon) The Gigabyte Aorus 15 deserves a call-out because of its wickedly fast 360Hz refresh rate display. That’s an incredibly high number, so this display should churn out silky-smooth visuals, which is important during more intensive matches. It also comes with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU and an Intel Core i5-12500H CPU, meaning it has enough juice to run most games on the Medium or High graphics settings, but you may want to dial those settings back on more modern titles. The display, measuring a roomy 15.6-inches, is pretty spacious with a resolution of 1920×1080. It’s not the highest resolution we’ve ever seen, but it’s perfectly fine for most games. More awesome Prime Big Deal Days 2024 tech deals Our PCWorld editors have curated best deal roundups across all the major tech categories: Best Amazon tech deals across PCWorld’s top categories Laptop deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Monitor deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 SSD and storage deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 USB flash drive deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Thunderbolt dock and USB-C hub deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Office chairs and standing desks: Best of Prime Day 2024 Battery charger deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Chromebook deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Laptop deals FAQ 1. What kind of laptop should I get? Well, it depends on your needs and lifestyle. A 2-in-1, for example, is a good fit for someone who travels often. You can swing the screen back 360 degrees and use it in tablet mode for taking notes or you can prop it up like a tent for watching movies with others. If gaming is a top priority, then you’ll want to look into a laptop with powerful internal hardware and a display with a high refresh rate. For those of us who need a basic laptop for general web browsing, a low-powered Windows laptop should do you just fine. 2. How can I tell whether a laptop is a good Prime Day deal? I always use Camel Camel Camel, which is a pricing history platform. You can make a free account and the interface is pretty easy to navigate. Let’s use the Asus VivoBook 16 as an example. Plug the ASIN, which is the part of the URL that starts with the letter B (B0BT6NKLQR in this case), into the search bar and hit search. Once the result generates, scroll down and you’ll see a graph of its price history. You’ll see a big dip in the price this month, the lowest price it has ever been in fact. That’s a big drop from the end of March when it was as high as $741.16. 3. Do laptop brands matter? Not particularly when you’re hunting for deals, as long as you stick to household names. All of the big manufacturers like HP and Acer make perfectly capable machines and they all offer pretty steep discounts on their online retail storefronts. You may have a personal preference, though. Dell, for example, has great customer service and their website is easy to navigate. As for HP, their back-to-school guide is laid out in a really straightforward way. 4. How much memory do I need in a laptop? I always tell my friends and family to shoot for at least 8GB of RAM. Anything less than that and you may very well notice a slowdown. If you can go higher than 8GB, that’s great! The more RAM you have, the snappier your laptop will be, especially when it comes to general browsing or making spreadsheets. 16GB of RAM is better for productivity tasks and gaming, and 32GB of RAM is perfect for photo editors. Read...

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At a glanceExpert`s Rating ProsExcellent motion clarity at 360HzGreat sharpness at 4K resolutionAttractive designConsLow contrast ratioModest color performanceNo USB-C video inputOur VerdictThe Alienware AW2725QF’s dual-resolution mode can offer 4K resolution at up to 180Hz, or 1080p at up to 360Hz. That makes the monitor more versatile, but mediocre image quality makes the monitor hard to recommend. There’s a new trend in gaming monitors: “dual-resolution” displays. These monitors advertise support for two resolutions with differing maximum refresh rates. The Alienware AW2725QF has a maximum resolution of 4K with a refresh rate up to 180Hz, but can also handle 1080p at up to 360Hz. That means the AW2725QF is a monitor that can deliver both excellent sharpness or top-tier motion clarity as required. However, the AW2725QF relies on an IPS panel without a Mini-LED backlight, which is bad news for its contrast and color performance. Alienware AW2725QF specs and features The AW2725QF’s specifications highlight its dual-resolution functionality. 4K resolution on a 27-inch monitor is the highest common resolution for Windows computers, as only a small handful of 5K monitors exists. However, when in 1080p resolution mode, the AW2725QF can achieve a refresh rate of 360Hz. Display size: 27-inch ultrawide 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 1920×1080 / 3840×2160 dual-mode Panel type: IPS Refresh rate: Up to 360Hz at 1080p, up to 180Hz at 4K Adaptive sync: VESA Adaptive Sync, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 (upstream), 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (downstream), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (downstream) VESA mount: 100x100mm Speakers: No Price: $599.99 MSRP Display panel aside, the monitor’s specifications are typical for the category. It supports HDR and Adaptive Sync and has three video inputs. It can also function as a USB hub with multiple downstream USB-A ports, though its range of USB functionality is not impressive, and it lacks a USB-C input with DisplayPort Alternate Mode. Further reading: See our roundup of the best gaming monitors to learn about competing products. Alienware AW2725QF design The Alienware AW2725QF is immediately identifiable as an Alienware monitor, and that’s a positive. Alienware embraced its current retro sci-fi “Legend” design language in 2019, and it hasn’t looked back since. Though no longer novel, the AW2725QF’s swooping panels and attractive RGB-LED lighting deliver an eye-catching look. It’s a well-built monitor, as well, with good material quality across the panel. With that said, though, new OLED monitors (including those from Alienware) are a step ahead of the AW2725QF. OLED monitors don’t require a backlight behind the display panel, so they’re much thinner at the edges. The AW2725QF does require a backlight, so it looks a bit bulky when compared to 27-inch OLED alternatives. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry The monitor ships with a sturdy stand that adjusts for height, tilt, pivot, and swivel. It has a small, hexagon-like base that doesn’t take up much room on a desk. It’s not entirely flat, but close to it, so some items can still be placed on the stand. That’s an advantage over competitors that use a wide, tripod-like stand, as the AW2725QF will fit comfortably on small desks. The monitor also has a 100x100mm VESA mount for use with third-party monitor arms and stands. Alienware AW2725QF connectivity and menus Alienware provides three video inputs for the AW2725QF: two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4. All three video inputs can handle the monitor’s full refresh rate and resolution at both 1080p and 4K. There’s no USB-C with video input, however, so the monitor isn’t a great choice for connecting a laptop or tablet with USB-C. That’s a bit of a disadvantage in 2024, as some gaming monitors, like recent Gigabyte Aorus and MSI MPG models, have USB-C ports with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and USB Power Delivery. The AW2725QF does offer some USB connectivity, which is driven by a USB-B upstream port. This includes three downstream USB-A ports and one USB-C port. The USB-C port does include power charging, but only up to 15 watts. A joystick centered on the monitor’s low bezel provides access to Alienware’s on-screen menus. The joystick is responsive and the menus feel logically arranged — though, like many monitors, the font size is a bit smaller than would be ideal. I also noticed that the text of the menu did not contrast well with the dark background, as the text was a dark hue of gray instead of near white. This would be easy to fix in a firmware update, I think, and I’d encourage Alienware to do so, because I think many people will find the current menu system difficult to read. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry The menus provide an acceptable but not outstanding range of adjustment. There’s a custom color mode, which includes adjustment for color hue, gain, saturation. However, the monitor does not have a standalone color temperature mode to target specific color temperature values. Also, both the sRGB color gamut mode and gamma adjustment controls are only accessible in the monitor’s “Creator” mode. A variety of gaming-centric features are available, too, such as a dark stabilizer to increase the brightness of dark areas of screen and on-screen timer and framerate counters. The AW2725QF doesn’t include speakers, which is typical for a gaming monitor. Most don’t, and few that do provide passable audio quality. Strangely, though, the AW272QF also lacks a 3.5mm audio output. That means you can’t connect speakers or headphones to the monitor and must instead connect directly to the audio source, which might be inconvenient if you have multiple video inputs connected and frequently switch between them. Alienware AW2725QF SDR image quality I’ll be honest: The Alienware AW2725QF immediately struck me as a strange, and perhaps disappointing, monitor. 4K resolution at up to 180Hz looks sharp, and the dual-resolution versatility is appreciated, but in exchange the AW2725QF sticks with a conventional IPS display panel. This type of panel tends to offer a lower contrast ratio and (without Quantum Dots) a more limited color gamut than OLED competitors. Unfortunately, testing the AW2725QF revealed the limitations I expected, though the monitor does have some strengths. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Brightness is among those strengths. I measured a maximum SDR brightness of 518 nits, which is excellent for any monitor and way more than a typical gaming display. This level of brightness is excessive if you’re planning to game in a dim or dark room (and I usually used the monitor at 35 to 40 percent of its maximum brightness), but it’s good news if you want to use the monitor in a very bright room. The monitor is brighter than its competitors, as well, and roughly twice as bright as the Gigabyte Aorus FO27QS, which has a QD-OLED panel. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Contrast completely changes the narrative, however, as the AW2725QF had a contrast ratio of just 1150:1. That’s the worst contrast ratio of the competitors I chose for comparison, falling behind even the Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS, which also had an IPS display panel. The lack of contrast is an issue when viewing darker, more atmospheric games, movies, and photos in a dim or dark room. The dreaded “IPS glow” — a hazy silver-gray cast to dark scenes — is apparent. It also noticeably lacks uniformity, which only adds to the distraction. Whether this matters depends on what you use the monitor: It’s often not a major issue on the Windows desktop and in productivity apps, but a major downside in games and other entertainment. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry It feels a bit odd to say the Alienware’s color gamut is limited, as a gamut like this would’ve been excellent five years ago. But times have changed, and many modern monitors offer a comparable, or better, color gamut. Gamers don’t need to worry about this too much, as the AW2725QF’s color gamut is still more than adequate to deliver a vivid and saturated image. Colorful games tend to look bright, attractive, and punchy. However, the color gamut might turn off content creators who want to create or edit digital art, photo, video, and other media, as the AW2725QF can’t display as many colors overall as some competitors can. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Color accuracy is also a modest result. This level of color accuracy is still good, and I don’t think most people will see anything wrong, even when looking critically. Still, it’s clear that competitors have an edge in out-of-box color accuracy. All else being equal, that could lean some shoppers away from the AW2725QF. However, while the AW2725QF didn’t have the best out-of-box color accuracy, it did well in color temperature and gamma tests. It had a default color temperature of 6500K and a gamma curve of 2.2. Both figures match our preference. In the real world, these numbers mean the AW2725QF’s image doesn’t look too warm or cool, and content is displayed with accurate luminance. Most monitors in this price range tend to be slightly off in at least one of these two metrics. OLED monitors, for example, often have a gamma result of 2.3, and look a bit darker and dimmer than I would prefer (though this can usually be corrected with the monitor’s on-screen menu options, which typically provide alternative gamma modes). The Alienware AW2725QF is a rare miss for Dell’s gaming brand. Sharpness is another highlight. The AW2725QF is a dual display monitor meant for use at 4K resolution up to 180Hz or 1080p resolution up to 360Hz. At 4K, the monitor provides excellent sharpness with a pixel density 163 pixels per inch. 27-inch OLED monitors are still stuck at 1440p resolution, so they won’t look as sharp as the AW2725QF. One final point: While the AW2725QF has an anti-glare coating, it’s more of a semi-gloss finish than matte. Glare is diffused somewhat but can still appear rather concentrated at times. In general, I’m not a big fan of how this particular anti-glare finish looks; it seems like a poor compromise between matte and glossy. Overall, the AW2725QF’s image quality is solid, but it seems like a bad match for its intended purpose. The monitor’s high brightness and excellent sharpness (at 4K resolution) make it a great monitor for productivity, but its low contrast ratio and modest color gamut make it less appealing for games and entertainment. That’s a problem, because the AW2725QF is meant to be a gaming monitor. Alienware AW2725QF HDR image quality The Alienware AW2725QF is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified. That’s a notch above the entry-level VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, but the AW2725QF isn’t a good HDR monitor. Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry Matthew Smith / Foundry I measured a maximum sustained full-screen HDR brightness of 614 nits. The monitor also reached a near-identical brightness of 616 nits in a 10 percent window, meaning just 10 percent of the display was active, while the rest was entirely dark. As the graph above shows, the AW2725QF has a higher full-screen HDR brightness than an OLED monitor, but falls behind the best OLED monitors in a 10 percent window. Mini-LED monitors, meanwhile, beat the AW2725QF in both areas. Brightness aside, the AW2725QF’s contrast ratio remains a problem. As mentioned earlier, the monitor had a maximum contrast ratio of 1150:1 when at 50 percent of SDR brightness. That figure slightly worsens to a ratio of 1130:1 at maximum HDR brightness. The low contrast ratio means that dark areas of the screen suffer from elevated brightness, which compress luminance detail. Put more simply: The HDR image looks flat and dull. This is not a surprise, given the AW2725QF’s IPS display panel, but it’s an issue. Both OLED and Mini-LED monitors can be purchased at a similar price, and both deliver much better HDR performance. The AW2725QF is a no-go for anyone who wants to watch HDR movies or play HDR games. Alienware AW2725QF motion performance Motion performance is arguably the reason to buy the AW2725QF. But, unlike some recent OLED monitors with refresh rates up to 360Hz, I’m not sure the argument holds up. That’s not to say the AW2725QF’s motion clarity is bad. On the contrary, it’s excellent, and most owners are likely to be blown away by what they see. Games look clear and crisp even at 4K and up to 180Hz. At 1080p and 360Hz they look exceptionally detailed in motion. Only the smallest fonts and low-contrast UI elements are too blurred to make out. The monitor’s dual-resolution feature has its uses, too. Gamers who want excellent motion clarity and low input lag in competitive games can obtain that from the 1080p/360Hz mode, but also have the option to switch to 4K/180Hz for better sharpness in single-player games. Also, it’s worth remembering that a high refresh rate is only useful when a game achieves a matching frame rate. Some games are incapable of a frame rate up to 360 frames per second, so opting for the 4K/180Hz mode makes more sense in those titles. However, the AW2725QF faces stiff competition from OLED alternatives. Alienware’s own 360Hz QD-OLED monitors, the AW2725DF, is much more expensive at $899.99, but it’s often possible to find an alternative priced close to the AW2725QF. The MSI MPG 271QPX is currently $649.99 on Amazon, for example. Going OLED means you’ll have to trade a maximum resolution of 4K for 1440p, but I think most gamers will be happy to exchange that for OLED’s superior contrast and color performance. Should you buy the Alienware AW2725QF? The Alienware AW2725QF is a rare miss for Dell’s gaming brand. I can sort of see what Alienware was going for, as the AW2725QF’s dual-display capability and high refresh rate could appeal to competitive gamers. However, the rapid fall in OLED monitor pricing means that many models are just $50 to $100 more expensive, and some Mini-LED monitors also achieve similar pricing. That makes the AW2725QF a tough sell, as it lacks the contrast, color gamut, and HDR performance of its competition. The AW2725QF is good for motion clarity, yes — but if you’re a gamer who spent over $1,000 to snag a video card capable of 4K at 180Hz or 1080p at 360Hz, I don’t think you’ll be happy with the SDR or HDR image quality this monitor can deliver. Read...

One of the best and easiest ways to upgrade your home entertainment system is to get a Fire TV Stick, and now’s a great time to do it because the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is now just $40 on Amazon. That’s a notable 33 percent discount off its usual $60 price tag, and this is a fantastic price for a device that’s useful for anyone who wants to stream content to their TV. It’s compatible with most streaming services, and Microsoft recently made it possible to play hundreds of Xbox games on Fire TV even without an Xbox console. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max in particular lets you watch movies and TV shows in 4K quality from Netflix, Disney+, and more, complete with superb colors and sharp details, along with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It’s the ultimate home entertainment experience, and the best of the Fire TV Stick models. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max features a strong processor, so it’s smoother and faster than its siblings, and when you aren’t watching anything, you can turn your TV into a piece of art by picking from the thousands of wallpaper options in the Fire TV gallery. If you’re ready to upgrade your home entertainment setup, grab this Fire TV Stick 4K Max for just $40 on Amazon while this deal lasts. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is fantastic at this priceBuy now on Amazon Read...