It’s almost the end of August. If you’re like me, you’re already thinking, where did the summer go? It’s still very hot and there may even be time to sneak on another trip to some nearby water, but it also looks like the fall is happening fast. And if you go to college or go back to school, your fall is already here. Luckily, we have some good deals to ease the transition. From laptops and tablets to instant jars and beeswax wrappers, there’s something here for everyone.
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Offers for laptops, phones and tablets
MacBook Air with M1
Photography: AppleBack-to-school sales are booming and there are some great deals on laptops (whether you’re back in school or not).
This MacBook offering has been working for a few weeks now, but it’s good enough that we’re including it again this week. You can save a little more and get a couple of free AirPods. All you need is a .edu email address. The M1 Air (9/10, recommended by WIRED) is also perfect for school: it’s lightweight, has an all-day battery life, and is powerful enough for most people.
Do you prefer Windows to macOS? No problem, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 7 (8/10, recommended by WIRED), one of our favorite Windows laptops, is also on sale. It is also a great choice for college, as it is lightweight and easy to carry, plus it has great battery life. This deal corresponds to the 10th generation Intel Core i5 model with 8 gigabytes of RAM and a 128 gigabyte SSD. Several other models are also on sale if you need more storage space.
Not a huge discount, but if you wanted a new iPad Pro (8/10, recommended by WIRED), this offer will save you some money on what is arguably the most powerful iPad on the market. The 12.9-inch model, which features Apple’s new display technology, is also on sale for $ 999 ($ 100 off). And if you don’t need the whistles and whistles of the Pro models, the new iPad Air has a $ 500 discount ($ 100 off). For more Apple discounts, check here.
It’s not a huge discount either, but Apple’s Pencil doesn’t go on sale very often. It is useful if you want to draw or write on your iPad. Please note that this is the second generation stylus, which only works with the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air 2020 models. Be sure to check if yours is compatible before you buy.
This is a solid deal on a well-equipped laptop. It won’t have the quality of making more expensive machines (i.e. it’s plastic), but if you opt for the Ryzen 7 processor, 256gb of storage and the 1920 x 1080 Brightview screen, you’ll have machine without breaking the bank.
Android tablets are not our favorites (Android is not optimized for tablets), but if you don’t mind the quirks, the Lenovo P11 Pro is a good deal, especially at this price. Our main drawback is that there is no headphone jack, but this is no problem if you have wireless headphones. This deal is on eBay, but it’s new and Lenovo sells it directly.
The Galaxy S21 is one of our favorite Android phones. It has a fantastic camera system, a battery that lasts all day, a lot of energy and a fantastic 120 Hz AMOLED screen. You’ll even get four years of software and security updates, which are more than almost any other Android phone out there. This is close to the lowest price we have seen so far.
Fitness offers
Apple Watch Series 6
Photography: AppleRead our guides to the best physical trackers and the best smart watches for more information.
The Apple Watch Series 6 (8/10, WIRED recommends) added a tool to measure blood oxygen and slightly increased the screen size. This is still the best fitness tracker for the iPhone and the best Apple Watch.
The price of this watch fluctuates, but this is one of the lowest prices we have seen since June. We like Instinct for its long battery life and great variety when it comes to tracking and sport navigation features. (See our full review of the solar-powered version, which is similar.) It’s cheaper than the Garmin Fenix, but it does pretty much the same thing. It is also, as WIRED senior associate editor Adrienne So says, “attractive, in an ugly way”.
This is a great fitness tracker for runners and triathletes, and it’s rarely that cheap. It comes equipped with applications for running, hiking, climbing, rowing, cycling and skiing, among other activities. Read our Best Fitness Trackers guide for other options.
House offers
Nixplay digital frame
Photography: AmazonUpgrade your home with these equipment offerings that simplify and beautify life in your home.
Good digital photo frames are expensive, so it’s good to see any kind of discount. Of the Nixplay frames we tested, we prefer the 10.1-inch frame over the 9.7-inch one. The resolution is lower, but you wouldn’t know it if you didn’t study them side by side. Nixplay has recently released a touch screen model that we haven’t tested yet, but the touch-free frame is still a good bet.
This is a good deal on one of our favorite routers. It supports future-proof Wi-Fi 6 and will easily cover most apartments and houses. If you have ample space, you may be better off with a mesh system, but for the rest of us, this one will do the job. See our full guide to buying a router for more tips.
This percussion device is often discounted, but it is able to compete with large weapons that sometimes cost several hundred dollars. It combines high pressure and heat to relax sore muscles. It’s not that powerful, but it might be good.
This is a newer Instant Pot and has an air fryer, which is probably not needed. However, if you want a device that can do it all, this fits your bill. If you want a smaller Instant Pot (ideal for dorms if you go to college), the 3-quarter model is also on sale for $ 61.
We love this plastic wrap alternative. It is made with beeswax of sustainable origin, jojoba oil and tree resin. It’s easy to clean (but uses cold water) and lasts longer than the other brands we’ve tested.
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