Mac

Today only, as part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering Apple’s 15.4-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display 2.2GHz/16GB/256GB (MJLQ2LL/A) for $1,699.99 shipped. That’s nearly $300 under the regular listing, matching our previous mention on this configuration and the best we can find. Those with access to a valid .EDU email address can score an extra $50 off today’s deal, bringing the total down to $1649.99 shipped.

Along with Apple’s new Force Touch trackpad, this model has an Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 2.2GHz, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of flash storage. You can also expect a 720p FaceTime HD camera, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, dual display and video mirroring, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, two USB 3 ports and more.

Use your savings to protect your new MacBook with AppleCare for $299 (Reg. $349) at Amazon.

If you’re looking for something a little smaller and less expensive, we still have a great deal on the newest version 13-inch MacBook Pro with 8 GB of RAM for $1,279.99 shipped.

Giveaway: This is Ground’s Mod Laptop 2 is a road warrior’s dream bag, up to $499 value

Trevor Daugherty Sep 19 2015 - 10:02 am PT

Update (9/26 4:00pm): @CodyMcDavis is our winner – thank you to everyone that entered our contest.

It has been a big month for Apple devices, with new iPads, iPhones, Apple TV and impending updated software releasing across all platforms. With multi-tasking coming to Apple’s tablets, it’s as powerful as ever for professionals that create content on the go. All of this technology means that we’re carrying around more gear than ever.

One of our favorite products for hauling this gear comes way of Los Angeles and This is Ground. The recently released Mod Laptop 2 features top level craftsmanship and an acute attention to detail. With space for all the aforementioned gear this new leather bag checks all the boxes for us.

Read on for more details and to learn how you can win a Mod 2 Laptop in your choice of color and style.

Save $100 on Apple’s all-new 12-inch MacBook + extra $50 for students/faculty: 256GB model $1,150 w/ .edu (Reg. $1,299)

Sep 14 2015 - 1:10 pm PT

Best Buy is discounting the 256GB and 512GB super thin 12-inch MacBooks in Silver, Gold, or Space Gray by $100. What’s more, anyone with access to a .edu email address can save an additional $50 by grabbing a unique coupon code from this Best Buy promo page. The 256GB model drops down to $1,149.99 shipped when you take advantage of both discounts. That’s a match for the lowest price we’ve ever seen on Apple’s thinnest and lightest MacBook.

The all-new 12-inch MacBook features an ultra-thin design, Force Touch, Retina display, and a re-engineered keyboard. Not sure the new MacBook is for you? Take a minute to read our review.

Use your savings to outfit your new MacBook with some low-cost USB-C adapters and cables.
Expand
Expanding
Close

The new Bluetooth Seaboard Rise looks to modernize the typical MIDI controller like never before

Justin Kahn Sep 11 2015 - 4:09 pm PT

Electronic musicians are always trying to find new ways to create music, and natural human expression has always been at the forefront of that discussion. Whether it’s a typical MIDI keyboard and grid style controller or even glide/touch based input device like iPad, these devices all change the way we perceive and compose music.

A few years back a company called Roli dropped a very unique approach to the typical MIDI keyboard set-up with its Seaboard Grand. The device uses a series of touch and velocity based sensors in the form of a not-so traditional keyboard. It allowed musicians to play electronic instruments with an unprecedented amount of human emotion and expression by way of a series of what the company calls keywaves. At the time, the sky high price tag on the Seaboard made this level of creativity somewhat unattainable to the average musician, but now the company is back with a smaller, more affordable version of its touch/velocity based controller:
Expand
Expanding
Close

TwelveSouth BassJump 2 for MacBook w/ El Capitan software update: $50 shipped (Orig. $70)

Jared Weintraub Sep 3 2015 - 4:41 pm PT

TwelveSouth is offering its portable subwoofer for Macbooks, the BassJump 2 for $69.99. If you use the coupon code BetterThanBluetooth the price drops to only $49.99 shipped. This includes free refreshed software that allows you to use it w/ the latest OS including El Capitan.

The BassJump Sound System 3.0 software blends the sound output of BassJump with the output of built-in MacBook speakers, adding bass for dramatically enhanced sound.

We reviewed the BassJump 2 and found it to offer more clarity with background sound.

Charleston, SC, September 3, 2015 – Twelve South has released a software update for BassJump, their portable subwoofer for Macbook. The software refresh makes the BasJump compatible with every Apple supported OS, including upcoming El Capitan. The BassJump Sound System 3.0 software blends the sound output of BassJump with the output of built-in MacBook speakers, adding bass for dramatically enhanced sound. The software update is free for all current BassJump owners. BassJump for MacBook, compatible with all MacBook models, is just $69.99 and available now at twelvesouth.com

Already own a BassJump? Update your BassJump software to 3.0 for free here.

The BassJump Sound System blends the sound output of BassJump with the output of built-in MacBook speakers, adding bass for dramatically enhanced sound. The ultra-portable BassJump turns MacBook into the ultimate travel-friendly sound system. Since a single USB cable delivers power and sound, no extraneous power supplies are needed, making it perfect for travel or on your desk. Minimalists will love having a less cluttered workspace, while traveling musicians will enjoy having an extra bass kick from their MacBook where ever they go.

To celebrate the refreshed BassJump software, we’re offering $20 off a purchase of a new BassJump. When you’re checking out on twelvesouth.com, use coupon code ‘BetterThanBluetooth‘ to save $20.

Take the BassJump Challenge

Get a BassJump today, now $20 off, and compare it to your favorite pocket Bluetooth speaker. If it’s not better, we’ll give you your money back within the first 30 days after your purchase. There’s no down side to trying the BassJump. Get a BassJump today for just $49.99 using the coupon code ‘BetterThanBluetooth‘ and hear just how good your MacBook can sound.

“Whenever I travel I always make sure to pack my BassJump. I often see others carrying around separate [Bluetooth] speakers on the go, but the convenience of BassJump is a huge advantage. When compared to pocket bluetooth speakers, BassJump offers superior sound quality and convenience – especially when power sources are sparse and the battery is low. We want our friends and customers to experience and compare BassJump to their pocket bluetooth speaker. We’re sure it’ll sound better, or we’ll give you your money back.” —Andrew Green, Twelve South co-founder.

Review: Tucker and Bloom’s East to West XL Messenger Bag goes big to handle all your gear

Trevor Daugherty Sep 2 2015 - 2:40 pm PT

We first detailed the story behind Tucker and Bloom’s East to West Messenger Bag back in November of last year. Since then, the father and son team has continued to build out their brand with new stylings and updates to some older classics. Today, I’ll be taking a look at the newly released East to West XL Messenger Bag.

Aside from its Made in America backstory, I was particularly impressed with the level of craftsmanship on the smaller East to West offering. Head below to see if the updated and larger version passed our test.

Apple
Mac

Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro w/ Force Touch (newest) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB $1,280 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

Aug 31 2015 - 9:32 am PT

ElectronicsValley (Top Rated Plus seller w/ 99.1% feedback rating from 20,724 buyers) via eBay Daily Deals offers Apple’s 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB (model MF840LL/A) for $1,279.99 shipped. That’s $219.01 below its regular price and a match for the best deal we’ve seen.

If you’re thinking about going with a 128GB MacBook Pro or even Air, I’d recommend stepping up to at least 256GB (like this model) so you don’t feel cramped for space. And with a beautiful Retina display (2560 x 1600) plus a slew of extra connectivity options (including HDMI!), this Mac is the best pick for most people.

2.7GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
256GB PCIe-based Flash Storage
Intel Iris Graphics 6100
Force Touch trackpad

Use your savings to add three years of protection to your new Mac with AppleCare: $189 shipped (Reg. $249) via Amazon.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Giveaway: Blackbox Case gives your iPad or MacBook a cozy bamboo home, multiple winners

Trevor Daugherty Aug 15 2015 - 11:16 am PT

Update (8/22 12:15pm): @imcg_17, @pz_smith17, @johnhickeyjr are our winners. Thanks for following!

MacBook and iPad cases are a dime a dozen now. There are plenty of options to protect your cherished device. But what about for those that are looking for a little more style? That’s where Blackbox Case comes in. Straight out of Golden, Colorado, Greg and his crew of engineers and craftsmen are cranking out handmade wooden cases from bamboo for your MacBooks or iPads.

This week we’ve partnered with Blackbox to give away three cases to our readers, worth up to $189 each. Head below for more details on how you can win one for yourself.

Apple
Mac

Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro w/ Retina Display (newest) 2.7GHz/8GB/128GB: $1,100 shipped (Reg. $1,299)

Justin Kahn Aug 13 2015 - 11:34 am PT

Blutek (top rated seller with 98.7% positive feedback rating) via eBay Daily Deals offers Apple’s latest 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display (MF839LL/A) for $1,099.99 shipped. That’s $199 under the regular price and matching the best price we have ever seen for this model.

Along with Apple’s new Force Touch trackpad, this configuration has a 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz), 8 GB of LPDDR3 SDRAM, 128 GB of Flash storage and Intel Iris Graphics 6100.

Head over to today’s Daily Deals for discounts on the new 5K iMac and MacBook Air.

Livid’s new wireless iOS/Mac MIDI instrument clocks in at the same size as iPhone 6 Plus

Justin Kahn Jul 31 2015 - 5:12 pm PT

Nine Inch Nails, Aerosmith, Bassnectar, The Ting Tings and Richie Hawtin are all among the many artists around the world that use Livid instruments. The company is known for its grid-based MIDI and DJ controllers, allowing musicians to bring some of their favorite (just about any) software gear into the real world. While its main offerings consist of larger MIDI/performance controllers, mixers and this odd little Guitar Wing add-on, Livid has condensed years of experience into its new mini-sized music maker: Minim.

Games
Mac

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II is now available for Mac w/ launch day pricing: $7 (Reg. $10)

Justin Kahn Jul 22 2015 - 10:56 am PT

Aspyr, known for its work porting popular PC titles to OS X, has now officially announced the availability of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords for Mac and Linux. The remake/port is currently live at a special launch discount of $6.99 (Reg. $10) via GameAgent (Steam) and the Mac App Store.

While it released nearly 10 years ago on PC and Xbox, KOTOR 2, as it is commonly referred to as, looks like it will pack in some new updates and enhancements. On top of improved visuals to support native resolutions and widescreen (it was originally a 4:3 title), we are getting controller support and achievements. Aspire also notes that these additional features are coming to PC users as well. Anyone familiar with the original will know there are three different Jedi classes to choose from, 10 character parties, and dynamic player choices that effect the game’s overall story.

Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac $16 Prime shipped (Orig. $80)

Justin Kahn Jul 16 2015 - 11:19 am PT

4 Comments

Amazon has Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac for $15.98 with free shipping for Prime members (free trial) or on orders of $35 or more. That’s $64 under the original $80 price tag, $20 under the next best selling price from a trusted retailer and within $1 of the previous low.

For those who don’t know, Parallels allows you to run Windows on your Mac “side-by-side- without rebooting.” Perfect for transferring files or even to run Microsoft-only software, you can run Windows apps as though they were made for OS X. You’ll find full gesture support and easy drag & drop/copy & paste between the two operating systems. While there is a newer version of the app available, it is about 4 times the price. You can find out everything you need to know about the latest edition of Parallels over on 9to5Mac. Keep in mind, the latest update for Parallels 9 does support OS X Yosemite, but we cant say for sure whether or not it will support El Capitan and Windows 10.

Parallels Desktop 9 and 10 for Mac are among the best selling cross-platform utilities on Amazon and have a 4.5/5 star rating from over 1,000 Amazon customers.

You’ll find more discounted apps for your Mac and iOS devices in our daily roundups.

Giveaway: Win one of SanDisk’s newly released massive 200GB microSD cards ($250 value)

Trevor Daugherty Jul 13 2015 - 10:47 am PT

13 Comments

Update (7/20 5:00pm): @tommychen and @mr_avery are our winners – thank you to everyone for entering our giveaway!

In celebration of the 10th year anniversary of microSD cards, SanDisk is partnering with gadgetnewsonline to give readers the chance to win one of its 200GB microSD storage options. This is the “world’s first” card of its type with that amount of space for storing photos, videos, files and more.

Head below for the full details on how you can win one of these microSD cards for your MacBook, phone or digital camera.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Here’s the first trailer for the new Telltale Minecraft Story Mode game

Justin Kahn Jul 6 2015 - 4:50 pm PT

Back in December of last year Telltale announced that it would be working with Mojang on a story-based Minecraft title known as Story Mode. Quite a departure from the usual free-form, creative gameplay Minecraft took the world over with, the title looks to bring Telltale’s narrative touch into the mix. Today we get our first trailer for the 5-part episodic game (seen below), along with a quick glimpse of what to expect in terms of visuals and story.

This is not an online game, there is full dialog courtesy of Patton Oswalt and others, and there’s a definitive story arch and ending. While there is player choice driven content, like with other Telltale adventure games, players will be following along the story of Jesse and his friends as they attempt to save there world with the help of the Legendary Order:

Jesse and his group of friends revere the legendary Order of the Stone; four adventurers who slayed an Ender Dragon. The Order are the very best at what they do: Warrior, Redstone Engineer, Griefer, and Architect. While at EnderCon, Jesse and his friends discover that something is wrong… something dreadful. Terror is unleashed, and they must set out on a journey to find The Order of the Stone if they are to save their world from oblivion.

The game will be available as a digital download “soon” for Mac, PC, all major consoles (other than Nintendo’s), iOS and Android. Some reports suggest “soon” could be as early as the next few weeks.

Be sure to hit up our daily game/app roundups for all the best gaming deals across every platform.

Numark Mac/PC DJ controllers: Mixtrack Pro w/ audio interface $139 shipped (Orig. $250), more

Justin Kahn Jul 1 2015 - 3:25 pm PT

Amazon has the Numark Mixtrack Pro DJ Controller with an integrated audio interface for $139 shipped. That’s more than $100 under the original listing, lower than most trusted refurbished listings, and the best price we can find.

Great for beginner DJs or for those just looking for an affordable and compact casual option, the Mixtrack will give you all the basic DJ controls including separate headphone cues plus a built-in audio interface. It ships with Serato’s DJ Intro software and will work with your Mac right out of the box. It has a 4.4/5 star rating from over 320 Amazon customers.

More affordable starter options include the Numark Mixtrack DJ Software Controller for $89 shipped right now on Amazon (Orig. $150) and the best selling Numark DJ 2 Go Ultra-Portable USB DJ Controller for $39.95 shipped (Orig. $60, within $10). You’ll also find the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 All-In-One DJ Controller for Serato dropped down to $250 shipped (Orig. $400) at most retailers including Amazon. It is the best selling new DJ controller release on Amazon.

You’ll find even more discounted DJ controllers and gear in Amazon’s Musical Instruments Store deals. And be sure to check out this complete home recording setup for $250 shipped.

Games
Mac

Free Mac App Bundle: X-Mirage, iTunes Converter, more ($146 value)

Jared Weintraub Jun 12 2015 - 2:56 pm PT

3 Comments

For the next 4 days you have the chance to get your hands on 5 great Mac apps for absolutely free.

gadgetnewsonline Specials has the Ondesoft 5-app software bundle for 100% off the list price. These apps all together are valued at $146 and include the following: X-Mirage (pictured above) that lets you mirror anything from your iOS devices to your Mac, an iTunes media converter, audiobook converter, easy screen shot taker, and a clipboard management app.

Just follow the link and you’ll be on your way to some great free new apps. You can see the rest of our free and discounted apps in our daily roundups.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Sonder keyboard’s E-ink display keys bring a fully customizable setup to your Mac

Justin Kahn Jun 9 2015 - 2:39 pm PT

For many, the typical Apple keyboard, or something from a company like Logitech is more than enough for their daily needs. But for video editors, music programmers, serious gamers and those looking to type in different languages/dialects, customized keyboards can be very helpful. There are already a number of options for these folks, including Logic Pro X/Final Cut Pro keyboards with the quick commands printed directly on the keys, or even this super-customizable $1,500 typer, with mini LCD displays behind each key. But the new E-Ink display equipped Sonder keyboard is looking to bring an even deeper level of customization at a much more realistic price point:
Expand
Expanding
Close

iPad
Mac

Novation Launchkey MIDI controller keyboard: 49-key $100 (Orig. $200), 61-key $140 (Orig. $250)

Justin Kahn Jun 3 2015 - 12:36 pm PT

Amazon is offering the Novation Launchkey 49 key USB/iOS MIDI Keyboard Controller for $99.99 shipped (matched at Guitar Center). That’s $100 under its original listing and the best price we can find. It still fetches up to $160 at some trusted retailers.

You’ll also find the Novation Launchkey 61 model for $139.99 shipped today (matched at Guitar Center). That’s more than $100 under the original listing and the best we can find by $60.

They are compatible with Mac, PC and iPad (requires the standard Apple Camera Connection kit, not included), and feature 6 velocity-sensitive multi-color pads, over 50 mappable hardware controllers in total, and seamless integration with your DAW including Logic Pro X, FL Studio and Ableton Live.

The Novation Launchkeys have a 4.1/5 star rating from over 160 Amazon customers, much like the rest of the popular and affordable Novation music production gear.

If you’re into music production, then you’ll want to check out our new series: The Logic Pros, which explores all of the most interesting gadgets and software for making music on your Mac and iOS devices.

$20 Mac Bundle: Unibox, Noiseless, Hider 2, Notebook 4, App Tamer 2, iStat Menu 5, more (Orig. $204)

Donna Enzmann Jun 1 2015 - 3:29 am PT

Original 2178 summermacessentials mf primary

gadgetnewsonline Specials currently has the Summer Mac Essentials Bundle for $20. It brings together nine great OS X apps to enhance your Mac that normally cost $204 that’s 90% off.

In this bundle, Unibox is there to streamline your email sorting, while iStat Menu and App Tamer keep your Mac ticking along nicely. Noiseless lets you remove the grain from any photos you take, while Notebook offers an easy way to store your thoughts. Hider can encrypt any files, and Jump Desktop provides remote access to any PC or Mac. Finally, Beamer will stream pretty much any video to your Apple TV, and you can message your friends with Chatology.

Unibox ($19.99) — a beautiful, simple, speedy email client that focuses on people rather than messages

Noiseless ($17.99) — the most effective, streamlined way of removing noise from your photos, period

Hider 2 ($19.99) — keep confidential files securely locked with passwords and AES 256-bit encryption
Notebook 4 ($49.95) — highly rated note-taking app, with great export features and the option to create mind maps

App Tamer 2 ($14.95) — pause background apps that are using up processing power and battery life

iStat Menu 5 ($16) — the ultimate dashboard for your Mac, with every possible metric on display

Beamer ($15) — stream full HD video to your Apple TV while avoiding AirPlay’s restrictions on certain video formats

Chatology ($19.99) — message your friends on iMessage, Facebook, Jabber, and more with this fast client

Jump Desktop ($29.99) — remotely access any PC or Mac in the world with this five-star-rated app

Grab the bundle here.

Buy Incase’s new bags before anyone else and get a free power pack ($50 value) + giveaway entry

May 28 2015 - 11:00 am PT

Incase is readying a new collection of bags designed for your iPad, MacBook and other gadgets. Our colleagues at 9to5Mac have partnered with Incase to offer an exclusive preorder period for the entire collection, a free power pack, and an amazing giveaway.

Each of the new bags uses Incase’s new Ecoya fabric that is more environmentally friendly and longer lasting. I had a chance to go hands-on with the bags and found that each model has ample, easily accessible storage and enough protection to keep your gadgets safe while on-the-road. Not too mention they all feature Incase’s typical high-quality craftsmanship and style.

Head over to 9to5Mac to get early access to these bags, lock in your free power pack and sign-up for the giveaway.

Lenmar’s ChugPlug gets you four extra hours of MacBook battery life: $68 shipped (Reg. $130)

Trevor Daugherty May 27 2015 - 4:17 pm PT

Tanga offers the Lenmar ChugPlug External Power-Supply Pack for MacBook Air or Pro for $67.99 with free shipping. That’s a savings of $132 off the bloated original listing, $62 better than Amazon, a few dollars off our previous mention and the lowest price that we can find.

We chose the ChugPlug as one of our top portable battery options for MacBooks. You can expect it to add up to an additional 4 hours of battery life to the 11-inch MacBook Air and up to 3 hours for the 13-inch MacBook Air/Pro. While not a full recharge, those couple of added hours can be invaluable when trying to get work done on the road. It is compatible with standard 45 and 60W Apple MagSafe Power Adapters. Note: not compatible with 15-inch MacBooks.

It ships with a one-year manufacturer warranty. Rated 4/5 stars.

AirPlay content from your iOS devices to your Mac or PC with Airserver: $10 (Orig. $15)

Donna Enzmann May 26 2015 - 1:31 pm PT

17aa490640a48392b4542408e30647777b746a04 main hero image

gadgetnewsonline Specials currently has the AirServer Universal Mirroring Receiver for just $10. It is a great way to stream content from your iOS devices to your Mac or PC.

Giveaway: Intrepid’s Journeyman messenger bag worth $379 is great for work or play

Trevor Daugherty May 23 2015 - 11:38 am PT

7 Comments

Update (5/30 12:01pm): @christianareas is our winner – thank you to everyone that entered our contest!

Back in the fall, we reviewed Interpid’s Journeyman messenger bag and were impressed with the quality of its leather as well as its overall versatility.

This week we’ll be giving one away, head below for more details on the bag and how to enter to win.
Expand
Expanding
Close

M-Audio 61-key Oxygen Series bus-powered MIDI keyboard $123 shipped (Reg. $200)

Justin Kahn May 19 2015 - 9:04 am PT

Amazon has the M-Audio Oxygen Series 61 Ignite MIDI Controller keyboard for $123.23 shipped. That’s around $76 below the the original $200 price tag it is still fetching from retailers like Guitar Center and as much as $20 under the best price we can find.

This is a bus-powered, 61 key MIDI keyboard that will integrate with your favorite recording software on your Mac right out of the box. It features 8 assignable knobs, 9 assignable sliders and dedicated transport and track buttons to run your DAW without the need for a mouse (optional).

It has received a 4/5 star rating from 35 Amazon customers. Be sure to check out the rest of Amazon’s discounted musical instruments store for up to 50% off accessories, instruments, keyboards, recording gear and more.

More on the M-Audio Oxygen Series 61 Ignite:

The Oxygen 61 USB MIDI controller delivers next-generation functionality from M-Audio, the leading innovator in mobile music production technology. Oxygen 61 features eight assignable knobs and nine assignable sliders, plus dedicated transport and track select buttons.

DirectLink mode automatically maps these controls to common DAW functions including transport, mixer, track pan and plug-in parameters.

Built-in factory presets offer support for popular virtual instruments right out of the box—no complicated setup required. Velocity-sensitive keys and a sleek, compact design round out a portable keyboard that’s perfect for both production and performance. No other MIDI controller in this price range has so much functionality while remaining easy to use.

iTunes Free App of the Week: Mighty Switch Force! Hose It Down! ($2 value)

Justin Kahn Apr 30 2015 - 4:47 pm PT

Apple has picked Mighty Switch Force! Hose It Down! to be this week’s free iOS app. Available on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, you can now download the “pick-up-and-play puzzler” for free. Regularly listed between $1 and $2, this week’s sale is the very first time we have seen the game go free since its release in early February.

Head below for more details:
Expand
Expanding
Close

Small States Review: Grovemade’s Laptop Stand combines quality craftsmanship & thoughtful design, giveaway

Trevor Daugherty Apr 25 2015 - 11:32 am PT

Update (5/2 12:00pm): @tweakmedia is our winner, thank you to everyone that entered the giveaway.

As Apple’s lineup continues to grow, more users are finding themselves using one device at home and one on the road. Because of that, we are seeing more home workstations in need of customization.

If you’re like myself, then an external monitor attached to a MacBook Air is the solution to this problem. The struggle of this setup is the height differential between each display. If you’re someone that sits at a desk all day, this is an issue that is certainly noticeable (and annoying!).

Grovemade, a Portland-based company, recently announced its own solution to this problem. Over the last few weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to work with the Walnut Laptop Stand. Head below for more details and to find out how you could win one yourself…
Expand
Expanding
Close

Review: Moleskine’s new myCloud Smallpack offers plentiful storage in a tidy design, $150 giveaway

Trevor Daugherty Apr 18 2015 - 11:30 am PT

Update (4/25 5:00pm): @sanders_voice is our winner – thank you to everyone that entered!

Last month journal-maker Moleskine released a new line of backpack and messenger bags. Since then, we’ve spent time with one of its newest products: the myCloud Smallpack in grey, which is designed for laptops up to 13-inches in size. This bag is a unique blend of compact design and high capacity storage.

Head below for full details on the myCloud Smallpack and details on how you could win one yourself…
Expand
Expanding
Close

Satechi’s Premium Aluminum 4-Port USB Clamp Hub: $20 Shipped

Donna Enzmann Apr 16 2015 - 3:47 pm PT

Get this extraordinarily handy accessory for just $19.99

The Satechi Aluminum Clamp Hub Premium 4-Port USB 3.0 adds four USB 3.0 ports to your Mac or PC to connect 4 USB devices for accessing smartphones, external hard drives, cameras, flash drives, keyboards, printers, and more. There’s no need to reach around your computer, fighting through cobwebs and searching for an outlet so hard to find it may as well be the lost city of Atlantis. Instead, you’ll have four ports, easily accessible for your convenience.

Features:

Replaces a single USB 3.0 port with 4 individual ports
Finished in an attractive brushed aluminum
Provides easy access to any of your USB compatible devices
Allows for immediate use with no software installation
Protects your monitor from scratching w/ rubber padding
Indicates which ports are powered and ready for use w/ individual blue LED lights
Backwards compatible with USB 2.0

Apple
Mac

Refurbished Apple laptops: 13-inch MacBooks as low as $259, MacBook Pros starting at $459

Jared Weintraub Apr 15 2015 - 12:02 pm PT

4 Comments

Are you looking for your child’s first laptop and, like us, not seeing much of a middle ground between something like a Leapfrog and an expensive full featured PC? Well, Daily Steals has a selection of refurbished Macbooks as low as $259 shipped – and they’re going fast.

The 13.3-Inch MacBook MC240LL/A (pictured above) has a 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo Processor, 2GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, DVD Superdrive and comes with MAC OSX 10.6. It was the the notebook to have back in 2009 and is still a great learning device for anyone.

They are also offering refurbished Macbook Pros (MC118LL/A) as low as $459. Check out the full selection. A 30-day warranty applies to each laptop Daily Steals sells.

Apple
Mac

2015 MacBook Air 11 and 13-inch models from $829 w/ free DVD burner, discounted AppleCare and $50 rebate

Apr 14 2015 - 4:18 pm PT

Yesterday we ran a deal for the biggest discount we had seen to date on any 2015 MacBook Air (it’s still alive, BTW). At that time we mentioned how most discounts on these models have been modest (about 5%). While that’s still true today, we have discovered that Adorama is sweetening these prices by throwing in some freebies and offering a mail-in rebate on AppleCare bundles.

Below you’ll find Adorama’s VIP Exclusive pricing. To be eligible for these discounts you’ll need to sign-up as an Adorama VIP. Registration is free right now and honestly has been since as far back as I can recall, but apparently it usually sells for $149. After registering you’ll be eligible for these 2015 MacBook Air prices:

11″ MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB (MJVM2LL/A): $829 (Reg. $899) – $70 off
11″ MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/256GB (MJVP2LL/A): $1,044.99 (Reg. $1,099) – $54.01 off
13″ MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB (MJVE2LL/A): $949.99 (Reg. $999) – $49.01 off
13″ MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/256GB (MJVG2LL/A): $1,139.99 (Reg. $1,199) – $59.01 off

The above listings are all standard configurations. Adorama also has a slew of custom configured MacBook Airs at a discount as well.

All of these deals include a free LG Electronics GP50NB40 Super-Multi External DVD Burner, which is an additional savings of $26.99.

Purchase AppleCare at the discounted rate of $174 (Reg. $249) at the same time as one of the aforementioned laptops and you’ll be able to save an additional $50 with this mail-in rebate.

If you’re looking for a deal on the Retina MacBook Pro, Retina iMac or any other Mac, I’d suggest starting at Apple’s Refurbished Online Store.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple
Mac

Give your MacBook a boost with this stunning USA-sourced wooden stand from Grovemade

Trevor Daugherty Apr 7 2015 - 4:38 pm PT

Our technology deserves a nice accessory, something to complement the beautiful curves and lines of the device. We are big fans of well made add-ons that come with a story and there may be no better company in America at doing that than Grovemade. Today, the Portland-based company has introduced a new stand that gives the MacBook a little boost, crafted from locally sourced materials here in the United States.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Play Super Mario 64 in beautiful HD for free in your browser

Justin Kahn Mar 30 2015 - 4:54 pm PT

Update (3/31 2:35pm): It appears as though the folks over at Nintendo weren’t too happy about the HD remake. Links to access Super Mario 64 HD are all shutdown at this point.

Many of us still remember the release of the now iconic Super Mario 64 back in the mid 90’s. Since then the game has garnered a massive following and is widely considered to be one of the most influential video games of all time. Even though the game holds up quite well after so many years, those N64 graphics don’t look as pretty as they used to. So developer Erik Roystan Ross decided to take it upon himself to recreate the beloved game’s first level in full HD using the Unity game engine.

While not a complete replica of the original, it is certainly much prettier and will be very familiar to fans of the game. It is complete with many of the enemies and obstacles from the original, and best of all, you can play for free right now on your Mac, PC or Linux machine (with gamepad support). It is also available right in the browser if you have the free Unity player installed. While there were previously some server overload issues, Ross’ blog states that new hosting has been provided.

Be sure to check out our ongoing Nintendo deals as well. We currently have some deeply discounted amiibo figures and rarely discounted 3DS titles still live from over the weekend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8-2TF3Okyw

More notes/technical stuff from the developer:

Demonstration project for the Super Character Controller, a recreation of Super Mario 64’s first level, Bob-Omb Battlefield. Everything is just as you remember, except some really minor stuff that nobody cared about like red coins or the Wing Cap or the Big Bob-omb. Replacing them are crowd pleasers like giant springs and coin blocks.

Gamepad support is available, so if you have one make sure to open the controls menu to set it up (keyboard controls are default). I’ve tested it with the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and DualShock 3 and 4. If any of these do not work, please post a comment below describing your situation. Likewise, if you use a gamepad that I did not list and it did work, please mention it so I can add it to the list.

Apple
Mac

Apple adds 12 different (highly discounted) iMac w/ Retina 5K models to its refurb store, up to $660 off

Mar 26 2015 - 4:32 pm PT

Apple frequently updates its Refurbished Online Store as new models become available and others sell out. Right now there are an abundance of iMac with Retina 5K display models available at deep discounts (up to $660 off). Since its release last fall we’ve seen a couple deals for retail models, but most of those were for the entry level machine.

If you’re looking for a faster processor, more RAM, or bigger hard drive, these current refurbished deals are going to be the ones you want to get in on:
Expand
Expanding
Close

Incase Apple Accessory Sale: Andy Warhol iPhone 5 case $10 (orig. $40), MacBook and iPad sleeves, more

Trevor Daugherty Mar 26 2015 - 11:28 am PT

Tanga is discounting a number of Incase accessories for iPhone, iPad and MacBooks. Many of these products are for previous generation Apple products, it’s a nice chance at some heavily discounted accessories. Free shipping is available on all orders.

Standout deals include:

11-inch Neoprene Sleeve for MacBook – Blue: $13.99 (orig. $40)
11-inch Laptop City Sleeve – Black and Green: $14.99 (orig. ($40)
Andy Warhol iPhone 5 Case: $9.99 (orig. $40)
Metallic Slider iPhone 5/5s Case: $6.99 (orig. $30)
Magazine Jacket for iPad/1/2/3/4: $12.99 (orig. $50)

We’ve also got an exclusive 50% discount on Incase MacBook hardshell cases as well.

Australia’s Toffee introduces new iPhone, iPad & MacBook accessories w/ exclusive discount for 9to5 readers

Trevor Daugherty Mar 22 2015 - 11:05 am PT

We first introduced Toffee during the holiday season, with its beautifully crafted accessories for Apple devices. The Sydney, Australia-based company offers a wide selection of bags and gear for life on the go, including a gadgetnewsonline favorite, the Fitzroy Satchel.

Since we last caught up with Toffee, it has introduced a number of new products to complement iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and MacBooks. We’ve spent time with some of its newest gear. Head below for more details and an exclusive discount for gadgetnewsonline’ readers.

IK’s new iRig 2 guitar/instrument audio interface for iOS, Mac & Android is now available

Justin Kahn Mar 18 2015 - 2:59 pm PT

Initially unveiled back in January, IK Multimedia’s latest mutli-platform audio interface is now ready to ship. Much like its predecessor, iRig 2 provides a quick and reliable recording/monitoring solution for guitar players but with a few new features packed in. On top of around 5 years of additional development, the new iRig will support iOS/Mac devices as well as all Android 5.0 tablets and smartphones.

While we have seen a few offerings from IK in the Android space previously, this is technically the first fully featured (and supported) audio interface available for users on Google’s mobile operating system. Head below to find out more about what the iRig 2 has to offer and the devices it supports:
Expand
Expanding
Close

Moleskine announces new backpack and messenger style bags for travelers, artists, more

Trevor Daugherty Mar 12 2015 - 2:03 pm PT

We’re all familiar with Moleskine’s line of very popular notebooks, but the Italian company is making a foray into the bag and storage scene. Moleskine has announced a number of messenger and backpack style bags designed for both technology and analog tools or supplies.

After the break we have more information on all five models, plus details on availability and pricing.

Apple
Mac

Apple extends deeper discounts to its refurbished store: AirPort Extreme $129, 13″ MacBook Air from $719, more

Mar 11 2015 - 10:24 am PT

Apple updated many of its products during Monday’s Spring Forward event. If you’re strong enough to resist these new models, you can stand to save a lot of money. Apple has issued deeper discounts to a range of products in its refurbished online store. All of these items include a full one year warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.

Apple refurbished products are extremely limited and as such it’s common for these products to sell out. Keep checking back, sold out items will pop back in stock.

In case you missed it, refurbished Apple TV is now only $59.

The best recent price drops we’ve found:

AirPort Express: $65 (orig. $99) – was $75
Airport Extreme: $129 (orig. $199) – was $169
AirPort Time Capsule – 2TB: $199 (orig. $299) – was $255
AirPort Time Capsule – 3TB: $299 (orig. $399) – was $339

13″ MacBook Air 1.3GHz/4GB/128GB (FD760LL/A): $719 – was $799
13″ MacBook Air 1.4GHz/4GB/128GB (GD760LL/B): $759 – was $849
11″ MacBook Air 1.4GHz/4GB/128GB (GD711LL/B): $679 – was $769
11″ MacBook Air 1.3GHz/4GB/512GB (G0NY0LL/A): $1,059 – was $1,149
11″ MacBook Air 1.3GHz/4GB/256GB (FD712LL/A): $809 – was $869

13″ Retina MacBook Pro 2.8GHz/8GB/512GB (FGX92LL/A): $1,399 – was $1,529
13″ Retina MacBook Pro 2.6GHz/8GB/256GB (FGX82LL/A): $1,149 – was $1,269
13″ Retina MacBook Pro 2.6GHz/8GB/128GB (FGX72LL/A): $979 – was $1,099

If you prefer to buy new, then check out this Best Buy/Amazon sale on previous generation MacBooks.

The AMPL SmartBag carries a USB port in every pocket to charge all your devices

Trevor Daugherty Mar 10 2015 - 6:23 pm PT

Admittedly, I am a bit of a bag connoisseur. Hauling around all my gear requires a well thought-out solution that not only keeps my stuff organized but also looks good doing it. There are plenty of bag options out there, but less that offer charging solutions and even fewer that do it well. Today we’ve spotted a new company that is aiming to solve on-the-go charging challenges and device storage. Through Indiegogo, AMPL has raised over $213,000 towards “the worlds smartest backpack”.

The SmartBag has a number of unique and interesting design cues, most notably providing a USB port in every pocket. However, the real question is how many times can it recharge your gadgets?

Apple
Mac

Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Laptop (previous version) 1.3GHz/4GB/128GB $830 (orig. $1,099)

Jared Weintraub Mar 2 2015 - 1:21 pm PT

Big Value Inc. via eBay Daily Deals offers the Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ Laptop (MD760LL/A) for only $829.99 shipped. That’s $269 off the original list price, $79 less than Amazon and the lowest we can find for a new one.

This mid-2013 Macbook features a 1.3GHz Intel Core i5 Haswell processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of flash storage. It has a native screen resolution of 1440 x 900, 802.11ac WiFi, two USB 3.0 ports and one Thunderbolt port.

Buy with confidence, Big Value Inc. received a 99% positive feedback rating from eBay shoppers.

Small States Review: Bolt Briefcase from WaterField Designs is an ideal work and travel companion

Trevor Daugherty Feb 28 2015 - 12:40 pm PT

Back in January, San Francisco-based bag and accessory maker WaterField Designs announced its Bolt Briefcase. Since then we’ve had the opportunity to put the Bolt through its paces. Designed to be a professional alternative to the leather briefcases of old, this bag is for travelers and techies in need of a solution for multiple occasions.

Head below for our hands-on impressions and to learn how you could win this Bolt Briefcase.

Life Hack: Fix your iMac’s biggest annoyance by moving its USB ports, deals from $6 Prime shipped

Feb 25 2015 - 12:35 pm PT

In late 2012 Apple released a super slim unibody iMac. Its tapered 5mm design is simply an engineering feat and is most definitely worth gawking at. The front is free from ports, which creates an ultra clean look, but comes at the expense of functionality. It’s a first world problem, I know, but it can be a real nuisance having to crane your neck to plug in a USB cable. Luckily a couple accessory makers have tackled this issue by moving the iMac’s USB ports to its front panel.

One deal we’re currently featuring solves this problem for just $6.17 Prime shipped, while another new product adds even more functionality but at a higher price point…
Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple
Mac

$40 Mac Bundle: Things, ScreenFlow, Typed, Civ, ExpanDrive, Aftershot Pro 2, more

Donna Enzmann Feb 17 2015 - 11:00 pm PT

Today we’ve put together a really impressive bundle of 8 Mac apps including the latest versions of Screenflow and Things (which are $100 and $40 at the Mac App Store by themselves!).

Using the coupon code ULTRAMAC5 at checkout, 9to5 readers can get an extra $5 discount over at Specials.gadgetnewsonline.com to buy the whole bundle for $39.99 – that’s 91% off from the $470 retail price.

Every app’s latest version is included, none of which has ever been in a bundle before (except AfterShot Pro 2). In fact, 6 of the apps cost more by themselves than the whole bundle does!

Here’s what’s in the goodie bag:

ScreenFlow 5 (~~$99.99~~) – The best screen recording tool for Mac. Version 5 was released in October and has never been in a bundle before.
Things 2 (~~$49~~) – Award-winning task management app that’s never been in a bundle before.
Civilization: Beyond Earth (~~$49.99~~) – The latest in the epic Civilization series.
ExpanDrive 4 (~~$49.95~~) – Slick utility app.
ProSoft Data Rescue 4 (~~$99.99~~) – Market leader in data recovery. This is the new version 4.
AfterShot Pro 2 (~~$79.95~~) – A very solid photo editor, and the only app included that’s been in a bundle before.
Typed (~~$24.95~~) – A new text editor that has gotten a lot of hype and acclaim out the gate.
Snapselect (~~$24.99~~) – Handy new photo app from MacPhun.

In all, the value is almost $470, and with the coupon code “ULTRAMAC5” 9to5 readers can grab it for $39.99 (91% off). This one will go really quick.

Small States: Woodchuck USA complements Apple products w/ USA-sourced wood, 15% off & giveaways

Trevor Daugherty Feb 7 2015 - 12:01 pm PT

Throughout Small States you’ll hear stories of people that are making a conscious effort to bring manufacturing back to the United States. Companies that strive to create products in a way that has escaped our country and fled overseas. We are finding that these manufacturers have a great pride in what they do — this week we’re taking a look at Woodchuck USA, a company who’s pride is evident across all aspects of its business.

“Nature back to people. Jobs back to America. Quality back to products.”

With its locally grown hardwood accessories, Woodchuck has managed to create beautiful additions for your Apple devices. All the while doing it with a focus on integrity and creating jobs here in the United States.

Duet Display uses your iPad as an extra Mac display, hits its lowest price ever today: $8 (Reg. $15)

Justin Kahn Jan 28 2015 - 8:15 am PT

4 Comments

Developed by former Apple engineers, the Duet Display app allows you to use your iPad or iPhone as an extra display for your Mac. The setup requires both an iOS app, which typically runs for $15.99 (after a $9.99 introductory price for a short time) and a Mac companion app that is free, but today the iOS side of things has dropped to its lowest price ever: $7.99.

Head below for a closer look in the intro video and more details:
Expand
Expanding
Close

Apogee’s new Groove portable amp uses four DACs to match different headphones

Trevor Daugherty Jan 23 2015 - 3:57 pm PT

Your personal music collection is one of the most, well personal, things that many of us have in our lives. Everyone has different tastes and likes to listen in their own way. What many consumers do not realize is that they are typically not hearing the music as it was intended. We’ve covered the importance of digital-to-analog converters (DAC) before, but today we are seeing a new option that packs everything a DAC offers into a smaller, portable package.

Apogee, makers of recording industry leading microphones, audio interfaces and more, has announced the newest addition to its line of products with the portable USB Groove DAC and headphone amp for Mac and Windows PC. It comes packed with intriguing features and will launch with a special edition model you’ll certainly want to see.

The best student discounts: save at Apple, Best Buy, J.Crew and dozens of other national retailers

Trevor Daugherty Jan 23 2015 - 2:45 pm PT

Life as a student can be a struggle, from trying to keep up with your classes to working at a part-time job. Don’t forget about your girlfriend or those student loans weighing over your head as well. The good news: we’re here to help put a couple bucks back in your pocket so you don’t have to settle for cheap beer this weekend…

gadgetnewsonline has scoured the internet looking for some of the best discounts available to students and rounded them up. Below we’ve got details on potential savings at Apple, Amazon, Eddie Bauer, J. Crew and more. You probably had no idea that you’ve been missing out on those discounted burritos.

Apple
Mac

Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro w/ Retina display (newest version) 2.8GHz/8GB/512GB: $1,599 ($200 off)

Jan 23 2015 - 9:34 am PT