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The weekend’s best deals: Apple TV 4K, OLED TVs, MacBook Pros, and more

    The weekend's best deals: Apple TV 4K, OLED TVs, MacBook Pros, and more

    Ars Technica

    It’s the weekend and that means it’s time for a new Dealmaster. Our latest roundup of the web’s best tech deals includes a bundle on Apple’s online store that gives out a $50 Apple Gift Card with the purchase of a new Apple TV media streamer. Apple says it will email the gift card within 24 hours of shipping your purchase. This isn’t an easy price cut, but knowing that you’ll be using the gift card on a future Apple purchase, whether it’s another device, an Apple subscription service, or something in the App Store, effectively equates the bundle to the largest discount we have followed for the Apple TV 4K. The entire promotion runs through July 14.

    While we’d still recommend the more affordable Google Chromecast—which is also discounted these days—for most people who need a 4K media player, the Apple TV 4K may be worth it for those willing to pay for faster (and more future-proof) hardware and a simpler user interface that is less ad-packed than other streaming platforms. The device supports all major apps and works with both Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos, although the lack of 120Hz support is disappointing for the price. While some Roku devices now support AirPlay, Apple’s box plays especially well with other Apple devices, as well as platforms like HomeKit or Apple Arcade. The device is just too expensive, but this deal should lessen the blow.

    It’s worth noting that, according to a recent Bloomberg report, Apple is developing a refreshed Apple TV 4K with an updated chip and an extra gigabyte of RAM, so this bundle could be Apple’s way of clearing inventory before the new model launches. It is unclear exactly how much the new Apple TV 4K will cost. For now, though, the current Apple TV 4K is still plenty powerful for most streaming needs, so if you’ve already nestled into the Apple ecosystem and want to jump on board, this might be a good chance.

    However, if you’re not in need of a new media streamer, our deals roundup also includes lows for some well-reviewed OLED TVs from Sony and LG, the best price we’ve seen for Nintendo’s. The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch collectible, a nice discount for a certified refurbished version of Sonos’ One SL speaker, an early Prime Day offer on Amazon’s Audible Premium Plus service, deals on MacBook Pros and several first-party PlayStation 5 games, and much more. You can find our full curated list below.

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    Featured offers of the day

    The screen on the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro.
    enlarge The screen on the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro.

    Samuel Axon

    Electronics Deals

    The Sonos One SL sounds as smooth as the <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/10/sonos-one-review-a-better-sounding-echo-with-some-holes-left-to-fill/" doel="_blanco" rel="noopener">normal One</a> but does not include microphones for voice control.” src=”https://cdn.CBNewz.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/sonos-one-sl-1-640×427.jpg” width=”640″ height= “427” /><figcaption class=
    enlarge The Sonos One SL sounds just as smooth as the normal One, but does not contain microphones for voice control.

    Laptop and Desktop PC Deals

    • Apple MacBook Pro (2021) 14.2-inch laptop (Apple M1 Pro, 3024×1964, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $1,799 $1,950) at Amazon, Best Buy
    • Apple MacBook Pro (2021) 16.2-inch laptop (Apple M1 Pro, 3456×2234, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $2,299 $2,410) at Amazon, Best Buy, B&H
    • Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13-inch Tablet PC (Core i5-1135G7, 2880×1920, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) + Microsoft Surface Signature keyboard for $900 $1,070) at Best Buy
    • Samsung 980 Pro (1TB) PCIe 4.0 Internal SSD for $140 $155) at Amazon, Best Buy
    • Gigabyte Aorus FO48U 48-inch Gaming Monitor (4K, 120 Hz, OLED, VRR) for $800$1,000) at Amazon
    • PowerColor Red Devil Radeon RX 6700 XT (12GB GDDR6) graphics card for $470 $550) at Amazon
    • Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 (8GB GDDR6) graphics card for $500 $550) at Best Buy (store pickup only)
    • MSI Ventus 3X Plus GeForce RTX 3080 (12GB GDDR6) graphics card for $800 $965) at Newegg
    • Apple Back to School Promotion: Get up to $150 Apple Gift Card on select Macs, up to $100 Apple Gift Card on select iPads at Apple (EDU members only)
    The redesigned (and <a href=
    enlarge The redesigned (and much less burdensome) Siri remote for the latest Apple TV 4K.

    Apple

    TV and home entertainment deals

    A look at the home screen of the <a href=
    enlarge A look at the home screen of the Ars-approved Google Chromecast with Google TV.

    Corey Gaskin

    gaming offers

    Nintendo's <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/12/best-last-minute-gift-ideas/" doel="_blanco" rel="noopener">Ars-approved</a> Game and Watch collectible includes three all-time classics: the original <em>The Legend of Zelda</em>the ironclad <em>Zelda II: The Adventure of Link< /em> and the charming Game Boy title <em>Link’s Awakening</em>.” src=”https://cdn.CBNewz.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nintendo-Game-and-Watch-Zelda-640×427.jpg” width=”640″ height=”427″ srcset =”https://cdn.CBNewz.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nintendo-Game-and-Watch-Zelda-1280×853.jpg 2x”/><figcaption class=
    enlarge Nintendo’s Ars-approved Game and Watch collectible features three all-time classics: the original The Legend of Zeldathe hard as nails Zelda II: Link’s Adventureand the charming Game Boy title Link’s Awakening

    Jeff Dunn

    Video Game Deals

    <em>R</em><em>Atchet & Clank: Rift Apart </em>is a light-hearted action game <a href=
    enlarge RAtchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a light-hearted action game that we recommend to PS5 owners.
    • It takes two (Xbox, PC) for $16 $25) at Xbox, Steam, Origin
    • Devil May Cry 5 + Vergil (Xbox, PC) for $10 $20) at Xbox, Steam
    • Dark Souls Remastered (Xbox, Switch) for $20 $30) at Xbox, Nintendo
    • Mega Man 30th Anniversary Collection (Xbox) for $30 $50) at Xbox
    • cup (Xbox, Switch, PC) for $14 $20) at Xbox, Nintendo, Steam
    • Mario Tennis Aces (Switch) for $30 $40) at GameStop
    • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Switch) for $20 $40) at Nintendo (Complete edition in front of $30
    • Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Switch, used) for $40$55) at GameFly
    • Pokemon Brilliant Diamond (Switch) for $30$45) at Best Buy, GameStop (discount in cart)
    • Inside (Switch) for $2 $10) at Nintendo
    • Hades (Switch, PC) for $15 $25) on Nintendo, Steam (also on Game Pass)
    • MLB The Show 22 (Switch, PS4) for $40 $55) at Nintendo (also on Game Pass)
    • Chicory: a colorful story (Switch, PS4, PC) for $14 $20) at Nintendo, PSN, Steam
    • Thumper (Switch) for $5$15) at Nintendo ($6 on steam)
    The tense and very atmospheric roguelite <em>returnal</em>†  Note that it comes with Sony’s higher tiers <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/we-made-a-playstation-plus-explainer-thats-better-than-sonys/" doel="_blanco" rel="noopener">newly renewed</a> PlayStation Plus service.” src=”https://cdn.CBNewz.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/returnal-listing-640×360.png” width=”640″ height=”360″ /><figcaption class=
    enlarge The tense and very atmospheric roguelite Return† Keep in mind that it comes with the higher tiers of Sony’s recently revamped PlayStation Plus service.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment / Private Label

    Accessories and various offers