Samuel Axon
Today’s best tech deals include LG’s well-known C2 55-inch 4K TV and the 2021 iPad Pro at their lowest prices. The C2 and the 2021 iPad Pro are previous-generation models that still offer great performance and display quality. Apple’s entry-level 2023 Mac mini and AirPods Pro also returned to the lowest prices we’ve tracked for them, at $400 for the mini and $200 for the AirPods Pro.
Apple iPad Pro (2021) 12.9-inch M1 Wi-Fi + Cellular, 256 GB for $1,000 ($1,400)
When we reviewed the 2021 iPad Pro (fifth generation), it was “the best screen we’ve ever seen in a tablet”. [and] one of the best screens we’ve seen in a personal computing device, period.” The Mini LED display alone could be a good reason to upgrade from previous generation iPad Pros, especially for avid consumers of HDR content Apple’s M1 processor took the 2021 iPad Pro to unmatchable, “matchless” levels of performance on a tablet that already led the market, and the inclusion of Thunderbolt 3 connectivity made the productivity deal more attractive. needed to support heavier workflows as that’s the only one built-in port for charging and data transfer.
The sixth-generation 2022 iPad Pro (the latest model) moves to the latest M2 processor, but we’d recommend those who already own a 2021 iPad Pro stick with what they’ve got, making it a solid deal for new users. Especially with mobile capabilities and $400 off – the biggest discount we’ve tracked on it – the 2021 iPad Pro is a great buy. If you don’t need that size or power, we think the 10.9-inch iPad Air is the best choice for most buyers looking for a new tablet, at almost half the price.
LG C2 (2022) 55 inch 4K OLED TV front $1,097 ($1,500)
LG’s C-series TVs are widely acclaimed for delivering inky blacks, excellent contrast, wide viewing angles, smooth motion and gaming-friendly features. Compared to the C1, the 2022 C2 improves peak brightness (particularly in the 55-inch format, not the 42- and 48-inch models) and supports 48 Gbps of bandwidth (up from 40 Gbps) to the four HDMI 2.1 ports. The C2 also natively supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, as well as variable refresh rate for smoother gameplay. The 55-inch C2 currently has the lowest price we’ve ever tracked, about $400 off MSRP and at least $150 off regular street price.
Andrew Cunningham
Apple Mac mini (2023) M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $500 ($600)
Apple’s latest Mac mini desktop computer is “Apple’s Goldilocks Desktop for Semi-Pros”. Equipped with Apple’s M2 processor and 8GB of RAM, we found the Mac mini to be cool, quiet, power efficient and plenty powerful for almost any rich media content creation you’d do outside of a professional studio context. As we noted in our review, “people who need more should look at the M2 Pro-equipped minis.” The entry-level model goes down from $600 to $500, which is the lowest price we tracked.
Jeff Dunn
Apple AirPods Pro (second generation) for $200 ($250)
Apple’s latest AirPods Pro also have their lowest price on record. The Pro model uses noise reduction and rubber tips to control outside noise and provide a better fit. It’s great for plane and train rides, but you can turn on Transparency mode to blend in with your surroundings if you’re going for a run in a busy area. Apple says this mode will also match voices better, and a study found the AirPods Pro did well enough to compete with some hearing aids. Battery life is about 4.5 hours, but the case offers about 30 hours of charging. According to Apple, the AirPods Pro are sweat resistant and use spatial audio to tailor the music to your unique ear shape.
Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales made through links in this post through affiliate programs. We use tracking sites such as CamelCamelCamel and Keepa to compare current sales prices to typical street prices to ensure the sales we find are good deals.
