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Mars didn't lose all its water without a fight.

The planet, today 1,000 times drier than the driest desert on Earth, gradually lost its insulating atmosphere. The Red Planet's once great Martian lakes and rivers evaporated some 3 billion years ago, and the rocky world plunged into a global freeze. But some pools of water with high levels of salt persisted, dramatically lowering the freezing point to some -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees Celsius). Salt, as you probably know from swimming in the ocean, easily dissolves in water.

These ancient pools could have even hosted holdouts of life — hardy primitive microbes. But eventually these pools vanished, too. Salt deposits, like those shown below, were left behind. Today, these dried relics of Mars' watery past can resemble some familiar shapes.

"Most likely, those salt deposits formed from shallow ponds of water or brine that evaporated in the sun," Valentin Bickel, a planetary scientist at the University of Bern in Switzerland, said in a statement. "People use a similar method to produce salt for human consumption in saltwater pools on Earth," Bickel, who led the recent research published in the journal Scientific Data, added.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, a Martian satellite that's part of a mission to determine if life has ever existed on Mars, captured the imagery. In the colour-infrared image, the salty deposits are shown in purple on Mars' desert surface.

A "smiley face"-like deposit of salts on Mars' surface. Credit: ESA / TGO / CaSSIS Planetary scientists suspect these salt deposits are leftovers from briny ponds. Credit: ESA / TGO / CaSSIS Tweet may have been deleted

A collaboration between NASA and ESA will in 2028 launch a terrestrial companion to the ExoMars satellite, the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover. "A new instrument on the rover will be the first drill to a depth of up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) deep below the surface to collect ice samples that have been protected from surface radiation and extreme temperatures," NASA said.

It's here, beneath the surface, that scientists may detect compelling evidence of life. Robust bacteria, similar to those found on Earth, could have persisted underground, in dormant states, for millions of years.

We won't know until we look.

Dating is, famously, not easy. Single parenting, is also, famously, not easy. Put them together, and dating as a single parent feels damn near impossible.

The good news is, you're certainly not alone. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly a quarter of children in the United States live in single-parent households. That means there are tons of people out there just like you — single parents who are devoted to their family and wouldn't mind some romance in their lives. On top of that, the best dating apps for single parents can also connect you with men and women who aren't parents themselves but also aren't afraid to date someone with a family.

SEE ALSO: 16 expert-approved kid podcasts to hit play on right now

To help make online dating feel less impossible, we've vetted the best dating apps and sites for you. We know — dating apps don't always have the best rep, but there are actually apps made just for parents these days, and some features on more well-known apps like Hinge can help the dating process along.

Why it's so hard to date as a single parent

Sometimes, the most obvious answer is also the most accurate one, and for single parents, free time can be a huge constraint on their dating life. We know you don't have time to swipe through Bumble and send out dozens of messages that might lead to a date.

"If someone is full-time responsible for parenting their child(ren), time is the most difficult/delicate issue," said Karen Bonnell, a co-parent, stepfamily coach, and author of The Stepfamily Handbook, in an email to Mashable. "Even when the children move back and forth in a two-home family, dating time is often modified to reflect that schedule and can feel compressed and/or a bit like a whipsaw from 'independent adult dating' and 'responsible parent parenting.'"

SEE ALSO: The top 12 dating sites for finding a serious relationship

Even though dating apps take some effort and time, using the right ones can help streamline the process of meeting someone new. That's why we think they're a solid option for single parents looking for love, fun, and friendship. An algorithm that actually shows you people you're compatible with, rather than anyone with a pulse in a 10-mile radius, is a major bonus.

Bonnell also told us it's important to be upfront about your time constraints and responsibilities.

"Dedicating time for communication ('after the kids are down') or setting the children up in an activity while letting them know 'Mom/Dad’s going to do a little computer work now,' or 'taking a call' can work, but it’s not easy," Bonnell wrote. "The ability to openly talk about these barriers and to come to reasonable agreements will predict the long-term durability of the relationship with a parent."

What's the best dating site for single parents?

Popular dating sites are the best places to find a wide array of users, but when you're dating as a single parent, curation can be key.

The dating app market also includes apps specifically designed for parents. In 2020, single parents and family-minded folks alike could start looking for love on heybaby (sadly, this dating site for single parents is no longer active). In 2022, Match Group launched Stir, a platform made specifically for single parents (though anyone can join).

Keep reading to find the best parent-centered dating apps, plus our favorite mainstream dating apps for parents.

A new lineup of Google Pixel phones is on the horizon. We'll hear all about them at the Made by Google event on Tuesday, August 13.

SEE ALSO: The pink Google Pixel 9 resurfaces in another video leak — but the screen is turned on this time

Yep, August. That's not a typo. Google will hold its annual hardware event two months earlier than it normally does in October, which is great news for those of us who have been anxiously waiting for news on the newest Pixel phone. With this event, you can expect updates to the Pixel 9 lineup and the reveals of the already confirmed Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Fold.

Among those updates are rumors of a Pixel Watch 3 and perhaps some new earbuds. But all that and more will have to wait until Tuesday. So here's how to watch:

How to watch Made by Google 2024 event:

This year's Made by Google event will be hosted at its headquarters in Mountainview, California at 10 PM PT/ 12 PM CT/1 PM EST. You'll be able to catch the whole event live streamed on Youtube at this link here or in the embed below:

If you're close to the U.S.-Canadian border tonight, you're in luck. The Northern Lights may be sticking around a little longer, giving you another opportunity to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking natural light show.

The aurora borealis has already begun showing up across northern part of the U.S. since the weekend, with people in states such as Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, California, and Maryland reporting sightings. It also took place simultaneously with the Perseid meteor shower, which reached its peak on Sunday night. 

SEE ALSO: Sun unleashes solar storm at Earth, U.S. may see brilliant aurora

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) now states that the Northern Lights may still be visible in the top north of the country on Tuesday, gracing areas such as northern Michigan and Maine. 

Credit: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center

Even if you aren't sure whether you're close enough to the north, it may still be worth going outside and looking up just to check. The SWPC states that auroras can be seen from over 600 miles away, provided the conditions are right.

To get the best view of the Northern Lights, you'll want to be in an area with as little light pollution as possible. Cloud cover can also obscure the display, though unfortunately there's little that can be done about that. You should also make sure your timing is right. The aurora borealis isn't visible during the day, so try searching for it after sunset. The SWPC recommends between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. as the optimal viewing time.

The solar winds that cause auroras can disrupt power grids and satellites. Fortunately, the SWPC only expects a possibility of "weak power grid fluctuations" and a "minor impact on satellite operations," so you can enjoy the light show free of concerns.

How are auroras formed? The Northern Lights during the Perseids meteor shower in California's Joshua Tree National Park on August 12, 2024. Credit: APU GOMES / AFP via Getty Images

Auroras are caused by activity on the Sun's surface, such as solar flares. This week's particular spectacle is thanks to a recent coronal mass ejection.

The Sun's corona is the outermost layer of its atmosphere, which consists of a superheated ionised gas called plasma. When a coronal mass ejection occurs, large amounts of plasma and magnetic field is expelled from the Sun's corona. Such solar farts travel more slowly than solar flares, with the fastest moving coronal mass ejections taking almost a full day to reach Earth. 

Once the solar wind does arrive, most of it is deflected back out into space by Earth's magnetic field. However, some of its charged ion particles enter said field instead, moving to the polar regions where it's weakest. These ions collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, creating a reaction which gives us an aurora.

Auroras that take place in Earth's Northern Hemisphere are called aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights. Ones that occur in the Southern Hemisphere are called aurora australis, or the Southern Lights.

Those down in Australia and New Zealand have also been enjoying the aurora australis this week, which lit up the night sky in bright pink and green.

The Southern Lights glowing on the horizon over the waters of Lake Ellesmere on the outskirts of Christchurch, New Zealand, on August 12, 2024. Credit: Sanka Vidanagama / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Brock Pierce arrived in Puerto Rico seven years ago, promising to use crypto magic to revitalize the local economy. Now he’s mired in legal disputes and fighting with his business partners.

TL;DR: Grab a lifetime pass to FolderFort's 2TB storage plan and enjoy secure, fast, and reliable cloud storage, available for £109.65 (reg. £391.62).

Opens in a new window Credit: FolderFort FolderFort 2TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription £109.65 at the Mashable Shop
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Fact-checking Donald Trump’s claims about immigration, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Biden and more.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for August 13's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 13 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 13 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

The sound a horse makes.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter N.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

NEIGH.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for August 13's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 13 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Vocally instructed

• Green: Second name

• Blue: Right in front of you

• Purple: Houses but for living

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Stated

• Green: Nickname

• Blue: Obvious

• Purple: ___House (That Aren't Houses)

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #429 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Stated: SAID, SPOKE, TOLD, VOICED

• Nickname: DESIGNATION, HANDLE, MONIKER, SOBRIQUET

• Obvious: CLEAR, MARKED, PRONOUNCED, STRIKING

• ___House (That Aren't Houses): PORTER, POWER, ROUGH, WHEEL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

The audio livestream of a conversation between Elon Musk and the former president ran late as users scrambled to try to access the site.

When Apple officially launches its own AI, Apple Intelligence, later this year – prepare to cough up … nothing.

In fact, according to Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple users will likely enjoy Apple Intelligence's suite of AI features for free for at least three whole years.

In the latest Power On newsletter, Gurman shares that Apple isn't planning on charging anything for Apple Intelligence – yet. Everything from image generation to its AI writing tools will be free for Apple users until at least 2027. 

It should be noted that while Gurman is a reputable source of Apple news, the company has not yet confirmed this new information.

Apple Intelligence is reportedly free until 2027

This news about complimentary Apple Intelligence counters what was reported by other analysts just last week.  Some analysts speculated that Apple could charge between $10 to $20 for its AI features, with a possibility that Apple Intelligence could be bundled with Apple One as well.

Gurman himself said last month that Apple might charge for Apple Intelligence at some point. Gurman now says that Apple may look to charge for premium Apple Intelligence features down the line, but the company is not currently looking to charge anything for the time being as it pertains to the AI products that Apple will launch later this year. Gurman didn't expand on what those potential premium features might be.

Mashable already tested out some of the Apple Intelligence features coming to iPhone in a few months and was impressed with the Writing Tools, the summarization feature on Safari, AI search for Photos, and the new and improved Siri. 

Apple, which is arriving to the AI market much later than any of its competitors, is clearly looking to focus on marketing its Apple Intelligence tools in order to catch up. When Apple Intelligence first arrives to the iPhone later this year, Apple fans will be able to use the features free of charge. And now it appears it'll be that way for quite some time, too.

As Donald Trump and his reelection campaign drops in the polls, the former president is making at least one big move in hopes of altering the trajectory. 

On Monday, Trump returned to Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter, with a slew of posts promoting his presidential campaign and attacking the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Trump also promoted an upcoming interview with Musk over X's Spaces platform, which will take place on Monday night.

The first official post back on the @realDonaldTrump account was a campaign video upload published just after 11am ET. However, the account also posted a paid advertisement right before 3am ET. 

Some X users noted how they see Trump's sudden return to X as a desperate attempt to reverse his falling poll numbers.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Others noted how they were excited to see Trump back on X.

Tweet may have been deleted Trump's return to X

Trump's account previously posted just once before since being "permanently" suspended by the company then-known as Twitter in January 2021 following his supporters' Capitol building attack. Musk reinstated Trump's account in November 2022, shortly after he acquired the company. On August 24, 2023, Trump's account posted for the first time since his suspension. The post included a photo of his then-brand new indictment mugshot, which he has used for his campaign merchandise.

However, after that one August post last year, Trump has gone without posting on X again for nearly a year. As of the publishing time of this piece, Trump's account now has posted or reposted eight times.

It's unclear if Trump himself is posting as he did prior to being suspended  — or if his campaign is using the account.

Trump's (sometimes) unlabeled paid ad

Before Trump's account started posting again on Monday, a paid X ad started running on his account in the early morning hours of August 12.

"Are you better off now than you were when I was president?," the post asked, alongside a campaign video and the hashtag #TrumpOnX.

The ad post does not appear on Trump's account, which isn't out of the ordinary. X allows users to promote posts that are strictly ads and don't appear on their profile feed. However, this caused confusion amongst X users who were unfamiliar with X's advertising platform as the post appeared in feeds before Trump's account started publishing posts again.

One big issue with Trump's X ad, however, is that it doesn't always appear labeled as an ad. Trump's X ad has an "ad" label in the upper right hand corner when it appears in a user's feed. However, when opening Trump's X ad in the post view page, the ad label disappears. If a user was sent a direct link to the Trump ad on X, for example, they would not see the ad label.

Here's how Trump's X ad looks in the post feed with the ad label:

This is how the labeled Trump ad that appears in X users' feeds looks. Credit: Mashable screenshot

And here's how it looks on the post view page and via an embed without the ad label:

Tweet may have been deleted

As previously mentioned, X owner Elon Musk will interview Trump on Spaces tonight.

Mr. Musk has become a vocal supporter of Mr. Trump. It wasn’t always that way.

We've tested plenty of headphones, from the best over-ear headphones to the best earbuds. Plus, we've gotten specific, seeking out noise-canceling options, your best bet on a budget, and the most comfortable pairs for airplane travel. For folks who are brand-loyal, we've also tested pretty much every model of Bose headphones and earbuds to find the best Bose headphones of 2024.

In the past year, Bose's collection of headphones and earbuds underwent a bit of a shake-up, with longstanding headphones like the Bose QC 45 and Bose 700 being discontinued in favor of the new QuietComfort Ultra line. With this in mind, our list includes all the best Bose headphones and earbuds you can currently buy.

How to choose the best Bose headphones

Overall, Bose's headphones prioritize comfort and audio quality, so you'll have to understand your specific needs to pick the best Bose headphones for you. There are truly no bad products here — having tested every product on this list, they're all high-performing options.

So, the bulk of your decision comes down to your personal preferences. If you care deeply about audio quality and want a personalized experience, you'll want a pair of headphones that offers different modes and spatial audio. For athletes or commuters who need to be aware of their surroundings, a pair of earbuds that provide rich audio while letting you hear the world around you is great.

Here are the best Bose headphones of 2024, hands-on tested by Mashable staff:

Cucumbers, in summer? Groundbreaking.

TikTok food often falls somewhere between grotesque and meh on the deliciousness spectrum. Recipes designed to go viral, it turns out, aren't always the best at producing food that's a pleasure to actually ingest.

Something like the viral feta pasta? Honestly, it was pretty decent. But for every good recipe, there's gross-as-hell air-fried fruit or something that's stuffed, fried, coated in Doritos, and disgusting, but it gets views. TikTok's latest food obsession, however, is actually a great dish. It's simple and delicious. Basically, it's a recipe for a lightly marinated cucumber salad, and folks on the app are loving it.

That makes sense, considering that it's a perfect summer side dish and a regular accompaniment to my fried chicken, another summer favorite.

As far as I can tell, it all started with TikTok creator @logagm, real name Logan, who posted a recipe for the best way "to eat an entire cucumber" in July. Logan, who shares a lot of Korean recipes on the platform, thinly slices the cuke, then lightly marinated it with soy, fish sauce, sugar, MSG, sesame oil, garlic, green onion, and sesame seeds. He shakes it up in a quart-sized container, effectively making a quick cucumber salad. The recipe has racked up more than 9 million views.

Logan, seemingly sensing the moment, has gone on to post a ton of different cucumber recipes. Most lean on Asian flavors and involve a light pickle or marinade. They've all racked up millions of views. And now, of course, TikTok is obsessed with cucumbers. Search around, and cucumber salad videos are everywhere on the app. Massively popular creator Alix Earle made one. So did @boywithnojob. Seriously, look around and see how many different recipes there are.

It makes sense, considering it's summertime in the States, and cucumbers are perfectly refreshing on a hot day. They also have very little taste on their own but take on the flavors of a marinade quite well. As a person who loves food — and cooking sensible meals with good ingredients — it's pretty cool to see people online talking so much about a simple, tasty dish and a humble vegetable (cukes are technically fruit, but, come on, they're a veggie).

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

So, while summer lasts, TikTok might actually be a great place to get a recipe for a side dish. Because sometimes you really do just need to eat a whole cucumber.

Do you see how I'm writing this article? Starting it with an example of the exact trend I'm about to explain? Very cutesy. Very mindful. Very demure.

Jools Lebron, TikTok's resident "fierce diva" at @joolieannie, has a catchphrase. In a series of videos Jools posted over the past few weeks, we're given advice on how to look "demure" and "mindful" at work and in life.

"You see how I do my makeup for work? Very demure. Very mindful," Jools says. "I don't come to work with a green-cut crease. I don't look like a clown when I go to work. I don't do too much. I'm very mindful while I'm at work. You see how I look very presentable? The way I came to the interview is the way I go to the job. A lot of you girls go to the interview looking like Marge Simpson and go to the job looking like Patty and Selma. Not demure. I'm very modest. I'm very mindful. You see my shirt? Only a little chee chee out, not my cho cho. Be mindful of why they hired you. Here's your reality check, diva. What's the name you'd like me to make it out to?"

The trend is funny, helpful, demure, and mindful. It's led to a flood of videos of people using the terms "demure," "mindful," and "cutesy" on TikTok, Twitter, and even offline.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

"Demure" does technically mean "reserved, modest, and shy," but don't let the constraints of a dictionary definition control how you use words. You can use it to talk about anything from dental care to a hungover CVS trip.

Please, everyone, enjoy "demure" while it lasts — before something horrible happens, like Jools getting milkshake ducked or a political campaign using it in a TikTok video.

The former president posted a campaign video ahead of a scheduled interview on the platform with Mr. Musk, who reinstated Mr. Trump’s account shortly after buying the site in 2022.

Osgood Perkins ("Longlegs") directs an adaptation of Stephen King's short story "The Monkey," starring Theo James and Tatiana Maslany.

Our top picks: Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Air 13.6-inch laptop (M3, 8GB, 256GB) $849.98 at Amazon (save $249.02) Get Deal Best Chromebook deal Acer Chromebook Spin 311 11.6-inch laptop $225 at Amazon (save $64.99) Get Deal Best gaming laptop deal ASUS ROG Strix G16 16-inch gaming laptop (Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD) $1,281.64 at Amazon (save $118.35) Get Deal

Without my laptop, I’d be lost. Sure, I have a phone and desktop, but I'd be so behind if I couldn’t take my work with me. As someone who travels a lot and is always on the road, having a reliable laptop that can handle my long workdays and hefty workloads is a must.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best laptops of 2024, tested by Mashable staff

Whether you’re getting ready for the back-to-school season, need to upgrade your current setup, or are looking for an awesome gaming rig, we’ve rounded up the best laptop deals for the week of August 12 to help you find exactly what you need at an affordable price.

Here are our top picks:

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple MacBook Air 13.6-inch laptop (M3, 8GB, 256GB) $849.98 at Amazon
$1,099.00 Save $249.02 Get Deal Why we like it

All of my devices are Apple, so I might be a little biased, but the Apple MacBook Air 13.6-inch laptop (M3, 8GB, 256GB SSD) is a solid choice if you’re looking for a powerful, lightweight laptop that can tackle everything from emails to photo editing.

This model has an M3 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, more than enough horsepower for most day-to-day tasks. Plus, the nearly $200 discount at Amazon makes this a steal. With 18 hours of battery life and a 13.6-inch display, you’ll be able to work or stream your faves without worrying about running out of juice.

More Apple laptop deals

• Apple MacBook Air 13.6-inch laptop (M2, 8GB, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air 13.6-inch laptop (M3, 8GB, 512GB SSD) — $1,049.98 $1,299 (save $249.02)

• Apple MacBook Pro 14.2-inch laptop (M3 Pro, 18GB, 512GB SSD) — $1,699 $1,999 (save $300)

Best Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Our pick: Acer Chromebook Spin 311 11.6-inch laptop $225.00 at Amazon
$289.99 Save $64.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 11.6-inch laptop (Intel Celeron N4020, 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC) is a budget-friendly option at just 225. This laptop has more than 10K reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, so it’s popular with shoppers.

It features Chrome OS, includes the Google apps you need, like Drive and Docs, and has a 360-degree hinge so you can use it as a tablet. (That’s probably the coolest thing about this laptop — it can transform into a tablet in seconds.) It has 10 hours of battery life and comes with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage

The specs aren't the most powerful, but for general web browsing, streaming shows, and basic productivity tasks, it gets the job done.

More Chromebook deals

• ASUS Chromebook C423 14-inch laptop (Intel Dual Core Celeron Processor, 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, 32GB eMMC) — $179 $269.99 (save $90.99)

• HP Chromebook 14 14-inch laptop (Intel Celeron N4120 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $192.77 $289.99 (save $97.22)

• Lenovo Chromebook 14-inch laptop (Core MediaTek Kompanio 520 Processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $231.90 $299.99 (save $68.09)

Best gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS Our pick: ASUS ROG Strix G16 16-inch gaming laptop (Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD) $1,281.64 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $118.35 Get Deal Why we like it

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 16-inch gaming laptop (Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD) is a little pricier than the other laptops on this list, but that’s because it's a high-performance machine built for gaming.

This laptop features ROG intelligent cooling and a high-resolution display to deliver smooth gameplay. The MUX Switch ups gaming performance by 5 to 10 percent by routing the GPU directly to the display without going through the integrated graphics first.

With an i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an RTX 4060 GPU, this laptop will give you a leg up on the competition. It also comes with a 90-day Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, so you can start playing right away.

More gaming laptop deals

• ASUS TUF A15 15.6-inch gaming laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, 8GB DDR5, 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD) — $599.99 $699.99 (save $100)

• MSI GV15 15.6-inch laptop (Intel Core i5-11400H GTX 1650, 8GB RAM, 256GB NVMe SSD) — $634.93 $750 (save $115.07)

Best MacBook deals the week of August 12 Best MacBook Air deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849.98 at Amazon (save $249.02) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,999 at Amazon (save $500) Get Deal

MacBooks were one product category left alone at Apple's most recent event: WWDC, which happened in June. But MacBooks are still at top of mind for us this summer — I mean, considering back to school season is one of the best times of year to buy a MacBook on sale.

SEE ALSO: Apple will upgrade every Mac model to M4

Plus, if a certain Apple product was on your radar but out of your budget when it came out (like the new MacBook Airs released in March), your best bet is to circle back a few months later, as most Apple products get their first noteworthy discounts by that time. In the case of our favorite MacBook deal this week, that discount even beats the previous record-low sale price that we saw in July.

In any case, we've pulled the best MacBook Air and MacBook Pro deals live the week of August 12, from the latest generations to older models (if you're looking for even more of a steal).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849.98 at Amazon
$1,099.00 Save $249.02 Get Deal Why we like it

Just released in March 2024, the MacBook Air with an M3 chip has beaten its own record-low pricing: down to $849 from its $898.99 July sale price. Compared to the M2 Air, the M3-equipped model has around 15% faster processing power, supports WiFi 6E, and can support up to two external displays even if the laptop lid is closed. Despite all of that extra juice, the M3 MacBook Air squeezes out around 18 hours of battery life on one charge, and is still super portable — the 13-inch model highlighted here weighs just 2.7 pounds.

More MacBook deals

MacBook Air

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $649 $899 at Walmart (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 at Amazon (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 at Amazon (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 at Best Buy (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,049.98 $1,299 at Amazon (save $249.02)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,049.98 $1,299 at Amazon (save $249.02)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,249.98 $1,499 at Amazon (save $249.02)

MacBook Pro

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,599 at Amazon (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,699 $1,999 at Amazon (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,999 $2,499 at Amazon (save $500)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M3 Pro, 36GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,399 $2,899 at Amazon (save $500)