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Hurricane Milton strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane this morning as it barrels toward a Florida landfall later this week.

Spaghetti models and the National Hurricane Center's prediction cone paint a stark picture of a major hurricane landfall as soon as Wednesday.

Now is the time when we all love to stare at cones and "spaghetti models" showing potential paths as the storm makes its approach, but right from the jump: Please be careful about how you consume this notoriously misunderstood information.

Tweet may have been deleted SEE ALSO: Why it's impossible to forecast the weather too far into the future Hurricane Milton update: See NOAA's storm path prediction

According to NOAA, as of 7 a.m. ET Monday, Hurricane Milton, is now a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. It is expected to continue strengthening as it heads toward the Florida peninsula on Wednesday.

In graphic form, that looks like this:

Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida later this week. Credit: NOAA

As a reminder, NOAA's cone graphic is a fairly reliable prediction of the range of paths the center of the storm may take. The cone is not — as it may appear at first glance — a prediction of an ever-widening storm exploding into the inland United States. Severe wind and storm surge can, and probably will, occur outside the cone, and some areas inside the cone will emerge from the storm totally unscathed.

SEE ALSO: Drone sailed straight into Hurricane Helene, captured intense footage Hurricane Milton spaghetti models reveal likely track

Spaghetti models, like the NOAA cone model, visualize mathematical possibilities.

Unlike the cone, they present the actual paths predicted by a collection of computer models, all spilling out like spaghetti from Strega Nona's magical pasta pot. And like the cone, the spaghetti model can be deceptive. All the paths in the spaghetti model are both speculative and contradictions of one another. The actual storm will only follow one path, and it's almost certain that none of the predicted paths in this splatter of noodles will be perfectly predictive.

Tweet may have been deleted

The above model, posted online on the personal X account of Clark Evans, who works as a research physical scientist at NOAA, shows a fairly tight collection of paths. The storm appears to be headed toward Central Florida. How far north or south the storm will hit remains unclear, but Florida is within every predicted track. Tampa could face a direct hit.

Outlier events most often do not come true. But events also don't conform to averages of predictions. Though top weather models can be astonishingly accurate, the weather simply occurs, and its precise schema is, and will always be, totally alien thanks to the incalculable number of tiny natural and man-made factors that contribute to outcomes.

Are you in the path of Hurricane Milton? See the latest evacuation orders and state-level information from the Florida Division of Emergency Management's Hurricane Milton website.

It's hard to imagine a person who wouldn't benefit from a good pair of headphones. In fact, you pretty much need a pair nowadays, whether you use them for work or just throughout your daily life, as many of us do.

No matter how you use them or what you listen to, one thing's for sure: You're going to end up wearing them for long periods of time, at least at some point. And if you don't have comfortable headphones, your poor little ears are going to suffer. If you haven't experienced headphone soreness and ear fatigue, just know that we don't recommend it.

SEE ALSO: Sony just announced its bass-heavy ULT Wear headphones: Our review

So, to help you take care of your ears and save you any shopping-related stress, we set out to find the most comfortable headphones. We tested dozens of options, from noise-cancelling headphones for flying to budget options, and we narrowed our top picks down to three contenders.

In-ear, on-ear, or over-ear?

If you're looking for comfort above all, over-ear headphones are always the way to go. They just wear better than earbuds) or on-ear pairs. On-ear headphones press more harshly on your ears, which gets uncomfortable quickly. In-ear buds are generally more comfortable than on-ear headphones, but can still begin to hurt after just a few hours depending on the model (they are jammed inside your ears, after all).

Although over-ear headphones are bulkier and less portable, it's worth the trade-off for comfort's sake. Plus, over-ear headphones can be safer for your ears compared to earbuds because the sound isn't being funneled directly into your ear canal. They also provide extra noise cancellation.

How much should you spend on comfortable headphones?

The good news is that comfortable headphones aren't locked to a specific budget range. You can find a super cozy pair at premium prices just as easily as you can find them at the budget end of the spectrum. The extra features you're looking for are what really determine how much you need to spend.

Want unrivaled active noise cancellation or the best sound quality in the business? Then be prepared to spend a minimum of around $200, all the way up to $500. If comfort is literally the only thing you care about and the extra bells and whistles are just nice-to-haves, you can expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $100. Go any cheaper, and you're probably not going to get a lot of value for your money. No shade toward your favorite pair of gas station headphones, but they probably aren't the best option for all-day wear.

If $400 is out of your reach, then look for these headphones on sale during events like Prime Day and Black Friday. The latest Prime Day event, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, takes place Oct. 8 and 9, and we expect both Bose QuietComfort and Anker Soundcore headphones to go on sale.

SEE ALSO: See all the October Prime Day deals on headphones and speakers What are the most comfortable headphones?

After extensive testing, we selected the three most comfortable headphones we've ever reviewed. Read on to find out which pairs emerged as the top contenders, including picks for those who want top-tier noise cancellation.

SAVE OVER $19: As of Oct. 7, the Apple AirTag (four-pack) is on sale for $79.98 at Amazon. That's a saving of 19% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $79.98 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $19.02 Get Deal

Just when it seems like Apple has thought of everything, the tech giant drops another ingenious smart device to make your life easier. If you’ve never seen the Apple AirTag before, it’s a handy device that will prevent you from ever losing your valuables again. You can slip one in your wallet or other items, such as a travel bag, and you’ll always be able to find them through the Find My app.

There’s never been a better time to add the Apple AirTag to your tech set-up. An Apple AirTag four-pack is currently on sale for $79.98 at Amazon ahead of Prime Day. That’s 19% off the list price — an overall saving of more than $19.

SEE ALSO: AirTag deals are starting out strong ahead of October Prime Day

The Apple AirTag works through either the Find My app or Precision Finding, which uses UltraWideband technology. You can also ask Siri to find your stuff, or get the AirTag to ping via its built-in speaker. If you’re part of a bigger household, an AirTag can be shared with up to five people — handy for shared household items.

Don’t miss your chance to find the Apple AirTag at this low price ahead of Prime Day.

Kamala Harris has appeared on the Call Her Daddy podcast for an interview with host Alex Cooper.

SEE ALSO: Tortured no longer: Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris after presidential debate

Over the course of their 40-minute conversation Cooper and the vice president and Democratic presidential nominee discussed abortion, how women's safety can be improved in the U.S., and Donald Trump's recent attempts to win over female voters by saying he'll be their "protector".

"So he who, when he was president, hand selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did just as he intended, and there are now 20 states with Trump abortion bans, including bans that make no exception for rape or incest, which we discussed, which means you're telling a survivor of a crime of a violation to their body that they don't have a right to make a decision about what happens to their body next, which is immoral. So this is the same guy that is now saying that? This is the same guy who said that women should be punished for having abortions? This is the same guy that uses the kind of language that he does to describe women?" says Harris in response to Trump's comments, before talking about the horrible realities faced by women living in states where abortion is banned.

"Here's the thing: You don't have to abandon your faith or your deeply held beliefs to agree the government shouldn't be telling her what to do."

You can listen to the full interview on Spotify.

SAVE $150: As of Oct. 7, the Apple AirPod Max are on sale for $399 at Amazon. That's a saving of 27% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPod Max $399.00 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal

If you’re an Apple user and you’re in the market for a new pair of high-quality headphones, there really is only one choice — the Apple AirPod Max. With Apple’s fantastic synchronicity across devices, they pair brilliantly with your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If you’re not an Apple user, the Apple AirPod Max are still an excellent choice — one of the best options for sound and tech no matter what phone brand you're repping.

The only drawback is the price, but you can pick up a pair on sale at Amazon for $399 — a 27% discount from the regular list price. That’s an impressive overall saving of $150. The deal applies to a selection of colorways, though not the entire range.

SEE ALSO: 8 best noise-cancelling headphones to buy on Prime Day

The incredible Apple AirPod Max sound comes via the immensely powerful M1 chip. Features include active noise cancelling and transparency mode — which allows in certain ambient sounds — plus, personalized spatial audio that adapts to the shape of your ear.

The Apple AirPod Max are also comfortable and stylish — among the best looking headphones out there. Don’t miss this generous deal.

SAVE OVER $50: As of Oct. 7, the PlayStation 5 (Slim) is on sale for $449 at Amazon. That's a saving of 10% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PlayStation 5 (Slim) $449.00 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $50.99 Get Deal

The Prime Big Deal Days event is not here just yet, but that doesn't mean you can't secure a big discount. And by shopping before the event properly drops, you can avoid all that panic that comes with these major shopping events.

The good news is that you can still secure best-ever prices before the thousands of deals drop over Prime Big Deal Days. And that very much includes the most sought-after products, like the PlayStation 5 (Slim). You can shop the PlayStation 5 (Slim) for $449 on Amazon ahead of Prime Day, saving over $50 on list price. This console has never been cheaper on Amazon, so this could be your best chance to finally bag this popular console.

SEE ALSO: I've tested over 20 robot vacuums — here are the top 5 to shop on Prime Day

The deal includes a DualSense Wireless Controller, along with everything you need to start gaming right away. Gamers can experience lightning fast loading with an ultra-high speed SSD, deeper immersion with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D Audio. And of course, access to an all-new generation of incredible PlayStation games.

Save over $50 on the PlayStation 5 (Slim) before Prime Day.

SAVE $120: As of Oct. 7, the Apple iPad 9th Generation is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 39% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 9th Generation $199.99 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $129.01 Get Deal

OK, so you want a new tablet. While you can find a wide range of tablets from various tech brands — and at a range of prices — let’s be honest about the best model on the market. When it comes to visuals, slick features, and overall style, the Apple iPad just can’t be beaten.

The great news is that you can pick up an Apple iPad for a bargain price. As of Oct. 7, the Apple iPad 9th Generation is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a massive saving of 39% on list price — a total discount of over $129. However, this deal is exclusive to the 64GB, WiFi-only version.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Ultra 1 vs. Ultra 2: We'll make this simple

The Apple iPad 9th Generation is one of the best ever models, with a stunning 10.2-inch retina display and all the latest Apple smart features, such as Touch ID. It’s all powered by Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, which makes the iPad lightning fast and delivers incredible graphics performance. Not only that, the iPad is built with 12mp and 8mp cameras, front and back respectively.

As Apple users will already know, the iPad is especially good for creative tasks and syncs with the Apple Pencil for slick, high-performance graphic design work. Get yours before the deal ends.

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 7, the Oura Ring 3 is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 14% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Oura Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon $299.00 at Amazon
$349.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Health and fitness trackers have become the norm for most people. From tracking workouts, monitoring sleep, and checking how much water we're drinking — stats and data on how we live our lives are easily accessible through a wide range of watches, heart monitors, and now even rings.

Smart rings are the latest tracking devices that allow us to monitor our health stats, and one of the biggest names in this field is the Oura Ring. A tracker that provides overall well-being and recovery stats, it allows users to access their data via an app. Similar to some of our favorite smartwatches, but hidden away in a sleek, normal-looking ring.

SEE ALSO: Get moving with the best Prime Day fitness tracker deals

Intrigued? Well, as of Oct. 7, the Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. With this deal you're saving $50, or 14% on list price. This is also the lowest price for the Oura Ring 3 at Amazon, ever. It is worth noting, however, that this deal is only available on the silver model.

The Oura Ring 3 is perfect for sleep tracking, heart monitoring, and checking activity levels. It's even smart enough to record your body temperature and heart rate variability (HRV). The only downside to note of this otherwise amazing tracker is that after a month of free access to an Oura Membership, a subscription fee of $5.99 per month is required.

Save $50 on the Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon before Prime Day.

SAVE $19.99: As of Oct. 7, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is on sale for $19.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 50% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day is not here quite yet, but the deals have already started. You can find discounts already kicking off on a wide range of Amazon's products, including the beloved Fire TV Stick. The Fire TV Stick is a streaming device that plugs into your TV (or laptop) and lets you access platforms including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and more. It comes with a remote with Alexa built-in, helping you turn any TV into a smart TV.

As of Oct. 7, you can find the handy Fire TV Stick on sale for $19.99, a saving of 50% on list price. Not only are we treated to an early deal ahead of Prime Day, but this is the lowest price the Fire Stick has been in nine months.

SEE ALSO: Best Macbooks to buy during October Prime Day 2024

The set-up for these handy remotes is so simple. Really, anyone can do it. Just pop the device into your TV's HDMI port, and that's it. You have instant access to a range of streaming platforms as well as many live channels. And trust us, Alexa voice control is much easier than manually searching for a show.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so act fast before you miss out. Happy streaming!

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 7, the Amazon Echo Show 5 is on sale for $66.98 at Amazon. That's a saving of 42% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) $66.98
$116.98 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you love Amazon's smart home devices then Prime Day is your best bet for a great deal. But if you're looking for a new gadget to upgrade your home, you don't need to wait for the official sales to begin — Amazon has treated us to some early deals, including a bargain on the Echo Show 5.

As of Oct. 7, the Echo Show 5 is reduced at Amazon to $66.98, giving you a saving of $50. Not to mention, this is its lowest price for six months. This is the perfect chance to get acquainted with Amazon's range of Echo products for less.

A smart assistant with a screen, the Echo Show is a great, and stylish, way to control your smart home. With built-in Alexa, and the ability to watch shows and video chat, you can't go wrong. The screen is small, coming in at 5.5 inches, making it perfect for smaller rooms where you don't want much clutter.

If you want to upgrade your smart home, don't miss out on this early Prime Day deal.

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 7, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 17% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 965 $499.86 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $100.13 Get Deal

If you're looking for a new smartwatch to level up your runs, you'll soon discover the market is pretty saturated in great options at a range of prices. One of the major players in this category is, of course, Garmin's Forerunner range. Designed with runners and athletes in mind, through the different price points you'll find watches with GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and a range of performance metrics.

If you're a serious runner looking for a bargain, you'll be glad to hear one of the Forerunner's newest models, the 795, is reduced at Amazon to its lowest-ever price. As of Oct. 7, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 17% on list price, or $100 off in total. However, it's worth noting that this deal only applies to the yellow and black model.

SEE ALSO: 8 best noise-cancelling headphones to buy on Prime Day

The Forerunner 965 is full of incredible stats and data tracking for the most serious of runners to newbies. The bright AMOLED display is colorful and attractive, but also makes for a very accessible user interface. Standout features of this fitness tracker include: training status, sleep score, training readiness, and built-in maps.

With a battery life that can last up to 23 days, the Forerunner 965 is an ideal choice for long-distance athletes looking to upgrade. Grab yours before the deal ends.

SAVE OVER $50: As of Oct. 7, the PlayStation 5 (Slim) is on sale for $449 at Amazon. That's a saving of 10% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PlayStation 5 (Slim) $449.00 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $50.99 Get Deal

The Prime Big Deal Days event is not here just yet, but that doesn't mean you can't secure a big discount. And by shopping before the event properly drops, you can avoid all that panic that comes with these major shopping events.

The good news is that you can still secure best-ever prices before the thousands of deals drop over Prime Big Deal Days. And that very much includes the most sought-after products, like the PlayStation 5 (Slim). You can shop the PlayStation 5 (Slim) for $449 on Amazon ahead of Prime Day, saving over $50 on list price. This console has never been cheaper on Amazon, so this could be your best chance to finally bag this popular console.

SEE ALSO: I've tested over 20 robot vacuums — here are the top 5 to shop on Prime Day

The deal includes a DualSense Wireless Controller, along with everything you need to start gaming right away. Gamers can experience lightning fast loading with an ultra-high speed SSD, deeper immersion with support for haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and 3D Audio. And of course, access to an all-new generation of incredible PlayStation games.

Save over $50 on the PlayStation 5 (Slim) before Prime Day.

SAVE $120: As of Oct. 7, the Apple iPad 9th Generation is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 39% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 9th Generation $199.99 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $129.01 Get Deal

OK, so you want a new tablet. While you can find a wide range of tablets from various tech brands — and at a range of prices — let’s be honest about the best model on the market. When it comes to visuals, slick features, and overall style, the Apple iPad just can’t be beaten.

The great news is that you can pick up an Apple iPad for a bargain price. As of Oct. 7, the Apple iPad 9th Generation is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a massive saving of 39% on list price — a total discount of over $129. However, this deal is exclusive to the 64GB, WiFi-only version.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Ultra 1 vs. Ultra 2: We'll make this simple

The Apple iPad 9th Generation is one of the best ever models, with a stunning 10.2-inch retina display and all the latest Apple smart features, such as Touch ID. It’s all powered by Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, which makes the iPad lightning fast and delivers incredible graphics performance. Not only that, the iPad is built with 12mp and 8mp cameras, front and back respectively.

As Apple users will already know, the iPad is especially good for creative tasks and syncs with the Apple Pencil for slick, high-performance graphic design work. Get yours before the deal ends.

NetChoice, backed by tech giants including Meta and Google, has successfully argued in court that Big Tech hosts protected speech.

I try to have an open mind when reviewing anything, but to be honest, I was kinda ready to dismiss the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE as a gaming device out of the box.

After all, Chromebooks aren’t for gaming, right? These are cheap(er) laptops largely meant for students or people who don’t need advanced features from their computer. Most PC games aren’t supported by ChromeOS and the internal specs aren’t good enough to run anything intense, anyway.

But remarkably, thanks at least in part to advances in cloud gaming tech (e.g., Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass), the $650 Chromebook Plus 516 GE is actually pretty good at playing video games. It’s also pretty good at just being a laptop, though not without some ChromeOS-flavored hiccups along the way.

This piece kills two birds with one stone. It's a review of the Chromebook Plus 516 GE as well as a deep dive into which cloud gaming services fares better on it: Nvidia GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass? (Skip to "Cloud Gaming" for this analysis.)

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE price and specs This is a great laptop keyboard. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

For $650, this is what Acer provides in the Chromebook Plus 516 GE:

• Intel Core 5 120U processor

• Intel integrated graphics

• 16-inch display with 2560x1600 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, and 120Hz refresh rate

• 256GB SSD storage

• 8GB RAM

The processor and GPU aren’t necessarily anything to write home about, but that’s to be expected from a Chromebook. For the price, this is actually a pretty decent deal. A 256GB SSD is plenty for a device that will mostly rely on Google cloud storage, while 8GB of RAM is enough to ensure that multitasking won't be too problematic.

The display is also great for the price, but we’ll get into that in a second.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE Get Deal Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Design

I’m not enamored with the Chromebook Plus 516 GE’s design, but it’s not horrible, either.

See what I mean? Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

In essence, it just looks like any other big black laptop. The main thing I’m not a fan of is the design on the lid — about 80 percent is shiny black, while the remaining 20 percent is matte black to accommodate the Acer and Chromebook Plus logos. To me, it just looks a bit awkward. Choose shiny or matte, I don’t care, but don’t do both.

Fortunately, laptops are meant to be used, not just looked at. Acer packed some nice physical features into this machine, including a keyboard with nearly ideal key sizes, nice spacing between the keys, and pleasant key travel when pressed. It’s quiet and feels fantastic on your fingertips. The keyboard is also backlit, which is a nice touch.

One small knock I have against the design is that, compared to other Chromebooks I've used in the past, this one's pretty beefy. Specifically, it's 3.8 pounds, making it fairly heavy for a portable work machine.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Display

In terms of display tech, Acer’s latest Chromebook Plus has one of the best Chromebook screens I’ve seen. The 16:10 aspect ratio adds an extra little bit of vertical space if you need it, and many high-end video games support that. Its resolution is high and sharp, ensuring that anything you look at will be crystal clear. 

It's a big boy for a Chromebook. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I’d also like to shout out the 120Hz refresh rate. For a device that’s marketed as a gaming behemoth, that’s really important. Most PC games are capable of running at higher than 60 frames per second with powerful enough hardware, which is a benefit that’s missing from a large majority of console games. 

There is one major issue, though. As far as I can tell, there’s no way to change the display’s refresh rate in the device settings. A 120Hz refresh rate is great for gaming, but for everyday internet use, it’s not that useful and can drain the laptop’s battery. The ability to turn it down to 90Hz or 60Hz would be lovely, but that’s not available.

If you want to know how the display fared while gaming, check out the "Cloud Gaming" section.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Ports

The port selection is a real winner. On the left, there’s a USB-C port, an Ethernet port, and a headphone jack.

The ports on the left side. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable The ports on the right side. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

On the right, there’s another USB-C port, an HDMI port, and a regular USB port. This should ensure you have plenty of options when connecting accessories and peripherals, and even gives you a way to connect the laptop to a TV via HDMI.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Cloud gaming

For testing purposes, I was supplied with an Nvidia GeForce Now Ultimate subscription.

Acer is selling this as a “gaming Chromebook,” so let’s talk about how it actually fares as a gaming device.

Pretty decently, as it turns out! To be clear, I don’t mean as a local gaming device that you install games on. This isn’t a traditional gaming laptop. Instead, the best approach is to use a game-streaming service like Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia GeForce Now. This way, the game is running on much more powerful hardware elsewhere (Nvidia's servers, for example) and beaming a high-quality, high-framerate video to your Chromebook.

'Control' is so cool. Credit: Steam/Remedy

I tested both of those services out on Chromebook Plus 516 GE and came away fairly impressed with what I saw. Let’s start with Game Pass, since it’s much simpler.

Xbox offers a selection of Game Pass games (not every game that’s available via that service, mind you, just some of them) for game streaming through a web browser. Just log into an eligible Game Pass account and you can start playing (some of) your Xbox games right away.

It’s all remarkably quick. My save data synced right away and I was playing an old save of Assassin’s Creed: Origins in HD at 60 frames per second (FPS) on a Chromebook. There wasn’t much visible video buffering or stuttering, either. The same held true for Forza Horizon 4. However, as will always be true of game streaming, there is a bit of input latency. This wasn’t very noticeable in Assassin’s Creed, but rendered Forza nearly unplayable for me.

I was more impressed by GeForce Now, but with the caveat that I was using the Ultimate subscription tier, which runs your games on an RTX 4080 GPU on a server farm somewhere, ensuring high-end performance on just about anything you can play. Framerates can also go up to 240 FPS with Ultimate. The free and cheaper GeForce Now tiers grant access to lesser hardware and a 60 FPS cap.

'Assassin's Creed' works well in a streaming format. Credit: Ubisoft/Steam

I can’t speak to how GeForce Now’s cheaper tiers work on this Chromebook, but Ultimate was fantastic. It’s able to pull in games you own from third-party marketplaces like Steam and Epic, and while plenty of games aren’t supported for legal rights reasons, a decent chunk of my Steam library was available right away. I started a new game in Control, jacked the settings up all the way, turned on ray tracing, and was a little blown away.

The game ran at at least 60 FPS, if not much more. Textures looked crisp, the resolution was sharp, and the ray-traced reflections worked as advertised. Most impressively, the input delay was hardly noticeable, at least during Control’s simple early combat encounters. I could see a world in which the late-game difficulty curve is too much to handle via game streaming, especially because I did notice a few short instances of video stuttering.

As a sidenote, plugging an Xbox Series X controller into the USB port worked instantly. There was no setup needed and it worked with every game I played.

I have to admit, as a lifelong console gamer who also owns a Steam Deck for some limited PC excursions, there isn’t really a world in which I’d ever make a Chromebook my primary gaming device. It just ain’t happening. I’m too much of a purist about video buffering and input delay to deal with these things long-term.

However, not everyone is like me. If the Chromebook Plus 516 GE sounds like it fits your specific gaming needs and tastes, I can at least vouch for its performance. This is an excellent game-streaming laptop, regardless of your thoughts on game streaming.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Performance

Its regular everyday performance is fine, too. 

It performs well. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

I don’t have quite as much to say about this because it’s not as surprising or fascinating as its gaming prowess, but the Chromebook Plus 516 GE will work perfectly well as an everyday work/school machine, as long as your tasks are mostly confined to web browsers. The processor is fast enough to keep up with everyday tasks, while the 8GB of RAM keeps things moving, even when you have a bunch of tabs open. 

I should also note that I never noticed the laptop getting warm, even while gaming. I guess that’s one of the advantages of streaming games rather than running them on local hardware.

If you’re curious, I ran a test using the GeekBench benchmarking software and the Chromebook Plus 516 GE had a multi-score score of 7,660. That’s not really remarkable by laptop standards, but compared to other Chromebooks we’ve tested out this year, it’s great. Those other ones had scores in the 4,000s.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Google AI features

You may be wondering what the distinction is between a regular Chromebook and a Chromebook Plus. One of the main ones is that Chromebook Plus laptops have access to Google’s best Gemini artificial intelligence features.

This pretty much manifests in the form of three features that are already, in some form, available on newer Google devices like the Pixel 9. Help Me Write, for example, will — well — help you write. Simply right-click on a text entry field in Gmail, for example, and Gemini will let you type in a text prompt so it can compose the perfect message in your stead, according to your instructions.

You can also right-click on the desktop wallpaper to generate new AI ones, though this is more limited. Rather than free text entry, it’s more like Mad Libs, with you choosing from a bunch of options to fill in a pre-existing prompt. Finally, Magic Editor has made its way over from Google phones to let you quickly and easily edit photos.

All of these things work as advertised, though I will say I’m disappointed by the limitations of the wallpaper generator. Regardless, I’ve made my thoughts clear on Google’s push for AI ubiquity in my Pixel 9 review and elsewhere; I don’t think anyone needs AI to help them write emails or create desktop wallpapers.

Writing a quick message or finding a new wallpaper are not difficult or time-consuming tasks by any means, and I don’t think we gain anything from automating them and potentially stealing from scraped internet content at the same time.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Battery life

Last but certainly not least, the Chromebook Plus 516 GE has excellent battery life for a laptop. 

Using our in-house testing method, which involves looping a YouTube video at 50 percent brightness and 1080p resolution until the battery dies, I was able to get 10 hours and 12 minutes out of the Chromebook Plus 516 GE. You should almost certainly be able to get a full work day out of this bad boy on a full charge, in other words. 

That’s just good stuff, folks.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: Final thoughts

Put one way, the Chromebook Plus 516 GE is an incredible value: You can play high-end PC games at their highest settings and highest frame rates for less than the cost of a PS5 Pro. As a nice bonus, it’s also a fully functional laptop.

This $650 machine is expensive and beefy by Chromebook standards, but it’s still a better value than a gaming laptop as long as you don’t mind game streaming. Quality battery life, a great keyboard, and a solid gaming display seal the deal. 

I might never buy one of these for myself, but there’s definitely someone out there who would get the most out of the Chromebook Plus 516 GE.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE Get Deal

TL;DR: Get the Paintstorm Studio Perpetual Lifetime License for just $19.99 (reg. $49.99) and unlock a powerful set of digital painting tools.

For digital artists looking to create stunning, professional-quality artwork without dipping into savings or taking out the credit card, Paintstorm Studio could be the answer. With its comprehensive brush system, intuitive features, and a one-time fee of just $19.99 (reg. $49.99), this versatile software was made for both professionals and hobbyists alike.

Whether you're creating concept art, comics, manga, or detailed illustrations, Paintstorm Studio has the tools to bring your vision to life. With its extensive brush library, you can customize brushes to fit any artistic style. From real palette mixing to grunge and textured brushes, Paintstorm Studio offers terrific control over your digital art.

A lifetime license costs about the same as lunch out, and you’ll get access to all its professional-grade features without any recurring fees. This makes it an affordable alternative to costly subscription-based software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop while still delivering tools to create high-quality digital art.

The software is ideal for those who are already familiar with digital art tools but want to expand their creative toolkit. Customizable brush dynamics allow you to fine-tune brush behavior, textures, and effects. 

Available for both Windows and Mac, Paintstorm Studio offers seamless performance across platforms, ensuring you can work comfortably on the device of your choice. With high-performance rendering powered by a fast GPU engine, you’ll experience smooth and efficient workflows, even with complex projects.

For this one-time fee of $19.99 (reg. $49.99), you can get a Paintstorm Studio Perpetual lifetime license and start creating digital art like a pro—no subscriptions, no hidden costs, just unlimited creative freedom.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Paintstorm Studio Paintstorm Studio: Perpetual Lifetime License $19.99 at the Mashable Shop
$49.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get the refurbished iPad mini 6th-Gen for $429.99 (reg. $649) at the Mashable Shop — it's the ultimate compact device for streaming, sketching, and staying connected on the go.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini 6th Gen 2021, Refurbished (64GB, Wi-Fi & 5G, Space Gray) $429.99 at the Mashable Shop
$649.00 Save $219.01 Get Deal

If you’re tired of lugging around big tablets or squinting at your phone screen, check out this deal on an iPad mini 6th-Gen (2021). It’s the perfect mix of portability and performance, big enough for your Netflix binges but small enough to fit in your jacket pocket. This refurbished gem has all the perks of a new iPad without the hefty price tag, and it's available for $429.99 — a 33% discount.

With its 64GB of storage, you’ve got plenty of space to download movies, apps, and games for your next commute or flight. And with 5G connectivity, you can stream your favorite shows without buffering, even when you’re on the go. Whether you're catching up on your latest binge or editing photos on the fly, this iPad mini has you covered.

Don’t let its compact size fool you — this tablet is equipped with an A15 Bionic chip, giving you smooth, lightning-fast performance for gaming, editing, and multitasking. Plus, with Apple Pencil support, you can sketch, jot notes, or doodle to your heart's content.

And when it’s time to pack up? Slip it into your jacket pocket or toss it in your bag — no bulky laptop or oversized tablet required. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and versatile enough to handle whatever you throw at it.

Stream, sketch, and stay connected — all from this refurbished 6th-generation Apple iPad mini (2021) for $429.99 (reg. $649).

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There are a thousand ways you can ruminate on grief and loss on-screen. You can weave it through a topical HBO drama. You can hide it in a Netflix comedy. You can make a mollusk convey it. Or you can choose to gently handle such dark and surreal subject matter through the most tactile and whimsical of forms: stop-motion animation.

This is the dismal, strange, and wondrous path trodden by director, writer, and production designer Adam Elliot in his brilliant film Memoir of a Snail. Having long dwelled in narratives that honor the absurdity of loneliness and misfortune, the Mary and Max director's latest work leans into the nature of loss and adversity through unforgettable characters and exquisite design.

SEE ALSO: Director Henry Selick talks 'Wendell and Wild' and the 'charm' of stop-motion animation

Despite appearances, this is not is a kids' movie. A funny, strangely sweet, and macabre tale, Memoir of a Snail embraces the surrealism of life's darker side in a bleak but fascinating world. Amid a dismal Australian landscape, we meet Grace Pudel (voiced with gentle charm and surrender by Succession's Sarah Snook) and her twin brother Gilbert (The Power of the Dog's Kodi Smit-McPhee), whose lives take some seriously awful turns, both together and apart.

And as the title suggests, snails play a major role in this film. Pay attention to the snails.

Memoir of a Snail confronts death with frankness. Credit: BFI London Film Festival

The very first scene of Memoir of a Snail sees the death of Pinky, who issues such a horrifying death rattle that it will be hard to watch (or hear) for anyone who's been present for a similar moment. Voiced by Australian screen legend Jacki Weaver, it's probably one of the most unsettling starts of a film I've seen in an age. We think she's gone, but Pinky suddenly awakens and screams the word "POTATOES!" before leaving us forever. It's at once deeply upsetting and extremely funny, embodying the dual tone of the entire film.

Beginning with Pinky's final wheezes and moving through distressing subject matter, including abandonment, religious extremism, and attempted suicide, Memoir of a Snail is an unrelentingly grim narrative. One of the most harrowing scenes in the film, a brutal conversion therapy sequence, is hard to watch. But the film's best survival tool through it all is Grace herself, with Snook's reserved but frank character declaring herself a glass-half-full type of person, against all odds. The structure of the film follows Grace as she tells her life story to her freed pet snail Sylvia, whose characteristically slow speed means she's in for the whole odyssey, like it or not.

Death, loss, and mischance follow Grace and Gilbert their entire lives, from the untimely deaths of their parents to their separation by child services to either side of the country. These twins ("two souls, one heart") are failed by most everyone in their lives, whether intentionally or not, and seeing them be wrenched apart is heartbreaking. But it's not the end of their misfortune — especially for Gilbert, who is adopted by a family of extreme religious zealots and forced to work in their "Eden" orchard for basically nothing. 

Here, the film unpacks the power of childhood imagination and twin connection to survive hardships, with Grace and Gilbert finding (or forcing) joy in even the most dismal of circumstances. In fact, Memoir of a Snail channels a shared despair with another brilliantly animated meditation on grief. When watching, I found it near impossible not to think of Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp's Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Another cozy, stop-motion consideration on grief centred around an adorable, relatable, deeply lost protagonist, it's a film Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko described as "a mindful, willfully silly exploration of loss that had even this hard-shelled critic cracking up and breaking down." This is the exact experience I had with Memoir of a Snail. 

Grace narrates these chapters of deep despair with submissive acceptance and a glimmer of hope, all scored with sublime melancholy by famed Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Cantillation choir, and soprano Jane Sheldon. But of course, we need to talk about that cast.

Memoir of a Snail features a dynamite Australian cast. Credit: BFI London Film Festival

Our introverted protagonist Grace (Snook in a mode as far away from Shiv Roy as you can get) is a sensitive, closed-off, and intensely lonely person who misses her brother and openly declares she shares personality traits with snails. "Snails hibernate when they need to repair themselves," she says, identifying with this tendency. Grace retreats into her shell at any sign of threat, moving ever so slowly through her life. Snails pepper every scene, from Grace's heaving collection of snail paraphernalia to the pattern on her clothing, not to mention physical snails shifting through various moments. And throughout the film, Grace's need to shed such a shell and practice the art of letting go becomes paramount to her journey. 

Meanwhile, Gilbert is a confident, suppressed young man whose defiance could be his downfall. Smit-McPhee lends Gilbert a melancholy romanticism, and makes him someone for Grace (and us) to easily root for. Grace and Gilbert are initially voiced by young actors Charlotte Belsey and Mason Litsos, whose childlike curiosity and fragility put the film on a wonderful footing.

Magda Szubanski is frankly terrifying as Ruth, Gilbert's foster mother. Paul Capsis is outrageous as Grace's foster parents, Ian and Narelle (he does both voices). Dominique Pinon (the one non-Australian in the case, known for his work with Jean-Pierre Jeunet) is briefly wonderful as Grace and Gilbert's father Percy, a French street artist and alcoholic. Aussie fave Eric Bana even makes an appearance as James the Magistrate (a small but pivotal role).

Notably, ABC journalist Tony Armstrong is downright hilarious as Grace's love interest Ken, described by Grace as a "Canberra Adonis — a Cadonis." Plus, if you're listening closely, you'll hear music legend Nick Cave as an ill-fated postman called Bill. 

Memoir of a Snail is a smorgasbord of detail. Credit: BFI London Film Festival

From its opening frames bursting with piles of cigarettes, cocktail frankfurts, boxes of snail poison, and random garden gnomes, Memoir of a Snail is packed with details both macabre and marvelous. Completely free of CGI, this stop-motion animation film features around 7,000 objects and 200 sets, all meticulously shot by cinematographer Gerald Thompson and sharply edited by Bill Murphy. Through snail-hoarding protagonist Grace, Elliot explores the emotional weight we bestow upon objects, and the false sense of safety they can convey — and it gives the production team so much to work with.

But it's not all sunshine and rainbows being animated in Memoir of a Snail; it's blood, shit, broken bones, and snail ejaculation. Sound designer David Williams has quite the task on his hands — and boy, does he deliver. In one scene, Gilbert shoves a lost tooth back up into his bloody gum, shot uncomfortably, hilariously close by Thompson, with all the glorious foley we won't forget. There are tits a-swingin' as the film cuts to Grace's foster parents' nude cruises, and there's also a scene of public masturbation. (As I mentioned before, a kids' film this is not.)

Grace details each character's personality and quirks in a rundown worthy of Amélie Poulain herself, with the animation team thriving as they capture each person's signature style. For one, Pinky's wondrous sense of interior design and the depiction of her rambunctious life experiences is a triumph of surrealism. 

The film particularly leans on a sense of Australiana in this detail: toast laden with thick smears of Vegemite, rusty old Arnott's Biscuits tins, crisp copies of Women's Weekly, sticky pots of Clag glue, crunchy old Spalding netballs, and a truckload of steaming Chiko rolls. Australians will delight in the porn shops and fireworks shops of Canberra; you'll want to pause each scene just to take it all in.

That this level of delightful detail exists in the grim landscape of Memoir of a Snail is what gets us and its protagonists through its darker moments, and creates the film's signature blend of surrealism, frank realism, and hilarious fucked-upness. At the end of the film, we've really been through it with Grace, and we're better for it, perhaps armed with the courage to shed our own shells — or just keen to go on a nude cruise. 

Memoir of a Snail was reviewed out of the BFI London Film Festival. The film will open in Australia on Oct. 17, and in U.S. cinemas in limited release on Oct. 25, with a wider release in November.

TL;DR: Get a Portable 15W 10-Port Charging Hub for $23.99 and keep all your devices charged on the go — perfect for digital nomads.

If you’re a digital nomad whose suitcase is filled with chargers every time you travel, it’s time to simplify your setup. The Portable 15W 10-Port Charging Hub is your go-to solution for charging all your gadgets, now only $23.99 (reg. $36.99) — no more hunting for outlets or juggling multiple chargers.

Whether you're hopping between co-working spaces, airports, or your favorite café, this hub has enough juice to power up to 10 devices at once.

Need to charge multiple devices fast? This hub offers wireless charging with adjustable power settings (from 2.5W to 15W) for hassle-free power-ups on compatible devices. And if you're still using cables, the hub's USB-C to USB 3.0, three USB 2.0 ports, and two additional USB-C ports have got you covered. Connect your phone, tablet, or laptop, plus peripherals like keyboards and flash drives.

For the storage-savvy nomad, it even comes with standard and micro storage card slots, making data transfer and storage expansion a breeze. And let’s not forget the PD fast charging port, which ensures you’re never left waiting around for your devices to power up. Efficient, versatile, and compact — it's everything you need to stay connected and charged on the go.

Say goodbye to lugging around a mess of cables or fighting for outlets at the airport. With the Portable 15W 10-Port Charging Hub, you’ll always be ready for the next adventure — no matter how many devices you bring along.

At just $23.99, the Portable 15W 10-Port Charging Hub could be the perfect charging companion for your on-the-go lifestyle.

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Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Portable 15W 10-Port Charging Hub $23.99 at the Mashable Shop
$36.99 Save $13.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: For $269.99 (reg. $629), get a refurbished Phantom A9 Standing E-Scooter for a gas-free, eco-friendly way to cruise the city.

Opens in a new window Credit: Phantomgogo Phantom A9 Standing e-Scooter (refurbished) $269.99
$629.00 Save $359.01 Get Deal

Let’s be honest: constantly paying for gas is a nuisance (at the very least). So why not opt for a ride that doesn’t even need it?

The Phantom A9 Standing E-Scooter lets you zoom around the city for just $269.99 (reg. $629) — with zero trips to the pump. This electric, grade-A refurbished scooter is not only eco-friendly, but also a savvy way to save cash on commutes.

The "A" refurbished rating just means it might have a few light scratches on the body, but nothing you’d notice from a foot away — no dents or cracks either. The screen is scratch-free, and the battery still has at least 80% life left.

Powered by a 350W motor, it reaches speeds of up to 15.5 mph and can handle inclines of up to 11 degrees with ease. Whether you’re tackling those small hills or gliding through flat streets, the inflatable rubber tires give you a smooth ride, even on uneven terrain. And with a 28-mile range on a single charge, you’ve got plenty of distance to cover before worrying about powering up again.

This scooter is built for convenience, too — it weighs just 26.7 lbs and folds up easily in two steps, making it perfect for tight storage spaces or hopping on public transport when needed. Plus, it’s packed with smart features like an onboard LED control screen and app support, giving you real-time insights into speed, battery life, and more, all at your fingertips.

While it’s designed for riders up to 220 lbs, it can handle up to 264 lbs if needed, making it a versatile option for various body types. Whether you're commuting, running errands, or just cruising for fun, this scooter has you covered — no gas, no problem.

Say goodbye to fuel costs and hello to an eco-friendly, fun ride with this refurbished Phantom A9 Standing e-Scooter for $269.99.

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