- Help
- Google+
The open earbuds market is one of the fastest-expanding audio categories of 2026, and a new budget contender just entered the space.
Meet the Baseus Bowie MC2 earbuds, officially available as of June 1. Priced at $79.99, they're one of the most affordable open models on the market. (Keep reading to learn about their discounted launch price.)
Despite their lower price point, Baseus seeks to blend solid sound quality, innovative comfort, and a battery life that bests earbud options over triple the price of the MC2s. So how do they stack up? While I don't have a full review just yet, I've spent a few days with the newest open earbuds and have some early thoughts.
Opens in a new window Credit: Baseus Baseus Bowie MC2 $49.99 at AmazonAre you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes.
Baseus Bowie MC2: Price and specsAs mentioned above, the Baseus Bowie MC2 earbuds are available now for $79.99, with a special launch price of $49.99 if you use the coupon code MC2OWSPR at checkout. For the price, these earbuds come loaded with:
Battery: 11.5 hours with Bass Boost (55 hours in case) or 13 hours without Bass Boost (60 hours in case)
Driver: 11mm dynamic
Microphones: 8 microphones, plus two bone conduction sensors
Connection: Bluetooth 6.0
Codec: SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint: Yes, up to two devices simultaneously
IP rating: IP67
Ear cushion sizes: M, L, XL
Colors: Cosmic black, stellar white, deep sea blue
For most people, the draw of open earbuds comes from what they can offer you while you're out and about in the world. The awareness open earbuds provide is generally better than any transparency mode you'll find on traditional earbuds, giving the user the flexibility to listen to music in the park or go for a jog around your city without feeling totally shut out from the world around you.
With that in mind, the Bowie MC2 earbuds make a strong initial case for themselves on a few fronts.
Impressive battery lifeIf I can listen to music while staying aware of the world around, chances are I'll be keeping my earbuds in and powered on for much of the day. Baseus accounts for this in its battery life, offering an impressive 13 hours per charge, or 11.5 with Bass Boost on. In my experience so far, Bass Boost is pretty essential for getting the best sound quality, even if you're a non-bass head. Otherwise, the music can sound too distant.
To put things into perspective, the only other pair of open earbuds I've encountered with comparable battery life are the Shokz OpenFit Pro, which get 12 hours per charge and 50 hours in the case. They're also $250.
Interchangeable ear covers for maximizing comfortMost times with budget earbuds, I don't expect a ton of innovation, but with the Bowie MC2, Baseus introduces a feature I've never seen on open earbuds — interchangeable ear covers, which the brand calls CloudComfort 2.0 cushions.
The soft silicone covers are comfortable, but the sizing is somewhat limited. The earbuds come set up with the medium size, but you'll find large and extra-large covers in the box. I tried the larges because out of the box, the earbuds felt a tiny bit loose on me compared to other cuff-style earbuds I've tried. However, I found the larger cover to fit even less securely.
I'm anticipating that this might be due to the size of the band that wraps around the ear, which is also larger than I've encountered on other earbuds. I imagine this is in the service of providing a more comfortable fit, but I've never found smaller bands to be too snug before. In my testing, I'll be looking at how this looser fit works in an exercise context — though I hope it works well, as the IP67 rating could make these earbuds a great pair of workout earbuds.
Their budget earbud competitionAt $79.99 (and $50 on sale), these earbuds offer potentially excellent value, especially in a landscape where many of the more popular open earbuds from major audio brands can set you back $200 or more.
The only real competition I see are the EarFun Clip earbuds, which cost $69.99 at full price and are frequently on sale for under $50. Similar to the Baseus earbuds, they have LDAC support, Bluetooth 6.0, and are just behind the Baseus buds in terms of battery life, offering 10 hours per charge and 40 hours in the case.
Baseus Bowie MC2: Where to buyThe Baseus Bowie MC2 earbuds are available now at Amazon for a special launch price of $49.99 when you use the code MC2OWSPR. The code is valid through July 31.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.
Apple's oft-rumored smart glasses probably aren't coming this year.
A new report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the glasses are planned for "late 2027," with the reason being unspecified development roadblocks.
Just last month, Gurman said Apple was working on four different designs for its smart glasses, with a planned unveiling in late 2026 and a launch in 2027.
SEE ALSO: Apple's new, smarter Siri could look like thisApple still considers the smart glasses, which would be a direct competitor to the Meta Ray-Bans, a very important part of its future lineup, according to Gurman's latest report. The devices will likely have cameras for capturing photos and videos, as well as microphones and speakers for phone calls and music. AI integration and health-related features should be big selling points, too.
Design-wise, Apple is reportedly looking into four different variants: One with a larger, rectangular frame (think Ray-Ban Wayfarers), one with a slimmer rectangular design, and two oval designs, one larger and one smaller. Color options that Apple is said to be looking into include light brown, ocean blue, and black.
As for the price, Gurman has a range, but it's not very precise: They could cost anywhere between $200 and $500 in the U.S.
As far as the also-rumored, cheaper version of the company's Vision Pro mixed reality headset goes, that's probably not coming until 2028 or even 2029, wrote Gurman.
Weeks after dating app users began spotting a new heartbeat feature on Hinge, the app is officially launching the feature: Signals.
Signals is a purple heart that appears on some users' profiles, showcasing that they're actively engaging with potential dates on the app. As Mashable reported in May, in order for a Signals badge (the heart) to appear, a user needs to satisfy both baseline requirements and three of five behaviors that signify "Thoughtful Participation."
SEE ALSO: Hinge's latest feature makes date planning a little easierThe baseline requirements are:
Completing one's profile (having both photos and prompt responses)
Having an account in good standing, meaning you follow Hinge's Community Guidelines
Having an account that's over a week old
Completed selfie verification
And users must exhibit three out of five of these behaviors:
Sending comments when Liking someone
Sending messages
Looking through someone's profile before Liking (not just Liking the first photo)
Reviewing one's Likes and either matching or skipping (not leaving others in limbo)
Confirming dates
Hinge uses technology to help identify and surface these patterns, the app told Mashable. The app can detect your moves, but that's not exactly novel. Hinge has long had pop-ups like "We Met," which appears day after exchanging numbers to ask if you met IRL.
Users can't buy a Signals badge. Instead, it reflects a user's activity over the past 30 days and refreshes daily based on recent activity.
Credit: HingeIn the nearly 15 years since the launch of Tinder and the modern dating app landscape, singles have been loud about their frustrations using them, including bad behaviors like ghosting and pen palling (aka, messaging but never meeting up). And while dating app love stories aren't necessarily uncommon, it's likely that those who have found someone special have also liked someone who wasted their time. Ergo, Hinge is trying to signal — literally — who may want to prove the app's "designed to be deleted" tagline.
"People are tired of games," Hinge's lead relationship scientist, Logan Ury, said in a press release shared with Mashable. "Tired of waiting six hours to text back, decoding mixed signals, and pretending not to care. Our research shows daters are ready for something more honest, where effort is celebrated. Signals makes that thoughtfulness visible — so it's easier to find the people who are already showing up that way on Hinge."
Recent feature additions on Hinge have also encouraged better behavior, like Date Ideas, which helps you plan a date so you're not stuck messaging endlessly.
During a test of Signals, Hinge saw an increase in selfie verifications, the number of daters sending likes with comments, and conversations that started after matching, the app shared with Mashable. So, at least for now, it seems like Signals makes users act on their best behavior.
Hinge is introducing Signals through a phased rollout as it gathers feedback and learns how daters use it. The feature is now available globally, except for the UK and EU.
SAVE $6.99: As of June 1, the Lego Cherry Blossom set (#40725) is marked down to its lowest price yet at Amazon to $8. This is $6.99 off its full price of $14.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Cherry Blossom (#40725) $8 at AmazonIf you're a big fan of Lego's Botanicals sets and are looking for some extra flowers to combine with your other arrangements, Amazon has a great deal for you right now. As of June 1, the retailer has dropped the price of the lovely Lego Cherry Blossom set (#40725) to its lowest price yet at just $8, making now a perfect time to pick them up for your brick-built bouquets.
Compared to this Lego set's full price of $14.99, this is a huge 47% discount to take advantage of. However, it may not be live for long since it's a limited-time deal. If it's a set that's been on your radar, this is the time to make a move on it.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!While it's made up of just two small stems, the Lego Cherry Blossom set doesn't have to be bought as an addition to an existing bouquet. If you enjoy this set on its own, it looks like quite a sweet, smaller display to have in its own vase. The set's 430 pieces create two cherry blossom branches that are covered in pretty pink and white buds. They measure just over 14 inches, so that you can find a perfect vase placement for them, perhaps on a shelf or windowsill.
This Lego set isn't just for adults, either. It's actually recommended for those aged eight and up, so younger Lego fans can piece it together if they enjoy how the Lego Cherry Blossoms look.
If you've had your eye on this Lego Cherry Blossom set, you'll want to be quick to take advantage of this great discount at Amazon.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.
Euphoria Season 3 came to a fittingly dramatic close on Sunday, but did we just watch the end of the season, or the end of the show itself?
Given the massive time jump between Seasons 2 and 3, you could be forgiven for thinking that more seasons of writer, director, and creator Sam Levinson's show wouldn't be out of the question in future.
But when asked, the man himself seems pretty definitive with his answer.
SEE ALSO: 'Euphoria' actor has surprisingly funny reaction to being almost completely cut from the show Will there be a Euphoria Season 4?Levinson appeared on the New York Times' Popcast podcast shortly after the release of the Euphoria finale, and was asked directly whether there would be more episodes.
"In terms of the story that we set out to tell, which is a story about addiction and its consequences, this feels like the end to me," Levinson told NYT reporter Joe Coscarelli and critic Jon Caramanica. "It was such a fulfilling journey in terms of this cast, the crew, what we were able to accomplish...I mean, there's thousands of things that have to go right in order to make something like this, and I'm just immensely proud of the work we did, the story we told, and, you know, it's a tragic one in the end, but it's also the truth."
"This feels like the end" doesn't feel like a definitive answer, but fortunately Coscarelli followed up by asking again if Euphoria ends here.
"Yep," responded Levinson. "I mean what else is there to say?"
Well, that sounds pretty final. HBO reportedly also confirmed Levinson's announcement to Variety, which gives it further weight. Mashable has reached out to HBO for further comment.
SAVE OVER $100: As of June 1, the Marshall Monitor III headphones have dropped to their lowest price yet at Amazon, at $229.99. This is $150 off their full price of $379.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones $229.99 at AmazonWhile we wait for more news on this summer's Prime Day sale, Amazon still has quite a few deals worth checking out. If you've been hoping to save on a new pair of headphones this year, the Marshall Monitor III is currently sitting at its lowest price yet at the retailer. So why not scoop them up now?
As of June 1, the Marshall Monitor III headphones (both in black and cream) are on sale for $229.99 at Amazon. This is a massive $150 discount from their original price of $379.99, which is well worth taking advantage of. We're big fans of them, too, with Mashable's Bethany Allard writing "These retro-designed headphones sound as good as they look" in her review.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Allard's review continues on to call them a "mid-range contender to be reckoned with," explaining, "Are they perfect headphones? No. But if you don't need class-leading sound and ANC and can make do with both of those being just pretty good instead, the Monitor III headphones pick up the slack in areas where the most popular headphones overlook."
As for where these headphones really stand out? Allard notes that "Their design is unique, but actually functional, their tactile controls are the best I've tried, and their customization is hard to beat." On top of all that, they boast quite a hefty battery life of up to 70 hours with ANC enabled. That can even be pushed to 100 hours without ANC. Yes, you read that correctly.
If they've caught your eye, now is the time to save big on the Marshall Monitor III headphones at Amazon before their price goes back up.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.
SAVE $50: As of June 1, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 165 $199.99 at AmazonLooking for a fitness tracker to assist your running goals? Look no further than the Garmin Forerunner 165. The Forerunner range is designed for runners, offering options for all running goals and price points. And as of June 1, the 165 is currently $50 off, now priced at $199.
The Forerunner 165 features a bright AMOLED touchscreen display and traditional button controls. It has a battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode, making it a great choice for short and long runs.
This watch comes loaded with features that give you personalized daily stats like suggested workouts (adapted based on performance and recovery), HRV, sleep, and more. You'll also be able to see training effect and recovery time. This shows how workouts impact fitness and the main benefit of each session, while recovery time indicates how long to rest before a high-effort workout.
It also includes more than 25 built-in activity profiles, including running, cycling, HIIT, and strength training. It's even water-resistant up to 50 meters.
You can find this Garmin deal available at Amazon now.
Donald Trump is a big fan of pardons — and not always using the Department of Justice's review process — but is he using his presidential power to offer clemency wisely?
As John Oliver explains in the Last Week Tonight video above, the answer appears to be a firm no. In the 30 minute clip, the host breaks down multiple examples of Trump-issued pardons that have been either harmful or questionable, from the president pardoning Jan. 6 rioters who went on to commit further crimes to the same for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, whose company has since gone on to partner with Trump family crypto venture World Liberty Financial.
Despite Trump claiming to be tough on crime, as Oliver points out, "that toughness is clearly deeply selective.
"He'll happily put violent people and fraudsters right back on the streets to victimise people again just because they support him," the host says.
"I know it is not news that America has a two-tiered justice system, but this is taking it to an absurd extreme. The way we're going right now we may well end up at a point where we don't so much have a system of laws, as much as we just have a guy. And if you're on that guy's team, you basically get to commit crimes. But the thing is, that's just not the social contract any of us signed up for."
Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.
Take a look at the new Hummer X Pickup & SUV concept cars from GM, during a special tour of the company's Advanced Design Facility in Pasadena.
Microsoft's got a new Surface coming, and it's the most powerful laptop the company's ever made.
Announced at Computex 2026, the Microsoft Surface Ultra comes with an Nvidia RTX Spark, a new all-purpose PC chip from the graphics chip giant.
In a press release, Microsoft called the Ultra all sorts of otherworldly superlatives, calling it a laptop for "world makers," but what that translates to is an extremely powerful workhorse laptop capable of running complex (you guessed it) AI tasks.
On the surface (sorry), the Surface Ultra is a pretty regular 15-inch laptop designed for professionals, with a mini-LED display, a ton of ports, and an extra-large touchpad. It weighs under 4.5 pounds, and has "all-day battery life," says Microsoft, though not all specs are available at this point.
What's inside is what makes this one interesting. First, there's the RTX Spark, Nvidia's new chip for PCs. It appears to be a variant of the GB10 chip, which powers Nvidia's miniature DGX Spark supercomputer announced in January 2025. It comes with 6,144 Blackwell GPU cores, 20 CPU cores, and offers 1 petaflop total of AI performance. You can configure the Ultra with up to 128GB of RAM, making it a portable AI supercomputer (that's also pretty great at regular office and gaming tasks).
In AI terms, the Microsoft Surface Ultra should be able to run 120 billion-parameter models locally. For reference, that's on par with a Mac mini equipped with 128GB of RAM.
There's no word on pricing, and the Surface Ultra isn't arriving until the fall.
SEE ALSO: New Microsoft Defender exploits discovered. How to protect yourselfIt's not the only Nvidia RTX Spark computer that's coming, though. For this one, Nvidia has partnered with basically every Windows PC maker under the sun, including Dell, Asus, HP, and Lenovo; those are all also coming this fall.
SAVE $250: As of June 1, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is on sale for $849 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10 Pro $849The Google Pixel 10 Pro has dropped in price at Amazon, and as of June 1, it's at its lowest-ever price. Normally priced at $1,099, you can now take it home for $849. And all colorways are reduced too, meaning you can choose from moonstone, obsidian, porcelain, and jade.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro is a smartphone that features Gemini AI, the Google Tensor G5 chip, and a seriously impressive camera system. It comes unlocked so that it can be used with carriers such as Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and others. It also has a 6.3-inch Super Actua display with up to 3,300-nit peak brightness for visibility in bright conditions.
The camera system is impressive too, designed to perform well in low light and uses advanced Google AI models. You'll also get up to 100x Pro Res Zoom, 50 MP images, and 8K video recording with stabilization.
It's also a robust phone, built with a durable aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance, so if you're a habitual phone dropper, this one should survive each mishap.
Find this Google Pixel deal at Amazon.
SAVE $30: As of June 1, the Sonos Era 100 speaker is on sale for $189 at Amazon. This is $30 off its full price of $219.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 100 $189 at AmazonA selection of Sonos products has seen some very nice discounts lately, especially during Memorial Day sales. And while that sale event is over and done with now, some of those offers are still lingering around. The Sonos Era 100 is still on sale at Amazon and is certainly worth making a move on if you've been searching for a speaker upgrade for your home.
As of June 1, both the black and white models of the Sonos Era 100 have dropped to $189. Overall, this saves you $30 off their full list price of $219, but not for long. It's marked as a 'limited time deal', so if this speaker has caught your eye, now is the time to pick it up and save.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!If you're building a sound system in your home, Sonos products like the Sonos Era 100 are always a great choice. Not only do they offer a smart, minimalist design, but they also provide excellent sound quality. This is all thanks to a dual-tweeter acoustic architecture and a 25% larger midwoofer than the Era 100's predecessor, the Sonos One. So, whether you're using it to listen to music or create epic surround sound for your next movie night, the sound comes through crisp and clear.
And speaking of surround sound, the Sonos Era 100 is compact, fitting perfectly behind you on a table or bookshelf. If you buy a couple, you can set them up as rear satellite speakers to help create an immersive sound from every angle around you. What better way to enjoy your favorite movies or shows?
Don't miss out on this chance to save on the Sonos Era 100 at Amazon.
Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.
The first generation of internet creators is entering its legacy era.
Ahead of its 15th anniversary event later this month, VidCon announced the second class of inductees into its Hall of Fame, honoring four creators whose influence helped shape online culture as we know it: Markiplier, Philip DeFranco, Michelle Phan, and Blogilates founder Cassey Ho.
The creators will be formally inducted during VidCon Anaheim's Opening Night Celebration on June 25, the first day of the convention's three-day event.
SEE ALSO: Who is VidCon really for? 3 takeaways that reveal the creator economy's future.Together, the four inductees represent some of the internet's earliest and most influential creator archetypes — the gamer, the news commentator, the beauty guru, and the fitness creator. Long before creators became billion-dollar businesses and brand deals became an industry unto themselves, each helped establish the playbook for what online influence could look like.
Markiplier's inclusion comes at a moment when creator careers are increasingly extending beyond the internet itself. His self-funded horror film Iron Lung grossed more than $50 million worldwide following its theatrical release earlier this year and its YouTube debut on May 31.
SEE ALSO: BookTok made reading cool again — but it also turned authors into content creatorsMeanwhile, Philip DeFranco remains one of the platform's longest-running independent news voices. Since launching his channel in 2006, he has built a loyal audience around fast-paced commentary and analysis, helping define a format that countless creators would later adopt.
Michelle Phan's influence extends far beyond beauty tutorials. After becoming one of YouTube's earliest breakout stars, she co-founded IPSY, helping transform online beauty communities into a major force within the subscription cosmetics industry.
And Cassey Ho, known to millions as Blogilates, turned workout videos into a sprawling lifestyle and product empire built around direct community feedback, a creator-business model that has become increasingly common across the industry.
According to VidCon, this year's inductees were selected by a new Hall of Fame Selection Committee composed of creator economy experts, past inductees, and members of the VidCon Advisory Board.
"We launched the VidCon Hall of Fame to honor the legends who built the foundation of the creator economy, and we are thrilled to continue that tradition in 2026," Sarah Tortoreti, vice president of VidCon, said in a statement.
The ceremony will be open to all VidCon badge holders, and each inductee's custom Hall of Fame jersey will be displayed on the convention floor throughout the event.
Mashable will be on the ground at VidCon 2026, covering the creators, trends, and conversations driving internet culture, from breaking news and creator interviews to industry insights and live updates.
AI is everywhere. AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic went from unknown to household names in just a few short years. Big Tech companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft keep rolling out their AI models across every product, from search to chatbot assistants and more. And, naturally, companies that manufacture computer chips and GPUs like Nvidia are raking in billions as they create the hardware that powers it all.
But what if consumers don't want to send their data to Big Tech companies or fork over hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per month to Big AI companies for tokens? While computer hardware companies like Nvidia may be struggling to keep up with demand, everyday users can still find everything they need to build out their own machine – an AI PC – and run AI models locally
But what exactly is an AI PC? What do you need if you want to build your own, or what should you look for if buying an AI PC pre-made? And how does it differ from other powerful computers built for specific purposes, such as gaming PCs?
To answer these questions, Mashable spoke with an expert who builds PCs for a living, Quoted Tech co-founder and CEO Kevin Jia. Founded in 2023, Quoted Tech is a Canada-based company that builds custom PCs for thousands of customers. Jia and company also provided Mashable with access to one of their prebuilt models, the Quoted One Pro Plus, an entry-level custom prebuilt made-for-AI computer, so we could test out exactly what makes an AI PC an AI PC.
What is an AI PC?An AI PC is exactly what it says it is: A computer that is built to handle artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs).
Technically, every PC can utilize AI nowadays, just like one can play games or edit videos on any computer, no gaming PC or video editing workstation required. Just as a gaming PC delivers peak performance and the best gaming experience, an AI PC is built specifically to run AI models.
As Jia pointed out, though, an AI PC doesn't mean it's a single-purpose machine, as many of the specifications you'd find in an AI PC can be found in a gaming rig or PC built for video processing, too.
"Users don’t need to choose between an 'AI' rig and a 'gaming' rig," Jia explained. "An AI-oriented computer doesn’t have to be a single-purpose machine. It is a workstation that’s fully capable of AI work, but it’s also built to comfortably handle gaming and other professional workloads in one system."
Could I just use my laptop for AI?Of course, you can use ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini all on your $300 laptop. Cloud models can be run on any machine.
However, if you're trying to run local AI processes, you're going to need a PC built for the task.
"AI needs a lot of GPU processing power, and you need a lot of VRAM, and you need a lot of memory, and you need a decent CPU, and you need to be able to cool all of that in a decent tower," Jia told us. "We've had customers come to us saying, 'Hey, I bought this laptop for AI, and it doesn't work, it just overheats, and it runs slow.'"
Quoted One Pro Plus Credit: Mashable / Matt BinderTo get an idea of what's inside a consumer-level AI PC, here are the specs for Quoted One Pro Plus that we tested out for this piece:
CPU: Intel Core i5-14600K (14 cores / 20 threads, up to 5.3 GHz)
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5060 (8GB GDDR7)
Memory: 32GB DDR5 (2×16GB) Kingston Fury Beast @ 5600 MHz
Storage: 1TB Kingston KC3000 NVMe M.2 SSD (up to 7,000 MB/s read speeds)
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-VC WiFi
CPU Cooling: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 (white, dual-tower air cooler)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A650BN 650W, 80+ Bronze (non-modular)
Case: Fractal Design North (white with tempered glass side panel)
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Traditionally, when one thinks of a high-end PC, at least at the consumer level, they think of a tricked-out gaming PC.
While you can game on an AI PC and vice versa, custom PC builders like Quoted Tech know there's a difference when building a PC for a specific purpose like AI.
One major difference? The emphasis on cooling.
"You can see that there's a ton of airflow," Jia said. "That's going to be a huge non-negotiable for AI-built systems."
Fractal Design's North ventilation Credit: Fractal DesignAfter spending some time testing out the Quoted One Pro Plus, a "ton of airflow" actually seems like an understatement. For its line of AI computers, Quoted Tech uses Fractal Design's North PC case.
The first thing you'll notice is that the PC tower is much larger than you'd expect. Of course, they could make it smaller. This isn't a technological limitation. The PC case is big on purpose. North was designed for maximally optimal airflow to cool down your PC.
"A lot of prebuilt systems out there are designed with a smaller form factor because they're cheaper," Jia says. "We've had people kind of come to us and say, 'I'm running this on a pre-built gaming system, and it's just crashing or slowing down, or it's not performing.' And we tell them how they have the equivalent of a large laptop. That system wasn't designed to be pushed like this."
You can feel a light breeze emanating from the Quoted One Pro Plus when it's running. It's like night and day when compared to my own, much smaller gaming PC. My PC tower could heat up my room if needed during the winter while playing a couple of minutes of Fortnite. In contrast, the airflow felt coming out of Quoted One Pro Plus could cool a small room during the summer.
"When you're gaming, I would hope that most of us are only gaming for a few hours at a time," Jia explained. "A lot of gaming systems, while they're good for airflow, might not be top tier because they weren't designed to be run for 7 or 8 or even 12 hours."
"Whereas with AI, if you're doing LLM work or anything like that, you could be running this thing for 2 or 3 days." he continued. "You need stability. You need workstation-class cooling. You need workstation-class space. Those you cannot trade away."
There also tends to be no limit to how much processing power you can fit into an AI PC. For example, Quoted Tech has built workstations that can host up to 8 GPUs simultaneously.
"That would be an awful gaming PC because most games won't be able to utilize more than one GPU effectively," Jie said. "If you said, 'I'm gonna buy a Blackwell card to play computer games,' I would say I think we need to rethink what you're spending the money on because you could probably get 99 percent of the performance [in a gaming PC] for one-third of the budget."
Fractal Design's North PC case Credit: Fractal Design Why an AI PC over Apple's Silicon-powered Macs?In November 2020, Apple released its first line of Silicon Macs with the new M1 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. These Macs provided consumers with options more powerful than similarly priced laptop and desktop PCs.
As Apple has packed more and more processing power in these Silicon chips over the years, they've become popular with users looking to run local AI processes such as the AI assistant OpenClaw.
While these Macs remain good options for certain use cases, Jia explains why PCs remain a top choice for AI.
"Generally, most LLM and AI developers today build on NVIDIA’s CUDA language. That’s really the defining difference," Jia said, referring to Nvidia's proprietary Compute Unified Device Architecture, which requires Nvidia's GPUs and thus can't be run on Macs.
"Macs and Radeon-based systems simply don’t have the same cohesive CUDA-driven ecosystem for developers to work within," he continued. "For anyone building or experimenting seriously with AI models, that ecosystem matters, it determines what tools you can use, what workflows you can optimize, and how easily you can scale your work."
And, of course, PCs can be continuously upgraded with new hardware whereas consumers cannot upgrade the internals of their Macs.
To compare the two, I ran a generative AI model for images on both. Both completed the tasks based on the assigned prompts. This wasn't surprising. After all, both were built to handle AI processing.
While the consumer-level hardware I had available wasn't the best way to showcase the difference between PCs and Macs when it comes to processing AI, I did take advantage of having access to my own Mac mini M4 Pro and Quoted Tech's Quoted One Pro Plus. To compare the two, I ran a generative AI model for images on both. Both completed the tasks based on the assigned prompts. This wasn't surprising. After all, both were built to handle AI processing.
However, the difference in the heat emanating from the Mac mini and the cool air continuing to flow through the Quoted One Pro Plus was hard to miss. It's easy to see how the form factor of a property-built AI PC will give it an advantage over the Mac in terms of performance.
How much is an AI PC going to cost me?Obviously, there's quite a wide range of pricing, as AI PCs can be built for consumer use or for large enterprise use. Jia informed me that Quoted Tech has built workstations that were priced as high as six figures. But individual users looking to run local AI models obviously don't need to spend anywhere near that much.
Quoted Tech says that those looking to "dabble" in running local AI models could get started on an entry-level AI PC, like the Quoted One Pro Plus, for between $1,500 and $2,500.
TL;DR: These ASUS CM30 Chromebooks are on sale now for $150.
Opens in a new window Credit: 203 Trading LLC ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) Detachable Touchscreen 8GB RAM 128GB eMMC (Refurbished) $149.99The most expensive computer isn’t always the best computer. If you just need a machine to stay connected and get some light work done, a good Chromebook like this ASUS CM30 is one of the best options, and this one is even on sale now for $149.99 (reg. $369).
The CM30 switches between tablet and laptop in seconds. The detachable keyboard and magnetic stand handle the physical transformation without any fuss, and the USI 2.0 garaged stylus stores directly in the device using a push-pop design so it’s always where you left it and fast-charging when you’re not using it. The 10.5-inch WUXGA touchscreen runs at 1920×1200 with 400 nits of brightness and 118% sRGB color coverage, which basically just means everything on your screen will look crisp and clear whether you’re in laptop or tablet mode. The 16:10 aspect ratio gives a little extra vertical space compared to a standard widescreen panel, which makes a real difference when reading documents or browsing long pages.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor and 8GB of RAM keep Chrome OS running smoothly across multiple tabs, apps, and calls without slowdown. The 128GB eMMC storage handles apps and files without constantly managing space, and battery life is rated at up to 12 hours, covering a full workday or long travel day without needing to find an outlet.
The chassis is military-grade aluminum built to MIL-STD 810H standards, using 30% recycled materials, so it can take some real punishment. At 0.61kg in tablet mode and 1kg with the keyboard attached, it carries easily without adding much weight to a bag.
This model is refurbished and in near-mint condition, so the only real difference you may notice is the price.
Buying something like a MacBook when you just need a computer for basic productivity is like using a hydraulic press to put a nail in the wall. Sure, it would work, but it’s overkill.
Instead, get an ASUS Chromebook while they’re on sale for $149.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...