Posts

Is the New $600 MacBook Neo Actually a Good Deal?

Image
Listen and follow The Wirecutter Show Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio Apple recently expanded its lineup with two new budget-friendly entries: the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo. Both start at $600—hundreds of dollars less than their standard counterparts—but what exactly are you giving up for that lower price tag? This week, host Rosie Guerin talks with Wirecutter senior staff writer Brenda Stolyar to break down the trade-offs. Plus, Brenda explains why Apple is leaning into "affordable" tech right now. Products we recommend Powerful battery in a slightly cheaper package Apple iPhone 17e Apple’s most affordable iPhone isn’t the cheapest the company has ever made, but it offers long-lasting battery life and excellent performance. For better cameras, buy an iPhone 17. $599 from Apple The starter Mac Apple MacBook Neo The MacBook Neo is a perfect fit for younger students, and those who want a basic lapt...

Our Favorite Coffee Tables

Image
A great coffee table feels like a quiet, confident anchor in a living room. It’s sturdy enough to withstand the daily spill of snacks and drinks, fidgety feet, rowdy pets or children, and all of the unexpected situations that living rooms invite, yet it’s also attractive enough to complement your seating and elevate the room as a whole. After months of living with a rotating cast of 14 tables and assessing their materials, dimensions, construction, and stability, we’ve identified eight standout designs. From sculptural silhouettes to classic budget-friendly styles that look more expensive than they are, we have options that will make any living room feel more comfortable and complete. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/Vr3lMn1 via IFTTT

The Best Accessories for Your USB-C Laptop

Image
We've spent dozens of hours testing the best cables, hubs, adapters, and dongles to help you connect your monitors, peripherals, and accessories to your new laptop, even if it has only USB-C ports. Live that dongle life. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/So8MYOe via IFTTT

The Best Plastic-Free Bowls, Plates, Cups, and Utensils for Babies and Kids

Image
I have two little kids, the younger of whom had started eating solid food at the time of our testing. When my older child reached this milestone, I aimed to get her excited about the process by buying feeding tools that were colorful — and many of them were made of plastic. But as the time came for my son to start using tableware, I’d become more aware of the growing concerns about plastics. While researching and writing Wirecutter’s guide to the best baby bottles , I learned about two class-action lawsuits brought against two leading baby bottle companies, Philips North America and Handi-Craft Company , for failing to warn consumers that their plastic bottles may leach microplastics when heated and used to prepare formula. Research shows that plastic food packaging might also leach harmful chemicals. My kids were eating and drinking from plastic throughout the day. What did all that exposure mean for their developing bodies? The experts I interviewed told me that the chemicals t...

The Best Rear Bike Rack

Image
A solid rear rack is the foundation of any good carrying-stuff-on-your-bike setup: It enables you to attach other components to your bike and get a heavy pack off your back. After considering 41 models and testing 11 top contenders, we’re confident that the Topeak Explorer MTX 2.0 Rack is the best rear bike rack for the average commuter. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/2b3YNDI via IFTTT

Stop Using So Much Laundry Detergent

Image
If you’ve ever reached into your dryer expecting to pull out a load of downy-soft laundry only to find a pile of stiff, starchy garments, there’s a good chance you’re using too much laundry detergent. Obviously, laundry detergent gets dirt and stains out of your clothes. But if you use too much, you wind up creating a new mess. This is a result of detergent residue that doesn’t fully rinse out, and it can turn your previously soft wardrobe into a crunchy, scratchy, uncomfortable-to-wear load of clothes. The best liquid detergent Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent This perfume- and dye-free liquid was the most well-rounded liquid detergent we tested, tackling a variety of stains and odors well. $20 from Amazon (132 ounces) $20 from The Home Depot (132 ounces) Too much detergent also creates a surplus of suds , which can prevent your garments from rubbing against one another (which helps release trapped dirt from your clothes), according to Tide...