As a tech journalist, I often travel across the US -- and sometimes out of it -- to attend product launch events, trade shows, and other briefings for news that readers care about. It certainly helps to be based in New York City, where most of the gadgetry madness tends to take place, but when I am out and about (for work or play), there's a bag full of tech that I always lug around with me.My treasure trove of electronics has evolved over recent years, transitioning to newer GaN chargers and more capable yet still portable camera systems. The five picks below are among my current arsenal of travel tech, and if you're traveling soon, I highly encourage packing a few of these items into your carry-on. I'll make this a little more exciting for you by stating the obvious: My phone and a reliable Bluetooth tracker are always with me, so I've opted not to put them on this list. Instead, you'll find products I've personally tested that are useful enough for you to consider for your next adventure. Sony ZV-E10 II Kerry Wan/ZDNET While smartphone cameras have become very capable at capturing life's moments, I still prefer the output of a larger image sensor and portability of a dedicated pocket camera, especially when I'm recording reader-facing shots of product demos and scenery. The camera I've most recently settled on is the Sony ZV-E10, famous for its ability to record up to 4K resolution through a 26-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor. The output I've gotten has been reliable and impressive, both for vertical and horizontal footage, which the touchscreen viewfinder quickly adjusts to as you rotate the camera.Also: I tested Sony's successor to one of its most popular vlogging cameras, and it blew me awayDoes carrying an additional camera feel unnecessary? Not when the quality is noticeably better than a smartphone, and it greatly reduces the battery consumption you'd otherwise put on your handset when recording videos. The best part is the battery life, which is powered by the same Sony NP-FZ100 cartridge found across the brand's more premium cameras. Show more Steam Deck OLED with Dbrand Killswitch case Kerry Wan/ZDNET I don't consider myself a hardcore gamer, but I've found traveling, especially when on long flights, to be the perfect opportunity to get my NBA 2K and Rocket League fix. Lately, my vehicle of choice for gaming has been the Steam Deck, a SteamOS-powered handheld with a punchy HDR OLED display, a fairly sizeable battery (twice that of the original Steam Deck LCD), and a swath of PC games that you can play with the standard analog sticks and gamepad or touchpads.Also: Valve's Steam Deck turned this 40-year-old dad into a gamer againThe Steam Deck OLED isn't the perfect portable gaming console, especially when it weighs a good 1.41 pounds, but it's the most consistent one I've tested, making it ideal for when I'm lounging on the plane or at the airport and want to immerse myself. I've been pairing my Steam Deck with a Dbrand Killswitch case, which greatly improves the grip and ergonomics of the device. There's also the benefit of more protection, for when you're stowing the system in a luggage or backpack full of other gear. Show more View now at Amazon Lenovo Go Wireless Power Bank 10,000mAh Kerry Wan/ZDNET Lenovo's power bank may look unassuming, but trust me when I say there's more to it than what meets the eye. Besides having a 10,000mAh capacity, meaning there's enough juice to power a phone (and other accessories like earbuds) two to three times, a fairly long USB-C cable is built into the battery pack, saving you the hassle of carrying a separate one. Also: The best power banks you can buyHere's the second trick: the Lenovo Go can wirelessly charge Qi-supported devices (though not Qi2) when you place them on top of the accessory, allowing you to charge two devices at once (via wired and wireless) if you're feeling adventurous.While the charge output is capped at 30W, many customers on Lenovo's website have found the power bank adequate for powering phones, tablets, and earbuds, and have been particularly satisfied with the built-in charging cable. Show more View now at Lenovo Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Kerry Wan/ZDNET While the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are fantastic for recording hands-free videos, I've found them more practical as a wearable tour guide. Thanks to recent Meta AI updates, the glasses now even support live translations, broadcasting the translated audio of who you're speaking with as you're conversing. I've also used the smart glasses to identify unfamiliar landmarks, tell me the most popular food items at a local restaurant, play music from artists from the city that I've traveled to, and more.Review: Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: The best AI-powered AR glasses to buy right nowThe general sentiment toward the Ray-Bans has been mostly positive, with friends and family members praising the ease of use, comfort, and various capturing capabilities. The price point of the glasses, starting at $299, is fairly competitive as well. (Pro tip: You can also use your vision insurance to buy them.) Show more Nomad 65W Slim Power Adapter Kerry Wan/ZDNET Besides carrying a portable battery pack, I also travel with Nomad's 65W Slim Power Adapter, which features two USB-C ports to charge tablets, phones, earbuds, and even laptops, like my MacBook Air. To help with portability, the prongs are collapsible, the charger is very slim, and it lies flush when plugged into the outlet. Carrying the accessory around is like carrying a pack of mints.Also: Nomad's 130W charger has one unique feature that's game-changing for meCustomers, including ZDNET's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, have expressed satisfaction with Nomad's 65W Slim Power Adapter, appreciating the speedy power delivery and support for two USB-C inputs. I especially recommend this charging adapter for users with ultraportable devices like lightweight and smaller laptops and iPads. If you require a more powerful charging adapter, Nomad also sells a 100W variant of the same thing now. Show more View now at Nomad Goods Why should you trust me? When I'm not writing about technology, I'm probably working overtime as my family's IT support guy. And when I'm not working at all, I'm likely watching, reading, or consuming some form of content about technology. So when I make product recommendations, I suggest gadgets I've personally tested and have proven to deliver the value (if not more value) that manufacturers promise.My main expertise is mobile, from phones to wearables to accessories, which plays hand-in-hand with the topic of this story. I also travel about 10 times throughout the year, including from New York to California, so I've developed an understanding of which gadgets are essential and which are optional. Show more How do you pack electronics for traveling? When traveling, storing any devices with lithium-ion batteries, such as laptops, tablets, and power banks, in your carry-on baggage is best. If my gadgets aren't already stored in a tech pouch or cushioned bag, I'll surround them with clothing to prevent any damage during travel. Show more Other travel-friendly tech we think you'd love ZDNET Recommends

Asus' Zenbook A14 epitomizes the ultraportable, battery-efficient laptop, and was among the first products to earn our Editor's Choice award. Right now, it's on sale at Best Buy for $799.

Other than an extra (and much-needed) day off, the other major benefit of three-day weekends seems to be all of the sales and savings that occur, especially on electronics. Memorial Day is no exception, making it a great time to score an amazing deal. If you're shopping for a new top laptop or desktop, here are a bevy of deep price drops on solid performers to check out (with more being added all weekend long). Laptop DealsIf you need an ultra-budget portable for work or school, the Acer Aspire 3 is one of the most cost-effective machines you can pick up, especially when Amazon has it on sale for fifty bucks off its already cheap list price. In our review, we said that this unit was "basic as bricks," but that's not necessarily a bad thing. All of the components are well-tested, and the casing is durable. Battery life is a strong point, testing out at 16 hours on a single charge when we took it into the lab. Compatibility with Wi-Fi 6 featuring 2x2 Mi-Mo is a nice bonus as wellThe Acer Aspire 3 Laptop (Refurbished) is also available at Target for $299.99.We consistently rate Lenovo laptops highly in our reviews, and the previous model of the ThinkPad E14 got an Editors' Choice award from us when we put it through its paces. We haven't been able to tear down the newest model yet, but it looks to continue the same high standards. With extremely long battery life, this is a productivity portable that will get you through an entire day on the go, and the keyboard is a pleasure to use. Durability is also a strong point, and Wi-Fi 6 support means you'll always be able to tap a speedy connection. One year onsite warranty gives you a little extra security and this sale price keeps close to $790 in your wallet. For Memorial Day you can take $100 off of the Editors' Choice-winning 2025 MacBook Air M4. This featherweight portable is one of the most impressive laptops Apple has ever made, featuring blistering speed and luxurious build quality. In our review, we said that the combination of a price drop from the previous generation of Airs coupled with a performance boost from the new M4 processor was a win-win situation, while also lauding the boosted system RAM and near-silent fanless operation. If you're in the market for a MacBook, this is absolutely the best deal you'll find this weekend.The Apple MacBook Air M4 is also available at B&H Photo for $899.Gaming Laptop DealsLet's lead off with a very impressive $400 price drop on a midrange gaming laptop with some nice components for the price. We reviewed the Acer Swift X 14, raving over its absolutely stunning OLED display, which is one of the best screens you'll see on a portable in this bracket. We also loved the light weight, noting that it almost qualified as an ultraportable, coming it at just 3.42 pounds, and it's got plenty of ports and connectivity options. Internally, you've got solid silicon, including a very welcome RTX 4060 graphics card and a 1TB SSD.Recommended by Our EditorsThe Acer Swift X 14 Gaming Laptop is also available for $1099.99 from Acer.At retail price, the MSI Thin gaming laptop is already a good deal, a solid budget model with a nice 144Hz full HD screen, decent build quality and decent components for the price. But after Walmart cuts almost $300 off, it becomes one of the best offers we've seen in a long time. While you're not going to get future-proof performance here with an eight-core processor, it'll easily handle all of today's top games at good settings, and the backlit keyboard feels good. Solid port selection, including USB-C, is just the icing on the cake.Check out the Best Gaming Laptops of 2025 that we reviewed to see how this one stacks up. Desktop DealsApple's Mac Mini is the perfect illustration of "good things come in small packages," a tiny little rectangle that packs a ton of compute power and can be carried anywhere. Weighing in at just a pound and a half, it's a sleek machine that runs off the potent M4 processor. In our review, we lauded its generous port selection on both the front and back of the machine, including a traditional 1/8 inch audio jack, as well as the efficient cooling and workstation-competitive speeds. It's a tremendous achievement in hardware, and you can save $150 on this model right now at Amazon.Have a little cash in your pocket and looking to get the absolute highest-end gaming setup you can? We've got you covered with a $600 discount on the new Alienware Area-51, an impressive tower that comes loaded with Nvidia's new GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, the most potent performer on the market. In our recent review of this battlestation, we raved about its virtually silent operation thanks to a cutting-edge positive pressure airflow system, sleek design and absolutely unbeatable component loadout. Storage might be a little slim, but with the cash you save it's easy to add an external drive.Want to save even more? Our Deals Page is where it's at.

Sonos is one of the better audio brands out there, but we rarely see significant deals on their products. That’s why today is a special day. Right now, the Sonos Roam 2 portable Bluetooth speaker just got its largest discount to date, bringing it down to $134 (25% off). This kind of discount is notable for just about any Bluetooth speaker, but particularly noteworthy for Sonos speakers. The Roam 2 is gorgeous with its sleek design and elegant build, while being compact and lightweight so it can join you outdoors with ease. It’s perfect whether you’re spending a day by the pool, at the beach, or in your backyard. It’s not just durable, but also comes with an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating so it can survive your adventures in inclement weather. When we reviewed the original Sonos Roam, we gave it a 4.5-star rating and loved how small and lightweight it was along with the awesome features it brought to the table. The fact that it worked with Alexa was the cherry on top, allowing it to be used as a smart speaker. The newer Roam 2 has the same audio quality but better design and battery life, with a single charge able to keep the party going for up to 10 hours—a decent amount of time considering the speaker’s tiny size. With this being the best price we’ve ever seen for the Sonos Roam 2, there’s never been a better time to get one. Snag it now on Amazon for just $134 to level up your parties and adventures! Or check out some of our other favorite smart speakers for smart homes. Buy now at Amazon

TECNO brings a full suite of AI-powered devices to COMPUTEX 2025, showcasing how its self-developed edge-side AI model transforms everyday technology interactions. The company returns to Taipei with products spanning laptops, smart glasses, and wearables under its “Mega Leap with AI” theme. Designer: TECNO The centerpiece of their showcase is the new MEGABOOK S16 AI PC, complemented by the world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop weighing just 899 grams. These devices represent TECNO’s vision for AI that works seamlessly both online and offline, addressing the growing need for intelligent computing that adapts to users rather than forcing adaptation. MEGABOOK S16: Flagship AI Performance in a Premium Package The MEGABOOK S16 integrates TECNO’s self-developed edge-side AI model, enabling AI functionality even without internet connectivity. Powered by Intel’s Core i9-13900HK processor with 14 cores and 20 threads reaching 5.4 GHz turbo speeds, the system delivers substantial computational power for demanding AI applications. Despite its performance capabilities, the S16 maintains a surprisingly portable profile at just 1.3kg and 14.9mm thick. The all-metal chassis houses TECNO’s first 16-inch display in the flagship laptop line, responding to user demand for larger screens without sacrificing mobility. The system particularly excels in multitasking scenarios where AI assistance proves most valuable. Users can seamlessly switch between creative work, productivity tasks, and entertainment without the performance degradation typically associated with running multiple demanding applications. MEGABOOK S14: Redefining Ultralight Computing Perhaps more impressive from an engineering standpoint is the MEGABOOK S14, which achieves a remarkable 899g weight while incorporating a 2.8K OLED display. TECNO offers the system in two variants: one with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite compute platform and another with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 processor. The magnesium-alloy chassis contributes to the ultralight design without compromising structural integrity. For users requiring additional graphics performance, TECNO provides an external graphics dock with NVIDIA GPU options that transforms the ultraportable into a creative workstation or gaming system. The S14 represents TECNO’s first OLED implementation in a laptop, delivering 2.8K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and 91% screen-to-body ratio. The display carries TÜV Rheinland eye comfort certification for extended viewing sessions. K-Series: Accessible AI Computing TECNO also showcases its K15S and K14S models, representing new size options in its entry-level lineup. The K15S features an all-metal design with a 15.6-inch display, Intel Core i5-13420H processor, and expandable memory up to 32GB. Despite its more accessible positioning, the K15S incorporates a substantial 70Wh battery with 65W GaN fast charging technology, addressing a common pain point in the category. The system includes a full-sized keyboard with numeric keypad and four-level backlighting for productivity in various lighting conditions. AI Capabilities Across the Lineup All MEGABOOK models now feature TECNO’s upgraded AI model with DeepSeek-V3, enhancing offline capabilities while enabling comprehensive online AI searches through a Personal GPT function. The system offers six core AI functionalities designed to streamline common workflows. The AI Gallery, which TECNO claims is a world-first on Windows, connects wirelessly with TECNO smartphones for photo backup, smart album creation, and image searches. The Ella AI Assistant manages tasks and schedules, while AI PPT localizes and completes presentations using TECNO’s AI sources. For professionals, the AI Meeting Assistant provides real-time transcription with speaker identification and key point extraction. The system also includes AI Drawing tools for creative applications. AI Glasses: Smartphone-Grade Photography in Eyewear Moving beyond computing, TECNO introduces its first AI Glasses series with two models: AI Glasses and AI Glasses Pro. Both incorporate a 50MP camera system using the same OV50D sensor, ISP, and imaging algorithms found in TECNO’s flagship CAMON 40 Premier smartphone. The glasses feature a “SmartSnap” function that recognizes scenes and automatically generates captions for social sharing. The AI Info function compiles notifications from multiple apps into concise reports, while real-time translation supports over 100 languages. The Pro model adds WaveGuide AR display technology co-developed with Meta-Bounds, featuring a MicroLED screen with 30° field of view and 1500 nits brightness. This enables navigation overlays, meeting translations, and other augmented reality applications. Both models offer approximately 8 hours of mixed use on a 30-minute charge of their 250mAh batteries. The standard model features an aviator design, while the Pro adopts a browline style. Ecosystem Integration and Market Positioning TECNO emphasizes the interconnectivity of its AI ecosystem through OneLeap technology, which enables multi-screen sharing, file transfer, and cross-device collaboration between MEGABOOK laptops, smartphones, and tablets. This approach addresses a common friction point for users working across multiple devices, allowing content and context to follow the user rather than remaining siloed on individual devices. TECNO positions its AI ecosystem as democratizing advanced technology for emerging markets, with a presence in over 70 markets across five continents. Their “Stop At Nothing” brand philosophy guides product development toward accessible innovation. The comprehensive lineup demonstrates TECNO’s commitment to AI as a transformative technology rather than a marketing checkbox. By developing its own edge-side AI model, the company maintains control over the user experience while ensuring functionality even in regions with inconsistent connectivity. For users seeking to experience TECNO’s vision of AI-enhanced computing, the company’s booth at COMPUTEX 2025 (N1302) showcases all products through May 23rd.The post TECNO Unveils Comprehensive AI Ecosystem at COMPUTEX 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

ZDNET's key takeaways The OnePlus Pad 2 is the company's latest Android tablet with a premium design and flagship specs for $550. It's compatible with a keyboard and pen that OnePlus sells separately, so you can turn it into an Android-powered laptop. While the multitasking features are excellent, and the Pad 2 checks all the boxes when it comes to entertainment, it still suffers from the pitfalls of using Android on a big screen. more buying choices Enter the promo code "HELLOMAY" to receive a $100 discount on the OnePlus Pad 2. You also get to pick between one of two free gifts: the OnePlus Stylo 2 or the OnePlus Folio Case 2.The Android tablet market has been in a weird place for a while. Companies either position them as regular iPad alternatives or try to add advanced productivity features to compete with the iPad Pro and Surface Pro. We've even seen tablets that turn into smart displays, such as the Google Pixel Tablet.Also: This Samsung tablet has the power and polish to rival the iPad AirThere are many ideas about what an Android tablet can be. The latest OnePlus Pad 2 combines some of these ideas while remaining moderately priced. With specs from the latest flagship smartphones, an aluminum design, quality speakers, and pogo pins for a keyboard, it aims to be both your next laptop and your go-to device for watching movies. details View at OnePlus I'll give it to OnePlus; it crafted a beautiful device. The Pad 2 sports a high-end aluminum enclosure that feels as premium as you'd expect. It's sturdy, ice-cold when you pick it up in the morning, and it feels like it's worth twice as much. It's also impressively thin at 6.49mm and weighs just over a pound.Also: This big-screen Samsung tablet is the iPad Pro alternative Android users have been waiting forThe speaker grilles are on both sides for stereo audio, and the pogo pins for the accompanying keyboard are on the bottom. OnePlus included a prominent camera bump on the back of the tablet, a brand identifier seen on most modern OnePlus smartphones. The company even says its smartwatch lineup was inspired by it. Inside the bump is a 13MP camera, which is best suited for scanning documents or QR codes -- not for replacing your smartphone camera. Max Buondonno/ZDNETThe display is quite good for an LCD. It measures 11.61 inches diagonally and features a 2800x2000 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and 900 nits of brightness. OnePlus did a nice job calibrating the colors to appear accurate and properly saturated, making everything from movies to games look great. While I still think Apple offers the best LCDs on any tablet -- the iPad Air is a perfect example -- OnePlus comes in a close second.If you're enjoying that good-looking screen and forgot your headphones, the speakers will serve you well. OnePlus added a couple of extra speakers to the Pad 2 compared to the previous version, and they sound really good. Audio quality is full, gets really loud, and has plenty of rumbling bass for such a thin device. I played plenty of music on the tablet, and it all sounded great.Also: I take this iPad with me everywhere and you can get it for an all-time low priceThe OnePlus Pad 2 delivers flagship performance. Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it offers blazing-fast speeds, smooth animations, and hiccup-free gaming thanks to OnePlus' HyperBoosted optimizations. I've yet to encounter anything that slows it down, ensuring it's powerful enough for today and years to come. The chipset is paired with 12GB of RAM, so you won't have to worry about apps crashing in the background.I'm also happy to report that battery life is a non-issue. It's hard to mess up battery life on tablets since their large sizes can accommodate big batteries, and that's what OnePlus has done here. The Pad 2 ships with a huge 9,510mAh battery that can easily last multiple days if you use it lightly, or about a day and a half with mixed to heavy usage (e.g., watching a couple movies or TV shows, playing some games, and sorting through my inbox all day).In classic OnePlus fashion, the Pad 2 also supports fast charging. The tablet comes with a 67W SuperVOOC charger in the box that juices it back up from zero to 100% in around an hour and a half, which is great considering the size of the battery. Max Buondonno/ZDNETOnePlus has done a lot of work to make multitasking easier. Through OxygenOS on top of Android 14, the Pad 2 supports Open Canvas, which originally debuted on the OnePlus Open last year. This set of software features lets you multitask like a champ. You can run three apps at the same time in a shifting tile-like layout, pull up more apps through the dock or floating app drawer, drag and drop files between apps, and more. It's the most useful multitasking system I've ever used on an Android tablet.Also: Why I pick this ultraportable Lenovo tablet over the iPad for mobile entertainmentOnePlus also includes special settings for optimizing apps that might not include tablet layouts by default. Your mileage will vary, and some apps don't work well with these shoehorned layouts, but it's at least handy if a simple app like a calendar or to-do list needs to be expanded to fill the entire screen. What'll be most useful to OnePlus smartphone users is the tight integration between them and the Pad 2. OnePlus allows you to place calls, send texts, sync your clipboard and notifications, and even remotely use apps installed on your phone right from the tablet. This obviously only applies to the few people who have invested in OnePlus' ecosystem, but it's a nice bonus nonetheless. Max Buondonno/ZDNETOnePlus sent me the $150 Smart Keyboard and $40 Folio Case 2 to round out the multitasking experience, and I have to say, they're quite good. The keyboard offers a lot of travel and is reliably responsive thanks to those pogo pins, and the case adds some extra protection to your tablet. The $99 OnePlus Stylo 2 was also in the box, and it's equally good.Also: The best Android tablets you can buyGoogle has done a lot of work over the years to make Android on tablets a more pleasurable experience, but many apps still need to catch up to their iPadOS counterparts. Some are well-optimized for tablet layouts, while others insist on showing up as blown-up phone apps. Some are missing features, capabilities, and even a Play Store listing. Even Chrome refuses to load the desktop version of Google Search consistently, which is a royal pain when you're trying to get work done. Max Buondonno/ZDNETIt's also really tough trying to do laptop things with the Pad 2. If you want to edit a video or touch up some photos, you're limited to the underbaked UIs and app layouts. In some cases, I would much rather use Lightroom on my Android phone than on my tablet.One final note on software: OnePlus says the Pad 2 will receive three major OS upgrades and four years' worth of security updates, which isn't too shabby given the price.ZDNET's buying adviceIt's easy to say who should buy the OnePlus Pad 2 and who shouldn't. If you want a multimedia device with powerful performance, a nice screen, long battery life, and great speakers -- and you don't mind that it runs Android -- the Pad 2 is an excellent choice. If, however, you want a tablet that can turn into a laptop, you should consider more premium options like the iPad Pro and Surface Pro. Regardless, at $549, the OnePlus Pad 2 is a fantastic tablet that delivers on various fronts, and the company continues to offer competitive trade-in and bundling deals to help you round out the experience for less money. What are the tariffs in the US? The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.Smartphones are among the most affected by the new US tariffs, with devices imported from China and Vietnam facing steep duties that could raise retail prices by 20% or more. Brands like Apple and Google, which rely heavily on Asian manufacturing, may either pass these costs on to consumers or absorb them at the expense of profit margins. The tariffs could also lead to delays in product launches or shifts in where and how phones are made, forcing companies to diversify production to countries with more favorable trade conditions. Show more This article was originally published on August 2, 2024, and was updated on May 15, 2025.Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET RecommendsFeatured reviews

ZDNET's key takeaways The Vivobook S 15, Asus' first Copilot+ PC, normally retails for over $1,000, but it's currently on sale at Walmart for $709.It's sleek and lightweight with a gorgeous OLED, 120Hz display, great battery life, and snappy performance.Users might run into the usual compatability issues seen on Arm-compatible devices. View now at Walmart At Walmart, Asus' Vivobook S 15 is currently marked down to $709, which is roughly $90 off. The configuration on sale features a 3K OLED 120Hz display with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and 16GB of RAM.Asus' first Copilot+ PC with the Snapdragon X Elite chip last year was the Vivobook S 15, a sleek and lightweight 15-inch laptop with a gorgeous display and ultra-snappy performance. It's the configuration with the Intel Core Ultra 7 chip that's drastically marked down right now.The chassis' minimalist, all-metal design is lightweight and airy, and it feels more premium than last year's Vivobook S 14. It's only 0.58 inches at its thinnest point, and it weighs just 3.13 pounds, making it particularly well-suited for hybrid or remote workers who want a powerful laptop with a nice display that doesn't weigh a ton. Also: This ultraportable Windows laptop raised the bar for the MacBook Air (and everything else)Like all of the new Windows on ARM laptops released last summer, the Vivobook S 15 is fast and responsive with nice battery life. For the average consumer, this is the epitome of a laptop that looks and feels good right out of the box, and it starts with the brilliant 3K OLED display. details View at Walmart With an 89% screen-to-body ratio and ultra-thin bezels, the screen is brilliant and high-contrast, rocking a max 600-nit brightness and 120Hz refresh rate for some silky-smooth and crisp image quality. Also: Why I recommend this budget Lenovo ThinkPad over laptops that cost twice as muchThe display's 16:9 resolution gives it that premium widescreen feel, lending itself well to both watching and editing media, but it might not be for everyone. Most 15-inch laptops come with a 16:10 resolution, which might feel more "natural" for some, but ultimately the distinction is subtle.  Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETWith 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, Asus is able to keep costs close to that $1,000 price point with just the right amount of hardware on this machine. And it feels even better in tandem with the snappy, responsive performance the Snapdragon X Elite processor provides. The Vivobook S 15 features the 12-core, 3.4GHz chip with a 45 TOPS NPU, the same one found in the HP Omnibook X 14, but slightly below the 3.8GHz chip found in the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge. The benchmarking scores in Cinebench reflect that same hierarchy, with numbers above the Omnibook and just below the Galaxy Book4 Edge. In testing the CPU's performance, I got a single-core score of 106 and a multi-core score of 969. In Geekbench, I got a single-core of 2447 and a multi-core of 14384. Remember that these scores were recorded while the device was plugged into power. While on battery, I got scores about 30% lower -- somewhat more of a difference than I expected. This is in comparison to the HP Omnibook X 14, which had a much narrower gap in scores in my testing, something I noted as I was reviewing it. Also: I replaced my laptop with Microsoft's 12-inch Surface Pro - here's my buying advice a week laterThis paints a picture of a laptop that has somewhat variable battery life, depending on what you're doing and what kind of mode you have the laptop in. There's no escaping the power this display requires, and if you're someone who typically ignores battery setting profiles and keeps your machine blasting at "Best Performance," you may want to adjust the power modes in either the MyAsus software or in Windows (or both) because you'll see a drastic difference. That being said, the Vivobook S 15's 70Wh battery performance is good, but the user must manage it to maximize its efficiency. During the battery test that ZDNET runs on all laptops, I got about 10 and a half hours before it died, but that number fluctuated in subsequent tests with different power mode settings. Also: Are dual-screen Windows laptop a gimmick or pure genius? My buying advice after testing oneOptimization is the theme here, and this also extends to its performance. The Windows on ARM architecture provides fantastic up-front performance in ways that are immediately apparent to most users. But when you start looking closely at more specialized tasks, things have the potential to get tricky. For example, the Vivobook S 15's aforementioned 16:9 resolution OLED screen seems perfect for editing video. While the integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU is up to the task, its interaction with different apps and their performance in Windows (via Prism) is still a work in progress.  Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETDuring my testing, I ran DaVinci Resolve for Windows on ARM, and it worked mostly fine, but the performance is still not 100% optimized. There was some lag, graphic stuttering, and quirkiness, especially with 4K video. Adobe Photoshop, however, ran smoothly, with local AI-generative tasks popping off seamlessly with help from the NPU on board the Snapdragon. I expect performance to continue improving as Windows improves and developers improve their products for the platform.The other elephant in the room is gaming, which is not entirely up to speed with Windows on ARM. Yes, technically, you can game on this laptop, but many titles still don't run, and the ones that do are not well-optimized. Although the Vivobook S 15 looks like something you might want to game on, I wouldn't recommend it as a dedicated gaming laptop. At least not yet. Also: This Asus laptop is my go-to pick for creative professionals and design teams - here's whyInstead, I see the Vivobook S 15 as a primary driver for remote workers or digital nomads who are already integrating AI into their workflows and appreciate an aesthetic laptop with a brilliant display that handles media well. Supporting that use case, it has a generous selection of ports: two USB-A ports on the right-hand side, two USB-C on the left, an HDMI port, a MicroSD slot, and a headphone jack. It also has a "full" keyboard (the number pad on the right side has slightly smaller keys, as typical for sub-16-inch machines), which is satisfying and responsive to typing on. The keyboard has colorful LED backlighting that can be configured in many different lights and effects. Still, again, this is not something that I would consider high on the priority list when optimizing battery life.  ZDNET's buying adviceThe Asus Vivobook S 15 is a sleek and lightweight laptop with a gorgeous OLED display and solid battery life -- as long as you're mindful of your power usage. I'd recommend it to forward-thinking digital nomads who want a performant, AI-ready laptop with a blazing-fast Snapdragon X Elite processor. It's a solid investment for people who regularly swap between creative work, productivity software, and media. All things considered, the sale price of $713 is very competitive for this laptop, particularly for the display alone. Featured reviews

The best gifts for dad should lean into what he loves most (besides you). Sure, an obvious pick like a customized mug or a gift card to his favorite shop are great ideas, but something that caters to his interests and that he’ll actually use? Prepare to solidify your status as the favorite. Gift the die-hard sports fanatics a chic piece of memorabilia (yes, those exist!) that supports his favorite team. Or if he’s most comfortable in the kitchen, a recipe journal or pizza oven could be calling his name. Is he a little too attached to his worn-out work bag? A new one is the gift he never knew he needed.We’re just a few weeks away from Father’s Day (June 15, mark your calendars!), so you have plenty of time to shop for the father figure in your life—or bookmark some ideas if you need a future birthday gift or holiday present. Read on for the best-selling Father’s Day gift ideas, including in-demand and personalized picks sure to dazzle the dad in your life.Our Top Picks for the Best Gifts for Dad:For the Fashionable Hiker: Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex Shoes, $180For the Stylish Scholar: STAMTECH Custom Logo Book Embosser Stamp, $15For the Sports Fan: MLB Stadium Sculpture Candle, $48For the Office Warrior: Shinola Runwell Leather Messenger Bag, $895For the Adventurous Grillmaster: Gozney Tread, $500Browse by CategoryClothing & AccessoriesOn Track Pack Lite BagWhether he’s a frequent traveler or constantly lugging his life in a bag, give him an upgrade with this On Cloud tote. It has tons of compartments, too, so he can store everything he needs for work, workouts, or travel. New dads might also prefer to use this as their signature cool dad diaper bag.Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex ShoesOutdoorsy dads are covered with this trail shoe, which is backed by hundreds of positive reviews. Designed with waterproofing and extra stability, they’ll keep him dry and comfortable on your next family hike but are also stylish enough that he’ll be the coolest-looking guy shopping at Whole Foods.The North Face Summer LT Run HatThe North Face is a go-to for great gifts your dad is guaranteed to love. Take this lightweight hat, for instance, which is made with quick-drying fabric and breathable mesh side panels that will keep him cool on his weekend jogs.Shinola Runwell Leather Messenger BagChances are, he could use a new work bag. For a more luxurious, high-quality gift, this one is crafted from premium leather, has plenty of pockets (including one for his laptop), and a subtle magnetic closure.J.Crew Sterling Silver Rectangle Cuff LinksYou don’t have to be into jewelry to appreciate some handsome cuff links peeking out of a crisp, French cuff shirt. This heirloom-worthy sterling silver pair is simple, understated, and elegant for dressing up a suit or doing the most at the office.Quince Mongolian Cashmere Ribbed BeanieCrafted with Mongolian cashmere and built for dads who love to stay cozy, this super soft ribbed beanie is a year-round staple (we think it would pair perfectly with the brand’s cashmere hoodie).Our Legacy Cotton Coach JacketCater to your favorite fashionisto’s love of Scandi design with this timeless work jacket from Swedish–based Our Legacy. A staple that can be dressed up or down, the sturdy cotton material is cut with a slightly dropped shoulder silhouette that’ll give your guy the boxier fit he gravitates towards.KitchenGozney Tread Pizza OvenWhile your dad might not travel the world with his cookware a la Stanley Tucci, he probably loves pizza night. Skip the delivery with this ultraportable pizza oven, one of Gozney’s highly anticipated new arrivals. He can keep in the backyard or take on the go, Tucci-style. (Psst—the brand is also Benny Blanco–approved).ButcherBox Curated Classic BoxSummertime is around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about all the backyard BBQs drawing near. Encourage your own grill master to enjoy his favorite hobby with a regular supply of sustainably sourced meat—no trip to the butcher required. And since each box is delivered within five days of billing, it makes for a solid last-minute gift idea too.LARQ Bottle PureVis 2Hydration is key for everyone, and this stainless-steel water bottle takes it to the next level for Dad. It’s so high-tech, in fact, that he can pair it with an app to track his water intake via Bluetooth.Papier Dad's Recipes JournalFor your favorite personal chef, encourage him to write down his best recipes in this keepsake journal that can easily double as coffee table decor. Add your own photo and customize the title with an inside joke or sweet reference for your most thoughtful gift to date.HobbiesUncommon Goods MLB Stadium Sculpture CandleA gift guide for dads wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to the sports aficionados. My architect husband is a die-hard New York Mets fan and a firm believer that you can never have too many candles on-hand. So it only made sense that one of his favorite Christmas gifts was this hand-poured wax candle topped with an intricately designed, laser-cut wooden replica of Citi Field. Choose dad’s favorite team, and he’ll light it all season long.STAMTECH Custom Logo Book Embosser StampWith this unique gift from Amazon, he can make his mark on a ton of stuff—stationery, labels, books, recipes, and so on. Each engraved plate can be customized with his initials, a special message, or logo, and it’ll instantly personalize his most treasured items.