The 13-inch M2 MacBook Air Is Down to $599 for Cyber Monday

It’s Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. 

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. 


For years, the M1 MacBook Air has been the default cheap MacBook recommendation every deals season. Even now, it’s available for just $549 at Walmart. But now, I think the best cheap MacBook that you can buy is the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air for just $599 during Best Buy’s Cyber Monday sale. This laptop has the same modern design as the M4 MacBook Air and even comes with the same 16GB RAM.

This isn’t the only good MacBook Air deal right now, though—if you have the money to spare, you could opt for the latest M4 MacBook Air for $738 duringAmazon’s Cyber Monday sale. For most budget-conscious users, though, the $600 M2 MacBook Air is the best deal. The M2 MacBook Air has the same 13.5-inch Retina Display (with wide P3 color gamut and sharp resolution at 2560×1664), the same latest design, MagSafe connection, fast Touch ID, and nicer speakers, not to mention 16GB RAM, which is twice as much as the M1 MacBook Air. It supports Apple Intelligence as well, though that 16GB RAM will come in really handy in day-to-day tasks and will help with longevity as well.

The M2 chip is also no slouch. Compared to the M1 chip, you get 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU, and 40% faster Neural Engine. It’s more than capable for your daily work, email, and web browsing, and it can even take over some intense photo editing and video editing workflows. There’s 18 hours of battery life (15 when you’re web browsing). Again, that’s more than enough to last a full workday, and then some. The M2 MacBook Air is also thin and light, as you’d expect, weighing in at 2.7 pounds (and just 1.13 cm thick).

If you’re looking for a larger laptop, the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air is down to $769.99. The two laptops are virtually the same, down to the processor and quality of screen. The 15-inch model, of course, has a larger screen, and because of the extra space, has better speakers too. The weight is a different story though, with the 15-inch model weighing in at 1.51 kg, which is quite a bit heavier than the 13-inch MacBook Air.


What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. 

Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. 

Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?

Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


Sony WH-1000XM5


—
$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus


—
$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

Netflix quietly drops support for casting to most TVs

Have you been trying to cast Stranger Things from your phone, only to find that your TV isn’t cooperating? It’s not the TV—Netflix is to blame for this one, and it’s intentional. The streaming app has recently updated its support for Google Cast to disable the feature in most situations. You’ll need to pay for one of the company’s more expensive plans, and even then, Netflix will only cast to older TVs and streaming dongles.

The Google Cast system began appearing in apps shortly after the original Chromecast launched in 2013. Since then, Netflix users have been able to start video streams on TVs and streaming boxes from the mobile app. That was vital for streaming targets without their own remote or on-screen interface, but times change.

Today, Google has moved beyond the remote-free Chromecast experience, and most TVs have their own standalone Netflix apps. Netflix itself is also allergic to anything that would allow people to share passwords or watch in a new place. Over the last couple of weeks, Netflix updated its Android app to remove most casting options, mirroring a change in 2019 to kill Apple AirPlay.

Read full article

Comments

Top Consultancies Freeze Starting Salaries as AI Threatens ‘Pyramid’ Model

Major consulting firms including McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group and Bain have frozen starting salaries for the third consecutive year as AI reshapes how these companies think about their traditional reliance on large cohorts of junior analysts. Job offers for 2026 show undergraduate packages holding steady at $135,000-$140,000 and MBA packages at $270,000-$285,000, according to Management Consulted. The Big Four — Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC — haven’t raised starting pay since 2022.

The industry’s classic “pyramid” structure, built on thousands of entry-level employees who crunch data and assemble PowerPoint decks, faces pressure as AI automates much of that work. Two senior executives at Big Four firms estimated that UK graduate recruitment would fall by about half in the coming year. PwC has already cut graduate hiring in 2025 and said in October it would miss a target to add 100,000 employees globally by 2026 — a goal set five years ago before generative AI’s rollout.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Pixel 9a Is Only $349 for Cyber Monday, and It’s My Favorite Android

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. 

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. 


Even after the release of the Pixel 10 series, the budget-oriented Pixel 9a is still the best Google phone for most people. That’s according to Lifehacker’s Associate Tech Editor Michelle Ehrhardt . And I agree. I’ve used the Pixel 9a as my secondary phone for months now. For Cyber Monday, Amazon is discounting the Pixel 9a to just $349. That’s $150 off the original price, and it’s the lowest price we’ve seen yet.

The Pixel 9a is a great phone for most people because of all the things that it has, and all that it doesn’t. It only has two cameras, and it doesn’t have the Pixel 10’s fancy new AI features. But all that doesn’t matter, and you may actually prefer your phone without them.

Instead, what you have here is a solid little dependable smartphone. It’s still got the same Tensor G4 processor as the regular Pixel 9, and you still get a 120Hz refresh rate display with the latest Android 16 OS. This thing is still as fast and smooth as the day it was launched. There’s 8GB RAM, which is enough to run some Gemini tasks locally, and fast enough for day to day use. At 5,100 mAh, it has quite a large battery backup as well. Not to mention Google’s new 7-year software update promise, which also applies to the 9a.

Because it uses smaller and older sensors, the camera is admittedly just okay. Don’t expect Pixel Pro level photos here. But for regular, everyday use, the camera will be more than adequate.

The Pixel 9a has everything that a regular user would want from a smartphone, and could be a perfect gift for your parents or grandparents this holiday season. As Michelle puts it in her review, “But outside of being a good A-series phone, I also think it’s just a plain good phone.“


How long do Cyber Monday deals really last?

Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. 

Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. 

What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. 

Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


Sony WH-1000XM5


—
$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus


—
$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

These Beats Solo Headphones Are Just $79 for Cyber Monday

It’s Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. 

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.


Beats’ latest on-ear headphones are on deep discount for Cyber Monday: The Beats Solo 4 are just $79 at Walmart right now, specifically the drenched grey colorway. This is the lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools. The other colors, including black, pink, and blue, are listed for $129 at Walmart and $129.95 on Amazon, which is also a decent deal at 35% off.

The Beats Solo 4 offer well-balanced sound and are particularly high-value for those in the Apple ecosystem. This is because Apple-owned Beats by Dre integrated features like hands-free Siri and personalized spatial audio into this iteration of the Beats Solo. The headphones also have one-touch pairing with most Apple devices, automatic pairing via iCloud, audio sharing, and simultaneous connection with your iPhone and Apple Watch.

PCMag gives the Beats Solo 4 a “good” review. The headphones don’t have Active Noise Cancellation, an adjustable EQ option, or an Android-friendly codec.

Beats headphones, in general, are a decent affordable alternative to premium headphones from Apple and Sony. Its over-ear Studio Pro headphones are also on sale for Cyber Monday, as are the Apple AirPods Max and the Sony WH-1000XM6.

What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. 

Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. 

Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?

Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


Sony WH-1000XM5


—
$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus


—
$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

Final Fury: Tides Of Vygor Update Adds More Moves, Attacks & Modes

Final Fury gives the VR arcade fighter new attacks, more moves, and ranked events in today’s Tides of Vygor update.

Following May’s early access launch, Kluge Interactive (Synth Riders) is now releasing what it calls the “biggest update yet” for Final Fury. The Tides of Vygor update now allows you to use dive kicks and uppercuts, alongside a “full set of Vygor-powered special attacks” that the studio states will open up new defensive and combo options.

Tides of Vygor also introduces ‘Ranked Events,’ a series of weekend tournaments that deliver new cosmetics and avatar rewards for competitors. Bonus prizes will also be awarded to top performers. Kluge states December’s lineup includes the titular festival and a festive-themed showdown, Festive Fury, to mark the year’s end.

Today’s update also joins news that Final Fury is now part of the Horizon+ Games Catalog on Quest, a rotating selection of games available to all subscribers. Meta also offers two monthly games that you can keep for as long as you remain subscribed, with December’s monthly Horizon+ games being Tactical Assault VR and Smash Drums.

We enjoyed Final Fury in our early access hands-on in May. Though we considered the launch content to be rather slim, we believed it offered “a strong foundation that is approachable to newcomers while having the same kind of mechanical depth that will appeal to traditional fighting game players.”

Final Fury is out now in early access on Steam and the Meta Quest platform.

Final Fury Hands-On: Solid Starting Fundamentals For A VR Arcade Fighting Game
Final Fury sets up a strong foundation that’s newcomer-friendly while appealing to traditional fighting game players, and it’s out today in early access on Quest and Steam.
UploadVRAlan Wen

State says no to price rises with updated super versatile Carbon All-Road gravel bike

State Bicycle Company has launched a completely new V2 of its Carbon All-Road gravel race/adventure bike.

Although the overhaul has introduced a raft of modern features – including down tube storage and generous 55mm tyre clearance – prices for framesets and full builds remain remarkably low.

In fact, full builds are priced from $1,995 or £1,533. Remarkably, that’s no more than the bike it replaces, which surely makes it one of the few bikes released in 2025 that isn’t more expensive than its predecessor.

Aggressive geometry 

New features include in-frame storage.

The Carbon All-Road V2 frame is built from T800 and T1000 carbon fibre, with State saying its geometry is aggressive to provide speed and stability.

It reckons the bike is a good option for gravel racing, while also serving for adventure rides thanks to its wide clearance and a full set of bag and accessory mounts.

Elsewhere, State’s Carbon All-Road V2 is very much in line with modern trends in road and gravel bike design, switching to a UDH derailleur hanger that offers compatibility with SRAM Full Mount derailleurs, as well as a T47 bottom bracket shell.

State has increased tyre clearance to 55mm, added extra flare to its bars, and routed cables through the headset top cap.

Cables are routed through the headset top cap, opening the possibility to build with fully integrated cabling – although standard builds feature external cabling under the stem with a separate flared alloy bar. 

Tyre clearance is larger too, with State saying that you can fit 55mm (2.2 inch) tyres on 700c wheels or 2.4 in tyres on 650b. There’s still space to fit a 48t 1x chainring or a 50/34t double with wide tyres fitted.

State has added a Fidlock-closed downtube storage compartment.

It supplies both the frameset and full builds with a matching neoprene storage bag. There’s a full set of mounts, including fork leg eyelets, while the Carbon All-Road V2 is offered in three colours and five sizes. 

Affordable builds

State fits its own-brand 12-speed groupset to the Carbon All-Road V2 as standard.

Back in March, we flagged State as a brand that has been bucking the price-rise trends in the bike industry and the new Carbon All-Road V2 continues its line of affordable offerings.

The carbon frame-plus-fork is priced from $1,119.99 in the US, or £861 in the UK. 

The base $1,995/$1,533 build buys you an own-brand 1×12-speed State drivetrain and 23mm internal width 700c wheels with Vittoria Terreno Dry 47mm tyres with a choice of black or tan sidewalls, or an alternative 650b option.

The frame can be fitted with a 2x groupset as well as the standard 1x.

We rated State’s older 11-speed derailleur system, built in China, when we reviewed the alloy State 6061 All-Road Black Label in 2024, although we found State’s hybrid mechanical/hydraulic brakes fiddly to get set up working well.

There are wheel upgrade options to DT Swiss, Enve or Zipp available. You can also choose to upgrade the drivetrain to a wider range 11-50t State groupset from the standard 11-46t, or select a SRAM Apex XPLR AXS or an Eagle Transmission AXS mullet setup. 

UK ‘Not in Favor’ of Dimming the Sun

The British government said it opposes attempts to cool the planet by spraying millions of tons of dust into the atmosphere — but did not close the door to a debate on regulating the technology. From a report: The comments in parliament Thursday came after a POLITICO investigation revealed an Israeli-U.S. company Stardust Solutions aimed to be capable of deploying solar radiation modification, as the technology is called, inside this decade. “We’re not in favor of solar radiation modification given the uncertainty around the potential risks it poses to the climate and environment,” Leader of the House of Commons Alan Campbell said on behalf of the government.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

My Favorite Pixel Phone Is Over 30% Off for Cyber Monday

It’s Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over.

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.


The Google Pixel 10 only launched four months ago, but it’s already discounted by a significant $250 for the holiday shopping season (almost a third off). You can now pick it up from Amazon for $549, its lowest price yet.

That “lowest price yet” label does depend on the color and storage option you choose, but whichever one you pick, there are big discounts being applied for Cyber Monday. For the biggest discount, pick the 128GB lemongrass model.

I’ve been reviewing phones for decades at this point, and I’ve always loved the Pixel series (and the Nexus phones before that). They put photography and AI front and center—both high priorities for me—and they’re perfect if you spend a lot of time in Google’s various apps (from Gmail to Google Maps), which I do.

These phones are also well-built, durable, and distinctive-looking. I find them easy on the eye, though you do need to get past that camera bar (it at least ensures your phone doesn’t wobble when laid down on its back). Add in the on-board smarts of Gemini, and there’s a lot to like here.


Does Amazon have Cyber Monday deals?

Yes, Amazon has Cyber Monday sales, but prices aren’t always what they seem. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it.

What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog.

Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


Sony WH-1000XM5


—
$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus


—
$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

India Orders Mobile Phones Preloaded With Government App To Ensure Cyber Safety

An anonymous reader shares a report: India’s telecoms ministry has privately asked all smartphone makers to preload all new devices with a state-owned cyber security app, a government order showed, a move set to spark a tussle with Apple, which typically dislikes such directives.

[…] The November 28 order, seen by Reuters, gives major smartphone companies 90 days to ensure that the government’s Sanchar Saathi app is pre-installed on new mobile phones, with a provision that users cannot disable it. […] In the order, the government said the app was essential to combat “serious endangerment” of telecom cyber security from duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which enable scams and network misuse.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

You can buy Tadej Pogačar’s Ventoux-winning Colnago Y1Rs – but it’ll cost $20,000

Sotheby’s is auctioning off four iconic Colnago bikes, including the stripped-back Colnago Y1Rs Tadej Pogačar rode to summit victory at Mont Ventoux in this year’s Tour de France.

The collection also includes a 1972 track bike built to Eddy Merckx’s Hour Record dimensions, a C35 Oro Ferrari Collaboration, and Joāo Almeida’s Presentation C68 Rossa for La Vuelta 2025.

All the bikes have an auction estimate of $15,000 to $20,000, with Tadej Pogačar’s Y1Rs having the highest bid of $16,000 at the time of writing.

Tadej Pogacar Colnago Y1Rs.
Pogačar shocked us with his aero selection for Mont Ventoux this year. Colnago

It was a surprise when Pogačar picked Colnago’s aero bike for the queen stage of this year’s Tour de France, but this special edition Y1Rs has been slimmed down, weighing just over 7kg.

The bike features a raw carbon finish that reveals the carbon weave, with only a thin clear coat protecting the frame.

Colnago C35 Oro Ferrari
The C35 is one of the first carbon-framed road bikes. Sotheby’s

For retro bike fans, an extraordinarily rare C35 Oro Ferrari Collaboration is also for sale.

The bike was made in Italy under Ferrari’s technical guidance, and was among the very first road frames to be produced using carbon fibre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zp7baKovDM
Colnago C35 Oro Ferrari with gold-plated 35-year Campagnolo crankset
The current bid is $12,000 on Sotheby’s website. Sotheby’s

This example comes with a gold-plated Campagnolo Super Record groupset and striking five-spoke carbon-fibre wheels.

Bidding is open until 19:30 GST on 5 December 2025. The bikes are on display at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, until the close of the auction.

Rust Updates For Linux 6.19, Rust Minimum Baseline To Likely Follow Debian Stable

Miguel Ojeda has already submitted the core Rust programming language infrastructure updates intended for the Linux 6.19 merge window. In the pull request he also notes that moving forward the minimum supported Rust version for compiling the Linux kernel will likely follow whatever the minimum Rust version currently in use by the latest Debian stable release…