More stories

  • in

    Amazon’s early Spring Sale just matched the lowest price ever on the M4 Mac Mini

    Jason Hiner/ZDNETLast week, Amazon was selling the M4 Mac Mini for $529. Then B&H Photo dropped it to its best price, selling the M4 Mac Mini for $499, or $100 off. But Amazon just answered the call, even days before the retailer’s Big Spring Sale starts on March 25. Also: The best early Amazon Spring Sale deals live nowRight now, the base model is going for $699 at Amazon More

  • in

    Google’s latest Pixel phone is so close to being my perfect budget phone – here’s why

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETWe’ve reached the point in the mobile industry where every new upgrade is a game of “Find the differences.” Whether it’s the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel, consumers need to dig a little deeper to uncover what’s actually new among buzzwords that have existed for years. Also: I found an Android phone that can convince iPhone users to make the switch – and it’s not a flagshipThis is especially true with the new Google Pixel 9a More

  • in

    5 ways to escape middle management and fast-track your journey to the top

    PM Images/Getty Images Climbing the career ladder requires some special characteristics. London Business School suggests successful leaders in 2025 have a blend of capabilities, allowing them to build trust and deliver results. If you’re in a middle management position and want to reach the top table, how can you start honing the right characteristics today […] More

  • in

    I invested in a self-cooling iPhone charger and my pockets are thanking me

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Torras PolarCircle is on sale on Amazon for $40. It has an active cooler that’s more effective than a standard fan, and it’s almost totally silent. Naturally, it also consumes more power than most. –> On Amazon, the Torras PolarCircle Qi2<!–> has received a 17% discount and currently retails for […] More

  • in

    The best-looking Linux desktop I’ve seen so far in 2025 – and it’s not even close

    ZDNETOne thing you can certainly say about Linux is that it does not lack variety. You can find desktop distributions that are equal parts art and functionality, as well as those created purely for the sake of efficiency.For a while now, Garuda Dr460nized (aka “Dragonized”) has been that distribution — the one that makes eyes pop and jaws drop. It’s just so cool. But then the developers of Garuda go and one-up themselves with the “Broadwing” release. If you’re a big fan of the Dr460nized release, fear not, as it will most likely always be a part of the Garuda lineup, which features several different releases. Also: This Linux distro can be used without installation (and it’s totally free)One of those releases is the Mokka Edition, a Catppuccin-themed KDE Plasma desktop experience that offers a fresh and inviting take on the KDE environment. I’m reviewing this edition, and it’s a game-changer for those who prioritize aesthetics. For those who aren’t familiar, the Catppuccin theme is a popular, visually appealing theme for Linux desktops that offers soothing pastel colors and supports GTK-based desktop environments like GNOME, Cinnamon, XFCE, and Mate. Well, the Garuda team has applied this theme to KDE Plasma, and it’s spectacular. More