Eliana Willis

Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe AGM Pad P2 More

The Alienware Aurora R16 is the latest gaming PC offering from Dell, equipped with up to a 14th generation Intel Core i9 processor, up to 64GB of RAM, up to 8TB of storage, and your choice of either an Nvidia or AMD graphics card. It also features both DisplayPort and HDMI connectivity for up to four displays, letting you set up the ultimate battle station or streaming rig. Read also: The best gaming GPUs (and how much you should spend)I got to go hands-on with the Aurora R16, built with an RTX 4090 GPU and Intel Core i9, and during my testing, I was impressed with how smoothly everything ran, as well as just how quiet the fan towers were. Even when playing graphically intensive games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Like a Dragon: Ishin, the cooling fans were never a distraction. Customers who have bought the Aurora R16 also say they love how quiet the fans are, as well as the multitude of configuration options. This machine also has plenty of USB/USB-C ports, as well as Bluetooth support for setting up every peripheral you’ll need, from headsets and keyboards to mice and drawing tablets. Alienware Aurora R16 specs: CPU: Up to 14th gen Intel Core i9 | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 8TB SSD | Graphics: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX | Power supply: Up to 1,000W Platinum | Tower type: Mid-Tower    More

A solid gaming laptop doesn’t have to cost a fortune or even have the latest components and hardware. Whether upgrading or buying your first model, there are plenty of options for budget-minded gamers from top brands, such as Asus, Dell, MSI, HP, and more.Also: The best laptops of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed  And if you’re looking to get started as a gaming content creator, there are plenty of options to help you put together high-quality videos and live streams to build an audience. At ZDNET, we’ve tested and researched some price-friendly yet powerful options to help you find the best budget gaming laptops. We considered the latest CPU offerings from Intel and AMD, graphics card offerings from Nvidia and AMD, battery life, screen sizes, and storage capacity.What is the best budget gaming laptop right now?  As an avid gamer myself, my pick for the best budget gaming laptop is the Asus TUF A15 More

AndyEmel/Getty Images According to a new statement, the White House realizes open source is key to artificial intelligence (AI) development — much like many businesses using the technology.  On Tuesday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a report supporting open-source and open models to promote innovation in AI while emphasizing the need for vigilant […] More

In May 2024, Apple unveiled a new lineup of M3 and M4 iPad Air and Pro models. Alongside the latest tablets, the tech giant released the brand new Apple Pencil Pro, the first actual upgrade to Apple’s stylus lineup since the release of the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) in 2018. The upgraded stylus incorporates advanced features like squeeze, barrel roll, and haptic feedback to make marking up, taking notes, and creating a masterpiece more intuitive and valuable. The Apple Pencil Pro charges wirelessly like its predecessor and was designed to work with the newest iPad Pro and upgraded software, which makes it our top stylus choice for the new iPad Pro and Air models.Also: Apple Pencil Pro vs. Apple Pencil (2nd Gen)If you’re buying a new M3 iPad Air or M4 iPad Pro, purchasing the Apple Pencil Pro makes sense since its advanced features leverage the chip and AI technology incorporated into Apple’s new tablets for the most productivity, functionality, and value out of your new iPad. ZDNET’s Jason Hiner says the Apple Pencil Pro could easily have been branded as the Apple Pencil 3. After all, it is the third generation of the Apple Pencil, and therefore, is the natural evolution of the product with incremental new features that simply makes a good product even better. Physically, the form factor looks and feels exactly the same as the second-generation Apple Pencil, with one flat side that is magnetized to fit neatly along one side of an iPad Pro. But it packs some new technology inside — a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, and a haptic feedback engine — that gives it several valuable new tricks that make it more streamlined and a lot more powerful to use. You can now squeeze the Pencil Pro to activate an on-screen menu and select from the various pen tips. You can double-tap to switch between writing and erasing. You can also spin the pencil to activate the barrel roll for added creativity with the brush. These features make the iPad Pro an Apple Pencil-centric device more than ever. Using the pencil is the best and most unique thing to do with the iPad Pro.Current Pencil Pro owners on Reddit said they liked the new haptic feedback and squeeze gestures, as well as the overall aesthetic. However, some Redditors said they did not like the weight distribution of the new pencil, which some called “top-heavy,” and others were experiencing some sensitivity issues. Owners noted a bit of a learning curve with the new pencil and said that many apps and software offerings are still updating their content to support the latest features of the Pencil Pro. Apple Pencil Pro specs: Weight: 0.68 ounces | Battery life: Around 12 hours | Palm rejection: Yes | Tilt recognition: Yes | Added Features: Barrel roll, Squeeze gesture, Double tap, and Find My technology | Compatibility: iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Air 11-inch (M2) More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETWith summer well underway, many retailers like Best Buy More

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysDell’s Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 More

When is the last time you experienced a silent night of sleep where you didn’t wake up — not even once? If your answer is “I don’t remember,” perhaps it’s time you get yourself a pair of sleep headphones. Although sound machines can effectively block out noises while you sleep, sleep earbuds offer a more compact, subtle, and personal approach that won’t wake the partner sleeping across from you.ZDNET staffers conducted hands-on testing and extensive research to find sleep headphones equipped with flat speakers, active noise canceling (ANC) technology, and a long-lasting battery life that can be a game changer for a good night’s rest, especially if noise is your number one nightmare. Some are earbuds that stick in your ear for the whole night, and others wrap around your head or eyes for a quicker and easier descent into slumber. These are our top picks.Also: The best noise-canceling headphonesWhat are the best sleep headphones right now? Our pick for the best sleep headphones overall are the Soundcore by Anker Sleep A20 earbuds More