Robotics

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a casual user, there’s a laptop out there for you. Each year heralds in new models with improved performance, fascinating designs, and smart features that push the tech into new worlds. I live and breathe laptops because they are some of the most dynamic and versatile devices out there.Here at ZDNET, we test dozens of laptops each year, both in our lab and at homes. From those experiences, we then create our multitude of best laptop guides — but here, we’re doing something different.Also: The best laptops you can buy: Expert testedOur team has collected data on the top-selling laptops for ZDNET readers across different retailers. The following entries are listed in order of units sold through the links clicked from ZDNET reviews. (Be aware that your privacy is protected. ZDNET only has access to aggregate data from our specific user base. There’s no way for us to identify individual people.) Here are ZDNET readers’ most-purchased laptops for 2025 so far.  Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETThe 10 most popular laptops among ZDNET readers
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Kicking off our list is the Acer Aspire Go 15 Slim. Admittedly, I didn’t expect to see this on the list, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The Aspire Go 15 Slim is a top-notch, budget-friendly laptop. At $300, you receive a highly capable device that is perfect for everyday usage. It can handle lightweight workloads with ease. What’s more, Acer’s model is slim, has a decent webcam, and a decent battery life of eight hours If you need a cheap laptop for work or school, the Aspire Go 15 Slim is highly recommended.Review: Acer Aspire Go 15 Slim
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Samsung/ZDNETLooking for a quick storage solution for a rapidly-expanding digital game library? Need to offload large folders and files from your computer to free up space for more important projects? Right now at Amazon, you can save 42% on the Samsung T9 4TB More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETIf you’re a Galaxy phone user, Samsung warns that you need to activate some new features as soon as you can.In a press release earlier this week, Samsung explained that as phone thefts continue to rise around the world, it’s critical for users to make sure they enable their phone’s security measures – some of which are new to One UI 7.Also: Phone theft is on the rise – 7 ways to protect your device before it’s too lateOne of the areas getting an update is Theft Protection, which Samsung called “a multi-layered suite of features developed to safeguard personal data.” Existing and updated features in this suite include:Theft Detection Lock: This feature uses machine learning to detect motions associated with theft (like a sudden snatch and rapid acceleration), and instantly locks the screen to stop unauthorized access. Pixel devices introduced a similar feature last fall.Offline Device Lock: If your device is disconnected from the network for an extended time, the screen gets automatically locked.Remote Lock: If your phone has already been stolen, you can lock it remotely using your phone number and a quick verification step. You can also regain control of your account and explore additional recovery options.These features build on the standard Android safety protection, Samsung noted, but take security a step further by introducing additional protection for high-risk scenarios when your access credentials have been compromised. More

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images More than 500,000 Fortnite players are in line to receive a cash payment from Epic Games after the Federal Trade Commission ruled that the game maker tricked customers into making unwanted purchases. Some people have already received payments, but there’s still an opportunity for new claims. Also: Apple’s $95 million Siri […] More

When is Amazon Prime Day 2025? Amazon Prime Day takes place from July 8 through July 11 this year. During the sale, the retailer cuts prices on thousands of products (and many products from brands it owns, like Kindle, Alexa, Ring, and more). Are Kindles really cheaper on Prime Day? Because Kindles fall under one of the many brands Amazon owns, Amazon will normally drop prices during Prime Day on them. I’ve been covering these Kindle deals for over two years, and I can almost guarantee that there will be a price drop on the devices during the four-day event. How did we choose these Prime Day deals?ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.  More

Paul Taylor/Getty When I was a kid, my home lab consisted of test tubes and beakers, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), acetic acid (vinegar), and the occasional boom, followed closely by the sound of my mom in the distance yelling, “David Allen Gewirtz, you stop that right now.” When the scold transitioned from “David Gewirtz” to […] More

Amazon Prime Day is a few days away, and plenty of other retailers are slashing prices to compete for your dollars. You can shop Walmart More

With Amazon Prime Day kicking off next week, many retailers like Amazon More