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Buying Guides

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A black colored Crucial SSD connected to a MacBook Pro notebook that kept outdoors

Best external hard drives and SSDs for the Apple Mac in 2023

Most recent Macs don't have user-accessible storage for easy upgrades. Here are the best external Mac hard drives and SSDs you can alternatively get.

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Apple Macs are notorious for not being power-user-friendly in many aspects. For example, most recent Macs, including the MacBook Pro (2023) and Mac Mini (2023) don't allow users to upgrade the RAM or storage after the purchase. So customers get only one chance to pick the desired configuration. Afterwards, they are stuck with the purchased model and won't be able to upgrade it without reselling it and buying a fresh, higher-end unit. So a cheaper alternative would be buying a separate external hard drive or SSD. This way, you get to store more data locally, without needing to invest in a new computer.

Best wallet cases for  Samsung Galaxy S23.

Best Samsung Galaxy S23 wallet cases in 2023

Ditch your bulky wallet and get these handy wallet cases for your Galaxy S23

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Although all three devices in Samsung's new Galaxy S23 lineup have the potential to be among the best phones of the year, the base Galaxy S23 will likely be the best-selling of the trio. It's much more affordable than the Galaxy S23 Ultra and offers all the features you get with the Plus model in a more compact, user-friendly package. If you've just ordered a new Galaxy S23 and are thinking of buying a case for it, you might want to consider one of these Galaxy S23 wallet cases.

The best optical drives you can buy in 2022

Best optical drives in 2023

Optical drives are still relevant in 2023, though you'll likely have to go with a standalone option. Here are the best.

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The best optical drives for your computer allow you to use or create discs even when your PC doesn't have a drive built in. Many of the best laptops and computers have ditched the good ol' optical drives with the rise of online streaming services and the ability to download content on the go. That being said, there's still a good chunk of people who carry around a library of movies and music. It's safe to say that the physical drives still have many takers. From compact and affordable units to powerful and featured-packed drives, we've managed to put together a collection of some of the best optical drives on the market for you to use. Whether you're an enthusiast looking for a powerful Blu-ray drive or an average Joe looking for a basic CD/DVD burner, we have some solid recommendations for you.

Best portable SSDs in 2023

A portable SSD is a smart investment if you often deal with lots of data. Here are the best.

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The best portable SSDs provide a convenient and speedy solution to a lack of storage on your favorite devices. Solid-state drives are usually more expensive than hard-disk drives, though they have no moving parts for a slimmer build and tend to be quite a bit faster. When buying a portable SSD, you'll generally want to focus on drive speed, connection type, capacity, price, and durability. Incorporating these considerations into your final purchase should land you a great SSD that will help you transfer, store, and even secure your most important data. Here are a bunch of the best portable SSDs on the market right now to help you make the right choice.

An illustration to show the best thin cases for Samsung Galaxy S23+.

Best thin cases for Samsung Galaxy S23+ in 2023

Want a good case for your Galaxy S23+ but don't want to add too much bulk? Try these thin cases.

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Samsung's Galaxy S23 series is now official, and it comes with three new phones that offer flagship specifications and some cool new features. If you don't want to spend top dollar on the top-of-the-line Ultra model but still want a relatively big screen and faster charging support, then you'll have to pick the Galaxy S23+. It sits between both the regular Galaxy S23 and the Ultra model with a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz display. This new device is protected by Corning's new Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and the back, but we still recommend using a case if you want to deal with scratches and cracks and keep it in a pristine condition.

Galaxy Book 3 Pro Family (3)

Best monitors for Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro series in 2023

Expand your workspace and open more windows on your screen at once with a new monitor for your Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro.

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A highlight feature of the Galaxy Book 3 Pro series laptops is definitely the 120 HZ AMOLED display. Samsung is one of the best when it comes to display quality, porting over the tradition of the great displays seen on the Galaxy S23 series of phones. AMOLED displays can push out color-accurate images and look to be a reason we'll want to add the devices to our best laptops list once we review them.

Best Surface Laptop 5 accessories in 2023

Did you buy a new Surface Laptop 5? Check out these top accessories for your new Surface device from cases to pens and more!

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The Surface Laptop 5 is a really great flagship laptop from Microsoft. We reviewed it and found that it offered more power, featuring the latest Intel CPUs and some fresh new color options. But like when you buy any of the best laptops, no Surface Laptop 5 purchase is complete without accessories, which is why we put together this guide for the best accessories for the device.

These are the Best Cheap Laptops to buy in July 2021

Best cheap laptops in 2023

We review a lot of high-end laptops here at XDA, but you can still find great cheap laptops under $700. Here are a few great choices.

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These days, you can buy some fantastic laptops with top-tier specs and premium features in some stunning designs that are still light and portable. For tech enthusiasts like us, those devices are what make the tech industry so fun and interesting. But all of those high-end pieces of hardware are usually pretty expensive, and if you're on a smaller budget, it can be easy to look at those laptops with envy. Don't fret, though. There are some great laptops out there with much more affordable prices, and we've rounded up some of the best, so you can get a really good experience without breaking the bank.

Best Windows tablets in 2023

There aren't a ton of tablets out there that run Windows, but we've rounded up the best ones you can buy today. Check them out!

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When you want to buy a new Windows PC, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with options considering how many great laptops. To help out, we've already rounded up some of the best laptops along with many other lists focused on specific use cases, but what if you want to buy a tablet? Windows tablets aren't all that common, and for a while, the experience with them wasn't the best. But with Windows 11, and even more so after the version 22H2 update, touch-based devices are getting better and better.

Images of the Dell XPS 13 and XPS 13 2-in-1 laptop 2022 models facing each other with text reading Vs in between them

Dell XPS 13 (2022) vs Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022): What are the differences?

If you're looking to buy one of the latest Dell XPS 13 models, there are a lot of differences with the 2-in-1 version. Let's take a look.

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Every year for the past few years, Dell has been releasing new iterations of the Dell XPS 13 alongside a 2-in-1 version for those that prefer convertibles. These two models are often nearly identical in most ways, so it's truly a matter of choosing the form factor you prefer. This year, there's a lot more to it. The 2022 Dell XPS 13 is still a laptop, but the XPS 13 2-in-1 for 2022 is a tablet. It's a radically different design, and if you're deciding between the two of these, there's a lot to consider.

Best ThinkPad text on top of ThinkPad computers

Best Lenovo ThinkPads in 2023

If you are looking for a solid business notebook, then here is our list of the best ThinkPad notebooks that you should buy this year.

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Lenovo's ThinkPad brand has long been synonymous with business devices. The ThinkPad lineup was initially produced and sold by IBM, who designed the laptops at its Yamato labs in Japan, but Lenovo acquired IBM's personal computing business in 2005. Since then, the laptops have carried the Lenovo branding, but they're still very much geared towards the same audience. All of the ThinkPad laptops are designed for business users, but they still manage to stand out from each other. If you're looking for the best ThinkPads you can get for yourself, we're here to help.

M1 Max MacBook Pro 16-inch

What configurations does the Apple MacBook Pro (2023) come in?

The MacBook Pro (2023) offers several distinct configurations, including different screen sizes, processors, SSDs, and more.

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Powered by macOS Ventura and Apple Silicon, the MacBook Pro (2023) is one of the best Macs currently available. It is compact, packs unrivaled chipsets, and offers the longest Mac battery life to date. If you plan to buy this excellent computer, then you might've noticed that there are multiple configurations to pick from.

MacBook Pro 16

Does the Apple MacBook Pro (2023) have Thunderbolt?

The Apple MacBook Pro (2023) has a wide variety of ports, including HDMI and an SD Card slot. Does it have Thunderbolt, though? Let's find out!

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The MacBook Pro (2023) has joined the growing family of Apple Macs. Just like its 2021 predecessor, it supports macOS Ventura, packs Apple silicon, and has a wide variety of ports. These include HDMI, SD card slot, MagSafe 3, and more. This makes us wonder: Does it also have Thunderbolt, or does it miss out on that? The answer is yes, it indeed has Thunderbolt ports.

Google Pixel 7 Pro colors

Best Google Pixel phones in 2023

Google's Pixel smartphone lineup is stellar, but what phone should you get?

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Google Pixel phones are often ranked close to the "god tier" of best Android devices, earning praise from reviewers and users alike. As Google is the creator of Android, it makes sense that a phone made by Google running Android would be considered the "perfect" Android phone. While Pixels may not yet be mainstream, they have a strong following and are often considered among the top smartphones on the market. If you're considering purchasing a Google Pixel phone, we've compiled a list of some of the best options currently available. After all, to fully appreciate the unique features and critically acclaimed camera performance of the Pixel phone, you have to try one out yourself.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with Thinborne case

Best thin cases for the Galaxy S23 Ultra in 2023

These slim cases are designed to provide solid protection to your Galaxy S23 Ultra without adding too much bulk.

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The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the most powerful model in the newly released Galaxy S23 lineup. It has everything one could ask for in a flagship smartphone, including a large 6.8-inch curved display, powerful cameras, a built-in S-Pen for taking notes, and more. The Galaxy S23 Ultra also boasts improved durability thanks to Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which provides much better protection against drops on rougher surfaces such as concrete.

Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra 3

Best docking stations for the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro series in 2023

These nine docking stations will add more ports to your Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro device, helping make connections to USB drives, printers, easier.

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As the name of the product suggests, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro series has a lot of great "pro" and premium features. Along with fantastic AMOLED displays and the latest CPUs from Intel, it continues the tradition of other Samsung Galaxy laptops and already offers a good selection of ports when compared to many other premium laptops.

Best deals for Samsung Galaxy S23 series.

Best deals on Samsung Galaxy S23 series preorders in 2023

The preorder benefits on the Galaxy S23 series will make Samsung's latest flagships a bit easier on your pocket.

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Samsung has lifted the covers off its latest flagship smartphone lineup, and it's easily among the best phones you can buy right now. Although the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra aren't radically different from their respective predecessors, they bring some noteworthy changes. The phones pack Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon chipset, upgraded cameras, and a slightly updated design, among other things. If you're interested in buying these phones and are wondering where to find the best deals, you've come to the right place.

Best laptops under $1,000 in 2023

Need a new PC but don't want to spend thousands of dollars? We've rounded up the best laptops you can get for under $1,000.

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Buying a new laptop is quite an important decision. It can be hard to find the exact things you need in a laptop, and this is a device you're going to use for a few years, so it's important to choose the right one. To help out with that, we already have a list of the best laptops you can buy, but what if you don't have an infinite budget? Well, you're in luck, as we've rounded up some of the best laptops you can buy for under $1,000.

Best CPUs in 2023

Trying to build your next PC for gaming or work? Here are the best CPUs you can buy for a new machine or if you're looking for an upgrade.

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The central processing unit (or CPU for short) is the brain of the PC, handling all the necessary calculations for processes. Choosing the best processor for your PC build is one of the most important steps since it's what will largely determine just what you'll be able to do. This guide showcases the best CPUs available right now from AMD and Intel, taking into account budget, performance, and value.