The weekend’s best deals: Apple TV 4K, OLED TVs, MacBook Pros, and more


The weekend’s best deals: Apple TV 4K, OLED TVs, MacBook Pros, and more

Ars Technica

It’s the weekend, which means the time has come for another Dealmaster. Our latest roundup of the best tech deals from around the web includes a bundle at Apple’s online store that doles out a $50 Apple Gift Card with the purchase of a new Apple TV media streamer. Apple says it will email the gift card within 24 hours of your purchase being shipped. This isn’t a straightforward price cut, but if you know you’ll use the gift card on a future Apple purchase—be it another device, an Apple subscription service, or something on the App Store—the bundle effectively matches the largest discount we’ve tracked for the Apple TV 4K. The promotion as a whole will run through July 14.

While we still recommend the more affordable Google Chromecast—which is also discounted today—for most people in need of a 4K media player, the Apple TV 4K might be worth it for those willing to pay for faster (and more futureproof) hardware and a simpler user interface that’s less stuffed with ads than other streaming platforms. The device supports all the major apps and works with both Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos, though its lack of 120 Hz support is disappointing for the price. While some Roku devices now support AirPlay, Apple’s box plays especially nice with other Apple devices, as well as platforms like HomeKit or Apple Arcade. The device is just overpriced, but this deal should lessen the blow.

It’s worth noting that, according to a recent Bloomberg report, Apple is developing a refreshed Apple TV 4K with an updated chip and an extra gigabyte of RAM, so this bundle may be Apple’s way of clearing out inventory before launching the new model. Exactly how much that new Apple TV 4K might cost is unclear. For now, though, the current Apple TV 4K is still plenty powerful for most streaming needs, so if you’re already ensconced in the Apple ecosystem and have wanted to hop aboard, this might be a good opportunity.

If you have no need for a new media streamer, though, our deals roundup also includes all-time lows for a couple of wellreviewed OLED TVs from Sony and LG, the best price we’ve seen for Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch collectible, a nice discount for a certified refurbished version of Sonos’ One SL speaker, an early Prime Day offer for Amazon’s Audible Premium Plus service, deals on MacBook Pros and various first-party PlayStation 5 games, and much more. You can find our full curated list below.

Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

Featured deals of the day

The display on the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro.
Enlarge / The display on the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro.

Samuel Axon

Electronics deals

The Sonos One SL sounds as smooth as the <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/10/sonos-one-review-a-better-sounding-echo-with-some-holes-left-to-fill/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">normal One</a> but doesn't include mics for voice controls.
Enlarge / The Sonos One SL sounds as smooth as the normal One but doesn’t include mics for voice controls.

Laptop and desktop PC deals

The redesigned (and <a href=
Enlarge / The redesigned (and far less aggravating) Siri remote for the newest Apple TV 4K.

Apple

TV and home entertainment deals

A look at the home screen of the <a href=
Enlarge / A look at the home screen of the Ars-approved Google Chromecast with Google TV.

Corey Gaskin

Gaming deals

Nintendo's <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/12/best-last-minute-gift-ideas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ars-approved</a> Game and Watch collectible includes three all-time classics: the original <em>The Legend of Zelda</em>, the tough-as-nails <em>Zelda II: The Adventure of Link</em>, and the charming Game Boy title <em>Link's Awakening</em>.
Enlarge / Nintendo’s Ars-approved Game and Watch collectible includes three all-time classics: the original The Legend of Zelda, the tough-as-nails Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and the charming Game Boy title Link’s Awakening.

Jeff Dunn

Video game deals

<em>R</em><em>atchet &amp; Clank: Rift Apart </em>is a lighthearted action game <a href=
Enlarge / Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a lighthearted action game we recommend to PS5 owners.
The tense and highly atmospheric roguelite <em>Returnal</em>. Just note that it comes included with the higher tiers of Sony's <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/we-made-a-playstation-plus-explainer-thats-better-than-sonys/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">newly revamped</a> PlayStation Plus service.
Enlarge / The tense and highly atmospheric roguelite Returnal. Just note that it comes included with the higher tiers of Sony’s newly revamped PlayStation Plus service.

Sony Interactive Entertainment / Housemarque

Accessories and miscellaneous deals



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