News
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Season 5 has been revealed
- The update drops on July 23, 2026
- Big additions include new weapons, maps, and modes
With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on the way, Activision has revealed the next batch of content coming to 2025's Black Ops 7 and the free-to-play Warzone battle royale.
As detailed on the Call of Duty blog, the major additions include five new multiplayer maps, three of which drop alongside the season's launch on July 23.
The one I'm most looking forward to is Jubilee, an all-new 6v6 environment set in a rural Japanese town. It's joined by Frequency, a remaster of a Black Ops 4 map, and a remake of Black Ops 2's iconic Dig (itself a version of World at War's Courtyard).
The two other maps, Tubro Tilt and Freerun: Descent, will be added in the subsequent Season 5 Reloaded update.
A wealth of new modes(Image credit: Activision)Some new limited-time modes are dropping as part of the update as well: Overdrive Domination (a twist on the classic Domination mode that incorporates the power-up stars from Overdrive), Gauntlet Rush (which rotates between five distinct game modes), and, in the mid-season, the return of Cranked Moshpit.
It wouldn't be a new season without some fresh weapons and attachments, and the ones coming in Season 5 are some of the wildest yet.
At launch, you'll be able to unlock the FG42 assault rifle, a modernized version of the WW2 weapon with serious damage and almost no horizontal recoil, and the dual Gremlin SMGs, which trade the ability to aim down sights for extreme firepower and mobility.
Later in the season, the Mammoth LMG is being added and, true to its name, it's a massive gun with two high-power barrels that fire continuously in addition to a new mace melee weapon.
On the attachment side, completing weekly challenges will unlock the likes of the Jäger 45 Grid-Breaker Kit — a crazy pistol conversion that turns your side-arm into a portable EMP blaster — or the M34 Novaline Garand Conversion that transforms the futuristic burst-fire rifle into an old-fashioned top-loaded one.
If you're keen to dive in, Black Ops 7 is available now for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Xbox One.
- The Entertainment Retailers Association has slammed Sony's decision to kill physical discs
- The UK trade organization says digital games "should complement physical formats, not replace them"
- The ERA says, "Removing discs doesn’t represent progress – it simply removes choice"
UK trade organization, Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), has criticized Sony's decision to end production of physical PlayStation discs.
The gaming company has received overwhelming backlash since announcing its plan to retire physical discs in 2028, and now, as reported by The Game Business, the ERA, which represents most major video game retailers in the UK, including Amazon, Game, Sainsbury’s and HMV, has condemned the plan, calling it "a triumph of corporate convenience over consumer choice."
"Every year, millions of gamers still choose to buy physical copies because they value true ownership," CEO Kim Bayley said in a statement. "A disc can be shared with family, traded in, collected, preserved and, crucially, still played years from now. A download licence often offers none of those freedoms."
Per NielsenIQ and market research firm GfK, The Game Business reports that 45 percent of all physical games sold in the UK in 2025 were for PS4 or PS5, which represents almost half of all physical game revenue during this period, and a majority of sales were made through the post as opposed to in-store pick-ups on release day.
The ERA also said that 25 percent of gamers under 25 use discs and the total UK disc-based games market was valued at over £300 million in 2025, "demonstrating that there remains a substantial and committed audience for boxed games."
"Retailers see this demand every day," Bayley said. "Physical games continue to bring people into shops and give consumers real value through gifting, collecting and resale. The industry should be embracing every legitimate way consumers want to buy games, not narrowing their choices."
The CEO continued: "Digital distribution has transformed gaming and is hugely popular, but it should complement physical formats, not replace them.
“Consumers deserve the freedom to choose how they buy their entertainment. Removing discs doesn’t represent progress – it simply removes choice. That’s bad for gamers, bad for retailers and ultimately bad for the long-term health and preservation of our games industry."
Since its announcement earlier this month, Sony has remained silent in the face of the backlash. Many fans have banded together to urge the company to reverse its decision, including signing a petition that now has over 310,000 signatures.
- The W&O X1 headphones come with a camera attached
- They raise new concerns over illicit recordings
- There is a recording light that turns on when the camera is active
The debate around smart glasses with cameras attached continues to rumble on — and apparently Meta still has plans for glasses that are constantly recording the world around them — and we now have a new pair of bone conduction headphones that lose the spectacles but keep the camera.
They're called the W&O X1 (via New Atlas), and of course they're packed with plenty of AI. This on-board assistant can help you navigate to locations, identify landmarks, look up facts and answers online, and even translate between languages. All this happens through voice control and spoken responses.
In order to provide some of that AI functionality, the W&O X1 headphones are fitted with a 4K video camera supplied by Samsung. It can take photos and videos with a tap or a voice command, which can then be saved and analyzed as needed — and in the interests of privacy, a small recording light shows when the camera is active.
The headphones can also double up as a miniature action camera, grabbing high-resolution video at 30 frames per second with a 130-degree wide angle view, with what looks like some impressive anti-shake technology built in too. Oh and did we mention they can play music and make phone calls too?
"Most headsets are made for listening," explains W&O in the product listing. " X1 is built for seeing, hearing, understanding, recording, translating, navigating, and staying connected in motion. It is a wearable AI system designed for the world outside the screen."
Privacy concernsThe X1 can give you directions while biking (Image credit: W&O)The idea of wearable cameras is becoming even more popular now, with the growing capabilities of AI and the continued shrinking of the necessary components. There's something appealing about being able to capture memories instantly, without having to dig out a phone and find the camera app.
At the same time, there are real concerns when it comes to privacy. The smart glasses already on the market make it a little too easy to record surreptitiously, and a tiny camera attached to a pair of headphones is even harder to see. There's even now a BanRay movement calling for smart glasses to be banned from certain spaces.
To be fair to W&O, they seem to be targeting these headphones at cyclists, hikers, and other outdoor types, so it's more for solo photo and video recording. Still, together with other gadgets in the pipeline, it highlights a growing need for proper safeguards to be put around devices with tiny embedded cameras.
The W&O X1 have blasted through their $3,000 funding goal on Kickstarter many times over, and if you're interested in a pair you can put in a reservation for $139 (about £105 / AU$200) — with the usual Kickstarter caveat that crowdfunded hardware doesn't always end up reaching consumers.
There are some decent specs here: IP6X dust and water protection, a lightweight 48 gram build, support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and 30 hours of music playback between charges thanks to an integrated 800 mAh battery.
If your home office or small business is crying out for a faster, more capable printer, I've found a great, money-saving deal for you. The HP LaserJet Pro 4001dn is currently just $289 (was $449) at HP - a solid $160 saving for a laser printer built to handle demanding workloads.
In the UK, the wireless version with the exact same specs, the HP LaserJet Pro 4002dw has dropped to £164 (was £421) at HP.
Print speeds can reach up to 42 pages per minute, with the first page arriving in as little as 6.1 seconds, making it a terrific choice for anyone printing lengthy reports, invoices, shipping labels, or business documents. It’s also rated for a monthly duty cycle of up to 80,000 pages, with a recommended monthly volume of between 750 and 4,000 pages for the best balance of performance, reliability, and longevity.
Today's top HP printer dealA fast monochrome laser printer with speeds up to 42ppm, automatic duplex printing, 1200dpi output, Gigabit Ethernet, AirPrint support, and a recommended monthly volume of 750 to 4,000 pages for busy home offices and businesses.
In the UK: now £164 (was £421)View Deal
Paper handling is nicely practical, thanks to a 100-sheet multipurpose tray, a 250-sheet input tray, and a 150-sheet output bin.
If your workload grows, you can expand the printer with an optional third paper tray, giving you greater flexibility without constantly refilling paper.
Print quality reaches 1200 x 1200 dpi, producing crisp text and fine lines that are ideal for contracts, presentations, spreadsheets, and professional correspondence.
Automatic duplex printing also helps reduce paper use while making larger print jobs easier to manage.
The printer connects via Gigabit Ethernet for dependable wired networking and it also supports Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and the HP app, making it simple to print from Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS, and Android devices.
A 256MB memory and 1200MHz processor ensure documents output quickly, even during heavier workloads.
Security features include SSL/TLS, SNMP support, WPA3, and 802.1x authentication, making it a sensible choice for shared office environment. HP also includes a one-year onsite repair warranty for added peace of mind.
In his four star review, our Senior Printer Editor, Jim said: "I found the HP LaserJet Pro 4001dn to be an easy printer to use, with the right features to meet a heavy print load and print quality that’s good enough for most purposes." He also declared it "One of the fastest laser printers in its price category."
Although it isn't the cheapest laser printer available, this is a great price for a dependable HP business model that balances speed, print quality, and everyday practicality.
For more options, check out our round up of the best HP printers, best home printers and fastest printers we've tested and reviewed.
Also considerA color laser printer delivering up to 35ppm in both black and color, with automatic duplex printing, 512MB memory, ImageREt 2400 technology, a 4-line LCD, and support for busy offices printing up to 4,000 pages monthly. In his review of this model, our printer editor Jim rated it even higher than the 4001dn, stating: "I love this laser printer’s rich black text, and hate the retro dial."
In the UK: now £432 (was £500)View Deal
If your PC is starting to feel sluggish, upgrading the storage drive is one of the quickest ways to give it a major boost. And this is one of the best deals I've seen recently.
Right now, the WD_Black SN7100 1TB NVMe SSD has dropped to just under $190 (was $375) at Amazon, which is a massive 49% saving on a speedy PCIe Gen4 drive.
Read speeds reach up to 7,250MB/s, while write speeds climb as high as 6,900MB/s, making it an excellent upgrade for anyone tired of waiting for Windows and large applications to load.
Today's top SSD dealThis is a high-performance 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD delivering read speeds up to 7,250MB/s and write speeds up to 6,900MB/s, using next-generation TLC 3D NAND for fast boot times, quicker loading, and responsive everyday performance.View Deal
At almost half its regular price, this is one of the best SSD deals I've seen recently.
The SSD uses next-generation TLC 3D NAND, providing speedy responsiveness and dependable everyday performance.
The compact M.2 2280 form factor makes installation straightforward in compatible desktops, laptops, and handheld gaming devices.
1TB of storage isn't massive, but it provides plenty of room for a growing software library, creative projects, photos, videos, and everyday files.
Power efficiency helps compatible laptops and handheld systems run for longer between charges, making it a sensible choice if you regularly work away from your desk or travel with your computer.
Windows users can also download the WD_BLACK Dashboard to monitor drive health, check performance, and keep everything running smoothly over time, providing a useful extra layer of management.
The impressive transfer speeds will be handy for creators, professionals, and anyone moving large files every day.
Faster boot times, quicker application launches, and reduced loading screens will make a noticeable difference across almost every workload.
If you've been planning to upgrade an ageing PC, replace a slower drive, or add fast storage to a compatible system, this is a great opportunity to pick up a high-performance 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD for a bargain price.
Other top SSD dealsCrucial's P310 NVMe SSD delivers blazing read speeds up to 7,100MB/s, ensuring faster boot times, game loading, and file transfers. Its compact, heatsink-free design suits desktops and laptops, offering reliable, high-capacity storage with efficient everyday performance.View Deal
KingSpec's SSD offers up to 4,000/3,700 MB/s read/write speeds, 3D NAND flash, reliable thermal management, and solid performance for gaming, content creation, laptops, desktops, and PS5 upgrades.View Deal
- 20+ digital rights groups and tech firms urge the UK not to restrict VPNs
- Age-gating VPNs would undermine the online privacy of millions, they warn
- Signatories believe VPN restrictions are ineffective, technically unfeasible
The UK government's ongoing debate around tightening online safety rules to protect kids has drawn fierce pushback from the global cybersecurity sector.
On July 9, a coalition of 24 major digital rights organizations and top VPN providers, including Amnesty International, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and Mozilla, issued a stark warning to the UK government: leave VPNs alone.
In an open letter to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, the group stressed that while keeping kids safe is a shared goal, it must not come at the cost of breaking the internet's fundamental privacy infrastructure.
As lawmakers weigh up potential restrictions ahead of an expected online safety consultation update this month, the stakes for your digital privacy have never been higher.
If you currently use the best VPN to protect your personal data on public Wi-Fi or secure your connection while working remotely, new regulations could fundamentally alter how these tools work. Any move to force VPN providers into verifying the age of their users would require you to hand over sensitive personal data, effectively destroying the anonymity you pay to protect.
"Restricting VPNs would undercut security"The heart of the coalition's argument is that virtual private networks (VPNs) are, first and foremost, essential security software.
"The challenge is ensuring measures strengthen child safety without weakening the privacy and security millions of people rely on every day, including children," the letter explains.
Beyond everyday consumers, the coalition notes that VPNs provide critical protection for vulnerable groups.
The open letter emphasizes that these tools are a lifeline for "human rights defenders and journalists, domestic abuse survivors, the LGBTQ+ community, and others at heightened risk online." As rights groups have noted previously, weakening this protection could actively infringe human rights.
Addressing the reality check of age verification head-on, the group didn't mince words about the dangers of ID checks.
"Age-gating VPNs would require everyone to surrender sensitive personal information simply to access tools designed to protect privacy," the letter states.
A technically unfeasible approachCritics of the UK's proposed teen social media ban have repeatedly pointed out that restricting privacy tools is a flawed approach to child safety. The letter backs this up with hard data, pointing to Ofcom research which "found that only around 3% of children had used VPNs to access content meant for older audiences."
The coalition also highlights that teenagers will simply find other, lower-tech ways to bypass rules. "Evidence from Australia shows children are much more likely to get around age checks by not being asked, giving false information, or even drawing on a moustache," the letter adds.
Ultimately, the cybersecurity industry is warning that while restricting privacy tools is failing to protect kids, it will succeed in punishing regular users. "Blocking VPN traffic reliably is technically unfeasible," the letter warns, noting that it risks locking employers and schools out of the web, while pushing regular citizens toward "unregulated, data-exploiting services that are harder to oversee, leaving them less secure."
Rather than breaking encrypted tools, the coalition urges the government to focus its upcoming policies on the root causes of online harms, suggesting investments in "strong enforcement of platform obligations, better parental controls, investment in digital literacy, and safety- and privacy-by-design obligations."
There’s a reason why some of the most effective exercises tend to mirror movements in real life. It’s not because personal trainers and coaches lack imagination, but because the body doesn't care how creative your programming is — it cares whether you can climb a flight of stairs without grabbing the banister, for example, or if you can catch yourself from a stumble.
These are just a few of the benchmarks that matter in later life, and for elite performance coach David Higgins — who has trained everyone from Margot Robbie and Scarlett Johansson to Samuel L. Jackson, David Harbour, Game of Thrones' Richard Madden and the entire cast of The Batman, among many others — one exercise sits at the top of the list for anyone over 50: the step-up. Here’s why.
Lower-body power matters so much after 50Most people understand that strength declines with age. What they underestimate, however, is how quickly it begins to matter in practical terms, despite not being able to be measured on the best smartwatches' fitness age metrics.
“Lower body power becomes critical after 50 because we naturally lose muscle mass, reaction speed and balance as we age,” says Higgins. “The glutes, quads and calves are what keep you upright, stable and independent.”
If you can't generate force through the floor, he says, “everyday movements like climbing stairs, getting out of a chair or catching yourself from a fall become harder.” The step-up addresses all of this in a single movement: “it trains strength, balance and coordination all at once and mirrors real life better than most gym exercises.” It's slightly similar to the farmer's carry, an application of a real-life movement.
It’s also the reason Higgins places it above more popular alternatives. Walking is excellent, of course, but doesn't load the body enough to preserve muscle. Squats are bilateral — they share the work equally between both legs, which means they don't expose or address the kind of side-to-side imbalances that tend to develop quietly over decades. Step-ups, however, are unilateral, as each leg works independently, building the stability and gait mechanics that bilateral training misses.
“If I could only choose one lower-body movement after 50,” says Higgins, “step-ups would be near the top because they combine strength, stability, balance, gait mechanics and unilateral control in one movement; they bridge the gap between rehab and performance.”
Watch the tutorial video below for advice on how to do a step up:
The mistake most older adults makeBefore thinking about adding height, load or additional reps, Higgins is more concerned with something more fundamental: the quality of the movement itself. “The biggest mistake older adults make is chasing fatigue instead of quality movement,” he says. “Rushing through reps, leaning through the hips, or pushing through the stronger side of the body.” Your nervous system, he says, “has to trust the movement before your body can own it.”
Rushing through step-ups doesn't just reduce the benefit — it reinforces the compensations you're trying to correct. If you're relying on the trailing leg to push you up, or leaning forward as you step, you're not actually building the unilateral strength and hip control the exercise is there to develop.
Instead, Higgins’ coaching cue is worth memorising: “push the floor away and finish tall through the glutes.” Most people pull themselves up through the knee, instead of driving through the hip. It's a subtle distinction, but makes an enormous difference to where the effort is actually made.
How to get started — and when to progress(Image credit: Getty Images / Ildar Abulkhanov)To perform the step-up, stand facing a sturdy bench, box, or step. Place one foot fully on the platform, then drive through that heel to lift your body up until both feet are on the step. Step back down with control and repeat for the desired reps before switching legs. Keep your chest up and avoid pushing off excessively with the trailing leg.
For step height, beginners should start with a low box, roughly ankle to mid-shin height. "You want control, not compensation," he says. Fitter adults with solid mobility, balance and hip control can work up to knee height.
As for volume, Higgins prescribes 2–3 sets of 8–12 controlled reps per leg. "Tempo matters more than volume," he says. Drive through the whole foot, stand tall at the top and lower slowly under control.
Higgins confirms that just your bodyweight is sufficient resistance to begin with and, for many people over 50, it's exactly where they should stay — probably for longer than they'd expect. “Most people over 50 need to relearn movement patterns before adding load,” he says. “Once control, balance and posture improve, adding dumbbells or a weighted vest is a brilliant progression.” The dumbbells can wait. As for frequency? Two to three sessions a week is enough to see real benefit, Higgins says. “Consistency beats intensity every time.”
PrecautionsStep-ups are accessible to most people, but Higgins flags a few situations worth considering. Anyone with severe knee osteoarthritis, significant balance issues or acute hip pain should approach the exercise carefully and ideally with professional guidance. “Often it's not that the exercise is wrong,” he says, “it's that the height is too ambitious or the body isn't controlling the movement properly yet.” Low and slow is always the right answer.
What leg-day moves are your go-tos in the gym? Have you tried the step-up yet? Let us know below.
- We can exclusively reveal The Fight of the Braves from the Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy soundtrack
- Composer Olivier Derivière describes it as 'one of the most epic tracks' on the whole soundtrack
- Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy releases on August 27, 2026
Action-adventure game Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is the next game in the brilliant Plague Tale series, and we've got one of the tracks from its soundtrack to reveal exclusively right here.
It's the one track that composer Olivier Derivière describes as "the most contrasted score from [the] A Plague Tale series". The Fight for the Braves is an intense and pulsating song that goes big on percussion, crescendos, and haunting choral vocals. A cheery tune this is not.
Derivière says, "The Fight of the Braves is one of the most epic tracks on the OST. We needed something truly glorious to capture the spirit of the ancient Minoan warriors. Rather than relying on a full orchestra, the rousing energy of the magnificent Amalgamation Choir, combined with thunderous percussion, perfectly conveys the relentless challenge ahead."
Derivière goes on to say that, "The echoing musical phrases also beautifully depict the deep connection between Sophia and that distant era, a mystical resonance traveling across the ages."
The soundtracks to the first two Plague Tale games are some of my absolute favorites from recent years, and perfectly aligned with the games' bleak and dark stories. From what the composer says about the wider soundtrack, it sounds like we're in for something special.
“Resonance, although part of A Plague Tale universe, is a very different game and therefore needed a fresh musical approach without leaving the core emotions and musical traits of the franchise,” explains Derivière.
Using musicians and vocalists from Cyprus and Greece to get an authentic feel, the Amalgamation Choir were sought out to create a spell-binding score to accompany Sophia's adventure.
The Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy soundtrack will launch on music streaming services and be available for digital download alongside the game on August 27 this year.
- Jamf researchers uncover “CrashStealer,” a notarized macOS infostealer disguised as Apple’s CrashReporter
- Distributed via a fake site called “Werkbit Setup”, it bypasses Gatekeeper, installs a LaunchAgent
- It then uses a fake password prompt to unlock Keychain, exfiltrating credentials, cookies, files, and data from 80 crypto wallets and 14 password managers
A new macOS infostealer has been spotted in the wild, masquerading as an Apple crash reporting tool, experts have warned.
Called CrashStealer, this C++ infostealer was designed to nab login credentials, keychain information, as well as data related to more than 80 cryptocurrency wallets.
Cybersecurity researchers Jamf published an in-depth report on the malware, noting CrashStealer is most likely distributed via a fake software site that was only registered recently.
Unlocking KeychainVictims who land on the site (either via a social media recommendation or search engine results) need to know the PIN code before initiating the download. This was most likely done to avoid analyst scrutiny, as well as to increase perceived credibility and a sense of exclusivity.
Usually, apps downloaded from third-party sources are scanned by Gatekeeper, Apple’s built-in security system. However, Jamf says that this payload is delivered via a signed and Apple-notarized installer and distributed as a disk image named “Werkbit Setup”, which allowed it to bypass Gatekeeper without any warnings.
Those that download and run the program will get a binary named ‘CrashReporter.app’, which will create a LaunchAgent (‘com.apple.crashreporter.helper’), and will see a fake macOS password prompt.
That prompt unlocks the user’s Keychain where most of their secrets are stored (passwords, private cryptographic keys, and more) and then exfiltrates all information to a third-party server.
Besides Keychain data, the CrashReporter malware also pulls browser credentials and cookies from most browsers, data from 80 cryptocurrency wallet extensions, 14 password managers, locally stored files, and more.
Jamf said CrashReporter overlaps, to some extent, with other known infostealers (AMOS, for example), but is still unique enough given its client-side encryption mechanism, as well as the native C++ implementation.
Whenever we review mini PCs in our studio, we always perform two key tests: first, we see how well the machine handles 4K editing in Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. Second, we play a range of games, from DiRT Rally to AAA titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
So, for my latest roundup, I've focused on some of the best-value mini PCs we've tested for video editing and gaming, including the GMKtec K16 for $640 (was $950) at Amazon and the Geekom A8 Max for $949 (was $1099).
Alongside these machines, which support either OCuLink or USB4 for hooking up an eGPU, I've also selected some graphics card docking stations and a power supply unit, all geared towards productivity, gaming, and content creation.
Top mini PC deals for gaming & video editingThe GMKtec K16 mini PC delivers Ryzen 7 7735HS performance with 32GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD. Featuring OCuLink eGPU support, triple-display output, dual 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, and USB4, it’s a versatile compact system for gaming and creative workloads.
Read our full reviewView Deal
The A8 MAX packs Ryzen 9 8945HS power, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD into a compact mini PC. With USB4, dual 2.5GbE LAN, and 8K output, it’s built for AI, design, gaming, and productivity.
Read our full reviewView Deal
The K8 Plus packs a Ryzen 7 8845HS processor, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD for gaming, editing, and demanding workloads. With OCuLink eGPU support, dual 2.5GbE LAN, USB4, and 8K display output, it’s a powerful compact desktop alternative.
Read our full reviewView Deal
External GPU docks & power supplyThe DEG2 eGPU Dock supports both OCuLink and USB4 V2/TB5 connectivity, enabling flexible GPU upgrades. It adds ATX/SFX PSU compatibility, 2.5GbE networking, USB ports, and an M.2 slot for a versatile desktop expansion hub.View Deal
The DEG1 eGPU Dock turns compatible mini PCs into powerful gaming systems with OCuLink PCIe 4.0 connectivity. Its open design supports ATX/SFX power supplies, offering a flexible, affordable external graphics upgrade.View Deal
The SF750 is a compact 750W SFX power supply with 80 Plus Platinum efficiency, ATX 3.1 compliance, and PCIe 5.1 readiness. Its fully modular design, quiet PWM fan, and premium components make it ideal for powerful small-form-factor gaming PCs.View Deal
Two of the featured mini PCs above include OCuLink connectivity, making them ideal for users who want the lowest-latency, highest-bandwidth connection to an external graphics card.
The first of those, the GMKtec K16, packs an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS, 32GB of LPDDR5 memory, and a 1TB SSD into a compact chassis.
Its native OCuLink support provides high-performance eGPU connectivity, alongside USB4, dual 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, and triple-display output. It’s ideal for gaming and content creation. Usually priced at $950, it's currently available for $640 on Amazon.
Powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 8845HS processor, the GMKtec K8 Plus combines 32GB of DDR5 memory with a spacious 2TB SSD for fast performance in gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
OCuLink support here enables external GPU upgrades, while dual 2.5GbE networking and HDMI 2.1 deliver excellent connectivity for high-performance desktop setups. That will usually set you back $940 but is now $810.
Finally, the Geekom A8 Max, high high-speed USB4 support, is a powerful mini PC featuring AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processing, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.
Built for AI workloads, creative tasks, and gaming, it offers USB4, dual 2.5GbE LAN, 8K display support, quiet cooling, and expandable storage in a compact desktop alternative. That usually sells for $1,099, but it's currently just $949.
I’ve also included two external GPU docks from Minisforum. The DEG1 costs $109 and is designed for OCuLink, while the DEG2 (normally $300 now under $240) supports both OCuLink and USB4.
Both make it easy to connect a desktop graphics card to your mini PC, dramatically boosting gaming frame rates, accelerating video rendering, and improving AI-assisted creative workloads without sacrificing the compact footprint that makes these systems so appealing.
Finally, no eGPU setup is complete without a reliable power supply. For reference, running an RTX 5080 card needs about 360W power, so that’s why I’ve also picked out a high-capacity Corsair SF750 PSU (normally $200 but currently $160). It has enough headroom to comfortably power today’s flagship graphics cards, like the GeForce RTX 5090, while leaving plenty of room for future upgrades.
I’ll likely revisit this roundup in the coming weeks as prices change and new deals emerge, but for now, these are some of the best deals for anyone looking to build a compact workstation or gaming rig without maxing out their credit card.
For more top-performance devices, check out our guide to the best mini PCs.
- Kodak PixPro FZ45 and FZ55 top best-selling lists in multiple regions
- They are currently the most popular models at Amazon US and elsewhere
- Prices start from as little as $100 / £90 / AU$145
Camera fans might expect Sony or Canon to top the best-selling charts, but for outright popularity beyond various high-end categories, you'll have to set your sights a little lower, to humble point-and-shoots.
Over recent years, two particularly cheap digital compact cameras have been flying off Amazon US shelves, and from other retailers across the world such as Yodobashi Camera in Japan. They are the Kodak PixPro FZ55 (pictured above) and PixPro FZ45. Other models such as the waterproof PixPro WPZ2 are also in the picture.
The major reason why these PixPro models are so popular is pretty obvious — you'll struggle to find another digital camera with genuine 4x optical zoom for less than the PixPro FZ45's approximate price of $100 / £90 / AU$145. Or one with a 5x optical zoom and built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery that costs less than the PixPro FZ55.
Both pocketable models shoot 16MP stills and HD video onto SD card, and come in a range of colorways, including black, white, blue and pink.
These cameras are no mere trend — they have dominated best-selling lists month after month, year after year, just when we thought that such cheap cameras had had been replaced by camera phones. So what's really going on here?
Another popular Kodak is the fully waterproof PixPro WPZ2, which we found surprisingly good for the price (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)A surprising truth behind the name, and shopping habitsIn addition to the low price point and immediate availability of these PixPro models, the trust in the Kodak name has to be a factor for casual buyers. After all, Kodak is one of the most recognizable names in photography, from its roots in making popular camera film through to pioneering digital camera tech.
However, there's something that you might not know about Kodak today. The original Kodak — Eastman Kodak, which dates back 138 years — stopped its production lines of consumer digital cameras long ago, and due to crippling debts it may not survive at all.
Today, Kodak is instead one of a string of legendary photography brands (alongside Yashica, Rollei, Agfa, Minolta and more), who have licensed their names to third-parties, who are largely manufacturing low-cost digital cameras. The outfit manufacturing the PixPro FZ45 and FZ55 is in fact JK Imaging Ltd, which has less of a ring to it.
There's something further going on here, too: a general rise in camera sales spearheaded by compact cameras, a pushback against always-connected tech, and burgeoning privacy concerns.
A camera such as the PixPro FZ55 shoots directly onto local storage, an SD card. It's not connected to the cloud. It's simple, it's lo-fi, and the kind of tech being embraced by Gen Z.
Will you get better quality photos using these Kodak point-and-shoot compact cameras over your phone? Absolutely not. Even a basic mid range phone will take better snaps.
What you will get, however, is the nostalgic simple pleasure in the simple act of taking everyday snaps, the data of which you are in complete control of.