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MSI's monitor range has consistently impressed us in tests, whether you're looking for an office upgrade, a new gaming set-up, or a back-to-school display for pulling double-duty. With that in mind, I found a great budget monitor deal on the MSI Pro MP272LE for $90 (was $120) at Amazon.

Now, a 27-inch monitor for under $90 is easy to find. One that adds a genuinely fast panel and proper mounting options without leaning on gaming branding is less common. Which I why I like this budget monitor built to handle spreadsheets, browser tabs, and video calls with room to spare.

Pro MP272LE 27-inch: was $119.99 now $89.99
27-inch Full HD IPS panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync support, and a 1ms response time, backed by HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA inputs. Tilt adjustment, VESA mounting, and a 4-side slim bezel design make it easy to fit into an existing desk setup, with a built-in speaker for basic audio without extra cables.View Deal

Most budget monitors in this price range cut corners somewhere, whether that is a narrow viewing angle, a slow response time, or a bare-bones port selection.

MSI's Pro MP272LE avoids most of that by pairing an IPS panel with a wide connectivity spread that covers HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA, which matters if you are connecting an older desktop tower or a laptop dock alongside a newer machine.

The panel itself is fast for what is fundamentally an office monitor, with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. That is more than most productivity work needs, but it makes for noticeably smoother scrolling and window dragging, which adds up over a full workday.

Physical adjustability is often the first thing cut on a budget display, and MSI has kept tilt adjustment and VESA mount compatibility here. That means it can go on a monitor arm or stand if your desk setup calls for it, rather than being locked to a fixed height.

For more top picks, see our guide to the best business monitors.

A $30 drop from $119.99 to $89.99 works out to a 25 percent discount, a solid markdown for a 27-inch IPS monitor with this port selection. It puts the MP273 E14A comfortably below most 27-inch IPS monitors at full price, and it is a fair price even without factoring in the discount.

✅ Buy the MSI PRO MP273 E14A if...

You want a 27-inch IPS panel for office work at a low price, need HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA inputs to support an older or mixed setup, or want VESA mounting and tilt adjustment for a proper desk setup.

❌ Skip the MSI PRO MP273 E14A if...

You specifically want a monitor marketed and optimized for gaming, you need a higher resolution than Full HD for detailed spreadsheet or design work, or you are looking for USB-C connectivity for a single-cable laptop setup.

We haven't reviewed this exact configuration, so this recommendation is based on the monitor's specifications and MSI's general track record in the monitor category rather than hands-on testing. MSI markets this model with gaming-oriented features like a 144Hz refresh rate, even though the panel and port selection make it just as suitable, if not more so, for office use. If you want a monitor built and marketed purely for productivity, it is worth comparing against MSI's non-gaming office lineup before buying.

• See all monitor deals at Amazon.

• The US government has issued a revision to its National Security Science & Technology Strategy
• Among various changes is the reduced focus on high-performance data storage and data centers
• Instead, emerging technologies are given greater prominence, while data storage and data centers feature within the document’s information management priorities

The US government has updated its National Security Science & Technology Strategy (NSSTS), an annual directive that ensures the United States’ national security strategy is supported across various dimensions. This time, however, a curious revision has been made, one that appears to relegate the significance of high-performance data storage and datacenters.

Previously, these installations have been highly regarded and appeared on the document’s list of "Critical and Emerging Technologies." With the latest revision, however, other technologies appear to have supplanted data centers.

Traditionally, the National Security Strategy (NSS), published annually, includes the science and technology element. Under the Trump administration, however, the NSSTS has been released as a companion to the NSS report.

An initial reading of the NSSTS suggests the relevance of data centers and high-performance data storage has been reduced.

The document, which provides information to support “the nation’s economic security, science, research, and innovation to support the national security strategy,” focuses on “S&T competition as it relates to military capabilities, homeland defense and resilience, and other direct intersections with national security.”

This assists in decision-making surrounding federal funding, informs partnerships in the private sector, and joint projects with allies. Significantly, it also underpins US policies on exports of critical technology.

While the importance of data centers and high-performance data storage appears to have been demoted, it appears that the NSSTS is simply refocusing. The updated document’s information management and cybersecurity list includes “data management, including storage and security,” which seems to cover the apparent omission.

Instead, the document focuses on "transformative emerging technologies," which include artificial intelligence, autonomy, biotechnology, and quantum information technologies.

The NSS and NSSTS are by definition documents that outline a roadmap for economic security. Shifts in priorities are not unusual, such as an aim to “keep foreign adversaries out of critical technology systems and supply chains.”

This would seem to refer mainly to China, and the challenges that some Chinese-manufactured wireless communications hardware has brought, something that has seen the FCC apparently working overtime.

Within the NSSTS we can see a reaction to some of this, notably an ambition of “Prioritizing homeshoring and domestic product development, which the Trump Administration is advancing by promoting balanced trade, facilitating reindustrialization, unleashing energy dominance, advancing novel material substitution for critical components, and working with suppliers from trusted partners.”

Data centers and high-performance data storage easily fit within those aims—they're just less specific than in previous editions of the NSSTS.

• Grand Theft Auto 6 gameplay leaks have been appearing online since mid-August
• More and more footage is being posted every day by the leaker known as 'Cyberleek'
• Here's a full timeline featuring every gameplay leak so far

Grand Theft Auto 6 is just three months out from launch, and the game is set to get a special extended look premiering on Netflix this week. However, an unknown individual or group known as 'Cyberleek' has put a spanner in Rockstar Games' plan and has been posting leaked gameplay footage for over a week.

Cyberleek has since claimed the leaks stem from a goal to stop the end of physical game discs, which Sony plans to do starting January 2028, and Rockstar, which confirmed that the physical version of GTA 6 won't have a disc, but a digital code in the box instead.

While all alleged gameplay footage being posted shows an advertisement for Cyberleek's cryptocurrency scheme, which brings into question the leaker's true motivation, they've also released a manifesto protesting Rockstar's decision and threatened to "disrupt their operations" by leaking game material until the studio issues a public statement and apologizes.

Well, it's another day, and more alleged gameplay footage has been posted online. A lot has happened over the past week, but if you haven't caught up, here's a summary of everything that's leaked so far.

The very first GTA 6 leak was posted on August 18 and shows co-protagonist Jason Duval playing basketball outside his house in the southern part of Leonida, in an area called Key Lento.

We've seen this area and Jason's house in past trailers, but Rockstar hadn't shared any gameplay. In the clip, Jason is wandering around before picking up a basketball; it looks like the player can dribble and use an aiming mechanic to shoot the ball into the net. There's also a focus meter that gradually increases, with a level system.

The second clip was posted the same day and gave fans a first look at what it's like driving around in GTA 6. Jason can be seen speeding along the roads before getting into a fight with a non-player character (NPC).

Cyberleek also posted a look at the game's Leonida map, which showed areas like Lummox County, Leonard County, Kelly County, Vice Dale County, and Mariana County.

More gameplay footage, this time two minutes long, was posted the following day, showing Jason breaking into a gated area, killing security guards, before taking their tasers. He then steals a semitruck and drives off, and you can see vehicle health and fuel gauges on the HUD.

Then there's a short cutscene showing Jason and his friend Cal Hampton on a boat, which some suggest is a scene from the beginning of the game.

Another gameplay clip was posted shortly after, showing Jason stabbing a police officer and stealing his motorcycle, as well as what looks like six "Wanted" stars, which is one more than GTA 5. The footage continues, and Jason can then be seen using what looks like pain medication called "Zombix."

The next clip features Jason flying a small plane over the map, presumably Vice City, and it looks highly detailed. The render distance looks impressive, and you can see lots of buildings, roads, traffic, and more. The player can also be seen browsing radio stations.

Afterward, a second clip shows the player spelling the word "LEEK" on the side of a building using bullets, leading many fans to believe Cyberleek has at least some sort of playable build and the footage isn't stolen from Rockstar's servers.

The gameplay leaks continued the following day, with the next showing Jason driving a hypercar, specifically, the Truffade Thrax from GTA Online.

The GTA 6 leaks continued into this past weekend, with longer footage showing a variety of activities, including Jason driving around, pulling into a gas station, physically refueling his car, and then going inside the shop to rob the clerk. When Jason punches him, you can see the hair tech in action, his hat flying off, and Jason taking money from the register.

The clip cuts after he drives away and crashes his car, then Jason can be seen entering a strip club. However, the footage ends with Cyberleek asking for "3mil marketcap = stripclub" in a message on screen for their cryptocurrency scheme.

Well, the leaker delivered, and the next clip shows a deeper look at the strip club, showing neon lights and dancers, as well as highly detailed NPCs in conversation.

The following day, another clip was posted showing Jason driving to another gas station, stealing someone's truck, and running down the owner. When he crashes the car, the iconic "Wasted" screen pops up, and shortly after, it cuts to Jason having what appears to be an unscripted conversation with an NPC while they both pee in urinals.

Another notable feature of the clip is the mission marker that reads "Return to Lucia", suggesting the leaker could be in the middle of a mission that requires Jason to meet back up with his girlfriend.

More gameplay was posted later, showing Jason flying over Vice City at night.

On August 24, new gameplay showed Jason walking around a nudist town in Leonida; he enters a party, where there's a pool and lots of naked people standing around or dancing, or ordering drinks at a bar. The player also zooms in on these NPCs using binoculars, and yeah... the bodies are very realistic.

When Jason focuses on another woman, she attacks him, and he kills her before firing his pistol at the rest of the surrounding NPCs.

The latest leaks got posted today, and it is the first time we see Rockstar's impressive crowd tech at work, seemingly running in-game. The first clip is similar to a shot from the first GTA 6 trailer, but has Jason cycling along Vice City beach instead.

There are a ton of NPCs packed together, showcasing the density the developer's tech allows, and you can see them lounging around, playing in the water, or walking around; the water physics also look remarkable, as do the sand effects.

The next clip shows Jason visiting a shopping plaza and a used video game store that sells physical games, which is ironic given Rockstar's decision to not release a disc version of GTA 6.

The player zooms in on the shelves using binoculars, and every game and movie is named.

It's a bit blurry, but one game title looks like it reads "We Came Together I, II, & III Remasters of the Remakes" (or "Remixes," it's hard to tell), which seems like a little nod to Naughty Dog's multiple editions of The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2.

Signs also state that electronics, consoles, and collectibles can be traded in before Jason walks up to the counter and cycles through a selection of purchasable and wearable earbuds.

That's every alleged gameplay leak that Cyberleek has shared as of today, but we'll keep you updated if more details are posted.

Fans can also look forward to the Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look ahead of the game's launch on November 19, which is set to premiere on Netflix on August 27 at 3PM ET / 12PM PT / 8PM BST and later launch on the studio's YouTube channel at 9PM ET / 6PM PT / 2AM BST.

It's speculated that the extended look will finally reveal official gameplay and Trailer 3.

• Paradox Interactive has revealed the upcoming grand strategy game Afterworld
• It's set in a post-apocalyptic America that players can attempt to rebuild
• It's intended to be the studio's most "easy to learn" and "approachable" title yet

Paradox Interactive has revealed Afterworld, an upcoming post-apocalyptic title that looks like the perfect cross between franchises like Fallout or Mad Max and the company's popular grand strategy games.

Created by Paradox Development Studio, the same team behind Crusader Kings 3 and Hearts of Iron 4, Afterworld takes place in an entirely original vision of post-apocalyptic North America filled with resources to exploit, territory to conquer, and rival groups to trade resources, ally with, or wage war against.

Initially, the game is all about building up some semblance of civilization by creating a home and choosing the laws and ethics of your tribe, with the scale gradually developing until you're going head-to-head with other emerging powers to decide the fate of the continent.

Different playable factions let you start your story as everything from apocalypse survivors that have just emerged from a hidden vault to fanatical zealots already familiar with the brutal new world.

“This is the first world we’ve gotten to build from scratch in a long time, and the first one we've had the pleasure of destroying before the game starts," explained game director Dan Lind.

"The old world is still out there in fragments, waiting to be found. What comes after it is entirely up to the players.”

With its "small-scale" starting hours, Afterworld is intended to be the studio's most "easy to learn" and "approachable" title yet — which is good news given the complex systems of games like Hearts of Iron 4 can be incredibly tricky to pick up.

This doesn't mean that surviving is going to be easy, though: the world is full of dangerous old technology and unknown horrors. It's also home to the Ancients, immortal leaders that survived the apocalypse and now dominate the wasteland.

It also sounds like there is going to be a lot of depth, with the developer promising that the experience "as rich and complex" as fans have "come to expect" from its games.

Afterworld doesn't have a release date yet, but can wishlist it on Steam today.