The Pixel 7 in a lovely "hazel" color. (credit: Google)

We have a smorgasbord of discounts ranging from some of the latest Android smartphones to HP's desktop PCs, as well as savings on solid-state drives, headphones, and more. So whether you need to upgrade your storage, or you want to get a new Galaxy or Pixel phone, there's something in there to help you stay productive and entertained.

Android smartphone deals

Samsung's Galaxy S23 launched not too long ago, and we're starting to see discounts on the company's flagship handset series. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra promises solid photography capabilities, with Samsung's "Nightography" for low-light images and the controversial 100X Space Zoom. Outside of the bump to a 200-megapixel sensor, this year's upgrades are more modest: You still get a similar design to the prior S22 series, and the faster, more efficient processor is considered a nice quality-of-life update. So while it may not be worth it for someone with last year's flagship to upgrade, if you're coming from an older phone, the S23 promises fast speeds, 5G connectivity, and a great camera experience.

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with 256GB storage for $1,100 (was $1,200) at Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with 512GB storage for $1,280 (was $1,380) at Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy S23+ with 256GB storage for $900 (was $1,000) at Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy S23+ with 512GB storage for $1,020 (was $1,120) at Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy S23 with 128GB storage for $750 (was $800) at Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy S23 with 256GB storage for $810 (was $860) at Amazon

If you prefer Google's Android operating system, the Pixel 7 delivers the purest version of the OS. Though the Pixel 7 doesn't come with the Galaxy's high zoom and megapixel count, Google's investment in AI and computation photography is no slouch, and the Pixel 7 delivers some of the best images captured on a smartphone with its unique camera bar design on the rear, and now you can get all that with up to a 25 percent discount. The larger Pixel 7 Pro has a 5x optical telephoto lens that can capture images with up to 30x Super Res zoom with digital cropping, whereas the non-Pro version lacks the telephoto shooter.

Enlarge / Frostpunk , an alternate history survival city building simulation game. (credit: GOG.com)

Several staff members are big fans of the GOG games marketplace, primarily for two reasons: the games are DRM-free, and there are many classic DOS games from the '80s and '90s.

GOG has been running its annual Spring Sale for a few days now. This time around, we worked with GOG to curate a list of Ars Technica picks. These are discounted games chosen by Ars staffers Samuel Axon and Lee Hutchinson that we think Ars readers might enjoy—assuming you haven't played them already.

If you haven't, discounts during this sale range from 20 percent to as much as 75 or 80 percent. Since most of them are classics, they generally weren't too pricy to begin with.

The deck has a fingerprint reader/power button above the keyboard. (credit: Scharon Harding)

Lenovo is back this week with a few terrific deals on some of its bestselling laptops. The company is still continuing its 50 percent off promotion for the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10, and now it's adding the convertible model of that laptop to its anniversary sale. The 14-inch ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 is now enjoying a 57 percent discount from its regular retail price, knocking the price down from $3,099 to $1,333 for a savings of $1,766.

You're getting a laptop that can convert into a tablet in the same 14-inch form factor as the regular ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10. It has a 360-degree convertible hinge design, a touchscreen, integrated pen support, and all the reliability and durability of a business-class notebook from Lenovo. If you don't need a business-class laptop, Lenovo's Yoga 7i is also on sale.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 14-inch

CES introduced an OLED PC monitor with quantum dots. (credit: Scharon Harding)

For those who value performance, a big display, and upgrade flexibility, a desktop continues to deliver the best value. Not only can you outfit these larger computing rigs with a graphics card , but you can readily upgrade to newer, more powerful components down the road as your needs change. Pair a capable desktop with a gorgeous display and you've got a more spacious digital canvas for working , gaming, or staying entertained than any laptop can afford.

More serious gamers will want to check out the OMEN by HP desktop, which is discounted by $670, while casual home users can go for a model without a graphics card for less graphics-intensive productivity tasks. Both the Acer Aspire and the Dell Inspiron desktops are great options and come in at more reasonable prices because they lack the GPU. Enthusiast gamers and workstation users who demand the performance of the latest silicon will want to check out the Alienware Aurora R15 Gaming Desktop , which is discounted by $630. Now on sale for $3,600, this desktop packs in a 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor alongside Nvidia's RTX 3090 graphics.

Best desktop deals

• Acer Aspire TC-1760 for $550 (was $620) at Amazon : Not the most powerful desktop on our list, Acer's Aspire desktop still comes with Intel's 12th Gen Core i5 processor and is a great option for college students and general PC use around the home. Discrete graphics is notably missing, as this model relies on Intel's UHD Graphics 730. The desktop also packs in 12GB DDR4 memory and a 512GB solid-state drive. Surprisingly, a DVD writer is still included in this model.
• HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop for $1,000 (was $1,315) at Amazon : Designed for work and play, this affordable gaming desktop is configured with AMD's Ryzen 7 5700G processor and Nvidia's GeForce RTX 2060 Super graphics. Serious gamers will likely dismiss the older GPU, but at close to 25 percent off, this is a terrific desktop for casual gamers and content creators. It comes with 16GB of RAM, 1TB of solid-state storage, and plenty of ports to connect your gear on the front.
• HP Envy Desktop for $1,230 (was $1,700) on Amazon : If you have a little bit of extra cash, we'd recommend HP's Envy Desktop over the Pavilion model on our list. At $230 more than the Pavilion, you're getting a much sleeker case design, more powerful silicon with Intel's 12th Gen Core i9 processor and Nvidia's RTX 3070 graphics, and similar memory and storage configurations. There's room for expansion and upgrades on the inside, and the tool-less, one-touch latch to open the side panel will give you access to this desktop's internals.
• Dell Inspiron 3910 Desktop for $723 (was $750) at Amazon : At a 10 percent discount, you're getting Intel's 12th Gen Core i5 processor on this Inspiron Desktop configuration, alongside integrated Intel UHD Graphics 730, 256GB of storage, and 16GB of DDR4 memory. Discrete graphics is notably absent, similar to the Acer model on our list, making this compact tower more suited for productivity than creative workflows.
• Dell XPS 8950 Desktop for $1,682 (was $2,349) at Amazon : This isn't the cheapest price for the XPS 8950 in recent days, but it's still 28 percent off of its retail price. With a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti graphics, you'll still get plenty of performance for creative work and gaming, provided you don't need a more powerful GPU for AAA titles. With accessible ports in the front and an accommodating tower, you'll be able to upgrade to a more capable GPU down the road if your needs change.
• OMEN by HP 45L Gaming Desktop for $1,630 (was $2,300) at HP : HP's OMEN gaming desktop is now discounted by $670 on the manufacturer's website. This desktop packs in an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor, discrete Nvidia RTX 3070 graphics, 16GB of HyperX DDR4 memory, and a 512GB WD Black PCIe NVMe M.2 solid-state drive alongside a 1TB 7200rpm HDD.
• Alienware Aurora R15 Gaming Desktop for $3,600 (was $4,230) at Dell : Dell's latest gaming desktop may be the priciest option on our list, but it's also the most powerful. This gaming powerhouse packs in Intel's 13th Gen Core i9-13900F processor with 24 cores and Nvidia's powerful GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. Other features include 32GB of DDR5 4800 MHz memory along with a 1TB NVM.e M.2 solid-state drive. Less expensive configurations are available as well, with prices starting at $1,400.

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

(credit: Ergonofis)

If you bought a standing desk , chances are you’re interested in the health benefits of, well, not sitting all day. Better posture, reduced back pain, and an increase in productivity due to a boost in mood and focus are among some of the top benefits of standing, according to a 2021 research paper published by the National Institutes of Health .

But without the proper equipment to support you while you’re standing, there are some health drawbacks compared to sitting. Those who stand have reported an increase in leg and foot pain and vein issues, including varicose veins, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety reported. Experts recommend having the proper support to mitigate pain issues and frequently switching between standing and sitting to maximize the ergonomic benefits while reducing the risk of injury. We’ve compiled some of the best accessories to help get you standing safely and ergonomically while you’re working at your standing desk.

Anti-fatigue mats

Paired with comfortable, supportive sneakers, anti-fatigue mats help you take the pressure off of your feet, knees, and legs. When it comes to padded support for your feet, you’ll want to look for a thicker mat—some mats start at just 0.5-inches thick while industrial mats can be upward of 1 inch in thickness—though the actual footprint of the mat doesn’t really matter if you don’t intend to move around too much. These mats can come in several different colors and patterns to match your decor or provide a pop of color to your workspace.

Enlarge / Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10. (credit: Andrew Cunningham)

Arguably one of the best business laptops on the market, Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is now discounted by 50 percent. The Gen 10 version of Lenovo's laptop retains the slim and ultraportable laptop design of prior generations but comes with Intel's 12th Gen mobile Core processors. One downside is the battery. While the Gen 10 model delivers meaningful performance improvements with Intel's silicon, it is hampered by a significant reduction in battery life compared to the prior Gen 9 model, as we noted in our review .

The ThinkPad also offers durability boosts like a spill-resistant keyboard, MIL-SPEC 810H certification, and upgradeable and repairable internal components. A few of the notebook's configurations are currently on sale for half off their original retail price:

• ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 with Core i5-1240P processor for $1,200 with coupon code BYOTHINKP2023 (was $1,399) at Lenovo : Configuration includes Intel 12th Gen Core i5 processor with integrated Iris Xe graphics, 8GB of LPDDR5 memory, 256GB of solid-state storage, and a 14-inch WUXGA non-touch display with 400 nits of brightness.
• ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 with Core i7-1260P processor for $1,565 with coupon code X1CARBONG10DEAL (was $3,129) at Lenovo : This upgraded configuration of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon comes with a more powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i7 chip but retains the same integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. It doubles the RAM and storage from the prior configuration to 16GB LPDDR5 and 512GB, respectively, and comes with the same WUXGA non-touch display.
• ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 with Core i7-1270P vPro processor for $1,732 with coupon code X1CARBONG10DEAL (was $3,609) at Lenovo : This premium model comes with a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with vPro support, 32GB of LPDDR5 memory, 512GB of storage, and a 14-inch WUXGA display that supports touch input.
• ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 with Core i5-1235U processor for $1,287 with coupon code THINKANNUALW2 (was $2,859) at Lenovo : The most affordable Gen 10 configuration of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon on our list enjoys the biggest savings percentage-wise, at a 55 percent. This model makes do with a lower-powered U-series Intel Core i5 processor, but it still comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and 512GB of solid-state storage alongside a 14-inch WUXGA non-touch display.

Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5. (credit: Andrew Cunningham)

All of the ThinkPad X1 Carbons on our list have 14-inch displays. If you need a larger panel, consider the company's ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 laptop, which currently has a 47 percent discount with coupon code BYOTHINKP2023. That laptop has a 16-inch WUXGA non-touch display that, like the X1 Carbon, has a 60 Hz refresh rate. The screen can reach 300 nits of brightness. The larger Extreme configuration comes with Intel's 12th Gen Core i7-12700H processor, discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics, 8GB DDR5 memory, and 256GB of storage. Now priced at $1,590 direct from Lenovo , you'll save $1,410 off the original $2,999 list price.

The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, with S-Pen and outrageously slim bezels. (credit: Samsung )

If you're looking for a premium Android tablet, Samsung's Galaxy Tabs are terrific options. Not only do the latest Galaxy Tab S8 models compete head to head with the rival iPad in terms of design and build quality, but Samsung's slate also comes with a few features not available on Apple's tablet, including a desktop DeX mode, various screen sizes and resolutions, and integration into the Samsung and Windows ecosystems.

Here are some of the best deals we've found for Samsung's slate if you're in the market for a premium, high-end Android tablet:

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra for $969 ( $1,100 ) at Amazon : The Ultra version of Samsung's current Galaxy Tab S8 series, with its 14.6-inch display, is one of the largest consumer tablets on the market today. While the large size may make the slate feel unwieldy to use hand-held as a tablet, it's great for content consumption and makes photos and videos shine. And the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra isn't just all play and no work, as the large screen makes this a perfect laptop replacement, especially when paired with the keyboard folio, to create and edit documents and spreadsheets, manipulate photos, and do Internet research. Turn on DeX desktop mode and you'll even have moveable and resizeable desktop windows, similar to macOS and Windows. The slate comes with 128GB of storage and 8GB of memory.

Enlarge (credit: Valentina Palladino)

Whether you need a lightweight laptop with a long battery life or something more powerful with discrete graphics, we've found savings across a variety of notebook form factors. Most of the laptops in our list come with Intel's 12th Gen mobile processor , and a few include discrete GPUs.

Even though it's on the premium end of the pricing spectrum, the best deal we found is on Dell's XPS 15 laptop, which is available for $500 off its retail price. This versatile notebook may look buttoned up in its appearance, but it has the power inside to do double-duty as a mobile workstation or gaming rig. Another solid deal is on Lenovo's Yoga 7i , a convertible notebook that includes a 16-inch display and 12th Gen Core i5 processor—the laptop is on sale for $600. Check out our full curated list below for the best savings on Intel-powered notebooks.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5-inch for $1,100 ( $1,300 ) at Best Buy : This Intel Evo laptop comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, and a 512GB solid-state drive. Available in a "sage" colorway, the Surface Laptop 5 gets a cool $200 discount.

Anker's 727 Charging Station is a good option for those with non-USB-C-charging laptops and not as many fast-charging needs. (credit: Kevin Purdy / Ars Technica)

Whether you're looking to charge your gadget at home or on the road, the Dealmaster has dug up deals on the perfect charging solutions. If you're looking to charge at your desktop, Ugreen's 200 W desktop charger , which has six charging ports split between USB-C and USB-A, makes an ideal companion to keep all your devices powered. And if you pair that with a discounted USB-C cable , you'll have a great charging hub for your desk. When selecting a USB-C cable, choose one with a braided design and a durable tip for longevity, especially if you're constantly plugging and unplugging the cable for travel.

For mobile users who need to keep larger devices charged, a USB-C power bank that can pump out 100 W or more of power can keep you going even longer, and these devices can recharge larger notebooks like a MacBook Pro.

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