Ars Technica
Today's Dealmaster is marked by a new offering for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service from Microsoft, as new users can currently purchase a three-month subscription for $ 1. Microsoft traditionally offered the first month of its game subscription for $ 1, although subsequent months typically cost $ 15 each. Note that "new subscriber" in this case means completely new, as anyone who has subscribed to Game Pass in the past will not be eligible for the discount. Microsoft said in a blog post on Monday that the deal would be available for a "limited time".
For strangers, Game Pass Ultimate includes both the console and PC versions of Microsoft's Game Pass service, which offers a few hundred downloadable games in a Netflix-like package for one, in addition to the Xbox Live Gold service, which is still required Packaged Monthly Fee Access most Xbox console games online features. The company also recently added the ability to stream Xbox games to Android phones via the cloud, as well as a subscription to EA's play service.
In general, everyone agrees that Game Pass has become one of the better values in gaming. This is largely because Microsoft has been more aggressive than competitors like Sony's PlayStation Now to include high-profile games in the service: all of the games recently released by the company itself are included – and cover large franchises like Halo, Forza, Minecraft, and Gears among other things – as well as a growing number of worthwhile games from outside developers. The latter group ranges from "Triple-A" titles like Destiny 2, Control and The Outer Worlds to lively smaller games like Celeste, Outer Wilds and Spiritfarer. Future titles from the recently purchased Elder Scrolls and Fallout makers Bethesda will also be there, although existing games like Doom Eternal are already on board.
The service benefits those who want to try several games at the same time, more than those who sink into one game for several months at a time. Users who play primarily on PC are probably better off subscribing to Game Pass for PC, which is worth $ 10 a month. Games are still switching in and out of the service every month, and while Microsoft's "xCloud" streaming service is working, the service still has some work to do before it feels consistently smooth. But if you're going to hook up your car to the Xbox Series X or Series S in the future, or just want to spend the next few months trying out some good games for a dollar, this is an excellent deal.
If you find yourself subscribed to long term, note that it is still possible to save a few hundred dollars by stocking the Xbox Live Gold service (up to 36 months total) and then selling it for as little as US $ 1 Convert dollars in addition to Game Pass Ultimate. As noted in Microsoft's FAQ, the company converts existing Xbox Live Gold subscription time (or basic Game Pass) to Game Pass Ultimate upon initial purchase. At most, this means you can get Game Pass Ultimate for $ 181 for three years since then. 12-month Xbox Live Gold codes are still available at retailers such as Amazon for $ 60, instead of up to $ 495 after that three-month subscription expires – dollars to pay.
But if you're not interested in any other subscription service, we've got loads of deals in today's roundup, including discounts on Bluetooth headphones and speakers, monitors, microSD cards, and more. You can read our full review below.
Note: Ars Technica may receive compensation for sales of links in this post through affiliate programs.
The Dealmaster has published its own newsletter! Sign up for a shorter, narrower list of the best tech deals on the web – no nonsense, straight to your inbox and often before they get to the Ars homepage.
advertising
Top 10 offers of the day
Enlarge /. The new MacBook Air with Apple's M1 chip.
Lee Hutchinson
Offers for laptops and desktops
- Apple Mac Mini (Late 2020) Mini Desktop – Apple M1, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD for $ 639 at B&H (reordered – usually $ 699).
- Apple MacBook Air (Late 2020) Laptop – Apple M1, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD for $ 899 at Adorama (reordered – typically $ 999).
- Apple MacBook Pro (Late 2020) Laptop – Apple M1, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD for $ 1,199 from Adorama (reordered – typically $ 1,299).
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Laptop (8th Generation) – Intel Core i5-10210U, 14-inch 1080p, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD for $ 999.99 at Lenovo (use code: THINKBF2– usually $ 1,500).
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Laptop (8th Generation) – Intel Core i7-10510U, 14-inch 1080p, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD for $ 1,199.99 at Lenovo (use code: THINKSGIVING2– typically $ 1,800).
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 laptop – Intel Core i5-1035G7, 13.5 inch 2256 x 1504, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD for $ 999.99 at Microsoft and Amazon (typically $ 1,100).
- Microsoft Surface Book 3 2-in-1 laptop – Intel Core i5-1035-G7, 13.5 inch 3000 x 2000, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD for $ 1,299.99 at Microsoft (typically $ 1,550).
- HP Specter x360 13t 2-in-1 Laptop – Intel Core i7-1165G7, 13.3-inch 1080p, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD for $ 899.99 at HP (use code: 10STACKBFCM21– usually $ 1,100).
- HP EliteBook 840 G7 Laptop – Intel Core i5-10210U, 14-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $ 720 at HP (configure specs at checkout, select a backlit keyboard, 720p webcam, and 65W adapter – typically $ 1,200).
- HP Omen 15 (15-en0013dx) gaming laptop – AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, 15.6 inch 1080p 144 Hz, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6 GB for $ 849.99 at Best Buy (typically $ 1,200).
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop – AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS, 14 inch 1080p 120 Hz, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q for $ 1,199.99 at Best Buy (typically $ 1,450).
- Dell G5 15 Gaming Laptop – Intel Core i7-10750H, 15.6 Inch 1080p 144 Hz, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q 8 GB for $ 1,149.99 at Dell (typically $ 1,400).
- 27-inch HP Z27n G2 Monitor – 2560 x 1440, 60 Hz, IPS for $ 279 at HP (usually $ 355).
- 27 '' Dell UltraSharp 27 Monitor (U2719D) – 2560 x 1440, 60 Hz, IPS + $ 150 Dell E-Gift Card for $ 359.99 at Dell (GC valid for 90 days – typically $ 540).
- 27-inch Dell S2721DS Monitor – 2560 x 1440, 75 Hz, IPS, FreeSync for $ 239.99 at Dell (typically $ 265).
- 24-inch Dell P2421 Monitor – 1920 x 1200, 60 Hz, IPS for $ 149.99 at Dell (typically $ 260).
- 24-inch monitor Dell UltraSharp 24 (U2417H) – 1080p, 60 Hz, IPS for 159.95 USD on Amazon (usually $ 230).
- 27-inch gaming monitor LG 27GL850-B – 2560 x 1440, 144 Hz, IPS, FreeSync for $ 446.99 at Amazon, Adorama, and B&H (usually $ 500).
- 23-inch Lenovo L23i-18 monitor – 1920 x 1080, 60 Hz, IPS for $ 99.99 at Lenovo (typically $ 130).
/. Super Mario 3D All-Stars.
Video game deals
- Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Switch) for $ 49.95 at Amazon and Walmart (usually $ 60).
- Super Mario Party (switch, digital) for $ 39.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (usually $ 50).
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (switch) for $ 44.99 at Walmart (usually $ 50).
- The Legend of Zelda: Link & # 39; s Awakening (switch, digital) for $ 39.88 on Amazon (usually $ 55).
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (switch, digital) for $ 39.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (usually $ 50).
- Ghost of Tsushima (PS4) for $ 39.99 at Gamestop (usually $ 60).
- The Last of Us Part II (PS4) for $ 29.99 at Adorama and Walmart (usually $ 60).
- Assassin & # 39; s Creed: Valhalla (PS4, Xbox) for $ 49.88 on Amazon (free PS5 upgrade – usually $ 60).
- Doom Eternal (PS4, Xbox) for $ 19.99 at Amazon, Microsoft, and GameStop (usually $ 50).
- Watch Dogs: Legion (PS4, Xbox) for $ 29.99 at Amazon and Target (usually $ 60).
- 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (PS4) for $ 29.99 at GameStop (usually $ 60).
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon (PS4) for $ 39.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (usually $ 60).
- Marvel's Avengers (PS4, Xbox) for $ 27.99 at Amazon and GameStop (usually $ 60).
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Xbox, digital) for $ 14.99 at Microsoft (usually $ 26).
- Wasteland 3 (PS4) for $ 34 at Amazon (usually $ 50).
- Crash Bandicoot 4: It's time for (PS4, Xbox) for $ 30 at Walmart (usually $ 60).
- Nioh 2 (PS4) for $ 9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (usually $ 30).
- God of War (PS4) for $ 9.99 at Amazon and Gamestop (typically $ 18).
- Marvel's Spider-Man: Game of the Year Edition (PS4) for $ 19.99 on Amazon (usually $ 25).
- Days Gone (PS4) for $ 19.99 at Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy (typically $ 30).
- Death Stranding (PS4) for $ 19.99 at GameStop and Walmart (usually $ 30).
/. Assassin & # 39; s Creed: Valhalla.
Ubisoft
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Xbox, digital) for $ 23.99 at Amazon and Microsoft (usually $ 40).
- Resident Evil 2 (Xbox, digital) for $ 15.99 at Microsoft (usually $ 30).
- F1 2020 (Xbox, digital) for $ 29.99 at Microsoft (usually $ 55).
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Xbox, digital) for $ 25.99 at Microsoft (usually $ 30).
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Xbox, digital) for $ 5.99 at Microsoft (usually $ 15).
- Titanfall 2: Ultimate Edition (Xbox, digital) for $ 4.49 at Microsoft and Amazon (typically $ 15).
- Carrion (switch, digital) for $ 14.99 on Amazon (usually $ 20).
- Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (PS4) for $ 9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (usually $ 16).
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (PS4) for $ 9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (usually $ 16).
- The Last of Us Remastered (PS4) for $ 9.99 at Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy (typically $ 15).
- Horizon Zero Dawn: Full Edition (PS4) for $ 9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (usually $ 20).
- MLB The Show 20 (PS4) for $ 9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (usually $ 40).
- Gran Turismo Sport (PS4) for $ 9.99 at Amazon and GameStop (usually $ 16).
- Borderlands 3 (PS4, Xbox) for $ 9.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (usually $ 20).
- Persona 5 (PS4) for $ 9.99 at GameStop (usually $ 16).
- Until Dawn (PS4) for $ 9.99 at Best Buy (usually $ 16).
- Ratchet & Clink (PS4) for $ 9.99 at Best Buy (usually $ 16).
- Wolfenstein: Alt History Collection (Xbox, PS4) for $ 39.99 at Microsoft and GameStop (usually $ 80).
- Mafia: Definitive Edition (PS4, Xbox) for $ 29.99 at Amazon and Microsoft (usually $ 40).
- Bayonetta + Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle (PS4, Xbox) for $ 19.99 at GameStop and Best Buy (usually $ 40).
- Dishonored & Prey: The Arcane Collection (PS4, Xbox) for $ 19.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (usually $ 60).
- Hades (switch, digital) for $ 19.99 at Nintendo eShop (usually $ 25).
- Golf Story (switch, digital) for 7.49 USD at Nintendo eShop (usually $ 15).
- Horizon Chase Turbo (switch, digital) for $ 4.99 at Nintendo eShop (usually $ 20).
Enlarge /. Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gives you access to many games for a monthly fee.
Microsoft
Gaming offers
- New User Only: Microsoft Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3 Month Membership for $ 1 at Microsoft (auto-renewed by default – typically $ 31).
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller + Super Mario Odyssey (Switch, digital) for $ 69 at Walmart (usually $ 110).
- Fnatic React wired gaming headset for $ 59.99 on Amazon (usually $ 75).
- HyperX Cloud Alpha wired gaming headset for $ 79.99 at Amazon (usually $ 95).
- SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC wired gaming headset for $ 199.99 at Amazon (usually $ 250).
- PowerA Moga Mobile Gaming Clip for Xbox Wireless Controller for $ 10.99 on Amazon (usually $ 15).
- HyperX ChargePlay Quad Charging Station for Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons for $ 14.99 on Amazon (usually $ 30).
- HyperX ChargePlay Clutch Charging Case for Nintendo Switch – 6,000mAh for $ 39.99 on Amazon (usually $ 60).
- Aukey KM-P4 XXXL Gaming Mouse Pad – 47.2 x 23.6 x 0.12 inches for $ 22.49 at Amazon (Clip 25% voucher– usually $ 35).
- Logitech G513 Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – GX Blue / GX Brown Switches for $ 99.99 on Amazon (usually $ 135).
- Logitech G815 Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Logitech GL Tactile / GL Clicky / GL Linear Switches for $ 149.99 on Amazon (usually $ 190).
- Logitech G915 TKL Tenkeyless Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Logitech GL Tactile / GL Clicky / GL Linear Switches for $ 179.99 on Amazon (usually $ 230).
- Logitech G203 Lightsync wired gaming mouse for $ 14.99 at GameStop (usually $ 35).
- Razer BlackWidow Lite Tenkeyless Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Razer Orange toggles for $ 64.99 on Amazon (usually $ 75).
Enlarge /. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K media streamer.
Jeff Dunn
TV and home entertainment offers
- Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite 1080p HDR Media Streamer for $ 17.99 on Amazon (usually $ 30).
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K HDR media streamer for $ 29.99 on Amazon (usually $ 45).
- Amazon Fire TV Cube 4K HDR media streamer with Alexa for $ 79.99 on Amazon (usually $ 120).
- Amazon Fire TV Recast (500GB) Wireless DVR for $ 129.99 on Amazon (usually $ 230).
- 65-inch LG BX (2020 Model) 4K HDR OLED TV for $ 1,796.99 at Amazon, B&H, and Best Buy (typically $ 2,100).
- 55 inch Samsung Q90T (2020 model) 4K HDR QLED TV for $ 1,297.99 at Amazon, Samsung, and B&H (typically $ 1,450).
- 65-inch Samsung Q80T (2020 Model) 4K HDR QLED TV for $ 1,497.99 at Amazon, Samsung, and B&H (typically $ 1,700).
- 55-inch Samsung Q70T (2020 Model) 4K QLED TV for $ 797.99 at Amazon, Samsung, and B&H (usually $ 900).
- 65-inch 4K HDR OLED TV Vizio OLED-H1 (2020 model) for $ 1,499.99 at Best Buy (usually $ 1,999.99).
Enlarge /. The Garmin Vivoactive 4s.
Valentina Palladino
Wearables offers
Enlarge /. The Jabra Elite 75t are wonderfully rounded, true wireless headphones.
Jeff Dunn
Headphone and audio deals
Enlarge /. Anker's Soundcore Motion + sounds great for a bluetooth speaker that costs less than $ 100.
anchor
Storage agreement
Enlarge /. The 4th generation Amazon Echo Dot Smart Speaker.
Amazon
Smart home offers
Enlarge /. The RAVPower RP-PC128 offers two USB-C PD ports for charging 90 W in a beautiful and compact design.
RAVPower
Accessories and various offers
- Microsoft 365 Family 12 Month Subscription + $ 50 Amazon Gift Card for $ 99.99 at Amazon (auto-renewed by default – typically $ 150).
- LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett Helmet 75277 building kit for $ 47.99 on Amazon (usually $ 55).
- Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus (8qt) 9-in-1 pressure cooker for $ 89.99 at Williams-Sonoma (usually $ 140).
- Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus (6qt) 9-in-1 pressure cooker for $ 69.95 at Williams-Sonoma (usually $ 120).
- Tile Mate bluetooth tracker for $ 17.99 on Amazon (usually $ 25).
- Tile Slim bluetooth tracker for $ 23.99 on Amazon (usually $ 30).
- Tile sticker (pack of 4) bluetooth tracker for $ 39.99 on Amazon (usually $ 55).
- Portable battery of the Mophie Powerstation AC – 100 W AC, 24,000 mAh, 30 W USB-C PD, USB-A for $ 79.95 at Mophie (usually $ 180).
- RAVPower RP-PC128 USB-C wall charger – total 90 W, 2x 90 W USB-C-PD, GaN for $ 40.99 at Amazon (Clip $ 8 coupon– usually $ 50).
- Prime only: Aukey PA-B3 USB-C charger – total 65 W, 65 W USB-C-PD, USB-A, GaN for $ 24.99 at Amazon (Clip $ 5 coupon– usually $ 38).
- Aukey PA-B5 USB-C charger – 100 W USB-C PD, GaN for $ 29.99 at Amazon (Clip $ 10 coupon– usually $ 40).
- Anker PowerExpand + 7-in-1 USB-C hub – 85 W USB-C-PD, USB-C data, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI (4K at 30 Hz), SD, microSD for $ 21.66 on Amazon (usually $ 30).
- Brydge 12.9 Pro Bluetooth Keyboard for 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro for $ 99.99 on Amazon (usually $ 170).
- New users: Tidal HiFi 4-month membership for $ 1.99 at Tidal (usually $ 80).
