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Travelling requires a lot of planning. You need to be prepared with a checklist of essentials, and then pack everything in such a way that you're not left with a crumpled mess of belongings on the other side.

Something you don't need to pack is a VPN, but it should still be at the top of your list. Why? These security services protect your data and personal information when you're travelling, as well as providing access to top streaming sites from around the world. So whether you're dreaming of getting away, planning your next big trip, or in the departure lounge, you need a VPN by your side.

What is a VPN?

VPNs provide protection for your data and identity when you're online by creating an encrypted tunnel for your online traffic. This protects your personal information by hiding your IP address, and allowing you to safely use public WiFi hotspots.

This means that your internet traffic can't be tracked and recorded by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or other third party, wherever you are in the world.

Do you need a VPN for travelling?

A VPN is an essential when you're travelling for two key reasons: encryption of your web traffic and access to the websites and apps you use when you're at home.

Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. The likelihood of using an unsecured network is increased when you're away from home, so the need for a VPN is great.

The need to access content when travelling is also significant. There will be plenty of moments when you need to access a particular site or app when you're on the road, but you're blocked due to your location. VPNs can bypass these blockades by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in the UK. This process can trick your favourite services into thinking that you're back home, meaning that you can continue to access the content you love.

What are the most important VPN features for travelling?

The best VPNs for travelling will have certain features in common. To help you make sense of everything, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about before committing to a service. You should consider connection speed, server network, number of simultaneous connections, and more:

• Bandwidth — There are VPNs that place monthly caps on network bandwidth. You should avoid these services, unless you're on a free trial. If you're paying for a VPN, you need to be able to download and upload as much as you want.

• Connection speed — You shouldn't accept a significant drop in connection speed with a VPN, because this is going to result in buffering when you're streaming. If you're planning on watching a film or downloading a file when travelling, you should opt for something with decent connection speeds.

• Encryption — You are likely to come across terms like "military-grade" and "enterprise-grade" encryption. There are clearly different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data.

• Number of simultaneous connections — The best VPNs let you connect a large (or unlimited) number of devices with the same account. A service that offers multiple simultaneous connections lets you protect all of your devices with the same plan.

• Privacy policy — You should be aware of the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of a VPN, and these practices should be clearly laid out in a privacy policy. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up, so it's absolutely vital that your VPN is not going to store these details.

• Server network — The very best VPNs provide access to thousands of geographically diverse servers. It's useful if a VPN has a lot of servers in key locations, because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing anonymously when you're travelling around.

You should also think about things like price and subscription options, but these features represent are a good place to start.

Do you need to pay for the best VPNs?

There are a lot of free versions of top VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. With this in mind, why would you ever pay for a VPN?

The fact is you get what you pay for with VPNs. There are always catches with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. These plans will work fine for some people, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading on the move, it isn't going to work. Free trials work differently: they come without limitations, but don't tend to last very long. Trials give you the opportunity to test out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution if you're travelling.

To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN for travelling?

There are a lot of VPNs out there all offering different sets of features, with different pricing plans. Finding the best service for you is not easy, so we recommend taking some time to carefully access your options and decide on what you really need from a provider. Once you have established your priorities, you can check out this roundup of the best VPNs for travel.

We have tracked down everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best VPNs for travelling. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this roundup.

These are the best VPNs for travelling in 2024.

There is no such thing as too many streaming sites. Sure, you might already be subscribed to Netflix and Prime Video, but there might be hit shows and newly-releases movies still out of reach. We're not suggesting you subscribe to everything out there, but one more subscription couldn't hurt.

If you're looking to expand your content options, you might have considered Max. This popular streaming platform offers TV favourites, blockbuster movies, and new Max originals. So what's stopping you? Well, despite Max expanding into Europe in 2021, the UK is still not on the list. Try and visit the platform from the UK, and you'll be greeted with "Sorry, Max isn’t available in your region yet."

We know this is tough news to take, but you still have the ability to stream on Max in the UK. All you need is a VPN.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide protection for your data and identity when you're online. They create a private network that hides your real IP address, which boosts your online privacy and anonymity, and makes sure that your activity is untraceable and secure.

It's not the easiest concept to grasp, so it can be helpful to think about a VPN like an encrypted tunnel. All of your online traffic passes through this tunnel, and nobody can see inside. Everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

Why should you consider investing in a VPN?

VPNs are designed to provide protection for your sensitive information, which is obviously a major reason to consider investing in a service. Cybersecurity is an absolutely vital part of existing online these days, and VPNs offer the features needed to secure your online world against the worst of the web. It's not all about online security and privacy though, because an increasing number of subscribers are looking to boost their content options.

VPNs can be also be used to watch content that is normally blocked in your location. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another country, you can watch all your favourite content from that location. VPNs can bypass the geo-restrictions of the most popular streaming sites, including Max.

How do you access Max with a VPN?

The process of accessing Max with a VPN is not exactly simple. First you need to do is open up your preferred VPN, select an American server in order to spoof your IP to a U.S. address, and then head to Max. This makes Max think you're in the U.S. when you're actually in the UK. The next step is to add your payment information.

Max only lets you sign up if you have a payment card that’s tied to the U.S. If you don't have this, you'll need to follow these steps:

• Open up your preferred VPN on your iOS/Android device and connect to a server in the U.S.

• Create an Apple ID/Google Play account

• Register your account on the app store

• Download and install the Max app

• Create a new account in the Max app with your email address and password

• Pay with your UK PayPal account

We know this is a little laborious, but it's worth it.

What should you consider before investing in a VPN?

Rather than listing off every feature offered by the best VPNs, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about if you're planning on streaming with a VPN. You should look out for connection speed, server network, number of simultaneous logins, and other important features:

• Connection speed — Using a VPN is likely to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant. This will result in buffering, which is going to make it difficult to stream without frustration.

• Number of simultaneous connections — The best VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account. You should seek out services that offers multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stream on all your devices at the same time.

• Privacy policy — It's worth paying attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of the VPN you are planning on using to stream, because access to extra content shouldn't come at the expense of your online privacy and anonymity.

• Security — We know you're here to find a VPN for streaming, but you shouldn't forget about security. The best services will let you unblock top streaming sites whilst offering powerful protection for your data.

• Server network — Some VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. The best services offer access to a lot of servers in key locations, so you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming.

There are other things to consider, like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start.

What is the best VPN for Max?

We've lined up a selection of the very best streaming-friendly VPNs for unlocking Max, including popular services like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN. You just need to consider all of these options, and pick out the service that best suits you and your lifestyle.

These are the best VPNs for Max in 2024.

We are living in the golden age of streaming, with absolutely loads of platforms hosting a massive library of content. We have literally thousands of movies and shows to choose from every night, and yet, it can still feel like there is nothing left to watch. We are spoilt for choice, but still not satisfied.

Not content with the wide range of streaming sites on offer, a lot of users are turning to VPNs to unlock extra content from around the world. These services can connect you to a server in another location to bypass the geo-restrictions of top sites like Netflix. With a VPN, you can even connect to a secure server in Japan and access a bunch of top dubbed movies and anime shows from this extremely popular library.

Before we get into the best VPNs for Japanese Netflix, we should probably make a few things clear. Here's everything you need to know about VPNs and the process of accessing this library.

What is a VPN?

VPNs are powerful security tools that protect your personal information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. With a VPN, all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats, so all of your activity is untraceable and secure.

Why do you need a VPN?

We know that a lot of people are only interested in VPNs for their ability to access extra movies and shows, but it's important to remember that these services are primarily designed to provide protection for your sensitive information. By encrypting all of your online traffic, VPNs help you to remain protected against cyber threats like hackers, surveillance software, and malware.

Then there is streaming. VPNs hide your real IP address and connect you to a server in another country, so you can watch all your favourite content from that location. The process is quick and easy. You don't need to be a VPN expert. You can open up a whole new world of content in just a few clicks.

How do you watch Japanese Netflix with a VPN?

The process of accessing Japanese Netflix with a VPN is actually really simple:

1. Sign up to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Japan

4. Visit Netflix to watch movies and shows from the Japanese content library

You still need to be subscribed to Netflix for this trick to work, obviously. A VPN is not going to grant access to the streaming site for free. A VPN provides access to more libraries from around the world, once you're subscribed.

What is the best VPN for Japanese Netflix?

There are a lot of VPN services out there that can reliably unblock Japanese Netflix, but which is the best for you? Everyone is different, but we've lined up something to suit every streamer. We've also highlighted the best deals on ExpressVPN, Surfshark, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, NordVPN, and more.

These are the best VPNs for Japanese Netflix in 2024.

The internet is ablaze with love for Dune: Part Two, from fawning reviews to Lisan al-Gaib memes. Among this sandy chaos emerged someone who may already be the film's number one fan, having seen Dune: Part Two over 10 times since it opened.

SEE ALSO: 'Dune: Part Two' review: Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi masterpiece soars, then screams to a halt

Twitter/X user Mac, a 20-year-old student based in New York, has kept a record of his Dune: Part Two viewings, simply tweeting "round [x] imax" accompanied by a gif from the film. While the posts started out with modest engagement, they quickly ballooned to gain thousands of likes, and hundreds of thousands (even millions) of post views.

Tweet may have been deleted

"It's so weird," Mac told Mashable over a phone call. "I was expecting 20 likes, honestly. I don't know what round it was, maybe five or six, that I tweeted that, and it just blew up. People were either getting really mad at me, or they were saying that I was funding Dune Messiah, which I thought was really funny. I haven't really cared too much about people that got mad at me."

Mac's Dune fandom runs deep. He read Frank Herbert's novel in 2018, then immersed himself in any updates about the upcoming adaptation, which Denis Villeneuve signed on to direct in 2017. For Mac, an avid fan of the director's work (his favorite non-Dune Villeneuve films are Arrival and Blade Runner 2049), the Dune-Villeneuve announcement was a match made in heaven.

SEE ALSO: Denis Villeneuve breaks down the evolution of sandworms in 'Dune: Part Two'

All the anticipation for the first Dune paid off for Mac, who has seen it over 200 times. He estimates around 20 of those viewings were in theaters. Since Warner Bros. released Dune simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max (now just Max), he would also rewatch on the streaming service. "I have the script memorized," he said. "I used to write it out during school when I got bored."

Timothée Chalamet in "Dune: Part Two." Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

While Mac isn't quite at the level of having Dune: Part Two completely committed to memory yet, he's at the point where he knows what words are coming before they're even spoken. More importantly than memorization, though, is his newfound appreciation of the film on each go-through.

"There were a lot of changes from the book that I wasn't 100 percent on board with at first, but after the second and third viewing, it definitely started to make sense to me that [Villeneuve] made these cuts for the sake of a better movie," Mac explained.

SEE ALSO: Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is the most fun part of any 'Dune' movie he's in

He touched on the character of Paul's (Timothée Chalamet's) sister, Alia (Anya Taylor-Joy), as an example. In Herbert's Dune, Alia is a toddler with all the abilities and cognizance of a full-grown Bene Gesserit — a challenge to bring to film, to say the least. "What [Villeneuve] did with Alia, some people are so upset with, but it would have been super, super weird," said Mac. "Seeing what they did with [Alia] in the David Lynch movie, I don't know if that would fit the tone of Denis Villeneuve's movie, or even translate to cinematic language well."

Another change that resonated with Mac was the ending's renewed focus on Chani (Zendaya) and her decision to leave Paul after his conquest of Arrakis and proposal of marriage to Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh). "That expression is so haunting. It will linger with audiences around the world, and it really set up Dune Messiah well," Mac said. While Dune Messiah has yet to be greenlit, Mac is already looking forward to what's coming next, especially the tension between Chani and Irulan, and the Bene Gesserit conspiracy to take down Paul.

As for the actual logistics of viewing Dune: Part Two 10 times, Mac has planning these viewings for months: saving up, using his Regal Unlimited pass, and requesting time off work to catch opening weekend screenings. (Luckily, none of them were the cursed 3:15 am showing.) He also attended the film's fan first screening on Feb. 25, which he called "one of the best moviegoing experiences, if not the best."

"I showed up to that theater around 30 minutes early and was talking to everybody about Dune and their experiences with Dune and how they've come to appreciate the story," Mac said. "Everyone was from different age groups, and it was so cool to see their perspective on it."

So what comes next in Mac's Dune: Part Two journey? He plans to watch the movie in theaters over 20 times. When I asked him if he thought Dune: Part Two would end up breaking his 200 viewings of Dune, though, he laughed. "I hope not!"

"I've got to take a break for a little bit, because I got sick of being in the theater for 10 screenings in a row," he said in our March 5 interview. The day before that, on March 4, he posted, "probably gonna take a dune break for a week after this."

Two days later, on March 6, he tweeted a fateful, "round 11 imax." Clearly, the call of Arrakis is too hard to resist.

Dune: Part Two is now in theaters.

Not to be all "old man yells at cloud," but we have too much access these days: to information, technology, and, in particular, to people's private lives. More specifically, to their romantic relationships. Where once our forefathers had to scour the pages of celebrity magazines to unearth mere morsels of hookup and breakup gossip, now there's whole forums dedicated to the minutiae of even the most D-list celebrities' romantic exploits.

This is, admittedly, because people are choosing to build their careers on these exploits. While mainstream celebrities — actors, musicians, athletes — have long resented the fact that invasion of privacy comes with the job, a stream of influencers are vying for fame by invading their own privacy. This might seem like a great idea when things are going well in your relationship, but there are risks to building your brand on something so precious and precarious. The biggest one being: What happens if you break up?

SEE ALSO: Unlearning loneliness: How TikTok is rewriting the rules of connection From couple goals to breakup videos

In recent years, the breakup announcement has become a mainstay on, shall we call it, "relationship goals TikTok." You know the one: "Hey guys," they say, looking very seriously at the camera, before announcing that they've decided to "go their separate ways." These breakups often hit the news, and sometimes they're lumped together and dubbed things like, "TikTok's lesbian break-up curse." Nobody's immune, either. If a couple doesn't make one of these videos, but starts to make fewer appearances together, they're subject to constant speculation about whether they've broken up (this is currently the norm in Niamh Adkins' and Joe Ando's comment sections; there's even sleuths making 'gotcha' videos about the status of their relationship).

It's often fun to be a bystander in these instances — who doesn't love gossiping about strangers? — but what's this whole process like for the couples behind the screens? Is breaking up something they thought about when they started making couple content or, even worse, launched a joint account? And what impact might sharing their romantic lives so publicly at such a young age have on their future relationships, or even their understanding of the boundaries of relationships more broadly?

"I honestly don't remember having big conversations about sharing our relationship online," says Casey Hamilton, a teacher and voice actor with nearly seven million TikTok followers, who broke up with his long-term girlfriend Jordyn Maloney in January last year. "We met through social media, so it was kind of a weird package deal with me. I think Jordyn's reservations may have been that I wanted to share every aspect of our relationship and lives together, which wasn't what I wanted to do. So we came to an early and happy medium [about how much we'd share]." 

Although Maloney also has a TikTok following, around 47,000 as of publication, she's nowhere near as prolific a poster as Hamilton. Still, when they were together, they both made regular appearances in each other's videos, sharing sweet moments, making jokes, or generally just hanging out. "It added a layer of interaction that you don't normally get in a relationship," continues Hamilton. "I will admit that it genuinely feels nice to have strangers leave compliments on cute videos that you post of the person that you love. It's enjoyable to let people have a peek at the joy."

While this public vulnerability can come with its risks, it can also bring couples closer together. "Influencer couples have more time together, which can speed up and deepen partners' levels of understanding and strengthen their teamwork," says Nicholas Rose, a London-based psychotherapist who works with celebrity clients. "We also know ourselves through our relationships with others, so when partners are in the public eye, they have each other's knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses to keep each other grounded."

Besides, it goes without saying that a couple chooses what to share and what to hold back. "The part of our relationship that we showed was genuine," says Hamilton, "but it wasn't the bellwether of the entire relationship."

For the most part, fans know this too. But when you get such an intimate insight into someone's relationship, it can be easy to forget that it's just a highlight reel of their life — hence why viewers tend to express such shock when a couple breaks up seemingly out of the blue. "We see these relationships pan out, and when they don't work out, we're sad as well," says 34-year-old Brianna*, a member of Reddit's r/tiktokgossip who was a particular fan of the now-broken up Ben and Evyn. "Everyone loves a good love story, whether it's theirs or one they get to watch unfold."

Having to edit a romantic relationship to fit a narrative online isn't particularly good for couples, though, especially if they're not in a good place IRL. "People only saw the fun, happy, and sometimes fabricated side of our relationship," one TikTokker, who was part of a well-known Canadian couple but has asked to remain anonymous, tells Mashable. "Our relationship wasn't always what it seemed, and, while it was fun [being in a TikTok couple], it definitely took its toll."

Although it seems to be rare, some couples, like Boston-based Austin Shapiro and Lexi Cohen, better known as Austin & Lexi, do try to share these relationship humps with their fans (which, in their case, is all 5.4 million of them). In May last year, Shapiro announced in a candid YouTube video that the pair had taken a break from each other, but were back together at the time of posting. "We debated for three weeks about that video, and it went through five sets of eyes on our team before it went public," reveals Cohen.

SEE ALSO: Is the meet cute dead? TikTok has thoughts.

"We knew that we needed time apart because we really felt like we got to a point where we were putting the content before our relationship," adds Shapiro. "If we kept doing that, we were going to lose everything." Part of the reason the pair decided to post the video was to avoid misinformation about why they took some time apart, which stemmed in part from personal matters in Shapiro's life. "I never thought about what hundreds of thousands of people commenting on every single video would actually be like. It was like one day our relationship was so private and we were able to do whatever we wanted, without a care in the world, and then the next day, every piece of our relationship was being judged online. For a little bit, it affected the way we treated each other."

"When we sat in front of the camera and said, 'We're fine,' when we weren't fine, it just killed us on the inside," continues Cohen. "It was such a heavy weight. I can't explain how good it felt when Austin posted that video. This was brewing for years at that point, and we just needed a break from social media so badly." The pair stress that social media wasn't always the cause of problems in their relationships, but that it added another layer of pressure when things did get rocky.

Downsides of sharing your relationship online

This kind of unprecedented access has the often-negative effect of making fans feel entitled to information, as if the couple owes them an update about every big life event. "It's so interesting how people will pick up on the slightest differences in your content and then just roll with it," says Cohen. "It's a mixture of knowing what we signed up for, but wanting to do this for fun and feeling like we shouldn't be pressured to [share absolutely everything]."

In some breakups, there's a perceived "bad guy" and a "good guy." The same occurs online — it's just more extreme (think: judgement from millions of strangers, as opposed to, say, a group of friends). In Ben and Evyn's case, for example, Ben was deemed to be the bad guy, despite little to no endorsement on that fact from either one of them. Shortly after their breakup, he ended up deleting TikTok for a while and has now made his account private.

A similar thing happened to Jesse Crosson, a formerly incarcerated person who now raises awareness about issues in the criminal justice system via his organisation Second Chancer Foundation. Crosson's TikTok, like Hamilton's, wasn't specifically dedicated to his relationship, but his ex Courteney — whom he broke up with in November 2022 — was a regular feature in his videos.

"I did get judgement and mean comments about the breakup, as I'd feared and expected," Crosson tells Mashable. "They made me feel terrible. I was already struggling with guilt and self-doubt around the breakup and the decisions I'd made, and the comments just picked at that wound. Courteney has talked about women reaching out to commiserate with her about dating a 'narcissist.' Thankfully she refused to validate that, and in fact defended me even when she was hurt or angry." 

He continues: "I think people often project themselves, their expectations, and their prejudices onto a situation that they feel connected to. So it makes sense that people attacked me because of something that had happened to them or some quality that they attributed to others. It's hard to be objective when emotions are involved, especially when that emotion is pain, sadness, rejection, or disappointment."

The sad truth is that viewers often don't care as much about the people involved in the breakup as they do about the drama surrounding it. "This isn't a great thing to admit, but I'm more invested in the gossip than I am the people," says 29-year-old Maria*, who follows a number of couples on TikTok. "Like reality TV, it's a form of escapism; who wants to think about their own relationship issues when they can invest in someone else's?"

This fact, combined with his recent experience of two relationships going sour shortly after he hard-launched them on TikTok, has led Crosson to be more cautious about what he shares online. "Unless I get involved in a serious, committed relationship that lasts a long period of time, I won't be posting about my dating life," he says. "It doesn't feel healthy for relationships and it's not healthy for me. People love drama, but that just isn't my lane."

The anonymous Canadian TikTokker has come to the same conclusion. "Do what feels right for you, but I'd say there's more cons than pros to being involved in a public relationship," they explain, adding that these cons can follow you into future partnerships. "My current relationship is going really well and we're very happy, but [my partner] recently posted a few goofy TikToks of us and they managed to drum up thousands of hate comments from people who recognised me from the past."

This will inevitably put a strain on new relationships, especially if one partner is, say, TikTok famous and the other is extremely offline. "When someone who's used to living in the public eye starts a relationship with someone who isn't, there's a potential for a power imbalance to exist that the partners find difficult to resolve," says Rose, the psychotherapist.

Do what feels right for you, but I'd say there's more cons than pros to being involved in a public relationship. - Anonymous Canadian TikTokker

Although Maloney wasn't exactly extremely offline, she and Hamilton had very different approaches to their breakup. Hamilton felt like he needed to post about it, while Maloney wanted to, as he puts it, "stay away from the limelight."

"I never thought I'd have to make a 'breakup video' in my life," Hamilton reflects, "and it turns your stomach into a knot. Part of me felt terrible for roping Jordyn into the circus that is the social media world, and I sometimes wish I'd never made so many parts of our relationship public. It just added a lot of extra stress and steps to the break-up process."

It's not all doom and gloom, though. Shapiro and Cohen are still going strong — and will likely tell you if anything changes. Their advice for TikTok couples? "It sounds so cheesy to say, but you have to ignore what people say," suggests Cohen. 

If you can't do that, you might prefer Hamilton's advice. "Be incredibly cautious about sharing your relationship online," he concludes. "Anniversary dinners don't need to be turned into content. Just go to Chili's, turn off your phones, stare into each other's eyes, and dip your french fries into some ranch. Live in the moment."

* Names have been changed

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Hybrid working is terrific — until you realize the laptop you're taking to and from the office could use some additional connectivity real estate. If you could benefit from beefing up your port situation so you can be as productive as possible, a docking station could be a game changer. Luckily, this 13-in-1 Docking Station is on sale for $39.99 through March 10 when you use code ENJOY20. 

But what is a docking station exactly, you might wonder. You simply plug this dream machine into your laptop and have a place to connect peripherals like a USB mouse and headphones, as well as a flash drive port to access data easily.

If you want to power up your devices while you're hard at work, there's a charging port, too. And if you need quality video experience, you've got it via one VGA and two HDMI ports. It even supports 4K monitors.

Expand the capabilities of your laptop or desktop computer with ease using this docking station. With support for high-speed data transfer, fast charging, and seamless video output, our docking station transforms your device into a powerful workstation, allowing you to accomplish more in less time.

Take this limited-time opportunity to easily and affordably expand your workstation.

Get in on the extra 20% savings and get this 13-in-1 Docking Station with Dual HDMI for $39.99 until March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT when you use code ENJOY20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tech Zebra 13-in-1 Docking Station with Dual HDMI $39.99 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Through March 10, get a lifetime subscription to the Mashvisor Professional Plan for $159.99 when you use code ENJOY20.

Side hustles look different for everyone, but real estate is a classic that could slowly become your main source of income if you work smart. Still, that takes a ton of research, and the market may be pretty competitive, but there are tools available to help you invest like a pro, even if you're new to the area. 

Mashvisor is a real estate market analysis platform that could help you keep track of recent data about real estate opportunities around you. It takes a lot of work hunting down reliable leads in a new market, but Mashvisor simplifies the whole process. Time to make hosting an Airbnb as easy as staying in one, and all it takes is getting a lifetime subscription to Mashvisor for $159.99 when you use coupon code ENJOY20 through March 10.

Find out where to invest

Mashvisor is a simple app that could make a huge difference in how you approach real estate. It aggregates data from sources like MLS, Zillow, Rentometer, Airbnb.com, and the Census Bureau. Then, it uses AI and machine-learning algorithms to analyze the data to generate insights and real estate investment opportunity scores. The designers claim it covers 95% of U.S. markets, so you could be able to identify solid opportunities practically anywhere.

Then, once you've invested, Mashvisor even helps you manage the properties you have. It gives you an Airbnb calendar to calculate a property's income potential. You can look out for foreclosures and even export data to Excel to make it easier to analyze, and it's all done from one platform. 

Real estate research made easy

Get informed about the real estate opportunities around you with an app that makes research easy. 

Until March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a lifetime subscription to a Mashvisor Professional Plan on sale for $159.99 with code ENJOY20. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashvisor Mashvisor: Lifetime Subscription (Professional Plan) $199.99
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SXSW has arrived! And along with an enthralling conference bursting with music, comedy, tech, VR, and entertaining activations, South by Southwest is one of America's most thrilling film festivals. 

This year's headliners include such hotly anticipated movies as the Jake Gyllenhaal-fronted Road House remake, Dev Patel's action-packed directorial debut Monkey Man, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt's rom-comedy-action romp The Fall Guy, and Alex Garland's tense USA-set thriller Civil War. Plus, there are Sundance favorites like the audacious band biopic Kneecap and the Zellner Brothers' curious bigfoot drama, Sasquatch Sunset. But if you only focus on the flashiest titles, you're sure to overlook the hidden gems.

We've probed deep into SXSW's schedule to find the movies that Mashable readers won't want to miss. Be it a biopic from a popular Youtube star, a horror movie so intimate it feels like a gawking Reddit thread, or a true crime doc that shows you the secret cruelty of eBay, these movies are sure to intrigue.

Here are 10 SXSW movies you'll want to know about ahead of the fest:

Birdeater Friends gather for an eerie buck's night in "Birdeater." Credit: Fons PR

If you're addicted to AITA Reddit, you'll relish this thriller out of Australia. The feature debut of co-directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir, Birdeater begins with an engaged couple so inseparable that Irene (Shabana Azeez) is even invited to Louie's (Mackenzie Fearnley) buck's night (that'd be a bachelor party in America). Gathered together in the outback are some of his friends and one of hers for a night that should be about eating, drinking, and being merry. However, as booze and hard drugs roll out, uncomfortable secrets are revealed that call into question not just their relationship, but just about everything binding this band of friends and lovers together. 

Birdeater debuts at SXSW March 9. 

SEE ALSO: 'Birdeater' teaser promises a truly horrifying bachelor weekend Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion A teen girl poses with a Brandy Melville sign in the titular store. Credit: HBO

What do you really know about Brandy Melville? The controversial clothing line was adored for its cute California girl aesthetic, but criticized for its "one size fits all" tags that scoffed at size inclusivity. The company's on-brand fat-shaming is just the tip of the iceberg of ick revealed in Eva Orner's jolting documentary. Not only does she unearth the shady CEO who hid behind a fleet of teen wannabe influencers, but also, she speaks to the former Brandy Melville employees who faced body-shaming, exploitation, racism, misogyny, and even assault under his (ongoing) reign. A scorching indictment of fast fashion and its hidden cost on the bodies and well-beings of women, this doc is a must-see before you click that next clothing ad on Instagram.

Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion debuts at SXSW March 11. 

Desert Road Kristine Froseth stars in "Desert Road." Credit: Nico Navia / SXSW

Seeking a mind-bending thriller that's off the beaten path? Let writer/director Shannon Triplett be your guide with Desert Road. This freaky film stars Kristine Froseth as a sharp young woman who is nobody's fool. Traveling alone down a long, remote highway, she's on the lookout for pit stops and scam artists eager to fleece her. But nothing can prepare her for what happens after a minor car accident. Sure, she can change her tire and call a tow truck. But the real problem becomes how she can escape this place, where every road leads her back to her crashed car. Think Groundhog Day with a twist as unique as it is enthralling, and you've got a sense of where Desert Road will lead you.

Desert Road debuts at SXSW March 10. 

Grand Theft Hamlet Credit: SXSW

To be or not to be? is the question of William Shakespeare's forlorn Dane in Hamlet. But in January of 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused lockdowns across the UK, two out-of-work actors grappled with this dense play while playing Grand Theft Auto. How does that work? This comical documentary set entirely in the notoriously mayhem-laced video game reveals exactly that. Through online gaming, strangers not only got into virtual showdowns, but also rehearsed, grappled with the text, and repeatedly got killed off by other gamers or NPC cops who only came for gunfire. Yet amid the chaotic setting, a community of theater kids and lonely souls just might find something beyond loot and cheap thrills.

Grand Theft Hamlet debuts at SXSW March 10. 

Música Rudy Mancuso and Camila Mendes star in "Música." Credit: Prime Video

Fans of YouTuber/puppeteer/musician Rudy Mancuso will be stoked to see his musical rom-com, which is based on aspects of his own life. Mancuso directed and co-wrote and stars, playing himself as a teenager on the verge of graduation. But as his ambitious blonde girlfriend plans their future together, Rudy is drawn to the beguiling fish market clerk Isabella (who is played by Mancuso's real-life girlfriend, Camila Mendes). As if a love triangle and growing pains weren't enough to deal with, Rudy is also plagued by synesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon that — in his case — transforms ambient noise into music that can be magical or mad distracting! Infusing his story with songs, dance, and (of course) puppets, Mancuso delivers a semi-autobiographical romp that should play well to his online fanbase. Will it win him a new wave of followers? 

Música debuts at SXSW March 13, before coming to Prime Video on April 4. 

Oddity Credit: SXSW

Seeking something uniquely creepy? Then you'll want to watch Damian McCarthy's freaky follow-up to the superbly spooky Caveat. Once more, this inventive horror maker has centered his story on an eerie house in a remote location. Once more, a cryptic plaything will play a major role. This time, instead of a sickly bunny toy, it's a full-sized man, carved out of wood, his mouth open in a silent scream. If that's not enough to entice you to come out for this Midnighter, how about a dash of plot? A blind medium (Carolyn Bracken) seeks to understand what really happened the night her sister died. Along the way, there will be bumps in the night, ghoulish violence, and twists that'll make your stomach flip.

Oddity makes its world premiere at SXSW March 8.

Sew Torn Credit: Macdonald Entertainment Partners & Orisono GmbH

If you like your crime stories cozy, you'll want to check out Sew Torn. Written and directed by Freddy Macdonald, this comedic thriller combines whimsy and grit as a mobile seamstress (a beguiling Eve Connolly) crosses paths with a pair of bumbling drug dealers (Thomas Douglas and Calum Worthy). Can a perfect crime be all stitched up with some wit and thread? Well, just when it seems this story's come to its end, McDonald tugs us back to the start to offer another path. Think Run Lola Run with Pushing Daisies vibes. Each version is rich with detail, character, and grisly possibilities, making Sew Torn a spectacular thrill.

Sew Torn makes its world premiere at SXSW March 8.

Things Will Be Different  Credit: Exile PR

If you like your sci-fi slight and sly, you'll relish director Michael Felker's unusual family drama. Things Will Be Different begins with a bank-robbing brother and sister duo, Joseph and Sidney (Adam David Thompson and Riley Dandy), who are planning to flee not only the scene of the crime but their current timeline altogether. A mysterious safe house on a remote farm transports them and their bags of cash to the past, where they can lie low as their former present ticks by. But their plan for a two-week getaway is stalled when their way out is blocked and a masked stranger shows up shooting. Marooned on this farm in the past, the siblings will learn whether family bonds will keep them together or tear them apart. 

Things Will Be Different debuts at SXSW March 11. 

Whatever it Takes Credit: SXSW / Thorsten Thielow

True crime collides with toxic internet culture in this outrageous documentary that's sure to shock you. Sure, you know communities online can curdle, and journalists on the web can be harassed by nameless trolls. But this story centers on a mild-mannered middle-aged couple who cover e-commerce and found themselves horrifically harassed, stalked, and threatened by a mysterious online group. Vicious tweets soon escalated to a van stalking them around their hometown and a barrage of cryptic packages that included props from horror movies, and an ominous funeral wreath. The Fourth Estate director Jenny Carchman not only unfurls the tale of trauma these two endured, but also the outrageous corporate culture that lies behind the screen names who plagued these journalists. It's a story that's surprising not only in its twisted turns but also in its unexpected allusions to movies like Training Day, Full Metal Jacket, and Meet the Parents. Spoilers: You'll never look at eBay the same way again. 

Whatever it Takes debuts at SXSW March 9.

The World According to Allee Willis Credit: SXSW

You might not know the name of Allee Willis, but chances are good she had a musical impact on your life. Ever got down to "September" or "Boogie Wonderland?" Did you love The Color Purple Musical? Do you know the Friends' theme by heart? Then you've had a brush with the incredible creativity of the American singer-songwriter, who not only penned a barrage of hits but also inspired countless artists and colleagues. Documentarian Alexis Spraic sits down with a slew of them, including Paul Reubens, Julie Brown, Paul Feig, Michael Patrick King, and Cyndi Lauper, to explore the weird and wonderful world of Allee Willis. Enlightening, engaging, and entertaining, this bio-doc offers food for thought and plenty of fun.

The World According to Allee Willis makes its world premiere at SXSW March 11.

Those who navigate the waters of laptop shopping long enough will eventually encounter a subspecies of web-based PCs called Chromebooks, which beckon budget buyers with a siren song of affordability, security, and user-friendliness. They come with some notable quirks that can cap their value for certain types of users, and are generally reserved for those who care more about practicality than premium features. That said, a fall 2023 update has somewhat leveled the playing field between them and other budget machines.

SEE ALSO: The best cheap laptops for 2024, tested and reviewed

If you're not sure which will serve you better, read on for a primer on the key differences between Chromebooks and regular laptops.

What is a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are lean, lightweight, and low-cost laptops that run on ChromeOS, Google's cloud-based operating system. The tech giant rolled out an initial crop of Chromebooks in 2010 as part of a school pilot program, and the first consumer-facing models made by Acer and Samsung hit shelves a year later. Additional manufacturers entered the fray soon after, including ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Google itself. (Google now no longer makes its own own Chromebooks, called "Pixelbooks," having discontinued the line in 2022.)

By the mid-2010s, the Chromebook market expanded to include more sizes and convertible/hybrid models with touchscreens that doubled as tablets. Nowadays, you'll also encounter a handful of Chromebook variants specifically designed for business and cloud-based gaming.

There are several factors that separate Chromebooks from standard laptops (mostly concerning software), but their relationship is best summarized by that age-old "square and rectangle" phenomenon: All Chromebooks are laptops, but not all laptops are Chromebooks.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Operating system Above all, ChromeOS keeps things simple. Credit: Screenshot: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Chromebooks are powered by ChromeOS, whereas regular laptops run on Windows or macOS. Their interface is effectively just the Chrome web browser plus some preloaded Google productivity apps like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. (The nice thing about this is that it makes setting up a Chromebook as easy as signing into a Google account.) They're designed to be used while connected to the internet, though they do have some offline functionality if you enable certain settings before disconnecting.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Apps

Chromebooks aren't capable of running native Windows and Mac apps like regular laptops, but they do support Android apps — including the Microsoft Office suite — which you can download from the web and through the Google Play Store. These apps are meant for mobile devices, i.e. smartphones and tablets, so they look and work differently from any desktop counterparts, which may take some getting used to. You can also add extensions to the Chrome browser via the Chrome Web Store.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Security

Chromebooks have several layers of built-in protection against malware and viruses, including automatic software updates every four weeks. All models released in 2021 or later get 10 years of these updates. Meanwhile, Windows laptops and Apple MacBooks require separate antivirus software. (Yes, even MacBooks.)

Chromebook vs. laptop: Specs

Most Chromebooks are designed for simple everyday tasks rather than demanding workloads and multitasking, so they offer pared-down specs compared to regular laptops: a minimal amount of RAM, either 4GB or 8GB, and an entry-level to mid-range processor. (Intel Core i3/i5, Celeron, and Pentium; AMD Ryzen C-Series; MediaTek Kompanio; and Qualcomm Snapdragon chips are all common.) The average Chromebook also forgoes a dedicated graphics card, including those few newer models geared toward cloud gaming.

Space-wise, most Chromebooks come equipped with 32GB to 256GB of onboard storage, which is slower eMMC flash storage on the low end (that stands for "embedded multimedia card") and zippier UFS ("universal flash storage") or an SSD ("solid-state drive") on the upper end. That's a fraction of other laptops' storage capacities, which generally start at 256GB, but it's not necessarily a knock against Chromebooks since they stash most of their data in the cloud — you don't need as much local storage.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Design and build quality A 14-inch Lenovo ThinkBook 14p Gen 3 (left) and the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch (right) seem comparatively sleek at a glance, but the latter's exterior shell is made of smooth plastic instead of metal. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Chromebooks have always prioritized durability over aesthetics, and while they've gotten much more polished over the years, they still tend to look and feel cheaper than other laptops (because they usually are). The typical visual indicators of a Chromebook are thick bezels and a plastic chassis. On the plus side, they often skew lighter than other laptops because of their plastic builds and lack of heavy-duty hardware.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Price

Chromebooks' minimalism has its drawbacks for certain tasks, but it does make them reliable, easy to use, and, above all, cheap. The most basic Chromebooks start at $200 to $300 — or even less, if you find them on sale — while a perfectly capable mid-range model will run you $400 to $600. (Look for the "Chromebook Plus" branding; more on that shortly.) Scooting your budget up to $700 will get you the nicest specs, like 256GB of SSD storage and a touchscreen display. For comparison's sake, budget Windows laptops typically cost $500 to $700, while the cheapest MacBook starts at $1,000, assuming you pay full price.

Chromebooks that cost upwards of $800 to $1,000 do exist, but mainly for enterprise purposes. (And if that's the kind of budget you're working with, you're better off deferring to a regular laptop — you'll get more functionality and features for your buck that way.)

What about Chromebooks Plus?

Chromebook Plus is a new category of Chromebooks that Google introduced in October 2023, and it's been a game-changer for the genre. For starters, all Chromebooks with the "Plus" label are guaranteed to meet certain upgraded hardware and performance requirements, making it easier to pinpoint models that aren't total clunkers. These requirements include:

• At least a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor

• At least 8GB of memory

• At least 128GB of storage

• A 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction

• An IPS display with a resolution of at least 1080p (Full HD)

On the software side, Chromebook Plus models come with new features that greatly amplify their usability online and offline, including built-in Google apps, a File Sync feature that automatically downloads drive files, and exclusive AI tools like custom generated wallpapers and blurred video call backgrounds.

Perhaps most notably, Chromebook Plus has also added support for multimedia editing apps like Google Photos Magic Eraser, Adobe Photoshop on the web, Adobe Express, and LumaFusion. (Google really wants you to try them: Anyone who purchases a Chromebook Plus gets free three-month trials of those two Adobe product and a LumaFusion discount.) These apps aren't as robust as software like the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, but a Chromebook capable of running this kind of stuff was unthinkable a decade ago.

Chromebook Plus is available as a software update for about two dozen recent-year Chromebooks and as eight new devices made by Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, and HP. It's worth mentioning that the latter start at just $399.99, which is a ridiculously good value.

Final thoughts: Should you get a Chromebook or a laptop?

Chromebooks have historically been cheap and overly simplistic compared to other laptops by design, making direct comparisons a bit unfair, but the Chromebook Plus update has dramatically elevated them to a position where they can earnestly compete with cheaper Windows machines.

A regular Windows laptop or MacBook will of course still be the "best" option for most people, especially if the money thing is irrelevant, as they don't make you go all-in on ChromeOS or restrict you to made-for-mobile apps. But for some budget-conscious users, those limitations can be assets — namely, those with uncomplicated workloads who want an equally uncomplicated device. This would primarily cover kids and students, but it could potentially include some working professionals with chill email jobs, too, so long as your work revolves around the Google ecosystem and doesn't require any fancy specialty software. Along similar lines, creatives and gamers would be wiser to think of Chromebooks as fallback plans or last resorts for extremely casual use.

Outside of the classroom or office, a Chromebook can also excel as a travel companion for on-the-go work and entertainment, provided you (again) keep things basic: It's lightweight enough to toss in a backpack, and it probably won't take serious damage if it gets bumped around. You might not even care if it gets dinged up if it only cost you a few hundred bucks.

Ultimately, the answer to the "Chromebook vs. laptop" debate will boil down to a combination of three factors: your budget, your individual use case(s), and the kind of software you're trying to run on a daily basis. The freer functionality that comes with a regular laptop can be a necessity for some but glut for others. Sometimes you just need an ol' reliable.

Once you've made up your mind, be sure to check out Mashable's guides to the best laptops and the best cheap laptops for some hands-on tested buying recommendations.

The Asus Zenbook Duo is as badass as it looks. Stacking one display on top of another, you can juggle several apps simultaneously. Plus, you needn’t smudge the screens with your grubby fingers – the Zenbook Duo ships with a detachable keyboard.

As someone who often works out of coffee shops, I decided to take the Zenbook Duo for a spin inside two Starbucks' in Manhattan. Yes, there were a lot of stares, but after patrons got over the initial shock of seeing a towering technological wonder, they carried on with their day.

Granted, this is New York City. It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than a dual-display laptop to rattle city slickers. Still, it was a relief that I wasn’t sticking out like a sore thumb I initially feared.

But the question is, beyond its wacky dual-display design, how does it handle my typical, day-to-day workflow? Let’s dive into my experience with the Asus Zenbook Duo.

Asus Zenbook Duo price

My jaw dropped when Asus told me the Zenbook Duo’s price tag. Laptops that deliver that eye-catching, app-juggling experience, like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold and the HP Spectre Fold, can be quite pricey (the latter will set you back a cool $5,000).

The Zenbook Duo, on the other hand, starts at $1,499. That’s it – $1,500 for a dual-display experience that rocks your world. The Zenbook Duo can be purchased via Amazon, and it comes with the following specs (which matches the internals inside my review unit):

• Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU

• Intel Arc graphics

• 16GB of RAM

• 1TB of SSD storage

• Dual, 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel, OLED displays

You can upgrade this configuration to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2880 x 1800-pixel OLED display. With all other specs remaining the same, the Zenbook Duo will set you back $1,808 via CDW.

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Asus Zenbook Duo
Get Deal What I like about the Asus Zenbook Duo

When I first laid eyes on the Asus Zenbook Duo, it terrified me. Although I’ve reviewed my fair share of dual-display laptops, the Zenbook Duo looks like double trouble with its intimidating design.

I mean, come on. Look at it.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Dual-stacked screens aren’t a familiar design, and as such, I was afraid that there would be some sort of learning curve to using it. However, to my surprise, I quickly found my flow while using the Zenbook Duo.

Dual displays yielded faster workflow

The Asus Zenbook Duo has two 14-inch displays – both feature 120Hz, 1,900 x 1,200-pixel resolution OLED screens.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

After working with the Zenbook Duo, single-screen laptops are now cancelled. I’ll miss AirDrop and macOS’ seamlessness, but I will gladly give up my M2 MacBook Air for Asus’ dual-screen beauty.

My typical workflow consists of juggling Slack, Gmail, Google Docs, and other apps simultaneously. On my single-screen MacBook, that just means awkwardly bouncing between several windows and switching between Chrome tabs.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

On the Zenbook Duo, on the other hand, I was zipping through my tasks like Roadrunner. Meep, meep! On the top screen, I placed Slack on the left and Gmail on the right. On the bottom screen, Google Docs took up the entire panel, giving me ample room to see what I’m typing while keeping an eye on my inbox and work messages.

The app-juggling combinations are endless. For example, at one point, I fired up the webcam on the top screen while taking notes on the second panel. After work, I launched Netflix on the top screen to watch Love Is Blind while scrolling through Twitter to read the hilarious commentary on the show.

The keyboard is unmatched

The Zenbook Duo ships with a Bluetooth keyboard that you can place on top of the second screen – it will magnetically attach, thanks to the embedded pogo pins. With this posture, you can use the Zenbook Duo in a traditional manner – the ol’ faithful clamshell design.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, you can also detach the keyboard from the Zenbook Duo completely, allowing you to use both screens while using the touchpad to navigate between the two.

Speaking of the keyboard, it’s worth noting that the fact that it even has a trackpad is quite revolutionary. In my experience, laptops that deliver a multi-screen experience with a detachable keyboard typically don’t have trackpads. Consequently, yes, you can type just fine, but to scroll and make selections, you must jab your fingers on the screen, smudging it with your unsightly prints.

The detachable keyboard – equipped with a full trackpad – lets me navigate both 14-inch displays without touching a single panel.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As a cherry on top, the detachable keyboard isn’t mushy like I expected to be. It’s almost as good, if not better, than the keyboard on my M2 MacBook Air.

The second screen doubles as a keyboard, too

When Asus told me that the second screen doubles as a virtual keyboard, I scoffed. “There’s no way that’s comfortable, right?”

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Like magic, I summoned the virtual keyboard on the second screen by tapping it with three fingers. I started typing on it and I said, “Wait a minute – this is surprisingly good.” There isn’t any haptic feedback, but there is audio-visual feedback. The keys you press are illuminated in blue and you can hear a “click” noise for every letter and symbol you hit.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I still prefer the physical keyboard; I want smudge-free screens thank you very much. Still, it’s a nice-to-have if I don’t have the detachable keyboard within reach.

It can transform into many different modes

The Zenbook Duo has a kickstand on the back of the lid, allowing you to prop up the laptop’s dual-display screens in landscape mode. 

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You can also use the kickstand to transform the Zenbook Duo into book mode, too. 

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

If you want a gigantic tablet, you can retract the kickstand and lay the Zenbook Duo flat for massive screen real estate.

Surprising variety of ports

Laptops that facilitate app juggling in a dual-display or foldable fashion are often scant on ports – but not the Zenbook Duo.

It’s packed with HDMI 2.1, USB Type-A, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a headset jack.

What's 'eh' about the Asus Zenbook Duo?

The Asus Zenbook Duo is a dual-display wonder, but this wacky design is bound to come with some trade-offs.

Bulky design — kind of

Considering what the Zenbook Duo brings to the table — a multi-screen experience — I'd be mad to expect Asus to deliver a thin-and-light laptop. In fact, I'd argue that the Zenbook Duo is much lighter than expected.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

If you want to carry the Zenbook Duo alongside the keyboard, you'll be adding about 3.7 pounds to your travel bag. However, if you leave the keyboard behind, the Zenbook Duo only weighs 2.98 pounds.

In other words, you can enjoy a three-pound laptop during your commutes and travels if you don't mind leaving the physical keyboard behind. However, if you want to bring it with you, you'll have to accept that the Zenbook Duo won't be a lightweight companion.

Fingerprint-attracting chassis

It's also worth noting that the Zenbook Duo's "Inkwell Gray" chassis attracts fingerprints, so keep a microfiber towel handy.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
What I dislike about the Asus Zenbook Duo

Asus is arguably the most innovative laptop manufacturer. They’re known for experimenting with wacky dual-display designs, 3D gaming laptops (sans the 3D glasses), and more. 

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The Zenbook Duo isn’t new in Asus’ portfolio. In fact, it’s a successor to a laptop that also had a dual display, but the top display was full screen and the second one only took up about a third of the deck. With this new-gen Zenbook Duo, Asus said, “Let’s go big or go home!” and unleashed a laptop with two full-screen displays.

However, taking such bold risks often comes with some flubs and flaws.

Speakers are too quiet

While using the Asus Zenbook Duo in Starbucks, I fired up a Google Meet chat to touch base with Ziff Davis’ Kenneth Butler about his social media strategy.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Unfortunately, my Sony XM4 headphones were being uncooperative, so I decided to rely on the Zenbook Duo’s speakers instead. Sadly, although the Starbucks was far from loud and played music at a library-quiet level, I struggled to hear Butler.

If you’re often in loud environments, and you find yourself without headphones, you will likely find that the Zenbook Duo is too damn quiet.

Awkward lay-flat mode

It’s exciting seeing a website splashed across two 14-inch displays. For example, I enjoy using the lay-flat mode for long-form articles on the internet because I can read lengthy, verbose content with minimal scrolling.

Asus calls this posture "sharing mode." Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, it’s hard to ignore the screen disruption between both panels in the middle (the second panel settles slightly higher than the top one).

Asus Zenbook Duo webcam

With Asus investing most of its resources on creating this dual-display masterpiece, I’m not surprised that the webcam seems to be an afterthought.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The 1080p webcam on the Zenbook Duo doesn’t look that great. My complexion is inaccurate with a gray, ghostly cast and colors appear to be muted. But to be fair, many laptop webcams are total potatoes – and the Zenbook Duo joins the ranks.

Asus Zenbook Duo Geekbench score

The Asus Zenbook Duo has a multi-core score of 10,344 on Geekbench 6, which tests for CPU performance. For comparison, this is on par M2 MacBook Air's performance, which has a multi-core score of 10,146.

Asus Zenbook Duo battery life

For a laptop with two glaring displays, the Zenbook Duo's battery life is impressive. We ran PCMark 10 on it; it lasted 8 hours and 52 minutes on a charge.

Is the Asus Zenbook Duo worth it?

The Asus Zenbook Duo is definitely worth it. It's priced at less than $2,000, delivering a rich, multi-screen experience in a market filled with boring single-screen laptops for twice the price.

I've said it once and I'll say it again: single-display laptops are now cancelled. After working with the Zenbook Duo, I'm spoiled. How can I work on my MacBook Air, my daily driver, without missing the masterful app-juggling capabilities of the Zenbook Duo?

Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Asus Zenbook Duo
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You know when you're watching a Guy Ritchie thriller. There's a style and some core tropes that the writer/director employs time and again, often to great effect: the messy mish-mash of larger-than-life characters; the combination of crime and black comedy; the scowly presence of Vinnie Jones.

In the case of Ritchie's best-known works like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, these elements combine to make something truly memorable and entertaining. In the case of The Gentlemen — an eight-episode Netflix series spun off from Ritchie's movie of the same name — they don't quite add up. It's the same ingredients, but a different meal. The taste falls a bit flat.

SEE ALSO: The 20 best TV shows of 2023 What's The Gentlemen about?

On returning to his sprawling rural manor to see his dying father, Eddie Halstead (Theo James) learns a disconcerting fact. His dad's actually in business with criminals, and is hosting a rather large underground weed farm on his land. When Eddie's promoted to the title of duke and sole inheritor after his father's death (much to the rage of his older brother Freddy (Daniel Ings)), he's faced with a difficult choice: work alongside crime boss Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario) or try to make a clean break.

To complicate things, a mysterious billionaire (Giancarlo Esposito) is pushing to buy the Halstead's land, Glass' imprisoned father Bobby (Ray Winstone) wants Eddie to more work closely with his daughter, and Freddy has a large debt with a Liverpudlian drug empire led by a bearded preacher known as The Gospel (Pearce Quigley).

Cue some very Guy Ritchie-style surprise deaths and a chaotic chain of events that throws Eddie further and further into the deep end.

Giancarlo Esposito plays billionaire Stanley Johnstone. Credit: Netflix The Gentlemen could have been two episodes shorter.

Sounds like a fun plot, doesn't it? The thing is — for the first two episodes at least — it is. Cool-headed army captain-turned-duke Eddie (played with a grim stiff-upper-lip assertiveness by The White Lotus star James) is fun to watch as he struggles to come to terms with the criminal underworld, while his brother (an amusingly twitchy and wide-eyed Ings) excels at becoming more and more of a liability. There's an entertaining inevitability to things going wrong, and a quickly ratcheting tension when they do.

But then as quickly as the action starts, it all just sort of...tails out. The pace and energy evaporates. After a strong opening, episodes three, four and five feel like filler, individual chapters that add little to the main story and make the series feel more like an anthology than a linear narrative. There are also some character choices that don't really make sense at this point — why would Eddie, who clearly wants to separate his family from the criminality they've been embroiled in, so readily agree to steal a car for the Glasses in episode 3, for instance? An explanation is offered, but it seems more like an excuse to add some side quests to the main story.

Fortunately the show does pull things back further down the line. But I was still left with the feeling that the series could have been cut down to six episodes instead of eight. By the time the core thread has been picked up again the momentum is largely gone.

A father-daughter crime team. Credit: Netflix Is The Gentlemen worth watching?

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to like too. Fans of Ritchie will be familiar with the amusingly choppy style, and the over-the-top characters are fleshed out with strong performances across the board. The script is often amusing, often tense. It's fun to watch the UK's upper classes colliding with its criminal underbelly.

But The Gentlemen started off as a movie, and maybe that's where it should have stayed. Spinning the concept of weed farms below country mansions into a longer-form story sounds promising, but the material ends up feeling stretched. There's not enough story to pack out eight episodes, and what we're left with is a plot that starts to feel increasingly silly (and not in a good way) before fizzling out at the end.

Like many of its suave and suited characters, The Gentlemen is ultimately style over substance.

How to watch: The Gentlemen is streaming on Netflix from March 7.

A struggling late night show host desperate for ratings takes a horrible risk in Late Night with the Devil, a '70s found footage style horror about a talk show going from funny to scary quicker than you can say "we'll be right back".

Starring David Dastmalchian as troubled host Jack Delroy, the Cairnes brothers' movie revolves around a Halloween special in which the interview subject is the (possibly possessed) survivor of a Satanic cult.

"Paying tribute to '70s horror, Late Night with the Devil is steeped in the era's aesthetic and its emerging moral anxiety, as well as the methodical pacing that draws us in, grabs on tight, and won't let go until that final ghoulish moment," wrote Mashable's Kristy Puchko in her review. "Tune in and hang on. Dastmalchian and his demon are coming for you." 

How to watch: Late Night with the Devil premieres in theatres March 22, before streaming on Shudder.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 7 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 7

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, March 7, 2024:

Across2 or 3, typically, in mini-golf

• The answer is par.

Like a cake made without eggs, milk and butter

• The answer is vegan.

Nintendo character in purple overalls

• The answer is Wario.

Candle option

• The answer is scent.

What every barking dog is actually saying, in a classic "The Far Side" cartoon

• The answer is hey.

DownNintendo character in a pink dress

• The answer is Peach.

"Right on"

• The answer is agree.

Bad forecast for beach week

• The answer is rainy.

Some German cars, for short

• The answer is not.

"___ to mention ..."

• The answer is VWs.

Rooster Teeth is shutting down, just one year after the production company celebrated its 20th anniversary with a rebrand. Owner Warner Bros. Discovery is now exploring exactly what Rooster Teeth's death will look like, including selling off some of its divisions and IP.

Rooster Teeth's General Manager Jordan Levin announced the production studio's closure at a company meeting on Wednesday, as well as in a memo shared with press and staff.

"[I]t’s with a heavy heart I announce that Rooster Teeth is shutting down due to challenges facing digital media resulting from fundamental shifts in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising, and patronage," Levin wrote.

"Rooster Teeth’s closure isn’t merely an end; it reflects broader business dynamics. Monetization shifts, platform algorithms, advertising challenges, and the ebb and flow of patronage — all these converging factors have led to many closures in the industry."

SEE ALSO: How Rooster Teeth went from raising money on IndieGogo to releasing a movie on YouTube Red Tweet may have been deleted

Not all of Rooster Teeth's productions will immediately come to a halt. The Roost Podcast Network will continue to operate, though Warner Bros. Discovery is searching for a buyer to take the "growing asset" off its hands. The 19th and final season of Red vs. Blue is still planned for release later this year, with the series' conclusion having been announced last July. We also might see at least a few more episodes of animated series Camp Camp, considering its fifth season only just began last Friday.

However, the fate of the vast majority of Rooster Teeth's content is currently unclear, including YouTube channels The Slow Mo Guys and Funhaus.

"While we learn about updates on programming day by day, we will share our plans for shows, franchises, partnerships, and merch soon and share those updates with teams internally and with the community on RoosterTeeth.com," said Levin.

The company will host a livestream on its website to discuss the closure on Thursday.

Tweet may have been deleted Rooster Teeth's death isn't a surprise to fans

Rooster Teeth's demise may be unpleasant news to longtime fans, but it isn't a complete shock to most. Fans have long expressed concerns that it appeared to be on a decline — so much so that one of the r/roosterteeth subreddit's official rules is "Do not come here to complain about how 'RT is dead.'" Said rule has been temporarily suspended in light of Wednesday's news.

The company seemed to be on a high in the early to mid 2010s. Expanding its workforce, Rooster Teeth launched the popular Achievement Hunter YouTube channel, crowdfunded $2.4 million to create a feature film, and brought its annual convention to Australia and the UK. The company was sold to Fullscreen in 2014 (though it's now owned by Warner Bros. Discovery through subsequent acquisitions of its parent).

Sadly, the good times weren't to last. By 2019, Rooster Teeth made the first significant staff cut in its history, laying off 13 percent of its 419 employees. That same year, Rooster Teeth was hit by the first of several significant controversies, including accusations from former employees of racism, homophobia, crunch culture, and a generally toxic workplace.

Combined with unpopular subscription service price hikes, the departure or reduced roles of established Rooster Teeth personalities, and the dissolution of beloved divisions such as Achievement Hunter, many fans felt that the company's golden days were well and truly behind it.

Current and former employees have taken to social media to farewell the company, which helped build them as content creators.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted A former internet innovator

Founded in 2003 by Burnie Burns, Matt Hullum, Geoff Ramsey, Jason Saldaña, Gus Sorola, and Joel Heyman, Rooster Teeth originally rose to prominence due to its Halo machinima web series Red vs. Blue. The series was considered highly innovative for its time, and helped to popularise the animation technique.

The company eventually became known for gaming videos such as reviews, guides, and Let's Plays, before branching out into less game-oriented content. This included podcasts, live-action productions, and animated series such as RWBY and gen:LOCK. Rooster Teeth also tried its hand at developing its own games such as Vicious Cycle, though these failed to achieve the same popularity as the company's gaming videos. 

Unfortunately, such ambitious growth is only sustainable for so long — and the past year has already been awful for tech and games companies.

Tweet may have been deleted

Rooster Teeth is just the latest fresh corpse on the growing pile of mass layoffs and company closures currently gutting the games industry. Last week both PlayStation and Electronic Arts announced that they would lay off hundreds of employees, as well as close select subsidiary studios. A running tally by Kotaku calculates that this year over 8,000 games industry workers had already been laid off by the end of February.

A note on Rooster Teeth's official Twitter/X account states that it is no longer an active account, its last posts having been made in December last year. As of writing, its bio still reads: "20 years of fun and games, and we're just getting started."

Microstresses are small stresses from routine interactions—they’re often so brief we barely even register them. Individually, they might seem manageable, but cumulatively they take an enormous toll. How can you combat them? Start small. Commit to tackling one small, easy-to-address microstress a week for the first two weeks to build confidence, a different mindset, and […]

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TL;DR: A wide range of online AI and ChatGPT courses are available to take for free on Udemy.

AI can be a scary thing, but the best way of overcoming this fear is to better understand the technology. In fact, learning about artificial intelligence could help you to boost your business, kickstart a new career, develop marketable skills, and much more.

And there's some good news for anyone interested in learning about AI: Udemy is offering a wide range of online courses on AI and ChatGPT for free. We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout courses to get you started.

These are the best online AI and ChatGPT courses you can take for free this month:

• AI Art Generation Guide: Create AI Images For Free

• AI for Everyone

• AI-Powered Chatbot: Build Your Own with No Code

• AI-Powered SEO Mastery: How to Rank with AI SEO Tools

• Artificial Intelligence for Accountants

• Artificial Intelligence for Humans: AI Explained

• Artificial Intelligence: Preparing Your Career for AI

• Basics of ChatGPT and Generative AI for Software Engineers

• Become an AI Accelerated Engineer Using ChatGPT

• Become an AI-Powered Engineer: ChatGPT, Github Copilot

• Business Analyst: Digital Director for AI and Data Science

• ChatGPT 101: The Complete Beginner's Guide and Masterclass

• ChatGPT in 30 Minutes: NEW Prompt Engineering and AI Skills

• ChatGPT, Midjourney, Firefly, Bard, DALL-E, AI Crash Course

• ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Beginners

• ChatGPT SEO Mastery: How to Rank with AI SEO Content

• Create Faceless YouTube Videos Using Free AI Tools Only

• Google Gemini AI with Python API

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

• Kickstart Artificial Intelligence

• Learn Basics About AI

• Master Gemini AI

• Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals: Get Started with AI

• Midjourney and ChatGPT: Unleash AI for Unique Image Generation

• Midjourney Guide: How to Generate AI Art in Seconds

• Prompt Engineering+: Master Speaking To AI

• SEO Fundamentals: Post AI and ChatGPT World

• Unleash your Creativity with Stable Diffusion AI

These free online courses do not offer certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but you still get unrestricted access to all the video content. That means you can learn at a pace that suits you.

Find the best free AI and ChatGPT courses on Udemy.

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TL;DR: Find a wide range of free online courses from Harvard University on edX.

When something is offered for free, we're always looking out for the catch. Are we going to need to sign up for something? Will we need to pay full price after the promotional period? Or is the whole thing just a scam?

We're suspicious of anything that's "free," and you should be too. But every now and then there is a genuine opportunity to take an online course without spending anything. And even better, these online courses are delivered by famous educational institutions like Harvard University.

You can take free online courses from Harvard University on topics like Python, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. All of these high-quality courses can be found on edX.

We have checked out everything on offer from edX and lined up the best free online courses from Harvard University this month:

• Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature

• Applications of TinyML

• Building Personal Resilience: Managing Anxiety and Mental Health

• CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals

• CS50's Computer Science for Lawyers

• CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

• CS50's Introduction to Computer Science

• CS50's Introduction to Cybersecurity

• CS50's Introduction to Game Development

• CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python

• CS50's Introduction to Programming with R

• CS50's Introduction to Programming with Scratch

• CS50's Understanding Technology

• CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript

• Data Science: Capstone

• Data Science: Inference and Modelling

• Data Science: Machine Learning

• Data Science: Productivity Tools

• Data Science: R Basics

• Data Science: Visualization

• Deploying TinyML

• Energy and Thermodynamics

• Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies

• Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles

• Fat Chance: Probability from the Ground Up

• Fundamentals of Neuroscience Part 1

• Fundamentals of TinyML

• High-Dimensional Data Analysis

• Humanitarian Response to Conflict and Disaster

• Introduction to Data Science with Python

• Introduction to Digital Humanities

• Justice

• Leadership: Creating Public Value

• Leaders of Learning

• Machine Learning and AI with Python

• Managing Happiness

• Masterpieces of World Literature

• MLOps for Scaling TinyML

• Modern Masterpieces of World Literature

• Remote Work Revolution for Everyone

• Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking

• Shakespeare's Life and Work

• Statistics and R

• Super-Earths and Life

• The Health Effects of Climate Change

• The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches us about the Good Life

• Using Python for Research

These free online courses do not come with a verified certificate of completion, but that's the only catch. You can still enroll and start learning at your own pace.

Find the best free online courses from Harvard University with edX.

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