The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. One minute you’re trick-or-treating with your kids, and the next you’re panic shopping in a Buc-ee’s gift aisle. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right cheat sheet, you can keep the holiday spirit high and stress levels low.
Fortunately, we did some planning on your behalf. As much as we love playing with the latest gadgets and gizmos here at The Verge, we also love recommending them. That’s why, after consulting with our expert team of writers and editors, we’ve compiled a medley of gift ideas that won’t be regifted come this time next year – from noise-canceling earbuds and e-reade …
Snocaps performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night (November 18), marking their late-night debut and first show ever. Katie and Allison Crutchfield christened their new indie-rock project with a live rendition of “Coast,” from their self-titled debut album. Joining them onstage were MJ Lenderman on drums, Brad Cook on bass, and Colin Croom on guitar. Watch a replay of the performance below.
Last month, Snocaps was surprise-released in full. Their recording lineup on that LP includes Allison and Katie Crutchfield sharing singing duties and playing guitar, Lenderman handling drums, Cook—Waxahatchee’s longtime producer—on bass, and a handful of others contributing backing vocals or small parts. It’s the latest side-project by the twin sisters, who played together in P.S. Eliot and Bad Banana before starting their bands Waxahatchee and Swearin’.
Next month, Snocaps will head out on a very short tour in support of their debut album. There are seven shows in total spread across Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. A different artist opens each night: Bonny Doon, Cloakroom, Graham Hunt, Slippers, Mike Krol, Brennan Wedl, and Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band.
Anthropic, Microsoft, and Nvidia have struck a joint partnership to run the Claude AI on Microsoft’s Azure servers using Nvidia hardware. Anthropic will invest $30 billion in the move, as well as a guarantee to provide an additional gigawatt of compute performance. This deal could help all companies meet their existing commitments, but it adds extra inflation to the ballooning AI bubble.
Easter egg-like clouds, glowing sunrise gradients, and myriad vibrant patterns are just a few of the elements comprising David Brian Smith’s otherworldly landscapes.
Smith grew up in rural Shropshire, England, and his ancestral ties to the region’s agricultural traditions became a major influence on his work after he relocated to London. His works evoke British landscape painting of the likes of the Norwich School of painters, a group of self-taught, working-class artists who self-organized an art society in the early 19th century.
“All around the Wrekin” (2025), oil on linen, 78 3/4 x 70 7/8 inches
Smith departs from historically more academic styles of oil painting to create works “re-envisioned through a hallucinatory, technicolor lens,” says Ross + Kramer Gallery, which presents the artist’s solo exhibition, All around the Wrekin. In his starkly contrasted rolling hills, farm buildings, and bulbous trees, Smith also evokes the bucolic yet faintly uncanny paintings of American Regionalist artist Grant Wood (1891-1942).
“Rooted in the English pastoral tradition yet boldly contemporary in vision, Smith’s paintings explore ideas of place, belonging, and time through radiant color, intricate brushwork, and layered symbolism,” the gallery says. The title of the show references the name of a hill in Shropshire called the Wrekin, distinctive for its conical shape and a popular place to take walks.
Within the sky, fields, rivers, and forests, hundreds of little hatch marks, flowers, starbursts, and other thematic motifs dance across the surface. He also often incorporates gold and silver leaf to add an even further ethereality to the large-scale, luminous canvases, tapping into the power of color and light to evoke nostalgia and a kind of psychedelic utopianism.
All around the Wrekin continues through November 22 in San Francisco. Smith’s work is also on view as part of Inner and Outer Worlds, an exhibition of international contemporary painting that runs through April 12 at the Ju Ming Museum in Taiwan. See more on the artist’s website and Instagram.
Detail of “All around the Wrekin”“Jackfield” (2025), oil and gold leaf on herringbone linen, 66 7/8 x 55 1/8 inchesDetail of “Jackfield”“A Dragons Eye” (2025), oil and gold leaf on herringbone linen, 82 5/8 x 70 7/8 inchesDetail of “A Dragons Eye”“A place of my heart” (2025), oil on linen, 78 3/4 x 70 7/8 inchesDetail of “All around the Wrekin”
In VS Code, GitHub Copilot Chat can access hundreds of tools through the Model Context Protocol (MCP) that range from codebase analysis tools to Azure-specific utilities. But giving an agent too many tools doesn’t always make it smarter. Sometimes it just makes it slower.
If you’ve ever seen this spinner in VS Code, you’ve hit the limits of a model that’s trying to reason across too many tools at once.
To fix that, we’ve built two new systems—embedding-guided tool routing and adaptive tool clustering—and we’re rolling out a reduced toolset that trims the default 40 built-in tools down to 13 core ones. Across benchmarks like SWE-Lancer and SWEbench-Verified with both GPT-5 and Sonnet 4.5, these changes improve success rates by 2-5 percentage points. In online A/B testing, it reduces response latency by an average of 400 milliseconds.
The default toolset in VS Code consists of about 40 built-in tools, ranging from general command-line utilities to specialized tools for Jupyter Notebooks. With MCP servers included, that number can grow into the hundreds. Often, MCP servers bring in so many tools that they can exceed the API limits of some models.
We’ve explored ways to filter down our toolset to provide only the tools most relevant to the user’s query, while not restricting the agent’s capabilities. Specifically, we needed to make sure we didn’t sacrifice the user’s experience to achieve lower latency.
To accomplish this, we designed a middle-ground approach: “virtual tools.” This includes functionally grouping similar tools under one “virtual tool” the chat agent can expand as needed. Think of these as directories that contain related tools. This gives the model a general sense of what’s available without flooding it with hundreds of tool names. It also reduces the cache miss rate we’d expect if the model searched for individual tools, since it’s likely that similar tools are used and activated together.
Applying lossless dynamic tool selection for MCP tools
Adaptive tool clustering
Initially we fed all the available tools into an LLM and asked it to group and summarize them. But this had two big issues:
We couldn’t control the number of groups created, and it sometimes exceeded model limits
It was extremely slow and incurred a huge token cost. The model would also sometimes ‘forget’ to categorize certain tools, forcing retries
To tackle this issue, we applied our internal Copilot embedding model optimized for semantic similarity tasks to generate embeddings for each tool and group them using cosine similarity. This clustering method allowed precise, stable, and reproducible groups. As an example, here is one possible grouping of embeddings for the GitHub MCP server’s tools in the embedding space:
We still use a model call to summarize each cluster, but this step is much faster and cheaper than asking the model to categorize everything from scratch. Tool embeddings and group summaries are cached locally, so recomputing them is comparatively cheap.
Context-guided tool selection
Once tools were grouped, we faced another problem: how does the model know which group to open without checking them all? We saw that, most of the time, the model would eventually find the right tool for its task. However, each call to a virtual tool still results in a cache miss, an extra round trip, and an opportunity for a small percentage of agent operations to fail.
For example, when the user says: “Fix this bug and merge it into the dev branch.”
The model often opens search tools, then documentation tools, then local Git tools, before finally realizing that it actually needs the merge tool inside the GitHub MCP tool group to complete the operation.
Each incorrect group lookup adds latency and overhead, even though the correct group is fairly obvious from the context.
To address this, we introduced Embedding-Guided Tool Routing. Before any tool group is expanded, the system compares the query embedding against vector representations of all tools (and their clusters), allowing it to pre-select the most semantically relevant candidates—even if they’re buried deep inside a group.
With context-aware routing, we can infer from the beginning that the model is very likely to need the merge tool inside the GitHub MCP tool group, and include it directly in its candidate set—eliminating unnecessary exploratory calls and significantly reducing latency and failure rates.
By surfacing only the most promising matches, we make the model’s search more targeted and reliable, while reducing redundant exploration.
Embedding-based selection (powered by the Copilot Embedding model)
We calculate the success of our embedding-based selection process via Tool Use Coverage, which measures how often the model already has the right tool visible when it needs it.
In benchmarks, the embedding-based approach achieved 94.5% Tool Use Coverage, outperforming both LLM-based selection (87.5%) and the default static tool list (69.0%).
Offline, this approach resulted in a 27.5% absolute improvement in coverage, clearly surpassing the LLM-based method while helping the agent reason faster and stay efficient.
Online testing shows the same pattern: only 19% of Stable tool calls were successfully pre-expanded using the old method, whereas 72% of Insiders tool calls were pre-expanded thanks to the embedding-based matching. This confirms that the gains observed offline are consistently reflected in real-world usage.
Less is more: shrinking the default toolset
Even without hitting the model limits that massive MCP servers can trigger, an oversized built-in toolset still degrades performance. In offline benchmarks, we observed a 2–5 percentage point decrease in resolution rate on benchmarks including SWE-Lancer when the agent had access to the full built-in toolset. Behaviorally, the agent ends up ignoring explicit instructions, using tools incorrectly, and calling tools that are unnecessary to the task at hand.
So, we trimmed the list. Based on tool usage statistics and performance data, we identified a core toolset of 13 essential tools. These tools encompass high-level repository structure parsing, file reading and editing, context searching, and terminal usage.
The remaining, non-core built-in tools are grouped into four virtual categories: Jupyter Notebook Tools, Web Interaction Tools, VS Code Workspace Tools, and Testing Tools. This way, the model sees the smaller core set up-front and can expand groups only if necessary. As a result, users with the shrunken toolset experience an average decrease of 190 milliseconds in TTFT (Time To First Token), and an average decrease of 400 milliseconds in TTFT (Time to Final Token, or time to complete model response).
A smaller toolset enables the agent to be more effective: simpler reasoning, faster response times, and better performance.
Future directions: from tool selection to long-context reasoning
As MCP systems evolve, the challenge isn’t just picking the right tool—it’s reasoning across time, context, and interactions.
A truly intelligent model shouldn’t just react to queries; it should remember previous tool usage, infer intent from history, and plan multi-step actions over long sessions. In this sense, tool selection is an early form of long-context reasoning. The same mechanisms that help models route to the right tool today could, in the future, help them reason across thousands of turns helping them decide when to act, when to delegate, and when to stop.
Our next step is to explore how embeddings, memory, and reinforcement signals can combine to create context-aware agents that learn how to use tools, not just which ones to pick.
A big shoutout to our developer community for continuing to give us feedback and push us to deliver the best possible agent experiences with GitHub Copilot. A huge thanks also to Zijian Jin, a researcher on the team who helped to write this blog—and to the researchers, engineers, product managers across VS Code and GitHub Copilot for this work. (Also: We’re hiring applied researchers and software engineers, so feel free to apply!)
Early Black Friday deals on laptop docking stations and Thunderbolt docks have begun, and I’m on the hunt for the best docking station sales for the 2025 holiday season.
I’ve tracked the best laptop docking-station sales for the past several years. For 2025, I’d expect to see predominantly Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 (the generic equivalent) docks to be on sale this holiday season, since Thunderbolt 5 docks are generally aligned with gaming PCs.
I’ve listed each dock deal below, together with an explanation of why I picked them. Although I check multiple retailers and e-tailers, most of the top deals in years past have been on Amazon. Feel free to review the deals below, or else review my list of the best Thunderbolt docks and check to see how those prices have been affected for early Black Friday sales. I’ve attached a FAQ at the end of this page with additional buying advice.
OWC Thunderbolt Hub, Thunderbolt 4, 60W charging, , $84.95 (34% off at Amazon)
This year, I made the decision this year to phase out older Thunderbolt 3 docks, as the functionally equivalent Thunderbolt 4 docking stations provide a better experience.
Targus offers a DisplayLink dock, which uses software compression to provide the equivalent of a Thunderbolt experience. It’s just a simpler, cheaper solution, so it’s natural that a discounted dock would fall into our deals list. Amazon is playing some pricing games; last week the retailers claimed that the discount was on the order of 50 percent. In any event, this dock appears to be at its lowest price for all of 2025.
Officially, this year’s Black Friday takes place on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Cyber Monday is the following Monday, or Dec. 1, 2025.
2.
When do early Black Friday deals on Thunderbolt docks begin?
Early Black Friday sales have already begun at several retailers, though sales should ramp up as Black Friday nears. Retailers haven’t been shy about using early sales to unload inventory before the Black Friday craziness begins.
Over the years, I’ve found that certain retailers simply outdo others in specific product categories. I routinely search sites like Newegg, B&H, Target, and Walmart, but Amazon typically has the best collection of deals on docking stations of all stripes, including Thunderbolt docks.
3.
What should you pay for a Black Friday deal on a Thunderbolt dock?
Premium Thunderbolt docks usually retail for about $220 to $270 or so, depending upon the features. I usually hope for $200 or less, but we’ll see.
Though Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 (and USB3 and USB4) docks all include the same basic feature set, it’s likely that retailers and e-tailers have sold through their old Thunderbolt 3 hardware. (If this confuses you, please see our list of the best Thunderbolt docks and the explanation for the different features.) This probably leaves Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 as the default choice.
I may recommend one or two deals on Thunderbolt 5 docking stations, but Thunderbolt 5 is a premium platform with little need for you to buy it right now. None of the 2026 mobile processor platforms will integrate Thunderbolt 5 directly, favoring Thunderbolt 4 instead.
4.
I have a USB-C port on my laptop. How do I know what to use with it?
Consult your laptop’s manual. A Thunderbolt port may be labeled with a small lightning-bolt logo, but that icon can sometimes be used to signal that the port can be used for charging, too. If nothing else, a USB-C dongle/hub will always work with a USB-C port.
5.
I still don’t understand the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt. How does it all work?
USB ports have been around for years. USB-C (the oval-shaped port) replaced USB-A (the rectangular port) because USB-C was more versatile, with higher speeds and a reversible port connector. USB-C ports can be rated for either 5Gbps or 10Gbps, just like a normal USB-A port. But some USB-C ports connect to a Thunderbolt chip inside your laptop, and this allows the port to run at a higher 40Gbps speed. Physically, the connector looks exactly the same. It’s just what it can do that’s different.
Thunderbolt 5 is slowly entering the market, but with a few docks and even fewer models of laptops that can support it.
6.
What’s the difference between a USB-C hub and a Thunderbolt dock?
Speed and features. A USB-C hub connects to a single 4K (or 1080p) display and provides a mix of ports: USB-A, SD card slots, and so on. You can usually plug your laptop’s USB-C power cable (if it uses one) right into it.
A Thunderbolt dock supplies even more bandwidth for more ports. There are two key differences: It has enough bandwidth to drive a pair of 4K displays, and many docks come with their own power supply that can charge your laptop as well as your phone. All that occurs via the Thunderbolt cable that connects your laptop to the dock.
7.
My laptop has USB4, not Thunderbolt. Can I use a Thunderbolt dock?
It’s easiest to think of it as a branding issue. Laptops with Intel chips inside include Thunderbolt — in this case, most likely Thunderbolt 4. But Intel won’t certify laptops that don’t have one of its chips inside, so that means a laptop with an AMD Ryzen chip inside includes the generic equivalent, or USB4. Yes, it’s kind of dumb.
There’s a small catch. Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 all run at 40Gbps across the same connector. USB4 is identical to Thunderbolt 4. But if your laptop runs USB4, it won’t “understand” Thunderbolt 3 protocols. But since Thunderbolt 4 has largely exited the market, it’s not really something to worry about.
8.
Is Thunderbolt 4 better than Thunderbolt 3?
Slightly. Physically, they use the same USB-C cable. Functionally, they’re almost the same, and run at the same 40Gbps throughput. However, Thunderbolt 4 was released almost as a patch to Thunderbolt 3, ensuring that everything worked properly.
If your laptop has Thunderbolt, you should be able to buy either a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 dock without any problems. (For all the gory details, see my roundup of the best Thunderbolt docks and the explanation.)
9.
I own a desktop PC. Do I need a Thunderbolt dock?
Possibly. Historically, the back of a desktop has been chock-full of I/O ports, especially DIY models that you build yourself. Desktops usually have extra room for internal SSDs, SD cards, and so on. However, if your desktop lacks these things, and if it includes an external Thunderbolt port, you can always add these additional components externally via Thunderbolt.
10.
Some of these docks have bad reviews on shopping sites. What gives?
Read the user reviews closely. While Macs adopted Thunderbolt first, some of the Apple M1 silicon couldn’t keep up with Intel Thunderbolt controllers used by Windows PCs, and the Apple macOS experience suffered as a result. If a Windows user complains, pay attention; otherwise, you can dismiss them.
Do you want a large expanse of usable display space, but without the hassle of setting up dual monitors? An ultrawide monitor is the ticket. Ultrawide monitors have a wider display panel that provides an immersive experience and far more screen real-estate than your average widescreen.
I’ve tested a bunch of ultrawide monitors in order to name the best picks in various categories ranging from those optimized for gaming to those suited for professional use. Below you’ll find a curated list of my favorites in each category. I describe my evaluation process for monitors at the bottom of this article.
Why you should trust PCWorld for monitor reviews and buying advice: It’s in our name! PCWorld has been covering PCs since 1983. That includes dozens of monitors every year, from all the top brands. All of our recommendations have been tested hands-on and vetted by our expert reviewers, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards.
The Alienware AW3423DWF is a legendary monitor that will satisfy the widescreen needs of pretty much anyone. It packs the incredible contrast and realism of OLED in a 34-inch widescreen panel, yet it’s priced at less than $1,000. That’s not inexpensive, but it’s better value than other OLED monitors available right now.
Image quality is where it stands out. It delivers a vivid, immersive, rich experience with deep black levels and bright highlights, which are enhanced by the display’s glossy finish. Movies and games seem nearly three-dimensional — as if you’re looking through a window, not staring at a monitor.
The display offers an enhanced refresh rate of up to 165Hz and supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for smooth frame pacing in games. However, its excellent image quality will be impressive in everyday use, as well.
Alienware AW3423DWF: Further considerations
The monitor is not bright, especially in SDR, so it’s a bad choice for a brightly lit room. We also noticed the OLED panel has trouble rendering small fonts smoothly. These are minor issues, though, and shouldn’t trouble most owners.
It has good connectivity, with two DisplayPort inputs and one HDMI, as well as a USB-A hub with four ports. There’s even a healthy range of calibration options that help demanding owners dial in the image to their personal specifications.
While our pick for best ultrawide overall above is designed with gaming in mind, we actually think the MSI MPG 341CQPX is superior for that singular activity. This 34-inch QD-OLED display has a panoramic 21:9 aspect ratio that pulls you deeper into your favorite games. It’s especially excellent for games that lean on immersion (like simulation titles) or that show a lot of information on-screen at once (like MMORPGs and strategy games).
The MSI 341CQPX has a Samsung QD-OLED display that delivers vibrant colors and stunning contrast. The monitor handles both SDR and HDR content well. The 240Hz refresh rate, meanwhile, offers ultra-crisp motion clarity. It supports the VESA Adaptive Sync standard and will work with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync.
MSI 341CQPX: Further considerations
While the MPG 341CQPX is a great ultrawide for gaming, it’s practical for day-to-day productivity and can work well with many home office setups. It has a USB-C port with 98 watts of Power Delivery, which means it can power your laptop and handle video over a single cord.
The monitor does have a couple flaws. The stand is larger than it needs to be and will feel cramped on a small desk. There’s also no RGB-LED lighting on the back of the panel, which is common on competitive gaming ultrawides.
Pricing excuses these nitpicks, though. Available for $890 or less at some online retailers, the MPG 341CQPX is not much more expensive than older QD-OLED ultrawide monitors, like the Alienware AW3423DW, with a lower refresh rate and no (or more limited) USB-C. The MPG 341CQPX’s price is more than reasonable given is advantages over its predecessors.
The Gigabyte GS34WQC is an impressive ultrawide monitor for gamers on a budget. It has a sharp 34-inch display with a resolution of 3440×1440, which is paired with a 120Hz refresh rate (overclockable to 135Hz) and support for AMD FreeSync, ensuring smooth and consistent gameplay. Camera movements are detailed, and fast-paced action is easily tracked.
Beyond its motion clarity, the GS34WQC offers great image quality that’s comparable to monitors twice its price. It has a Vertical Alignment (VA) panel instead of the more common In-Plane Switching (IPS). This provides improved contrast with deeper black levels and more convincing shadow detail in dark scenes. These qualities make it especially suitable for games with a dark, gritty presentation.
Gigabyte GS34WQC: Further considerations
The monitor sports a boring but functional design. It has an ergonomic stand that provides height and tilt adjustment, but its assembly requires manual attachment of four screws, unlike competitors with tool-free clip-in stands. The GS34WQC compensates with an intuitive menu system that has extensive customization options, allowing gamers to tailor the visuals to their preferences.
Value, however, is where the GS34WQC really beats the competition. It’s not the least expensive budget ultrawide monitor, but it delivers better image quality and motion clarity than many competitors while keeping the price in check. Indeed, the GS34WQC is so good it makes $400-to-$500-dollar ultrawide gaming monitors more difficult to recommend. The GS34WQC looks just as good at a lower price.
This is the monitor for people who want a big, sharp monitor to serve as the focal point for a desktop command center. This excellent ultrawide monitor has a vast 40-inch display and 5K resolution that ensures every detail is sharp and defined. But it’s not just about its size and clarity; it’s packed with features, too.
Visually, the U4025QW is a treat, offering unparalleled sharpness and an expansive workspace that enhances productivity and elevates entertainment. The monitor’s impressive 120Hz refresh rate is a rare find at this resolution, ensuring smooth motion on the Windows desktop and in games. It even has an IPS Black display panel, which improves contrast and delivers a more realistic, immersive image.
The U4025QW’s connectivity is extensive. It has Thunderbolt, Ethernet, HDMI, and DisplayPort, as well as a USB hub that includes multiple downstream USB-A and USB-C ports. The monitor’s menu options and settings provide significant image quality control as well as useful features like picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes.
Dell Ultrasharp U4025QW: Further considerations
The monitor’s stand isn’t as robust as it should be, and while the contrast ratio of IPS Black is commendable, it can’t rival OLED. But the most serious downside is the price, which soars close to $2,000. Still, given its size, image quality, and connectivity, this do-everything display can pack a lot of productivity on a single screen.
When a 35-inch ultrawide isn’t immersive enough, there’s LG’s Ultragear 45GX950A-B. This is the best big-screen gaming monitor.
The monitor’s class-leading 45-inch 5K2K (5120×2160) OLED panel helps to set the monitor apart, providing a resolution previously unseen in this size class. It’s a significant upgrade over lower-resolution predecessors, like the Corsair Xeneon Flex. The higher resolution pairs well with OLED’s excellent contrast and color performance. HDR performance is solid, with brightness comparable to other leading OLED monitors.
Motion clarity is good, as well. The monitor is a “dual mode” display, meaning it can achieve 5120×2160 at a refresh rate up to 165Hz, or 2560×1080 up to 330Hz. It also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync for smooth gameplay.
LG Ultragear 45GX950A-B: Further considerations
The 45GX950A-B is expensive, and its aggressive 800R curve can feel “off” for productivity. The monitor also has limited USB connectivity. USB-C input is supported, but it only has two downstream USB-A ports.
However, if your priority is unparalleled immersion backed by incredible sharpness and excellent HDR on a truly massive display, the LG Ultragear 45GX950A-B is a winner.
The Acer Predator X34 X0 is a Mini-LED monitor that delivers a vivid picture and good contrast for less than $500; the Dell Pro 34 Plus USB-C is a decent choice if you want an ultrawide with lots of connectivity but the monitor’s image quality fails to impress; the BenQ PD2730S will call to creative professionals with its 5K display, but some will find its connectivity and special features just as alluring as its eye-catching image; the HP Omen Transcend 32 is pricey even for a 32-inch 4K OLED monitor, but makes up for that with great USB-C connectivity and top-tier SDR image quality.
How PCWorld tests monitors
PCWorld’s team of staff and freelance reviewers conduct in-depth testing to compare monitors across a wide range of categories and price points. We test dozens of monitors each year to find the best pick for every category and price point.
Our testing uses a Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra color calibration tool. It delivers objective, unbiased measurements for a wide range of metrics including brightness, contrast, color gamut, color accuracy, color temperature, and gamma. Results are recorded and logged for future comparison. This allows our experts to easily compare many monitors at once and eliminates subjective bias from the results.
Matthew S. Smith is a freelance technology journalist with 15 years of experience reviewing consumer electronics, including a wide array of computer monitors. In addition to the work he does for PCWorld, Matthew also contributes to Wired, Digital Trends, Reviewed, Lifewire, and other technology publications.
What to look for in an ultrawide monitor
Ultrawide monitors are a favorite of PC enthusiasts, but remain a niche within the larger monitor market. This leaves shoppers with fewer options. Most ultrawide monitors have a 34-inch panel with a resolution of 3440×1440, and similar connectivity.
Still, these monitors can differ in several key areas. Here’s what to look for.
Panel type is a big deal
Ultrawide monitors offer less choice in some regards but that script is flipped when it comes to panel type. Ultrawide monitors come in a variety of panel types: IPS, VA, and OLED.
IPS panels are common in mid-range and premium ultrawide monitors. This panel type delivers great color performance, high maximum brightness, superb sharpness, and good motion performance. It’s weak in contrast, however, which can disappoint when viewing TV shows or movies.
VA panels are typically a budget option, though some are found in premium ultrawide monitors. They have better contrast than IPS panels and deliver similar color performance and brightness—however, budget VA panels tend to be merely okay in these areas. Most VA panels fall short in motion performance and may look blurry when playing fast-paced games.
OLED is king of the hill. It leads in color, contrast, and motion performance. Sharpness is often slightly reduced compared to IPS and VA, but most people will find it a minor downgrade. OLED also is the best choice for HDR.
In general, OLED is better than IPS, and IPS is better than VA. However, some people might prefer VA over IPS because it has a better contrast ratio and looks darker in dark content.
A height-adjustable stand is a must-have
All the monitors on this list provide an ergonomic stand that adjusts for height, tilt, and swivel. This is a must-have feature, but one that isn’t found on the least expensive ultrawide monitors.
As tempting as it may be to save money on a budget model without a height-adjustable stand, you would regret it.
Ultrawide monitors are bulky and tend to require a larger, heavier stand, which in turn makes them more difficult to place on an elevated platform. The old college trick of sticking a monitor on a shoe box won’t work.
Look for USB-C, but don’t expect it
USB-C compatibility is an excellent feature, and USB-C hub monitors can clear away tons of clutter on your desk. Unfortunately, many ultrawide monitors don’t support USB-C yet, or have limitations that detract from the USB-C port’s usefulness.
Asus’s ProArt PA348CV, our favorite ultrawide for professionals, is one exception. It has a USB-C port with up to 90 watts of Power Delivery, and the port drives a USB-A hub with four downstream ports.
Dell, HP, and BenQ also offer ultrawide monitors with USB-C. Most of these lack an enhanced refresh rate, however, and they’re typically more expensive than the Asus.
Pricing is important—and can swing wildly
Monitor pricing is always important, but it’s key for ultrawide monitors. Although very expensive at MSRP, ultrawide monitors routinely see huge price cuts during seasonal sales. They also receive major semi-permanent price cuts later in their life.
The LG Ultragear 34GN850-B is an example of this. Originally sold for $999.99, it’s now routinely available for $699.99, and went as low as $599.99 during Amazon’s Black Friday sale. That’s a 40 percent reduction in price! Waiting for a deal can save you hundreds.
Don’t buy an ultrawide for console gaming
A quick word of warning: You should not buy an ultrawide monitor if you plan to connect a game console frequently.
Game consoles don’t support ultrawide aspect ratios, so you’ll see black bars on either side of the image. That’s unattractive and wastes the monitor’s potential. It’s best to stick with a widescreen monitor if console gaming is a priority.
If you’re still on the fence about whether an ultrawide is the right choice for you, see PCWorld’s article on whether ultrawide monitors are worth it to have all your questions answered.
FAQ
1.
What size of ultrawide gaming monitor is best?
Most ultrawide monitors have a 34-inch panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is the best option for most gamers.
Some ultrawide monitors are available in larger sizes, but these typically aren’t the best choice for gamers. Many do not support high refresh rates. Those that do are expensive and often use the same 3440×1440 resolution found on smaller ultrawide monitors, which means they appear less sharp than a 34-inch display.
2.
What is the best resolution for an ultrawide monitor?
Nearly all 34-inch ultrawide monitors have a display resolution of 3440×1440. This is an excellent choice for gamers.
It’s sharp enough to look impressive in modern games. However, this resolution remains significantly lower in total pixel count than 4K, which makes it less demanding on graphics hardware. That’s good news if you have a mid-range graphics card like an Nvidia RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6650XT.
Larger 38-inch models have a higher resolution of 3840×1660—however, nearly all these monitors lack support for high refresh rates, making them a bad choice for gamers. LG offers a line of 34-inch 5K2K ultrawide monitors with 5120×2160 resolution, but this line also lacks support for enhanced refresh rates.
A few new 45-inch ultrawide monitors are available with 3440×1440 resolution. This can be a problem, because stretching the same resolution across a much larger display reduces sharpness. We recommend 3440×1440 only for 34-inch ultrawide monitors.
3.
What’s the best refresh rate for an ultrawide gaming monitor?
A refresh rate of 144Hz to 165Hz is ideal for most ultrawide gaming monitors.
Very few ultrawide monitors exceed this refresh rate, and those that do are too expensive to make it a good value.
Also, gamers shopping for an ultrawide gaming monitor are likely to prefer immersive and graphically demanding games that make it difficult to see the full benefit of a refresh rate above 144Hz. You’ll need a high-end video card, like an RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon 6800, to drive most ultrawide gaming monitors at frame rates above 144 frames per second.
4.
Does an ultrawide gaming monitor need HDR?
HDR isn’t a must-have for an ultrawide gaming monitor, but it’s a nice addition.
Gaming is a great use case for HDR—arguably the best, in fact—and it can deliver improved image quality. We recommend buying an ultrawide gaming monitor with HDR support if your budget is $500 or more.
5.
What is the best ultrawide monitor?
The best ultrawide monitor for most people is the Alienware AW3423DWF. It costs less than $1,000, but this 34-inch OLED has incredible contrast, depth, and vibrancy. This makes for an amazingly immersive experience in movies and games, the latter of which is helped by the display’s 165Hz refresh rate and support for adaptive sync.
Early Black Friday deals on Chromebooks have begun at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers the week before Black Friday. I’ve collected the best Chromebook deals for PCWorld over the past several years (including Black Friday and Prime Day) and these are usually the best deals of the year.
I’m hoping for a return to normalcy this holiday season: President Trump has eased some of his tariff restrictions, which may mean that Chromebook vendors feel like they can put Chromebooks on sale without hurting their own profit margins. Still, my collected deals lean pretty hard on price. Times are tough right now.
For now, I’m adding a few used/refurbished Chromebook deals as a sort of “ultrabudget” category option. (I still recommend new devices.) I’ve been tracking Chromebook deals for the past several years, so I have a good idea of what to buy and how much you should pay. In each category, I’ve listed the best Chromebook deals that I can find, followed by an explanation of why I think you should buy them. Check out our list of the best Chromebooks for more ideas.
Dell 3100 (Restored) (Celeron N4020/4GB RAM/32GB SSD, 11.6-inch 768p display), $68.00 (21% off at Walmart)
For this Black Friday, I’m trying something different: adding the option for previously owned, refurbished Chromebooks from Amazon’s Renewed program, which carry a 30-day warranty. (Walmart Restored has a 90-day return window.) Use it if you need to!
If you don’t mind a bit of risk associated with a refurbished product, the Asus Chromebook at the top of the list is ideal: a good, modern, dual-core processor, 8GB of RAM for lots of tabs, and a nice big 1080p display. It’s an absolutely solid deal. New, I’d expect to pay at least $200 and closer to $300. The Acer 315 is a slight step down in memory, but that’s all. The Acer 515 is an excellent deal, too.
The Renewed program absolutely hides some stinkers, though: Chromebooks with processors over a decade old. For now, the listed HP Chromebook x360 and Dell 3100 are both near the bottom of the barrel — or at least what I can live with. They’re small, on the slow side, but functional.
Best early Black Friday budget Chromebook deals
Asus CX15 (Celeron N4500/4GB RAM/128GB SSD, 15.6-inch 1080p display), $139.00 (37% off at Walmart)
Asus CX14 (Intel Celeron N4500/4GB RAM/64GB SSD/14-inch 1080p display), $129.00 (53% off at Best Buy)
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i (Celeron N4500/4GB RAM/64GB SSD, 15.6-inch 1080p display), $119.00 (52% off at Best Buy)
Budget Chromebooks are all about the tradeoffs. In this case, there aren’t any deals with 8GB of RAM, which is what I’d prefer.
These entries are very similar, but I’m recommending the Asus CX15 because it offers more storage and a three-month trial to Google’s Gemini subscription, which gives it a bit of an edge. But the IdeaPad 3i is a terrific deal, and that might sway you. The drawback is the 4GB of RAM, which will allow you to open fewer tabs than an 8GB machine, but it’s not an enormous drawback.
Don’t be afraid of the Mediatek Kompanio chips — these are just Arm processors, and the Chrome OS runs perfectly well on them. In fact, the Kompanio is a markedly better processor, with lower power consumption (better battery life!) and better performance, too.
Why include the Lenovo 14-inch Chromebook at the end? Because the price is actually lower than previous deals I’ve seen. Put another way, Amazon is offering a sale on a sale, though it’s not really advertising it as such.
Best early Black Friday midrange Chromebook deals
Asus CX14 (Intel Core 3 N355/8GB RAM/128GB SSD/14-inch 1080p display), $249.00 (42% off at Best Buy)
Asus CM30 (Kompanio 520/8GB RAM/128GB SSD, 10.5-inch 1920×1200 display), $279.00 (18% off at Walmart)
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (Core i3-1315U/8GB RAM/128GB SSD, 14-inch 1920×1200 display), $349.00 (42% off at Best Buy)
Asus Chromebook Plus CX5601, (Core i3-1215U/8GB RAM/128GB SSD/16-inch 1920×1200 display), $479.00 (20% off at Best Buy)
Right now, I’d recommend that you buy the Asus CX14 at the top of the list. In my mind, it offers the best value: it checks all the hardware boxes without asking you to splurge. If you do want to buy up to a Chromebook Plus, either the Lenovo Flex 5i or the HP x360 are good bets. (Do you need a Chromebook Plus?) A good midrange or premium Chromebook includes at least 8GB of RAM, a sturdy processor, and a 1080p screen or better. These all qualify.
The Asus CM30 is a tablet, not a clamshell Chromebook, but if you don’t mind that then the specifications are excellent. Some of the earlier Chromebook deals have been removed, offering less choice than before.
Google’s premium Chromebook class populates the bottom of this deals list, with more expensive options. Some come with advanced subscriptions to Google Gemini and its Google AI subscriptions. Read through the listing and figure out whether that’s right for you. All three Chromebook Plus models listed here will work fine, though there’s a $200 swing in price. I tend to recommend cheaper devices if I can justify their performance.
Officially, this year’s Black Friday takes place on Friday, Nov. 28 2025. Cyber Monday is the following Monday, or Dec. 1, 2025.
2.
When do Black Friday Chromebook deals begin?
Retailers have already begun discounting Chromebooks to prepare for the official Black Friday date. Sales should ramp up further as Black Friday nears. Retailers certainly haven’t been shy about adding early sales to unload inventory before the Black Friday craziness begins! Just watch out for the “sneaky season,” where retailers add sales, then raise prices, and then discount again for Black Friday.
3.
What should you pay for a Black Friday Chromebook deal?
Tariffs and shortages make me a little wary this holiday season.
I’m hoping for “budget” Chromebooks to be about $150 to $200, with the type of Chromebooks we recommend (see below for more detail on that) to be priced below $350 in the weeks leading up to Black Friday. Prices should drop a bit more as Black Friday approaches. I’m not sure budget Chromebooks will ever fall below $100, even on a Black Friday sale, as they did in 2024.
In general, we put our top picks at the top of our lists. I absolutely factor price into my picks, but I’m looking for value: the best bang for your buck. I feel like I’ve really benefited from a good deal when I get the most for my money, and that’s what I want to help you get, too.
Note that I’m also experimenting with some refurbished options, to offer even lower-priced options.
4.
What features should I look for in a Black Friday Chromebook?
We still prioritize three things when looking for a Chromebook deal: memory, the display (size and resolution), and the CPU.
Retailers are still trying to unload Chromebooks with 4GB of RAM, 768p screens, and ancient processors. Ignore those, for the most part. Some can be justified as budget Chromebook options, but I really feel that you deserve a Chromebook with at least 8GB of RAM, a 1080p (1920×1080) screen or better (with screen sizes above 13 inches, if possible), and a relatively modern CPU. I don’t put a lot of weight on the CPU, if only because a Chromebook doesn’t need a lot of horsepower behind it.
A 1080p screen offers a comfortable laptop-like viewing experience. Be aware that “HD” does not mean 1080p! It basically means 768p, which is going to be a bit hard on your eyes. “Full HD” or “FHD” equates to 1080p. We’re even seeing some midrange Chromebooks offer 1200p screens, which offers a bit more resolution to ease eyestrain.
Our recommended CPUs include Intel Celerons, Intel Pentiums, Intel Core chips, AMD Ryzen processors, and Arm chips from MediaTek or Qualcomm. All of those have their pros and cons, though the performance differences probably won’t matter as much as additional memory. More memory (that is, 8GB rather than 4GB of RAM) allows for more browser tabs and a smoother browser experience.
Onboard storage really doesn’t matter all that much, though an SSD of at least 32GB is preferable for storing apps, documents, screenshots, and the like.
If you’re familiar with our lengthy laptops versus Chromebooks explainer, you know that one of the potential gotchas is buying a Chromebook whose support window expires soon. Google now supports new Chromebooks for up to 10 years, so this is less of a concern.
5.
Which Chromebook does PCWorld rate highest?
Our editors regularly review Chromebooks, so make sure to check our rankings of the best Chromebooks of 2025. We recommend a wide range of price points, and the article offers a great primer on Chromebook shopping. What’s more, some of our top picks will likely go on sale before or during Black Friday.
6.
Should I buy a Chromebook from Amazon Renewed or Walmart’s Restored program?
Normally, I wouldn’t recommend that you buy a used product, because who knows what it’s been through. But let’s face it: price depreciation can be your friend, too. Amazon’s Renewed offers a 30-day warranty and Walmart’s Restored program has a 90-day return window, and I’d recommend that if you do go that route, to do a thorough inspection and then return it if you don’t consider it to be working properly.
However, any refurbished program can often hide Chromebooks from years and years ago. I’ll recommend refurbished Chromebooks when I think they might be a good deal, but be careful of buying just any old refurbished Chromebook. You might get stuck with a stinker.
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