Mark Knapp

Chicago

He/Him. Tech and e-bikes writer living inside a mATX case. Words on @IGN, @PCMag, @CNNUnderscored, @Reviewed, @TechRadar, and more. Hobbyist ginger beer critic.

Articles

EarFun UBoom X

1 week ago | uk.pcmag.com | Mark Knapp

The $189.99 EarFun UBoom X is a potent outdoor party speaker designed with fun and portability in mind. We like that it pushes serious sound levels and is tough enough to survive the elements. Its build quality is a little lackluster, however, and its LED lighting capabilities are unimpressive.
Buying a laptop? Wait! I beg you to consider a mini PC instead

1 week ago | pcworld.com | Mark Knapp

For most people, a laptop is the default option when shopping for a new computer. It can work at home, it can work on the go, and it has everything built right into it: a screen, a keyboard, a trackpad, speakers, a webcam, and the computer itself. But as convenient as that might be, a laptop might not be the best choice depending on how you’re going to use it. You may not need the whole kit and kaboodle.
Google Pixel 9a Review

1 week ago | ign.com | Mark Knapp

Following in the footsteps of the Pixel 9 lineup, Google has at last introduced the budget-minded Pixel 9a. This new model trims here and there to deliver a phone that’s still built around a respectable Tensor G4 chipset and a bright OLED display while costing just $499. It’s a cute phone, but the ways Google has pared it back are fairly apparent.
Review: The MSI Claw 8 AI+ Can't Keep Up With Laptops, but It's Priced Like One

1 week ago | lifehacker.com | Mark Knapp

Not the most wieldy for a handheldThe original MSI Claw was already a decently sizable gaming handheld at 0.8 by 11.5 by 4.6 inches and 1.48 pounds. It was comparable to a Steam Deck OLED, albeit slightly heavier. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ steps the size up even further. It’s now wider at 11.77 inches, taller at 4.96 inches, and it’s nearly an inch thick at its middle. Because of its side grips, it ends up standing almost 1.5 inches tall.
Test HP Omnibook X : La puce Snapdragon fait le plus gros du travail

3 weeks ago | lemondeinformatique.fr | Mark Knapp

HP a sauté dans le train de l'IA avec l'Omnibook X, équipé d'une puce Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (basée sur Arm avec des compléments Nuvia), qui dispose d'un NPU capable d’assurer une puissance de calcul de 45 TOPS. Le fournisseur de Palo Alto intègre tout cela dans un design élégant et ajoute une prime modeste, ce qui fait que l'Omnibook X coûte un peu plus de 1 000 euros HT.
Velotric Nomad 2 review: A fat-tire ebike ready for casual cruising

4 weeks ago | t3.com | Mark Knapp

The Velotric Nomad 2 is a well-polished fat-tire electric bike. At $1999, it comes in at a fairly low price, especially for one kitted out with accessories and boasting ingress protection, ISO, UL certifications. Top all that off with a powerful motor, a big battery, front and seat suspension, and integrated with Apple Find My, and you’ve got a rather exciting bike. The Nomad 2’s beefy, fat-tire design won’t be for everyone.
These Cheap but Surprisingly Decent Earbuds Are Even Cheaper During Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

4 weeks ago | lifehacker.com | Mark Knapp

EarFun’s headphones and earbuds punch well above their weight class, and Amazon’s Spring Sale has a bunch on sale for even better prices. March 26, 2025 We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Credit: EarFun When you think of the best wireless earbuds, it's easy to think of popular brand names like Bose and Sony, but a newer entry to the market has also made a splash.
JLab Go Pop ANC

4 weeks ago | uk.pcmag.com | Mark Knapp

JLab's Go Pop ANC noise-cancelling earphones cost just $29.99. They don't produce the highest quality audio, and their active noise cancellation (ANC) is only so-so, but you simply won't find ANC for less money, which makes these buds worth considering if you're shopping on a strict budget. For $10 more, the Tribit FlyBuds 3 ($39.99) don't offer noise cancellation, but they have a more exciting audio signature and a fully waterproof design, making them our Editors' Choice for low-cost earphones.
Google Pixel 9 Smartphones Are Discounted During Amazon's Big Spring Sale

1 month ago | lifehacker.com | Mark Knapp

Whether you’re after long-term support, phenomenal cameras, or just an all-around great phone, the Google Pixel 9 lineup has a lot to offer. And with the Amazon Spring Sale on, you can snag any of the three phones in that lineup at a considerable discount. Whether it’s the top-of-the-line Pixel 9 Pro XL or the more modest Pixel 9, you’ll get well over $100 off.
This Acer laptop is affordable, sure, but I'm disappointed in its piddly upgrades

1 month ago | pcworld.com | Mark Knapp

At a glanceHelpful matte finish on screenDecent stabilization on keyboardLow priceAccessible internalsSSD hotspotLimited memoryUnderwhelming speedsBattery doesn’t last all dayBland designThe Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) is another simply utilitarian machine, but even in that regard it’s starting to lag behind. Limited memory and disappointing battery life keep it from being very useful, and nothing about it goes beyond acceptable.