Apple’s MacBook Pro 16-inch reportedly suffers from a glitch that means some users are finding that the laptop isn’t charging up properly using the MagSafe connection in one particular scenario.
As MacRumors flagged, what’s purportedly happening here according to reports from affected users on Reddit (and the tech site’s own forums) is that the MacBook Pro is failing to charge when it’s fully shut down.
It’s important to note that this is a specific scenario whereby the laptop is turned off (with the lid closed) and then the MagSafe cable is connected, at which point in problematic instances it just flashes amber (complete with the charging sound effect) and does not charge the battery. If, however, the charger is hooked up while the MacBook Pro is turned on, and then the notebook is turned off, it’ll charge normally.
As MacRumors points out, while Apple has a support document for scenarios where a flashing amber light occurs when charging, that piece of help doesn’t seem to make any difference for these reported fails.
Analysis: Hopefully just a software bug, perhaps?
So, what’s going on here according to reports from affected MacBook owners? And more importantly, are there any suggestions for a fix?
The original poster of the above Reddit thread notes that Apple tech support provided a resolution, which worked, but only temporarily. They claim that the support team acknowledged that Apple is “aware of the issue and investigating”, and were advised as a workaround to charge in sleep mode, or with the lid open, or as noted above, to attach the MagSafe charger before shutting down the notebook.
The very first reply on that thread complains about the exact same issue, and observes that Apple is going to replace their MacBook Pro 16-inch (following various diagnostic tests being run by the user).
Of the replies in the MacRumors thread on the matter, various affected owners have theorized that it’s a macOS software bug, and also related to when fast charging kicks in (interestingly, the claim is if you use another charger other than the 140W model that comes with the MacBook Pro, you won’t get fast charging or this bug).
There’s hope then, if Apple is indeed investigating the issue as suggested, that a fix could be in the pipeline with a macOS update.
If you've done so already, then perhaps your money-saving adventure isn't over just yet as there are some Black Friday deals that could help you dress up your new Kindle and fill it up too.
You see, not only are Kindles reduced in this mega sale, but so are loads of important extras you should consider buying. These include cases, screen protectors and yes, the books themselves.
We've found some deals for you in the main accessory categories so you can make the most of your shiny new Kindle at little extra cost.
Kindle ebook deals
Part of Amazon's Black Friday deals include discounts on loads of ebooks in the Kindle store.
You can click here to navigate to Amazon's Kindle estore discount section, including up to 70% off a few books.
If you want to sign up for Kindle Unlimited – a subscription service offering you unlimited access to a huge library of books, comics and magazines – there's a Black Friday discount for that too!
Well... we haven't actually found any Kindle screen protector deals right now - they're all still selling at full price. You can find the Amazon listings here, but don't expect any price reductions.
A screen protector is important for most tech though, as it can keep the display from getting damaged from drops or scratches.
Kindle case deals
Like the screen protectors, there's not a whole load of discounts on Kindle cases, but you can pick up an affordable one from a third party on Amazon. Just be sure to check which Kindle the case fits, particularly if you're shopping for a cover for your Paperwhite. That's because the newest Paperwhite is bigger (at 6.8 inches) than the 10th-generation model (6 inches).
That said, Amazon's own sleepcover for the 2018 Kindle Paperwhite is currently discounted down to half price!
This protective shell for the previous generation of the Kindle Paperwhite (2018, 10th generation) is made from a water-resistant fabric for extra protection, and is also lightweight. It's essentially a sleepcover, so opening and closing the case automatically switches on and off the device too. This offer is only available on the yellow option.
Amazon Kindle deals
Did you read this whole article without actually buying a Kindle? Well, check out some discounts below.
It's the best ereader money can buy, with a premium-looking metal chassis and page-turn buttons that are perfect for one-handed use. That luxurious reading experience, however, comes with a hefty price tag, but now you can now grab the 8GB Kindle Oasis for AU$299, while the 32GB version is down to AU$339 from an eye-watering AU$449.
It took Amazon three years to update its most popular ereader and this new hardware is only a couple of months old. That makes this offer the first ever discount it's getting. So if you're after a great new ereader, then the 6.8-inch newly minted Paperwhite is fantastic value. 8GB storage, USB-C charging and a bigger battery makes it all worthwhile.
It might be a no-frills ereader, but for just AU$89, the basic Kindle is a book lover's dream bargain. The 6-inch display is plenty sharp and this latest iteration even has an adjustable front light so you can read – for days at a stretch if you wish – any time and anywhere. The Kindle is available in a black chassis, or in a white body.
With loads of great Black Friday Kindle deals, we wouldn't blame you for picking up a discounted Amazon ereader - but if you've done so, maybe your money-saving adventure isn't over just yet.
You see, not only are Kindles reduced in the Black Friday deals, but so are loads of important extras you should consider buying. These include cases, screen protectors and yes, the books themselves.
We've found some deals for you in the main accessory categories so you can make the most of your shiny new Kindle at little extra cost.
(Not in the US? Scroll down for deals in your region).
Kindle ebook deals
Part of Amazon's Black Friday deals include discounts on loads of books in the Kindle store.
You can click here to navigate to Amazon's Kindle estore discount section, including 80% off a few books.
Well... we haven't actually found any Kindle screen protector deals right now - they're all still selling at full price. You can find the Amazon listings here, but don't expect any price reductions.
A screen protector is important for all tech though, as it can keep the display from getting damaged from drops or scratches.
Kindle case deals
Amazon Kindle fabric case:$29.99$23.99 at Amazon (save $6) This protective shell for your standard Kindle (note: not Paperwhite or Oasis) is made of a lightweight fabric to give the ereader a touch of protection - the cover uses magnets to stay closed too. It comes in black, blue, red or white.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite fabric case:$29.99$22.49 at Amazon (save $7.50) This case will fit Amazon's mid-tier Kindle, the Paperwhite, but not the standard or Oasis models. It comes in black, blue, red or white, and is a thin protective design that closes magnetically.
Amazon Kindle Oasis fabric case:$39.99$29.99 at Amazon (save $10) This fabric case works for the last few generations of the Oasis model of Kindle, but not the standard or Paperwhite versions, and comes in gray, blue or red. It's a thin fabric case that'll protect your Kindle from some, but not all, kinds of damage.
Amazon Kindle Oasis leather case:$49.99$37.49 at Amazon (save $12.50) If you want your Oasis clad in the most premium material then this is the case for you, and you can get it in black or red - sorry, merlot - for the same price.
Amazon Kindle deals
Did you read this whole article without actually buying a Kindle? Well, check out some discounts below.
The Black Friday iPad deals are never any good, but in 2021 they've somehow failed to clear that laughably low bar, and we've still been surprised by just how poor the Apple-tablet discounts are this year.
Seriously – we're talking just $50 / £50 off super-power iPad Pros, and sometimes no discounts at all on entry-level or Mini tablets – and this outlook very likely won't change for the Cyber Monday iPad deals. If you were wanting to buy a new iPad in the Black Friday sales, it might seem like you're plum out of luck.
(Not in the US or UK? Scroll down for deals in your region).
It's not all bad news though, not as long as you're willing to try new things (and aren't committed to the Apple ecosystem already). That's because there are a few worthy tablet Black Friday deals on Android slates that make them much, much more tempting than an iPad.
Sure, sure, sure: if you were waiting for an iPad deal, you might be already shaking your head at the idea of buying an Android tablet instead. But you shouldn't, as Apple's once-great lead in the market segment isn't as big as it once was, and with the superior discounts, the following Android slates are better value-for-money now. And there are still plenty of ways to share work progress between iOS devices and Android tablets using the Google Suite and other apps on both platforms.
Today's best Android tablet Black Friday deals: US
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus | Wi-Fi | 128GB:$850$700 (save $150) at Amazon This is Samsung's highest-end tablet yet, with the same specs as the non-Plus version but a bigger and better display, and meatier battery. It's a perfect work and play tool, but it costs a lot. 256GB:$930 $730 (save $200) at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite | Wi-Fi | 32GB:$160$120 (save $40) at Amazon This is a super-affordable 8.7-inch Android tablet (despite the name, which suggests it has a 7-inch screen). It's not powerful and the screen doesn't look fantastic but it's a good-value low-cost slate that will be a useful extra screen for streaming media or browsing the web.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus:$179.99$104.99 at Amazon (save $75) The percentage reduction on this deal is one of the lowest for Fire tabs, because it's one of the only ones not half off, but this is still a lot of money off the top-spec Amazon Fire device.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro | Wi-Fi | 128GB:$500$450 (save $50) at Walmart If you're looking for a good-looking and fairly powerful Android tablet, the P11 Pro could be a good option, with an 11-inch display, a mid-range processor and a big battery - it's a good choice for work or play.
Today's best Android tablet Black Friday deals: UK
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus | Wi-Fi | 128GB:£799£679 (save £120) at Currys This is Samsung's highest-end tablet yet, with the same specs as the non-Plus version but a bigger and better display, and meatier battery. It's a perfect work and play tool, but it costs a lot. 256GB:£869£749 (save £120) at Currys
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 | Wi-Fi | 32GB:£219£205 (save £14) at Amazon This low-cost low-power Android tablet has a small amount of money off, making an already-affordable tablet that little bit more within reach, though it was even cheaper earlier in November. A version with 4G connectivity is also reduced, as you can see below: 4G LTE:£269£230 (save £39) at Amazon
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus| Wi-Fi | 128GB:£249£199.99 (save £50) at Amazon This mid-range Android slate was already pretty affordable, and £50 off makes it even more so. It comes with a charging stand too, which should be useful to transform it into a little home or entertainment hub, or just to keep it powered up.
Huawei MatePad T10 | Wi-Fi | 32GB:£140£100 (save £40) at Currys If you need an affordable Android tablet this is a good option, although it doesn't run Google apps, which is definitely something worth bearing in mind before buying it.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus:£180£110 at Amazon (save £70) Amazon's best tablet so far comes with a big screen, wireless charging and 4GB RAM, and this discount reduces the asking price by almost 40%.
Which Android tablet is best for you?
Samsung, Amazon and Lenovo are the three biggest players in the Android tablet space, according to Statista, so you can't go wrong with one of their slates.
If you want a low-cost entertainment slate, the Amazon Fire devices will be fine for you – they're tied to Amazon's software ecosystem but this means they're designed for Prime Video, Prime Music, Kindle and other similar services, though Spotify, Netflix and loads of games work too.
Lenovo devices can be good iPad rivals for work or play, but the deals listed above are for its lower-cost devices - these might be good for work but again they're mostly useful for entertainment and on-the-go social media.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S models are powerful rivals to the iPad Air and Pro lines, with fast internals, good-looking screens and styli included (so you don't have to buy them separately like an Apple Pencil). They also tend to be more affordable than their Apple equivalents.
More Android tablet deals
No matter where you live, you'll find all the lowest prices for certain Android tablets from around the web right here, with offers available in your region.
If you've been holding out for some Microsoft Surface Black Friday deals then your patience is about to be rewarded, with some fantastic savings to be made across the entire range.
Microsoft Surface laptops and tablet devices have taken the world by storm, enough so to have converted devout macOS users over to the Windows platform. It's little wonder why they're so popular, given the Microsoft Surface range is some of the best computers on the market due to its great hardware, sleek design, and great accessibility and with Black Friday deals having you save up to £200 on Surface devices- these deals shouldn’t be missed. (Not inthe UK?Scroll down for deals in your region).
These deals run through until at least December 3 (while stock lasts), but given how in demand these products are right now, you might want to act fast to avoid any disappointment.
Today's best Microsoft Surface Black Friday deals
Surface Laptop Go, Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD:£699£476 at Amazon Save £222 - Don’t miss out on this incredible Black Friday deal on this solid budget laptop. It features an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 256GB SSD with a 12.4-inch touchscreen display. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6, a USB-C port and Bluetooth 5. You can grab this configuration in Ice Blue, Sandstone and Platinum colours.
Surface Laptop 4, Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD:£899£699 at John Lewis Save £200 - The Surface Laptop 4 is a superb notebook with a top-notch keyboard, among other benefits, and a £200 discount on this entry-level model – which still offers plenty of power, yet remains nicely portable – is another great bargain for Black Friday. Remember that John Lewis also provides a two-year guarantee.
Surface Laptop 4, Ryzen 7, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD:£1,299£1,169 at Currys Save £130 - If you need a little extra juice then this Surface Laptop 4 has a beefier AMD Ryzen 7 4980U Processor that's more than capable of running just about any application or task you can throw its way, all in that stylish platinum chassis.
Surface Book 3 15-inch, Core i7, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD:£2,699£2,125 at Microsoft Save £574- There are some major price cuts on the Surface Book 3 hybrid at Microsoft’s store, and one of the choicest is this Core i7 15-inch model with a whopping 32GB of system RAM, which is reduced by £574. If you need more storage, the 1TB version has been knocked down by a similar amount, but runs to a slightly pricier £2,319. Neither machine is anything like cheap, of course, but these are still serious savings.
Surface Go 2, Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD:£529£339 at Amazon Save £190 - The Go 2 is a seriously affordable Windows tablet, and this is the model above the base version equipped with double the memory and storage. With £190 knocked off the price, it’s even more of a bargain, and this is a deal that likely won’t hang around for long.
Surface Laptop 4 13.5-inch, AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD (Platinum): £999£779 at Microsoft Store Save £220 - This is a great deal on a good mid-range spec laptop. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 4680U CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, 256GB NVMe SSD all with a 13.5-inch 2,256 x 1,504 touchscreen display. It also features a USB-C port and Wi-Fi 6.
Surface Laptop 4 15-inch, Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD (Matte Black): £1,799£1,499 at Microsoft Store Save £300 - Microsoft has dropped an incredible Black Friday deal on this good spec laptop that has an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD and comes with a 15-inch QHD touchscreen display.
Surface Laptop Go 12.4-inch, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD: £699£529 at Currys Save £170 - A good deal has rolled in over at Currys on this solid budget laptop. It features an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 128GB SSD with a 12.4-inch touchscreen display. Grab this configuration in Platinum and Sandstone colors.
Lowest price ever
Surface Go 2 10.5-inch tablet, Intel Pentium Gold CPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD:£529£339 at Amazon Save £190 - Be sure to grab this Black Friday deal, as this is the lowest price ever on this Surface Go 2 spec model. It features an Intel Pentium Gold 442DY CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD.
Surface Laptop 4 15-inch, Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD (Matte Black): £2,399£2,149 at Microsoft Store Save £250 - Here’s another spec of the 15-inch Surface Laptop that has received a great discount. This laptop comes with an Intel Core i7 CPU, 32 GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD all with a 15-inch QHD touchscreen display.
Surface Laptop Go 12.4-inch, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD: £899£679 at Microsoft Store Save £220 - Don’t miss out on this incredible Black Friday deal on this solid budget laptop. It features an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 256GB SSD with a 12.4-inch touchscreen display. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6, a USB-C port and Bluetooth 5. You can grab this configuration in Ice Blue, Sandstone and Platinum colours.
Surface Laptop 4 13.5-inch, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD: £1,269£1,139 at Currys Save £130- This laptop comes with an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD all with a 13.5-inch 2,256 x 1,504 touchscreen display. You can grab this configuration in Sandstone, Platinum, Ice Blue and Matte Black colors.
Lowest price ever
Surface Laptop 4 13.5-inch, Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD: £1,269£1,139 at Amazon Save £130 - Amazon has slashed the price of this Surface Laptop 4 spec model to its lowest price ever. It comes with an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD all with a 13.5-inch 2,256 x 1,504 touchscreen display.
Lowest price ever
Surface Laptop Go 12.4-inch, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD (Platinum): £699£476 at Amazon Save £222.90 - This is the lowest price ever on this Surface Laptop Go spec model, so do be sure not to miss this Black Friday deal. It comes with an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 128GB SSD with a 12.4-inch touchscreen display.
Surface Go 2 10.5-inch tablet, Intel Core M3, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD: £619£529 at Microsoft Store Save £90 - Microsoft’s affordable tablet is seeing a good Black Friday deal. The tablet features an Intel Core M3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, 128GB SSD all with a 10.5-inch 1,920 x 1,280 display. It also comes with a USB-C port, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
More Microsoft Surface deals
No matter where you live, you'll find all the lowest prices for Microsoft Surface devices from around the web right here, with offers available in your region.
The latest Amazon Kindle Paperwhite was only launched in September this year, but we're already seeing discounts that bring the price near to $100 or £100 for the latest ereader.
Below you'll find some of our favorite picks of the best Kindle Black Friday deals right now, but it's not just about the Paperwhite 2021. We've seen discounts on the standard Kindle, the Oasis and on the Paperwhite model from 2018.
Not in the US or UK? Scroll down for deals in your region.
Today's best Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Black Friday deals
All-new Kindle Paperwhite:$139.99$104.99 at Amazon
Save $35 – The newest Kindle Paperwhite just got its first ever price cut in the US, and it brings the ereader down to just above $100. If you're after the most high-tech Paperwhite product there has been, this is the deal to get this Black Friday.
All-new Kindle Paperwhite:£129.99£104.99 at Amazon
Save £25 – This is the first-ever price cut on the latest Kindle Paperwhite - and it's only been available to buy since the end of October. This new version offers an improved reading experience thanks to the 6.8-inch screen, adjustable warm light and thinner bezels. Frequent readers will see the value in paying a premium for these features.
The new Kindle Paperwhite is so new that we haven't even had the opportunity to review this ereader. If it's anything like the 2018 edition, it's likely this will be a top choice for a Kindle product.
The upgrades are minimal from older Paperwhite models, so it's likely not worth upgrading unless you have a much older Kindle or you're looking to jump up to the Paperwhite range.
Either that, or you may be buying your first ever ereader. If that's the case, you'll likely want a discount on your Kindle Paperwhite, so go for this deal above to get the best price this Black Friday.
Today's best Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 2018 Black Friday deals
Kindle Paperwhite 2018:$129.99$84.99 at Best Buy
Save $45 - Grab the Kindle Paperwhite on sale for $85. That's a massive $45 discount and only $15 more than the all-time low price. The waterproof e-reader features a six-inch glare-free display and provides a single battery charge that lasts for weeks.
Kindle Paperwhite 2018:£119.99£74.99 at Amazon
Save £45 – Now the new 2021 model is available, the previous generation Kindle Paperwhite has been reduced to its lowest ever price. It has a smaller screen, thicker bezels and shorter battery life (still six weeks), but at £30 less than the new Paperwhite's deal price it's worth considering if you're a lighter reader or have a smaller budget.
Other Kindle deals right now
Amazon Kindle:$89.99$49.99 at Amazon
Save $40 – This matches the cheapest price we've ever seen for the standard Kindle model. If you're after the cheapest ereader from Amazon, this is the one you should go for now there's $40 off. We don't expect to see any further discounts to this model over Black Friday 2021.
Amazon Kindle Kids:$109.99$59.99 at Amazon
Save $50 – The Kindle Kids edition is similar to the standard model, but it comes in a protective case (with a variety of colors) as well as including Amazon Kids+ for a year. If you've got a little one who wants to read more, the Kindle Kids could be the best route to go for them.
Amazon Kindle Oasis 8GB:$249.99$174.99 at Amazon
Save $85 – Only buy the top-end Kindle if you're a true bookworm, but this is the very best of the range if you're looking for something you'll be using every single day. This is for the 8GB version that comes with a metal design, a 7-inch display and an adjustable warm light display.
Kindle:£69.99£49.99 at Amazon
Save £20 – This matches the cheapest price ever for the standard Kindle model. It's a basic but capable ereader at a budget price with enough storage for thousands of books at once.
Amazon Kindle Kids:£99.99£59.99 at Amazon
Save £40 – Have a little one who wants to read more? The Amazon Kindle Kids may be the best option for you, and it's now £40 off. It features a 6-inch E Ink display, a year of Amazon Kid+ subscription and a choice of four cases to protect the device from drops.
Amazon Kindle Oasis 8GB:£229.99£169.99 at Amazon
Save £60 – The top-end Kindle is for true ebook worms who want to make the most of their ereader experience. This Black Friday you can get £60 off the device with a 7-inch 300ppi display that is waterproof and comes with a warm light screen that makes reading in the dark that touch easier.
