Technology

At IFA 2026, Acer announced its upcoming Small Form Factor (SFF) PC, built on Nvidia’s new RTX Spark chip, and from what Acer (and Nvidia) has shown, I should be buzzing with excitement.

After all, it ticks a lot of boxes for me; it’s compact, beautifully designed, and thanks to the RTX Spark, it should also be very, very powerful. And yet, much like the recent announcement of the latest Mac mini with Apple’s new M6 chip, I just don’t feel excited at all.

Despite sharing the same ‘RTX’ branding as Nvidia’s gaming GPUs, it’s clear that early devices using the RTX Spark will be of little interest to consumers like you and me, and are instead aimed at people who need to run heavy-duty local AI tasks.

Even though Acer states that RTX Spark devices are “designed for creators, AI developers and gamers,” the brief information provided focuses solely on the AI capabilities, with Acer saying that its RTX Spark device “is built to deliver up to 1 petaflop of AI performance and up to 128 GB of high-speed unified memory, delivering a combination of compute and data privacy.”

(Image credit: Acer)

Terms like “1 petaflop of AI performance” are a sure-fire way to make any interest I might have in a device evaporate faster than PC gamer’s tears on a red-hot AI data center. It certainly doesn’t make me feel like the product is aimed at me, despite the RTX branding, brief mention of gamers, and stylish design.

I’ve written a lot in the past about my love of small form factor PCs, mainly when it comes to gaming, as these compact computers can be great alternatives to games consoles, as they can sit in your lounge and plug into your TV without looking out of place. RTX Spark devices, such as Acer’s, could potentially combine Nvidia’s gaming technology with compact designs, something I’ve always wanted. So why am I just not excited?

AI above everything else

There's a simple reason: AI. Now, this isn’t about my general distaste of generative AI, or the fact that things like Google’s AI Overviews are taking written content from websites, such as this one, and featuring them elsewhere without compensation — it’s because from what I’ve seen of RTX Spark hardware so far seems to be lazer-focused on local AI capabilities, which is something that simply doesn’t appeal to mainstream users.

If these were products solely aimed at AI developers, I wouldn’t mind, but it feels like RTX Spark has been teased by Nvidia to be something that consumers, especially gamers, would also be interested in. Hopefully as we get closer to the release of the first batch of RTX Spark devices, we’ll be given some non-AI reasons to be excited.

At the moment, though, I feel the same way about RTX Spark PCs as I do with Apple’s new-announced M6 Mac mini.

Mini heartbreak

Recent Mac minis have been some of my absolute favorite products, and up until a few weeks ago, if anyone was looking for an affordable desktop PC, I would almost always just tell them to buy a Mac mini. They were powerful, well-built, had an impressively small form factor which allowed you to install them almost anywhere, and launching at $599 / £599 / AU$999, you’d be hard pushed to find a better value small form factor PC.

In fact, I awarded a very rare five stars in my Mac mini (M4, 2024) review. So, I should be over the moon with the new model, especially as it’ll be the first device to pack Apple’s M6 chip — quite an achievement for the little PC that could.

And yet, I feel a bit deflated. The latest Mac mini will come with a higher price tag, something that feels all to familiar at the moment, and now starts at $899 / £899 / AU$1,449, a considerable jump up from what the previous model launched at, and instantly makes the Mac mini less of an easy recommendation.

(Image credit: Apple )

One of the reasons why it’s been hard to get hold of a Mac mini recently is because a lot of people are bulk buying the tiny PCs to run OpenClaw and other local AI tools on them. Apple appears to be leaning into this popularity (I can’t blame them for that, to be honest), with a big focus of the Mac mini, and the M6 chip, being improvements to AI performance (Apple claims four times the AI performance of the previous model).

That’s all well and good, I guess, but that AI focus, along with the price increase, means one of my favorite bits of hardware doesn’t feel like it’s aimed at me any more. I’ll be less likely to recommend it to people as even if it turns out that it’s a great bit of gear, the new price means it won’t be for everyone. And I personally don’t know anyone who is looking for a Mac mini to do heavy AI tasks with it.

It's the same with RTX Spark devices. We’ve not had price announcements, but Acer’s RTX Spark PC not only features cutting-edge Nvidia hardware, but “up to 128 GB of high-speed unified memory.” There’s little doubt that it’ll be very expensive.

So, it leaves me wondering who the RTX Spark PCs and new Mac mini are really for. The Mac mini had a real chance to become a mainstream hit, but its higher price will put a stop to that (the cheaper MacBook Neo now has a better chance), and I can’t imagine anyone except developers who need to run local AI models being interested in RTX Spark, despite the stylish designs.

Bascially, I’d like the likes of Nvidia and Apple to remember us consumers who don’t have a huge amount of cash, have little interest in AI, and are feeling increasingly left behind.

• Netflix has shared a trailer for its East of Eden adaptation, starring Florence Pugh as Cathy Ames
• The series is created by Zoe Kazan, whose grandfather, Elia Kazan, directed the 1955 movie adaptation
• Netflix's East of Eden arrives on October 1, 2026

East of Eden has a trailer, and I'm feeling optimistic about Netflix's take on John Steinbeck's novel. We don't have long to wait either, as the series arrives on October 1.

The original East of Eden novel is considered to be Steinbeck’s most ambitious novel. Spanning 600 pages, it follows the intertwined histories of two families: the Hamiltons and the Trasks, documenting their lives from the American Civil War to the end of World War I.

Florence Pugh stars as Cathy Ames, who marries Adam Trask (Christopher Abbott), and I'm already excited for Pugh's take on the iconic literary villain. Cathy hides behind a charming exterior, but beneath it all, she's manipulative and destroys people's lives for fun and profit.

Take a look at the East of Eden trailer below to see how Cathy worms her way into the Trask family.

East of Eden will have seven episodes and was created by Zoe Kazan, whose grandfather, Elia Kazan, directed the 1955 movie adaptation starring James Dean.

Pugh and Abbott are joined by a great supporting cast, including Joseph Zada and Joe Anders as the Trask twins, Cal and Aron, and Ciaran Hinds as Samuel, the head of the Hamilton family, whose lives become linked with the Trasks.

The series will explore many of the book's major plot points, such as Cathy abandoning her sons, which is a huge catalyst for their differing personalities. Cal believes he's "evil" like his mother, and Aron invents an angelic, idealized version of his mother to cope.

I'm interested to see if the series will deviate from the book in any way, but based on the trailer, it seems pretty close so far. We'll have to wait and see how it's received when it's released next month.

For now, why not check out our roundup of the best Netflix shows to see what else the best streaming service has to offer.

It's been a long search for a new gaming chair that suits my sedentary working lifestyle, especially when diving into those long hours of gaming sessions. There are plenty of options on the market, but it's not exactly easy to pinpoint one that's ideal for comfort.

I've been fortunate enough to get my hands on AutoFull's M6 Ultra+ 2.0 gaming chair, and without any doubt, it's easily among the best gaming chairs I've used and is my personal favorite.

It's a feature-rich chair with several options for relaxation, such as shiatsu back (specifically lumbar) massaging capabilities, a 3D ergocloud headrest and footrest, 360-degree adjustable armrests, leg massage (via vibration), and most importantly, cooling and heating.

The latter comes in handy for both hot and cold seasons; yes, the ventilation for cooling could be a lot better, but it's designed to stop your backside from getting too warm on those hot summer days — and does a fairly decent job.

(Image credit: AutoFull)Today's best AutoFull M6 Ultra+ 2.0 gaming chair Labor Day deal

The AutoFull M6 Ultra+ 2.0 is one of the best gaming chairs money can buy, addressing every comfort concern you can think of. With the chair's ultra-soft leather design, its active cooling and heating functions, shiatsu massaging, dynamic lumbar support, and 360-degree adjustable arms, you can't get any better than this.View Deal

With summer coming to an end, the Ultra+ 2.0's heating is what matters most, and I can promise it does a fantastic job of keeping you warm (and pretty quickly too). Perhaps its leather design is what helps speed up that process, but a word of warning: if you're looking to upgrade from a mesh chair as I did, you're going to feel a significant change in temperature sitting at your desk, even when you're not using the Ultra+ 2.0's heating function.

The AutoFull M6 Ultra+ 2.0 gaming chair is available on AutoFull's online store for $799.98 (was $999.99), with a big 20% discount making it more affordable in a Labor Day sale.

It certainly isn't the perfect gaming chair, and frankly, I don't think such a thing exists. I'd appreciate it if AutoFull had used a comfier legrest, with a faux fur design, and if the cooling ventilation was a little stronger, but otherwise, I have no complaints.

It's hard to see any other chair I'd opt for as a replacement, and while it's a fairly expensive option, I wouldn't think twice about taking advantage of its current Labor Day deal.

Shop more of today's best Labor Day sales

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $99
• Appliances: up to $1,200 at Samsung
• Best Buy: 60% off appliances, TVs, laptops & more
• Casper: up to 30% off mattresses
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• DreamCloud: up to 60% off mattresses, 66% off bundles
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lowe's: $1,000 off appliances, patio & tools
• Nectar: up to 50% off mattresses, deals from $349
• Saatva: up to $625 off luxury mattresses
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off 4K, QLED & OLED TVs
• Target: 45% off clothing, tech & furniture
• Walmart: 58% off back-to-school, furniture, & clothing

A new study assessed which smartwatches are more accurate than others when it comes to estimated calories burned. Spoiler alert: None are great at it.

Call off the sniffer dogs: I've found the best Labor Day weekend headphone deal (some might say, the only such discount worth considering), so you can stop hunting around for good bargains.

I'll cut to the good bit: the Sony WH-1000XM5 are now just $198 (was $399.99) at Amazon — a whopping 50% off!

The Sony WH-1000XM5, which we gave a perfect score to in our review, are back down to their lowest-ever price. Banish the thought of these $399 cans, they're now down to $198 (which is actually just over half off) at Amazon.

All four color options are down to this low price too; we've seen the headphones dip to this price before, but only once, in June of this year. There are some other discounted cans, but nothing like the Sonys; let's call off the search and I'll see you again next year.

Despite being a few years old, these are still stellar headphones, especially at the cost; the newer Sony WH-100XM6 headphones are reduced in the Labor Day sales, but only down to $398, so these 5th-gen models are the true bargain.

If you want something even cheaper, the entry-level Sony WH-CH520 are now just $38, down from $69.99, again over at Amazon.

These are more affordable Sony models, with balanced sound but some missing features and a less-premium design. The XM5s are the real bargain of the day, thanks to all the extra features they offer.

Today's best Sony WH-1000XM5 deal

WH-1000XM5: was $399.99 now $198
Sony's previous-generation flagship headphones are back down to their lowest-ever price, saving you over $200 on cans which received a perfect, 5-star score in our review. There are four color models to choose from, and each is discounted to this same price.View Deal

Any flies in the ointment? Sonically, no. Even at full price these headphones are the real deal. The only minor issue, if I'm being really picky, is that this model doesn't fold up for easy and compact transportation — although you do get a lovely case, in which the cups will lie flat.

Other than that, this is the easiest deal recommendation I've ever made, days ahead of Labor Day. I'll go ahead and clock off early eds, if that's all?

Shop more of today's best Labor Day sales

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $99
• Appliances: up to $1,200 at Samsung
• Best Buy: 60% off appliances, TVs, laptops & more
• Casper: up to 30% off mattresses
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• DreamCloud: up to 60% off mattresses, 66% off bundles
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lowe's: $1,000 off appliances, patio & tools
• Nectar: up to 50% off mattresses, deals from $349
• Saatva: up to $625 off luxury mattresses
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off 4K, QLED & OLED TVs
• Target: 45% off clothing, tech & furniture
• Walmart: 58% off back-to-school, furniture, & clothing

Google Pics is rolling out to eligible Workspace customers with AI image generation, editing tools, and admin controls enabled by default.

The post Google Pics Rolls Out to Workspace With Default-On AI Image Tools appeared first on TechRepublic.

OpenAI is backing California SB 1119, which would require age checks, safety protections, and audits for AI companion chatbots used by minors.

The post OpenAI Backs California Bill Requiring Age Checks and Safety Audits for Teen AI appeared first on TechRepublic.

Google raises the TV Streamer price to $149.99 as component costs rise, changing how it compares with Roku, Amazon and Walmart streaming alternatives.

The post Google TV Streamer Jumps to $150 as Component Costs Rise appeared first on TechRepublic.

Dyson’s CameraJet toothbrush uses a built-in camera and machine learning to detect gaps between teeth and automatically target them during cleaning.

The post Dyson Put a Camera in a $499 Toothbrush: Here’s What It Does appeared first on TechRepublic.

Xbox Series X25 costs $100 more than the standard Series X without adding performance. Here’s what the anniversary premium actually buys.

The post Xbox Series X25 vs Xbox Series X: Is the $100 Premium Worth It? appeared first on TechRepublic.

The Circular Ring 3 Pro and Slim add NFC payments and haptic feedback, and still don’t require subscriptions for its core health features and AI coach. 

Miele just launched the world’s first dishwasher with built-in camera. Here’s what it does.

Five Singapore firms account for 98% of Southeast Asia’s data-center equity funding as new cloud and AI capacity spreads across the region.

The post Five Singapore Firms Account for 98% of Southeast Asia Data Center Funding as Build-Out Spreads appeared first on TechRepublic.

OpenAI is connecting ChatGPT for Healthcare to supported Epic EHR systems, giving clinicians read-only access to patient records and medical data.

The post ChatGPT for Healthcare Adds Epic Integration for Patient Records appeared first on TechRepublic.

Brazil’s election court faces a new AI test after a synthetic Jair Bolsonaro appeared in campaign content, exposing gaps between regulation and technology.

The post Brazil Tried to Regulate AI in Elections. A Bolsonaro Avatar Is Testing the Rules appeared first on TechRepublic.

Nothing OS 5.0 starts with Phone (3) and expands through January 2027. Here are the eligible devices, major features, rollout dates, and beta risks.

The post Nothing OS 5.0: Eligible Phones, Features, Rollout Dates appeared first on TechRepublic.

While Game Pass is losing some heavy hitters, it’s also getting a few new games soon.

Sennheiser’s $299.95 Momentum True Wireless 5 adds user-replaceable batteries to both the earbuds and charging case, plus longer battery life and Bluetooth 6.0.

The post Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5: Key Features and Price appeared first on TechRepublic.

HONOR Watch 6 combines long battery life, dual-band GPS, health tracking, and NFC, but some features depend on your phone, bank, and region.

The post HONOR Watch 6: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on TechRepublic.

Instagram will limit recommendations for AI-generated influencer profiles that fail to disclose their synthetic identities under a new labeling policy.

The post Instagram Cracks Down on AI Influencers That Pretend to Be Real appeared first on TechRepublic.