Category: Technology

UPDATE: Most places are sticking to a pretty generic price for a bundle, but we’ve found a neat grey import that’ll shave off around $100 and give you a unique game to boot, as well as a two-game combo that includes Doom VFR.

As VR slowly crawls towards the mainstream, units such as the PlayStation VR continue to see more impressive price drops and even more impressive dedicated titles. 

Falling in well under the price point of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the PSVR headset is an excellent option for those who already own a console or want a system capable of regular gaming as well.

On this page, we’ve sifted through prices and sales on the PlayStation VR headset itself, and any other bundle it may be wrapped up in. We’ve also got the PlayStation Camera, which you need in order to use the PSVR headset, and the Move motion controllers which are used in some VR games. 

If you’re looking for the ultimate console to go with your PSVR, check out our PS4 Pro deals.

cheap playstation vr deals

PlayStation VR headset deals

Below, you’ll find our automatically updating list of PlayStation VR headsets, so that if there are any price drops from certain retailers (we’re looking at you JB Hi-Fi), you’ll be able to find the best price as it changes. 

If the list happens to be empty, it could well be that the somewhat-scarce stock supply has run dry, so check further down for bundles or check back in within a week or two to see if the stores have been resupplied.

PlayStation VR bundles

(Image: © Sony)

PlayStation VR | PlayStation Camera | Gran Turismo Sport | $342 @ DWI

DWI is offering a bundle that we don’t otherwise get in Australia, and they’re offering it cheaper than our local bundle. You can nab yourself the headset and camera along with Gran Turismo Sport and pay only $342. It’s worth noting that DWI sell grey imports, although Sony’s PSVR games and hardware are region-free, and DWI offers a 1-year in-house warranty.
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cheap ps4 camera

PS4 camera deals

Firstly, if you don’t buy a PS4 Camera with your PlayStation VR headset, it will not work. So when considering your foray into the world of virtual reality, save yourself some dollars on the essentials and check out table below for any savings to be had on the camera. That’s if you haven’t already found it as part of a bundle above.

cheap ps move motion controllers

PlayStation Move controller deals

While the PlayStation Move controllers are an optional addition to the VR experience, there are many games that support the dedicated motion controller. However, most of these will allow you to use the standard DualShock PS4 controller in its stead, so don’t feel too miffed if you don’t score a sweet deal on these pink and blue disco-sticks.

PlayStation VR game deals

Keep an eye on this handy chart below as we’ll update it with the latest prices for a wide range of PlayStation VR games. To compare prices on individual titles, click the ‘View all deals’ button at the bottom of the chart.

http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-playstation-vr-prices-bundles-and-sales-in-australia

UPDATED: We’ve scoured the stores and Amazon is still ruling the roost with their offer on the PS4 Pro, check out the deals further down.

Sony beat Microsoft to the punch with its new 4K gaming system, the PS4 Pro, and you should definitely grab one.

Here you’ll find the best prices around on the PlayStation 4 Pro console and any bundle deals available so you can score Sony’s excellent 4K system and jump right into the amazing array of PS4 games available at the moment.

We’ve got a dedicated page if you’re looking for some excellent prices on the PlayStation VR and PlayStation Camera.

Keep this page bookmarked and we’ll update it with bundles as they arrive, or scroll further down if you’ve got any burning questions about the new 4K PS4 Pro. To compare PlayStation 4 Pro prices in real time, check out our pick below, or visit our sister site Getprice.

The best PlayStation 4 Pro bundles

While Playstation 4 Pro bundles are constantly shifting from store to store, we’ve listed and ranked the best current options from the major retailers below so you don’t have to do the sniffing and scratching yourself. 

Remember that the value of a bundle will ultimately come down to whether or not you were going to purchase the included game (or games) anyway and while some bundles are obviously better priced than others, you should check to see if that saving is worthwhile.

Need an extra controller on the cheap? Take a look at the best DualShock 4 deals.

What is the PS4 Pro?

Although the PS4 Pro isn’t a ‘next-gen’ console necessarily, it is an upgrade of the PS4 and features the coveted 4K and HDR options that we’re hearing so much about. 

The new machine will allow game developers to include 4K options in their games, so expect the like of Uncharted 4, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Days Gone, Horizon: Zero Dawn and more to look even better on a 4K TV.

HDR, or High Dynamic Range is the other buzzword to be excited about as the PS4 Pro will allow for extra detail to be seen on a range of games and also a wider range of colours not usually displayed by traditional HD TVs.

Will my old PS4 games work on PS4 Pro?

Yes. While not every game will be patched to take advantage of the new 4K/HDR capabilities, all of your old games will still work. Not only that, but the default upscaling (if you have a 4K TV) will likely see some improvements to the visuals and the boosted console power may give a slight nudge to the frame rates for some smoother play.

What else can I watch in 4K/HDR on PS4 Pro?

With services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video adopting 4K and HDR, with an ever-growing library entering the services, the PS4 Pro will be excellent as a streaming and media hub for your home theatre. There’s also a lot of free 4K content on the YouTube app, and Stan has plenty of 4K although no HDR-compatible content yet.

Does the PS4 Pro support 4K Blu-rays?

No. The Xbox One S does support them though, so this was a bit of a surprise from Sony. So if you’re specifically after a 4K Blu-ray player then head over to the competition, but as many viewers are crossing over to streaming services for their digital viewing, this may prove a wise move from Sony in the long run.

Do I need a 4K TV to run a PS4 Pro?

You don’t NEED a 4K TV, no. The PS4 Pro will still run as per normal on a regular 1080p TV, although you won’t get the benefits of upscaling or HDR though. There’s a chance you may see a frame-rate boost or a slim amount of extra detail, but we wouldn’t expect a massive leap.

If your mind is on a 4K TV, then you should probably go with a Pro rather than a Slim as it’ll future proof you for a while and, realistically, the price jump is worth the longevity. Be sure to look out for a TV that supports HDR too, in order to take full advantage of the PS4 Pro’s capabilities.

Will PlayStation VR be better on the PS4 Pro?

Maybe. Early reports seem to suggest it will as the PlayStation VR frame-rate is better on PS4 Pro and the resolution gets a bit of a bump too. You don’t need a PS4 Pro to use PlayStation VR but this increase in specs may contribute a little to the immersion.

Does the PS4 Pro have optical audio support?

Yes! Although the optical audio output has been removed from the PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro owners  will still be able to use optical connections for their soundbars and sound systems.

What are the best games on PS4 Pro?

After scrounging through our back catalogue of PS4 games that have received a Pro update patch, we’ve come up with a feature packed with the games that look the best and have a noticeable difference. Take a look at our extensive list – The best PS4 Pro games.

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http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-australian-ps4-pro-deals-this-month

It’s been more than a year since the latest version of the 12-inch MacBook made it to market. We’re ready for the sequel.

On paper, the 2017 MacBook was everything we were begging for from Apple since the rebirth of the MacBook in 2015. The keyboard, with Apple’s proprietary butterfly switches is more tactile, while the internals also saw huge advances – thanks to 7th-generation Intel Core m3, i5 and i7 Intel Kaby Lake CPUs.

However, we now have 8th-generation Coffee Lake and Kaby Lake-R processors for notebooks, so we’re hoping to see a huge leap in performance with the MacBook 2018. Keep in mind, though, that Apple is planning on replacing all Intel processors with its own Cupertino-crafted silicon by 2020. 

This ‘Kalamata Initiative’ is further backed up by rumors we’ve seen that Apple is hiring ex-Intel engineers to work on its processors. What this all means for the Macbook 2018 is anyone’s guess, but we’re expecting to see three Macs with custom co-processors later this year.

From the idea of a cheaper 13-inch model, which may come packed with an ARM processor, to that of a crumb-resistant and spill-proof keyboard, we’re expecting the MacBook 2018 to look dramatically different than previous models. And, while we didn’t even get a glimpse of the MacBook 2018 at WWDC 2018, we’re just hoping it doesn’t stray too far from the quirks that made us love it in the first place 

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? Apple’s thinnest 2018 laptop
  • When is it out? April 2018 at the earliest
  • What will it cost? Presumably the same as current models

MacBook 2018

MacBook 2018 release date

None of the most recent reports, rumors or leaks give any lead as to when we’ll see the 2018 MacBook. Of course, we’ll gladly speculate based on the previous three releases of Apple’s 12-inch laptop.

In 2015, Apple released the first MacBook during April, directly following a March keynote. That’s a largely odd time for Apple to release a device, but it’s happened before. 

It’s highly unlikely for the MacBook price to budge in either direction.

We initially thought that Apple would reveal the MacBook 2018 at WWDC 2018, closely followed by a release. But since WWDC came and went with nary a mention of new hardware, we’re thinking the MacBook 2018 will instead make its debut at the iPhone event in September.

Either way, we’re not going to hear any official word about the MacBook 2018 until Apple is ready, so we just don’t know when we’re going to see it. Right now it’s looking like a late 2018 release. Hopefully we’ll see it before the holiday shopping rush.

Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess as to when we’ll see the 2018 MacBook. We’ll look out for new rumors or announcements and update this article as soon as the MacBook 2018 release date begins to grow clearer.

MacBook 2018

MacBook 2018 price

Again, nothing about the most recent reports and leaks regarding a 2018 MacBook discuss the possible price of the laptop. These types of rumors or leaks usually don’t pop up until we get closer to an actual release, so it makes sense.

This is another aspect where we’ll have to speculate based on the current pricing of the MacBook. The entry-level MacBook will run you $1,299, £1,249 or AU$1,899 to start. Only one more model, with more storage and power goes for another 300 to 450 bucks on top of that. However, there is speculation that Apple is going to be releasing a cheaper 2018 MacBook that will be more in line with the pricing of the MacBook air, around $999. 

We’re also anticipating Apple to release a brand new, 13-inch MacBook this year.

With the pricing so tight here, amounting to minute differences in hardware between offerings, it’s highly unlikely for the MacBook price to budge in either direction. That is short of Apple introducing more capacious storage or higher power options, which will send the price in only one direction: up.

For the MacBook price to come down, something somewhere would have to give – whether that’s storage coming down to 128GB to start rather than 256GB or starting memory dropping to 4GB from 8GB is entirely up to Apple. Again, we find this scenario to be highly unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

We’ll look out for new rumors and update this article as soon as the MacBook 2018 price begins to crop up as we inch closer.

MacBook 2018

What we want to see in MacBook 2018

All of this uncertainty surrounding a possible MacBook 2018 release is fertile ground for a well-crafted wishlist.

So, here’s what we hope to see Apple improve about the MacBook for 2018.

MacBook 2018 keyboard and screen 

Building off of an earlier patent that showed us Apple’s plans to create a MacBook with dual screens, there’s now rumors that it will use that second screen to create a sort of touch keyboard. We don’t know exactly what it’ll be capable of, but there’s potential there for on-the-fly region changing and easy access to an emoji keyboard – instead of having emoji relegated to the Touch Bar. 

And, of course if Apple does follow through with this keyboard design, they’ll implement haptic feedback so that you’ll get the same experience as using a mechanical keyboard, only with the flexibility that a touch screen keyboard brings with it. However, it’s easy to expect this to raise the price in any MacBook that implements it.

Finally, Apple has been rumored to be working on a MacBook keyboard that’s crumb and spill-proof. We first expected this development to result in a product that’s been around in Windows-based laptops for years. But, now we’re not so sure – perhaps the keyboard is crumb- and-spill-proof because it’s a screen. 

More ports, please

Our biggest bugbear with the 12-inch MacBook, since its launch, has been the incredibly sore lack of ports on the laptop. Still equipped with nothing but a lone Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port and a headphone jack, this absolutely needs to change in the next version. Just one more?

We’ve already seen Windows laptops accomplish this feat, like the Huawei MateBook X with its two USB-C ports. Even the similarly priced MacBook Pro has a pair of Thunderbolt 3 connections. Perhaps there’s room for a microSD card reader in there, too.

Punchier processors

Costing what it does, Apple really needs to inject some more power into its 12-inch MacBooks. With the onset of Intel processors with AMD graphics onboard, this is the perfect opportunity for the 12-inch MacBook to get a power boost that wouldn’t impact battery life.

How, you ask? Well, we immediately look to these new Intel processors with AMD Vega, discrete-grade graphics on board that are already finding their way to new laptops this year. Such an upgrade would put the MacBook into an entirely new echelon of premium stature.

Then again, seeing as the MacBook has consistently used energy efficient Intel Core ‘M’ and ‘Y’ series CPUs up to this point, we wouldn’t bank on seeing the hardy graphics power featured in Intel’s ‘G’ series chips. And, since there is no 8th-generation equivalent of the 7th-gen Intel Core m3-7Y32 that the MacBook currently uses, it’s possible for Apple to switch to an i3-8130U.

As for that cheaper 13-inch MacBook that’s been making all the headlines recently, we could see them making an ARM-based MacBook. Recent rumors even suggest that Apple is indeed working on one.

Moreover, a recent news story claimed that Apple was planning to ship a trio of Macs featuring its custom co-processors later this year. These are expected to be similar to the T1 and T2 chips found in the MacBook Pro and iMac Pro, respectively. 

Since the 12-inch MacBook doesn’t have a Touch Bar, it’s safe to assume that if one of these co-processors is implemented, it will be used for the automatic wake and ‘Hey Siri’ functionality presently exclusive to the iMac Pro. 

Stronger audio and video

Speaker performance and webcam quality are two corners that Apple obviously cut through in crafting the MacBook. With the MacBook 2018, this needs to stop. Tinny speakers and a sub-HD webcam for a laptop this expensive simply isn’t acceptable.

Simply bump the webcam up to 1080p FaceTime HD befitting of its price tag, and problem solved. The speakers, however, is a problem we don’t necessarily have a solution for. Supporting the speakers with down-throwing bass modules in the base might work?

iOS apps on MacBook

Now that it’s been talked about for so long, the idea of iOS apps on macOS has grown on us. We’re excited by the prospect of continuing work from our phones straight away on our laptops – or polishing off that top score upon sitting down at the desk.

And, at WWDC this year, Apple detailed which apps are going to be making the move. While you won’t be getting any third-party apps, macOS Mojave will be getting core apps like News, Stocks, Voice Memos and Home.

If you’re looking for your favorite third-party iOS apps, however, you’ll be waiting until at least 2019.

  • These are the best Macs that 2018 has to offer so far

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this report

http://www.techradar.com/news/macbook-2018-release-date-news-and-rumors