Technology

OnePlus’ first mechanical keyboard is on sale today for $40 off

The OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro is on sale today starting at just $179.99. You can also pick up a pair of Echo Buds, an Apple Pencil, or the Ember Tumbler at a steep discount.

Published

9 months ago

Dec 30, 2023 05:00 AM

Web Desk

OnePlus’ first mechanical keyboard is on sale today for $40 off

As OnePlus continues to expand its reach outside of China and India, it’s doing so with more than just phones. Take the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro, for instance, which is on sale from OnePlus right now in the Winter Bonfire configuration with double-shot PBT keycaps and tactile switches for $179 ($40 off) or in the Summer Breeze config with lighter “marble-mallow” keycaps and linear switches for $199 ($40 off).

In many ways, OnePlus’ debut mechanical keyboard acts as a redesigned Keychron Q1 Pro — our current pick for the best premium Bluetooth keyboard — with a few added tweaks. The wireless, 75 percent board features an adjustable kickstand, for one, along with cylindrical keycaps that give it a quieter, more modern feel than the Q1 Pro. It’s also remappable using the VIA app, features hot-swappable switches, and includes the ability to toggle between Windows and Mac keyboard layouts with the flip of a switch, making it a great Keychron alternative for slightly less.

Read our hands-on impressions of the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro.

OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro

$179$21918% off

$179

The Keyboard 81 Pro is OnePlus’ take on the Keychron Q1 Pro. The hefty, hot-swappable board comes with a 75 percent layout and either tactile or linear switches, as well as a OnePlus-inspired look with RGB lighting.

$179 at OnePlus (Winter Bonfire edition)$199 at OnePlus (Summer Breeze edition)

In case you missed it, there’s a new entry-level Apple Pencil on the block. In most instances, however, we’d recommend opting for either Apple’s first- or second-gen stylus, both of which offer more advanced features than the latest model. Thankfully for those who received an iPad over the holiday, the second-gen Pencil is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $89 ($40 off), while the first-gen model can be had with a USB-C adapter at Amazon and Best Buy for $79 ($20 off).

There are a few things to note in terms of the difference between the original Apple Pencil and its second-gen counterpart. Both feature pressure and tilt sensitivity, though the latter also supports tap gestures and the hover feature on M2-equipped iPad Pros. What’s more, the second-gen charges magnetically while attached to the side of your tablet, whereas the first-gen model relies on either the bundled USB-C adapter or plugs directly into the Lighting port on older iPad models. Lastly, in terms of compatibility, the second-gen model works with the latest iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini, while the first-gen Pencil is built for use with older slates and the latest entry-level iPads — including the 10th-gen model from last year.

A photo of Apple’s second-gen Apple Pencil being used on an iPad Pro.

Apple Pencil (second-gen)

$89$12931% off

$89

The second-gen Apple Pencil ditches the awkward Lightning port charging, adopting a magnetic charging mechanism that attaches to the side of the latest iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini models. It also supports tap gestures.

$89 at Amazon$89 at Best Buy$129 at Walmart

A first generation Apple Pencil plugged into a 10th gen iPad via the USB-C to lightning adapter and a USB-C cable.

Apple Pencil (first-gen)

$79$9920% off

$79

Compatible with the latest entry-level iPad and earlier models, the first-gen Apple Pencil differs from the second in that you need to plug it directly into the iPad’s Lightning port or use a USB-C adapter cable to charge. It also features gesture controls, allowing you to tap the sides of the Pencil to switch tools.

$79 at Amazon (with USB-C adapter)$79 at Best Buy (with USB-C adapter)$80 at Target (with USB-C adapter)

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A few more ways to save

If you can make do without noise cancellation and other high-end features, Amazon’s latest pair of Echo Buds are matching their all-time low of $34.99 ($15 off) at Amazon. The ultra-affordable wireless earbuds can’t go toe-to-toe with more expensive models, but you do get multipoint pairing, hands-free Alexa controls, and a semi-open design that ensures you can always hear the world around you, which is a real boon for any commuters out there.It often feels like Apple’s iPads take up all the oxygen when talking tablets, but the Google Pixel Tablet is an excellent Android option — one that’s currently available at Amazon and Best Buy starting at $399 ($100 off). Spec-wise, it offers a sharp 11-inch LCD and zippy performance thanks to Google’s Tensor G2 chip, and unlike Apple’s well-known slates, it comes with a clever charging dock that pulls double duty as a speaker. Read our review.The Petcube Bites 2 is on sale at Amazon and Chewy for $169 ($80 off), which is the lowest price we’ve seen on the 1080p pet cam. It will cost you a bit more if you want cloud storage and access to more premium features (which will run you at least $48 annually), though you can still view a live video feed of your pet via an app and sling treats at them from afar without opting for the paid subscription.The newest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is also on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Lowe’s for $34.99, one of its best prices to date. The latest model is a pretty minor spec bump with a faster processor than the 2018 version and support for Wi-Fi 6, along with broad HDR support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10 Plus. The Max version is down to $44.99 ($15 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, too, if you want faster Wi-Fi 6E speeds and twice the storage capacity.The Ember Tumbler, a 16-ounce travel mug that can retain your desired temperature for up to three hours, is on sale at Amazon for $157.79 and Target for $159.99 (about $40 off). That’s not the lowest price we’ve seen on Ember’s latest piece of travel gear — we saw it dip to $140 or so during Black Friday — but at least it makes the lofty price tag a little easier to swallow. Well, maybe. Read our hands-on impressions.

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