Katie Kimmel says her parents – Jimmy Kimmel and his first wife, Gina – didn’t blink when she told them she wanted to be an artist. “There was no shock,” says Katie, a ceramist who is best known for her whimsical dog and cat sculptures. (Full disclosure: This reporter commissioned a vase of my pooches […]
ENTERTAINMENT
Venom: The Last Dance Is the Last Venom Movie, Sony Pictures Chairman Says
Sony has revealed that the third Venom movie, Venom: The Last Dance, will be the last film in the series starring Tom Hardy.
Sony Motion Picture Group Chairman Tom Rothman spoke about the future of its Marvel offshoot trilogy during a conversation with Deadline. He says that movies like the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, as well as the next Tom Holland Spider-Man film, will be a “significant event” for fans. Included in the list of major, upcoming releases is Venom 3.
“The third and last Venom, is going to be huge,” Rothman says.
Venom began its trilogy run in 2018, introducing moviegoers to a dark take on the Marvel anti-hero without its superhero obsession, Spider-Man. A sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, then followed in 2021. It brought Woody Harrelson’s Cletus Kasady – and the titular Carnage – into the mix with direction from The Lord of the Rings actor Andy Serkis.
The last time we saw Hardy’s Eddie Brock, it wasn’t actually in a solo Venom film. Toward the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, the character appeared as a last-second movie stinger before being sent back to his own world. Thanks to an early set photo, we can guess that Venom: The Last Dance will pick up where that movie left off. Other story details remain a mystery.
Venom: The Last Dance got its official title in March of this year. Look forward to its premiere come October 25, 2024. For more on Spider-Man’s symbiote nemesis, you can read our Venom: Let There Be Carnage review. We gave the sequel a 7/10, saying, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage improves on everything from the first movie, leaning into its own absurdity. While it plays it a little safe, it still points the series in an exciting direction.”
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
Caylee Cowan, Barbara Crampton and Jesse Metcalfe to Lead Horror Film ‘The Possession at Gladstone Manor’
Umbrelic Entertainment has unveiled the cast of its upcoming horror film, “The Possession at Gladstone Manor,” which includes Caylee Cowan (“Hypnotic”), Jesse Metcalfe (“John Tucker Must Die”), Charlotte Kirk (“The Reckoning”), Darren Weiss (“Inside Man”), Barbara Crampton (“You’re Next”), William Mapother (“Blackhat”) and Lin Shaye (“Insidious” franchise). Production is currently underway in Kansas City, and […]
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ Queens Talk Competing for Charity, How They Were Compensated and Whether They Need Ru-demption
“Bring back my girls,” RuPaul famously said; now, here they are again in “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars 9.” Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Gottmik, Jorgeous, Nina West, Plastique Tiara, Roxxxy Andrews, Shannel and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo are the returning queens and they’re doing something good for the world. In a new twist, they’re no longer competing […]
Every PlayStation Console: A Full History of Release Dates
PlayStation is one of the most recognizable brands in the history of games. From the first console with defining titles like Final Fantasy VII to the PlayStation 5 with smash hits like God of War Ragnarok, PlayStation is still today one of the key pillars in the games industry. Numerous consoles have been released over the last 29 years, with revisions, portable consoles, and new generations included. Below, we’ve compiled every single PlayStation console ever released. Take a stroll down memory lane and dive into the history of PlayStation!
Looking to save on a new PlayStation 5 or new titles for your system? Be sure to check out the best PlayStation deals available today.
How Many PlayStation Consoles Have There Been?
In total, fourteen PlayStation consoles have been released since the first PlayStation released in 1995 in North America. This list includes Slim revision models for consoles and the two portable consoles that Sony has released under the PlayStation branding.
Every PlayStation Console in Order of Release
PlayStation – September 9, 1995
The Sony PlayStation is the console that started it all. In a major departure from the industry leader Nintendo’s cartridge-based approach, the PlayStation utilized CD-ROM. These discs had much more space on them, which led to major developers like Square Enix crafting games for the console. The PlayStation is forever remembered for titles like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil 2, Vagrant Story, Crash Bandicoot, and many more great PS1 games.
PS One – September 19, 2000
PS One is a redesigned model of the PlayStation, offering the same features in a smaller form factor. The one major change with this model was the removal of the reset button. In 2002, Sony released an attachable screen for the PS One called the Combo. This was made possible due to the removal of a few miscellaneous ports on the back of the console. It’s also worth noting that the PS One outsold the PlayStation 2 in 2000, which is wild looking back.
PlayStation 2 – October 26, 2000
PlayStation 2 took to the scene in October 2000 offering a massive increase in visual fidelity compared to its predecessor. Long gone were the days of polygon-shaped figures, and in were the days of detailed character models and 3D action titles. To this day, the PlayStation 2 is still the best selling console of all time. Although, the Nintendo Switch is slowly inching closer and closer with each update. You can check out our picks for the best PS2 games of all time to see why it was so beloved.
PlayStation 2 Slim – November 2004
The PlayStation 2 Slim made monumental improvements across the board in performance, efficiency, and design. First off, the disc drive was changed to be top-load, which fixed some issues players ran into with dual layer discs on the standard PlayStation 2 consoles. Additionally, Sony reduced the power draw for the PS2 Slim by reworking the internals to be more efficient. PS2 Slim was much smaller than the original PS2, hence the ‘Slim’ name. This was the first Slim revision by Sony, which has been utilized in every PlayStation generation since.
PlayStation Portable – March 24, 2005
PlayStation Portable was the first portable console Sony ever released under the PlayStation name. Also referred to as the PSP (not to be confused with the new PlayStation Portal), this console had capabilities of playing games, watching movies, and listening to music. It utilized UMDs as its method of physical storage for games and movies. The device was even capable of connecting to the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 in some capacities, with certain titles allowing for the PSP to be utilized in-game. The best PSP games of the time were also really solid entries in various franchises.
PlayStation 3 – November 17, 2006
PlayStation 3 was a massive step up from the PS2, with all sorts of new capabilities. The major shakeup came with the new online features, specifically with PlayStation Network. PSN brought online multiplayer, digital downloads, and much more. This console was also backwards compatible, so PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles could be inserted and played rather than just PS3 games. Lastly, PS3 introduced support for Blu-ray discs, which allowed players to insert movies and watch through their console. This addition is one of the reasons consoles have become some of the best Blu-ray players on the market in 2024.
PlayStation 3 Slim – September 1, 2009
PlayStation 3 Slim arrived three years after the release of the original PS3, dropping over 33% of the weight, bulk, and power consumption of the original model. The cooling system was completely redesigned to save space, which also provided better thermals for the system. By far, the biggest departure of this release was the lack of backwards compatibility. Sony dropped support for PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles in this model, and this is a feature that has never returned.
PlayStation Vita – February 22, 2012
PlayStation Vita marked Sony’s first new entry in the portable gaming space in nearly seven years. A key draw for many was the ability to play hundreds of incredible titles across both the PS3 and the Vita. At the time of release, it was the most advanced portable system on the market, with dozens of features no other developer offered. Later in its life, Remote Play for PlayStation 4 was added, allowing players to stream PS4 games to the Vita anywhere in their homes.
PlayStation 3 Super Slim – September 25, 2012
PlayStation 3 Super Slim was the final revision for PlayStation 3. Releasing just a year before PS4 hit the market, the PS3 Super Slim featured a top-load Blu-ray drive, better power efficiency, and an even slimmer design. Looking back on this release, the PlayStation 3 Super Slim ended up being the most durable PS3 that Sony released, which was largely due to the disc drive design and slimmer body.
PlayStation 4 – November 15, 2013
PlayStation 4 offered internals that were over five times faster than PS3, allowing for a massive jump in visual quality for games. PS4 saw the release of incredible titles like Uncharted 4, God of War, Ghost of Tsushima, and many more. Another quality feature available on PlayStation 4 was the addition of a removable HDD, which allowed players to swap hard drives in and out for more storage. The DualShock 4 controller was also a massive step up from the DualShock 3, offering a more ergonomic design to aid in comfort during long play sessions. The best PS4 games are still some of the best modern games you can play.
PlayStation 4 Slim – September 15, 2016
In short, PlayStation 4 Slim was just a smaller and better version of the PlayStation 4. The PS4 Slim was much more power efficient than its predecessor, which allowed for the internals to be shrunk down into a smaller form factor design. While there was no difference in performance between this console and the standard PS4, the smaller design and quieter cooling system was a huge draw for many.
PlayStation 4 Pro – November 10, 2016
PlayStation 4 Pro was a monumental step forward from the standard PlayStation 4. The console marked Sony’s first entry into 4K support, with upscale technology utilized to create a 4K image. Combined with HDR support, the PS4 Pro finally allowed players to take advantage of their 4K displays. With twice the GPU power of PS4, this console was able to provide boosted frame rates for many titles.
PlayStation 5 – November 12, 2020
PlayStation 5 marked the most powerful PlayStation console to date, with support for ray tracing, 120FPS, steady native 4K output, and more. By far, this is the largest PlayStation ever released, though it comes just under the PlayStation 3 in terms of weight. Alongside the console, the PlayStation DualSense Controller brought loads of new features, including adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and a USB-C charging port. Our list of the best PS5 games dives into some of the greatest console titles to be released in this decade.
PlayStation 5 Slim – November 10, 2023
PlayStation 5 Slim brought new changes to the PlayStation 5 without drastically changing any of the hardware inside. First, the console is much smaller than the original PlayStation 5, which is a bulky console that can be challenging to fit in shelves. The major change with PS5 Slim is the modular design, which allows you to buy a console without a disc drive and buy the attachable drive separately later on.
Upcoming PlayStation Consoles
Although the PS5 Slim was released just last year, we are already expecting the release of the PS5 Pro at some point during the holiday season in 2024. As for the next generation of PlayStation consoles, we don’t really have an exact date of when to expect them to arrive. Some speculation puts the release of the PS6 anywhere between 2026 and 2030.
Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.
Discover New Collectibles for Solo Leveling, Fallout, Final Fantasy, and More at IGN Store!
Each Friday, we round up the newest and hottest items at IGN Store that you do not want to miss. Additionally, we also gather items that are set to end pre-orders soon. This week, new items at IGN Store include the Solo Leveling Original Series Soundtrack 2LP Vinyl, the Gunnar Guardians of the Galaxy Glasses, and two new Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Play Arts Kai figures. In addition, the hottest items of the week at IGN Store were the Fallout Original Amazon Series Soundtrack 2LP Vinyl, Fallout Pip-Boy 3000 Mk V, and Fallout Official Vault 33 Hoodie. Lastly, the S.H.MonsterArts Godzilla Evolved and Bring Arts Aerith Gainsborough figures are set to leave IGN Store very soon. Take a look below and explore these incredible collectibles!
What’s New: Solo Leveling, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Final Fantasy
The official Solo Leveling Original Series Soundtrack Vinyl is now available to pre-order! This 2LP set contains 19 tracks that were used in the first season of the hit anime. Each translucent blue vinyl is sure to be a standout in your collection. As of now, this vinyl is set to ship out in early September, so be sure to get your pre-orders in now!
Next, Groot Gunnar Glasses inspired by Guardians of the Galaxy are also available to pre-order now at IGN Store! Three different lens colors are available: Sun, Amber, and Clear. A sustainably harvested Walnut material was used and laminated onto a carbon fiber frame for best durability. The Walnut exterior offers a firm and stylish look that complements any style you choose.
Lastly, two new Final Fantasy VII Rebirth figures are now available to pre-order. First, Yuffie Kisaragi’s new design has now been made into a Play Arts Kai figure! Wielding her shuriken, nothing will stand in the way of Wutai’s greatest hero! The other Final Fantasy VII Rebirth figure is Play Arts Kai Cloud Strife. This figure includes an interchangeable face plate for you to customize Cloud to your liking.
What’s Hot: Fallout
First up, the Fallout Original Amazon Series Soundtrack 2LP vinyl led the way as the hottest item of the week at IGN Store! This set includes one Opaque Canary Yellow LP and one Opaque Sky Blue LP, with a total of 21 tracks across the two. Composed by Ramin Djawad, this soundtrack is one you do not want to miss!
Additionally, the Fallout Pip-Boy 3000 Mk V is still leading the way as one of the hottest items available at IGN Store right now, with free shipping on US orders for a limited time. You can use this die-cast replica as a Pip-Boy, display piece, or even an alarm clock!
Lastly, the Fallout Official Vault 33 Hoodie can now be pre-ordered individually. This item was previously only available in the Vault 33 Orientation Kit, but you can now purchase it by itself.
What’s Leaving: Final Fantasy and Godzilla
Last but not least, a few items are set to leave IGN Store within the next week. The first item set to leave is this Gozilla Evolved action figure from Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. This figure comes from Tamashii Nations as part of the S.H.MonsterArts line, with 3D Data from the film used to ensure a perfect replica. Currently, Godzilla is set to ship in December 2024. Don’t miss this amazing figure!
Finally, the Final Fantasy VII Aerith Gainsborough Bring Arts figure from Square Enix will also end pre-orders at IGN Store within the next week. This figure perfectly recreates Aerith’s iconic look from the original game, complete with her trusty staff. If you’re a fan of Final Fantasy VII, you do not want to miss this figure.
About IGN Store
IGN Store sells high-quality merch, collectibles and shirts for everything you’re into. It’s a shop built with fans in mind; for all the geek culture and fandom you love most. So, whether you’re into comics, movies, anime, games, retro gaming or just want some cute plushies (who doesn’t?); this store is for you!
‘Crip Camp’ Director Nicole Newnham Teams With NBC News Studios on a Doc About Secret Tunnel Dug Under Berlin Wall (EXCLUSIVE)
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Nicole Newnham (“Crip Camp”) is at work on her next documentary — “Tunnel 29,” about a secret escape tunnel built under the Berlin Wall in 1962. The film, co-produced by NBC News Studios and Story Force Entertainment, will chronicle the story of a group of students who risked their lives and defied the […]
‘Outer Range’ Star Josh Brolin and EP Charles Murray on the Sci-Fi Western’s Wild Second Season — and Possible Future: ‘This Has Its Hook In Me’
SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers from the entire second season of “Outer Range,” now streaming on Prime Video. “It makes all the sense in the world!” Forgive us for laughing, but that is the craziest thing someone could say about Prime Video’s “Outer Range,” a sci-fi western about a bottomless, time-traveling black hole on […]
How ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Production Designer Built a Beached Ship the Size of a Football Field
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” begins 300 years after “War of the Planet of the Apes.” Apes are the superior beings after the majority of humans have been wiped out. The story follows Owen Teague as Noa, a young chimpanzee who is forced on a journey of self-discovery after his village comes under attack. Production designer Daniel T. Dorrance needed […]
Best Budget Laptop 2024
Buying a new laptop can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. By choosing one of the best budget laptops, you can grab yourself a bargain by ditching the gaming laptop and focusing on investing in a budget laptop instead. Our top pick, the Acer Aspire 5, is just shy of $500 but is packed full of features and next-gen hardware, offering a future-proof solution for less.
Jump to a detailed look at the best budget laptops, or check the list below:
TL;DR – The Best Budget Laptops at a Glance
- Acer Aspire 5
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
- HP Pavilion Plus 14
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
- Dell Inspiron 15
- MSI Thin GF63
While most budget laptops offer an affordable alternative to those that don’t need the raw power you would see in a gaming PC, they can still offer some impressive features, as well as being fast and responsive. If you’re looking for something a little easier to use, but still within a reasonable budget, you could take a look at the best Chromebooks.
The Best Budget Laptops:
1. Acer Aspire 5
The Best Budget Laptop
Pros:
- Solid 13th gen Intel Core i5 processor
- Reliable keyboard
Cons:
- Thick bezels
The Acer Aspire 5 has been one of the best budget laptops for quite some time now, with various models at varying price ranges that mostly settle under $700—our pick comes in under $500. Every year Acer has improved the Aspire 5 with new design modifications and processors, and our favorite model comes out of the box with a solid 13th gen Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD for faster performance.
The Acer Aspire 5 isn’t rocking the most stylish and a sleek chassis with its thick bezels and and basic build, but it’s still ready to take on daily browsing and work tasks. The laptop is light, has a solid clean keyboard, and will hold up well into the future. You won’t be able to tinker comfortably with hardware-dependent software, but for all your basic laptop needs, the Acer Aspire 5 is hard to beat.
2. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
The best 2-in-1 budget laptop
Pros:
- Sharp IPS touchscreen display
- Long 10-hour battery life
Cons:
- Poor cameras
Among all the cheap 2-in-1 Chromebooks, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is the best 2-in-1 laptop on the market. The Duet 3 offers a sharp 11” touchscreen display and solid performance thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 under the hood. It is an older processor but still plenty capable for this Chrome OS device.
For its price, the 10-hour battery life and detachable keyboard trump most budget laptops if – like me – you’re looking for a way to boot up the web and surf for hours with the flexibility of a. However, the Duet 3 doesn’t have a headphone jack, the audio is flat, and its cameras aren’t the best. If those downsides don’t deter you, the Duet 3 could be the best budget laptop for you.
3. HP Pavilion Plus 14
Best performance in a budget laptop
Pros:
- Great selection of ports
- Lightweight, sleek chassis
Cons:
- Battery life could be better
Similar to the Acer Aspire 5, the HP Pavilion line also constantly sees some shake-ups with new variations equipped with fast processors and exterior changes, and this Pavillion Plus 14 model is ready to handle just about anything you can throw. That’s thanks to the 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage, and you grab a model with more impressive specs should you need it.
Beyond the solid overall performance, the HP Pavilion Plus 14 delivers a deck of ports to connect plenty of peripherals, including a mouse and keyboard. However, the integrated keyboard and touchpad are plenty snappy and responsive. Its 14-inch WUXGA micro-edge screen makes for crisp, easy viewing, while the 5mp webcam puts older Pavilion models’ 720p cameras to shame. And all of this rests inside a sleek, lightweight chassis that’s easy to take on the go.
4. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
The best budget Chromebook
Pros:
- Impressive QLED touchscreen
- Great price to performance
Cons:
- Small keyboard
Visually, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 could pass as a high-end laptop. It has that spicy fiesta red color splashed over its keyboard and touchpad, a slender body, and a sharp QLED touchscreen. The Intel Core i3 processor may be dated, keeping the price low, but still offers great performance, making it one of the best Chromebooks, and its 8-hour battery life improves the previous version’s lackluster longevity.
Starting at $349, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a solid budget laptop for watching videos, web hopping, and working on the go. However, as with most Chromebooks, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 has a small keyboard and poor audio quality that you’ll want to consider.
5. Dell Inspiron 15
Best Budget Laptop for Productivity
Pros:
- Svelte, portable design
- Snappy performance
Cons:
- Lackluster display
The Dell Inspiron 15 lineup continues to deliver quality, capable devices. Their latest model is equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U and 16GB of memory, ensuring a snappy performance in all your daily tasks—even if you’re doing a bit of multitasking. Add in the 512GB of NVMe storage, and you’re sure to enjoy quick program launches and saves, keeping you as productive as possible. You may even be able to play some modest games on this device at the end of your workday.
Even with those solid internals, the Inspiron 15 keeps with the tradition of the best Dell laptops, offering svelte dimensions, especially for a device with a 15.6-inch screen. Admittedly, that FHD display isn’t the best we’ve seen, but you get touch support and narrow bezels. Plus, there are sufficient ports, including an SD card slot, USB-C, and HDMI 1.4. Everything on offer, in addition to the low price, even makes the Inspiron 15 a viable laptop for college.
6. MSI Thin GF63
Best Cheap Gaming Laptop
Pros:
- Powerful CPU and GPU
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Duller screen for gaming
Priced under $1,000, the MSI Thin GF63 is a budget gaming laptop that has a lot to give despite it’s price pin. It doesn’t have the latest processor, keeping the cost lower, but you still have a very decent GPU, plenty of RAM (albeit a little slower), and NVMe storage. The laptop is also relatively lightweight, so you can use it for things outside of gaming like studies, work, and video editing.
For a gaming laptop, the screen is a little dull, and the storage isn’t as generous as you’ll probably require for installing a lot of PC games, but most of the laptop’s other features do lend themselves well to gaming on medium to high settings. Though depending on your preference, you might find the keyboard is a little too flat when it comes to typing, but if you plan to primarily use it for gaming, you likely won’t notice.
What to Look for in a Budget Laptop
Aside from saving money, a budget laptop should fulfill your needs. Some buyers may prefer a laptop perfect for watching YouTube videos, while others desire the flexibility of a 2-in-1 during a work trip. Determining your primary need for a budget laptop will help you better decide which one to buy. Once you know, there are two things you must consider before purchasing.
Battery Life
Avoid buying any budget laptops with terrible battery life. You should shoot for a device hitting at least the 8-hour mark. Whether shopping online or getting deep into a Netflix show, a laptop with poor battery life will drain before you know it.
CPU
Budget laptops won’t have the fastest CPUs, but you want to make certain that whatever you buy has a solid chip inside. If you’re going to work on the laptop daily, having a decent processor will make flipping through tabs and programs snappy, unlike a less powerful one. See our guide to Intel vs. AMD CPUs for more info.
Budget Laptop FAQ
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Budget Laptop?
Even some of the cheapest laptops can be an expensive purchase, but there are a few times throughout the year where you can find some really good discounts on these devices. The most obvious times are Black Friday and Cyber Monday when major brands have the majority of their sales, but the summer is also a great time to find back-to-school sales on laptops. Check out our guide to the best times to buy a laptop for more information.
Are $500 Laptops Worth It?
For those on a tight budget, laptops under $500 are absolutely worth it; just set your expectations accordingly. It won’t necessarily have the sharpest display or the latest and greatest CPU, and forget about dedicated graphics. So, if you plan on using the machine for video editing or gaming, you’ll need to raise your budget.
But for everyday tasks like web browsing, running lighter programs, video streaming, and even cloud gaming, there are plenty of capable ultra-cheap laptops. Plus, most have plenty of RAM for multitasking. You won’t see any of the best MacBooks for that price. However, many Chrome OS and Windows devices are ready to deliver a solid performance for under $500.