What can we learn from the brain about building better computers? Oliver Rhodes discusses how neuromorphic computing draws on the brain's architecture to develop new approaches to more efficient information processing. Can you give me an overview of your background and the research that you're involved with? Neuromorphic computing is quite a broad subject, which essentially looks to biology as inspiration to develop next-generation computing systems. We work off this principle: we know the brain is this really amazing computer, and it's able to do things that a lot of modern computing systems aren't able to do, and it also does them in an incredibly energy efficient way. We'd like to try to replicate that with some of the systems we build. In the context of the current climate around AI, while we've seen that it's made really big steps forward and is able to do really impressive things, there are certain things that it still can't do that the brain is able to do. So we look to the brain for inspiration to try and solve some of those next generation challenges. Neuromorphic computing covers all aspects of this: from looking at algorithms that might be solving a particular problem, to the systems and subsystems that would be running those algorithms, right down to a chip or devices level. We often use neural networks, which are also employed in artificial intelligence models, such as in deep learning and transformer models.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. RAM and SSD prices are soaring. Here's how to buy a PC without overpaying If you're buying a PC, here's where to spend, where to save, and what to skip. Do you need a new computer? Unfortunately, the market is currently experiencing high prices and uncertainty due to the massive wave of investment in AI.

Mashable's Best: E-readers, robovacs, laptops, earbuds, smart home and more Mashable Selects Look Up Say More Safety Net Versus Creator Playbook In My Bag Trending Now Back to School Good Connection: Uplifting stories for a digital age Switch Off All Series Call me, beep me, if you wanna reach me. Here are our favorite phones for every budget and operating system. Haley Henschel is a Chicago-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what's actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12-foot skeletons . All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. For most of us, our phone is the most important device we own.

There's no question that Apple's Mac Mini is a great desktop computer, offering a surprising amount of power in a shockingly small size. However, it tops out at an M5 Pro processor and 64GB of RAM, with 307 GB/s of memory bandwidth. That's enough for many demanding situations, but AI and content creation power users may need more. The "base" version (starting at 2,500) has an M5 Max processor with an 18-core GPU and 32-core GPU, and up to 128GB of unified memory, depending on the option chosen. That goes up to 5,899 for the 18-core CPU and 40-core GPU version with 128GB of RAM and 2TB storage.

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When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. The Zenbook A14 is my personal pick for a travel laptop. Today Best Buy is offering the latest version, with 16GB of RAM and a Snapdragon X2 CPU, for just $880. It's dang hard to find a decent deal on a laptop in 2026, nevermind one that you'd actually enjoy using. But the one I picked for my own personal machine is on sale fora downright respectable price -- in fact, it's a newer version with a faster, more efficient processor.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. But its slow SATA SSD holds it back. The Acemagic K1 handles office work, video conferencing, and streaming without a hitch. For the price, the Ryzen 5 delivers surprisingly good multi-core performance; power consumption remains low and the range of ports is just right. The device is held back by the slow SATA SSD and the soldered-in RAM.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Laptop prices are climbing due to rising memory costs. Here's what actually matters when choosing a screen, processor, RAM, and storage. This isn't the best time to be thinking about buying a computer. High memory prices have driven up the cost of almost everything.

There are many amazing devices at IFA 2026, but these five phones were the perfect combination of practical and fun design. Prakhar Khanna is a Contributing Writer at ZDNET with bylines in CNET, Forbes, and other major outlets. This year's IFA show was filled with rollable laptops, weird robots and a particularly expensive Dyson toothbrush. However, being primarily a phone reporter, I was on the hunt for unorthodox smartphones -- particularly ones you can't just get anywhere. I stumbled across a new passport-size foldable, a zero-bezel phone, and one with a built-in action camera, among others.

Say More Mashable Selects Look Up Trending Now Good Connection: Uplifting stories for a digital age Creator Playbook Mashable's Best: E-readers, robovacs, laptops, earbuds, smart home and more Switch Off Mashable Voices Safety Net Versus Gift Ideas For Everyone On Your List All Series The following content is brought to you by Mashable partners. If you buy a product featured here, we may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. This refurbished 2018 MacBook Air with a 13-inch Retina display and Intel Core i5 processor is on sale for $267.99 (reg. This refurbished MacBook Air brings a Retina display, Intel Core i5 processor, and lightweight design to a much more approachable price.