All posts by Matt Porter

2025, Bambulab, formnext

Bambu Lab to Reveal the H2C at Formnext – and I’ll Be There to See It First-Hand

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Bambu Lab have officially announced the launch of their new multi-material 3D printer, the Bambu Lab H2C, taking place on 18 November 2025 at 3:00 PM CET—and I’ll be there at Formnext in Frankfurt to witness the reveal in person.

This is shaping up to be one of the most significant announcements in desktop 3D printing for years.

For the past three years, Bambu Lab have been working on a cleaner, more efficient approach to multi-colour and multi-material printing. Their teaser hints at something genuinely ground-breaking: the end of purge waste.

Back in 2022, the X1 series opened the door to accessible multi-colour printing, but the trade-off was always the same—purging. Endless little strings of wasted filament, time lost, and the compromises that every multi-colour printer still struggles with today.

Bambu’s engineers zeroed in on the real culprit: contamination within the hotend. Their solution? Don’t purge—swap the hotend.

Image and Video Credit: Bambulab

Introducing the Vortec Hotend Change System

The H2C is expected to showcase a brand-new technology called Vortec, described as one of the first induction-heated, fully automated hotend-swap systems.

The innovations highlighted in the teaser include:

• Dedicated hotends instead of purging

Like using a fresh paintbrush for each colour. No cleaning required, no cross-contamination, and no filament waste.

• Induction heating in just 8 seconds

Rapid heating without the slowdown of bulky toolheads or complex gantries.

• Wireless data and power sync

Each hotend contains its own chip that communicates temperature, filament data and status to the printer—without cables or pogo pins to wear out.

• No sacrifice in speed, volume or reliability

Rather than adding multiple nozzles or loading a heavy toolhead, Bambu Lab have focused on keeping things fast, compact and robust.

According to Bambu Lab, Vortec represents “the epilogue to the imperfections of X1” and marks their first major step toward eliminating purge altogether.

I’ll Be Reporting Live from Formnext

As The Gadget Man, I’ll be on the ground at Formnext in Frankfurt when the H2C is unveiled. Expect hands-on impressions, photos, early thoughts and—as always—my honest take on whether this could be the next revolution in multi-material 3D printing.

Stay tuned. This could be the moment multi-colour printing finally becomes clean, fast and… uncompromising.

2025, Anycubic, Black Friday 2025

Anycubic Black Friday Deals Arrive Early – Huge Savings on 3D Printers, Resins and Accessories

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Black Friday has begun early this year, and Anycubic have already launched a wide range of offers running from 10th November to 4th December. If you have been waiting for the right moment to start 3D printing, upgrade your setup, or stock up on consumables, these prices are well worth a look.

Anycubic Exclusive Black Friday Deals

Featured Printer Deals

Here are some of the standout savings on popular FDM and resin printers:

Model Black Friday Price Saving
Kobra S1 Combo £429 Save £120
Kobra 3 V2 Combo £299 Save £70
Kobra 3 Max Combo £519 Save £130
Photon Mono M7 Max £599 Save £110
Photon Mono M7 Pro £429 Save £70
Photon Mono 4 £149 Save £10

Full details and models here!

These are advertised as the lowest prices of the year and are likely to be limited by stock availability.

New Release: Kobra S1 Max Combo – Early Bird Discount

Kobra S1 Max Combo
Kobra S1 Max Combo

The Kobra S1 Max Combo is the latest addition to the Anycubic line-up. Designed for high-speed and large-format printing, it is suitable for those needing room for bigger parts, prototypes, cosplay elements or batch production.

Early Bird Offer (until 24th November):
Pay a £50 deposit to secure £100 off.

Pricing Schedule:

Dates Price Extra Perks Included
25 Nov – 1 Dec £749 Includes perks worth £400
2 Dec – 25 Dec £799 Includes perks worth £350
26 Dec – 31 Jan £849 Includes perks worth £300
From 1 Feb £949 Includes perks worth £200

Filament and Resin Sale

Filaments and resins are currently available from £8.49/kg, making this a very cost-effective time to stock up.

Browse materials here

Accessories – 20% Off

A range of accessories are on sale, including:

  • Replacement FEP films

  • Resin vats

  • Build plates

  • Hardened steel nozzles and hot ends

  • Spare LCD screens

Accessory savings can be found here

Extra Discount Codes (Valid until 4th December)

Code Saving Minimum Spend
ACBFCM30 £30 off £400+
ACBFCM25 £25 off £300+
ACBFCM20 £20 off £200+
ACBFCM15 £15 off £150+
ACBFCM10 £10 off £100+
ACBFCM5 £5 off £50+
ACBFCM3 £3 off £30+

Final Thoughts

This is one of the broadest and most substantial Black Friday collections Anycubic has offered in recent years, covering everything from first-time starter machines to large-format high-speed systems and precision resin printers.

If you are planning a winter project, expanding your workspace, or simply looking to get the best value for your materials, the timing here is ideal.

If you would like help comparing models or working out which machine is right for your requirements, feel free to ask.

Best regards,
Matt Porter – The Gadget Man

formnext, Press Release

Formnext Turns 10! And It’s Bigger, Bolder, and Brilliantly Additive Than Ever

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Frankfurt’s iconic tech mecca is lighting up the entire AM world with an expanded programme, more gadgets and gear than ever, and enough buzz to make even the most jaded engineer’s pulse quicken. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re heading to Formnext 2025 — or watching from afar.

Three Stages, One Purpose: Exploring AM’s Bright Future

Formnext 2025 isn’t just about rows of 3D printers humming away like digital sewing machines — though, let’s be honest, we do love that too. It’s about conversations that shape the future.

  • Application Stage (Hall 11.1): From rocket engines to robot arms and even orthopaedic orthoses (try saying that after a few Glühweins), this is where AM meets real-world problems. Focused firmly on cost-effective innovation, this stage is a must for SMEs looking to dip their toes into the world of 3D production.

  • Industry Stage (Hall 11.0): Topics like sustainability, Design for AM, and even AI-designed consumer goods take centre stage here. Highlights include a keynote retrospective on the last decade of AM and forward-looking discussions on decentralised production – a very big deal as global supply chains continue to shift.

  • Technology Stage (Hall 12.1): This is where the nerds (my people!) gather to go deep. Think DED tech, large-format plastic printing, and data-driven design. Pack a notebook.

New This Year: Tours, Livestreams &… a Quiz Show?

Formnext 2025 is not content with “business as usual”. The organisers have added a host of interactive new formats that are both educational and entertaining.

  • Guided AM Tours: Focusing on post-processing (a criminally underappreciated stage in AM), these 90-minute guided walks will be led by experts. Wednesday tours are in German, Thursday in English. No sign-ups, just first-come, first-served — so set an alarm.

  • Show and Telling LIVE: YouTube’s own 3D Printing Nerd will be broadcasting live on Tuesday. If you’ve ever wanted to geek out in real time with a global AM celeb, now’s your chance.

  • Ultimate Additive Quiz Show: Because why not have a game show for engineers? Expect equal parts trivia, tension, and titanium.

From Mechanical Marvels to Mushroom Mycelium: The Special Showcases

Here’s where Formnext really flexes its muscles. The 2025 edition will showcase AM in every industry you can imagine:

  • Additive4Industry (Hall 12.0): Mechanical engineering applications, brought to you by the VDMA.

  • BE-AM Symposium: Construction gets the AM treatment — and yes, that means 3D printed buildings.

  • AM Art Space: SUTOSUTO are back to blur the line between technology and art.

  • AM Innovation & Standards Summit (17 Nov): Standards, compliance, and certification may not be sexy — but they’re essential.

And let’s not forget the Start-up Area and Young Innovators Booth, where tomorrow’s biggest ideas take their first steps. If you’re an investor or just love spotting the next big thing, bring business cards.

Democratising 3D Printing

A real theme running through this year’s show is accessibility. Whether it’s via desktop 3D printers popping up in more industrial contexts or the Discover3DPrinting seminars for curious newcomers, Formnext is making AM approachable for businesses of all sizes.

There’s even a Career Area with job walls, professional headshots, and career advice — because nothing says “ready for your next move” like a headshot next to a 3D printed turbine blade.

The Formnext Awards – AM’s Red Carpet Moment

Awards aren’t just for Hollywood. The Formnext Awards shine a spotlight on groundbreaking technologies, bold young companies, and sustainable solutions — across six hotly contested categories. The twist? You get to help choose the winners via online voting. Cue the drama.

Partner Country 2025: Spain Steps Into the Spotlight

This year’s partner country is Spain, and it’s not just bringing paella and passion. With around 30 companies showcasing breakthroughs in AM systems, materials, and R&D, Spain is strutting its stuff on the global AM stage — and rightly so.

When, Where, and Why You Should Be There

Frankfurt am Main
18–21 November 2025
www.formnext.com/visitors

Whether you’re a long-time Formnext fanatic or a first-time visitor still figuring out what “DED” stands for, this year promises to be unforgettable. Ten years in, and Formnext shows no sign of slowing down — in fact, it’s evolving just as quickly as the technology it celebrates.

So dust off your best trade fair shoes, charge your phone (you’ll need it), and get ready to celebrate a decade of additive excellence.

Have you been to Formnext before? What are you most looking forward to this year? Drop your thoughts

2025

The Unique Gift Guide 2025

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Discover gifts that break the mould, a curated collection of inspired finds that mix innovation, nostalgia and pure fun. From character-led collectables to next-gen tech and design-driven home essentials, each product brings something special to the table, making it easy to find a thoughtful, memorable gift for every personality on your list.

Arlo Penguin Bestie Water Bottle – £29.99 Available from Suck UK

A penguin shaped bottle with a yellow beak AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Add character to your routine! This adorable, insulated 450ml water bottle features a removable, collectable silicone character head, making hydration fun and playful. With double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks cold for 24 hours, it’s the perfect companion for any adventure.

Cable Guys Five Nights At Freddy’s, Freddy Controller Holder & Phone Stand £29.99

Five Nights at Freddy's Freddy Fazbear Cable Guy

Welcome Freddy Fazbear into your world with this chillingly cool Cable Guy. Straight from the dark and thrilling world of Five Nights at Freddy’s, Freddy is here to guard your devices in true villainous style. With incredible detail and a mischievous vibe, this Cable Guy adds a touch of frightful fun to any space. Freddy holds remote controls, smartphones and gaming controllers,

Mindful Bath – £24.99 from Suck UK

A tray with a pen and a notebook on it AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Mello waterproof A5 notebook & incense. Put pencil to paper and let your thoughts and ideas flow in the steamy comfort of your own bathtub. Includes a 100% waterproof A5 notebook (no crinkled pages or slippery fingered accidents here!) and scented incense sticks and holder to get you in the perfect headspace

Plant With Willow Starter Pack – £34.99 Available from PlantWithWillow.co.uk

Willow Starter Pack

The Plant With Willow Starter Pack gives your houseplants a voice, quite literally. A discreet soil sensor tracks moisture, light, temperature and nutrients, sending real-time updates to your phone via a beautifully intuitive app. You’ll know when to water, when to feed, and when your monstera simply needs a moment in the sun.

Photo Creator Video Projector Camera – £69.99 from Smyths

A close-up of a video projector AI-generated content may be incorrect.

With the 3-in-1 Video Projector Camera from Photo Creator, you can snap photos, shoot crisp HD video, project your creations in colour, and connect to cast your favourite content onto any surface! This exciting all-in-one device projects photos and videos from up to 4 metres, creating a big screen projection display up to 200 x 112cm, with adjustable focus to capture the perfect picture. Take 48MP photos and films crisp HD video on the 2.4 screen, with 27 fun effects, including digital frames and filters to personalise your work! With simple projection in bright, bold colour, this video projector camera offers endless creative fun, with a 16GB MicroSD card that lets you capture, save and share with friends and family. Connect devices wirelessly to cast your favourite content onto any surface for an even bigger viewing experience and home-projector fun

 

Care Bears Digital Pet – £20 from ThumbsUp.com

Care Bears Digital Pet Collection - Cyber Pet with Care Features, 1.4” Inch Screen, Handheld Interactive Virtual Pets for Kids, Collectible Electronic ...

The Care Bears Digital Pet brings a nostalgic twist for kidults who grew up loving the bears. Relive the magic of the ‘80s with a pocket-sized digital companion. it’s a retro revival with a modern digital edge.

Krafted Couch Wireless Charger – £39.99 available from Kraftedtech.com

Couch - Matcha – Krafted

Meet the home essential you never knew you needed. Draping elegantly over the arm of your sofa, the Krafted Couch Charger brings effortless power to your favourite spot. Its sleek silicone finish grips gently in place while your phone recharges. A rare piece of tech that feels as good as it looks, and every bit as considered as a well-placed throw.

Warmies Gromit £29.99 from Warmies

A stuffed animal dog with brown ears AI-generated content may be incorrect.

From Wallace & Gromit, Warmies Gromit is a fully heatable soft toy that can be heated in a microwave to provide hours of soothing warmth and comfort. This luxuriously soft plush design is gently scented with relaxing lavender and can be reheated time and time again. Warmies® are weighted, warming, scented and super cuddly, making it an ideal gift for all ages!

Star Wars Cable Guys Darth Vader Controller Holder & Phone Stand £29.99 from EXGPro.com

Star Wars: Darth Vader A New Hope Cable Guys R.E.S.T Collectable Figur

Welcome the Dark Side into your home with our Darth Vader A New Hope Cable Guy Based on one of the evilest and most beloved characters from the Star Wars franchise, our Darth Vader: A New Hope Cable Guy is armed with his lightsabre and ready to attack anyone from the Rebel Alliance who may want to get their hands on your most treasured items – from your phone to your controller, and even your lightsabre. Just remember not to “underestimate the power of the Force”.

Krafted Connex – £29.99 available from Kraftedtech.com

Connex - Jade – Krafted

If tangled cables and missing adaptors are your personal nemesis, meet your new best friend. The Krafted Connex hub tidily houses multiple connectors for phones, tablets, watches and beyond – offering fast charging, data transfer, and peace of mind in one compact design. Sleek, simple, and ideal for anyone who travels, works remotely, or just hates rummaging in drawers.

Pad Creator Instant Print Tablet – £129.99 Available from SmythsToys.com

A tablet with a stick and a pen AI-generated content may be incorrect.

For the next generation of digital dreamers, the Pad Creator is part tablet, part instant printer, and entirely brilliant. With six creative modes, kids can shoot photos, film mini movies, sketch, add filters and print their masterpieces instantly from the 8-inch touchscreen. There’s even a child-friendly browser for inspiration hunting – making it as safe as it is inspiring. The kind of gift that turns rainy afternoons into studio time.

Majority Pulse 1 Bluetooth Party Speaker – £99.99 Available from Currys

MAJORITY Pulse 1 Bluetooth Party Speaker - Black image number 0

The Majority Pulse 1 is made for parties and spontaneous kitchen discos. The 80W speaker packs a punch with crisp highs and bass that means business, complete with a synchronised light show that pulses to the beat. It even comes with a wireless mic for karaoke mode, because someone’s always going to want to sing. Portable, powerful and fun.

3D Printing, additive manufacturing, Anycubic, formnext, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, The Gadget Man

Anycubic Teases the Kobra S1 Max Combo – A New Chapter for Multi-Colour Printing (and I’ll Be Seeing More at Formnext!)

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Well, this is exciting. The lovely folks at Anycubic have been in touch again, and this time they’ve got something rather special lined up for the 3D-printing world. If you’ve been following my recent adventures in the workshop — shelves of resin bottles, spools of filament, and printers humming away like a busy beehive — you’ll know I’ve been especially taken with Anycubic’s approach to innovation lately.

And now, they’ve gone and done it again.

Introducing the Kobra S1 Max Combo

A brand-new machine built to push desktop 3D-printing further — louder, brighter, more colourful, and more capable of serious engineering-grade work.

This is not just a quiet upgrade. This is one of those big leaps.

Kobra S1 Max Combo
Kobra S1 Max Combo
Kobra S1 Max
Kobra S1 Max

What Makes It Stand Out?

The expanded spec list from the official campaign page reveals some key details:

  • Up to 16-colour printing: Start with one ACE 2 Pro module for 4 colours; combine up to four for the full 16-colour capacity.

  • Huge build volume: 350 × 350 × 350 mm.

  • Enclosed, actively-heated chamber up to 65 °C. Hotbed up to 120 °C, hotend up to 350 °C.

  • Hardened-steel hotend (0.4 mm standard with extra 0.6 mm included), optional 0.25 mm brass / 0.8 mm hardened steel nozzles.

  • CoreXY motion system, active carbon-filter air purification, WiFi6/Ethernet support, 720p monitoring, spaghetti-recognition AI, U-disk/app control.

  • Materials covered: from PLA/PETG/TPU right up to engineering-grades like ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PA6-CF, PC-CF/GF, PET-CF.

  • Multi-language interface (English, Chinese, German, Russian, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, Portuguese).

Put simply: whoever said “desktop printers are only for PLA” is going to have a rethink when this lands.

Early Bird Deal (This One’s Actually Worth It)

Anycubic are running a clever early-bird scheme:

  • Pay £50 now → receive £100 discount off the launch price (5th November to 24th November)

  • After that, the pricing rolls through phased levels — each with perks (as previously noted).

    • £749 (25 Nov-1 Dec) with £400 worth of perks

    • £799 (2 Dec-25 Dec) with £350 perks

    • £849 (26 Dec-31 Jan) with £300 perks

    • £949 (from 1 Feb) with £200 perks

So yes — if you’re thinking about it, the earlier the better.

And Here’s the Extra Bit I’m Excited About…

I’ll be in Frankfurt on the 18th November attending formnext — the global additive-manufacturing expo. It’s basically the Glastonbury of 3D printing: people everywhere talking filament, lasers, printheads, sintering furnaces — heavenly stuff.

I’m absolutely planning to track down Anycubic while I’m there and get a closer look at the Kobra S1 Max Combo in the flesh. Expect photos, impressions, maybe even first-hand print samples — all coming your way.

If you’ve got questions you’d like me to ask the Anycubic team directly, let me know in the comments.

Final Thoughts

This is shaping up to be a very compelling machine:

✔ Larger build volume
✔ Multi-colour support baked in
✔ Enclosed, CoreXY, heated chamber = better reliability
✔ Designed for real materials, not just for show

If it delivers what the specs promise, this could be one of the stand-out printers of 2025 — especially for makers and small business production.

I’ll bring back everything I learn at Formnext — stay tuned.

—

Matt Porter – The Gadget Man
Currently surrounded by printers. Not sorry.

2025, AI, AI & Machine Learning, Ai Art, Gadget Man, Gadget Man Projects, Matt Porter

From Pixels to Platinum: When AI Designed My New Hairstyle

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From Pixels to Platinum: When AI Designed My New Hairstyle

There’s something oddly thrilling about letting technology take creative control. I’ve spent years testing gadgets, reviewing innovations, and exploring the limits of artificial intelligence — but this time, I let the tech get a little more personal.

A few weeks ago, I asked Midjourney — my go-to AI image generator — a simple question:
“What would The Gadget Man look like with a fresh new hairstyle?”

The result was, quite frankly, impressive. The AI produced a series of strikingly realistic portraits featuring a textured, platinum-blonde cut that looked part cyberpunk, part 21st-century rockstar. I loved it. The catch? It wasn’t real… yet.

The AI Concept

Armed with a few reference prompts and an experimental mindset, I spent an evening fine-tuning the digital version of myself. Midjourney, in its infinite wisdom, decided that bleached hair and choppy texture were the future of The Gadget Man brand.

At first, it was just a bit of fun. But the more I looked at the AI render, the more I realised — this was something I could actually pull off. So, I decided to make it happen.

Turning AI Into Reality

I booked an appointment with my stylist and brought along the AI images on my phone — full 360-degree green-screen shots of the “digital me.” It’s not every day you walk into a salon and say, “I’d like this look, please — it was designed by artificial intelligence.”

To their credit, they didn’t flinch. Instead, we broke it down into human-achievable steps:

  • The Cut: Short, faded sides with plenty of texture on top.
  • The Style: Tousled and natural, with enough lift to keep things casual.
  • The Colour: A cool, silver-white platinum tone — bold but clean.

The Result

Wait and see!!!

AI as a Creative Partner

This little experiment isn’t just about hair — it’s about what happens when AI moves from the screen into the real world. Whether it’s designing products, testing ideas, or in this case, reinventing a hairstyle, AI has become a kind of creative partner.

From Pixels to Platinum: When AI Designed My New Hairstyle
From Pixels to Platinum: When AI Designed My New Hairstyle

 

From Pixels to Platinum: When AI Designed My New Hairstyle
From Pixels to Platinum: When AI Designed My New Hairstyle

Coming soon: a behind-the-scenes video of the full transformation — from my original hairstyle to the final platinum reveal. Keep an eye on The Gadget Man socials for the big unveil.

#TheGadgetMan #AIstyle #MidjourneyToReality #TechMeetsHuman #FromPixelsToPlatinum

2025, Audio, Majority, Matt Porter, The Gadget Man

The Majority Folio Turntable Blends Style, Simplicity and Sound

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Cambridge, UK — Majority has unveiled its latest creation, the Folio Turntable, a compact and stylish record player that brings together timeless vinyl charm and modern listening convenience.

Designed to be the centrepiece of any music lover’s home, the Folio offers the perfect balance of form and function. Its clean, minimalist aesthetic pairs beautifully with built-in stereo speakers and a transparent cover, while its versatile connectivity options make it ideal for both traditional and contemporary setups.

The Majority Folio Turntable Blends Style, Simplicity and Sound
The Majority Folio Turntable Blends Style, Simplicity and Sound

At its core, the Folio features the acclaimed Audio-Technica AT3600L Moving Magnetic Cartridge, delivering crisp, detailed playback across 7”, 8”, 10” and 12” records. With pitch and RPM controls, users can fine-tune playback for everything from vintage pressings to modern reissues.

The Majority Folio Turntable Blends Style, Simplicity and Sound
The Majority Folio Turntable Blends Style, Simplicity and Sound

Beyond its classic appeal, the Folio is built for today’s listener. Bluetooth 5.3 allows effortless wireless streaming from smartphones, tablets and laptops, while USB playback and recording offer the flexibility to enjoy or archive your vinyl digitally. The RCA and AUX connections make it simple to connect to external speakers or amplifiers for an expanded soundstage.

Key Features Include:

  • Bluetooth 5.3 – Stream wirelessly from any compatible device

  • RCA & AUX Outputs – Connect to amplifiers or external speakers

  • USB Playback & Recording – Convert vinyl to MP3 or play digital tracks

  • Pitch & RPM Controls – Fine-tune playback for perfect performance

  • Integrated Stereo Speakers – Enjoy balanced sound without extra equipment

  • Audio-Technica Cartridge – Trusted performance and long-lasting precision

The Majority Folio Turntable Blends Style, Simplicity and Sound
The Majority Folio Turntable Blends Style, Simplicity and Sound

Compact, finely built, and easy to use, the Majority Folio Turntable fits effortlessly into any living space. Whether placed in a modern apartment or a vintage-inspired home, it delivers an authentic vinyl experience enhanced by contemporary design and functionality.

The Majority Folio Turntable is available now for £169.95 from Amazon and other leading retailers.

2025, Acer, Amazon, Laptops

Acer UK Announces Huge Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Savings – Up to 40% Off Laptops, Chromebooks & Gaming Machines

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If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to upgrade your laptop, Acer UK has just dropped some seriously tempting offers as part of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days this October — and they’re live right now.

We’re talking up to 40% off some of Acer’s most popular models — from AI-powered Swift notebooks to Predator gaming beasts and Chromebooks for work or study. Whether you’re a creator, student, or gamer, this lineup covers all bases.

For a limited time only, you can bag cutting-edge tech featuring Intel Core Ultra processors, Snapdragon X Plus power, OLED displays, and AI-ready performance — all with solid discounts.

Here’s a quick look at the standout deals worth clicking “Add to Basket” for:

💻 Top 9 Acer Prime Big Deal Day Offers

  1. Acer Predator Helios Neo 14 PHN14-51 – £899.99 (was £1,499.99)
    Compact yet powerful 14.5″ gaming laptop boasting NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics, a 120Hz WQXGA display, and Intel Core Ultra 5 performance — perfect for gaming on the go.
    🔗 View on Amazon

  2. Acer Swift Go AI SFG14-01 – £649.99 (was £999.99)
    Super-slim, AI-powered laptop running the Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Built for all-day productivity and portability.
    🔗 View on Amazon

  3. Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51 (Intel Core Ultra 5) – £749.99 (was £1,099.99)
    A stunning 2.8K OLED display meets Intel’s new AI computing capabilities in this sleek, next-gen notebook.
    🔗 View on Amazon

  4. Acer Swift 14 AI SF14-51 (Intel Core Ultra 7) – £849.99 (was £1,199.99)
    Premium build, gorgeous OLED visuals, and faster performance thanks to the Intel Ultra 7 processor.
    🔗 View on Amazon

  5. Acer Swift Go 16 SFG16-72 – £849.99 (was £1,199.99)
    A creator’s dream: 16″ 3.2K OLED 120Hz display, Intel Core Ultra 7, and a sleek aluminium chassis.
    🔗 View on Amazon

  6. Acer Aspire 3 A315-59 (Intel Core i7) – £399.99 (was £649.99)
    Dependable, no-nonsense 15.6″ full-HD laptop with Intel Core i7 power and SSD speed — ideal for everyday work and study.
    🔗 View on Amazon

  7. Acer Swift Go 14 SFG14-63 (AMD Ryzen 7) – £749.99 (was £999.99)
    Lightweight and powerful, pairing Ryzen 7 performance with a 2.8K OLED display for a stylish balance of form and function.
    🔗 View on Amazon

  8. Acer Aspire Go 14 AG14-21P (AMD Ryzen 3) – £269.99 (was £429.99)
    Great-value portable machine for home or student life — slim, capable and ideal for day-to-day use.
    🔗 View on Amazon

  9. Acer Chromebook Plus 514 CB514-3H (AMD Ryzen 5) – £279.99 (was £449.99)
    A Chromebook Plus model with upgraded Ryzen 5 power, premium design and all the simplicity and security of ChromeOS.
    🔗 View on Amazon

🗣️ Acer on Making Tech More Accessible

“We’re proud to make powerful, reliable and sustainable technology more accessible during Prime Big Deal Days,”
said Jamie Purser, National Account Manager at Acer UK.
“Whether you’re a student, creator or gamer, there’s an Acer device to elevate your experience at a great price.”

🧠 The Gadget Man’s Take

I love seeing big-brand tech getting proper discounts that actually mean something — and this is one of those rare occasions. Acer’s latest AI-ready laptops bring future-proof performance within reach, and the Predator Helios Neo looks like a steal at under £900.

If you’ve been holding off for a new laptop, this could be the ideal moment to make the leap — especially with those OLED screens and next-gen chips on offer.

💡 All prices were correct at time of writing and available exclusively through Amazon.co.uk as part of the October Prime Big Deal Days event.
Visit Acer’s Amazon Storefront to browse the full range.

2025, additive manufacturing, formnext, Gadget Man

Formnext 2025: Tickets Now Open for the World’s Leading 3D Printing Expo

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Frankfurt is getting ready to host the world’s largest 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing (AM) event once again. From 18–21 November 2025, Formnext will transform the Messe Frankfurt exhibition halls into a showcase of innovation, collaboration, and real-world applications across industries.

This year promises over 800 exhibitors, including some of the biggest names in the AM world alongside a healthy mix of start-ups and research groups. Expect plenty of world premieres, live demonstrations, and a packed programme across aviation, aerospace, engineering, jewellery, watches, and more.

Spain takes centre stage as the partner country for 2025, bringing around 30 companies to Frankfurt. The Spanish AM sector has been growing rapidly and plays an interesting role as a link between Europe and Latin America, particularly strong in systems, materials, and research.

The Gadget Man will be attending formnext
The Gadget Man will be attending formnext

The supporting programme looks just as impressive as the show floor itself. Three stages will run throughout the event, each with a different focus: industry trends, real-world applications, and the latest technologies. Seminars, talks, and showcases will cover everything from large-format 3D printing to data-driven design and construction AM. Add to that the Formnext Awards, start-up pitches, career opportunities, and networking events, and it’s clear this isn’t just an exhibition – it’s the meeting point for the global AM community.

I’ll be there on Tuesday 18 November for the Press Breakfast and then I’m looking forward to catching up with many of the 800 companies, checking out the latest announcements and exploring the halls. It’s always fascinating to see how far the technology has come, and this year looks set to offer plenty of inspiration.

Tickets are available now from formnext.com/visitors, with an early-bird discount running until 21 October.

2025, AI, AI & Machine Learning, Ai Art, ChatGPT, Gadget Man, Gadget Man Projects, retro, Retro Consoles, Retro Gadgets

How I Wrote an Retro 80s-Inspired Adventure Game About The KLF

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If you grew up in the 1980s, you’ll remember that unmistakable feeling of loading a game on your ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, or BBC Micro. The hypnotic screech of the cassette loading, the colour bars flickering on screen, and that eternal moment of suspense — would it load this time, or had the tape stretched just enough to doom you to a R Tape Loading Error?

Loading the KLF Adventure
Loading the KLF Adventure

Fast forward to the 2020s and, somewhere between my love of retro computing, The KLF’s music, and an itch to make something creative, I decided: I’m going to write a text adventure game. Not just any text adventure, but one dripping with late-night 80s energy, pop culture references, and a healthy dose of KLF mythology.

The KLF Adventure Begins
The KLF Adventure Begins

It started innocently enough — I wanted to relive the magic of the Scott Adams-style adventures I played as a kid. Those games weren’t about graphics; they were about imagination. Every location, every object, every strange instruction was something you had to picture in your head. And if you were a bit obsessive (guilty), you’d spend hours mapping every room on graph paper.

Finding the Right Ingredients

The KLF have always been masters of mystery — their story threads through pop hits, art projects, strange performances, and burning a million pounds on a remote Scottish island. That mix of chaos, humour, and myth-making was perfect for a game world.

I started building a map: fictional places merged with real ones from KLF history. Bold Street in Liverpool. The Cavern Club in the 1960s. A boathouse with a roaring fire. And, naturally, Trancentral — the spiritual HQ of The KLF. I even included surreal locations like the “Little Fluffy Cloud Factory” and “Maze of Caves” for that dreamlike adventure feel.

Travel Back in Time to The Cavern Club in 1961
Travel Back in Time to The Cavern Club in 1961

The NPCs? Oh, they had to be special. Sigmund Freud gives cryptic instructions. Ivan Pavlov demands you “Lie Down” before telling you to “Keep Calm”. Even Denzil the Baker makes an appearance, along with other nods that KLF fans will appreciate.

Building It Like It’s 1984 — With a 2025 Twist

I didn’t just want to write about the 80s — I wanted it to feel like the 80s. So I coded the game in a modern environment but kept the old-school constraints: short descriptions, tight vocabulary, and a parser that understands commands like GO NORTH, GET TICKET, or SAY CHILLOUT.

Don't get stuck in the record industry execs meeting!!!
Don’t get stuck in the record industry execs meeting!!!

But here’s the twist — I didn’t do it alone. My coding partners were Gemini CLI and OpenAI Codex, coding with me directly in my command line. The imagery was created using ChatGPT, with animations by Midjourney. The music came courtesy of Suno, while the sound effects were crafted by ElevenLabs. Together, these AI tools became my team of coders, designers, composers, and consultants, enabling me to bring this game to life in a way that would have been impossible on my own.

And because I couldn’t resist going full retro, I’ve also been experimenting with encoding the game into audio so it can be loaded into a ZX Spectrum emulator straight from a physical cassette tape. Because why not?

Timeslips abound in Bold Street with alternate timelines showing Mick Hucknall driving the Ice Kream Van!
Timeslips abound in Bold Street with alternate timelines showing Mick Hucknall driving the Ice Kream Van!

The Result

What emerged is The KLF Adventure — part game, part interactive art piece, and part love letter to the days when imagination did the heavy lifting. It’s an 80s-inspired world you can explore, puzzle over, and get gloriously lost in. It rewards curiosity, nods knowingly to KLF lore, and might just make you say “What Time Is Love?” at least once.

For me, this wasn’t just a coding project. It was a way of reconnecting with that kid who sat cross-legged in front of a rubber-keyed Spectrum, waiting for the next adventure to begin. Only now, I’m the one writing the adventure — with a 21st-century team of AIs by my side.

You can even find me in the game... But where?
You can even find me in the game… But where?

If you fancy diving in, the game is live at klfgame.co.uk. Just remember: keep your wits about you, don’t trust every whisper, and above all… CHILLOUT. Twice.

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