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| Boilerpipe Text | Every Tesla Model 3 insight you need to see before deciding if electric cars are in your future.
Tesla founder
Elon Musk
finally delivered on his promise to bring an affordable version of his electric car to the masses by putting the first owners of the car into Model 3 vehicles on Friday.
But along with those first owners, the media got a hold of the vehicle, too. And the general consensus is that this car just may change the entire game for electric cars in general. Beyond predictions, the most consistent comments are around just how premium and well-designed the Model 3 is, despite being far less expensive than its predecessors, the Roadster, the Model X, and the Model S.
Mashable
's Lance Ulanoff got to take the car
for a spin
, but was particularly blown away by its interior: "If the gorgeous Model 3 exterior is only subtly different from your average sedan, the Model 3 interior is like a cockpit from the future. Tesla reps had warned that the interior is minimalist, and they were not kidding. I entered the car (despite a low center of gravity, I did not feel like I was climbing down into it) and immediately marveled at the comfort."
Kim Reynolds and William Walker over at
Motor Trend
gave the Model 3 the
highest praise possible
after putting the car through its paces.
Have I ever driven a more startling small sedan? I haven’t. At speed, it gains a laser-alertness I haven’t encountered before. By happenstance, associate road test editor Erick Ayapana had penciled me into a 2.0-liter Alfa Romeo Giulia to get here, and it feels like a wet sponge by comparison. Technological fascination? Besides what I’ve already described, the Tesla Model 3 is available with Enhanced Autopilot ($5,000) and for another $3,000 what’s called “Full Self-Driving Capability” in the future. A lot of money, sure—but how many $35,000 cars offer that?
At
TopGear
, Charlie Turner
was enthralled
by the vehicle's automated driving features that offer just a small preview of what many will begin to experience over the coming years as Tesla begins to enable the self-driving functions in its new vehicles.
Mashable Light Speed
Our brief excursion also allowed us to test the Autopilot, a system that still feels like witchcraft. The levels at which the car is capable of processing information are staggering and if we’re honest it’s clearly concentrating a lot harder than most of us after a hard day at the office. One day the legislative world will catch up with the brains trust developing these systems and we’ll be able to experience the full capability of what Autopilot can deliver. For now though it will happily allow you to take your hands off for as long as it knows what’s going on and can read the road, if it doesn’t it warns you to place your hands back on so it knows you’re not asleep.
Mattew Debord from
Business Insider
got
behind the wheel
of the Model 3 and came away believing that this might be the real beginning of the electric car era.
I've driven pretty much every other all-electric car you can buy, and I can safely say that the Model 3 has no competition. But it's more than that. Even though it's a small four-door and the market is moving away from this type of vehicle to embrace crossover and SUVs, there isn't anybody who's going to sit in the driver's seat of this car and not want it, if only briefly. The Model 3 stokes immediate desire, and the lust lingers. That truly changes everything.
And while tech sites are generally conservative when it comes to handing out kudos when a product is still so new and unproven,
Engadget
's Andrew Tarantola had
similar thoughts
.
While the Roadster put Tesla on the map, the Model 3 really feels like the car that will bring electric vehicles as a whole into the mainstream.
But the biggest question among existing Tesla fans, who are accustomed to the luxury of the higher-priced models, is: will the Model 3 be a huge step down in quality? According to
USA Today
's Marco della Cava,
the answer
is a resounding "no."
After a short drive in this spartan yet spritely vehicle on roads surrounding the company's massive factory here Friday, it's clear the Model 3 has inherited a lot of its family DNA from those machines while cutting back on enough bells and whistles to bring the starting price down to $35,000.
Finally, the old school chronicler of tech,
Wired,
weighed in
with its own assessment, and Jack Stewart was no less glowing in his admiration and predictions of what the Model 3 might mean for electric cars in general.
If you’ve lusted after that expensive Model S, you’ll likely be satisfied with the Model 3 too. This car feels like an automotive tipping point, a sign that electric vehicles—and hopefully, the infrastructure that supports them.
It's fairly rare for new devices -- I mean, that's what the Tesla is at this point -- to receive such unanimous plaudits from such a diverse sampling of the media (unless you're Apple).
Does this mean the Model 3 will be a hit? Hardly. But if the public decides to trust what they're hearing from the early reviews, we may indeed be looking at the moment that electric cars truly arrived at their mainstream moment.
.
The X-59 isn't 'thumping' yet.
NASA's X-59 supersonic jet ended its second test just nine minutes into flight, ending the one-hour event almost as soon as it began because of a system warning.
Credit: NASA / Jim Ross
Nothing seemed amiss as
NASA
's experimental
X-59 supersonic jet
touched down after its second test in the air, smoothly coasting onto the runway.Â
But the sleek, needle-nosed airplane had completed only nine minutes in the air on Friday, March 20, before a cockpit warning light forced an early landing. That warning was separate from a caution light that occurred during an earlier takeoff attempt just before 10 a.m. P.T., said Cathy Bahm, project manager at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center.
The brief flight left from Edwards Air Force Base in California at 10:54 a.m. P.T. marked only
the second time the aircraft had flown
. While the team originally planned for about an hour, leaders stressed that even short flights provide new data for moving the project forward. You can watch the landing in the video below.Â
Bob Pearce, who heads NASA's aeronautics research, said the team made the right call to cut the flight short on Friday. The agency expects to find and fix issues at this stage of an X‑plane, an aircraft the U.S. builds to test new flight technologies and ideas.
"Sometimes it's easy to forget that building this kind of experimental aircraft means creating something that never existed before," Pearce said during
a news conference
. "As far as X-planes go, it's not unusual."
The X-59 is part of
a long-term effort to change how fast commercial airplanes fly
over land. Traditional supersonic aircraft create a loud boom when they break the sound barrier, which is why the U.S. government bans routine supersonic passenger flights over populated areas. NASA and its contractor,Â
Lockheed Martin,
 built the X-59 to fly faster than sound while producing only a "thump," with the goal of providing regulators and the industry with the evidence needed to reconsider the restrictions.
At the kind of supersonic speeds NASA wants to target for the X-59 — around 925 mph — a nonstop flight from New York to L.A. could take less than three hours. Today's commercial airlines typically cruise at about 550 mph on that route, so passengers tend to spend about 5 to 6 hours crossing the country.
A sonic boom occurs when a plane flies faster than the speed of sound, compressing pressure waves into a single shock wave that hits the ground like a sudden explosion of air. NASA designed the X‑59 so its shape spreads those pressure changes out along the aircraft, turning that single sharp shock into a series of smaller pulses.
Residents below didn't hear the X-59's thump during either of the first two test flights — and they weren't supposed to. The plane never flew fast enough either time to make it. Both flights intentionally stayed at subsonic speeds. NASA is using these early tests to shake out systems and watch how the plane handles.Â
During Friday's test, the aircraft was supposed to fly for roughly an hour, reaching a cruising speed of 230 mph at 12,000 feet before accelerating to 260 mph at 20,000 feet. The plane never exceeded 230 mph, officials said.
"I certainly hoped to have more to talk about than nine minutes of flight," said Less, who flew the X-59 for the first time on this mission. "Although I had not intended to have to land quite as urgently for my first landing, the plane performed beautifully."
NASA test pilot Jim 'Clue' Less sits inside the cockpit of the experimental X-59 quiet supersonic jet at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
Credit: NASA / Jim Ross
He described the aircraft as handling just like its simulators. Over hundreds of hours of test runs in the simulator, Less and other test pilots had practiced with the unconventional vision system that combines images from cameras into a high-definition display. But this was his first time flying without the traditional front window.Â
The long nose shape that helps soften the sonic boom doesn't leave room for a standard cockpit windscreen. But in some cases, the system offers better visibility than the naked eye, he said. If a pilot is facing into the sun, for example, image processing can reduce glare and improve contrast.Â
"It really felt comfortable," he said. "Even though I wasn't seeing out the front, I could see out the sides and match that up."Â
More than 100 test flights are planned. NASA intends to gradually push toward higher, faster flights before testing those muffled booms over towns.
Elisha Sauers writes about space for Mashable, taking deep dives into
NASA's moon and Mars missions
, chatting up
astronauts
and history-making
discoverers
, and jetting
above the clouds
. Through 17 years of reporting, she's covered a variety of topics, including health, business, and government, with a penchant for public records requests. She previously worked for
The Virginian-Pilot
in Norfolk, Virginia, and
The Capital
in Annapolis, Maryland. Her work has earned numerous state awards, including the Virginia Press Association's top honor,
Best in Show
, and
national recognition
for narrative storytelling. For each year she has covered space, Sauers has won
National Headliner Awards
, including first place for her
Sex in Space
series. Send space tips and story ideas to
[email protected]
or text 443-684-2489. Follow her on X at
@elishasauers
.
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# Every Tesla Model 3 review you need to see to know if this car is the future
Every Tesla Model 3 insight you need to see before deciding if electric cars are in your future.
By
[Adario Strange](https://mashable.com/author/adario-strange)
Adario Strange
.
[Read Full Bio](https://mashable.com/author/adario-strange)
on
July 29, 2017
[Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Ftesla-model-3-reviews "(opens in a new window)")
[Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Ftesla-model-3-reviews&text=Every+Tesla+Model+3+review+you+need+to+see+to+know+if+this+car+is+the+future "(opens in a new window)")
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***
Tesla founder [Elon Musk](https://mashable.com/category/elon-musk/) finally delivered on his promise to bring an affordable version of his electric car to the masses by putting the first owners of the car into Model 3 vehicles on Friday.
SEE ALSO:
[Tesla's Model 3 doesn't come with a key](https://mashable.com/article/tesla-model-3-keyless-smartphone-app)
But along with those first owners, the media got a hold of the vehicle, too. And the general consensus is that this car just may change the entire game for electric cars in general. Beyond predictions, the most consistent comments are around just how premium and well-designed the Model 3 is, despite being far less expensive than its predecessors, the Roadster, the Model X, and the Model S.
***Mashable***'s Lance Ulanoff got to take the car [for a spin](https://mashable.com/article/tesla-model-3-test-drive), but was particularly blown away by its interior: "If the gorgeous Model 3 exterior is only subtly different from your average sedan, the Model 3 interior is like a cockpit from the future. Tesla reps had warned that the interior is minimalist, and they were not kidding. I entered the car (despite a low center of gravity, I did not feel like I was climbing down into it) and immediately marveled at the comfort."
Kim Reynolds and William Walker over at ***Motor Trend*** gave the Model 3 the [highest praise possible](http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-tesla-model-3-first-drive-review/ "(opens in a new window)") after putting the car through its paces.
> Have I ever driven a more startling small sedan? I haven’t. At speed, it gains a laser-alertness I haven’t encountered before. By happenstance, associate road test editor Erick Ayapana had penciled me into a 2.0-liter Alfa Romeo Giulia to get here, and it feels like a wet sponge by comparison. Technological fascination? Besides what I’ve already described, the Tesla Model 3 is available with Enhanced Autopilot (\$5,000) and for another \$3,000 what’s called “Full Self-Driving Capability” in the future. A lot of money, sure—but how many \$35,000 cars offer that?
At ***TopGear***, Charlie Turner [was enthralled](https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/model-3/first-drive "(opens in a new window)") by the vehicle's automated driving features that offer just a small preview of what many will begin to experience over the coming years as Tesla begins to enable the self-driving functions in its new vehicles.
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> Our brief excursion also allowed us to test the Autopilot, a system that still feels like witchcraft. The levels at which the car is capable of processing information are staggering and if we’re honest it’s clearly concentrating a lot harder than most of us after a hard day at the office. One day the legislative world will catch up with the brains trust developing these systems and we’ll be able to experience the full capability of what Autopilot can deliver. For now though it will happily allow you to take your hands off for as long as it knows what’s going on and can read the road, if it doesn’t it warns you to place your hands back on so it knows you’re not asleep.
Mattew Debord from ***Business Insider*** got [behind the wheel](http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-3-first-drive-2017-7 "(opens in a new window)") of the Model 3 and came away believing that this might be the real beginning of the electric car era.
> I've driven pretty much every other all-electric car you can buy, and I can safely say that the Model 3 has no competition. But it's more than that. Even though it's a small four-door and the market is moving away from this type of vehicle to embrace crossover and SUVs, there isn't anybody who's going to sit in the driver's seat of this car and not want it, if only briefly. The Model 3 stokes immediate desire, and the lust lingers. That truly changes everything.
And while tech sites are generally conservative when it comes to handing out kudos when a product is still so new and unproven, ***Engadget***'s Andrew Tarantola had [similar thoughts](https://www.engadget.com/2017/07/29/tesla-model-3-first-ride/ "(opens in a new window)").
> While the Roadster put Tesla on the map, the Model 3 really feels like the car that will bring electric vehicles as a whole into the mainstream.
But the biggest question among existing Tesla fans, who are accustomed to the luxury of the higher-priced models, is: will the Model 3 be a huge step down in quality? According to ***USA Today***'s Marco della Cava, [the answer](https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2017/07/29/usa-today-first-drive-tesla-model-3/522198001/ "(opens in a new window)") is a resounding "no."
> After a short drive in this spartan yet spritely vehicle on roads surrounding the company's massive factory here Friday, it's clear the Model 3 has inherited a lot of its family DNA from those machines while cutting back on enough bells and whistles to bring the starting price down to \$35,000.
Finally, the old school chronicler of tech, ***Wired,*** [weighed in](https://www.wired.com/story/i-drove-a-tesla-model-3/ "(opens in a new window)") with its own assessment, and Jack Stewart was no less glowing in his admiration and predictions of what the Model 3 might mean for electric cars in general.
> If you’ve lusted after that expensive Model S, you’ll likely be satisfied with the Model 3 too. This car feels like an automotive tipping point, a sign that electric vehicles—and hopefully, the infrastructure that supports them.
It's fairly rare for new devices -- I mean, that's what the Tesla is at this point -- to receive such unanimous plaudits from such a diverse sampling of the media (unless you're Apple).
Does this mean the Model 3 will be a hit? Hardly. But if the public decides to trust what they're hearing from the early reviews, we may indeed be looking at the moment that electric cars truly arrived at their mainstream moment.
***
**Featured Video For You**
***
Elon Musk's vision for traffic-skipping underground tunnels looks pretty incredible
***
Topics [Tesla](https://mashable.com/category/tesla) [Elon Musk](https://mashable.com/category/elon-musk)
Adario Strange
.
[Home](https://mashable.com/) \> [Tech](https://mashable.com/tech) \> [Transportation](https://mashable.com/category/transportation)
# Pilot didn't mind NASA's experimental plane doesn't have a front window
The X-59 isn't 'thumping' yet.
By
[Elisha Sauers](https://mashable.com/author/elisha-sauers)
Elisha Sauers
Elisha Sauers writes about space for Mashable, taking deep dives into [NASA's moon and Mars missions](https://mashable.com/article/why-nasa-going-to-moon-artemis), chatting up [astronauts](https://mashable.com/article/nasa-artemis-2-moon-commander-reid-wiseman) and history-making [discoverers](https://mashable.com/article/black-hole-milky-way-discovery-sagittarius-a), and jetting [above the clouds](https://mashable.com/article/solar-eclipse-flight-delta-2024). Through 17 years of reporting, she's covered a variety of topics, including health, business, and government, with a penchant for public records requests. She previously worked for *The Virginian-Pilot* in Norfolk, Virginia, and *The Capital* in Annapolis, Maryland. Her work has earned numerous state awards, including the Virginia Press Association's top honor,
[Best in Show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruwl6a8d2Z4)
, and
[national recognition](https://featuresjournalism.org/contests-2/sfj-27th-annual-winners-by-category/)
for narrative storytelling. For each year she has covered space, Sauers has won
[National Headliner Awards](https://www.headlinerawards.org/2024-online/)
, including first place for her [Sex in Space](https://mashable.com/series/sex-in-space) series. Send space tips and story ideas to
[\[email protected\]](https://mashable.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c7a2abaeb4afa6e9b4a6b2a2b5b487bdaea1a1aaa2a3aea6e9a4a8aa)
or text 443-684-2489. Follow her on X at
[@elishasauers](https://twitter.com/elishasauers)
.
[Read Full Bio](https://mashable.com/author/elisha-sauers)
on
March 22, 2026
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NASA's X-59 supersonic jet ended its second test just nine minutes into flight, ending the one-hour event almost as soon as it began because of a system warning. Credit: NASA / Jim Ross
***
Nothing seemed amiss as [NASA](https://mashable.com/category/nasa)'s experimental [X-59 supersonic jet](https://mashable.com/article/nasa-x-plane-supersonic-reveal) touched down after its second test in the air, smoothly coasting onto the runway.
But the sleek, needle-nosed airplane had completed only nine minutes in the air on Friday, March 20, before a cockpit warning light forced an early landing. That warning was separate from a caution light that occurred during an earlier takeoff attempt just before 10 a.m. P.T., said Cathy Bahm, project manager at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center.
The brief flight left from Edwards Air Force Base in California at 10:54 a.m. P.T. marked only [the second time the aircraft had flown](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/quesst/nasas-x-59-experimental-supersonic-aircraft-makes-second-flight/ "(opens in a new window)"). While the team originally planned for about an hour, leaders stressed that even short flights provide new data for moving the project forward. You can watch the landing in the video below.
Bob Pearce, who heads NASA's aeronautics research, said the team made the right call to cut the flight short on Friday. The agency expects to find and fix issues at this stage of an X‑plane, an aircraft the U.S. builds to test new flight technologies and ideas.
"Sometimes it's easy to forget that building this kind of experimental aircraft means creating something that never existed before," Pearce said during [a news conference](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-invites-media-to-learn-about-upcoming-x-59-test-flights/ "(opens in a new window)"). "As far as X-planes go, it's not unusual."
SEE ALSO:
[Mars evidence shows ancient river likely larger and faster than thought](https://mashable.com/article/nasa-perseverance-mars-river-underground-radar)
The X-59 is part of [a long-term effort to change how fast commercial airplanes fly](https://www.nasa.gov/mission/quesst/ "(opens in a new window)") over land. Traditional supersonic aircraft create a loud boom when they break the sound barrier, which is why the U.S. government bans routine supersonic passenger flights over populated areas. NASA and its contractor, [Lockheed Martin,](https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2025-10-28-X-59-Soars-A-New-Era-in-Supersonic-Flight-Begins?_gl=1*1ulk36j*_gcl_au*ODM0NTU4NzIuMTc3NDE4NjQ3Mg.. "(opens in a new window)") built the X-59 to fly faster than sound while producing only a "thump," with the goal of providing regulators and the industry with the evidence needed to reconsider the restrictions.
At the kind of supersonic speeds NASA wants to target for the X-59 — around 925 mph — a nonstop flight from New York to L.A. could take less than three hours. Today's commercial airlines typically cruise at about 550 mph on that route, so passengers tend to spend about 5 to 6 hours crossing the country.
> [View this post on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWHjCm-jTo2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading "(opens in a new window)")
>
> [A post shared by NASA Aeronautics (@nasaaero)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWHjCm-jTo2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading "(opens in a new window)")
A sonic boom occurs when a plane flies faster than the speed of sound, compressing pressure waves into a single shock wave that hits the ground like a sudden explosion of air. NASA designed the X‑59 so its shape spreads those pressure changes out along the aircraft, turning that single sharp shock into a series of smaller pulses.
Residents below didn't hear the X-59's thump during either of the first two test flights — and they weren't supposed to. The plane never flew fast enough either time to make it. Both flights intentionally stayed at subsonic speeds. NASA is using these early tests to shake out systems and watch how the plane handles.
During Friday's test, the aircraft was supposed to fly for roughly an hour, reaching a cruising speed of 230 mph at 12,000 feet before accelerating to 260 mph at 20,000 feet. The plane never exceeded 230 mph, officials said.
"I certainly hoped to have more to talk about than nine minutes of flight," said Less, who flew the X-59 for the first time on this mission. "Although I had not intended to have to land quite as urgently for my first landing, the plane performed beautifully."
***
Related Stories
***
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- [NASA's Hubble telescope just saw the space version of a white whale](https://mashable.com/article/comet-breaking-up-hubble-images)
- [Space-traveling microbes? An unusual experiment shocked skeptics.](https://mashable.com/article/mars-life-asteroid-microbes-lithopanspermia)
- [Scientists think this star is a time capsule of the dawn of the universe](https://mashable.com/article/universe-first-stars-supernova-carbon-discovery)
- [Two weeks in isolation: The quiet routine before Artemis 2 blasts off](https://mashable.com/article/nasa-astronaut-quarantine-history)
NASA test pilot Jim 'Clue' Less sits inside the cockpit of the experimental X-59 quiet supersonic jet at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Credit: NASA / Jim Ross
He described the aircraft as handling just like its simulators. Over hundreds of hours of test runs in the simulator, Less and other test pilots had practiced with the unconventional vision system that combines images from cameras into a high-definition display. But this was his first time flying without the traditional front window.
The long nose shape that helps soften the sonic boom doesn't leave room for a standard cockpit windscreen. But in some cases, the system offers better visibility than the naked eye, he said. If a pilot is facing into the sun, for example, image processing can reduce glare and improve contrast.
"It really felt comfortable," he said. "Even though I wasn't seeing out the front, I could see out the sides and match that up."
More than 100 test flights are planned. NASA intends to gradually push toward higher, faster flights before testing those muffled booms over towns.
Topics [NASA](https://mashable.com/category/nasa)
Elisha Sauers
Elisha Sauers writes about space for Mashable, taking deep dives into [NASA's moon and Mars missions](https://mashable.com/article/why-nasa-going-to-moon-artemis), chatting up [astronauts](https://mashable.com/article/nasa-artemis-2-moon-commander-reid-wiseman) and history-making [discoverers](https://mashable.com/article/black-hole-milky-way-discovery-sagittarius-a), and jetting [above the clouds](https://mashable.com/article/solar-eclipse-flight-delta-2024). Through 17 years of reporting, she's covered a variety of topics, including health, business, and government, with a penchant for public records requests. She previously worked for *The Virginian-Pilot* in Norfolk, Virginia, and *The Capital* in Annapolis, Maryland. Her work has earned numerous state awards, including the Virginia Press Association's top honor, [Best in Show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruwl6a8d2Z4 "(opens in a new window)"), and [national recognition](https://featuresjournalism.org/contests-2/sfj-27th-annual-winners-by-category/ "(opens in a new window)") for narrative storytelling. For each year she has covered space, Sauers has won [National Headliner Awards](https://www.headlinerawards.org/2024-online/ "(opens in a new window)"), including first place for her [Sex in Space](https://mashable.com/series/sex-in-space) series. Send space tips and story ideas to [\[email protected\]](https://mashable.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e2878e8b918a83cc918397879091a2988b84848f87868b83cc818d8f "(opens in a new window)") or text 443-684-2489. Follow her on X at [@elishasauers](https://twitter.com/elishasauers "(opens in a new window)").
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# This lightweight and portable Lenovo Chromebook is now 70% off
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Get a lightweight Lenovo Chromebook for everyday tasks while it's under \$60 Credit: Lenovo
***
Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
**TL;DR:** The refurbished [Lenovo 11.6-inch Chromebook 100E Gen 2](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=Lenovo+11.6-inch+Chromebook+100E+Gen+2&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)") is on sale for \$59.99 (reg. \$199).
***
[ Opens in a new window](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=shop-card&element=offer&item=image&element_label=image&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)")
Credit: Lenovo
[Lenovo 11.6-Inch 2019 (Refurbished)](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=shop-card&element=offer&item=title&element_label=Lenovo+11.6-Inch+2019+%28Refurbished%29&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)")
\$59.99
\$199.99 Save \$140
[Get Deal](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=shop-card&element=offer&item=buy-button&element_label=Get+Deal&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)")
A capable everyday laptop doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For anyone who browses, [streams](https://mashable.com/category/streaming), or handles light work on the go, this [refurbished Chromebook](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=refurbished+Chromebook&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)") checks the right boxes, and for a limited time, it’s down to just \$59.99 (reg. \$199).
The Lenovo 11.6-inch Chromebook 100E Gen 2 is built for lightweight, web-based use. Powered by an AMD A4-9120C processor and 4GB of RAM, it handles multitasking across browser tabs, email, and cloud-based apps like a charm. The 32GB of solid-state storage isn’t meant for a large local library, but it delivers quick boot times and reliably smooth day-to-day performance.
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Because it runs on Chrome OS, it’s designed around cloud storage and browser-based tools, which help keep things fast and simple without requiring much maintenance. Automatic updates and built-in [security features](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=security+features&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)") also make it a low-effort option for everyday use.
Its compact 11.6-inch HD display and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, whether you’re moving between rooms, commuting, or packing it in a bag for school or travel. You’ll also get a mix of modern ports, including USB-C for charging and accessories, plus USB 3.2 and an SD card slot for added flexibility.
This [laptop](https://mashable.com/category/laptops) is listed as Grade A refurbished, meaning it should arrive in near-mint condition with minimal signs of wear. That can be a practical way to save on a device that still handles everyday computing needs.
This setup makes the most sense for students, casual users, or anyone who primarily works in a browser and doesn’t need high-powered specs. If you’re editing video or running demanding software, this won’t be the right fit, but for lighter tasks, it keeps things straightforward.
For a limited time, you can get the [Lenovo Chromebook 100E Gen 2](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=Lenovo+Chromebook+100E+Gen+2&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)") for \$59.99 (reg. \$199), which is 70% off.
Want to see more deals? [Visit the shop](https://shop.mashable.com/) and use code **MARCH15** to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply.
[*StackSocial*](https://www.stacksocial.com/ "(opens in a new window)") *prices subject to change.*
Topics [Lenovo](https://mashable.com/category/lenovo)
***
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| Readable Markdown | Every Tesla Model 3 insight you need to see before deciding if electric cars are in your future.
Tesla founder [Elon Musk](https://mashable.com/category/elon-musk/) finally delivered on his promise to bring an affordable version of his electric car to the masses by putting the first owners of the car into Model 3 vehicles on Friday.
But along with those first owners, the media got a hold of the vehicle, too. And the general consensus is that this car just may change the entire game for electric cars in general. Beyond predictions, the most consistent comments are around just how premium and well-designed the Model 3 is, despite being far less expensive than its predecessors, the Roadster, the Model X, and the Model S.
***Mashable***'s Lance Ulanoff got to take the car [for a spin](https://mashable.com/article/tesla-model-3-test-drive), but was particularly blown away by its interior: "If the gorgeous Model 3 exterior is only subtly different from your average sedan, the Model 3 interior is like a cockpit from the future. Tesla reps had warned that the interior is minimalist, and they were not kidding. I entered the car (despite a low center of gravity, I did not feel like I was climbing down into it) and immediately marveled at the comfort."
Kim Reynolds and William Walker over at ***Motor Trend*** gave the Model 3 the [highest praise possible](http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-tesla-model-3-first-drive-review/ "(opens in a new window)") after putting the car through its paces.
> Have I ever driven a more startling small sedan? I haven’t. At speed, it gains a laser-alertness I haven’t encountered before. By happenstance, associate road test editor Erick Ayapana had penciled me into a 2.0-liter Alfa Romeo Giulia to get here, and it feels like a wet sponge by comparison. Technological fascination? Besides what I’ve already described, the Tesla Model 3 is available with Enhanced Autopilot (\$5,000) and for another \$3,000 what’s called “Full Self-Driving Capability” in the future. A lot of money, sure—but how many \$35,000 cars offer that?
At ***TopGear***, Charlie Turner [was enthralled](https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/model-3/first-drive "(opens in a new window)") by the vehicle's automated driving features that offer just a small preview of what many will begin to experience over the coming years as Tesla begins to enable the self-driving functions in its new vehicles.
Mashable Light Speed
> Our brief excursion also allowed us to test the Autopilot, a system that still feels like witchcraft. The levels at which the car is capable of processing information are staggering and if we’re honest it’s clearly concentrating a lot harder than most of us after a hard day at the office. One day the legislative world will catch up with the brains trust developing these systems and we’ll be able to experience the full capability of what Autopilot can deliver. For now though it will happily allow you to take your hands off for as long as it knows what’s going on and can read the road, if it doesn’t it warns you to place your hands back on so it knows you’re not asleep.
Mattew Debord from ***Business Insider*** got [behind the wheel](http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-3-first-drive-2017-7 "(opens in a new window)") of the Model 3 and came away believing that this might be the real beginning of the electric car era.
> I've driven pretty much every other all-electric car you can buy, and I can safely say that the Model 3 has no competition. But it's more than that. Even though it's a small four-door and the market is moving away from this type of vehicle to embrace crossover and SUVs, there isn't anybody who's going to sit in the driver's seat of this car and not want it, if only briefly. The Model 3 stokes immediate desire, and the lust lingers. That truly changes everything.
And while tech sites are generally conservative when it comes to handing out kudos when a product is still so new and unproven, ***Engadget***'s Andrew Tarantola had [similar thoughts](https://www.engadget.com/2017/07/29/tesla-model-3-first-ride/ "(opens in a new window)").
> While the Roadster put Tesla on the map, the Model 3 really feels like the car that will bring electric vehicles as a whole into the mainstream.
But the biggest question among existing Tesla fans, who are accustomed to the luxury of the higher-priced models, is: will the Model 3 be a huge step down in quality? According to ***USA Today***'s Marco della Cava, [the answer](https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2017/07/29/usa-today-first-drive-tesla-model-3/522198001/ "(opens in a new window)") is a resounding "no."
> After a short drive in this spartan yet spritely vehicle on roads surrounding the company's massive factory here Friday, it's clear the Model 3 has inherited a lot of its family DNA from those machines while cutting back on enough bells and whistles to bring the starting price down to \$35,000.
Finally, the old school chronicler of tech, ***Wired,*** [weighed in](https://www.wired.com/story/i-drove-a-tesla-model-3/ "(opens in a new window)") with its own assessment, and Jack Stewart was no less glowing in his admiration and predictions of what the Model 3 might mean for electric cars in general.
> If you’ve lusted after that expensive Model S, you’ll likely be satisfied with the Model 3 too. This car feels like an automotive tipping point, a sign that electric vehicles—and hopefully, the infrastructure that supports them.
It's fairly rare for new devices -- I mean, that's what the Tesla is at this point -- to receive such unanimous plaudits from such a diverse sampling of the media (unless you're Apple).
Does this mean the Model 3 will be a hit? Hardly. But if the public decides to trust what they're hearing from the early reviews, we may indeed be looking at the moment that electric cars truly arrived at their mainstream moment.
.
The X-59 isn't 'thumping' yet.
NASA's X-59 supersonic jet ended its second test just nine minutes into flight, ending the one-hour event almost as soon as it began because of a system warning. Credit: NASA / Jim Ross
Nothing seemed amiss as [NASA](https://mashable.com/category/nasa)'s experimental [X-59 supersonic jet](https://mashable.com/article/nasa-x-plane-supersonic-reveal) touched down after its second test in the air, smoothly coasting onto the runway.
But the sleek, needle-nosed airplane had completed only nine minutes in the air on Friday, March 20, before a cockpit warning light forced an early landing. That warning was separate from a caution light that occurred during an earlier takeoff attempt just before 10 a.m. P.T., said Cathy Bahm, project manager at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center.
The brief flight left from Edwards Air Force Base in California at 10:54 a.m. P.T. marked only [the second time the aircraft had flown](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/quesst/nasas-x-59-experimental-supersonic-aircraft-makes-second-flight/ "(opens in a new window)"). While the team originally planned for about an hour, leaders stressed that even short flights provide new data for moving the project forward. You can watch the landing in the video below.
Bob Pearce, who heads NASA's aeronautics research, said the team made the right call to cut the flight short on Friday. The agency expects to find and fix issues at this stage of an X‑plane, an aircraft the U.S. builds to test new flight technologies and ideas.
"Sometimes it's easy to forget that building this kind of experimental aircraft means creating something that never existed before," Pearce said during [a news conference](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-invites-media-to-learn-about-upcoming-x-59-test-flights/ "(opens in a new window)"). "As far as X-planes go, it's not unusual."
The X-59 is part of [a long-term effort to change how fast commercial airplanes fly](https://www.nasa.gov/mission/quesst/ "(opens in a new window)") over land. Traditional supersonic aircraft create a loud boom when they break the sound barrier, which is why the U.S. government bans routine supersonic passenger flights over populated areas. NASA and its contractor, [Lockheed Martin,](https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2025-10-28-X-59-Soars-A-New-Era-in-Supersonic-Flight-Begins?_gl=1*1ulk36j*_gcl_au*ODM0NTU4NzIuMTc3NDE4NjQ3Mg.. "(opens in a new window)") built the X-59 to fly faster than sound while producing only a "thump," with the goal of providing regulators and the industry with the evidence needed to reconsider the restrictions.
At the kind of supersonic speeds NASA wants to target for the X-59 — around 925 mph — a nonstop flight from New York to L.A. could take less than three hours. Today's commercial airlines typically cruise at about 550 mph on that route, so passengers tend to spend about 5 to 6 hours crossing the country.
A sonic boom occurs when a plane flies faster than the speed of sound, compressing pressure waves into a single shock wave that hits the ground like a sudden explosion of air. NASA designed the X‑59 so its shape spreads those pressure changes out along the aircraft, turning that single sharp shock into a series of smaller pulses.
Residents below didn't hear the X-59's thump during either of the first two test flights — and they weren't supposed to. The plane never flew fast enough either time to make it. Both flights intentionally stayed at subsonic speeds. NASA is using these early tests to shake out systems and watch how the plane handles.
During Friday's test, the aircraft was supposed to fly for roughly an hour, reaching a cruising speed of 230 mph at 12,000 feet before accelerating to 260 mph at 20,000 feet. The plane never exceeded 230 mph, officials said.
"I certainly hoped to have more to talk about than nine minutes of flight," said Less, who flew the X-59 for the first time on this mission. "Although I had not intended to have to land quite as urgently for my first landing, the plane performed beautifully."
NASA test pilot Jim 'Clue' Less sits inside the cockpit of the experimental X-59 quiet supersonic jet at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Credit: NASA / Jim Ross
He described the aircraft as handling just like its simulators. Over hundreds of hours of test runs in the simulator, Less and other test pilots had practiced with the unconventional vision system that combines images from cameras into a high-definition display. But this was his first time flying without the traditional front window.
The long nose shape that helps soften the sonic boom doesn't leave room for a standard cockpit windscreen. But in some cases, the system offers better visibility than the naked eye, he said. If a pilot is facing into the sun, for example, image processing can reduce glare and improve contrast.
"It really felt comfortable," he said. "Even though I wasn't seeing out the front, I could see out the sides and match that up."
More than 100 test flights are planned. NASA intends to gradually push toward higher, faster flights before testing those muffled booms over towns.
Elisha Sauers writes about space for Mashable, taking deep dives into [NASA's moon and Mars missions](https://mashable.com/article/why-nasa-going-to-moon-artemis), chatting up [astronauts](https://mashable.com/article/nasa-artemis-2-moon-commander-reid-wiseman) and history-making [discoverers](https://mashable.com/article/black-hole-milky-way-discovery-sagittarius-a), and jetting [above the clouds](https://mashable.com/article/solar-eclipse-flight-delta-2024). Through 17 years of reporting, she's covered a variety of topics, including health, business, and government, with a penchant for public records requests. She previously worked for *The Virginian-Pilot* in Norfolk, Virginia, and *The Capital* in Annapolis, Maryland. Her work has earned numerous state awards, including the Virginia Press Association's top honor, [Best in Show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruwl6a8d2Z4 "(opens in a new window)"), and [national recognition](https://featuresjournalism.org/contests-2/sfj-27th-annual-winners-by-category/ "(opens in a new window)") for narrative storytelling. For each year she has covered space, Sauers has won [National Headliner Awards](https://www.headlinerawards.org/2024-online/ "(opens in a new window)"), including first place for her [Sex in Space](https://mashable.com/series/sex-in-space) series. Send space tips and story ideas to [\[email protected\]](https://mashable.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e2878e8b918a83cc918397879091a2988b84848f87868b83cc818d8f "(opens in a new window)") or text 443-684-2489. Follow her on X at [@elishasauers](https://twitter.com/elishasauers "(opens in a new window)").
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Get a lightweight Lenovo Chromebook for everyday tasks while it's under \$60 Credit: Lenovo
**TL;DR:** The refurbished [Lenovo 11.6-inch Chromebook 100E Gen 2](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=Lenovo+11.6-inch+Chromebook+100E+Gen+2&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)") is on sale for \$59.99 (reg. \$199).
***
Credit: Lenovo
\$59.99
\$199.99 Save \$140
A capable everyday laptop doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For anyone who browses, [streams](https://mashable.com/category/streaming), or handles light work on the go, this [refurbished Chromebook](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=refurbished+Chromebook&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)") checks the right boxes, and for a limited time, it’s down to just \$59.99 (reg. \$199).
The Lenovo 11.6-inch Chromebook 100E Gen 2 is built for lightweight, web-based use. Powered by an AMD A4-9120C processor and 4GB of RAM, it handles multitasking across browser tabs, email, and cloud-based apps like a charm. The 32GB of solid-state storage isn’t meant for a large local library, but it delivers quick boot times and reliably smooth day-to-day performance.
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Because it runs on Chrome OS, it’s designed around cloud storage and browser-based tools, which help keep things fast and simple without requiring much maintenance. Automatic updates and built-in [security features](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=security+features&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)") also make it a low-effort option for everyday use.
Its compact 11.6-inch HD display and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, whether you’re moving between rooms, commuting, or packing it in a bag for school or travel. You’ll also get a mix of modern ports, including USB-C for charging and accessories, plus USB 3.2 and an SD card slot for added flexibility.
This [laptop](https://mashable.com/category/laptops) is listed as Grade A refurbished, meaning it should arrive in near-mint condition with minimal signs of wear. That can be a practical way to save on a device that still handles everyday computing needs.
This setup makes the most sense for students, casual users, or anyone who primarily works in a browser and doesn’t need high-powered specs. If you’re editing video or running demanding software, this won’t be the right fit, but for lighter tasks, it keeps things straightforward.
For a limited time, you can get the [Lenovo Chromebook 100E Gen 2](https://zdcs.link/Qm8Yn3?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=Lenovo+Chromebook+100E+Gen+2&object_type=article&object_uuid=01tOBEpCpFiZZxUthOObqnd&short_url=Qm8Yn3&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle%2Fmarch-23-lenovo-11-6-chromebook-100e-gen-2-2019&session_uuid=269b2eb2-eb00-4b8f-ae4f-5d61e8cd2190&view_instance_uuid=1c6d0b01-14e5-41e4-8139-b9cf442bd1c1 "(opens in a new window)") for \$59.99 (reg. \$199), which is 70% off.
Want to see more deals? [Visit the shop](https://shop.mashable.com/) and use code **MARCH15** to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply.
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| Shard | 151 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 7998629827906806751 |
| Unparsed URL | com,mashable!/article/tesla-model-3-reviews s443 |