Laptops

We’re here at Framework’s Next Gen event in San Francisco, and you can follow along with the livestream. It’s been teasing a lot of Linux: what do you think we’re about to see?

Last week I told you how much better the MacBook Neo is compared to similarly priced Windows laptops. Now, let me show you.

iFixit called the MacBook Neo the “most repairable MacBook in 14 years,” and if you’re endeavoring to repair one yourself, you can now get replacement parts from Apple, as spotted by 9to5Mac. These include the Neo’s battery, bottom case, audio board, and even its display which is $307.12 if you don’t return the broken part.

YouTube’s ETA Prime found that a strip of copper, some Noctua thermal paste, and an Arctic Thermal Pad do a surprisingly effective job at dissipating heat from the Neo’s CPU and reducing thermal throttling, as spotted by Tom’s Hardware. The liquid-cooler they add is even more effective, but feels like overkill for most Neo users.

There are new laptops across HP’s EliteBook, ProBook, and ZBook lines in varying sizes and chip configurations. Some highlights include the EliteBook 6 G2q (the lone Snapdragon X2 model of the bunch) and the EliteBook 8 Flip G2i 2-in-1 , which has a garage for an optional stylus.

I said PC makers are ill-prepared to compete with the MacBook Neo, and I’m putting it to the test. I’ve started calling in $600-700ish Windows laptops from Lenovo, Asus, Acer and more to pit against the Neo.

The Asus ROG Strix G16 and G18 are getting a chip bump to the new Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Both also have upgraded displays, with the G16 reaching 300Hz and the 240Hz G18 now using Mini LED. Pricing and availability are TBD.

Now that Dell has brought back XPS, it’s Precision’s turn. Dell is announcing new Pro Precision 5 and Pro Precision 7 laptops to replace the iPhone-sounding Dell Pro Max. They’ll come in 14- and 16-inch sizes with Intel Panther Lake CPUs and optional Nvidia Pro Blackwell GPUs. Most models are expected in May, though pricing is TBD.

IDC, Omdia, and Gartner agree: the PC market will shrink because of RAMaggedon. Respectively, they’re forecasting 11 percent, 12 percent, and 10 percent declines in 2026, far bigger than previously predicted.

If you needed another reason to consider Apple’s new entry-level laptop, YouTube’s Tech Re-Nu shared a teardown of the MacBook Neo. Inside they found most components secured with just screws, including modular USB-C ports that are easy to replace. The only part that uses glue is the cable connecting the trackpad to the mainboard.

I tested the new MacBook Neo non-stop for our big review and also did a subscriber AMA on it. (Thanks again for all the great questions!) The Neo is the new easy answer for most basic users wanting an affordable laptop.