Laptops | The VergeThe Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.2026-04-23T13:01:33+00:00https://www.theverge.com/rss/laptops/index.xmlhttps://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1Richard LawlerSean Hollister<![CDATA[Framework’s Laptop 13 Pro launch event]]>https://www.theverge.com/?post_type=vm_stream&p=9161682026-04-23T09:01:33-04:002026-04-21T14:41:08-04:00
Framework CEO Nirav Patel showed off his company’s latest modular, repairable laptops in San Francisco on Tuesday. The headliner is the new Laptop 13 Pro, which is its first machine fully machined out of aluminum, and Patel says its goal is to be “the MacBook Pro for Linux users.”
Read on below for all the updates from Framework’s April 2026 event.
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Sean Hollister<![CDATA[Framework announces Laptop 13 Pro, ‘the MacBook Pro for Linux users’]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9155082026-04-21T20:39:36-04:002026-04-21T14:08:00-04:00
Gorilla arm who? | Image: Framework
Every time we review a Framework laptop, we find familiar pros and cons. They're trulyupgradable, incredibly repairable, but we always wish the battery lasted longer. We always wish the build quality were top notch.
Today, Framework is announcing what could be the answer: the Framework Laptop 13 Pro.
I just tried it at Framework's event in San Francisco, and the build quality feels like night and day compared to the somewhat piecemeal designs the company's released before.
It's the company's first laptop to be fully machined out of blocks of 6000-series aluminum, its first with a haptic trackpad, and its first with a fully custom 13.5 …
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Sean Hollister<![CDATA[Framework’s first eGPUs turn its laptop into a desktop PC]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9153282026-04-22T14:19:35-04:002026-04-21T14:07:24-04:00
Remember when Framework made the first laptop where you can easily upgrade its entire internal video card in three minutes flat? The company's getting into the external graphics game, too. As promised last August, you'll be able to turn the Framework Laptop 16's GPU modules into external ones instead. Or, you can plug in a desktop graphics card (or network card, or other PCIe cards) for more power than most laptops ever dream of having, with eight lanes of PCI-Express bandwidth.
Framework's calling it the OCuLink Dev Kit, because it uses the OCuLink standard to transmit data between your CPU and the external GPU, and because the company wa …
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Antonio G. Di Benedetto<![CDATA[The Mac is in good hands in Apple’s post-Cook era]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9158962026-04-21T13:25:17-04:002026-04-21T13:20:50-04:00
The Mac reached a series of low points in the Tim Cook era: the fiasco of the butterfly keyboard, the clunky transition to USB-C, the underutilized potential of the Touch Bar, and the occasionally lackluster Intel chip performance. For a while, it seemed like Apple had shifted all of its attention, innovation, and care toward the iPad. For Mac users, it was a rough stretch of time.
And then, with the transition to Apple Silicon in 2020, everything changed. The line was revitalized with hugely capable new chips, and Apple began prioritizing usability over thinness at all costs. The Mac is now in a new golden era, and yesterday's changes at A …
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Cameron Faulkner<![CDATA[The nine best ways to protect, customize, and accessorize your MacBook Neo]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9127672026-04-16T13:57:47-04:002026-04-16T13:05:54-04:00
You can use the Neo as it comes out of the box, or enhance your experience with some add-on accessories. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The MacBook Neo is poised to be a top-selling laptop in 2026, thanks in large part to its affordable $599 entry price. Despite launching at a more accessible price point than Apple’s $1,099 (though often discounted) 2026 MacBook Air, the Neo makes surprisingly few concessions in terms of build quality. Its design has the same level of precision as pricier Apple products, and we found in a hands-on comparison that it handily outclasses similarly priced Windows laptops in just about every way despite running on an iPhone chipset.
In short, you might want one, or perhaps you already have one. Whatever your situation is, it’s possible that you may also want a couple of accessories to get the most out of your Neo. We have nine recommendations — a MacBook Neo accessory starter kit, if you will — that can help you protect it, customize it, or just use it more comfortably in your day-to-day life.
A USB-C monitor to use as a second screen
Not every computer monitor supports USB-C video input, so the selection of ones that do is smaller (and often pricier) than if you just want a cheap model that only boasts HDMI or DisplayPort inputs. Whether you find a deal or not, the Asus ProArt PA278CV is an appealing (and relatively inexpensive) monitor that offers USB-C video-in as well as passthrough charging to keep your Neo charged.
It’s a 27-inch 1440p monitor with a 75Hz refresh rate that’s color accurate. It features built-in speakers and can deliver 65W of power via USB-C, which is more than enough to keep the Neo charging at its peak 30W speed (faster than the 20W charger that Apple includes). It’s typically priced at $299 at retailers like Amazon and B&H Photo, but you might find it for as low as $209 if you’re lucky.
If you want something cheaper and small enough to fit in a bag (but with even better contrast), portable OLED monitors might be a better fit. Brands like Innocn make them in various sizes with different screen capabilities, but the company’s 13.3-inch 1080p model — which connects via USB-C — is a steal at $99.99, its current price for Amazon Prime members. Otherwise, it’s $129.99 on Amazon for those without a premium membership.
Innocn 13.3-inch OLED Full HD 1080p Portable Monitor
A USB-C hub for connecting accessories and a display
The great thing about laptops with USB-C ports is that the ecosystem of compatible accessories is vast. However, the Neo has only two USB-C ports, meaning you’ll likely need to prioritize which devices to plug in at any given moment. Thankfully, you can easily expand your Neo’s capabilities with an affordable USB-C hub like Anker’s 7-in-1 model, which can expand a single port into seven for around $26 at Amazon and through Anker directly.
Not only can you use it to charge your laptop (it supports up to 85W passthrough speeds), but it also provides an HDMI port and another USB-C port, plus two USB-A ports and both full-size and microSD card readers. It’s a must-have, if you don’t already have one.
A screen protector to shield the Neo’s most fragile component
The first accessory I put on all my pricey devices that have a display is a screen protector. Several brands make them, but I always gravitate toward amFilm, which makes a tempered glass protector for the Neo that’s currently going for just $19.99 on Amazon.
Not everyone will feel the urge to buy this upgrade. But it’s never a bad idea to protect your purchase, since it might just save you from a pricey repair down the road. The protector from amFilm is easy to install, and it’s anti-scratch and anti-fingerprint, too.
AmFilm tempered glass screen protector for the MacBook Neo
If you, like me, are someone who absolutely babies their tech, you may also feel inclined to get a snap-on shell that can fit perfectly around your MacBook Neo without hiding its sleek design or color. The multicolored, matte-textured options from Mosiso seem nicer than other options, and it’s about $24 at Amazon. The plastic shells typically cost around $20, and the company claims that they don’t hinder the Neo’s ability to close. They’re also built to resist scratches, fingerprint smudging, and unwanted cracks.
Laptop stands serve different purposes for different folks. Some people want to use their laptop’s keyboard at an angle that’s more ergonomically friendly, while others may simply want to bring their laptop’s display closer to eye level. And some people may want all of those benefits. Whatever your need, Moft’s $25 Adhesive Stand is great because it’s only there when you need it. The handy laptop stand folds into itself (unlike pricier, bulkier options) and features a low-profile design that’s barely there when you need to slide your Neo into a bag.
Liquid ingress in a keyboard is one of the main reasons why a laptop dies before its time. Dust and crumbs certainly don’t help, either, as they can clog things up and prevent your keys from pressing. A lightweight keyboard cover that gently lies over the keys, thus preserving their look, feel, and backlighting, is a nice, cheap accessory that can keep dust out. Uppercase’s GhostCover is just under $13 at Amazon. It may not stop a flood of water, coffee, or your beverage of choice from getting into your Neo after a spill, but it’ll likely help limit the damage.
One important note is that this keyboard cover is only compatible with the $699 version that has a 512GB SSD and, crucially, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. It won’t fit the $599 version correctly.
The Neo’s built-in trackpad is large and responsive, but you may want to use an input off to the side for ergonomic reasons (you might also be more comfortable with a mouse). In the case of mice, there are numerous models that work with macOS — either dongle-free over Bluetooth or with a USB receiver — but the best, most feature-packed model you can currently buy is the $119.99 Logitech MX Master 4 from Amazon, Newegg, and Logitech directly. It’s a right-handed mouse that’s comfortable and high-end, with a haptics-based thumb button that can surface on-screen shortcuts to make navigating both a bit faster and easier. It also connects via Bluetooth or with its included USB-C dongle.
Another option for trackpad lovers is Apple’s official Magic Trackpad. It’s a bigger standalone trackpad than the one built into the Neo, but you can position it wherever you’d like. It starts at $119.99 from Amazon and is rechargeable via USB-C, just like the laptop, and connects wirelessly over Bluetooth.
As often as you may be at home or otherwise near a power outlet while using your MacBook Neo, sometimes you need to take it on the go. A power bank is great for rescuing depleted gadgets, or keeping them topped off until you settle down again with a power outlet. They range in price and capabilities, but given the Neo’s 30W peak charging speed, you don’t need anything extravagant on that front.
Baseus’ 20,000mAh power bank with two built-in USB-C cables, which can supply up to 45W of power, should more than suffice. It’s on sale at Amazon for $31.99 right now, and its size should allow it to charge your Neo at least once, or you can charge your laptop alongside up to three other devices at reduced charging speeds.
Baseus EnerFill FC11 Power Bank with Dual Built-in Cables
For something with more capacity that offers similar versatility thanks to its two built-in USB-C cables (one of which can extend), Anker’s 25,000mAh Laptop Power Bank is a popular choice among Verge readers. It’s significantly pricier at around $120 — though it’s currently on sale for $95.99 at Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart — and it can deliver a combined output of 165W when charging multiple devices at once.
For tinkerers, mix and match official Apple components for a customized look
It was recently discovered that Apple sells spare parts for the MacBook Neo, which are intended for repair, not necessarily for the funsies I’m about to describe. That said, you can buy parts in the color of your choosing (silver, indigo, blush, citrus) to make a fun, unique Neo that will likely attract some eyeballs when you use it in public.
Granted, it’s not affordable to make these customizations; the bottom metal case is the cheapest upgrade at $34.32, and a complete set of key caps runs $39. You’re also on your own when it comes to installing them, so it’s not a project that I’d recommend for beginner tinkerers, since you’re at risk of damaging your laptop.
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Antonio G. Di Benedetto<![CDATA[Intel’s cheaper Panther Lake chips are for budget-friendly laptops]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9130262026-04-16T09:08:34-04:002026-04-16T09:00:00-04:00
Intel is announcing a family of cheaper Panther Lake laptop processors called the Core Series 3 line. They're built on the same Intel 18A process as the higher-end Core Ultra Series 3 family of chips, but they have less of just about everything spec-wise.
The Core Series 3 (non-Ultra) line encompasses six different chips, with the highest end being a six-core Intel Core 7 360 and the low-end model being a five-core Intel Core 3 304. Compared to their Ultra counterparts, the Core Series 3 across the board have fewer CPU cores, Xe graphics cores, and PCIe lanes. They're capable of less TOPS, a lower TDP wattage, and are limited to two Thunder …
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Emma Roth<![CDATA[RAMageddon has come for Microsoft’s Surface Pro and Surface Laptop]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9113222026-04-13T16:45:41-04:002026-04-13T16:45:41-04:00
Last year, Microsoft stopped selling the $999 versions of the Surface Pro 11 and the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7 in favor of the $1,199 models with more storage. At the time, it seemed like Microsoft was trying to make room for the cheaper 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop that launched last May. However, these newer devices aren't safe from the pric …
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Emma Roth<![CDATA[You can make a multicolor MacBook Neo out of Apple’s spare parts]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9111722026-04-13T13:13:35-04:002026-04-13T13:08:31-04:00
If you're having trouble deciding on a color for a new MacBook Neo, you might not have to choose just one. The folks over at MacWorld found that Apple doesn't appear to limit the colors of spare parts you can buy for your Neo, potentially allowing you to deck out your indigo laptop with pink-tinted keyboard caps or a citrus green bottom cover.
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Stevie Bonifield<![CDATA[Framework is teasing a lot of Linux for its April 21st event]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9094012026-04-10T05:58:29-04:002026-04-09T14:24:46-04:00
Modular PC maker Framework is hosting a "Next Gen" event on April 21st at 1:30PM ET, and it looks like it might have something to do with Linux. Alongside a newsletter announcing the event, Framework posted a video on Thursday titled "Follow the white penguin." It features a few clear references to Linux, including the iconic penguin, the "I use Arch btw" meme, and a shot cycling through several Linux distro logos, including Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, CachyOS, and Bazzite.
It also said its products are available in four new countries (New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and Singapore), although it suggested holding off on orders until people see w …
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Antonio G. Di Benedetto<![CDATA[I tested three Windows laptops in the MacBook Neo’s price range — there’s no contest]]>https://www.theverge.com/?p=9083282026-04-17T13:39:11-04:002026-04-09T07:00:00-04:00
The Neo king of affordable laptops. | Photo: Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge
When the MacBook Neo arrived last month, I knew Windows laptop makers were in trouble. For $599, the Neo offers fantastic build quality and solid performance in a sleek and ultra-portable package. Windows laptops in this price range tend to be ugly, cheap-feeling, and a little slow.
Despite years of rumors, the MacBook Neo still seemed to take the Windows world by surprise. I expect proper competitors to pop up just as soon as the companies can manage, but I wanted to see what the competition in the PC space is like now.
So I asked a bunch of laptop manufacturers to send me their best answers to the MacBook Neo.
